JPH0825704A - Bar code printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a bar code printer of a good condition for how to use by a method wherein a standard of a bar code is so constructed as to be discriminably displayed on a display means. CONSTITUTION:When a bar code key is operated, a bar code input image plane is displayed, and besides a start code is stored in a bar code buffer 45. Then, when a standard for a required bar code is selected, a parameter provided for each standard is stored in the bar code buffer 45. Thereafter, input of a numeric key is received, and an execution key is operated. When a numeric code of a number of digits corresponding to information for a number of digits is stored in the parameter, further an end code is stored in the bar code buffer 45, and all code columns in the bar code buffer 45 are stored in a text memory 41. Then, a preliminarily determined function mark is displayed at a part in which the bar code is inputted on a display 22 on the basis of standard information for the parameter.

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 a bar code printer which prints a bar code and a desired character string at the same time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bar code printing apparatus capable of printing a bar code has a display means for displaying a character or a symbol inputted from an input means, and a portion inputted as a bar code is, for example, As shown in FIG. 18, the mark MS indicating the start of the barcode and the mark ME indicating the end of the barcode are displayed respectively.

[0003]

However, although there are a plurality of bar code standards that can be used in this kind of bar code printer, the display method is only one kind as described above. It was not prepared, and the bar code standard could not be identified from the display. Therefore, for example, the data including the barcode stored in the device is read and displayed on the display means,
If you want to perform new printing based on it, it is not possible to judge from the display whether the data including the read bar code is according to the desired standard, and if the bar code standard is different, Since it cannot be read by a barcode reader, there was a problem that it was extremely inconvenient to use.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a bar code printing apparatus which is easy to use by being configured to display the bar code standard on the display means in a distinguishable manner. The purpose is to do.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, a bar code printing apparatus of the present invention is a bar code printing apparatus capable of printing a bar code, and is capable of inputting characters, symbols and various commands. Means, display means for displaying a plurality of input characters and symbols, storage means for storing character and symbol code data input by the input means, and barcode data, and the storage means Display control means is provided for controlling the standard name of the bar code or a mark according to the standard to be displayed on the display means based on the bar code data stored in the means.

Further, it is desirable that the bar code data includes data for discriminating the standard, bar code start data, and bar code end data.

[0007]

In the bar code printer of the present invention having the above structure, the character and symbol code data and the bar code data input from the input means are stored by the storage means. Further, the display means displays the characters or symbols input by the input means, and the display control means, based on the barcode data stored in the storage means, the standard name of the barcode or the standard thereof. Is controlled to be displayed on the display means.

Since the bar code data includes the data for discriminating the standard, the bar code start data and the bar code end data, the bar code standard name is based on the data. Alternatively, a mark according to the standard can be displayed, and the position where the data regarding the barcode is stored can be accurately identified.

[0009]

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 bar codes on a printing tape. It is assumed that the tape printer of this embodiment is capable of printing barcodes of a plurality of types of standards.

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 A liquid crystal display 22 capable of displaying characters and symbols is provided behind the keyboard 3.

The keyboard 3 includes character keys for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols, a space key, a return key, a cursor movement key for moving the cursor K to the right or left, and a digit one digit to the left of the cursor display position. Backspace key for deleting characters and symbols, size key for setting the size of characters to be printed, bar code key for inputting bar code data, print key for instructing printing, bar code data is stored in the text memory 41. An execution key for turning on and off, a power key for turning the power on and off, and the like are provided.

Next, 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 on which 4 mm 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 the thermal head 13 holds the printing tape 5 and the ink ribbon 7 together.
A platen roller 14 that presses the printing tape 5 and the double-sided tape 10 against the joining roller 12 are rotatably supported by a support 16. In the thermal head 13, a heating element group composed of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged.

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 barcodes are printed by a plurality of dot rows on the upper side, 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.

A keyboard 3 constituting the input means of the present invention
And a liquid crystal display (L
Video RAM2 for outputting display data to CD) 22
Display controller (LCDC) 2 with 3a
3 and a drive circuit 25 for driving the thermal head 13
And a drive circuit 26 for driving the tape feed motor 24
And the drive circuit 21 for the warning buzzer 20 are connected to the input / output interface 27 of the controller C, respectively.

The control device C includes a CPU 29 and this CPU
An input / output interface 27, a CGROM 30, and a ROM 3 which are connected to 29 via a bus 28 such as a data bus.
1 and 32 and the RAM 40. This C
The PU 29 constitutes the display control means of the present invention.

