JPH05307626A - Bar code printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a printer capable of preventing the generation of data misinput and improving operability. When the fixed CONSTITUTION:When the fixed number of digits is set up to '8' in a fixed mode after starting bar code data input/operation processing control, the value of a check digit is computed at the time of inputting 7 digits (S64: YES), additionally stored in a text memory (S68) and displayed on a prescribed display position of a display (S69). When a free mode is set up, the display position of the check digit value is moved (S71) to the right only by one digit in each depression of a valid character key, an inputted character is displayed (S72) on the left side of the check digit value, the check digit value is calculated (S68), and the calculated value is displayed (S69) on a prescribed display position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code printer, and more particularly to an improved check digit calculation and display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in bar code printers,
It is equipped with a keyboard, a display, a printing mechanism that can print barcodes in a dot pattern, and a print display control unit that includes a data memory, and stores the numeric data of barcodes input from the keyboard in a data memory. Based on the numeric data stored in the memory, the print display control unit creates dot pattern data for printing multiple barcodes and multiple barcode numbers, and prints them on the printing mechanism. is there.

By the way, the bar code has eight digits or one digit.
There are fixed-digit bar codes fixed to three digits and free-digit bar codes in which the number of digits is not fixed, both of which have been put into practical use. In the case of a fixed digit barcode, the check digit consisting of a single digit is provided at the 8th digit and the 13th digit) to check whether the barcode has been read correctly. The check digit is calculated based on a predetermined arithmetic expression of a predetermined code system (modulus 10 or modulus 43) using a plurality of numbers that form a barcode other than the check digit. When the bar code data is input, the input data is displayed on the display, and when the data input is completed, the check digit is calculated according to the command for instructing the end of the data input, and the end data of the input data is continuously stored in the data memory. Stored,
Moreover, the check digit is also displayed at the last digit position.

[0004]

In the conventional bar code printer, the check digit is calculated and displayed on the display at the end of the bar code data input regardless of whether it is a fixed digit bar code or a free digit bar code. It In this way, regarding the calculation and display of the check digit, there is no distinction between the case of fixed digit bar code and the case of free digit bar code, and they are processed in the same way. It is not clear whether it is a digit or not, especially when inputting barcode data of fixed digits, it is easy to make mistakes in the number of digits such as entering data with more digits than necessary or entering data with fewer digits. Even in the case of a free-digit bar code, there is a problem that it is necessary to input a command for instructing the end of data input one by one, and the operation becomes complicated. The object of the present invention is to prevent data input errors,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bar code printer that can improve operability.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus comprising: an input means for inputting at least numerical data and various commands; a printing means capable of printing a bar code in a dot pattern; Data storage means for storing the barcode data input from the input means, display means for displaying the barcode data stored in the data storage means, and dot pattern data for receiving the data in the data storage means. In a bar code printer provided with a printing control means for creating and printing on a printing means, a fixed mode for inputting a bar code with a fixed number of digits and a free mode for inputting a bar code with a free number of digits are selectively selected. Mode setting means for setting, the number of digits setting means for setting the number of digits of the bar code in the fixed mode, and in the fixed mode After inputting the barcode data for the number of digits set by the mode setting means, the check digit of the barcode is calculated, and the check digit data is stored in the data storage means following the barcode data. First check digit calculating means, and in the free mode, each time the barcode data is input, the check digit of the barcode is calculated, and the check digit data is stored following the barcode data. Means for storing the second check digit in the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bar code printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the display means has a display unit for the set digit number when the digit number is set by the mode setting means in the fixed mode. The display unit for displaying the check digit is identifiable at the end.

[0007]

In the bar code printing apparatus according to the present invention, the numerical data input from the input means is stored in the data storage means and is displayed on the display of the display means, and the print control means is the data storage means. The dot pattern data is created in response to the data of 1 to be printed by the printing means. When entering barcode data with a fixed number of digits, set the fixed mode with the mode setting means, set the number of digits in the fixed mode via the number of digits setting means, and then enter the barcode of the barcode via the input means. Enter the data. In this fixed mode, the first check digit calculating means calculates the check digit of the bar code after completing the input of the number of digits of data set by the mode setting means, and converts the check digit data into the bar code data. And is stored in the data storage means.

