JP7304002B2 - printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that forms print on a print-receiving medium.

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus is known that forms a print corresponding to barcode information read by a barcode reader on a print-receiving medium. For example, the printing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses a technique of causing a barcode reader to read a setting barcode printed by itself, and setting the barcode based on the read information.

JP 2016-51245 A

When an unspecified bar code reader of unspecified type and specifications is newly connected, it is necessary to set a prefix and a suffix that the bar code reader adds to read data. However, the printing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200013 does not support such prefix and suffix setting, and manual operation is very complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that facilitates setting work for a newly connected bar code reader.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transport means for transporting a print-receiving medium, a printing means for printing on the print-receiving medium transported by the transport means, and a wired barcode reader. connecting means for connecting or wirelessly connecting, control means for controlling the conveying means and the printing means, and storage means for storing predetermined reference information for creating a specific reference bar code, Control means performs barcode output processing for outputting a reference barcode representing the reference information stored in the storage means; bar code information acquisition processing for acquiring read information represented; correction content determination processing for determining the content of correction processing for correcting the read information based on the comparison result between the reference information and the read information; After that, the correction processing is performed on the barcode information acquired corresponding to the reading result of the arbitrary barcode by the barcode reader connected via the connection means, and based on the barcode information after the correction processing An object printed matter creation process for creating an object printed matter on which a corresponding print object is formed by controlling the conveying means and the printing means is executed.

In the invention of the present application, the printer and the bar code reader are connected by the connection means provided in the printer. Then, according to the result of reading the barcode by the barcode reader, a printed matter is created by the printing device.

In this configuration, when an unspecified barcode reader of unspecified type and specifications is newly connected to the connection means, for example, when the barcode reader breaks down and is replaced, or when a new barcode reader is purchased. can be. At that time, if the print result is left as it is, there is a possibility that the printing device that has acquired the reading result of the new barcode reader cannot print the reading result or performs inappropriate printing.

In order to cope with this, in the present invention, appropriate correction processing is performed on the reading result of the bar code reader in order to correct the above inconvenience and perform correct printing. Predetermined reference information for determining the content of the correction processing is stored in the storage means.

That is, first, under the control of the control means, the reference barcode representing the stored reference information is output (barcode output processing). Then, the output reference barcode is read by the new barcode reader, and reading information indicating the reading result is obtained (barcode information obtaining process). Thus, by comparing the read information with the reference information, it is possible to determine how the information read from the bar code reader should be corrected for correct printing, that is, the contents of the correction process. (Correction content determination processing). As a result, hereafter, when an arbitrary barcode is read by the barcode reader, the correction process is always performed on the barcode information corresponding to the reading result, so that the corresponding print object is formed as an object. A print can be created correctly (object print creation process).

As described above, in the present invention, even when an unspecified barcode reader whose type and specifications are not specified is newly connected to the printing device, printed matter ( object prints) can be created correctly. Thereby, convenience for the user can be improved.

According to the present invention, setting work for a newly connected bar code reader can be performed more easily.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a label printer and a barcode reader according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a cartridge holder of the housing of the label printer; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of a cartridge attached to the housing of the label printer; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing functional configurations of a label printer and a barcode reader; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printed label formed by a label printer; It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the printed label cross section which the label printer formed. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of data and processing during execution of the reading print mode of the label printer; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of data and processing during execution of the data correction setting mode of the label printer; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a prefix identification method in the correction content determination process; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a suffix specifying method in the correction content determination process; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sequence flow of the label printer and barcode reader in the data correction setting mode; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of data and processing during execution of a data correction setting mode when displaying an image of reference barcode data on a mobile terminal; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of data and processing during execution of the destination correction setting mode of the label printer; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of data and processing in the reading print mode after execution of the destination correction setting mode;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same function are in principle denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of these components will be omitted as appropriate.

<Overview of Configuration of Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, a label printer 100 (corresponding to an example of a printing apparatus) according to the present embodiment has a housing 101, and a top surface of the housing 101 can be opened and closed (or can be attached and detached). ) is provided with an opening/closing lid 102 . A tape ejection port 104 is provided in the front portion of the housing 101 . The tape ejection port 104 is for ejecting the printed label tape 423 (see FIG. 3 to be described later) produced inside the housing 101 to the outside of the housing 101 .

