JP5687098B2 - Print control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control program for barcode printing.

  A printing system in which a printer is connected to a computer is known. An application and a printer driver (printer control program) are installed on the computer. The application creates a device context (drawing area) on the memory based on the setting information of the printer driver, and then draws characters, figures, other images, and the like in the area. The printer driver converts (rasterizes) the image data drawn by the application into a format printable by the printer, and transmits it to the printer.

  Here, when printing a barcode, a method of creating barcode image data on a printing application is known as a first method. As a second method, a method is known in which a dedicated font (barcode font) for printing a barcode is prepared in advance, and an application embeds the barcode font in image data. In the second method, a printer driver or a printer analyzes a barcode font, and generates a barcode based on the analysis result (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

No. 2002-211053

  In the first method, since the barcode image data drawn by the application is converted (rasterized) by the printer driver, the print result may not match the drawing on the application. In the second method, when the image correction for characters is performed during conversion in the printer driver, the print result may not be the same as intended. That is, in the conventional method, the quality of the barcode is deteriorated in the data conversion process, and it is difficult to print a high-quality barcode.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print control program capable of printing a high-quality barcode.

According to the present invention, there is provided a determination means for determining whether or not a barcode control area in which information relating to a barcode is present exists in the image data drawing area, and when the barcode control area is present. , An acquisition unit that acquires information about the barcode from the barcode control area, and a generation unit that generates a command for causing the printer to print a barcode based on the information about the barcode. The size of the barcode control area is described at the beginning of the information on the barcode .

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said barcode control area | region can be set as the structure provided at the beginning of the said image data.

  In the above configuration, the information on the barcode may include a barcode type, a barcode printing position, a barcode size, a barcode byte count, and barcode data.

  In the above configuration, the acquisition unit may be configured not to acquire information on the barcode when the size of the barcode control area is smaller than a predetermined value.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The magnitude | size of the said barcode control area can be set as the structure which can be changed based on the kind of barcode.

In the above structure modification, a computer, from the image data, the image data in the print area excluding the barcode control region, and converting means for converting a data format printable by the printer, the front Symbol conversion means The transmitted image data can be further functioned as a transmission unit that transmits the image data to the printer together with the barcode print command generated by the command generation unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print control program capable of printing a high-quality barcode.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the printing system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device context. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating parameter values of the device context. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing data held in the barcode control area. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image of an image drawn by the application. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the application. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image generated by a printer.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing system. The printing system according to the first embodiment includes a computer 10 and a printer 20 that are connected to each other. The computer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12, a memory 14, and an input / output interface 16 that are connected to each other via a data bus. As the memory 14, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) can be used.

  The printer 20 includes a CPU 22, a memory 24, an input / output interface 26, and a printing unit 28 that are connected to each other via a data bus. For the memory 24, for example, a RAM and a ROM can be used. A well-known printing mechanism can be used for the printing unit 28. As a printing method, for example, an inkjet method, a laser method, or the like can be adopted. The computer 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other via respective input / output interfaces (16, 26).

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the printing system. The computer 10 and the printer 20 are connected to each other, and a printing application 30 and a printer driver 40 that is an example of a printing control program are installed in the computer 10.

  The application 30 includes a device context generation unit 32, a print data drawing unit 34, a barcode control area drawing unit 36, and a print execution unit 38. These means can be realized, for example, by causing the CPU 12 of FIG. 1 to execute a predetermined program, and the predetermined program can be stored in the memory 14, for example. The device context generation unit 32 generates a device context that is a drawing area of image data based on the setting of the printer driver 40.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device context. As illustrated, the size of the device context 60 is W _D × L _D [pixel] which is the same as the paper size W × L [pixel]. The device context 60 includes a print area 62 (W _P × L _P [pixel]) where a print image is drawn, a bar code control area 64 (W _D × L _BC [pixel]) where information related to a bar code is drawn, and It is divided into. In this embodiment, the barcode control area 64 is positioned at the head part of the device context. However, the barcode control area 64 may be provided in other parts.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of parameters related to the device context. In this embodiment, the paper horizontal size (W) is 640 [pixel], and the paper vertical size (L) is 2000 + L _BC [pixel]. The length (L _BC ) of the barcode control area 64 is L _BC = 1 to k [pixel] (k is an integer of 2 or more). That is, the length of the barcode control area 64 can be changed in the range of 1 to k based on the type of barcode. In the present embodiment, the size of the device context 60 (drawable area) is 640 × (2000 + L _BC ) [pixel], and the size of the print area 62 is 640 × 2000 [pixel].

