JP2017140780A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an issuing device which allows a user who is not familiar with a bar-code to easily perform setting of a bar-code to be used in a label when creating a format of the label to be printed.SOLUTION: An issuing device which outputs code information to a medium includes: storage means which stores code information that can be issued and the specification of the code information; input means which can input a desired condition on the code information; and extraction means which extracts the code information suitable to the input condition out of the code information stored in the storage means on the basis of the condition input by the input means and the specification of the code information stored in the storage means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an issuing device for issuing a label to be attached to a product.

Conventionally, in a label printer that prints a label attached to a product, a user can create a label format and print the label based on the created format. (Patent Document 1)
Further, a barcode is usually printed on the current label, and the barcode printed on the label can be selected in accordance with the setting of the label format.

JP 2006-113753 A

  However, there are many types of barcodes, and the information that can be recorded and the information that is suitable for recording differ depending on the type of barcode. I don't know if I should select a barcode. In addition, there may be a system and a horizontal barcode that cannot be read by the scanner. Although it is possible to set a suitable barcode by repeating the inquiry to the manufacturer and trial printing, time and materials are wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when creating a format for a label to be printed, even a user who is not familiar with the barcode can easily set the barcode used for the label. It is an object of the present invention to provide an issuing device that can be used.

  The present invention relates to an issuing device for outputting code information to a medium, comprising: storage means for storing issuable code information and code information standards; and input means capable of inputting a desired condition relating to the code information. And an extraction means for extracting code information suitable for the condition input from the code information stored in the storage means based on the condition input by the code and the code information standard stored in the storage means. To do.

  According to the present invention, an appropriate barcode is extracted simply by inputting a desired condition relating to the barcode. Therefore, even a user who is not familiar with the barcode selects an appropriate barcode to be printed on the label. be able to.

It is a system diagram of an issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the storage area of RAM of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure of the area which memorize | stores the barcode standard, (b) is the area of the area which memorize | stores the input information It is a figure, (c) is a figure of the area which memorize | stores the information of the scanner to be used. It is a figure of the label issued by the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) thru | or (e) are the figures which show the one-dimensional barcode which is the code information used with the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a barcode setting flowchart in the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the system input setting subroutine performed in the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the digit number input setting subroutine performed in the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a flowchart of a character input setting subroutine executed in the issuing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a flowchart of a scan input setting subroutine executed in the issuing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart. It is a figure of the "setting method selection screen" displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure of the setting screen displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure of a "system selection screen", (b) is a figure of a "digit number setting screen". is there. It is a figure of the setting screen displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) (b) is a figure of an "item reference setting screen". It is a figure of the setting screen displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure of an "item reference setting screen", (b) is a figure of a "character input screen". is there. It is a figure of the setting screen displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure of a "digit number setting screen", (b) is a figure of a "system selection screen". is there. It is a figure of the setting screen displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure of a "character input setting screen", (b) is a figure of a "system selection setting screen" It is. It is a figure of the setting screen displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) (b) is a figure of a "scan input setting screen". It is a figure of the "bar code confirmation screen" displayed on the output means of the issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

(Overall configuration of issuing device)
The present invention will be described using an embodiment of an issuing device that prints a one-dimensional barcode as code information on a label.
The issuing device according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a label transport unit 4 that feeds out from a paper roll R, a label printing unit 5 that prints product information on a fed-out linerless label, and a sheet of paper on which product information is printed. The label issuing device includes a label cutting unit 6 that cuts into a leaf shape and issues a label including at least a one-dimensional barcode as information.
As shown in FIG. 1, the label issuing device includes a ROM 12 storing a control program for controlling driving of the label printing unit 5 and the like, and a label transport unit 4 and a label printing unit 5 according to the control program stored in the ROM 12. A control means 1 having a CPU 11 for controlling the label cutting means 6 and a RAM 13 for storing setting values for controlling the means, label information, print information to be printed on the labels, and the like; An input means 2 for inputting setting values for controlling each means and product information to be printed on a label, and an output means 3 that is also connected to the control means 1 and outputs a driving state of the issuing device, product information, etc. It has.

