JPH0488585A - Bar code printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve accuracy or speed for reading by providing a bar code printing means to print a bar code in a color having a character to absorb or reflect the inspecting light of a reader, and a background information printing means to print background information in a color having a character reverse to the color of the bar code. CONSTITUTION:A bar code 21 of an issued bar code label 20 absorbs the red inspecting light of the reader and oppositely, a red character 23 or red ruled lines 25 reflect the red inspecting light together with the white base. Therefore, among the reflected light, only the reflected light from the bar code 21 is weakened. Thus, the reader can exactly read the bar code 21 based on the intensity of the reflected light. Further, since the intensity of the reflected light is directly related to the bar code, the reader can read the bar code label 20 at high speed without any special arithmetic processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a barcode printing device, and more specifically, a barcode printing device that prints a mixture of background information such as characters and ruled lines and a barcode. Regarding.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, there has been a barcode label in which, for example, alphanumeric characters representing the contents of the barcode are written together with the barcode so that a worker can easily confirm the contents of the barcode. There is also a barcode label that displays a large amount of information by arranging barcodes with alphanumeric characters in multiple rows, and divides the barcodes with ruled lines to make it easier for workers to distinguish between the barcodes.

Conventional barcode printing devices that print barcode labels and the like print barcodes and characters in colors that absorb the inspection light of the reading device, i.e., if the inspection light is red, the barcodes and characters are printed in black. There is one that prints on a blank sheet of paper. The black barcode absorbs the inspection light and
Since blank paper reflects the inspection light, barcodes can be read based on the strength of the reflected light.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the barcode labels printed by the above-mentioned conventional barcode printing apparatus are difficult to read because the characters and ruled lines (black) absorb inspection light (red) like the barcode. There was a problem with making mistakes.

In other words, the reflected light from characters, etc. and barcodes are both weakened by the absorption of the inspection light, and the reflected light component from the barcode must be extracted from the reflected light through arithmetic processing. Because there is no difference in the strength of the reflected light from the barcode, etc., it may not be possible to accurately extract the reflected light component from the barcode, resulting in erroneous reading.

Furthermore, since such arithmetic processing must be performed, there is a problem in that the reading speed becomes slow.

An object of the barcode printing device of the present invention is to be able to print barcodes with excellent reading characteristics that enable improved reading accuracy and reading speed.

Structure of the Invention [Means for Solving the Problems] The barcode printing device of the present invention is based on barcode data for printing barcodes and background information data for printing background information such as characters and ruled lines. , a barcode printing device that prints the barcode and the background information in a mixed manner, the barcode printing device printing the barcode in a color that absorbs or reflects inspection light of a reading device based on the barcode data. and background information printing means for printing the background information in a color opposite to the color of the barcode based on the background information data.

[Operation] In the barcode printing device of the present invention having the above configuration, the barcode printing means prints the barcode in a color that absorbs or reflects the inspection light of the reading device based on the barcode data. Further, the background information printing means prints the background information in a color opposite to the color of the barcode based on the background information data.

The printed barcode either absorbs the reading device's inspection light, weakening the reflected light, or reflects it and returns a strong reflected light. On the other hand, printed background information reflects the inspection light and returns strong reflected light, contrary to the nature of barcodes.
Or weaken the reflected light by absorption. In other words, regarding the strength level of reflected light, the barcode and the background information take opposite levels. As a result, the reading device accurately reads the barcode based on the intensity of reflected light without confusing the barcode with background information. Moreover, since barcodes can be distinguished only from the strength of reflected light, the reading device can read barcodes at high speed directly from the strength of reflected light.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below. The first one shown below
Both the embodiment and the second embodiment are devices that issue barcode labels that are read by a reading device whose inspection light is red.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a barcode label issuing device as a first embodiment. The barcode label issuing device of the first embodiment includes a red and black data generator], a thermal head driver 3, a thermal head 5, two-color thermal paper 7, a platen 9, a paper feed roller 11, and the like.