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. In addition, dot pattern data for displaying a function mark described later is also stored.

ROM (outline data memory) 31
In order to print a character, the outline data (outline data) that defines the outline of the character is classified into each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) for each of a large number of characters, and coded into code data. Correspondingly stored.

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 46, and sequentially reads the data in the print buffer 46 to read the thermal head 13 and the tape feed motor 2.
A print drive control program for driving the printer 4, a control program for a tape print control, which will be described later, peculiar to the present application, and the like are stored. The tape printing control is performed by the text memory 41.
A bar code data conversion processing control subroutine for converting the data into the bar code data based on the data of the data character composed of the predetermined number of digits stored in is stored. The number of digits is set for each standard.

In this bar code data conversion processing control, for example, in the case of the JAN (Japan Article Number) standard, the number of digits is 13, and the pre-phyllox character (1 digit number) and the data character (11 digits) are used. Number)
, And the data of 13 numbers including the modular check character (1 digit number) are converted into standard version barcode data. That is, the barcode data is
3 modules for left guard bar, 42 modules for left 6 data characters, 5 modules for center bar, 35 modules for 5 right data characters, 7 modules for 1 modular check character, 3 modules for right guard bar, etc. Is converted to.

The text data 41 inputted from the keyboard 3 and the bar code data are stored in the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 which constitutes the storage means of the present invention. One address of the text memory 41 is stored in the text pointer (whose content is the pointer value TP) 42. The display pointer (this content is referred to as a display pointer value DP) 43 stores one address of the text memory 41 corresponding to the character displayed at the left end position of the predetermined number of character strings displayed on the display 22. To be done. The character size memory 44 stores data of the set size used for printing. In the barcode buffer 45,
In order to print the barcode, the data of the data character consisting of a predetermined number of digits is stored. Print buffer 4
6 stores print data of characters and symbols and print data for bar codes. A print pointer (whose content is a print pointer value PP) 47 stores one address of the text memory 41 for reading code data to be printed.

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, this control is started, initialization such as clearing each of the memories 41 to 47 is executed (S10), and the text input mode is entered. Here, when a printable key such as a character key or a space key is operated (S11 / S12: Ye
s), the code data corresponding to the key is stored in the text memory 41 (S13), the display process control is executed (S16), and the process returns to S11. For example, the letter "a",
When “i” and “u” are input, the code data of the character “ai” is displayed in the text memory 41 as shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 shows the display state of the liquid crystal display 22 at that time.

Next, when the bar code key is operated to print the bar code (S11: Yes, S1).
2: No, S14: Yes), the barcode data input process (see FIG. 6) is executed (S15), and through S16,
Return to S11. When this control is started, first, as shown in FIG.
The bar code input screen as shown in is displayed (S3
0), the barcode start code is stored in the barcode buffer 45 (S31). As shown in FIG. 13, on the bar code input screen, the standard name of the bar code that can be printed by the tape printer of this embodiment is displayed, and the downward cursor (not shown) on the keyboard 3 is operated. The displayed standard names are configured to be changed in order, and the standard is selected by operating the execution key while the desired standard name is displayed (S32).
The symbol K is a cursor.

Here, when JAN / EAN13 is selected (S32: Yes), parameters related to the JAN / EAN13 standard are stored in the bar code buffer 45 (S33). This parameter is prepared for each standard and is composed of information on the standard, width, ratio, number of digits, and C / D (check digit). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the start code is stored at the head address of the barcode buffer 45, and then the parameter is stored.

Next, when the numeric keys are operated (S
34.S35: Yes), the numerical code is stored in the barcode buffer 45 (S36), the dot pattern corresponding to the numerical code is read from the CGROM 30 and output to the video RAM 23a (S37), S34.
Return to Then, the same processing is repeated for the numerical keys that are input one after another. As a bar code data,
A 13-digit number, that is, a 1-digit prefix character, an 11-digit data character, and a 1-digit modular check character "12345678890128".
When is input, as shown in FIG.
The numeral codes are sequentially stored in the bar code buffer 45, and these 13 numerals are displayed on the liquid crystal display 22 as shown in FIG.