On the other hand, in the case of inputting the bar code data of the free digit number, when the free mode is set by the mode setting means and the bar code data is input through the input means, the second check digit operation is performed. The means calculates the check digit of the bar code for each input of the bar code data, and stores the check digit data in the data storage means following the bar code data. As described above, in the fixed mode, since the check digit is calculated and stored in the data storage means and displayed on the display means after the input of the set number of digits of data is completed, a data input error is less likely to occur. Moreover, in the free mode, since the check digit is calculated and stored in the data storage means and displayed on the display means each time the barcode data is input, it is not necessary to instruct the end of data input and the operability is improved. To do.

According to another aspect of the bar code printer of the present invention, the display means displays a check digit at the end of the display portion for the set number of digits when the number of digits is set in the fixed mode. Parts are displayed in a distinguishable manner. Therefore, when a number is displayed on the entire display area for the set number of digits when entering the barcode data, it is possible to easily confirm that the data for the set number of digits has been input and display a check digit. Since the display unit for identifying is displayed in an identifiable manner, it is possible to reliably prevent the input of data having a number of digits larger than the set digit.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an English-only tape printer capable of printing a large number of characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols and a barcode on a printing tape. As shown in FIG. 2, a keyboard 3 is arranged in the front part of the main body frame 2 of the tape printer 1, a printing mechanism PM is arranged in the main body frame 2 behind the keyboard 3, and the keyboard 3 A liquid crystal display 22 capable of displaying characters and symbols is provided on the rear side. The keyboard 3 includes character keys for inputting alphabetic characters, numbers and symbols, a space key, a return key, cursor movement keys for moving the cursor K on the display 22 to the left and right, and a document for creating document data. Create key, format setting key for setting print format, size setting key for setting print character size, type setting key for setting print font, bar code key for entering barcode data, print There are provided a print key for instructing the command, an execution key for storing the bar code data in the text memory 41, a tape feed key for feeding the printing tape 5 to the tape, a power key for turning the power on and off, and the like.

The printing mechanism PM will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. A rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM, and the tape storage cassette CS is transparent. Width of about 2 films
Tape spool 6 around which 4mm printing tape 5 is wound
And a ribbon supply spool 8 around which the ink ribbon 7 is wound.
And a take-up spool 9 for taking up the ink ribbon 7,
A supply spool 11 in which a double-sided tape 10 having the same width as the printing tape 5 is wound with a release paper outside and a joining roller 12 for joining the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 are rotatably provided. Has been. A thermal head 13 is erected at a position where the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 overlap each other, and a platen roller 14 that presses the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 against the thermal head 13, and the printing tape 5 are provided. A feed roller 15 for pressing the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 is rotatably supported by a support body 16. In this thermal head 13,
A heating element group including 128 heating elements is arranged in a row in the vertical direction.

Therefore, when the tape feed motor 24 (see FIG. 4) is driven in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 12 and the take-up spool 9 are driven in synchronism with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heating elements are energized. When printing tape 5
Characters and bar codes are printed on the upper side by a plurality of dot rows, and the printing tape 5 is fed in the tape feeding direction A with the double-sided tape 10 joined. For details of the printing mechanism PM, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is shown in FIG.
The block diagram of FIG. The keyboard 3, a display controller (LCDC) 23 having a video RAM 23a for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22, and a thermal head 13.
Drive circuit 25 for driving the tape feeding motor 24
A drive circuit 26 for driving the control device C and a drive circuit 21 for the warning buzzer 20 are connected to the input / output interface 27 of the control device C, respectively. The control device C is the CPU 2
9, an input / output interface 27 connected to the CPU 29 via a bus 28 such as a data bus, CGRO
It is composed of an M30, ROMs 31 and 32, and a RAM 40.

CGROM (pattern data memory) 30
For each of a large number of characters, the dot pattern data for display is stored in the column corresponding to the code data. A ROM (outline data memory) 31 has contour data (outline data) that defines the contour of each character for printing characters, such as a Gothic typeface and a Mincho typeface. It is classified for each and stored corresponding to the code data.

The ROM 32 has a display drive control program for controlling the display controller 23 in accordance with character code data such as characters, numbers and symbols input from the keyboard 3, and an outline corresponding to each code data in the text memory 41. An image development processing control program that converts data into dot data and develops it in the print buffer 45, and sequentially reads the data in the print buffer 45 to read the thermal head 13 and the tape feed motor 2.
A print drive control program for driving the drive No. 4 and a tape print control control program, which will be described later, peculiar to the present application are stored. The tape print control is performed by the text memory 41.
A barcode data conversion processing control subroutine for converting into a barcode module data based on the data of the data character consisting of a fixed number of digits (for example, composed of 4 to 22 digits) or a number of free digits stored in Is stored. In this barcode data conversion processing control, JAN (Japan Article Number), EAN (Eu
Based on a code system such as rope article number), code 39, and coder bar, it is converted into bar code module data including a data character and a modular check character.