The label printer 100 also has a USB connector 103 (corresponding to an example of connecting means) to which the USB cable 9 connected to the barcode reader BR is detachable. The barcode reader BR may be connected by a standard wire other than the USB cable 9 .

Information read by the barcode reader BR (cartridge ID as identification information of each cartridge 410, type information indicating the type of cartridge, etc.) is output to the label printer 100 via the USB cable 9 described above.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the external configuration of the cartridge holder 427 inside the housing 101 and the cartridge 410 to be mounted thereon, with the opening/closing cover 102 of the label printer 100 opened. In FIG. 2, illustration of the opening/closing lid 102 in an upwardly opened state is omitted to avoid complication of the illustration. FIG. 3 shows the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 427 with the cartridge 410 attached, together with the cartridge 410 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 101 of the label printer 100 includes a cartridge holder 427 to which the cartridge 410 can be attached and detached, a print head 419 (an example of printing means), and a tape feed roller drive shaft. 430 (corresponding to an example of conveying means) and a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 431 are provided. In this example, the cartridge 410 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped box, and a part of the cartridge 410 is formed with a head insertion opening 439 penetrating through both the front and back surfaces.

The cartridge 410 includes a base tape roll 417 around which a base tape 416 is wound, a cover film roll 412 around which a cover film 411 (corresponding to an example of a medium to be printed) is wound, and an ink ribbon 413 for printing (however, the ink ribbon 413 to be printed). (unnecessary if the print medium is a thermal tape), a ribbon winding roller 415 for winding the ink ribbon 413 after printing, and a tape feeding roller 418 .

The base tape roll 417 winds the base tape 416 around a base tape spool 417a.

The base tape 416 has a laminated structure of multiple layers (four layers in this example) (see the partially enlarged view in FIG. 3). That is, an adhesive layer 416a made of an appropriate adhesive for adhering the cover film 411, such as PET, extends from the side (right side in the partially enlarged view) to the opposite side (left side in the partially enlarged view) to be wound inward. A tape base layer 416b made of (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, an adhesive layer 416c made of an appropriate adhesive, and a release paper 416d are laminated in this order.

The release paper 416d is removed by the adhesive layer 416c when the finally completed printed label (see FIGS. 5 and 6 described later) is attached to an object to be attached such as a predetermined article. It enables it to adhere|attach to the said pasting target object.

The cover film roll 412 has a cover film 411 wound around a cover film spool 412a and having substantially the same width as the base tape 416 in this example. As described above, the cover film 411 is an example of a medium to be printed, and is composed of, for example, a film, a sheet, a tape, or the like.

The ribbon supply side roll 414 winds the ink ribbon 413 around a ribbon supply side spool 414a.

The ribbon take-up roller 415 includes a ribbon take-up spool 415a, and is driven by a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 431 on the cartridge holder 427 side to take up the printed (used) ink ribbon 413. Wind on ribbon take-up spool 415a.

The tape feed roller 418 is driven by a tape feed roller driving shaft 430 on the cartridge holder 427 side to press and adhere the base tape 416 and the cover film 411 to form a label tape 423 with print. The tape is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow T.

The ribbon take-up roller 415 and the tape feed roller 418 are driven by a tape feed motor 433 (see FIG. 4, which will be described later), which is provided outside the cartridge 410, for example, a pulse motor. The roller driving shaft 431 and the tape feed roller driving shaft 430 are driven to rotate in conjunction with each other.

On the other hand, the cartridge holder 427 has a print head 419 , a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 431 , a tape feed roller drive shaft 430 and a roller holder 422 .

The print head 419 includes a large number of heat generating elements, and performs print formation on the cover film 411 that is unwound from the cover film roll 412 and conveyed.

The tape feed roller drive shaft 430 feeds the cover film 411 unreeled (supplied) from the cover film roll 412 of the cartridge 410 mounted in the cartridge holder 427, and the base tape 416 unwound from the base tape roll 417. The tape is conveyed by driving the tape feed roller 418 .

The roller holder 422 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 429 and can be switched between a print position and a release position by a switching mechanism. A platen roller 420 and a tape pressure contact roller 421 are rotatably disposed in the roller holder 422. When the roller holder 422 is switched to the printing position, the platen roller 420 and the tape pressure contact roller 421 move toward the print head. 419 and tape feed roller 418.

