JP2015026248A - Barcode font data, page data generation device, raster data generation device, raster data generation method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily form a barcode having a high legibility in each resolution by using the same page data.SOLUTION: Barcode font data 8 includes dedicated structure information 82 to 84. Each dedicated structure information is prepared dedicatedly for a combination of resolution to be set when generating raster data due to printing of page data and a preliminary designation size to be allocated to a barcode character in the page data with arrangement of a plurality of elements with bars and spaces alternately arranged as a barcode character, and shows the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data to the barcode character showing each character. A plurality of pieces of dedicated structure information respectively correspond to a plurality of resolution. When the page data is printed by a printer of each resolution, the same page data is used to easily form a barcode having a high legibility in each resolution by rasterizing the barcode character by using the dedicated structure information of the resolution.

Description

  The present invention relates to barcode font data, and a page data generation device, raster data generation device, raster data generation method, and program that use the barcode font data.

  Conventionally, in variable printing, a printed matter in which a barcode having a different content is printed for each page has been created. In order to print a high-density barcode so as to obtain high readability, it is necessary to specify a barcode structure (bar and space width) suitable for the resolution of the printer (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). . Therefore, software dedicated to barcode generation, form data generation application software including the same function, and the like have been developed.

“Standard Fee Proxy Storage Guidelines by GS1-128”, [online], April 2009, Distribution System Development Center, [Retrieved July 12, 2013], Internet <URL: http: //www.dsri .jp / baredi / pdf / guideline.pdf>

  By the way, as described above, when generating page data designating a barcode structure suitable for the resolution of the printer, the barcode cannot be printed with high readability in other printers having different resolutions. Therefore, when creating a printed matter with a plurality of printers having different resolutions, it is necessary to prepare page data for each printer resolution. In addition, even if a printed product is planned to be created with a printer with one resolution, it may be necessary to use a printer with another resolution suddenly due to a malfunction of the printer. It is necessary to newly generate page data for the printer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily form a barcode with high readability at two different resolutions using the same page data.

  The invention according to claim 1 is barcode font data, which indicates each of a plurality of characters, and uses a bar code character as an array of a plurality of elements in which bar and space as elements are alternately arranged as page data. Each character is prepared exclusively for a combination of a first resolution set when generating raster data associated with printing and a predetermined character size assigned to a character set as a barcode character in the page data. The first dedicated structure information indicating the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data for the barcode character indicating, and is set at the time of generating the raster data when printing the page data, and is different from the first resolution Barcode with the second resolution and the page data A special number is prepared for the combination with the predetermined character size assigned to the character set as the character, and the barcode character indicating each character indicates the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data. 2 dedicated structure information.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the barcode font data according to claim 1, further comprising standard structure information indicating the number of modules of each element for the barcode character indicating each character.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the barcode font data according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first dedicated structure information is used when generating raster data accompanying printing for one type of object. The first sub-structure information indicating the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data for the bar code character indicating each character, and the raster data accompanying printing for another type of object are used. Second sub-structure information indicating the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data for the barcode character indicating each character.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a page data generation device, wherein the storage unit stores the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the barcode area of one page. A page data generation unit configured to generate page data including the barcode font data when the barcode font data is designated.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a raster data generation device, wherein the storage unit stores the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the input unit that receives the input of the resolution for the rasterizing process. When the resolution matches one of the first resolution and the second resolution, the barcode character having the predetermined character size indicated by the input page data is dedicated to the one resolution. A rasterization processing unit that generates raster data by performing the rasterization process on the page data while using the structure information.