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the print data drawing unit 34 draws data (for example, characters, figures, photos, etc.) to be printed on the generated device context 60. The barcode control area drawing means 36 draws information related to the barcode on the barcode control area 64. Here, the bar code information includes the bar code type, bar code printing position, bar code size, bar code byte count, and bar code data. Further, at the beginning of the information on the barcode, the size of the barcode control area 64 is described as will be described later.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of information related to the barcode drawn in the barcode control area 64. Here, the “first pixel” indicates the bit data described in the first pixel of the first line in the barcode control area 64 (the same applies to the second pixel and thereafter). As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a value (L _BC ) indicating the size of the barcode control area 64 is described at the first pixel. Similarly, the barcode type is described in the second pixel, the barcode printing position and the barcode size in the third pixel, and the number of barcode data and barcode data in the fourth pixel. . In this embodiment, the barcode data is given as a binary value and the other data is given as a WORD value. However, the data format is not limited to this.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image of image data drawn by the application 30. The device context 60 is divided into equally spaced cells in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the first line describing the length of the barcode control area 64, the sixth cell from the left is painted black, and the other cells are blank. This indicates that the arrangement of data in the first row is “0000 0100 0000 0000” in order from the left. When this value is converted into a hexadecimal WORD value (little endian), 0x0004 is obtained, and information can be notified to the printer driver 40. Also in the second and subsequent lines, various parameters to be notified to the printer driver 40 can be arbitrarily set by drawing bits as in the first line.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the print execution means 38 calls the printer driver 40 at the time of print execution. The print execution unit 38 transmits image data (for example, bit image data) generated by the print data drawing unit 34 and the barcode control area drawing unit 36 to the printer driver 40.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the application 30. First, the device context generation unit 32 generates a device context 60 (step S10). Next, the print data drawing means 34 draws the print data in the print area 62 (step S12), and the barcode control area drawing means 36 draws information about the barcode in the barcode control area 64 (step S12). S14). These steps (S12 and S14) may be reversed in order. Finally, the print execution unit 38 calls the printer driver 40 and transmits the image data drawn on the device context 60 to the printer driver 40.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the printer driver 40 includes a determination unit 41, an acquisition unit 42, a generation unit 44, a transmission unit 46, and a conversion unit 48. These means can be realized, for example, by causing the CPU 12 of FIG. 1 to execute a predetermined program, and the predetermined program can be stored in the memory 14, for example. The determination unit 41 determines whether or not the barcode control area 64 exists in the image data (device context 60) received from the application 30. When the barcode control area 64 exists, the acquisition unit 42 acquires information related to the barcode from the area. The generation unit 44 generates a barcode print command for causing the printer 20 to print a barcode based on the acquired information on the barcode.

  The conversion means 48 converts the image data in the print area 62 out of the image data into a data format that can be printed by the printer 20. The transmission unit 46 transmits the barcode print command generated by the generation unit 44 and the image data of the print area 62 converted by the conversion unit 48 to the printer 20.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver 40. First, the printer driver 40 receives image data from the application 30 (step S20). The received image data is input to the determination unit 41 and the conversion unit 48. Subsequently, the determination unit 41 acquires the barcode control area length L _BC (step S22), and determines whether or not the barcode control area exists based on the value (step S24). The above determination is performed by comparing the barcode control area length L _BC with a predetermined threshold (4 in this embodiment). The determination unit 41 determines that the barcode control area 64 exists if L _BC is 4 or more, and determines that the barcode control area 64 does not exist if L _BC is less than 4.