Examples of the set value include a paper feeding speed fed from a paper roll and a printing speed by a printing unit, and the control unit 1 outputs a drive signal to each unit based on the setting value. Examples of the label information include information about labels such as label dimensions, and can be set as appropriate by the user. Usually, a plurality of types of label dimensions and the like are stored in the RAM 13, and can be set by appropriately selecting from information stored in the RAM 13. The print information is merchandise information for printing on a label, and includes, for example, merchandise information such as a merchandise name, content, expiration date, store logo, and the like. Further, a layout or the like when printing information on the label is also stored as print information.
Further, in the RAM 13, a barcode information storage area 131 for storing various barcodes and their standards, which will be described later, shown in FIG. 2 (a), and a barcode is set by the input means 2 shown in FIG. 2 (b). 2 is provided with an input information storage area 132 for storing input information and a scanner information storage area 133 for storing the standard of the scanner to be set as shown in FIG.
The control unit 1 reads out label information and print information from the RAM 13 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 12, creates print data such as bitmap data, and sets information such as paper conveyance speed together with information on the set value. A label is issued by outputting to the label conveying means 4, the label printing means 5, and the label cutting means 6.
The print data includes one-dimensional barcode print data in which product information and the like are recorded, and the barcode is printed at a predetermined position on the issued label.

(Label printed with barcode)
FIG. 3 shows an example of a label issued by the issuing device according to the present embodiment.
The label L issued by the label issuing apparatus of the present embodiment is printed with product information L1 indicating the product name and content, and a barcode L2 recording information such as the product name.
The bar code L2 of the label L shown in FIG. 3 is an in-store code that can be uniquely assigned at each store (chain store), and records information such as the price of fresh food.
The label L on which the barcode is printed is affixed to the product, and is used as a reference when the customer purchases the product at the store. At the time of payment, the barcode L2 is read by the cashier counter scanner. The product information is input to the checkout counter and used for the checkout process.

However, there are a plurality of types of barcodes, and there are cases where there are barcodes that cannot be read by a cashier counter scanner. In addition, there is information that cannot be recorded depending on the barcode.
Therefore, before the label issuing process is performed by the issuing device, as a barcode to be printed by the label issuing device, a barcode that can be handled by the scanner and that can record necessary information is provided. It is necessary to set.

(Barcode body shape and features)
Prior to describing the features of the issuing device of the present invention, first, a one-dimensional barcode used as code information in the issuing device of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, examples of one-dimensional barcodes include (a) JAN, (b) ITF, (c) CODE 39, (d) NW-7, (e) CODE 128, and the like. The characteristics of each bar code are as follows.
(A) JAN
JAN is one of the barcodes widely used as a one-dimensional barcode, and is standardized by JIS as a distribution code.
The type of character (character) is only numbers (0 to 9), and the number of digits that can be expressed is 13 or 8 fixed digits. It can be used as an “in-store code” with a unique number assigned to the store within the store.
There is no start / stop character, and there are four types of bars. Two bars and two spaces represent one character. The barcode has a width (horizontal length) of about 40 mm, a vertical width of about 25 mm, and can be read if the dimensions are changed by about 0.8 to 2.0 times.

(B) ITF
ITF is JIS standardized as a standard logistics code that can be used for cardboard boxes for packing products.
There is no start / stop character, and the characters are only numbers (0 to 9).
It consists of an array of two types of bars, one character is represented by five bars (or five spaces), and the number of digits that can be expressed is only an even number. The barcode has a width (horizontal length) of about 120 mm, a vertical length of about 30 mm, and can be read if the dimensions are changed by about 0.6 to 1.2 times.

(C) CODE39
CODE39 (code 39) is often used as an industrial bar code mainly used for manufacturing number labels of industrial products.
As the character type (character), numbers (0 to 9), capital letters and symbols can be used, and the number of digits that can be expressed is not limited. Since the alphabet can be handled as a character, the product number can be expressed. The start / stop character is “*”. It consists of an array of two types of bars, and one character is represented by five bars and four spaces.
The minimum dimension of the thin bar (thin space) is about 0.191 mm, and the ratio of the width of the thin bar to the thick bar is preferably about 1: 2.2 to 3, but a larger ratio is preferable. Since the number of digits is not limited, the width of the barcode is not determined, but it can be calculated by the number of digits and the width of the bar.