  The invention described in claim 6 is a raster data generation method, wherein a) the step of preparing the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and b) the input of the resolution for the rasterizing process is received. C) when the resolution matches one of the first resolution and the second resolution, the one resolution for the barcode character of the predetermined character size indicated by the input page data And generating the raster data by performing the rasterization process on the page data while using the dedicated structure information corresponding to.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a program for causing a computer to generate raster data, and the computer is executed by the CPU of the computer in a memory so that the computer is a) any one of claims 1 to 3. A step of preparing the described barcode font data, b) a step of receiving an input of resolution for rasterization processing, and c) an input when the resolution matches one of the first resolution and the second resolution Generating raster data by performing the rasterization process on the page data while using the dedicated structure information corresponding to the one resolution for the barcode character of the predetermined character size indicated by the page data to be processed And execute.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily form a highly readable barcode having a predetermined character size at two different resolutions using the same page data.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a computer. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure which a computer implement | achieves. It is a figure which shows one page which page data shows. It is a figure which shows the data structure of barcode font data. It is a figure which shows a barcode character. It is a figure which shows a barcode character. It is a figure which shows a barcode character. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which produces printed matter. It is a figure for demonstrating the quantization error in the production | generation of raster data. It is a figure for demonstrating the fatness of the bar by the bleeding of an ink. It is a figure which shows the evaluation result of the printing quality of barcode. It is a figure which shows the other example of barcode font data. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure which the computer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment implement | achieves. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which produces | generates raster data.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 1 includes a computer 2a used for generating page data, a computer 2b used for generating raster data, and an ink jet printer 11, for example. In the printing system 1, different contents (so-called variable printing) are performed for each page, such as a bill for a utility bill. The printer 11 may be an electrophotographic system or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each computer 2a, 2b (denoted by reference numeral 2 in FIG. 2) has a CPU 21 for performing various arithmetic processes, a ROM 22 for storing basic programs, and a RAM 23 for storing various information. The configuration is a general computer system connected to the line. The bus line further includes a fixed disk 25 for storing information, a display 26 for displaying various information, a keyboard 27a and a mouse 27b for accepting input from an operator, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, and the like. The reading / writing device 28 that reads information from the recording medium 91 or writes information to the recording medium 91 and the communication unit 29 that communicates with the outside appropriately communicate with each other via an interface (I / F). Connected.

  The computers 2 a and 2 b read the program 92 from the recording medium 91 in advance via the reading / writing device 28 and store it in the fixed disk 25. Then, when the program 92 is copied to the RAM 23 and the CPU 21 executes arithmetic processing according to the program in the RAM 23 (that is, when the computer executes the program), the computers 2a and 2b perform the processing described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration realized by the computer 2a. The computer 2 a includes an input unit 31, a page data generation unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The input unit 31 is realized by a keyboard 27a, a mouse 27b, and the like. The page data generation unit 32 displays a large number of pages and is described in a page description language (such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or PostScript (registered trademark)) in accordance with an input from the operator via the input unit 31. Data 7 is generated. Note that all or part of the functions of the page data generation unit 32 can be realized by software such as a commercially available form data generation application. The storage unit 33 stores barcode font data 8 used for displaying and printing barcodes included in each page of the page data 7, various font data (not shown), and the like. In FIG. 3, the rasterization processing unit 42, which is a functional configuration realized by the other computer 2b, is indicated by a broken-line block.

  Here, the page data 7 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one page 71 indicated by the page data 7. A page 71 shown in FIG. 4 shows one form, for example, an invoice, and includes a picture area 711, a text area 712, and a barcode area 713. A picture area 711 shows a picture such as a photograph showing a predetermined product or a mark of a company, and a text area 712 mainly shows a character string such as a customer's address and details of billing contents. Here, the characters include letters and symbols. In the text area 712, font data indicating a desired type of font is designated, and a desired character size (character size) is assigned. The barcode area 713 indicates a character string such as an identification code (ID) assigned for each customer and a number assigned to the bill. In the barcode area 713, barcode font data 8 is designated, and a character size (hereinafter, referred to as a predetermined character size) for printing (forming) the barcode according to various standardized (standardized) guidelines. "Pre-specified size") is assigned.

  Next, the barcode font data 8 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the barcode font data 8. The barcode font data 8 includes standard structure information 81, 360 dpi (dots per inch) dedicated structure information 82, 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, and 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84. The barcode font data 8, which is an example of the present embodiment, is displayed on the display 26 as an application standard barcode of the code 128 (Code 128) known as “charge proxy storage GS-128” or on the object. Data for printing. The barcode font data 8 may be data for displaying or printing barcodes of other standards. Here, each of a plurality of characters is shown, and an array of a plurality of elements in which bars and spaces as elements are alternately arranged is defined as a barcode character. The standard structure information 81 indicates the number of modules of each element with respect to a barcode character indicating each character. Here, the “module” is the minimum unit (basic unit) of the element width in the barcode.

