JP2746673B2 - Barcode and barcode reader - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Table of Contents] Overview Industrial application field Conventional technology (Fig. 3) Problems to be solved by the invention Means for solving the problem (Fig. 1) Action Embodiment (Fig. 2) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [Overview] The present invention relates to a bar code and a bar code reader, and more particularly to a bar code and a bar code for reducing the misreading rate of a multi-stage bar code in which a plurality of bar codes each having a check character are combined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reader, wherein a first invention has a check character,
In a multi-stage bar code in which a bar code composed of a plurality of characters is combined in a plurality of stages, together with a check character for each stage provided in each of the plurality of stages,
Barcode reading means for reading a barcode and generating barcode data in the second invention, wherein at least one comprehensive check character for checking the entire combined multi-stage barcode is provided; According to the check code attached to the bar code,
A first checking means for checking the read barcode data, and a general means for checking the entire multistage barcode provided on a multistage barcode composed of a plurality of barcodes each having a check code attached thereto. Second check means for comprehensively checking the read barcodes of a plurality of rows using a check character, wherein the first and second check means check the read multistage barcodes. To be configured.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a bar code and a bar code reading apparatus, and more particularly to a bar code and a bar code for improving the reliability of read data of a multi-stage bar code in which a plurality of bar codes each having a check character are combined in a plurality of stages. It relates to a code reader.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, bar codes have been very popularly used like POS systems used in the distribution industry and the like. The use of barcodes is widely used in various fields such as postal classification and library management systems, in addition to POS systems in the distribution industry.

A barcode mainly used in the distribution industry or the like is a JAN code defined by JIS. The conventional JAN code is defined as an 8-digit or 13-digit code.However, as it becomes necessary to cover a very large number of companies and products from food to clothing, records, etc. It is expected that demand will not be met with a single single-stage code.

For this reason, the JIS has newly stipulated a method of printing a conventional 13-digit code on a single product in a plurality of columns (at present, two codes are under consideration and henceforth referred to as a two-column code).

The two-stage code check method is performed individually for each stage using a modulus 10 check character existing at the last digit of the bar code in each stage.

An example of a modulus 10 check is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows how to determine the check character for the exemplified code.

Step 1: Beginning with the second character (6 in this example), sum the data (data represented by numerical values) of all even-numbered characters.

 (In this example, 6 + 7 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 0 = 24) Step 2: The result of Step 1 is tripled.

(24 × 3 = 72 in this example) Step 3: Starting from the third character (4 in this example), sum the data of all the odd-numbered characters.

(4 + 5 + 1 + 2 + 7 + 1 = 20 in this example) Step 4: The sum of the number of steps 2 and the number of steps 3 is calculated.

(72 + 20 = 92 in this example) Step 5: Find the closest multiple of 10 larger than the value obtained in Step 4. The difference between the number and the number in step 4 is the data (numerical value) of the modulus 10 check character to be obtained.

(In this example, 100−92 = 8) The barcode is read by the check character determined in this way, and it is determined whether or not each of the restored data is correct, for example, the sum of the odd-numbered data (8 + 4 + 5 + 1).
+ 2 + 7 + 1) and the sum of the even-numbered data (6 + 7 + 3 +
It is checked whether the sum of 3 times 2 + 6 + 0) is a multiple of 10.

In the case of a two-stage code, this modulus is used for each stage.
We have 10 checks.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the misreading rate for each code in each row is not different from that in the case of the conventional single-row single code. In addition, since the bar code has a plurality of rows, the misreading rate of the entire bar code is two or more times as large as that of the conventional single code, that is, double with a two-level code.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bar code and a bar code reader for reducing the misreading rate of a multi-stage bar code in which a plurality of bar codes each having a check character are individually combined.