Further, the cartridge holder 427 is provided with a cutter 428 adjacent to an ejection port (not shown) of the cartridge 410 . The cutter 428 is actuated by energizing a solenoid 435 (see FIG. 4 to be described later) to completely cut the printed label tape 423 in the thickness direction to generate a printed label L to be described later (see FIG. 4 to be described later). 5).

In the above configuration, after the cartridge 410 is attached to the cartridge holder 427, the ribbon winding roller drive shaft 431 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 430 are synchronized by the driving force of the tape feed motor 433 (see FIG. 4, which will be described later). rotationally driven. As the tape feed roller drive shaft 430 is driven, the tape feed roller 418, the platen roller 420, and the tape pressure contact roller 421 are rotated, the base tape 416 is fed from the base tape roll 417, and the tape feed roller 418 is driven as described above. supplied to On the other hand, the cover film 411 is unwound from the cover film roll 412, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 419 are energized by the print head driving circuit 432 (see FIG. 5, which will be described later). At this time, the ink ribbon 413 is pressed against the print head 419 and brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 411 . As a result, desired printing (mirror image printing) is performed in a predetermined printing area on the back surface of the cover film 411 . Then, the base tape 416 and the printed cover film 411 are adhered and integrated by the tape feeding roller 418 and the tape pressing roller 421 to form a printed label tape 423 , which is discharged out of the cartridge 410 . be. Then, the label tape 423 with print is cut by the cutter 428 to generate the print label L with the desired print.

<Functional configuration of the embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 4, the label printer 100 includes a control circuit 440 (corresponding to an example of control means) for controlling the tape feed roller driving shaft 430, the print head 419, etc., on a control board (not shown). have.

The control circuit 440 is provided with a CPU 444 , which is connected to an input/output interface 441 , a ROM 446 , a memory 447 (an example of storage means), a RAM 448 , an operation section 449 and a display section 450 via a data bus 442 . , and a communication interface 443H. The communication interface 443H (corresponding to one example of connection means) is connected to a barcode reader BR (described later) via a USB cable 9 attached to the USB connector 103 .

The ROM 446 stores various programs necessary for control (including a print processing program for executing a control procedure shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later). The CPU 444 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in such ROM 446 . The RAM 448 temporarily stores various calculation results and the like calculated by the CPU 444 . The memory 447 stores various setting information necessary for control. In particular, the memory 447 according to this embodiment stores reference barcode data (described later) as predetermined setting information for the barcode reader BR.

The operation unit 449 is composed of, for example, hardware buttons (not shown), and receives input operations from the user.

The display unit 450 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (not shown), and displays predetermined information to the user.

A print head drive circuit 432 for driving the print head 419 , a tape feed motor drive circuit 434 , and a solenoid drive circuit 436 for driving a solenoid 435 are connected to the input/output interface 441 .

The tape feed motor drive circuit 434 drives the tape feed roller drive shaft 430 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 431 by driving the tape feed motor 433, thereby feeding the base tape 416, the cover film 411, and the printed tape. The label tape 423 is transported.

A solenoid drive circuit 436 excites a solenoid 435 that drives the cutter 428 to perform a cutting operation.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the barcode reader BR has an optical scanner 501, a data output circuit 502, and a communication I/F 503. FIG.

The optical scanner 501 optically scans a barcode, converts the contents of the barcode data into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal.

A data output circuit 502 generates and outputs read data corresponding to the specifications (standard, destination, etc.) of the barcode reader BR based on the electrical signal output from the optical scanner 501 .

The communication interface 503 is connected to the printer 100 via the USB cable 9 and outputs read data generated by the data output circuit 502 to the label printer 100 .

<Example of printed label>
An example of a printed label L formed by completing the cutting of the label tape 423 with print by the label printer 100 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

5 and 6, the printed label L has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 411 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. 3 as described above. That is, from the cover film 411 side (the upper side in FIG. 6) toward the opposite side (the lower side in FIG. 6), the cover film 411, the adhesive layer 416a, the tape base layer 416b, the adhesive layer 416c, and the release paper 416d. It consists of 5 layers. In this example, a desired print R (characters "ABC" in this example, which corresponds to an example of a print object) is printed in the print area S (more specifically, its back surface) provided on the cover film 103 .