  For example, the character of character number 13 has a module number 1 bar, a module number 2 space, a module number 2 bar, a module number 1 space, a module number 3 bar, and a module number 2 space arranged alternately and densely. Indicated by a bar code character. The character of the character number 63 has a module number 1 bar, a module number 1 space, a module number 1 bar, a module number 2 space, a module number 2 bar, and a module number 4 space arranged alternately and densely. Indicated by a bar code character. Thus, in principle, the barcode character indicating each character includes 6 elements, and the total number of modules is 11. The stop character that plays a special role in the barcode is a bar with 2 modules, a space with 3 modules, a bar with 3 modules, a space with 1 modules, a bar with 1 modules, a space with 1 modules, Bars with two modules are indicated by bar code characters arranged alternately and densely. A barcode character indicating a stop character includes 7 elements, and the total number of modules is 13.

  When displaying the information of the barcode area 713 in the page data 7 on the display 26, the standard is determined from the character size (in this case, a predesignated size) assigned to the character set as the barcode character in the page data 7. An ideal barcode character expressed based on the structure information 81 is quantized in units of pixels in accordance with the resolution of the display 26.

  On the other hand, the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, and the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 are used for generating raster data accompanying printing (printing) of the page data 7. Specifically, when the page data 7 is printed by a printer having a resolution of 360 dpi, the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82 is used to generate raster data used by the printer. Further, when the page data 7 is printed by a printer having a resolution of 720 dpi, the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 is used to generate raster data used by the printer. Further, when the page data 7 is printed by a printer having a resolution of 600 dpi, the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 is used to generate raster data used by the printer. Thus, the plurality of dedicated structure information 82 to 84 respectively correspond to a plurality of different resolutions. In the following description, the resolutions of 360 dpi, 720 dpi, and 600 dpi are referred to as “target resolution”.

  As described above, in the page data 7, a character designated as a barcode character is assigned a predesignated size. As will be described later, the dedicated structure information 82 to 84 is exclusively used for rasterizing barcode characters having a pre-designated size. Therefore, the dedicated structure information 82 to 84 for each target resolution is assigned to the target resolution set when the raster data is generated when the page data 7 is printed and the character set as the barcode character in the page data 7. This data is prepared exclusively for the combination with the pre-specified size. The dedicated structure information 82 to 84 indicates the number of pixels in the width of each element in the raster data for the barcode character indicating each character.

  Each of FIGS. 6 to 8 is a diagram showing a barcode character 80 indicating one character for each target resolution. The upper part of FIGS. 6 to 8 is the barcode character 80 indicated by the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, the middle part is the barcode character 80 indicated by the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, and the lower part is the barcode character indicated by the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84. 80. FIG. 6 shows a barcode character 80 having a character number 13 in which the number of modules of the plurality of elements 801 is 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 2, and FIG. 7 shows that the number of modules of the plurality of elements 801 is 1, 8 shows a bar code character 80 having a character number 63 of 1, 1, 2, 2, and 4. FIG. 8 shows a stop in which the number of modules of a plurality of elements 801 is 2, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, and 2. A bar code character 80 of the character is shown.

  6 to 8, the width of each element 801 is indicated by an arrow, and the number of pixels is indicated above or below the arrow. For example, “2px” indicates that the number of pixels is two. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82 indicates that the character having the character number 13 is represented by a bar having 2 pixels (in FIG. 6, an element 801 that is a set of two dark blocks), and the number of pixels. 6 spaces (element 801, which is a set of 6 light-colored blocks in FIG. 6), a bar with 5 pixels, a space with 3 pixels, a bar with 8 pixels, and a space with 6 pixels are alternately dense. It is indicated by a bar code character 80 arranged in a row. That is, in the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, the character of character number 13 is indicated by a column of the number of pixels of 2, 6, 5, 3, 8, and 6.

