JP2942036B2 - Barcode printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code printer capable of printing bar code labels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a label is issued by a bar code printer, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) or a keyboard is prepared as an external control device, and these devices are operated to transmit printer control commands and print data. This is done by transmitting it to a printer.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when the bar code printer is considered as one of the devices constituting the system of the personal computer, the bar code printer can be controlled from the personal computer. Despite the advantages, there are the following problems.

In order to use a bar code printer, it is necessary to simultaneously introduce a personal computer and a keyboard. In addition to the device that connects the keyboard to the installed PC, special software for driving the PC and printer is required. Because input is done by keyboard, operation is difficult,
In addition, an erroneous input is likely to occur. The price of personal computers and software is high, and the introduction price is high. For example, it takes 6 seconds to input 12 characters with a keyboard, and the erroneous input rate is about 1/300 characters. That is, it indicates that there is one erroneous input for 300 characters input, and lacks certainty.

Therefore, it has been proposed to set the printing conditions of a printer using a bar code without using a personal computer. However, such a method is related to the setting conditions of the printer, and the data operation and the output operation of the print character regarding the final printing have to be performed using a personal computer or a keyboard, and the above-mentioned problem cannot be solved. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a bar code printer which enables label printing by a bar code printer alone.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a memory for storing data, a bar code reader for reading a bar code instruction sheet in which the operation designation of a printer is converted into a bar code, and the like. According to the bar code read by the bar code reader, the data of the file name specified from the memory card storing the format data of the label to be printed in advance is stored in the memory.
There is provided control means for reading from the card, writing to the memory , developing the print image, and printing the result.

According to the above means, the bar code of the control command of the printer is read from the bar code instruction sheet, and the format data in the memory card is searched for the specified file name in accordance with the control command.
The searched data is transferred to the memory in the main body of the barcode printer, developed into a print image, and then printed. Therefore, barcode labels can be printed inexpensively and accurately while making a personal computer and a keyboard unnecessary. For example, in a bar code, the input speed of 12 characters is 1 second or less, and the erroneous input rate is 1/45 at the maximum.
This is a sign that the above problem is greatly improved.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a bar code printer according to the present invention. The barcode printer 1 can removably insert a memory card 2 from an insertion slot 3 provided on a front panel, and further connects a barcode reader 4 for reading a barcode described on a barcode instruction sheet 6. be able to. Further, the barcode printer 1 has a built-in printing mechanism, and can print and output the label 5. As a transmission method between the barcode reader 4 and the barcode printer 1, for example, RS-23
A 2C serial interface can be used. In the memory card 2, format data of a label to be printed and a file name for the format data are recorded in advance.

[0010] In the bar code indicating form 6, "*" indicating the format name recorded on the memory card 2 is indicated.
Format name] and [!] For setting the number of prints. A barcode of the number of copies of the printer control command is printed. Further, a memory 7 (for example, a semiconductor memory) for storing data read from the memory card 2 is provided inside the barcode printer 1.

Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the barcode instruction sheet 6 is read by the barcode reader 4 (step 21), and the control command “*” + “file name” of the barcode printer 1 is read.
[! Is transferred to the barcode printer 1 (step 22). Here, “*” indicates memory card 2
Is a command for instructing an operation on. Next, the barcode printer 1 accesses the memory card 2 in accordance with the command “*” and searches for data having the specified file name (step 23). When the file name is found, the format data of the file name is read from the memory card 2 into the memory of the barcode printer 1, and
The image is developed into a print image (step 24). Then, printing according to the print image is performed (step 25).

For example, if the format name is "TEST",
" * TES" indicating that the number of prints is "3"
T ”,“! In the case of a barcode having the content "3", the barcode is read by the barcode reader 4 and transferred to the barcode printer 1. The barcode printer 1
“ * TEST”, “! 3], the format data named "TEST" recorded in the memory card 2 is searched, and the format data "TEST" is transferred to the memory in the barcode printer 1 and developed into a print image. I do. As a result, "TES
Print only three "T" barcode labels.

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention, a memory for storing data, a bar code reader for reading a bar code instruction sheet in which a printer operation specification and the like are recorded in a bar code, and a bar code reader for reading the bar code instruction sheet. Control means for reading data of a designated file name from a memory card in which format data of a label to be printed in advance is stored in accordance with a given barcode into the memory, expanding the data into a print image, and printing the result. As a result, barcode labels can be printed inexpensively and accurately while eliminating the need for a personal computer and keyboard.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a barcode printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 Barcode Printer 2 Memory Card 3 Insertion Slot 4 Barcode Reader 5 Label 6 Barcode Instruction Form 7 Memory

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Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A memory for storing data, a barcode reader for reading a barcode instruction sheet in which operation specifications of a printer are converted into a barcode, and printing is to be performed in advance according to the barcode read by the barcode reader. the memory data of the designated file name from the label memory card format data is stored in the
A bar code printer comprising: control means for reading from a card, writing to the memory , developing the print image, and printing the result.