<Reading and printing mode when set correctly>
The configuration overview and functional configuration of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above. Here, the reading print mode (corresponding to an example of object printed matter creation processing) when the bar code reader BR is correctly set in the label printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the barcode reader BR optically reads a barcode printed on a barcode label L arbitrarily selected by the user, and outputs read data corresponding to the contents of the barcode data. Here, the barcode itself is an image information code in which a specific character string is encoded in geometrical notation as data content, and the barcode reader BR reads data corresponding to the specifications set for the barcode reader BR itself. to generate

As an example of the specification, the data output circuit 502 adds a prefix (communication setting item (corresponding to an example) data is added, and suffix data (corresponding to an example of communication setting items) is added after the data content to be read data. Predetermined control characters and the like are often assigned to these prefixes and suffixes, respectively, and the content and number of characters assigned to control characters differ according to various common standards and manufacturer's own standards. There are also specifications that do not add prefixes and suffixes themselves.

On the other hand, if the label printer 100 is correctly set according to the specifications of the barcode reader BR, the prefix positioned at the head of the received read data and the suffix following the contents of the barcode data are You also know the number of characters and the content of Therefore, the label printer 100 correctly subtracts both the prefix and the suffix from the read data received from the barcode reader BR by read data correction processing (corresponding to an example of correction processing) to convert the character string of the barcode data content. A read data label Lr (corresponding to an example of an object printed matter) can be created as a printed label L by extracting a printed object and printing it.

<Data correction setting mode>
However, in this configuration, due to circumstances such as when the barcode reader BR breaks down and is replaced, or when the barcode reader BR is replaced with a new barcode reader BR, an unspecified barcode reader BR whose type and specifications are not specified is newly installed in the label printer. 100 may be connected. At that time, if the data is left as it is, the label printer 100 that has acquired the read data of the new barcode reader BR may not be able to print the read result, or may perform inappropriate printing. This is often because the specification of the barcode reader BR is unknown, and the contents of the prefix and suffix included in the read data are unknown.

Therefore, in the label printer 100 according to the present embodiment, when a barcode reader BR whose specifications are unknown is newly connected, the following data correction setting mode shown in FIG. 8 is executed. In this data correction setting mode, first, a reference barcode label Lb (corresponding to an example of barcode printed matter) is created by printing the reference barcode data stored in the memory 447 as a print object. This reference barcode data is barcode data whose contents of the barcode data (corresponding to an example of predetermined reference information; character string "CONFIG" in the illustrated example) are known in advance.

Then, the barcode reader BR whose specifications are unknown reads this reference barcode data, and the label printer 100 receives the generated read data (corresponding to an example of read information; "PPCONFIGQQ" in the illustrated example). The label printer 100 compares the read data content “PPCONFIGQQ” with the reference barcode data content “CONFIG” in the correction content determination process, and specifies the prefix “PP” and the suffix “QQ” respectively.

<Correction Content Determination Process 1: Prefix Identification>
Among the above-described correction content determination processing, the method of specifying a prefix will be described with reference to FIG. 9 corresponding to the data example of FIG. First, for the read data content "PPCONFIGQQ", it is specified at which character position the reference bar code data content "CONFIG" overlaps. In the illustrated example, the 3rd to 8th characters in the content of the read data are identified as a duplicate match of the reference bar code data. By subtracting the contents of the reference barcode data from the contents of the read data at the overlapping and matching positions, the number of prefix characters (2 characters) and the contents (2 characters) of the prefix positioned at least before the contents of the reference barcode data at the beginning of the entire read data “PP”) can be identified.

At this stage, however, a precise identification of the suffix is not possible. This is because, as a common specification of the barcode reader BR, the reading of barcode data is performed asynchronously over time. This is because the data length cannot be specified (there is a possibility that subsequent data exists even if the reception of data is stagnant). Therefore, after specifying the above prefixes, it is necessary to separately specify the following suffixes.