  Similarly, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, the character with the character number 63 is indicated by a column of the number of pixels of 2, 3, 2, 6, 5, and 12, and as shown in the upper part of FIG. Characters are shown in columns of the number of pixels of 5, 9, 8, 3, 2, 3, 5 Thus, in the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, the number of pixels of each bar in the barcode character 80 indicating each character is ((Mb · 3) −1), where Mb is the number of modules of the bar in the standard structure information 81. As required. Further, the number of pixels in each space is obtained as (Ms · 3), where Ms is the number of modules in the space in the standard structure information 81. In the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, the total number of pixels of the width of each barcode character 80 is 30 except for the stop character, and the total number of pixels of the width of the barcode character 80 indicating the stop character is 35.

  Here, in “charge proxy storage GS-128”, the width corresponding to the number of modules 1 is required to be included in the range of the lower limit value of 0.1524 mm or more and the upper limit value of 0.1907 mm or less. It is done. That is, the width of the element 801 having the number of modules N is required to be included in a range (hereinafter referred to as “element width allowable range”) not less than N times the lower limit value and not more than N times the upper limit value. . When a barcode character 80 is recorded by a printer having a target resolution of 360 dpi, each element 801 is made to have an element width by recording a plurality of bars according to a column of the number of pixels indicated by the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82 for each character. A bar code character 80 that satisfies (approximately) the allowable range is formed. In other words, in the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, the column of the number of pixels for each character is determined so that the barcode character 80 in which each element 801 satisfies the element width allowable range can be printed by a printer having a resolution of 360 dpi. The same applies to the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 and the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84).

  In the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 6, the character with the character number 13 is indicated by a column of the number of pixels of 3, 12, 8, 7, 13, 12. Further, as shown in the middle of FIG. 7, the character with the character number 63 is shown in a column of the number of pixels of 3, 7, 3, 12, 8, and 22, and as shown in the middle of FIG. Are shown in columns of the number of pixels of 8, 17, 13, 7, 3, 7, 8. As described above, in the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, the number of pixels of each bar in the barcode character 80 indicating each character is represented by ((Mb · 5) -2) where the number of modules of the bar in the standard structure information 81 is Mb. As required. Further, the number of pixels in each space is obtained as ((Ms · 5) +2), where Ms is the number of modules in the space in the standard structure information 81.

  In the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, the total number of pixels of the width of each barcode character 80 is 55, excluding the stop character, and the total number of pixels of the width of the barcode character 80 indicating the stop character is 63. When a barcode character 80 is recorded by a printer having a target resolution of 720 dpi, an element width allowable range is satisfied by recording a plurality of bars according to a column of the number of pixels indicated by the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 for each character. A bar code character 80 is formed.

  In the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the character with the character number 13 is indicated by a column of the number of pixels of 2, 10, 6, 6, 10, and 10. Further, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the character having the character number 63 is indicated by a column of the number of pixels of 2, 6, 2, 10, 6, 18 and, as shown in the lower part of FIG. Are shown in columns of the number of pixels of 6, 14, 10, 6, 2, 6, 6. As described above, in the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84, the number of pixels of each bar in the barcode character 80 indicating each character is represented by ((Mb · 4) −2) where Mb is the number of modules of the bar in the standard structure information 81. As required. The number of pixels in each space is obtained as ((Ms · 4) +2), where Ms is the number of modules in the space in the standard structure information 81.

  In the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84, the total number of pixels of the width of each barcode character 80 is 44, except for the stop character, and the total number of pixels of the width of the barcode character 80 indicating the stop character is 50. As described above, the total number of pixels of the width of the barcode character 80 is different from each other at a plurality of target resolutions. When a barcode character 80 is recorded by a printer having a target resolution of 600 dpi, an element width allowable range is satisfied by recording a plurality of bars according to a column of the number of pixels indicated by the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 for each character. A bar code character 80 is formed.