(D) NW-7
NW-7 (ND 7) is used for managing courier slips and library lending.
As the character type (character), numbers (0 to 9), some alphabets and some symbols can be used, and the number of digits that can be expressed is not limited. The start / stop characters are “a” to “d”. It consists of an array of two types of bars, and one character is represented by four bars and three spaces.
The minimum dimension of the thin bar (thin space) is about 0.191 mm, and the ratio of the width of the thin bar to the thick bar is preferably about 1: 2.2 to 3, but a larger ratio is preferable. Since there is no limit on the number of digits, the barcode width is not fixed.

(E) CODE128
CODE128 (code 128) is used in the medical industry and the like, and when expressed only by numbers, it has a feature that the size is smaller than other barcodes.
The character type (character) can be any number (0-9), alphabet (uppercase and lowercase), and ASCII, and there is no limit to the number of digits that can be expressed. There are three types of start / stop characters, and the types of characters that can be represented differ depending on the start / stop characters used. It consists of an array of four types of bars, and one character is represented by three bars and three spaces.
The minimum dimension of the thin bar (thin space) is about 0.191 mm, and the four types of bars are a combination of one to four fine bars. Since there is no limit on the number of digits, the barcode width is not fixed.

As described above, the one-dimensional bar codes have different standards, and users of general label issuing devices do not have so much knowledge about bar codes. Did not know how to choose and set.
In the issuing device of the present embodiment, a barcode setting function that allows a user of an issuing device who does not have knowledge about barcodes to select an appropriate barcode from information handled by the barcode and set the barcode. I have.
The bar code information storage area 131 described above stores standard information of these bar codes.

(Barcode setting function)
The setting of the bar code is performed by the control unit 1 according to the program stored in the ROM 12, and is started by operating, for example, the setting button of the input unit 2 of the issuing device. FIG. 5 shows a barcode setting flowchart for setting a barcode that is started by operating a setting button or the like.
When the setting of the barcode is started, the control unit 1 displays the setting method selection screen 21 shown in FIG. 9 on the output unit 3 (step 1). The output unit 3 may be a display unit such as a monitor that displays label information or the like. However, in the issuing device according to the present embodiment, the input unit 2 and the output unit 3 can be combined by using an input function such as a touch panel. I am letting.

The setting method selection screen 21 includes a simple setting selection field 211, a setting method selection field 212, a setting method description field 213, and a “Next” button 214.
In the simple setting selection field 211, a “simple” button 211a and a “details” button 211b are displayed. By selecting the “details” button 211b, detailed setting of the barcode by a person who has a lot of knowledge about barcodes. However, the description thereof is omitted in the description of the present embodiment.
In the setting method selection column 212, a “bar code system” button 212a, a “number of digits” button 212b, an “input character” button 212c, and a “scan” button 212d are displayed in a selectable manner, and the selected setting method is described. Is displayed in the setting method explanation column 213. In the “bar code system” button 212a, the “number of digits” button 212b, the “input character” button 212c, and the “scan” button 212d, “setting method” “1”, “2”, “3”, “ 4 "is assigned.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the “simple” setting is selected in the simple setting selection field 211, the “number of digits” button 212b is selected in the setting method selection field 212, and the “next” button 212d is pressed. “2” is set as the “setting method”.

The control means 1 displaying the setting method selection screen 21 in Step 1 proceeds to Step 2 and subsequent steps, and waits until any button in the setting method selection column 212 is selected and the “Next” button 214 is operated. Specifically, it is determined in step 2 whether or not “1” is input in “setting method”. If “1” is input, the process proceeds to “system input setting subroutine” in step 6.
If “1” is not input in step 2, the process proceeds to step 3 to determine whether “2” is input in “setting method”. If “2” is input, “number of digits” in step 7 Go to "Input setting subroutine".
If “2” is not input in step 3, the process proceeds to step 4 to determine whether “3” is input in “setting method”. If “3” is input, “character input” in step 8 Proceed to “Setting Subroutine”.
If “3” is not input in Step 4, the process proceeds to Step 5 to determine whether “4” is input in “Setting Method”. If “4” is input, “Scan Input” in Step 9 Proceed to “Setting Subroutine”. If “4” is not set, the process returns to step 2 and steps 2 to 5 are repeated until any numerical value is set in “setting method”.