The text memory 41 of the RAM 40 stores document data and bar code data which are code data of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 3.
The print format memory 42 stores a plurality of print format information such as set character size data PZ and typeface data. The set digit number memory 43 stores the digit number data SN set in the fixed mode set when the barcode data is input and the digit number data IN that can be input as the barcode data. The check digit storage position memory 44 stores an address for storing the check digit data in the text memory 41. The print buffer 45 stores dot pattern data for characters and symbols and dot pattern data for barcodes. The flag memory 46 is set (data is "1") when a fixed mode for inputting a barcode with a fixed number of digits is set, and a free mode for inputting a barcode with a free digit number is set. The flag data of the mode flag MF, which is reset (the data is “0”) when it is turned on, is stored.

Next, the tape print control routine executed by the controller C of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. Incidentally, reference numeral S in the figure
i (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) Is each step. When the power is turned on by the power key operation, the tape print control shown in FIG. 5 is started, and first, the normal document data input mode by the document creation key operation or the bar code data input mode by the bar code key operation is selectively performed. The print mode setting process to be set is executed (S10), and when the barcode mode is set (S20: Yes),
Bar code dot pattern data creation / printing process control is executed (S30), and the process returns to S10. However, when the normal document mode is set (S20: No), after operating the document creation key, the code data corresponding to the operated character key or space key is stored (input) in the text memory 41 as document data. Document data input / edit processing is executed (S90). Next, by operating the format setting key, a process of setting a print format such as a character size, a typeface and a decoration is executed (S10).
0). Therefore, this print format setting processing includes a plurality of format setting processing controls such as character size setting processing and typeface setting processing. Next, the print dot pattern data for printing the document data is expanded in the print buffer 45 by operating the print key, and the dot pattern data read from the print buffer 45 is output to the print mechanism PM. Is done (S11
0).

Next, the routine for controlling the dot pattern data for bar code creation / printing process, which is executed with the bar code mode set, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that a bar code system (for example, EAN, JAN, etc.) is set in advance as a step before the control is started. When this control is started, first, the barcode mode setting process control (see FIG. 7) is started (S31). When this control is started, a bar code mode setting screen is first displayed on the display 22 (S40). For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the symbol "F", which means a free digit that allows the digit number of the barcode to be arbitrary (free), and the fixed digit number of the barcode, "4",
"5", "6", ... "20" are displayed, and the cursor K is displayed at the symbol "F". When the cursor right movement key is operated (S41 / S42: Yes),
The cursor K moves to the next set value and is displayed (S4
3) and returns to S41.

That is, for example, every time the cursor right movement key is operated, "F" → "4" → "5" → "6" → ... "2"
The cursor K is sequentially moved and displayed at each set value from the free digit to the fixed digit in the order of "0". On the other hand, when the cursor left movement key is operated (S41: Yes, S42: No, S4
4: Yes), the cursor K is sequentially moved and displayed in the reverse order of the above, in which the set value of the fixed digit decreases (S45).
Next, when the execute key is operated (S41: Yes,
S42 / S44: No, S46: Yes), cursor K
When the display position of is a fixed digit other than "F" (S47:
Yes), the mode flag MF is set (S48),
The digit number data SN and the enterable digit number data IN which is one less than the digit number data SN are stored in the set digit number memory 43 (S49), and upon completion of this control, the process proceeds to S32, and the bar code data is input. .Operation control (see FIG. 8)
Is executed. However, when the cursor K display position is "F" and there is a free digit (S47: No), the mode flag MF is reset (S50) and the inputtable digit number data I
“20” is stored as N in the set digit number memory 43 (S
51), and upon the completion of this control, the process proceeds to S32.