  In FIGS. 6 to 8, the middle barcode character 80 indicated by the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 and the lower barcode character 80 indicated by the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 are represented by the upper barcode character indicated by the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82. I draw to 80. That is, in the printer with the target resolution of 360 dpi, the printer with the target resolution of 720 dpi, and the printer with the target resolution of 600 dpi, the ratio of the size of the barcode character 80 that is actually printed on the printing paper is the upper, middle, and lower stages of FIGS. Matches the one shown in. However, in actual printing, ink bleeding or the like occurs.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, even when the barcode character 80 of the same pre-specified size is printed, the width of the barcode character 80 in the horizontal direction (the arrangement direction of the elements 801) on the printing paper is equal to the target resolution. Depending on it. In other words, the width of the barcode character 80 is different for each target resolution even when the character size is constant so that the barcode character 80 that satisfies the element width allowable range of each element 801 can be printed. Note that the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the barcode character 80 is determined for each target resolution in accordance with the number of points of a predesignated size.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing in which the printing system 1 creates a printed matter. In creating a printed matter, first, the page data generation unit 32 in FIG. 3 designs a template of a page indicating one form, for example, an invoice, in accordance with an operator input. In the template design, layouts of a plurality of areas that are common to all pages are determined (step S11), and font data and character size are designated for each area as necessary (step S12). ). Here, the layout of the pattern area 711, text area 712, and barcode area 713 in the page 71 of FIG. 4 is determined. In addition, desired font data and character size are designated for the text area 712, and barcode font data 8 and a pre-designated size are designated for the barcode area 713.

  The storage unit 33 stores in advance data (not shown) in which information to be described in the text area 712 and information to be described as a barcode in the barcode area 713 are recorded for each customer. The page data generation unit 32 generates a single page using a template for each customer, and inserts corresponding information into the text area 712 and the barcode area 713, thereby showing a large number of pages for a large number of customers. Page data 7 is generated (step S13). At this time, the barcode font data 8 used in the barcode area 713 is embedded (embedded) in the page data 7. In the present embodiment, the format of the page data 7 generated by the page data generation unit 32 is PDF. Of course, the page data 7 may be in other formats.

  As described above, when the page data generation unit 32 and the storage unit 33 cooperate as the page data generation device and the barcode font data 8 is designated for the barcode area 713 of one page, the barcode font Page data 7 including data 8 is generated. When each page is displayed on the display 26 during or after the generation of page data, the barcode character in the barcode area 713 is displayed using the standard structure information 81.

  The page data 7 is input to the computer 2b connected to the printer 11. In the rasterization processing unit 42, the resolution of the printer 11 is input and set in advance as the resolution for the rasterization processing (hereinafter referred to as “processing resolution”). Then, rasterization processing is performed on the page data 7 in accordance with the processing resolution, and raster data is generated (step S14).

  At this time, in the rasterizing process for each character in the barcode area 713, the number of pixels in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as “character size”) assigned to each character from the character size (number of points) assigned to the barcode area 713 and the processing resolution. , “Specific pixel count”). If the specific number of pixels matches the number of pixels derived from the pre-specified size and the resolution of 360 dpi by the same calculation, the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82 is selected in the barcode font data 8 included in the page data 7. Each character in the barcode area 713 is rasterized as the barcode character 80 of the character indicated by the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82. That is, in the raster data, each character in the barcode area 713 is represented by a barcode character 80 having a total width of 30 or 35 pixels. The number of pixels in the vertical direction of the barcode character 80 matches, for example, the number of specific pixels (the same applies hereinafter).

  The specific number of pixels does not match the total number of pixels of the width of the barcode character 80 indicated by the 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82 (the same applies when the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 and the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 are selected). Even in this case, the rasterization processing unit 42 sequentially sets positions of a plurality of barcode characters 80 in accordance with the total number of pixels of the width of the barcode character 80 in the image indicated by the raster data. The bar code characters 80 can be arranged without gaps.

  If the specific pixel number matches the pixel number derived from the pre-specified size and the resolution of 720 dpi, the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 is selected in the barcode font data 8 included in the page data 7. Each character in the barcode area 713 is rasterized as the barcode character 80 of the character indicated by the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83. That is, in the raster data, each character in the barcode area 713 is represented by a barcode character 80 having a total width of 55 or 63 pixels.

