JP2016099700A - Printer driver and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer driver reducing a printing region of data including a data portion where a bar-code is printed without zooming out and printing the bar-code.SOLUTION: A printer driver causes a computer 2 to function as a driver operation section 8. The driver operation section 8 comprises: a data reception section 22 receiving data from an application operation section 7; a data portion extraction section 23 extracting a data portion where a first bar-code is printed from the data; an information acquisition section 24 acquiring bar-code information of the first bar-code; a bar-code data generation section 25 encoding the bar-code information to a second bar-code of another specification having a small height dimension of a printing region and generating bar-code data printing the second bar-code; a printing data generation section 26 generating printing data obtained by replacing the data portion with the bar-code data; and a printing data transmission section 27 transmitting the printing data to a printer 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a printer driver and a printing method for printing a barcode on a medium by driving a printer.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses an image forming apparatus that performs printing by correcting data portions of data when printing data including a data portion for printing a barcode is received. In this document, bitmap format image data is generated from print data, and a data portion for printing a barcode is obtained from the image data by a technique such as pattern matching. Then, a correction for maintaining the image quality of the barcode is performed on the data portion.

JP 2011-98488 A

If a data portion for printing a barcode is extracted when printing data, and the barcode is reduced by printing the data portion, the print area of the data can be reduced. If the print area can be reduced, the recording paper can be saved when printing such data on a long recording paper fed out from the roll paper. However, if the barcode is reduced and printed, bleeding or the like may occur, and the barcode reading accuracy may be reduced.

In view of such a problem, the problem of the present invention is to reduce the barcode and print it,
It is an object of the present invention to propose a printer driver and a printing method for reducing a printing area of printing data including a data portion for printing a barcode.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a printer driver that operates on a computer and operates a printer connected to the computer to perform printing on a medium, and the computer includes a data portion for printing a barcode. A receiving unit that receives data for printing, an extracting unit that extracts the data portion from the data, and an information acquisition unit that decodes the barcode based on the data portion to obtain barcode information included in the barcode And barcode data for printing the second barcode by encoding the barcode information into a second barcode of another standard having a printing area with a height dimension smaller than that of the barcode. A barcode data generation unit to generate, and the data portion in the data is placed by the barcode data. A print data generating unit that generates print data, characterized in that to function in a transmitting unit that transmits the print data to the printer.

The printer driver of the present invention replaces the data portion for printing the barcode in the printing data with the barcode data for printing the second barcode of another standard having a small print area height dimension. Is generated. Then, the printer driver transmits the print data to the printer and causes the printer to print. According to the present invention, since the barcode is converted into the second barcode of another standard having a small print area height dimension and printed, it is compared with the case where the barcode of the same standard is reduced and printed. Thus, it is possible to reduce the data printing area while suppressing the reading accuracy from being lowered.

In the present invention, in order to convert a barcode printed by printing data into a second barcode having a small print area, the barcode data generation unit is configured to generate the second barcode based on the barcode standard. A standard can be set.

In the present invention, the medium may be a long recording paper fed out from a roll paper. In this way, recording paper can be saved by reducing the data printing area.

Next, the printing method of the present invention receives printing data including a data portion for printing a barcode, extracts the data portion from the data, decodes the barcode based on the data portion, and Bar code information included in the bar code is acquired, and the bar code information is encoded into a second bar code of another standard whose height dimension of the print area is smaller than that of the bar code. Generate barcode data for printing a code, generate print data by replacing the data portion in the data with the barcode data,
The print data is printed by a printer.

According to the present invention, when printing data for printing that includes a data portion for printing a barcode, the barcode is converted into a second barcode of another standard in which the height dimension of the print area is small. ,Print. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the data printing area while suppressing the reading accuracy from being lowered as compared with the case where the barcode of the same standard is reduced and printed.

In the present invention, in order to convert a barcode printed by printing data into a second barcode having a small print area, the barcode standard is acquired based on the data portion and based on the standard. Thus, another standard can be set.

In the present invention, the second print data can be printed on a long recording paper fed out from a roll paper. In this way, recording paper can be saved by reducing the data printing area.

1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. 2 is a flowchart of a printing operation by the printing system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a printing result. It is explanatory drawing of another example of a printing result.

  A printing system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. The printing system 1 of this example includes a computer 2 and a printer 3 that is communicably connected to the computer 2. The computer 2 includes a control unit 5 including a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The control unit 5 functions as the OS operation unit 6 by the operation of the operating system (OS). The control unit 5 functions as an application operation unit 7 by the operation of application software. Further, it functions as a driver operation unit 8 by the operation of the printer driver.