The “system input setting subroutine” in Step 6 is shown in FIG.
When the “system input setting subroutine” is started, the control unit 1 stores the scanner to be set in step 61 in the correspondence system column 133a of the scanner information storage area 133 shown in FIG. A compatible bar code system is extracted, and based on the extracted bar code system, a system selection screen 22 shown in FIG. 10A is displayed on the output means 3, and the bar code “system” is displayed by the user. Wait until it is selected (step 62).
The system selection screen 22 includes a system selection field 221, a setting history field 222, a “return” button 223, and a “next” button 224.
As an example, a “JAN” button 221a, a “CODE39” button 221b, and a “CODE128” button 212c are displayed in the system selection column 221 so as to be selectable. In the setting history column 222, conditions are set in the system input setting subroutine. Items that can be displayed are displayed. For explanation, only three types of bar code systems are shown in the system selection field 221, but all bar code systems that can be handled by the issuing apparatus can be displayed and selected in this field. it can. In FIG. 10A, the item “1. system” in the setting history column 222 is displayed surrounded by a frame to indicate that the condition for “system” is currently set. In the selection field 221, the “CODE39” button 221b is selected.

When one of the buttons in the system selection field 221 is selected by the user and the “next” button 224 is operated, the process proceeds to step 63, and the selected bar code system is stored in the RAM 13 shown in FIG. The data is stored in the barcode system input area 132a of the input information storage area 132, and the process proceeds to step 64. In Step 64, the digit number setting screen 23 shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the output means 3 to wait for the “digit number” to be input by the user (step 65).
The digit number setting screen 23 includes a digit number input field 231, a setting history field 232, a “return” button 233, and a “next” button 234.
In the digit number input field 231, the barcode system (CODE39) selected on the system selection screen 22 is displayed together with the barcode sample, and an input field 231a for inputting the number of digits is displayed. In FIG. 10B, in the setting history column 232, “CODE39” is displayed as the system and the history of the item selected on the system selection screen 22 is displayed, and the item “2. It is indicated that the condition for “number of digits” is currently set. In the digit number input field 231, “20” is input as the number of digits.
In this example, since “CODE39” is selected as the barcode system, the “number of digits” is not particularly limited. For example, when “JAN” is selected as the barcode system, In the “number” input field 231, “8” and “13”, which are the number of digits that can be expressed by JAN, can be selected. It is also effective to display an error when the number of digits that cannot be expressed by the selected barcode system is input.

When the user inputs the number of digits in the digit number input field 231 and operates the “next” button 234, the process proceeds to step 66, and the digits in the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13 shown in FIG. The number of digits input in the number information input area 132b is stored, and the process proceeds to step 67. In Step 67, the item reference setting screen 24 shown in FIG. 11A is displayed on the output means 3 and waits for the user to set the barcode by referring to the item (Step 68).
The item reference setting screen 24 includes an item reference setting field 241, a setting history field 242, a “return” button 243, and a “next” button 244.
In the item reference setting field 241, the barcode system (CODE39) selected on the system selection screen 22 is displayed together with the barcode sample, and a “fixed” button 241a selected when the item is not particularly referred to A “item reference” button 241b that is selected when a barcode is set with reference to an item and a “composite” button 241c that is selected when the item is combined and used for setting a barcode are displayed in a selectable manner. Has been.

When it is determined in step 68 that the “fixed” button 241a is selected, the control means 1 proceeds to step 613 and displays the character input screen 25.
FIG. 11A shows a state in which the “fixed” button 241 a is selected in the item reference setting field 241. In the setting history column 242, “CODE39” is displayed as the barcode system and “20” is displayed as the number of digits, and the history of the conditions set in the system selection screen 22 and the digit number setting screen 23 is displayed. Is done. Then, the “fixed” item in the setting history column 232 is displayed surrounded by a frame, which indicates that the “fixed” button 241a is currently selected in the item reference setting column 241. When the “next” button 244 is operated, a character input screen 25 shown in FIG. 12B is displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 68 that the “item reference” button 241b or “composite” button 241c is selected, the process proceeds to step 69, and the item display field 245 shown in FIG. Go to step 610.
The user can select the “reference item” button 241b and select information (items) to be stored in the barcode from the displayed item display field 245, or select the “composite” button 241c and display it. A plurality of pieces of information (items) can be selected from the item display field 245.
In Step 610, if it is determined that the “reference item” button 241b is selected, the process proceeds to Step 611, and the item selected by the user is input to the item in the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the “composite” button 241c is selected, the process proceeds to step 612, where a plurality of pieces of information selected by the user are combined, and the input in the RAM 13 shown in FIG. The information is stored in the item input area 132c of the information storage area 132, and in either case, the process proceeds to step 613.
FIG. 11B shows a state where the “item reference” button 241 b is selected in the item reference setting field 241. By selecting the “reference item” button 241 b, for example, an item display field 245 of a product that is handled from the product master or the like is displayed so as to be selectable by scrolling or the like below the setting field 241. In the item display field 245, information (item) such as product name and date of manufacture is displayed together with the code information, and the user selects the information (item) displayed in the item display field 245 to display the barcode. You can store the information you want to set.
FIG. 12A shows a state where the “composite” button 241 c is selected in the item reference setting field 241. The item display column 245 is displayed in a selectable position below the setting column 241 in the same manner as when the “reference item” button 241 b is selected. The user can store information desired to be set in the barcode by selecting and combining a plurality of pieces of information (items) displayed in the item display field 245.
At this time, the item “reference” or “composite” is displayed in a frame in the setting history column 242 to indicate that the item is currently referred to or a condition is set by composition.