  Further, when the specific number of pixels matches the number of pixels derived from the prespecified size and the resolution of 600 dpi, 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 is selected in the barcode font data 8 included in the page data 7. Each character in the barcode area 713 is rasterized as the barcode character 80 of the character indicated by the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84. That is, in the raster data, each character in the barcode area 713 is represented by a barcode character 80 having a total number of pixels of 44 or 50 in width.

  In the printing system 1, the resolution of the printer 11 is one of the target resolutions of 360 dpi, 720 dpi, and 600 dpi, and a predesignated size is assigned to the barcode area 713 in the page data 7. Therefore, raster data is generated using any of the dedicated structure information 82 to 84 for the character in the barcode area 713. In the printer 11, printing is performed on the printing paper according to the raster data, and a printed matter indicating a large number of pages indicated by the page data 7 is created (step S15). In the printing system 1, the continuous generation of raster data and the printing according to the generated raster data (part) are performed in parallel.

  Here, the process of the comparative example which produces printed matter is described. In the processing of the comparative example, the barcode font data includes only standard structure information 81 indicating the number of modules of each element with respect to the barcode character indicating each character. In this case, an ideal barcode character expressed based on the standard structure information 81 is quantized pixel by pixel in accordance with the resolution of the printer 11. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, if the width of the bar 901 of an ideal barcode character is not an integer multiple of the pixel width based on the resolution of the printer 11, a quantization error occurs. As a result, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the width of the bar 902 in the raster data and the width of the space between the bars 902 are greatly deviated from the width of the ideal barcode character. As a result, in the printed matter printed according to the raster data, the bar code readability is lowered. Further, in the printer 11, the width of the bar 904 that is actually formed on the printing paper with respect to the width of the bar 903 in the raster data shown in the upper part of FIG. It becomes wider (that is, the width of the space becomes narrower). Also in this case, the readability of the barcode is lowered in the printed matter.

  In contrast, in the printing system 1, barcode font data 8 including dedicated structure information of the first target resolution and dedicated structure information of the second target resolution that is different from the first target resolution is prepared. Barcode font data 8 is included in the page data 7. In each dedicated structure information, the quantization error at the corresponding target resolution and the number of pixels of the width of each element 801 in consideration of ink bleeding are determined for each character. Then, when the page data 7 is printed by the printer having the first target resolution, the rasterization processing of the barcode character 80 having a predesignated size is performed selectively using the dedicated structure information of the first target resolution. Further, when the page data 7 is printed by the printer having the second target resolution, the rasterization processing of the barcode character 80 having a pre-designated size is performed selectively using the dedicated structure information of the second target resolution. As a result, it is possible to easily form (print) a barcode having a high pre-designated size and satisfying the element width allowable range at two different target resolutions using the same page data 7. .

  As a result, when it is planned to produce printed matter with a printer with one resolution, page data is newly generated even if it becomes necessary to use a printer with another resolution suddenly due to a printer failure or the like. There is no need, and it is possible to flexibly cope with a sudden change of printer. In other words, it is possible to secure a degree of freedom in selecting a printer when printing the page data 7. Further, even when a printed matter is created by a plurality of printers having different resolutions, it is not necessary to create individual page data for the plurality of printers.