<Correction content determination process 2: suffix identification>
A suffix specifying method will be described with reference to FIG. 10 corresponding to the data examples of FIGS. 8 and 9 above. In specifying the suffix in the illustrated example, read data obtained when the same reference bar code is read twice in succession is linked and treated as one read data ("PPCONFIGQQPPCONFIGQQ" in the illustrated example).

First, two positions where the content of the reference barcode data overlaps with the content of the read data are identified. In the illustrated example, the positions of the reference bar code data are specified as duplicated matches at two locations of the 3rd to 8th characters and the 13th to 18th characters in the contents of the read data. Note that in the drawing, due to space limitations, only the peripheral area centered between the above two locations is shown. Then, the contents of the reference bar code data are subtracted from the contents of the read data at each of the two overlapping and matching positions. are concatenated in the order of suffix + prefix.

By further subtracting the prefix ("PP" in the example shown) located at the end of this data content, the number of characters (2 characters) and the content (2 characters) of the suffix located after the reference barcode data at the end of the entire read data “QQ”) can be specified. By the correction content determination process described above, the prefix and suffix added by the barcode reader BR whose specifications are unknown are specified, and the read data correction process in the reading print mode can be executed correctly. Therefore, the label printer 100 according to the present embodiment can correctly extract the print object from the barcode label L on which any barcode data content other than the reference barcode data is printed, and print and create the read data label Lr.

<Sequence flow of the present embodiment>
A sequence flow executed by the control circuit 440 of the label printer 100 and the barcode reader BR to implement the above method will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. First, in FIG. 11, when a new barcode reader BR is connected to the label printer 100 via the USB cable 9 and the USB connector 103, the connection state is established. Then, this flow is started when the execution of the data correction setting mode is instructed by a separate input operation from the user via the operation unit 449 .

First, in step SL10, the control circuit 440 of the label printer 100 acquires the reference barcode data from the memory 447 and creates a reference barcode label Lb using this as a print object (barcode output processing, barcode printed matter (equivalent to an example of creation processing).

Next, in step SR20, the barcode reader BR reads the reference barcode label Lb twice in succession, connects the two corresponding read data, and transmits the read data to the label printer 100 as one read data.

Next, at step SL20, the control circuit 440 of the label printer 100 receives one piece of read data transmitted from the barcode reader BR at step SR20 (corresponding to an example of barcode information acquisition processing).

Next, at step SL30, the control circuit 440 of the label printer 100 determines whether or not there is a difference between the reference barcode data and the read data. In this case, in detail, the data content obtained by concatenating two identical reference bar code data and the data content of one read data received from the bar code reader BR are compared, and the total number of characters and the content are completely matched. determine whether or not to If there is a complete match, in other words, if there is no difference between the data, the determination is not satisfied (SL30: NO), and the process moves to step SL40.

At step SL40, the control circuit 440 of the label printer 100 registers the currently connected bar code reader BR as a specification that does not add prefixes and suffixes. Then, this flow ends.

On the other hand, in the determination at step SL30, if the contents of the data do not completely match, in other words, if there is a difference between the data, the determination is satisfied (SL30: YES), and the process proceeds to step SL50.

At step SL50, the control circuit 440 of the label printer 100 executes correction content determination processing. Specifically, the processing for specifying the prefix described with reference to FIG. 9 and the processing for specifying the suffix described with reference to FIG. 10 are sequentially executed. Then, this flow ends.

<Effects of Embodiment>
As described above, in the label printer 100 according to the present embodiment, appropriate read data correction processing is performed on the read data, which is the result of reading by the barcode reader BR, in the read print mode. In order to determine the content of the read data correction processing, correction content determination processing using predetermined reference bar code data stored in the memory 447 is executed in the data correction setting mode.

That is, first, the stored reference barcode is output under the control of the control circuit 440 (barcode output processing). Then, the output reference barcode is read by a new barcode reader BR whose specifications are unknown, and read data representing the reading result is acquired (barcode information acquisition processing). By comparing the read data with the reference information of the reference bar code data, it is possible to determine how the data read from the bar code reader BR should be corrected for correct printing, that is, the content of the correction process. can be determined (correction content determination processing). As a result, after that, when any barcode is read by the barcode reader BR, the barcode data corresponding to the reading result is always subjected to the read data correction process, thereby forming the corresponding print object. It is possible to correctly create the read data label Lr (object print creation process).

