JP3216655B2 - Form creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention also relates to the form creation device, for example, to create a delivery slip (or data) (output form) Shinmotsu product application form, such as year-end gift or gifts from (input form) for individual addressee It relates to the form creation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a form creation apparatus as described above, the contents of an advance application form are optically read, and read information corresponding to predetermined fields such as a requester, a destination, a product, and a price of each delivery slip is stored. A configuration for allocating and printing is known. For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-73957, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64
No. 23164, JP-A-2-39368 and JP-A-2-39369.

FIG. 2 shows a format example of a gift application form (input form) in a department store, and FIG. 3 shows a format example of a delivery form (output form).
Shown in The gift application 10 has one requester column 12 for entering the address and name of the requester, and a number of destination columns 14 for entering the address and name of the destination. Next to each destination column 14, a control column 16 for attaching a function mark for controlling the operation of image reading and transcription processing of the entry data, a product name column 18 for entering a product code, a product name and the number of a gift, and a price Is attached. Also,
In each application form 10, an application form number is printed in advance in an application form number column 22, and a bar code corresponding to the application form number is printed in an application form bar code column 24.

[0004] The delivery slip 30 is usually in a state where a large number of copies are stacked, and is a continuous sheet for printing by a dot printer. In the delivery slip 30, a requester column 32,
There are a destination field 34, a product name field 36, an amount field 38, a delivery slip number field 40, and a delivery slip barcode field 42. Delivery slip 3
At 0, as a matter of course, only one column 32 to 42 is provided. A delivery slip number is printed in advance in the delivery slip number column 40, and a bar code corresponding to the delivery slip number is printed in the delivery slip bar code column 42.

[0005] A conventional form creation device for creating the delivery slip 30 shown in FIG. 3 from the contents of the application form 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be briefly described. Application 10 is usually A4 or B4
First, when the whole is read by an image input device (a so-called image scanner), the positions of the cut-out ranges of the respective columns 12 to 20 of the application form 10 are designated. The print position of each of the columns 32 to 38 of 30 is designated, and the correspondence between the columns 12, 14, 18, and 20 of the application form and the columns 32, 34, 36, and 38 of the delivery slip 30 is set in advance.

[0006] Then, the entire application form 10 in which the client, the addressee, the product name, etc. are entered is read by an image scanner, and each column 1 is read in accordance with the cut-out range previously set.
2-20 entry graphic data are cut out, allocated (corresponding to format conversion) to the corresponding columns 32-38 of the delivery slip 30, and printed by a printer. In accordance with the contents of the control column 16, the operation of reading and transferring the image of the entry data is controlled.

Each application form 10 is managed by an application form number in an application form number column 22, and each delivery form 30 created from the application form 10 is managed by a delivery form number in a delivery form number section 40. . Therefore, the application form number of a certain application form 10 and the form number of a delivery form to be created from now on are generally unrelated, and it is not possible to know one number from the other. However, if there is an inquiry from the applicant at the department store based on the application form number,
At the department store, look up the number of each delivery slip from the application form number,
I will contact the shipping company with the delivery slip number,
A correspondence table between the application form number and each delivery slip number is required.

Conventionally, this correspondence table has been created by handwriting, but recently, the barcode column 24
And a barcode reader for reading the barcode in the barcode column 40 of each delivery slip 30.
A system has been proposed in which a reader is provided, and when the delivery slip 30 is created from the application form 10, the barcodes in the columns 24 and 40 are read by both barcode readers to create a number correspondence table (or file).

[0009]

However, the delivery slip 30
The format is determined by each shipping company, and the position of the barcode column 40 may be different for each shipping company. Conventionally proposed systems cannot flexibly cope with such differences, and are inconvenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a form creating apparatus which can flexibly correspond to a printing position of a bar code to be read.

[0011]

A form creation device according to the present invention.
Is an image reader that reads the contents of a specified position on the input form.
Input means and input form identification information for identifying the input form
Input form identification information reading means for reading information,
The contents read by the image reading means are output
Print data generator that allocates
And the print data generated by the print data generating means.
Printing means for printing data on an output form, and
An output that identifies the output form on which the print data is printed
Output form identification information reader that reads force form identification information
In the output form according to the type of the output form.
Output form identification information reader with adjustable reading range
Read by the input form identification information reading means.
Read the input form identification information and the output form identification information
Output form identification information read by the
Having identification information correspondence means for outputting in association with
It is characterized by.