The application operation unit 7 generates printing application data (printing data) including a data portion for printing the first barcode. The driver operation unit 8 receives application data from the application operation unit 7 via the OS operation unit 6. Also,
The driver operation unit 8 generates print data based on the application data, and transmits the generated print data to the printer 3.

The printer 3 is a roll paper printer that prints on a long recording paper 11 fed out from the roll paper 10. When the printer 3 receives the print data from the computer 2,
The recording paper 11 is conveyed so as to pass through the printing position by the printing head 15, and printing is performed on the recording paper 11 passing through the printing position by the printing head 15.

(Printer driver operation part)
As shown in FIG. 1, the driver operation unit 8 includes an operation mode setting unit 21 and a data reception unit 22.
A data portion extraction unit 23, an information acquisition unit 24, a barcode data generation unit 25, a print data generation unit 26, and a print data transmission unit 27.

The operation mode setting unit 21 switches the operation mode of the printing system 1 between the normal mode and the recording paper saving mode. The operation mode setting unit 21 displays an operation mode setting dialog box on a display (not shown) of the computer 2 and waits for input of operation mode setting information for setting the operation mode from the operator. The operation mode setting unit 21 stores and holds the input operation mode setting information in the memory 31, thereby setting the operation mode of the printing system 1 to the operation mode selected by the operator.

Here, the normal mode is an operation mode in which the printing system 1 prints the first barcode B1 (see FIG. 3B) included in the application data as it is. On the other hand, in the recording paper saving mode, the first barcode B1 included in the application data by the printing system 1 is compared with the first barcode B1, and the second barcode of another standard whose print region height dimension is small. This is an operation mode for printing after converting to (second barcode) B2 (see FIG. 3A).

The data receiving unit 22 receives application data from the application operating unit 7 via the OS operating unit 6. Further, the data receiving unit 22 expands the received application data two-dimensionally in the page memory 32 for generating print data. Page memory 32
The expanded data of the application data expanded in (1) corresponds to the image of the print result obtained by printing the application data.

When the operation mode setting information for setting the printing system 1 to the recording paper saving mode is stored in the memory 31 (when the printing system 1 is set to the recording paper saving mode), the data partial extraction unit 23 A data portion for printing the first barcode B1 is extracted from the application data. More specifically, the data portion extraction unit 23 includes each barcode standard,
A bar code identification information table 33 is provided in association with each of a plurality of pattern data for performing pattern matching, and a pattern is generated between the developed data developed in the page memory 32 and the plurality of pattern data. Matching is performed, and a data portion for printing the first barcode B1 is extracted from the developed data. Further, the data part extraction unit 23 acquires the standard of the first barcode B1 together with the extraction of the data part.

Here, barcodes included in application data include UPC-A and JAN.
13, ITF, Code39, GS1-128, GS1 DataBar Expand
There is a standard one-dimensional barcode such as ed. Further, barcodes included in application data include PDF417, QRCode, MaxiCode, GS1 DataB.
There are two-dimensional barcodes of standards such as ar Expanded Stacked. In this example, the bar code identification information table 33 stores and holds pattern data for identifying the data portions of these standards.

When the data portion for printing the first barcode B1 is extracted from the expanded data, the information acquisition unit 24 decodes the first barcode B1 based on the data portion, and displays the barcode information included in the first barcode B1. get. That is, the barcode information is acquired based on the standard of the first barcode B1 acquired by the data portion extraction unit 23 and the data portion for printing the second barcode B2 in the expanded data.

The barcode data generation unit 25 includes a barcode standard selection information table 34 that associates the magnitude relationship of the height dimensions of the print area among a plurality of types of barcodes having different standards. When the barcode information is acquired, the barcode data generation unit 25 refers to the barcode standard selection information table 34 based on the standard of the first barcode B1 acquired by the data partial extraction unit 23, and the first barcode Another standard is selected in which the height dimension of the print area is smaller than that of the code B1. In addition, the barcode data generation unit 25 encodes the barcode information into the second barcode B2 of the selected standard, and generates barcode data for printing the second barcode B2. The bar code data is data corresponding to the image of the second bar code B 2 and can be developed in the page memory 32.