[Means for solving the problem]

The first invention has a configuration in which, in addition to the individual check characters of each row of the multi-stage bar code, a bar code of at least one row is newly provided with an overall check character of a plurality of rows of codes. Is a configuration in which, when a barcode is read, in addition to the barcode data check of each row by the individual check character, the entire barcode is checked by the comprehensive check character.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the principle of the first invention, each check character (the number "8" of C1D and C
In addition to the 2D numerical value “3”), a total check character (C2C numerical value “6”) of the entire multi-stage code is provided.

The symbol below the bar code number shown in FIG. 1 (a), for example, C of C12 indicates a character, 1 indicates a character of the bar code on the first row, and 2 indicates a character of the bar code on the second row. Indicates that it is a character. However, A is 1
0, B represents 11, hexadecimal C represents 12, and D represents the 13th hexadecimal symbol.

Then, among the check characters of each row, 8 of C1D and 3 of C2D are created by, for example, a modulus 10, while 6 of the overall check character C2C is created by, for example, a method described in an embodiment described later.

FIG. 1 (b) shows the principle of the second invention for reading a barcode having such a check character.
Shown in The bar code reading means 1 reads a bar code as shown in FIG. The first check means 2 performs a barcode data check for each row using an individual check character.

In the second check means 3, a code check of C11 to C2C excluding C2D 3 in FIG. 1A is performed by a total check character of the entire code.

[Action]

In a bar code data check performed using individual check characters for each bar code row, the check result may sometimes be correct despite the fact that it is originally erroneously read. In addition to the code check, you can also perform a comprehensive check of the entire code,
The misreading rate of a multi-stage bar code can be significantly reduced.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the first invention is shown in FIG. Check characters of the first-stage barcode B ₁ and the second-stage barcode B ₂
In addition to providing C1D and C2D, a comprehensive check character C2C for performing checks by combining bar codes B ₁ and B ₂ in each row
Is provided.

How to create this comprehensive check character C2C will be described later.

Therefore, the bar code data of the entire bar code B _1, B ₂ in addition to the two stages of the stages B _1, B ₂ each of the bar code data of each stage B _1, every B ₂ by separate check character check check can be a carried out by overall check character C2C, even if the stage bar code B _1, check errors of the individual check of B _2, comprehensive check character C2C
Since the bar code data check is performed by the user, adverse effects due to individual check mistakes are prevented.

One embodiment of the second invention will be described in detail based on FIG. 2 and with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 (a) is a block diagram showing an apparatus for creating a check character of a multi-stage bar code as shown in FIG. 1 (a), and FIG. 2 (b) shows a bar code reader of the second invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment.

FIG. 1 (a) shows a two-stage code having a check character. As described above, the C2C character 6 is a general check character, and the C1D character 8 is a check character used for a modulus 10 check of the upper code. Character 2 of C2D is modulus 1 of lower chord
This is the check character used for the 0 check.

The total check character 6 is determined by the modulus 9 check method.

The method of determining the check character used for the modulus 9 in the check method is as follows.

Step 1: upper bar code B ₁ of all the character data and the lower bar code B ₂ C2C, the sum of data for all characters except the data C2D.

2 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 +
8 + 2 + 9 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 21 Step 2: Find the closest multiple of 9 larger than the number obtained in Step 1. In this example, 27.

Step 3: The difference between the result of step 2 and step 1 is (the numerical value of) the modulus 9 check character. In this example, 27-21 = 6.

These three check characters (8 for C1D, 3 for C2D, 6 for C2C) are created by a multi-stage barcode check character creating apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 (a).

In FIG. 2 (a), 11 are those with a data holding portion of the upper bar code B _1, to hold the data until C11~C1C other than the check character upper bar code B _1, data held The (number) is input by, for example, a keyboard. The holding unit 11 is a memory. Reference numeral 12 denotes a first modulus 10 calculating unit which calculates a modulus 10 check character from the data (numerals) held in the upper bar code data holding unit 11 by the method shown in FIG. 3, which is not shown. The operation is performed by a microprocessor and a program for operating the microprocessor. 13 is the upper barcode B ₁
And a memory for holding the data of C11 to C1D.