[0012]

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 50 denotes a processing device including a computer for controlling the whole. The processing device 50 includes an image input device (image scanner) 5 for reading the application form 10 as an image.
2, an image memory 54 for storing an input figure by the image input device 52, at least one printer (for example, a dot impact printer) 56 on which the continuous form delivery slip 30 shown in FIG. 3 is set, a monitor 58, and processing. Printer 60 and keyboard 6 that output progress lists and errors
2. a large-capacity auxiliary storage device 64 composed of an optical disk device and / or a hard disk device; a bar code reader 66 for reading the bar code column 24 of the application 10 read by the image input device 52;
A bar code reader 68 for reading the slip number bar code column 42 of the delivery slip printed in 6 is connected.

In this embodiment, the image input device 52 is an image scanner which mechanically conveys a sheet to be read by a roller by a roller and reads an image by a line sensor (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction of the sheet conveyance. The image reading accuracy of the image input device 52 is the
If it is enough to decode the barcode of No. 4,
The reader 66 may not be provided.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a bar code reader 68 (particularly, an image input unit thereof) with respect to the printer 56. The barcode reader 68 is connected to the printer 56.
Is supported movably along a shaft 70 extending in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.

The bar code reader 68 is connected to the printer 56.
Can be moved manually or by a motor in a direction (generally, a horizontal direction) orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. Regardless of manual or automatic, if a notch or mark indicating a position corresponding to the delivery slip is formed or written on the shaft 70, for example, it can be visually confirmed and convenient.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for adjusting the position of the bar code reader 68. In FIG. 5, for each type of delivery slip 30, a delivery slip file storing information for specifying the positions of the columns 32 to 40 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 64, and the processing device 50 refers to the delivery slip file. The bar code reader 68 is moved in the horizontal direction so that the bar code column 40 of the delivery slip to be used can be read. The processing device 50 also controls the reading timing of the barcode reader 68 based on the position information of the barcode column 40 of the delivery slip file.

FIG. 5 will be described in detail below. First, the continuous paper of the delivery slip 30 to be used is set in the printer 56 (S20). The type of the delivery slip 30 set on the printer 56 is input from the keyboard 62 (S2).
1). Check the input information against the delivery slip file,
The position information of the corresponding barcode column 40 is read, and the horizontal position and reading timing of the barcode reader 68 are determined (S22). The barcode is placed at the determined horizontal position.
The reader 68 is positioned and fixed so as not to move by vibration or the like (S23).

Of course, if there is no delivery slip file,
If there is no delivery slip data to be used even if there is a delivery slip file, or if there is no horizontal driving means for the barcode reader 68, the user may manually move to the corresponding horizontal position and fix it. .

The printer 56 feeds the paper and tests whether the bar code column 40 of the set delivery slip 30 can be read (S24). The reading timing in the sheet feeding direction may be tested together, but the sheet feeding direction may be manually set and the bar code reader 68 may execute reading at that position.

If the presence of the barcode cannot be detected by the test (S25), the position of the barcode reader 68 is inappropriate, and the process from S21 is repeated. If the barcode is detected (S25), the process returns to S20 if there is a change in the delivery slip set in the printer 56, and ends if there is no change (S26).

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the main operation of this embodiment.

First, the application form 10 for preparing a delivery slip is set in the image input device 52, image reading is started (S1, 2), and the read graphic data is stored in the image memory 54. At this time, the barcode reader 6
In step 6, the barcode in the barcode column 24 of the application form 10 is decoded. The application number obtained by decoding the barcode is compared with a processed file described later to determine whether or not the application has been processed (S3). If the processing has been completed, the processing may be terminated as it is.
4) When re-processing, the processing after S5 is continued.

First, a figure in the designated range of the application form 10 which has been read is cut out, and whether or not there is any description in a required item such as a client, a destination, a product for the destination, and a function control mark in the control column 16 are described. (S5). In this inspection, when the application form 10 is read out of the image by the image input unit 52 with an unacceptable tolerance, or when the application form in a format different from the application form set in the processing unit 50 is read out by the image input unit 52. It is also used to eliminate cases. If a defect is detected by this inspection, the delivery slip creation process of S6 to S10 is passed.

If the inspection of the required items is passed (S5), the optional items are inspected (S6). This is for example
Although it is not necessary to read the image again, such as the number of products and the amount of money, it is needless to say that these may be included in the required items and determined in S5. Other examples include a case where the destination is a deleted destination but no entry is made in the deletion mark of the control column 16, or a case where the destination column or the product name column is blank. Such a defect that can be easily corrected is corrected by the keyboard 62 (S7).

