JPH06243275A - Code analysis and print device for bar code - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To normally print a bar code by storing an unprintable code as a combination of printable codes and printing bars designated with the unprintable code by this combination. CONSTITUTION:The table where not only image data of bar codes corresponding to printable code data are stored but also image data of bars of bar codes corresponding to unprintable code data are expressed by printable combinational codes is stored in a storage part 8 of a printer 3. At the time of printing a bar code, a host computer 4 designates printable combination code data corresponding to code data in accordance with this table if this code data cannot be printed. A control part 6 calls corresponding image data of the bar code from the storage part 8 based on designated code data and sends this image data to an output part 7 to print it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device such as a printer, and more particularly to a printing device for performing bar code printing by designating a code for each bar forming a bar code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a bar code is to be printed by a printer such as a printer, by inputting code data corresponding to each bar of the bar code in D1 to Dn according to the format shown in FIG. , A bar code as shown in FIG. 2 was printed. In this way, barcodes are expressed by a combination of multiple bars with different mark / space ratios, and by attaching a label with this barcode printed on the product or packaging of the product, the price of the product It is possible to instantly read information such as type, manufacturing date, etc., which is useful for product management. This barcode is used in supermarkets and convenience stores.
It is actually used in the OS system.

Code data D1 to Dn (n having a maximum value of 12 is shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to each bar of the bar code.
In 8), character data to be used for it is determined. For example, in the case of a bar code named CODE128, all ASCII character 128 character types, function character (FNC1) are used as character data.
~ 4), code set selection characters (A, B, C, S)
shift) and start code (A, B, C) can be used. Then, the bar code specified by the character data surrounded by "PR" and ";" is printed.

[0004]

When printing a bar code in such a bar code printing apparatus, printable code data (20H for ASCII code) is used.
In the case of specifying ~ 7EH (hexadecimal), even if the code data is directly specified, no inconvenience occurs in the printing apparatus. However, unprintable code data (ASCI
In case of I code, 00H to 1FH, 7FH (hexadecimal),
(Other than the printable code), the specified code data overlaps with the control command of the printing device, causing a problem with the host interface or overlapping with the function code range of the printing device. However, there is a drawback that the operation of the printing device may be abnormal.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such a background, and avoids the occurrence of malfunctions and abnormal operations of the printing apparatus even when unprintable code data is designated at the time of printing a barcode. Then, the bar code is printed normally.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in a printing apparatus for printing a barcode, a non-printable code for designating each bar constituting the barcode is provided. What is expressed by a combination of printable codes is stored in advance, and by designating a combination of printable codes, each bar that should be specified by an unprintable code is printed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, among the bars constituting the bar code, the bar to be designated by the non-printable code is expressed by the combination of the printable codes, and the bar code which cannot be printed on the printing device. When a barcode is printed, the barcode code data overlaps with the printer's control command, causing a malfunction in the host interface, or overlapping with the printer's function code range. The operation does not occur abnormally, and as a result, even if the bar designated by the unprintable code is in the bar code, the bar code is printed normally.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows an example of the non-printable code data of the barcode named CODE128 expressed by a printable combination code (code on the interface).

The unprintable code data "1E"
One code "H" can be used, for example, "\", "1",
Expressed by three printable codes called "f",
It is recognized by the printing apparatus as three hexadecimal combination codes of "5c", "31", and "65". Furthermore, the unprintable code data “7FH” is, for example,
It is expressed by three printable codes of "\", "7", and "e", and is 3 of "5c", "37", and "66".
It is recognized by the printing device as one hexadecimal combination code, and "00H" is, for example, "\", "0", "0".
It is expressed by three printable codes called "5
It is recognized by the printing apparatus as three hexadecimal combination codes of "c", "30", and "30", and "START A"
Is represented by, for example, two printable codes "\" and "*", and two 1s "5c" and "2A"
Recognized by the printer as a hexadecimal combination code,
"START B" is represented by two printable codes "\" and "+", for example, "5c",
The printer recognizes it as two hexadecimal combination codes of "2B", and "START C" is, for example,
It is expressed by two printable codes "\" and "," and recognized by the printing device as two hexadecimal combination codes "5c" and "2C", and "SHIFT"
Is represented by, for example, two printable codes "\" and "S", and two 1s "5c" and "53"
It is recognized by the printing device as a hexadecimal combination code.

A table of such unprintable code data represented by a printable combination code is used as a table for all unprintable code data (ASSI).
In case of C code, 00H to 1FH, 7FH, (16
Create) in advance.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. This printing device 3 stores an interface unit 5 for exchanging data with the host computer 4, a control unit 6 for controlling the printing device 3, an output unit 7 for printing print data, data and programs stored therein. The storage unit 8 and the interface unit 5 are connected to the host computer 4.

In the storage unit 8 of the printing device 3, as in the conventional printing device, in addition to the image data of the bar code corresponding to the printable code data, the bar code corresponding to the unprintable code data. A table of the image data of the bar is stored in the form of a printable combination code.

In order to print the bar code, the host computer 4 specifies the code data for the printable code data and the table as shown in FIG. 3 for the unprintable code data. According to, the printable combination data corresponding to the unprintable code data is designated. The designated code data is sent to the control unit 6 via the interface unit 5 of the printing device 3. The control unit 6 calls the image data of the corresponding barcode from the storage unit 8 based on the designated code data, and outputs the image data to the output unit 7.
Send to and print.

At this time, since the unprintable code data is not taken into the printer 3, it is possible that the printer 3 will not malfunction or malfunction when the barcode is printed. Absent.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned bar code named CODE128, and can be
It is also applicable to barcodes with other names such as N standard, JAN abbreviation, CODE39, ITF, NW7.

Further, in addition to non-printable code data, a unique code in a certain kind of bar code can be expressed by a combination of printable code data so that the unique code can be directly designated. Is possible.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, unprintable code data can be expressed only by printable code data, so that when printing a bar code, a malfunction of the printing apparatus or an abnormal operation occurs. By avoiding this, the barcode can be printed normally.

By changing the combination method, it is possible to specify a unique code in a certain kind of bar code.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a format for designating a barcode.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a printed barcode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a combination code for expressing unprintable code data according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 code data 2 bar 3 printer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for printing a bar code, wherein an unprintable code for designating each bar constituting the bar code is represented in advance by a combination of printable codes and stored in advance. , A barcode code analysis printing device that prints each bar that should be designated by a non-printable code by designating a printable code combination.