Next, it waits until the execution key for instructing the end of the bar code data is operated (S38). When the execute key is operated (S38: Yes), it is determined whether the number of digits of the input barcode is equal to the predetermined number of digits (S3).
9). The selected standard is JAN / EAN13, and since the number of digits is "13 digits" from the number of digits information stored in the parameter, the number of digits of the input barcode is 1
It is judged whether or not it is 3 digits (S39), and if it is 13 digits (S3)
9: Yes), the end code of the barcode is additionally stored in the barcode buffer 45 (S40), all the code strings in the barcode buffer 45 are stored in the text memory 41 (S41), and the barcode buffer 45 is cleared. (S42), the video RAM 23a is cleared (S4
3) Then, this control is terminated and the process returns. For example, FIG.
All the code strings in the bar code buffer 45 shown in 0 are additionally stored in the text memory 41 as shown in FIG. 11, and the display on the display 22 is erased.

By the way, when the cancel key is operated (S34: Yes, S35 / S38: No, S44:
Yes), the bar code buffer 45 and the video RAM 23
and a are cleared respectively (S42 and S43). When the execution key is operated and the numeric code of the predetermined digit number (13 digits in this embodiment) is not stored in the bar code buffer 45 (S39: No), the buzzer 20 outputs a warning. It is sounded (S46).

Next, the display processing control (see FIG. 7) will be described. First, the video RAM 23a is cleared (S).
50), display pointer value DP and text pointer value TP
The head addresses of the text memory 41 are stored in the respective fields (S51), and a predetermined number of characters are displayed on the display 22 based on the display pointer value DP (S52). next,
When the data at the address designated by the text pointer value TP is read (S53) and the data is not the bar code start code (S54: No), the pattern data corresponding to the code data is read and the video RAM 23 is read.
output to a and displayed on the display 22 (S6
6).

Next, the text pointer value TP is incremented by 1 (S67), and when the code data exists in the text memory 41 (S62: Yes), when it can be displayed, that is, the current display position is the last one on the display 22. If it is not the display position (S63: Yes), S53 and subsequent steps are repeated. When the current display position is the final display position (S63: No), the display pointer value DP is 1
Is incremented by one (S64), a scroll display process of moving all the display data by one digit toward the display start position is executed (S65), and the process returns to S53.

On the other hand, when the read data is the bar code start code (S54: Yes), first, based on the parameter information stored next to the start code,
The pattern data of the start mark MS of the function mark corresponding to the bar code standard is read from the CGROM 30 and output to the video RAM 23a (S5).
5). Next, when display is possible (S56: Yes),
The pattern data of the end mark paired with the start mark MS is output to the video RAM 23a (S5
9) The end code in the text memory 41 is searched (S60), the address next to the end code is stored in the text pointer value TP (S61), and S62 and the subsequent steps are executed.

Here, the standard of each bar code is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the start mark MS and the end mark M, respectively.
A function mark consisting of E and is prepared,
When the bar code is input, the corresponding function mark is displayed on the liquid crystal display 22 according to the standard of the bar code input in that part.

When it is determined No in S56, the scroll display processing is executed as in S64 and S65 (S57 and S58). Then, when all the data in the text memory 41 are displayed (S62: No), this control is ended and the process returns.
For example, when the data shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the text memory 41, as shown in FIG.
The characters "Ai" are displayed in S54, S66 to S67, and S62 to S65, and the function marks (start mark MS, end mark ME) indicating the bar code standard "JAN / EAN13" are displayed in S53 to S65.

Next, when the backspace key is operated (S11: Yes, S12 / S14: No, S1
7: Yes), the cursor K is not at the display position corresponding to the first character in the text memory 41 (S18: No), and the code data on the left side of the cursor K is neither the start code nor the end code, that is, the character When it is a code (S19 / S20: No), the code data on the left side of the cursor K is erased from the text memory 41, and each code data following the erased code data is moved toward the head address (S22). The display process is executed (S16).

However, when the code data on the left side of the cursor K is the start code (S19: Yes) or the end code (S19: No, S20: Yes), the start code MS and the end code ME and these codes are All the data of the data character of is erased from the text memory 41, each code data following the erased barcode data is moved toward the head address (S23), and the display process is executed ( S16).

Next, when the operated key is a key other than the character key, the bar code key, the backspace key and the print key (S11: Yes, S12, S14, S17).
-S24: No), the process corresponding to the operated key is executed (S26). In particular, when the size key is operated and the character size is set, the size data is stored in the character size memory 44.

S55 to S59 of the above processing function as the display control means of the present invention.