14 is a lower bar code data holding section (memory), other than the lower barcode B ₂ of check characters C21
The data (numerical values) up to C2B are stored, and the stored data is input by, for example, a keyboard. Reference numeral 15 denotes a modulus 9 operation unit which calculates the modulus 9 check character by the above-described processor by the above-described method. Reference numeral 16 denotes a second storage unit (memory) which is stored in the lower bar code data storage unit 14. The data (numbers) C21 to C2B and the number of C2C determined as the modulus 9 check character are stored. Reference numeral 17 denotes a second modulus 10 operation unit, which stores data (numbers) stored in the second storage unit 16. those by the numbers) showed the check character lower barcode B ₂ in FIG. 3 of the method for calculating the modulus 10 check characters in the processor described above, 18 is a third holding unit (memory), the lower bar it is to hold the lower bar code B ₂ comprising check characters C2D code B _2.

The first modulus 10 operation unit 12 is a 12-digit data (numerical value) of C11 to C1C held in the upper barcode data holding unit 11.
From the method of the modulus 10, to complete the number of the upper bar code B ₁ to determine the check character C1D in the upper bar code B _1, and sends the first holding portion 13.

Modulus 9 arithmetic unit 15, the upper bar code B ₁ of 13 digits of data held in the first holding portion 13 (figures) of C21~C2B held in the lower bar code data holding section 14 11-digit data From (numerical), by the method of modulus 9 described above,
The overall check character C2C is determined and transmitted to the second holding unit 16.

The second modulus 10 calculation unit 17 determines the check character C2D of the lower data from the 12-digit data (numerals) of C21 to C2C held in the second holding unit 16 by the method of the modulus 10 described above. to complete the number of the bar code B _2, and sends to the third holding portion 18.

And numbers of the upper bar code B ₁ held by the first holding portion 13, the numbers of the lower bar code B ₂ held in the third holding unit 18 is subjected to be delivered to the bar code printing section printing printing.

FIG. 2 (b) is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a bar code check character reading apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2 (b), reference numeral 21 denotes a bar code reading unit which reads a bar code as shown in FIG. 1 (a), for example. ), 23 is an upper / lower selector for selecting the restored data (numerals) into an upper code and a lower code by a method described later, and 24 is a first holding unit (memory). there are, to hold the upper bar code B ₁ data (numbers), 25 second holding portions (memories)
A is, which holds the lower bar code B ₂ data (numbers), these bar code reading portion 21 to the second holding portion 25, the bar code reading means 1 in FIG. 1 (b)
Corresponding to

26 is a first modulus 10 check unit, which check the reading data of the upper bar code B ₁ by modulus 10 check method by using digits check character C1d of the upper cord, the second modulus 10 check unit 27 a is, the lower the bar code B ₂ check character C2
The data read at the lower stage is checked by using the modulus 10 check method using D.

The first modulus 10 check section 26 and the second modulus 10 check section 27 correspond to the first check section in FIG. 1 (b).

The modulus 9 check section 3 corresponds to the second check section in FIG. 1 (b), and determines whether or not the read data of the upper bar code B ₁ and the lower bar code B ₂ is correct by checking the C2C number which is a comprehensive check character. Use to check.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an OR circuit. In FIG. 2 (b), each process described below after the upper / lower selection 23 is executed by a microprocessor (not shown) and a program, a register, a comparator, and an arithmetic unit for operating the microprocessor.

The multi-stage barcode is read by a barcode reading unit 21 and is restored to a numeral by a restoration unit 22. The restored numbers of the codes are sorted into an upper code and a lower code by the upper / lower selector 23. This selection is determined by the first two digits of the bar code. If the two digits are numerical values 20 to 24, for example, the upper bar code B ₁ (FIG. 1 (a))
C11, C12 reference), for example, numerical since in the case of 25 to 29 is used as an indication of lower barcode B ₂ references C21, C22 (first diagram (a)), primarily the bar code B _1, B ₂ of the first two
It sorted Inspect the digits, data of the upper bar code B ₁ represents a first holding portion 24, the data of the lower bar code is held in the second holding portion 25.