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when a new barcode reader BR whose type and specifications are not specified is newly connected to the label printer 100, the setting work can be easily performed. Thus, the read data label Lr (object printed matter) corresponding to the bar code reading result can be correctly created. Thereby, convenience for the user can be improved.

Moreover, particularly in this embodiment, a reference barcode label Lb on which a reference barcode is formed is created. Also, read data representing the result of reading the reference barcode provided on the created reference barcode label Lb is obtained from the barcode reader BR. As a result, in the label printer 100 of the present embodiment, by printing the reference barcode and outputting it as the reference barcode label Lb, reading by the new barcode reader BR can be easily and reliably performed.

In addition, particularly in this embodiment, the read data correction process is based on the result of comparison between the read data and the reference barcode data, and the prefixes and suffixes included in the read data relating to communication from the barcode reader BR to the control circuit 440 are corrected. is specified and the prefix and suffix are subtracted from the read data. As a result, the read data is interpreted with extra prefixes and suffixes in the state before read data correction processing. is interpreted. As a result, it is possible to reliably create the read data label Lr in which the print object corresponding to the read data is correctly formed.

Also, particularly in this embodiment, at least one communication setting item subtracted from the read data in the read data correction process includes at least one of a prefix and a suffix. As a result, it is possible to interpret the contents of the bar code data in its original form excluding the prefixes and suffixes after the reading data correction process.

Further, particularly in this embodiment, in the procedure of step SL20, a plurality of read data are substantially acquired (read data are substantially acquired a plurality of times), and in the correction content determination process, the first read data A comparison of the data with the reference bar code data identifies prefixes contained in the read data. Also, the suffix included in the read data is specified based on the first and second read data, the reference barcode data, and the specified prefix.

According to this embodiment, when the first read data is acquired, the beginning portion that is not included in the reference barcode data can be specified as a prefix. Then, when the second read data is acquired after that, the part between the prefix included in the first read data and the above prefix included in the second read data is included in the reference barcode data. The missing part can be specified as a suffix.

It should be noted that the first and second reference barcode data may be data contents of known character strings, so even if they are not the same, they may be different, for example, "CONFIG" and "FIN". It may be of known character string data content. In this case, after the first reference barcode label Lb is read by the barcode reader BR, the second reference barcode label Lb is read by the barcode reader BR to ensure that the order relationship between the first and second data contents is correct. It is preferable to print out the barcode label Lb.

<Modification>
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order. In addition, in each modification, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the part equivalent to the said embodiment, and description and illustration are abbreviate|omitted or simplified suitably.

(1) When displaying the reference barcode as an image In the above embodiment, the reference barcode is stored in advance in the memory 447 of the label printer 100, and the reference barcode label Lb is created by printing it as a print object. , the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the data correction setting mode shown in FIG. 12, the image of the reference barcode may be displayed on the display 601 of the mobile terminal 600 such as a smartphone or tablet terminal and read by the barcode reader BR. In this case, for example, as shown in the figure, the mobile terminal 600 captures the QR code (registered trademark) 610 attached to the housing of the label printer 100 with its camera 602, and records the QR code (registered trademark) 610 itself. The content of the reference barcode may be obtained directly from the content. Alternatively, the portable terminal 600 may access a dedicated site using the URL recorded in the QR code (registered trademark) 610 and acquire the reference barcode from there. Although not shown, if the display unit 450 of the label printer 100 is sufficiently large, the reference barcode may be displayed on the display unit 450 and read by the barcode reader BR.

As described above, the label printer 100 according to the present modified example executes the process of outputting the display control signal for displaying the image of the reference barcode (corresponding to an example of the barcode output process and the barcode image display process). Further, the label printer 100 acquires read data representing the result of reading the image of the displayed reference barcode from the barcode reader BR (corresponding to an example of barcode information acquisition processing).

In this modification, the reference barcode can be displayed as an image, and the image is read by a new barcode reader BR. As a result, it is possible to prevent the base tape 416 and the cover film 411 from being wasted just for the reference barcode, as in the case of printing the reference barcode.

(2) When determining correction contents according to the difference in the destination In the above embodiment, the correction contents of the read data according to the difference between the prefix and the suffix as communication setting items, which is one of the specifications of the barcode reader BR. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, as one of the specifications of the barcode reader BR, it may be necessary to perform a process of determining the contents of correction of the read data according to the difference in the region where the barcode reader BR is used, that is, the destination.