The red/black data generator 1 includes a well-known arithmetic and logic circuit including a CPU, ROM, RAM, input/output interface, and the like.

The input signal inputted to the red/black data generator 1 by the serial transmission method includes a multi-stage barcode label 20 (see Fig. 4).
There are barcode data for forming the barcode 21, and background information data such as visual characters 23 written together with the barcode 2 and ruled lines 25 separating the barcodes 21. Also, a flag F is placed at the data break where the input signal barcode data and background information data switch.
is inserted. The value of flag F indicates whether the subsequent input signal data is barcode data or background information data.

When the above input signal is input, the red/black data generator] executes the processing described later and outputs a drive signal for printing the barcode 21 with black background information 23 and 25 in red to the thermal head driver 3. do.

The thermal head driver 3 is a drive circuit that drives the thermal head 5 based on the drive signal output from the red and black data generator 1.

The thermal head 5 is of a line type and generates heat when voltage is applied from the thermal head driver 3. The amount of heat generated changes by changing the duty ratio of the applied voltage or changing the magnitude of the voltage.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the two-color thermal paper 7 is formed by forming a red coloring layer 5, a black decoloring layer 7, and a black coloring layer 19 in order from the bottom on the upper surface of the base paper 13. . The background of the two-color thermal paper 7 is white.

This two-color thermal paper 7 develops either red or black color depending on the amount of heat applied.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the thermal head 5
When the amount of heat given by is small, the portion 19A of the uppermost black coloring layer 9 that is in contact with the thermal head 5 develops a black color. lower black decolorizing layer] 7 and red coloring layer 1
5 does not change because sufficient heat is not applied.

When the amount of heat given by the thermal head 5 is large, the heat causes a black decolorizing layer]7, as shown in FIG. 2(B).
is activated, and the part colored black in the black coloring layer 19 is made colorless to form a colorless part 19B.

Furthermore, if the amount of heat given by the thermal head 5 is large, the heat will increase to the red coloring layer 15 as shown in FIG. 2(C).
15A appears. This red colored portion 15A is seen as red from the outside via the black decolorized layer]7 and the colorless portion 19B. In addition,
FIG. 2(C) (Secondly, the black coloring layer at the periphery of the red coloring part 15A) A minute black coloring part is formed in 9, but because it is so small, it does not affect the reading by the reading device. not give.

The platen 9 has a thermal head 5 as shown in FIG.
Two-color thermal paper 7ε scissors, two-color thermal paper 7
is pressed against the thermal head 5 at a predetermined level.

The paper feed roller 11 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). The rotation control is performed by various known means in synchronization with the driving of the thermal head 5 by the thermal head driver 3.

The barcode label issuing device having the above configuration operates as follows to issue the multi-stage barcode label 20 shown in FIG. 4. Although colors are not distinguished in the drawing of FIG. 4, the barcode 21 is black, and the characters 23 and ruled lines 25 are red. Note that the illustrated multi-stage barcode label 20 is
-As an example, we referred to the format recommended by the EAJ (Electronic Industries Association of Japan) trade informatization standard.
There are other formats stipulated by the ``Try Action Group'', etc., but regardless of the format, in the example device, ``Barcode 2'' is printed in black, and the characters 23 and ruled lines 25 are printed in black.
is printed in red.

CPU of the arithmetic logic operation circuit included in the red and black data generator]
starts the barcode label issuing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 each time a barcode label is issued.

When this process is started, first, an input signal input process (step 10o) is executed. In the input process, input signal data from flag Fn to immediately before the next flag Fn+1 is inputted via communication.

Next, determine the input flag FnO value (step 1
10). If the flag FnO value indicates rRedJ, then the process (step) of converting the energy information to red
20). On the other hand, the value of flag Fn is rBlac
If kJ is indicated, then the process of converting the energy information to black (step 30) is executed. Flag FnO
If the value indicates "EndJ", it is assumed that the issuance of the barcode label has been completed, and this process is temporarily terminated.