  The page data generation unit 32 is conscious of printing characteristics such as the resolution of the printer actually used and ink bleeding only by embedding the barcode font data 8 in the page data 7 while assigning a pre-specified size to the barcode area 713. Therefore, the page data 7 capable of printing a high-quality barcode can be easily generated (without trouble). Generation of such page data 7 does not depend on the type of software, and it can be said that the barcode font data 8 has high versatility.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the evaluation result of the barcode print quality. In FIG. 12, raster data generated using 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, and 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84 is converted into a resolution 360 dpi printer, resolution 720 dpi printer, and resolution 600 dpi printer. 7 shows the result of evaluating the print quality of the barcode when printing is performed in accordance with the ISO / IEC 15416 standard. In the evaluation results, “A” has the highest readability, “B”, “C”, and “D” have lower readability in the order, and “F” indicates that readability cannot be guaranteed. From FIG. 12, it can be seen that when the raster data generated using the dedicated structure information 82 to 84 is printed by a printer having a resolution corresponding to the dedicated structure information 82 to 84, high print quality can be obtained. In the barcode font data 8, when printing is performed by a printer having the target resolution, raster data is generated using the dedicated structure information 82 to 84 corresponding to the target resolution, so the bottom line in FIG. As shown in the figure, a high print quality is always obtained.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of barcode font data. The 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82a of barcode font data according to another example includes first sub structure information 821 and second sub structure information 822. The first sub structure information 821 is used when generating raster data associated with printing on a printing paper that is plain paper. The second sub structure information 822 is used at the time of generating raster data accompanying printing on the printing paper that is coated paper. Each of the first sub structure information 821 and the second sub structure information 822 indicates the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data with respect to the barcode character indicating each character. Actually, the width in which the bar on the printing paper spreads due to ink bleeding differs between plain paper and coated paper. Therefore, the number of pixels of the element width in at least some barcode characters is the first substructure information. 821 and the second substructure information 822 are different. In the barcode font data 8 according to the present embodiment, in each of the 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83 and the 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84, the first sub structure information used when generating raster data associated with printing on plain paper, and coated paper 2nd substructure information used at the time of the production | generation of the raster data accompanying the printing with respect to this.

  In the rasterizing process of the page data 7 in the rasterizing processing unit 42, raster data is generated for the characters of the pre-designated size in the barcode area 713 using dedicated structure information 82 to 84 corresponding to the processing resolution. At this time, since the type of printing paper (in this case, plain paper or coated paper) used in the printer 11 is set in advance in the rasterization processing unit 42, the first substructure information or the second substructure information is selected according to the type. Structural information is selectively used. The printer 11 performs printing on the type of printing paper according to the raster data.

  As described above, the dedicated structure information in the barcode font data 8 includes the first sub structure information used when generating raster data associated with the printing for one type of object and the printing for the other type of object. Second sub-structure information used when generating raster data associated therewith. Thereby, according to the kind of target object, a highly readable barcode can be formed easily. Of course, the barcode font data 8 may include three or more sub-structure information corresponding to three or more types of objects.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized by the computer 2b according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As described above, in the computer 2 b (see the computer 2 in FIG. 2), the program 92 is read from the recording medium 91 in advance via the reading / writing device 28 and stored in the fixed disk 25. Then, when the program 92 is copied to the RAM 23 and the CPU 21 executes arithmetic processing according to the program in the RAM 23 (that is, when the computer executes the program), the computer 2b performs processing as the raster data generation unit 4. I do. The raster data generation unit 4 includes an input unit 41, a rasterization processing unit 42a, and a storage unit 43.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing in which the raster data generation unit 4 generates raster data. In the raster data generation unit 4, the barcode font data 8 is stored and prepared in the storage unit 43 (step S21). Similar to the example of FIG. 5, the barcode font data 8 includes standard structure information 81, 360 dpi dedicated structure information 82, 720 dpi dedicated structure information 83, and 600 dpi dedicated structure information 84. The dedicated structure information 82 to 84 in the barcode font data 8 may include a plurality of substructure information. Further, the input of the processing resolution by the operator is accepted by the input unit 41, and the processing resolution is set in the rasterization processing unit 42a (step S22).

  Subsequently, page data including barcode font data that does not include the barcode font data or includes only the standard structure information 81 is input to the raster data generation unit 4 (step S23). In the rasterization processing unit 42a, rasterization processing is performed on the page data to generate raster data (step S24). At this time, when the processing resolution matches one of the target resolutions, rasterization is performed using the dedicated structure information 82 to 84 corresponding to the target resolution for the barcode character of the pre-specified size indicated by the input page data. Processing is performed. The raster data is used for printing in the printer 11 connected to the computer 2b. In the present embodiment, continuous generation of raster data and printing in accordance with (generated) raster data are performed in parallel.