Here, the bar code standard selection information table 34 includes, for example, UPC-A, JAN1.
3, ITF, Code39, GS1-128, GS1 DataBar Expande
PDF417 or QRC rather than the height dimension of the printing area of the one-dimensional barcode of each standard such as d
Information that the height dimension of the printing area of the two-dimensional barcode of each standard such as ode is small is recorded and held. The bar code standard selection information table 34 includes a MaxiCode.
The information that the height dimension of the printing area of the standard two-dimensional barcode such as PDF417 and QRCode is smaller than the height dimension of the printing area of the standard two-dimensional barcode such as GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked is recorded and held. Yes.

When the barcode data generation unit 25 generates barcode data when the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set to the recording paper saving mode, the print data generation unit 26 is expanded in the page memory 32. The data portion for printing the first barcode B1 in the expanded data is replaced with barcode data, and this is used as print data. In addition, when the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set to the normal mode, the print data generation unit 26 uses the expanded data as print data.

Here, when the data portion for printing the first barcode B1 on the page memory 32 is replaced with the barcode data, the data area of the data portion for printing the barcode (the height of the image of the second barcode B2) is obtained. This is smaller than the data area (the height of the image of the first barcode B1) of the data portion for printing the barcode before replacement. In addition, when there is a data portion for printing text or an image on the page memory 32 behind the data portion for printing the first barcode B1, the data area of the data portion for printing the barcode is displayed. The data portion is packed forward on the page memory 32 by the amount that has been reduced. Therefore, the developed data after replacement is a data obtained by shortening the length dimension of the print area when the developed data is printed as compared with the developed data before replacement.

When the print data generation unit 26 generates the print data, the print data transmission unit 27
This print data is transmitted to the printer 3.

(Printing operation)
Next, the printing operation of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the printing operation by the printing system 1. FIG. 3A shows a printing result in the recording paper saving mode, and FIG. 3B shows a printing result in the normal mode. In this example, it is assumed that the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set in advance to the normal mode or the recording paper saving mode by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the application data for printing is output from the application operating unit 7 (step ST1), the data receiving unit 22 of the driver operating unit 8 receives the application data via the OS operating unit 6. The data receiving unit 22 expands the application data in the page memory 32 and generates expanded data (step ST).
2).

Here, when the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set to the recording paper saving mode (
Step ST3: Yes), the data portion extraction unit 23 extracts the data portion for printing the first barcode B1 from the development data of the application data, and acquires the standard of the first barcode B1 (step ST4). In this example, the standard for the first barcode B1 is JA.
N13.

When the data portion is extracted, the information acquisition unit 24 decodes the first barcode B1 based on the extracted data portion and the standard of the first barcode B1, and the barcode information included in the first barcode B1. Is acquired (step ST5).

When the bar code information is acquired, the bar code data generating unit 25 displays the first bar code B1.
The bar code standard selection information table 34 is referred to based on the standard of the first bar code B1.
A different standard is selected in which the height dimension of the print area is small compared to. In this example, PDF417 is selected as another standard. Further, the barcode data generation unit 25 encodes the barcode information into the selected second barcode B2 of the selected standard, and generates barcode data for printing the second barcode B2 (step ST6).

When the barcode data is generated, the print data generation unit 26 selects the first data in the expanded data.
Print data is generated by replacing the data portion for printing the barcode B1 with the barcode data (step ST7). When the print data is generated, the print data transmission unit 27 transmits the print data to the printer 3 (step ST8). Upon receiving the print data, the printer 3 prints the print data on the recording paper 11 (step ST9). The printing result in this case is as shown in FIG.

Here, when the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set to the normal mode (step ST3: No), the print data generation unit 26 sets the developed data as print data (step S).
T10). When the print data is generated, the print data transmission unit 27 transmits the print data to the printer 3 (step ST8). Upon receiving the print data, the printer 3 prints the print data on the recording paper 11 (step ST9). The print result in this case is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b).

In the recording paper saving mode, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second barcode B2 (PDF417) is used.
The height dimension B2H of the print area in the up-down direction of the recording paper is the height dimension B1H of the print area in the up-down direction of the first bar code B1 (JAN13) when printing in the normal mode.
Smaller than. Accordingly, in the recording paper saving mode, the height dimension of the print area (the length of the print area) of the print data in the vertical direction of the recording paper is shortened. Therefore, the recording paper 11 can be saved. In addition, since the height of the barcode printing area is shortened by changing the barcode standard to be printed, the barcode printing area height dimension is shortened by reducing the barcode printing. Compared to the case, the barcode reading accuracy does not decrease.