Next, when the bar code data input / arithmetic processing control in S32 is started, the bar code data input screen is first displayed on the display 22 based on the flag data of the mode flag MF (S60). For example,
As shown in FIG. 10, when the fixed mode is set to "8" by moving the cursor K as shown in FIG. 10, the bar code start mark SM is displayed on the display 22 as shown in FIG. Is displayed at the top display position, and a blank is displayed from the 2nd digit to the 8th digit that follows in order to display the 7-digit bar code data to be input, and a check digit (bar code) is displayed. The display position U of the 9th digit (the end position of the display portion for the set number of digits) for displaying the value of the 8th digit of the data is displayed blinking in a blank state, and then the end mark EM of the barcode is displayed. .. The digit number data SN is stored in the set digit number memory 43.
"8" is stored as the
“7” is stored as

First, the control when the fixed mode is set will be described. When an effective character key such as a numeric key or an alphabet key is operated (S61.
(S62: Yes), since the mode flag MF is set, it is determined as Yes in S63. Then, if the numerical code or character code that has just been input is not the last digit of the number of digits that can be input (S64: No), this numerical code or character code is additionally stored in the text memory 41 and A number or a character is displayed on the display 22 following the start mark SM (S65), the inputtable digit number IN is decremented by 1 (S66), and the process returns to S61. Then, S61 to S66 are repeatedly executed, and when the input code data is the last digit of the inputtable digit number IN (S64: Yes), the input code data is added to the text memory 41 as in S65. The check digit value CD is calculated and the check digit value CD is additionally stored in the text memory 41 (S68), and the check digit value CD is displayed on the display 22. It is displayed at a predetermined display position (S69), and the process returns to S61.

Since the calculation of the check digit value CD in S68 differs depending on the code system of the bar code, the calculation in JAN / EAN based on the modulus 10 will be briefly described. (1) With the check digit at the right end as the first digit, multiply the sum of the even digits from the right by three. (2) The sum of the numbers of odd digits excluding the check digit on the right side of the original is calculated. (3) The calculation result of (2) is added to the calculation result of (1). (4) The check digit is the rest of the value obtained by subtracting the ones digit of (3) from 10. For example, the first 7-digit number of a fixed-digit bar code consisting of 8 digits is "4940032", and the value of the check digit of the last one is "8". Therefore, FIG.
As shown in, when the first 7-digit number “4940032” of the fixed-digit barcode consisting of 8 digits is input,
The check digit value “8” is obtained, and the check digit C is displayed at the display position U of the ninth digit on the display 22.
The value "8" of D is displayed.

Next, when the execution key is operated to end the input of the bar code data (S61: Yes, S
62: No, S74: Yes), check digit CD
Is displayed at the display position U, that is, when a predetermined number of digits or characters are accurately input (S75:
Yes), the start code is stored corresponding to the start mark SM, and the bar code data for a predetermined digit and the end code corresponding to the end mark are respectively stored in the text memory 4.
After being stored in 1, the control returns to the step S33 upon completion of this control. However, when the execution key is operated, when a numeral or a character for a predetermined digit is not accurately input (S61: Yes, S62: No, S
74: Yes, S75: No), buzzer 20 for warning
Is sounded (S76), and the process returns to S61.

Now, the control when the free mode is set by pointing the symbol "F" with the cursor K as shown in FIG. 10 will be described. First, based on the flag data of the mode flag MF, a bar code data input screen is displayed on the display 22 (S60). For example, as shown in FIG. 12, on the display 22, the start mark SM is displayed at the top display position, and the second digit display position U for displaying the check digit value CD is displayed.
Flashes blank and is followed by the end mark EM of the bar code. The "null code" is stored in the set digit number memory 43 as the digit number data SN,
Further, “22” is stored as the inputtable digit number data IN. Then, when the valid character key is operated (S61 / S62: Yes), the mode flag MF is reset, and thus it is determined No in S63. next,
If the numerical code or character code that has just been input is not the last digit corresponding to the number of input digits IN (S70: No), the display position U of the check digit value CD is moved to the right by one digit (S70).
71), the character code is additionally stored in the text memory 41, and the number or character is the start mark SM.
Is displayed on the display 22 (S72), the number of inputtable digits IN is decremented by one (S73), the check digit value CD is calculated and additionally stored in the text memory 41, and the value CD is displayed at a predetermined display position. Is displayed (S68, S69), and the process returns to S61 via S69.

That is, in the free mode, every time the effective character key is operated, the display position U of the check digit value CD is moved to the right by one digit, and the number corresponding to the newly input character code or The character is displayed immediately to the left of its check digit value CD. And S61 to S
66 is repeatedly executed, and when the input code data is the last digit of the inputtable digit number IN (S70: Y
es), the buzzer 20 is sounded (S76), and the process returns to S61. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the free mode, when a 7-digit number composed of the number “12344567” is input as the barcode data, the display 22
The display position U of the check digit value CD moves to the upper 9th digit, and the check digit value CD is moved to this display position U.
For example, the number “0” is displayed.