If the barcode control area length L _BC is 4 or more in step S24, the acquisition means 42 acquires the remaining information (position, size, data, etc.) relating to the barcode from the barcode control area 64 (step). S26). The information acquired here is temporarily stored in a storage device (for example, RAM: Random Access Memory) in the computer 10. If the barcode control area length L _BC is less than 4 in step S24, the acquisition unit 42 does not acquire information regarding the barcode.

  Subsequently, the conversion unit 48 deletes the barcode control area 64 from the device context 60 (step S28). Subsequently, the conversion unit 48 converts (rasterizes) the data in the remaining print area 62 of the image data into a data format that can be printed by the printer 30 (step S30).

  Subsequently, the generating unit 44 determines whether or not the barcode information acquired in step S26 is normal (step S32). Here, it is determined whether each of the barcode type, barcode position, barcode size, and barcode data is normal. If all of these parameters are normal, the generation unit 44 generates a bar code print command and adds it to the transmission data to the printer 20 (step S34). Here, the barcode print command includes commands for designating the barcode position, size, data contents, and the like. If it is determined in step S32 that the parameters are not normal, the process of adding a barcode print command (S34) is not performed.

  Subsequently, the generation unit 44 generates a print start command and a printer control command, and adds them to the transmission data to the printer 20 (steps S38 and S40). Here, the print start command is a command for causing the printer 20 to start printing, and the printer control command is a command for controlling the printing operation of the printer 20. Finally, the transmission unit 46 transmits the image data converted by the conversion unit 48 to the printer 20 together with the commands (barcode print command, print start command, and printer control command) generated by the generation unit 44. (Step S42).

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the printer 20 includes a barcode data processing unit 52, an image data processing unit 54, a command processing unit 56, a combining unit 58, and a printing unit 59. Of these means, the barcode data processing means 52, the image data processing means 54, the command processing means 56, and the synthesizing means 58 can be realized, for example, by causing the CPU 22 of FIG. The predetermined program can be stored in the memory 24, for example. The printing unit 59 can be realized by the printing unit 28 in FIG.

  The barcode data processing unit 52 acquires a barcode print command from the data transmitted from the printer driver 40, and generates barcode image data to be printed based on the command. The image data processing means 54 acquires the image data of the print area 62 from the data transmitted from the printer driver 40, and forms the image data of the image to be printed.

  The combining unit 58 combines the barcode image data generated by the barcode data processing unit 52 and the image data of the image data generated by the image data processing unit 54. The command processing unit 56 processes commands (for example, a print start command, a printer control command, etc.) other than the command related to the barcode among the data transmitted from the printer driver 40. The printing unit 59 executes printing based on the final print data combined by the combining unit 58.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer. First, the printer 20 receives image data and various commands from the printer driver 40 (step S60). The image data received here is the image data of the print area 62 excluding the barcode control area 64 from the device context 60, and the information described in the barcode control area is the image data as a barcode print command. Received separately. Of the received data, the barcode printing command is input to the barcode data processing unit 52, the image data (bit image data) is input to the image data processing unit 54, and the other commands are input to the command processing unit 56.

  Subsequently, the image data processing means 54 processes the bit image data which is the image data converted by the printer driver 40 (step S62), and develops the image data into the memory 24 of FIG. 1 (step S64). . Subsequently, the barcode data processing means 52 processes the barcode print command (step S66), creates barcode image data (barcode image) based on the command (step S68), and generates the barcode data. The barcode image is expanded into the memory 24 (step S70). Through the above processing, the image data and the image data of the barcode are developed on the memory 24, and the image data and the barcode image are combined on the memory 24 (combining means 58). The combined image data is transmitted to the printing unit 59.

  Subsequently, the command processing means 56 determines whether or not a print start command has been received (step S72). When the print start command is received, the command processing unit 56 gives a print command to the printing unit 59 and starts printing by executing printing (step S74).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image generated by the printer 20. Reference numeral 70 indicates image data generated by the image data processing means 54, and reference numeral 80 indicates a barcode image generated by the barcode data processing means 52. Reference numeral 90 indicates a state (final print image) in which the two image data are combined.