Next, the case where the standard of the first barcode included in the application data is MaxiCode will be described. 4A shows the printing result in the recording paper saving mode in this case, and FIG. 4B shows the printing result in the normal mode in this case.

In the case where the standard of the first barcode included in the application data is MaxiCode and the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set to the recording paper saving mode, in step ST6 shown in FIG. QRCode is selected as another standard in which the height dimension of the print area is smaller than that of 1 barcode B1. Accordingly, the driver operation unit 8 generates barcode data for printing the second barcode of QRCode, and also generates print data in which the data portion for printing the first barcode B1 in the decompressed data is replaced with barcode data. The print data is transmitted to the printer 3 (step ST7 to step ST8). Upon receiving the print data, the printer 3 prints the print data on the recording paper 11 (step ST9). The print result in this case is shown in FIG.
It becomes what is shown to a).

When the standard of the first barcode included in the application data is MaxiCode and the operation mode of the printing system 1 is set to the normal mode, the driver operation unit 8 generates print data from the expanded data, and Print data is transmitted to the printer 3 (step ST2, step ST10, step ST8). Upon receiving the print data, the printer 3 prints the print data on the recording paper 11 (step ST9). The printing result in this case is as shown in FIG.

In the recording paper saving mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second barcode B2 (QRCode)
The height dimension B2H of the print area in the vertical direction of the recording paper is smaller than the height dimension B1H of the print area in the vertical direction of the recording paper of the first barcode B1 (MaxiCode) when printing in the normal mode. Accordingly, in the recording paper saving mode, the height dimension of the print area of print data (the length of the print area) is shortened. Therefore, the recording paper 11 can be saved. Also, since the barcode printing width has been narrowed by changing the barcode standard to be printed, the barcode is reduced compared to the case where the barcode printing width is narrowed by reducing the barcode printing. Reading accuracy is not reduced.

(Other embodiments)
Operation mode setting unit 21, data receiving unit 22, data partial extracting unit 23, information acquiring unit 24,
The barcode data generation unit 25 and the print data generation unit 26 may be provided in the printer 3. In this case, the printer driver operation unit 8 transmits the application data from the computer 2 to the printer 3, and the data portion for printing the first barcode B1 in the application data is displayed on the printer 3 side at the height of the print area. Print data is generated by replacing the second barcode of another standard having a small size with the barcode data to be printed. The print data is printed by the printer 3.

1..Print system 2..Computer 3..Printer 5..Computer control unit 6..OS operation unit 7. Application operation unit 8. Driver operation unit 10..Roll paper , 11 .. Recording paper, 15... Print head, 21 .. Operation mode setting unit, 22 .. Data receiving unit, 23 .. Data partial extraction unit, 24 .. Information acquisition unit, 25. , 26... Print data generation unit, 27 .. print data transmission unit, 31.
-Memory, 32-Page memory, 33-Barcode identification information table, 34
・ Barcode standard selection information table, B1..first barcode, B1H..height size of first barcode printing area, B2..second barcode, B2H..second barcode printing area Height dimension

Claims (6)

In a printer driver that operates on a computer and operates a printer connected to the computer to print on a medium,
The computer,
A receiving unit for receiving data for printing including a data part for printing a barcode;
An extractor for extracting the data portion from the data;
An information acquisition unit that decodes the barcode based on the data portion and acquires barcode information of the barcode;
A barcode that generates barcode data for printing the second barcode by encoding the barcode information into a second barcode according to another standard whose height dimension of the print area is smaller than that of the barcode. A code data generator,
A print data generation unit that generates print data by replacing the data portion in the data with the barcode data;
A transmission unit for transmitting the print data to the printer;
A printer driver characterized by making it function. In claim 1,
The printer driver, wherein the barcode data generation unit sets the other standard based on the barcode standard. In claim 1 or 2,
The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein the medium is a long recording paper fed out from a roll paper. Receives the data for printing including the data part to print the barcode,
Extracting the data portion from the data;
Decode the barcode based on the data portion to obtain the barcode information that the barcode has,
The barcode information is encoded into a second barcode of another standard whose height dimension of a print area is smaller than that of the barcode, and barcode data for printing the second barcode is generated.
Generating print data by replacing the data portion in the data with the barcode data;
A printing method, wherein the print data is printed by a printer. In claim 4,
The printing method, wherein the different standard is set based on the barcode standard. In claim 4 or 5,
A printing method, wherein the print data is printed on a long recording paper fed out from a roll paper.

Images