Specifically, the contents of character data are code values of character codes that identify each character, and there are various standards for these character codes. The barcode reader BR is set so that even when reading barcodes with the same data content, the read data is output in a character code that is highly applicable to the destination where the barcode reader BR itself is expected to be used. in many cases. Therefore, when the label printer 100 and the barcode reader BR having different destination specifications are used in combination, the character codes used are often different depending on the destination. As a result, garbled characters occur in the printed object of the read data label Lr in the read print mode, and even in the data correction setting mode, duplicate matching of the reference barcode data cannot be confirmed in the read data, and the correction content determination process fails. there is a possibility.

On the other hand, in the label printer 100 of this modified example, the destination correction setting mode as shown in FIG. 13 is executed separately from the data correction setting mode described above. Here, in the common bar code standard, the destination bar code data of common bar code data content is set in order to determine the destination specifications of the bar code reader BR. In the label printer 100 of this modification, the destination barcode data is pre-stored in the memory 447, and in the destination correction setting mode, the destination barcode data is first printed as a print object on the destination barcode label. Create Ls.

The illustrated example shows a case where the specification of the destination of the label printer 100 is set to North America (abbreviated as "US" in the drawing). When the barcode reader BR reads the barcode content of the destination barcode label Ls and outputs the read data whose data content is a character string of "^FF", the barcode reader BR It can be determined that the destination specification is set to the same North American destination specification as the label printer 100 . On the other hand, it can be determined that the barcode reader BR that outputs the read data whose data content is the character string “=FF” is set to the Japanese destination specification different from that of the label printer 100 . In other words, even if the same destination barcode label Ls is read by the barcode reader BR, due to the difference in the character code to be converted corresponding to the contents of the barcode in the code conversion processing in the data output circuit 502 of the barcode reader BR, The destination specification of the bar code reader BR is determined.

Then, the label printer 100 that has received the read data from the bar code reader BR decides the correction contents, assuming that if the data content of the read data is "^FF", the destination specification is the same as that of the bar code reader BR, North America (US). Keep the settings as they are in the process. However, as in the illustrated example, if the data content of the received read data is "=FF", it is determined that the destination specification of the barcode reader BR is Japan, which is different from that of the label printer 100, and that the destination is determined in the correction content determination process. A character code conversion table corresponding to the difference in specifications is selected and set to be applied to the character code correction process in the reading print mode.

Here, the character code conversion table is a table that records, for each character, the corresponding relationship of code values between two different character codes, although not shown. For example, in the correction content determination process shown in the figure, characters written with a predetermined code value of the character code for the Japanese destination specification (that is, the character code before conversion) correspond to the character code for the North American destination specification (that is, the character code after conversion). ), it is sufficient to select and apply a character code conversion table in which the correspondence relation of which code values can be expressed is recorded. This character code conversion table is preferably stored in the memory 447 in advance for each of various combinations of two different character codes that are assumed to be applied as destination specifications.

As described above, the label printer 100 according to the present modification creates an appropriate character code conversion table according to the difference in destination specification between the label printer 100 and the barcode reader BR in the correction content determination process in the destination correction setting mode. You can run character code correction processing to select and apply. In this case, as in the reading and printing mode shown in FIG. 14, the read data correction process of the label printer 100 and the A read data label Lr of an appropriate print object can be created by character code correction processing.

As described above, in the label printer 100 according to the present modified example, the character code correction process is performed based on the result of comparison between the destination barcode data and the read data. (equivalent to an example of the destination) is specified, and the data part of "=" (equivalent to an example of the first part) corresponding to the destination unique to the barcode reader BR in the read data is specified to the label printer 100. (North American destination; corresponding to an example of a second destination) is replaced with the data part of "^" (corresponding to an example of the second part).

According to this modification, the specifications of the destination (second destination) on the side of the label printer 100 and the specifications of the destination (first destination) on the barcode reader BR side are different, and the read The first part "=" of the bar code read data is replaced with the second part "^". As a result, the read data of the bar code can be interpreted in its original form, so that the read data label in which the print object corresponding to the bar code information is correctly formed can be reliably created.

