JP4369011B2 - Symbol printer, printing method thereof, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer capable of printing a symbol that represents information. Examples of such a symbol include a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code includes a stack-type two-dimensional code in which barcodes are stacked vertically, and a matrix-type two-dimensional code in which the intersection of the matrix is coded by black or white based on a completely different idea from the barcode. There is. The present invention relates to a printer for printing these one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes. In the present specification, a mark composed of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode or matrix finally printed as described above is referred to as a symbol. Information (contents) displayed by these symbols is referred to as display data.
[0002]
[Background]
Currently, the most popular symbol is a one-dimensional barcode that is attached to a product and forms a product number or other information. Recently, a two-dimensional code that dramatically improves the amount of information that can be displayed has attracted attention. Is starting to be used. A one-dimensional bar code is a bar code displayed in one column vertically or horizontally, but a two-dimensional code displays such a one-dimensional bar code in a plurality of stages as described above. There are a so-called stack type two-dimensional code and a matrix type two-dimensional code coded depending on whether the intersection of the matrix is black or white.
[0003]
Examples of the stack type two-dimensional code include code 49, code 16K, PDF417, super code, and ultra code. As the matrix type two-dimensional code, there are vericode, data matrix (ECC000-140, ECC200, etc.), CP code, maxi code, code 1, QR code, QR code model 2, aztec code, and the like. The features of 2D barcodes are that much more information can be displayed compared to 1D barcodes, the reading direction is not restricted, binary information can be displayed, and the reading accuracy is improved and security is improved. It is in.
[0004]
The bar code displays predetermined information (display data) by a combination of bars (including a combination of bars and bar intervals), and is restored to information by being read by a bar code scanner. Therefore, when printing a barcode, it is necessary to convert information to be displayed into a barcode and print the barcode pattern. The same applies to symbols based on a matrix. In order to display predetermined information by a combination of black and white in the matrix, the information to be displayed (display data) must be converted into a matrix code pattern and printed. The present invention relates to a printer for printing these one-dimensional or two-dimensional symbols.
[0005]
In order to print information by converting information into a symbol, the data to be displayed is converted into a predetermined code according to a symbol-specific rule (protocol) and then printed by a printer. Conversion to these symbols is not only simple code conversion but also unique to the symbol, such as adding start code, stop code, etc. before and after the display data, adding error correction code, compressing data, etc. A series of processing according to the protocol is required. In particular, in the case of a two-dimensional code, not only a large amount of information can be displayed, but also complicated processing is required for compression and creation of an error correction code.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, when printing these symbols, the host device converts the display data into a symbol bit pattern, and sends the converted bit pattern to the printer as print data for symbol printing. . In this case, the symbol can be printed on the printer side simply by printing the received bit pattern data as it is in the same procedure as in normal printing.
[0007]
However, in this method, data is converted into a bar code bit image by the host device, which increases the load on the host device. In particular, in the case of a two-dimensional code, a lot of processing is required to convert information to be displayed into a bit pattern of a two-dimensional code. Therefore, a large load is applied to the host.
[0008]
For example, in PDF417, data compression and an error correction code can be added. Further, there are three types of compression modes for data compression, and there are nine types of error correction levels from 0 to 8. For this reason, considerable processing capacity and processing time are required for the conversion processing from display data to symbols that are actually printed. In addition, since there is much bit pattern information to be displayed as symbols, the load of communication processing between the host device and the printer is also large. Usually, a plurality of communication terminal devices and peripheral devices are connected to the host device, and a plurality of processes are performed in parallel. Therefore, if the symbol conversion process takes too much time, not only the load on the host device increases, but the conversion process may be delayed with respect to the printing speed.
[0009]
Further, since it has a plurality of compression modes and nine error correction levels, the length (size) of a printed symbol varies depending on the content and amount of data displayed as a symbol. Therefore, the final symbol size is not known unless it is actually converted into a symbol.