Next, the dot pattern data creation processing control (see FIG. 9) executed in S33 will be described. When this control is started, first, the bar code data stored between the start code and the end code is read from the text memory 41 (S80). Then, based on the data character of the bar code data consisting of these multiple digits, the bar code data conversion processing control is performed to print the bar code so that the height (size) of the bar code symbol becomes the set character size. Dot pattern data is created and stored in the print buffer 45 (S8
1). Then, after ending this control and returning, the dot pattern data read from the print buffer 45 is output to the printing mechanism PM for printing processing (S3).
4). Then, the process returns to S10 of tape print control.

As described above, the fixed mode for inputting a bar code having a fixed number of digits and the free mode for inputting a bar code having a free number of digits can be selectively set, while the fixed mode is set. When set, a dedicated display position U for the check digit value CD is provided at the final display position on the display for the set number of digits, and after the completion of inputting the bar code data for the number of inputtable digits IN, the check digit value C
D is calculated and stored in the text memory 41, and
Since the check digit value CD is displayed in the dedicated display position U in the dedicated display position U, it is less likely that a data input error due to the barcode will occur, and it is possible to reliably input the data having the set digit number or more. Can be prevented. On the other hand, when the free mode is set, the check digit value CD is calculated and displayed each time the bar code data is input, so there is no need to instruct the end of data input.
Operability is improved.

In the above bar code mode setting processing control, a desired code system can be selectively selected from a large number of code systems, and a fixed mode or a settable mode that can be set based on the selected code system. It can also be configured to set the free mode. In the bar code data conversion processing control, "EAN (European)
Article number) "or" CODE39 ", and various other bar code systems may be used for conversion into bar code data. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various bar code printers that are equipped with a dot printing type print head and are capable of bar code printing.

[0029]

According to the present invention, as described in the above section, the following effects can be obtained. According to the bar code printer of claim 1, a mode setting means for selectively setting the fixed mode and the free mode, a digit number setting means for setting the number of digits in the fixed mode, and a fixed mode. First check digit calculating means for calculating a check digit,
By providing the second check digit calculation means for calculating the check digit in the free mode, the check digit is calculated and stored in the data storage means after the input of the set digit number of data is completed in the fixed mode. In addition, since it is displayed on the display means, it is difficult to make a mistake in data input. Moreover, in the free mode, since the check digit is calculated and stored in the data storage means and displayed on the display means each time the barcode data is input, it is not necessary to instruct the end of data input and the operability is improved. To do.

According to the bar code printer of claim 2,
When entering the barcode data in the fixed mode, when a number is displayed on the entire display for the set number of digits, it is possible to easily confirm that the data for the set number of digits has been input, and a check digit is displayed. Since the display section for doing so can be displayed in an identifiable manner, it is possible to reliably prevent the input of data with more than the set number of digits.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of claims 1 and 2 (illustrated by a chain double-dashed line).

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of barcode dot pattern data creation / printing process control.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a bar code mode setting process control routine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a barcode data input / arithmetic processing control routine.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of dot pattern data creation processing control.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a barcode mode setting screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a data input screen in a fixed mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen display at the start of data input in the free mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a data input screen in a free mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printer 3 Keyboard 5 Printing Tape 13 Thermal Head 24 Tape Feed Motor 29 CPU 31 ROM 32 ROM 40 RAM 41 Text Memory C Controller CS Tape Storage Cassette PM Printing Mechanism U Check Digit Display Position

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting at least numerical data and various commands, a printing unit capable of printing a bar code in a dot pattern, and data for storing the bar code data input from the input unit. A storage means, a display means for displaying the data of the bar code stored in the data storage means, and a print control means for receiving the data of the data storage means to create dot pattern data and causing the printing means to print the dot pattern data. In the bar code printer, a mode setting means for selectively setting a fixed mode for inputting a bar code with a fixed number of digits and a free mode for inputting a bar code with a free digit number; A digit number setting means for setting the number of digits of the barcode at the time, and a barcode for the number of digits set by the mode setting means in the fixed mode. First check digit calculating means for calculating the check digit of the bar code after completion of inputting the data of 1, and storing the check digit data in the data storage means following the bar code data; and in the free mode. , The check digit of the barcode is calculated for each input of the barcode data,
A bar code printing apparatus comprising: a second check digit computing means for storing the check digit data following the bar code data in the data storage means. 2. The display means can identify a display portion for displaying a check digit at the end of the display portion for the set number of digits when the number of digits is set by the mode setting means in the fixed mode. A bar code printing device, characterized in that it is configured to display on.