After the inspection of the optional items (S6) is completed, the respective columns 12 to 24 of FIG.
4 for each of the fields 32 to 38 of the delivery slip 30 (S
8). Then, the graphic dot data is sequentially transmitted to the printer 56 and printed on the delivery slip of the set continuous paper (S9).

At the time of this printing, the processing device 50 executes S2 in FIG.
At the timing of the sheet feeding direction determined in step 2, the barcode reader 68 is instructed to read and the barcode column 42 of each delivery slip is read. The barcode reader 68 decodes the read barcode and outputs the delivery slip number to the processing device 50 (S9). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, the barcode reader 68 may temporarily store the decrypted data in the internal memory and output the decrypted data to the processing device 50 in response to a request from the processing device 50.

The processing unit 50 links the application form number, the number of the destination field 14 which has been successfully transferred to the delivery slip, and the delivery slip number for each destination field to each other, and Stored in the completed file (S10).
With this processed file, the application form can be associated with the delivery slip created from now on, so that it is possible to quickly respond to subsequent inquiries and searches. A management number for data identification is assigned to the processed file as needed.
The application number may be used as the management number. Preferably, the list of processed application forms is output by the printer 60.

It is preferable that the processed file include the name of the operator, the device number of the processing device (form creation device), the processing date and time, and the like for subsequent inspection.

If there is still an application for creating a delivery slip,
Returning to S1, the above processing is continued, and if not, the processing ends (S11).

In the confirmation as to whether or not the processing has been completed (S3), it is preferable to be able to select a confirmation range such as a season processing amount or a current day processing amount. For example, large amounts of data, such as season processing Minute, an example to be stored in a remote location of the host computer a lot, because it takes time to the reading out.

The bar code reader 68 normally reads the read delivery slip number and simultaneously reads the delivery slip number.
(Or a host computer), but the read delivery slip number may be output to the processing device 50 in response to a request from the processing device 50. This way,
The burden on the processing device 50 is reduced.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus in which the printer 56 and the barcode reader 68 are integrated from such a viewpoint. The printing device 100 illustrated in FIG.
A barcode reading unit 102 corresponding to the barcode reader 68, a printing unit 104 corresponding to the printer 56, and an interface (I / F) serving as a communication interface between the processing unit 50 and the barcode reading unit 102 and the printing unit 104. 106.

The interface 106 is an RS232C
And the like, and supplies a control command from the processing device 50 to the barcode reading unit 102 to the barcode reading unit 102, and transmits a control command and print data from the processing device 50 to the printing unit 104. Printing unit 1
04. If a control code that is not used for controlling the printing unit 104 is assigned for controlling the barcode reading unit 102, it can be easily identified by the interface 106. The control command to be supplied to the barcode reading unit 102 is, for example, initialization, information on a barcode reading position (or range), a request to transfer the read barcode information, and the like. Information transmitted from the interface 106 to the processing device 50 includes a failure state in the barcode reading unit 102 and the printing unit 104, and barcode information read by the barcode reading unit 102.

The function of each section will be described in detail. The barcode reading unit 102 reads the barcode in the barcode column 42 on the delivery slip,
At the time of reading by the sensor 110, the illumination device 112 for illuminating the barcode column 42, the line sensor 110, a driving circuit 114 for driving the illumination device 112, and a horizontal feed motor for moving the line sensor 110 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. 116, a decoding circuit 118 for decoding a barcode read by the line sensor 110, a decoding circuit 11
8 comprises a memory 120 for storing the barcode information (delivery slip number) decoded by the control unit 8 and a control circuit 122 for controlling the units 110 to 120.

The bar code reading unit 1 from the processing unit 50
02, first, information on a barcode reading position (or range) is supplied via the interface 106. The control circuit 122 drives the horizontal feed motor 116 to move the line sensor 110 to the designated barcode reading position according to the reading position information, particularly the horizontal position information. A rotation phase signal indicating the rotation phase of the platen is input from the printing unit 104 to the control circuit 122, and the control circuit 122 illuminates the illumination with the drive circuit 114 at the paper feeding direction timing corresponding to the designated barcode reading position. Activating the device 112 and the line sensor 1
10 is driven. As a result, the delivery slip bar code field 4 on the continuous form of the delivery slip 30 wrapped around the platen
2 is illuminated, and the barcode printed on it
It is read by the sensor 110 and converted into an electric signal.

The decoding circuit 118 includes a line sensor 110
And outputs the delivery slip number represented by the barcode printed in the delivery slip barcode field 42. The information decoded by the decoding circuit 118 is applied to the memory 120 via the control circuit 122 and stored.