<Others>
In addition, in the above description, when there are descriptions such as “perpendicular”, “parallel”, “planar”, etc., these descriptions do not have a strict meaning. In other words, "perpendicular,""parallel," and "flat" mean "substantially perpendicular,""substantiallyparallel," and "substantially flat," with allowance for design and manufacturing tolerances and errors. .

In addition, in the above description, if there are descriptions such as “same”, “equal”, “different” regarding dimensions, sizes and lengths in terms of appearance or signal processing, the descriptions do not have a strict meaning. In other words, the terms “same”, “equal”, and “different” are defined as “substantially the same”, “substantially equal”, and “substantially the same”, allowing for tolerances, errors, changes, fluctuations, etc. in design, manufacturing and data processing. It means "substantially different".

In the above description, the arrows shown in each drawing such as FIG. 4 indicate an example of signal flow, and do not limit the direction of signal flow.

Also, the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 etc. is not intended to limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flow, and procedures may be added, deleted, or changed in order without departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention. good too.

In addition to the methods already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined and used.

In addition, although not exemplified one by one, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

100 label printer (equivalent to an example of a printing device)
103 USB connector (equivalent to an example of connection means)
411 cover film (equivalent to an example of a medium to be printed)
419 print head (equivalent to an example of printing means)
430 tape feed roller drive shaft (equivalent to an example of transport means)
440 control circuit (corresponding to an example of control means)
443H communication interface (equivalent to an example of connection means)
444 CPUs
446 ROMs
447 memory (corresponding to an example of storage means)
448 RAM
600 Mobile terminal BR Barcode reader L Printed label, barcode label Lr Read data label (equivalent to an example of printed object)
Lb Reference barcode label (equivalent to an example of printed barcode)
Ls Destination barcode label

Claims (7)

a transport means for transporting a print-receiving medium;
a printing means for printing on the print-receiving medium conveyed by the conveying means;
connection means for wired or wireless connection to the barcode reader;
a control means for controlling the conveying means and the printing means;
a storage means storing predetermined reference information for creating a specific reference barcode;
has
The control means is
barcode output processing for outputting a reference barcode representing the reference information stored in the storage means;
Barcode information acquisition processing for acquiring reading information representing the reading result of the reference barcode from the barcode reader connected via the connection means;
Correction content determination processing for determining content of correction processing for correcting the read information based on a comparison result between the reference information and the read information;
After the correction content determination processing, the correction processing is performed on the barcode information acquired corresponding to the reading result of the arbitrary barcode by the barcode reader connected via the connection means, and after the correction processing object printed matter creation processing for controlling the conveying means and the printing means based on the barcode information of and creating an object printed matter on which the corresponding print object is formed;
A printing device characterized by executing The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein
The barcode output process includes:
A barcode printed matter creation process for creating a barcode printed matter on which the reference barcode is formed by controlling the conveying means and the printing means,
In the barcode information acquisition process,
A printing apparatus, wherein the read information representing a read result of the reference bar code provided on the created bar code printed matter is obtained from the bar code reader connected via the connection means. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein
The barcode output process includes:
barcode image display processing for outputting a display control signal for displaying the image of the reference barcode,
In the barcode information acquisition process,
A printing apparatus, wherein the read information representing a read result of the image of the displayed reference bar code is acquired from the bar code reader connected via the connection means. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The correction process is
Based on the comparison result, at least one communication setting item related to communication from the barcode reader to the control means, which is included in the read information, is specified, and the specified communication setting item is specified from the barcode information. A printing device characterized by a subtraction process. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The at least one communication setting item includes:
A printing device comprising at least one of a prefix and a suffix. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
In the barcode information acquisition process, the read information is acquired a plurality of times,
In the correction content determination process,
By comparing the read information and the reference information acquired for the first time, the prefix included in the read information is specified,
A printing apparatus, wherein the suffix included in the read information is specified based on the read information acquired first and second times, the reference information, and the specified prefix. . In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The correction process is
Based on the result of the comparison, a first destination unique to the barcode reader connected via the connection means is identified, and a first part of the barcode information corresponding to the first destination is transferred to the A printing device, characterized in that it is a process of replacing with a second part corresponding to a second destination specific to the printing device.

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