JPS637955A - Bar code printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform high quality bar code printing, by a method wherein a bar code reading function is added to a printer having a bar code printing function to check a printed bar code and overlap-printing is performed when an error is detected to correct the error. CONSTITUTION:A printer control part 6 drives a printing head 4 on the basis of the bar code data sent from a host and a bar code 3 is printed on paper 2. After the finish of printing, a bar code sensor 5 reads the printed bar code 3 to apply a bar code signal to a bar code check circuit 7. The bar code check circuit 7 checks the rightfulness of the inputted bar code signal and, when an error is detected, the error is informed to the printer control part 6. The printer control part 6 receives the information of the error to inform the error to the host and the same bar code is printed on the bar code printed previously in an overlapped state by the indication of said host.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A barcode reading function is added to a printer that has a barcode printing function, the printed barcode is read and errors are checked, and if an error is detected, overprinting is performed. and correct any errors.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a printer, and particularly to a barcode printing method in a printer capable of printing barcodes.

[Conventional technology]

When printing barcodes using a printer capable of printing barcodes, part of the barcode may be printed faintly or missing due to disturbances in print quality due to ribbon deterioration or the like.

Such barcodes are prone to errors when read by barcode leagues, so when printing barcodes,
It is necessary to determine the quality of printing in advance.

Conventionally, an operator used a separate barcode league to read the barcodes on paper ejected from the printer to check for errors.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In conventional barcode printing methods, printed barcodes are checked on the paper ejected from the printer, so if an error is detected, the paper must be discarded and reprinted. There wasn't.

However, this requires extra effort due to two-person checks and printer output operations for reprinting.
Another problem was that it took time.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional method described above.
Attach a barcode sensor to the printer's print head,
This allows the barcode to be read and checked immediately after it is printed. If an error is detected as a result of this check, the barcode is automatically overprinted to correct it, and only correctly printed barcodes are output.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a platen, 2 is paper, 3 is a printed bar code, 4 is a print head, 5 is a bar code sensor, 6 is a printer M control unit, and 7 is a bar code check circuit.

The printing pad 4 and the barcode sensor 5 are mounted on the same carrier.

The printer control unit 6 drives the print head 4 based on barcode data sent from the host.

Print barcode 3 on paper 2. After printing is completed.

The barcode check circuit 7 is activated to perform barcode checking and correction operations.

The barcode sensor 5 reads the printed barcode 3 and applies a barcode signal to the barcode check circuit 7.

The barcode check circuit 7 checks the validity of the input barcode signal, and if an error is detected, notifies the printer control unit 6 of the error.

When notified of the error, the printer control unit 6 reports the error to the host and prints the same barcode over the previously printed barcode according to the instructions.

[Effect]

According to the configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the printer itself is provided with an error checking function and an automatic correction function for barcodes in printed results, so that high-quality barcode printing is possible. In addition, since barcode checking and overprinting are performed on the same printer immediately after barcode printing, the amount of feed needed to return the print head and paper to its original position is relatively small. Efficient processing becomes possible in a short time.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows a system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

This is an example of a control procedure for barcode printing performed between a host and a printer.

In the figure, rWrite Bar Code J represents a barcode print command, and rRead af
ter Write check'' represents a series of operations for reading and checking a barcode after it is printed.

Here, for the r Write Bar Code J command.

r Read after Write
shall be additionally specified as a parameter.

Next, the control procedure will be explained according to the numbers ■ to [phases] in Figure 1.

■ From the host to the printer, r Read a
fterWrite r Write with "check"
Issue the "Bar Code" command.

■ The printer prints the barcode instructed by the host.

■ The printer then r Read after W
rite check” and read the barcode printed in ■ to check. Execute ■ or ■ depending on whether the check result is normal or abnormal.

■ If the results of the check in ■ are normal, the printer will
Notify the host of normal completion.

■ The host that identified normal completion is r rWrite B
Terminate the arCode J command.

■ If the result of the check in ■ is abnormal, the printer will
Notify the host of error termination.

■ The host that identifies the error termination outputs an error message on the display and instructs the operator to replace the ribbon (because most barcode errors occur due to ribbon deterioration).

■ The host then executes r Read afterWri again to print the barcode again (overprinting).
r Write Bar Co with te check
de' command to the printer.

■ The printer prints the specified barcode (same as the previous one) in the same position. That is, overlapping printing is performed.

0 The printer then r Read after W
rite check” and execute ① or ② depending on whether the check result is normal or abnormal.

Here, the loop from [phase] to ■ in the case of an abnormality is allowed up to three times, for example, and if a normal result is not obtained even after three re-executions, the loop is terminated there.

In the above-described embodiment system, re-execution when a barcode error is detected is based on an instruction from the host, but it is also possible to control re-execution by the printer itself.

Therefore, by automatically performing overprinting when the ink ribbon becomes thin, it is possible to print a barcode of constant quality regardless of the density of the ink.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The printer according to the present invention has an advanced function that allows the printer to check the barcodes it has printed by itself, and if the barcodes are normal, the process ends, but if there are errors, it corrects them by overprinting.

Compared to the conventional method, where the printer only prints out one-sidedly and the checks have to be performed manually, processing efficiency can be significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram of the principle configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a control procedure of the embodiment system. In Figure 1. 1 Nibraten 2: Paper 3: Barcode 4: Print head 5: Barcode sensor 6: Printer control unit 7: Barcode check circuit Patent applicant Usank Electronics Co., Ltd. Representative patent attorney Fumihiro Hase (2 others) 1 time to host

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printer with a barcode printing function is equipped with a barcode reading means attached integrally with the print head and a barcode checking means for checking the validity of the read barcode, and after printing the barcode, the barcode is printed. is read by the barcode reading means, checked by the barcode checking means, and if an error in the barcode is detected as a result of the check, control is performed to overprint on the barcode. Barcode printing method.