In the process executed when the flag FnO value indicates rRedJ (step 20) or the process executed when the flag Fn value indicates rBlac kJ (step 130), the following process is performed. It will be done. The energy information to be converted in each process consists of one or a combination of variables, such as pulse width, voltage magnitude, and number of times of heat generation such as double or single data stroke.

Among these variables, pulse width indicates the time for which the voltage is applied. By changing the amount of energy given to the thermal head 5 due to the difference in pulse width, that is, the difference in duty ratio,
The amount of heat generated by the thermal head 5 is changed. In the process of step 120, the energy information is converted to increase the pulse width setting.

In the process of step 130, the energy information is converted to shorten the pulse width setting.

The voltage magnitude indicates the magnitude of the applied voltage.

Due to the difference in the magnitude of the applied voltage, the thermal head 5
The amount of energy given to the thermal head 5 is changed, and the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 5 is changed. In the process of step]20, the energy information is converted so as to increase the setting of the voltage magnitude. In the process of step 130, the energy information is converted to lower the setting of the voltage magnitude.

The number of times the thermal head 5 generates heat indicates the number of times the thermal head 5 generates heat at the same location on the two-color thermal paper 7.

The amount of heat received by the two-color thermal paper 7 is changed by changing the number of times of heat generation, such as by printing data twice in the same place or by printing data only once. Step 12
In the process of 0, the energy information is converted so that the number of times of heat generation is set to twice. In the process of step 130,
The energy information is converted so that the number of times of heat generation is set to one time.

After converting the energy information in the process of step 20 or step 130 in accordance with the flag FnO value, the process of driving the thermal head driver 3 (step 40) is then executed. In the process of driving the thermal head driver 3, the thermal head driver 3 is driven in accordance with the data of the input signal input in step ]00 based on the energy information converted as described above.

That is, when the value of the flag Fn is rRedJ, the thermal head driver 3 is driven in accordance with the input data (background information data) based on the energy information converted in the process of step 1]0). As a result, a large amount of heat is applied from the thermal head 5 to the portion of the two-color thermal paper 7 where the background information 23 and 25 are printed. This portion develops a red color based on the principle explained in FIG. 2(C). In this way, red characters 23 and red ruled lines 25 are printed.

Also, if the value of flag Fn indicates rBlackJ, (
The thermal head driver 3 is driven in accordance with the input data (barcode data) based on the energy information converted in the processes of step 1]0) and step]30.

As a result, the portion of the two-color thermal paper 7 where the barcode 21 is printed is given an amount of heat that acts only on the black coloring layer 9 from the thermal head 5. Then, this portion develops a black color based on the principle explained in FIG. 2(A). In this way, a black barcode 2 is formed.

The above processes from step]00 to step 140 are repeated, and when it is determined that the flag Fn indicates rEndJ (step]0) and there is no subsequent data, this process is temporarily terminated.

As described above, a barcode label 20 is issued in which the barcode 21 is printed in black and the characters 23 and ruled lines 25 are printed in red on the two-color thermal paper 7 on a white background.

The barcode 21 of the issued barcode label 20 absorbs the red inspection light from the reading device, whereas the red characters 23 and the red ruled lines 25 reflect the red inspection light together with the white background. Therefore, among the reflected lights, only the reflected light from barcode 2] becomes weak. As a result, the reading device can accurately read the barcode 21 based on the strength of the reflected light. Furthermore, since the intensity of the reflected light is directly related to the barcode, the reading device can read the barcode label 20 at high speed without performing any special calculation processing. In this way, the barcode label 20 issued by the example embodiment has excellent readability.

According to the barcode issuing device of the first embodiment described above, the barcode 21 is automatically printed in black based on the input signal, and background information such as the characters 23 and ruled lines 25 are printed in red, making it easy to read. The effect is that a barcode label 20 with excellent characteristics can be easily issued.