  As described above, in the raster data generation unit 4 which is a raster data generation device, the barcode font data 8 is stored in the storage unit 43, and when raster data of any target resolution is generated from the page data. Then, the dedicated structure information corresponding to the target resolution in the barcode font data 8 is selected. As a result, even when the page data input to the raster data generation unit 4 does not include the barcode font data 8, a bar code having a high pre-designated size and an element width allowable range can be obtained at the target resolution. It is possible to form easily while satisfying.

  The printing system 1 and the raster data generation unit 4 can be variously modified. For example, the storage units 33 and 43 may store a plurality of barcode font data 8 respectively corresponding to a plurality of standards.

  The target resolutions of 360 dpi, 720 dpi, and 600 dpi are merely examples, and other resolutions may be included in the target resolution. In this case, the bar code font data 8 includes dedicated structure information of the other resolution. In addition, two or four or more types of target resolutions may be set, and two or four or more dedicated structure information may be included in the barcode font data 8. Further, in the barcode font data 8, the standard structure information 81 may be omitted, and barcode characters may be displayed on the display 26 using the dedicated structure information 82 to 84.

  The configurations in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate as long as they do not contradict each other.

2, 2a, 2b Computer 4 Raster data generator 7 Page data 8 Barcode font data 21 CPU
23 RAM
32 page data generation unit 33, 43 storage unit 31, 41 input unit 42, 42a rasterization processing unit 71 page 80 barcode character 81 standard structure information 82-84, 82a dedicated structure information 92 program 713 barcode area 801 element 821, 822 Substructure information S11-S15, S21-S24 Step

Claims (7)

Barcode font data,
A first resolution that is set when raster data is generated when printing page data, with each of a plurality of elements indicating a bar code character as an array of a plurality of elements that are alternately arranged as bars and spaces, Prepared exclusively for a combination with a predetermined character size assigned to the character set as the barcode character in the page data, and the width of each element in the raster data for the barcode character indicating each character. First dedicated structure information indicating the number of pixels;
A second resolution different from the first resolution, which is set when generating raster data associated with printing of page data, and the predetermined character size assigned to a character set as a barcode character in the page data; 2nd dedicated structure information indicating the number of pixels of the width of each element in the raster data for the barcode character indicating each character,
Barcode font data characterized by comprising. The barcode font data according to claim 1,
Bar code font data further comprising standard structure information indicating the number of modules of each element with respect to the bar code character indicating each character. The barcode font data according to claim 1 or 2,
The first dedicated structure information is
First sub-structure information used when generating raster data accompanying printing for one type of object, and indicating the number of pixels in the width of each element in the raster data for the barcode character indicating each character;
Second substructure information used when generating raster data accompanying printing for another type of object, and indicating the number of pixels of each element width in the raster data with respect to the barcode character indicating each character; ,
Barcode font data characterized by comprising. A page data generator,
A storage unit for storing the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A page data generation unit that generates page data including the barcode font data when the barcode font data is designated for the barcode area of one page;
A page data generation device comprising: A raster data generation device,
A storage unit for storing the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An input unit for receiving resolution input for rasterization processing;
When the resolution matches one of the first resolution and the second resolution, a dedicated structure corresponding to the one resolution for the barcode character of the predetermined character size indicated by the input page data A rasterization processing unit that generates raster data by performing the rasterization process on the page data while using information;
A raster data generation device comprising: A raster data generation method,
a) preparing the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
b) receiving a resolution input for the rasterization process;
c) When the resolution matches one of the first resolution and the second resolution, the bar code character of the predetermined character size indicated by the input page data corresponds to the one resolution. A process of generating raster data by performing the rasterization process on the page data while using dedicated structure information;
A raster data generation method comprising: A program for causing a computer to generate raster data, and when the CPU of the computer executes the program in a memory,
a) preparing the barcode font data according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
b) receiving a resolution input for the rasterization process;
c) When the resolution matches one of the first resolution and the second resolution, the bar code character of the predetermined character size indicated by the input page data corresponds to the one resolution. A process of generating raster data by performing the rasterization process on the page data while using dedicated structure information;
A program characterized by having executed.

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