  In this embodiment, a receipt is used as an example of a print image. The receipt 70 includes the article name, the amount of money, a message to the customer, and the like. The area 72 of the receipt 70 is blank, and the barcode data 80 is pasted on the area 72, whereby the image data of the receipt 90 with the barcode is completed. By executing printing based on the image data, a receipt with a barcode can be printed.

  According to the printer system according to the first embodiment, the device context 60 generated by the application 30 includes the barcode control area 64 in addition to the print area 62 where the print image is drawn. Then, the printer control program (printer driver 40) acquires information relating to the barcode from the barcode control area 64, and generates a barcode print command. The barcode image data is generated by the printer 20 based on the barcode print command. Therefore, compared to a case where a barcode image is generated by the application 30, it is possible to generate a barcode image that is not affected by the conversion process by the printer driver 40 and conforms to the specifications of the printer 20. As a result, a high quality barcode can be printed. Also, by expanding the device context 60 as compared with the conventional case and drawing information related to the barcode in the expanded area (barcode control area 64), for example, information related to the barcode can be obtained compared to the case where a special font is used. Simple and accurate transmission to the printer driver 40 is possible.

  In this embodiment, the barcode control area 64 is provided at the beginning of the device context 60. However, the barcode control area 64 may be provided in another area as long as it can be distinguished from other areas. However, by providing the barcode control area 64 at the head of the data, it is possible to determine whether or not the printer driver 40 performs barcode printing at an earlier stage. Note that the amount of data described in the barcode control area 64 may vary depending on the type of barcode to be printed, so the size of the barcode control area 64 can be changed according to the type of barcode. It is preferable to do.

Further, in the present embodiment, first information about the barcode printed on the barcode control region 64, a configuration described size of the bar code control region 64 (L _BC), the other the L _BC It may be described in the area. However, by describing the L _BC to the first bar code control region 64, the determination unit 41 of the printer driver 40, it is possible to determine whether or not the bar code control region 64 is present at an earlier stage. In the present embodiment, it is determined that the barcode control area 64 does not exist when the size (L _BC ) of the barcode control area 64 is smaller than a predetermined threshold. However, is the barcode control area 64 present? The determination of whether or not may be performed by other methods.

  In this embodiment, a one-dimensional barcode has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to barcodes of other forms (for example, a two-dimensional barcode (QR code)). Can do.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Computer 20 Printer 30 Application 32 Device context production | generation means 34 Print data drawing means 36 Barcode control area drawing means 38 Print execution means 40 Printer driver 41 Determination means 42 Acquisition means 44 Generation means 46 Conversion means 48 Transmission means 52 Barcode data processing Means 54 Image data processing means 56 Command processing means 58 Composition means 59 Printing means 60 Device context

Claims (6)

Computer
Determining means for determining whether or not there is a barcode control area in which information relating to the barcode is present in the drawing area of the image data;
An acquisition means for acquiring information on the barcode from the barcode control area when the barcode control area exists;
Generating means for generating a command for causing the printer to print a barcode based on the information relating to the barcode;
To function as,
The printing control program characterized in that the size of the barcode control area is described at the beginning of the information on the barcode .   The print control program according to claim 1, wherein the barcode control area is provided at the beginning of the image data.   The print control according to claim 1, wherein the information about the barcode includes a barcode type, a barcode printing position, a barcode size, the number of barcode bytes, and barcode data. program. The printing control program according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit does not acquire information regarding the barcode when the size of the barcode control area is smaller than a predetermined value. The size of the bar code control region, the print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that is changeable based on the type of bar code. Computer
Conversion means for converting image data in a print area excluding the barcode control area from the image data into a data format printable by a printer;
Transmission means for transmitting the image data converted by the pre-Symbol conversion means, to the printer along with the command generating unit bar code printing command generated by,
The print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further functioning as:

Images