In step 613, the control means 1 displays the character input screen 25 shown in FIG. 12B and waits for input of characters (step 614).
The character input screen 25 has a character input field 251, a setting history field 252, a “return” button 253, and a “next” button 254, and a message “Please input characters” in the upper part. 255 is displayed.
The message 255 is preferably changed according to the barcode system set on the system selection screen 22. For example, if “JAN” is selected in the system selection, “Enter characters (numbers).” If “CODE39” is selected, “Characters (numbers, English characters, symbols) By changing to a message such as “Please enter”, it is possible to prevent characters that cannot be used in the selected barcode system from being entered.
In the character input field 251, the barcode system (CODE39) selected on the system selection screen 22 is displayed together with the barcode sample, and an input field 251a for inputting characters is displayed so that characters can be input. Yes. In the example of FIG. 12B, characters “T1234” representing the product name are entered in the input field 251a.
In the setting history column 232, “CODE39” is displayed as the barcode system, “20” is displayed as the number of digits, and the item reference is displayed together with the history of the conditions set in the system selection screen 22 and the digit number setting screen 23. A history in which “fixed” is selected on the setting screen 24 is displayed. Then, the item “4. Character” in the setting history column 252 is displayed surrounded by a frame, which indicates that a condition is currently set by character input on the character input screen 25. When it is determined in step 614 that a character has been input to the character input field 251 and the “next” button 254 has been operated, the control unit 1 determines in step 615 that the input character is the RAM 13 shown in FIG. Is stored in the item input area 132c of the input information storage area 132, and the subroutine is terminated.
As described above, the conditions for setting an optimal barcode such as “bar code system”, “number of digits”, “item”, and “input character” by the “system input setting subroutine” in Step 6 are set in each area of the RAM 13. Remembered.

The “digit number input setting subroutine” of Step 7 is shown in FIG.
When the “digit number input setting subroutine” is started, the control means 1 displays the digit number setting screen 26 shown in FIG. 13A on the output means 3 in step 71, and the “digit number” is displayed by the user. Wait until is input (step 72).
The digit number setting screen 26 has a digit number input column 261, a setting history column 262, a “return” button 263, and a “next” button 264.
The number-of-digits input field 261 includes an input field 261a for inputting the number of digits of the bar code and a character type selection field 261b for selecting the character type to be input. And are displayed as selectable. In addition, “numbers, alphabets, symbols” and the like can be displayed in a selectable manner.
In the setting history column 262, items set in the digit number input setting subroutine are displayed. In FIG. 13A, “numeric only” is selected by the character type selection column 261b, and “20” is set in the digit number input column 261a. Further, the item “1. Number of digits” in the setting history column 262 is displayed surrounded by a frame, which indicates that the condition of “number of digits” is currently set.