[0010]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer that can reduce the load on the host device and the communication processing on both the host device and the printer device when printing symbols. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printer capable of confirming whether data to be displayed can be printed as a symbol in a print range setting frame before printing the symbol.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above problems by the following means.
[0012]
  The printer capable of symbol printing according to the present invention includes:A mark consisting of a two-dimensional barcode or matrixPrinted as a symbolASCII codeDisplay dataAlong with the control command for symbol printing, from the host deviceReceiving means for receiving;The data analysis means for analyzing the control command, and the control command analysis result of the control command by the data analysis meansFirst storage means for storing the received display data, code conversion means for converting the display data into a code word of the symbol according to a protocol of the symbol, and bit pattern information representing the symbol from the code word A pattern generator for generating the bit pattern, second storage means for storing the bit pattern information,
  Size information transmitting means for transmitting the vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image of the symbol to the host device;Printing control means for controlling the printing of the bit pattern information,
When the data analysis means determines that the analysis result of the control command from the host device is a size information transmission request, the data analysis means outputs the display data stored in the first storage means to the code conversion means, The size information transmission unit is activated, whereby the size information transmission unit calculates the vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image of the symbol from the bit pattern information created by the pattern generator. The vertical size and the horizontal size of the symbol image are transmitted to the host device..
[0013]
  Thus, when data to be displayed as a symbol is received, it is converted into a predetermined symbol by the printer and printed. Therefore, the host device only needs to transmit the data to be displayed. The communication load between the host device and the printer can be greatly reduced. Further, by transmitting the symbol size in response to a request from the host device, the host device can confirm the symbol size before printing.
[0015]
  In addition, the code conversion means includes means for compressing data and means for creating an error correction code. For example, in the case of PDF417, various data compression and error correction levels are prepared, and the error correction level can be instructed by selection.
[0017]
  The printer according to the present invention is characterized in that the size information transmission means includes means for comparing the size of the symbol to be printed with the print designation range and transmitting the comparison data to the host device. As a result, the host device checks whether the symbol can be printed within the print setting range frame before printing, and if not, changes the print frame or changes the vertical and horizontal length of the symbol. Processing such as changing the module width can be performed.
[0018]
  In this case, the size information transmission means is means for transmitting size information or comparison data in response to a transmission request from the host device, and the print control means is means for starting symbol printing in response to a print request from the host device. It is characterized by. A symbol size is first confirmed by a command from the host device, and printing can be started when printing is possible within a predetermined printing range.
[0019]
  Further, the symbol image creating means is a means for creating a symbol image when receiving a print command or receiving a size information transmission command. For example, when receiving a size information transmission command, the symbol image creating means develops the symbol image in a work area or the like and confirms the size.
[0020]
  The printer of the present invention is capable of printing a stack type two-dimensional code including PDF417, super code, and ultra code, or a matrix type two-dimensional code including veri code, data matrix, and maxi code. TossThe
[0021]
  The symbol printing method of the present invention includes:
(A)It is a mark consisting of a two-dimensional barcode or matrix by the receiving means.Printed as a symbolASCII codeDisplay dataAlong with control commands for symbol printingA receiving step for receiving from the host device;
(B)A data analysis step of analyzing the control command by data analysis means;
(C)Received together with the control command according to the analysis result of the control command by the data analysis meansThe display dataIn the first storage meansStoring, and
(D) converting the display data into a code word of the symbol according to a protocol of the symbol by code conversion means;
(E) Bit pattern information representing the symbol from the code wordWith pattern generatorA step to create,
(F)Storing the bit pattern information in a second storage means;
(G) The bit pattern informationWith printer mechanismPrinting step;
  In a symbol printing method for printing a symbol in which information is embodied, comprising:
(H)The control command for symbol printing received in the receiving step isIn the case of a size information transmission request command, the code conversion means is determined by the analysis result in the data analysis stepIn addition, the display data stored in the first storage means is converted into a code word, the pattern generator is made to create bit pattern information representing a symbol from the converted code word, and the size information transmitting means is made The vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image of the symbol are calculated from the obtained bit pattern information and calculated.symbolimageTo the host device to transmit the vertical and horizontal sizes ofIncluding steps.