Next, the first modulus 10 checking section 26 checks whether or not the data (numerals) held in the first holding section 24 is correct in the same manner as in the related art. That is, in the case of FIG. 1A, for example, the sum of the odd-numbered numbers (2 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 +
0 + 8 = 10) and the sum of the even-numbered numbers (0 + 0 + 0 + 0 +
It is checked whether or not the sum (ie, 10) of three times (ie, 0) of (0 + 0 = 0) is a multiple of ten. If there is any abnormality, an alarm signal is output via the OR circuit 4 as in the prior art.

In the first modulus 10 check section 26, if it is determined that the read barcode is normal, the second modulus
In 10 check unit 27, whether the lower barcode B ₂ of the data held in the second holding portion 25 (figures) is correct to check in the same manner as described above. That is, in the case of FIG. 1A, for example, the sum of the odd-numbered numbers (2 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0)
+ 3 = 5) and the sum of even-numbered numbers (9 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0)
+ 6 = 15) and the sum of three times (ie, 15 × 3 = 45) (ie, 5+
Check if 45 = 50) is a multiple of 10. If there is an abnormality, an alarm signal is output via the OR circuit 4.

In the second modulus 10 check section 27, when it is determined that the read barcode is normal, the modulus 9
In the check unit 3, an integrated check is obtained from the data (numerical value) of the upper bar code B ₁ held in the first holding unit 24 and the data (numerical value) of the lower bar code B ₂ held in the second holding unit 25. Done.

That is, in the case of FIG. 1A, for example, the sum (2 + 0 + 0 +) of all data (numerics) except C2D of the upper and lower codes
0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 8 + 2 + 9 + 0
+ 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 6 = 27) is checked to see if it is a multiple of nine. If there is any abnormality, an alarm is output via the OR circuit.

When the modulus 9 check unit 3 determines that the read barcode is normal, the barcode is normally output and sent to, for example, a higher-level device (a device for managing and processing barcode data, etc.) not shown and displayed to that effect. You.

In the above embodiment, the first modulus 10 arithmetic unit is used when creating individual check characters for each of the stages B ₁ and B _2.
Although 12 and the second modulus 10 operation unit 17 (see FIG. 2 (a)) have been described as being separate, they can be shared by the same modulus 10 operation unit.

Also, an example in which the modulus 9 check method is used as the check method for the entire bar code has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the modulus 10 check method (the sum of
Of course, a method of checking that the number is a multiple of 10 or a method of multiplying the sum of even-numbered numbers by three) or a method of using a modulus 8 check may be used.

If it is determined to be normal, the first holding unit 24 and the second holding unit
25 data are sent to the host device.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, in addition to the conventional check using a check character for each row, a comprehensive check of the entire code can be performed, so that the misreading rate of a multi-row bar code can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are diagrams each showing an embodiment of a bar code check character creating apparatus and a reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a modulus 10 check. FIG. 1 ... bar code reading means, 2 ... first check means, 3 ... second check means, 4 ... OR circuit.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-stage barcode in which a plurality of barcodes each comprising a plurality of characters, each having a check character, are combined together with a check character for each of the plurality of stages. A bar code provided with at least one comprehensive check character for checking the entire multi-stage bar code. 2. A bar code reading means for reading a bar code and generating bar code data, and a first check means for checking the read bar code data by a check code attached to the bar code. Using a comprehensive check character for checking the entire multi-stage barcode provided on the multi-stage barcode composed of a plurality of barcodes to which codes are attached, the read multi-stage barcode is comprehensively converted. A bar code reading device, comprising: a second check unit for checking, wherein the first and second check units check the read multi-stage bar code.