The control circuit 122 reads the delivery slip number stored in the memory 120 in accordance with the transfer request from the processing device 50, and outputs it to the processing device 50 via the interface 106.

As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the decoded barcode is temporarily stored in the memory 120 and transferred to the processing device 50 (host computer) in response to a request,
The processing load on the processing device 50 can be reduced. This is because the processing device 50 can know the delivery slip number at its own unique timing. In consideration of buffering of print data described later, it is convenient that the memory 120 can store a plurality of barcode decoding information.
20 may be operated as a first-in first-out memory.

As described above, in the configuration in which the barcode of the decrypted delivery slip is transferred to the processing device 50 in response to the request, the application form (number) and the delivery slip (number) created from the application form are processed in the processing device 50. It becomes difficult to associate. In order to avoid this, the application form number (and the number specifying each destination field) is also printed together with the print data for the delivery slip.
0, the printer 100 stores the application form number (and a number specifying each destination field) in the memory 120 (or another memory (not shown)), and decodes the transfer request from the processing device 50 in response to the transfer request. What is necessary is just to transfer to the processing apparatus 50 with the delivery slip number which was set.

The printing unit 104 has a configuration similar to that of a known dot impact type printer.
0, a motor 132 for rotating the platen 130, a print head 134, a head feeder 136 for feeding the print head 134 in the horizontal direction, and a printer control circuit 1 for controlling the whole
38. As described above, the rotation phase signal indicating the rotation phase of the platen 130 is output from the barcode reading unit 10.
2 of the control circuit 122. A print control command and print data from the processing device 50 are input to the printer control circuit 138 via the interface 106.

In a printer, print data is generally buffered or spooled in order to increase the efficiency of use of the main body. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, since the print data and the control command of the bar code reading unit 102 are transferred by the same signal line, it is desirable that a memory for buffering or spooling is provided in the printer control circuit 138. Of course, a separate communication line may be provided for controlling the barcode reading unit 102 and transferring the decoding information.

In the above embodiment, the image reading of the application form and the creation of the delivery slip are centrally processed by the processing device 50. However, the present invention provides the image reading by the image input device 52 and the graphic data read from the image. The process for generating the individual delivery slips is executed asynchronously or in a distributed manner.

Although a bar code which is a one-dimensional graphic code has been described as an example, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a two-dimensional graphic code.

[0046]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly cope with an output form in which a barcode is printed at a different position, and to input a form (for example, an application form). No error in the correspondence table between the output form and
Can be created quickly .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a format example of a gift application form.

FIG. 3 is a format example of a delivery slip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an installation position of a barcode reader 68.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of positioning of a barcode reader 68.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a main operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram of a printing apparatus suitable for the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Gift application form 12: Requester field 14: Destination field 1
6: Control column 18: Product name column 20: Amount column 22: Application form number column 24: Application form barcode column 30: Delivery slip 32: Requester column 34: Destination column 36: Product name column 3
8: Amount column 40: Delivery chit number column 42: Delivery chit bar code column 50: Processing device 52: Image input device (image scanner) 54: Image memory 56: Printer 58: Monitor 60: Printer 62: Keyboard 64: Large Capacity auxiliary storage device 66: Mark entry device
68: Barcode reader 70: Shaft 100:
Printing device 102: Barcode reading unit 104: Printing unit 106: Interface 110: Line sensor 112: Illumination device 114:
Drive circuit 116: Horizontal feed motor 118: Decoding circuit 120: Memory 122: Control circuit 130: Platen 132: Motor 134: Print head 136: Head feed device 138: Printer control circuit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-297465 (JP, A) JP-A-2-18073 (JP, A) JP-A-63-279658 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 21/16 B41J 5/30 G06F 3/12 G06F 19/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading a description content at a predetermined position of an input form, an input form identification information reading means for reading input form identification information for specifying the input form, and a content read by the image reading means. A print data generation unit that allocates the print data to a form and generates print data; a print unit that prints the print data generated by the print data generation unit on an output form; and a print unit that prints the print data by the print unit. Output form identification information reading means for reading output form identification information for specifying an output form, the output form identification information reading means capable of adjusting the reading range of the output form according to the type of the output form; and the input form identification information. The input form identification information read by the reading means, and the output form identification information reading means Form generation apparatus characterized by comprising the identification information corresponding means for the output document identification information and the association with each other the output to be read. 2. An output form file having information on a position of a code of the output form in which the output form identification information is described; and referring to the output form file for designation of the output form, the output form file is referred to. 2. The form creation device according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit that moves the identification information reading unit to a corresponding position in the printing unit in a direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction of the output form.