Further, the barcode issuing device of the first embodiment uses the two-color thermal paper 7 to freely produce black and red, so it is convenient to easily issue the barcode label 20 in any format. be.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a barcode label issuing device according to the second embodiment.

This barcode label issuing device includes a red and black data generator 3.
1. Thermal head driver 33, thermal head 35
, thermal transfer ribbon driver 37, thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 39,
drive motor 4], wire 43, thermal paper 45, platen 4
7. Consists of a paper feed roller 49, etc.

The red and black data generator 3] is a CPU and a ROM, similar to the red and black data generator 1 shown in the first embodiment.

It is equipped with a well-known arithmetic and logic operation circuit consisting of a RAM, an input pressure interface, and the like. The input signal inputted to the red/black data generator 1 by the serial transmission method is the same as the input signal explained in the first embodiment.

That is, the input signal includes barcode data, background information data, and a flag F inserted at a data break where the barcode data and background information data switch.

When the red/black data generator 31 receives the above input signal,
The thermal head driver 33 executes the process described later.
and a thermal transfer ribbon drive mechanism 37, respectively.

Similar to the thermal head driver 3 described in the first embodiment, the thermal head driver 33 operates the thermal head 35 based on the drive signal output from the red/black data generator 31.
This is a drive circuit that drives the.

The thermal head 35 is of a line type and generates heat when voltage is applied from the thermal head driver 33.

The thermal transfer ribbon driver 37 is a drive circuit that drives the thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 39 and the drive motor 4 based on a drive signal output from the red and black data generator 3.

The thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 39 is of a serial type and is driven in response to one output from the thermal transfer ribbon driver 37.

A black thermal transfer ribbon is set.

The drive motor 41 moves the thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 39 in the width direction of the thermal paper 45 (the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the thermal paper 45) via the wire 43. It is driven in synchronization with the thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 39 by the output from the thermal transfer ribbon driver 37 .

Thermal paper 45 (base paper 5
] A red coloring layer 53 is formed on the upper surface of the coloring layer 53.

The base of the thermal paper 45 is white.

Thermal paper 45 is placed between the platen 47 and the thermal head 35.
, and press the thermal paper 45 against the thermal head 35 at a predetermined level.

The paper feed roller 49 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). The rotation control is performed by various known means in synchronization with the driving track of the thermal head 35 and the driving of the thermal transfer bonding mechanism 39 and the drive motor 41.

The barcode label issuing apparatus of the second embodiment having the above-mentioned structure operates as follows, and issues the multi-stage barcode label 20 shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as the first embodiment.

CP of the arithmetic logic operation circuit included in the red and black data generator 3]
U starts the barcode label issuing process every time a barcode label is issued. Since the barcode label issuing process includes the same process as the process executed in the red-black data generator 31 of the first embodiment (FIG. 3), the differences are shown in FIG. 7.

When the barcode label issuing process is started, first, the input signal input process (process corresponding to step 100) is executed as in the first embodiment. Next, determine the flag FnO value (
(processing equivalent to step 110).

After this, in the second embodiment (Y) As shown in FIG. If the value of Fn indicates rBlackJ, a process for driving the thermal transfer ribbon driver 37 (step 210) is executed.

In the thermal head driver driving process (step 200) executed when the flag FnO value indicates rRedJ, the thermal head driver 3 is activated according to the input data (background information data) input in the process corresponding to step 100.
Drive 5. As a result, the background information 23. of the thermal paper 45.
Heat is applied from the thermal head 35 to the area where 25 is printed, and as shown in FIG.
3A is formed. In this way, red characters 23 and red ruled lines 25 are printed.