When the user inputs the digit number input field 261 and operates the “next” button 264, the process proceeds to step 73, where the entered digit number (20) is the digit number information in the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13. The information is stored in the input area 132b, and the process proceeds to step 74. In Step 74, the number of digits stored in the digit number information input area 132b is compared with the number of digits information stored in the barcode information storage area 131 in the RAM 13, and the barcode that can be input corresponds to the barcode. Extract the system.
Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, a system selection screen 27 based on the extracted bar code system is displayed on the output means 3, and the process proceeds to step 75 to wait for the bar code system to be selected.
The system selection screen 27 has a system selection field 271, a setting history field 272, a “return” button 273, and a “next” button 274, and the number of input digits is 20 in FIG. Therefore, “JAN” with a limited number of digits is excluded, and “CODE39” and “CODE128”, which are compatible systems, are displayed in the system selection column 271 so as to be selectable.
When the bar code system is selected by the user and the “next” button 274 is operated, the process proceeds to step 76, and the selected system is stored in the bar code system input area 132a of the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13, Go to step77.
Since Step 77 and subsequent steps are the same as Step 67 and subsequent steps in the “systematic input setting subroutine” of Step 6, description thereof is omitted here.
As described above, the conditions for setting the optimum barcode such as “bar code system”, “number of digits”, and “input characters” are stored in each area of the RAM 13 by the “digit number input setting subroutine” in Step 7. .

The “character input setting subroutine” in Step 8 is shown in FIG.
When the “character input setting subroutine” is started, the control means 1 displays the character input setting screen 28 shown in FIG. 14A on the output means 3 in step 81, and the user inputs “character”. Wait until it is done (step 82).
The character input setting screen 28 includes a character input field 281, a setting history field 282, a “return” button 283, and a “next” button 284. The character input setting screen 28 shown in FIG. In the column 281, “212224800” and information including only numbers stored in the barcode are input.
The control means 1 determines that the character has been input by operating the “next” button 284 when the character is input to the character input field 281, proceeds to step 83, and the character type of the input character And detect the number of digits. The control means 1 stores the detected character type and the number of digits in the character type input area 132e and the digit number information input area 132b of the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13, respectively, and the stored information and the barcode information storage area in the RAM 13 A selectable bar code system is extracted by comparing with the number of digits information stored in 131. Based on the extracted barcode system, the system selection screen 29 shown in FIG. 14B is displayed (step 84), and the system is waited for input (step 85).
The system selection screen 29 has a system selection field 291, a setting history field 292, a “return” button 293, and a “next” button 294, and the setting history field 292 is input on the character input setting screen 28. The number of digits (8) obtained from the character and the input character is displayed, and the system extracted in step 84 is displayed in the system selection field 291 so as to be selectable.

When the system is selected by the system selection field 291 and the “next” button 294 is operated by the user, the control means 1 proceeds to step 86, and the selected bar code system is stored in the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13. The data is stored in the barcode system input area 132a, and the subroutine is terminated.
As described above, the conditions for setting the optimum barcode such as “bar code system”, “number of digits”, “character type”, and “input character” by the “character input setting subroutine” in Step 8 are set in each area of the RAM 13. Remembered.

The “scan input setting subroutine” in Step 9 is shown in FIG.
When the “scan input setting subroutine” is started, the control means 1 displays the scan input setting screen 30 shown in FIG. 15A on the output means 3 in step 91, and the bar code used by the user is displayed. Wait until it is scanned (step 92).
The scan input setting screen 30 has a scan data display field 301, a setting history field 302, and a “return” button 303. When a desired barcode is scanned by the user, as shown in FIG. In addition, information is read from the scanned barcode and stored in the input character storage area 132 d of the input information storage area 132 in the RAM 13, and displayed as scan data in the scan data display field 301.
In step 93, the bar code system and the number of digits are extracted based on the read scan data and stored in the bar code system input area 132a in the RAM 13 and the digit number information input area 132b in the RAM 13. The extracted barcode system and the number of digits are displayed in 302, and the subroutine is terminated.
As described above, the conditions for setting an optimal barcode such as “bar code system”, “number of digits”, and “input characters” are stored in each area of the RAM 13 by the “scan input setting subroutine” in Step 9.
As described above, the extraction unit of the issuing device according to the present embodiment can extract the optimum barcode by repeating the extraction of the code information based on the condition input by the user, and the previous extraction By making the code information extracted by the target of later extraction, the code information to be extracted is gradually narrowed down, so the user can check the process of extracting the optimal code information, Reliable bar code setting can be performed.
It should be noted that the previously set condition can be changed by selecting an item displayed in the setting history column on each setting screen displayed by each subroutine. For example, in the state of FIG. 12B, by pressing “1. System” in the setting history column 252, the system selection screen 22 shown in FIG. 10A is displayed and the system is reset. It becomes possible. At this time, since “2. Number of digits”, “3. Fixed / reference / composite” and “4. Character” have already been set, the barcode displayed in the system selection field 221 of the system selection screen 22 is displayed. In the system, characters of a selectable system (for example, CODE39) are displayed in a normal color, and characters of a system (for example, JAN) that cannot be selected are displayed and set in a different character color or form. It is possible to inform the user that the system cannot be selected under conditions.
However, it is possible to re-select non-selectable systems other than the system displayed in the normal color, and display items such as non-conforming condition items displayed in red by selecting them. By changing the form, it is possible to prompt the operator to reset the conditions. By reselecting a system that cannot be selected, it is possible to reset the nonconforming condition and prompt resetting.