On the other hand, when the print key is operated (S
11: Yes, S12, S14, S17: No, S2
4: Yes), and the print processing control (see FIG. 8) is executed (S25). If document data exists in the text memory 41 when this control is started (S70:
Yes), first, the start address of the text memory 41 is set to the print pointer value PP (S71), and when the code data indicated by the print pointer value PP is a character code (S72, S73: Yes), the set size is set. The enlargement ratio is obtained based on the data of the outline data, the outline data is enlarged using this enlargement ratio, and the print data which is dot data is created from the outline data and stored in the print buffer 46 (S74).
The print data in the print buffer 46 is output to the print mechanism PM for print processing (S75). For details of the dot data conversion processing control for converting outline data into dot data using the enlargement ratio, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 49-129447.

Next, the print pointer value PP is incremented by 1 (S76), and when there is code data in the text memory 41 (S77: Yes), S72 and subsequent steps are repeated.

On the other hand, when the read code data is the start code (S72, S73: No, S79: Ye
s), the bar code data stored over the end code is read from the next address (S80), the parameter information and the predetermined number of digits set for each standard (13 in this embodiment). Digit data) and is converted into standard version barcode data by the above-described barcode data conversion processing control (S81), and based on this standard version barcode data, The print data for the barcode is created so that the height (size) of the barcode symbol has the set size (S82). Then, this print data is output to the print mechanism PM and subjected to print processing (S83). Next, the address of the end code is set in the print pointer value PP (S84), and S76 and the subsequent steps are executed.

By the way, when the read code data is neither a character code nor a start code, for example, a space code, etc. (S72, S73, S79: N
o), the command corresponding to the code data is the printing mechanism PM.
Is output (S85), and the process proceeds to S76.

When all the data in the text memory 41 have been printed (S77: N)
o), a drive signal for causing the tape feed motor 24 to feed a predetermined amount of tape is output, and the execution of the cutting process is instructed (S78), and this control is ended and the process returns.

Here, for example, when the data stored in the text memory 41 is printed as shown in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 17, the standard version barcode and the character string "Ai" are printed. It is printed on the tape 5 at the same time. Moreover, this bar code is printed at the same height as the character string.

As described above, according to the tape printer of this embodiment, when the bar code is input, the function mark capable of identifying the standard of the bar code is displayed. The bar code standard can be known from the displayed state, which greatly improves usability. For example, when data including a bar code stored in the device is read out and displayed on the display means and new printing is to be performed based on the data, whether the data including the read bar code conforms to a desired standard. Whether or not it can be easily judged from the display, and the desired bar code can be surely printed.

In the present embodiment, "JAN / EAN13" is taken as an example of the bar code standard, and the display control of the function marks and the like have been described.
The same applies to other standards shown in.

Further, in the present embodiment, the function mark is provided for each standard and the function mark is displayed according to the type of the inputted standard. However, such a function mark is provided. Alternatively, the standard name may be displayed as it is.

Further, it is not necessary to store character and symbol code data and bar code data in order of input,
It is possible to insert the special code data indicating that the bar code data exists next to the code data, while storing the bar code data in another storage area. An erase key is provided instead of the backspace key,
It is also possible to control to erase the character at the cursor display position. It is also possible to input at least the data of the data character as the barcode data.

[0050]

According to the bar code printer of the present invention,
The storage unit stores the code data of characters and symbols and the barcode data input from the input unit. Further, the display means displays the characters or symbols input by the input means, and the display control means, based on the barcode data stored in the storage means, the standard name of the barcode or the standard thereof. Since the mark corresponding to the above is controlled to be displayed on the display means, the user can easily recognize the standard of the barcode from the display, and the operability of the device can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to a claim of the present invention.

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 subroutine of barcode data input processing control.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a display processing control routine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a print processing control routine.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure in a text memory.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration in a barcode buffer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure in a text memory.

FIG. 12 is an example of a display state of a text input screen.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a bar code input screen.

FIG. 14 is an example of a display state of a barcode input screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a function mark is displayed on the text input screen.

FIG. 16 is a correspondence diagram of standard names and function marks.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a printing example in which a character string and a bar code are mixed and printed on a printing tape.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a conventional display example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 3 Keyboard 22 Liquid Crystal Display 29 CPU 40 RAM 41 Text Memory C Controller

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location G06K 1/12 A (72) Inventor Mika Oshige 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya Business

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bar code printing apparatus capable of printing a bar code, input means capable of inputting characters and symbols and various commands, and display means for displaying a plurality of input characters and symbols. Based on the barcode data stored in the storage means and the storage means for storing the code data of the characters and symbols input by the input means and the barcode data, the standard name of the barcode or A bar code printing apparatus comprising display control means for controlling a mark according to the standard to be displayed on the display means. 2. The bar code data includes data for discriminating the standard, bar code start data, and bar code end data.
The barcode printing device described in 1.