On the other hand, the thermal transfer ribbon driver driving process (step 2) is executed when the value of the flag Fn indicates rBlackJ.
In step 10), the thermal transfer ribbon driver 37 is driven according to the barcode data input in the process corresponding to step 10. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the portion of the thermal paper 45 where the barcode 21 is formed is printed by the thermal head 39A built in the thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 39.
The heat-melting black ink of the thermal transfer ribbon 55 is transferred to the surface of the thermal paper 45, forming a black ink transfer portion 55A.

In this way, a black barcode 2] is printed.

Step 20 from the process equivalent to step 100 explained above
The process is repeated to reach 0,210, and the flag Fn
is determined to indicate rEndJ (step 1) 0-equivalent processing), and when there is no subsequent data, this barcode label issuing process is temporarily terminated.

In the above manner, the barcode 2 is placed on the white thermal paper 45]
A barcode label 20 is issued in which the label is printed in black and the characters 23 and ruled lines 25 are printed in red.

Barcode 2 of the issued barcode label 20] is
Similar to the barcode label issued by the device of the first embodiment, the barcode 21 absorbs the red inspection light of the reading device, while the red characters 23 and ruled lines 25 are printed on the white background of the thermal paper 45. It also reflects the red inspection light. Therefore, among the reflected lights, only the reflected light from the barcode becomes weak. As a result, the reading device can accurately read the barcode based on the strength of the reflected light. Furthermore, since the intensity of the reflected light is directly related to the barcode, the reading device can read the barcode at high speed without special calculation processing.

Since the barcode label issuing device of the second embodiment described above prints the barcode 21 by thermal transfer, the display of the barcode 2 is clear even after a long period of time, and there is no risk that the display will fade due to changes over time. . Therefore, according to the barcode label issuing device of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, there is an advantage that barcode labels that can be consistently read with high accuracy by the reading device can be issued.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments in any way, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, if the inspection light of the reading device is red, the barcode may be printed in blue with the background information in red. Furthermore, if the inspection light is blue, the barcode may be printed in blue with red background information. Alternatively, if the inspection light is green, the barcode may be printed in red and the background information in green. In addition, in each of the above color combinations, the background of the printing medium is white or a color close to white. Also,
The barcode may be printed in a color that reflects the test light, and the background information may be printed in a color that absorbs the test light. In this case, the color of the printing material is a color that has the property of absorbing the inspection light envelope. Furthermore, as a configuration for printing, two thermal transfer ribbons of different colors may be used, or a thermal transfer ribbon capable of multicolor printing may be used. In addition, the printing may be performed using a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an inkjet type, an electrostatic recording type using toner, or a laser beam type printing mechanism shown in the examples.

Effects of the Invention As detailed above, according to the barcode printing device of the present invention, the barcode is printed in a color that absorbs or reflects the inspection light of the reading device, and the barcode is printed in a color that is opposite to the color of the barcode. Since the background information is printed in a natural color, it is possible to print a barcode that improves the reading accuracy of the reading device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a blower of a barcode label issuing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2(A) is a schematic diagram of a blower. (B) and (C) are explanatory diagrams explaining the printing process, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed in the red-black data generator. Fig. 4 is a plane illustrating an example of the barcode label to be issued. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the barcode label issuing device of the second embodiment, Figure 6 (A)
, (B) is an explanatory diagram explaining the printing process, No. 7
The figure is a flowchart showing the main part of the processing executed in the red-black data generator 31. 1.31... Red and black data generator 3.33... Thermal head driver 5.35...
Thermal head 7... Two-color thermal paper No. 1 Fig. 2 A... Red coloring section 19A... Black coloring section 7.
...Thermal transfer ribbon driver 9...Thermal transfer ribbon mechanism 5...Thermal paper 53A...Red coloring part 5△
・・・Black ink transfer part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Printing a mixture of the barcode and the background information based on barcode data for printing the barcode and background information data for printing background information such as characters and ruled lines. a barcode printing device that prints the barcode in a color that absorbs or reflects the inspection light of the reading device based on the barcode data; A barcode printing device comprising: background information printing means for printing background information in a color opposite to the color of the barcode.