When each of the above subroutines is completed, the control means 1 proceeds to step 10 where “system” information, “digit number” information, “item” information, “input character” information, “character type” stored in the RAM 13 by each subroutine. The barcode standard information stored in the barcode information storage area 131 stored in the RAM 13 and the scanner information storage are stored in the RAM 13 and the conditions such as the barcode width information calculated from the information and the like. An optimum bar code is extracted by comparing each standard stored in the correspondence system column 133a, the read width column 133b, etc. stored in the area 133. Then, a bar code confirmation screen 31 shown in FIG.
The barcode confirmation screen 31 displays information about “system”, “number of digits”, “item reference”, and “character” in the barcode information display field 311 to confirm the barcode to be set. it can.
When the user who confirms the display content operates the “Yes” button 312, the barcode to be printed by the issuing device is set, and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the user does not have knowledge about the barcode, the necessary number of digits are input to the setting screen displayed on the output means or actually used. Since the barcode issued by the issuing device can be set using the barcode, the barcode can be set in a short time without trouble.
In addition, the setting history field is always displayed on the setting screen, so you can see at a glance what settings have been made so far, making it easy to notice settings mistakes, and adding a button function to the setting items in the setting history field It can also be configured to be able to move to the setting screen of the selected setting item by selecting the setting item in the setting history column. As a result, it is possible to quickly and easily change the setting item to a desired setting item without returning one by one with the “return” button.
Further, guidance (navigation) regarding barcode setting operation is displayed on the output means as appropriate during barcode setting (specifically, on the screen of the output means described in FIGS. 9 to 16), and each code By displaying information related to information, even an operator unfamiliar with the operation can easily set the barcode.

The code information used in the issuing device of the present invention is generally the one-dimensional barcode or the two-dimensional barcode described in the present embodiment, but is not particularly limited thereto.
Further, in the issuing device of the present embodiment, the condition to be input when extracting a barcode or the like is set in the number of digits and the character type, but the information for extracting the barcode includes the number of digits and the character type. For example, any information that can distinguish the barcode, such as a quiet zone of the barcode, barcode width, barcode height, data structure, etc. It may be used as information for extraction.
Furthermore, the information to be compared with the input information is not limited to the information stored in the barcode information storage area or the information stored in the scanner information storage area, and can be set as appropriate.
In the issuing device according to the present embodiment, for example, when setting is made by the number of digits, as shown in FIG. 13B, the barcodes to be extracted next are displayed in a list. Instead of displaying the list of barcodes as a list, the barcode is displayed as an image on the output means, and the displayed barcode changes to a barcode configuration suitable for the conditions according to the input conditions. By doing so, it is possible to confirm the process until the optimum barcode is extracted from the image display.

1: Control means 2: Input means 3: Output means 4: Label transport means 5: Label printing means 6: Label cutting means

Claims (6)

In an issuing device that outputs code information to a medium,
Storage means for storing the code information that can be issued and the standard of the code information;
Provided with input means capable of inputting desired conditions regarding code information,
Based on the condition input by the input means and the standard of the code information stored in the storage means,
An issuing apparatus comprising: extraction means for extracting code information suitable for a condition input from code information stored in a storage means. The extraction means performs the extraction of the optimum code information by repeating the extraction of the code information according to the input conditions. When the extraction of the code information is repeated, the code information extracted by the previous extraction is later The issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the issuing device is an extraction target. Display means for displaying setting items that can be input as the condition with respect to the code information;
The input means can input desired conditions for the setting items displayed by the display means,
3. The issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a result extracted by the extraction unit in response to the input. The issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display means displays auxiliary information that assists an input operation or standard information relating to a standard of code information. 5. The issuing device according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays a history of setting items input by the input unit. 6. The issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code information extracted is displayed as an image on the display means.