[0022]
  These steps can be performed by, for example, a print mechanism capable of printing at a dot level, a CPU and a memory, and a device incorporating a program for controlling them, and these functions are configured by hard wire logic. This can be realized by the apparatus.
[0026]
  In addition, according to the method of printing a symbol of the present invention, the symbol printed by the method includes a stack type two-dimensional code including PDF417, a super code, and an ultra code, and a matrix type two-dimensional including a veri code, a data matrix, and a maxi code. Any one of the codes or a code selected from them can be printed.
[0027]
  A program for causing a computer to implement the steps of the symbol printing method described above can be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. As a result, it is possible to load a program for controlling a method according to the present invention for controlling printing of various symbols in a printer having a printing mechanism, a CPU, and a memory, and execute printing of the various symbols.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, embodiment described below is for description and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0029]
The present invention can be applied to printing of all symbols, but here, in order to make the description concrete, description will be made using PDF417 that has begun to spread as a two-dimensional code.
PDF417 is a stack type two-dimensional code. FIG. 8A shows the appearance and configuration of the PDF417 symbol. The PDF417 symbol shown in this figure is composed of three levels of barcodes. The PDF 417 can be freely selected from 3 levels to 90 levels, and can display a maximum of 1850 text characters, 2710 digits, or binary data of 1108 bytes per symbol.
[0030]
In order to facilitate understanding of the description of the operation of the embodiment, the names of the components of the PDF 417 will be described. First, the symbol is provided with blank portions, so-called quiet zones, on the left, right, top and bottom. The symbol continues from the left quiet zone to the start pattern, left indicator, and data area. When the data area is over, it ends with a stop pattern following the right indicator. FIG. 8B shows the code word value represented in the data area of the symbol of PDF417. That is, the first stage is “005 810 032”, the second stage is “094 179 880”, and the third stage is “563 781 904”.
[0031]
The PDF 417 is composed of various symbol characters (referred to as code words) such as a start pattern, an indicator, and data. In this way, the PDF 417 performs processing such as compression of data (display data) to be displayed as a symbol, addition of an error correction code word, addition of a format code word (such as a start pattern), and the like. Is converted into a code word in accordance with the above rule (protocol) to become one symbol as a whole.
[0032]
FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the code word. The code word is composed of an array of four black bars and four spaces. The black bars and spaces used each include 1 to 6 modules, and the 4 black bars and 4 spaces are basically composed of 17 modules. A module is a minimum unit constituting a code word, and its width can be determined freely. Therefore, the size of the entire symbol can be adjusted by changing the width of the module.
[0033]
In PDF417, the number of codewords in the horizontal direction is variable from 1 to 30, and the number of stacked stages is variable from 3 to 90 as described above. Accordingly, it is possible to modify the symbols having the same contents in a horizontally long form or in a vertically long form according to the shape of the print range.
[0034]
In PDF417, data compression and an error correction code can be added. There are three types of data compression: a text compression mode, a byte compression mode, and a number compression mode, and nine error correction levels from 0 to 8.
[0035]
Therefore, complicated processing is required to convert the display data into symbols to be actually printed.
[0036]
FIG. 1 is a functional block configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of the printer of the present invention. The printer 1 is connected to the host device 90 via the interface 2. Data transmitted from the host device 90 is received by the receiver 3 via the interface 2 and stored in the reception buffer 4. The reception data stored in the reception buffer 4 is analyzed in the order received by the data analysis means 5.
[0037]
If the received data is display data to be printed as a symbol, it is stored in the display data storage means 6 which is the first storage means. The data displayed on the display data storage means 6 is then converted into a symbol image bit pattern by the symbol image creation means 9. The symbol image creating means 9 is composed of a code conversion processing means 7 and a pattern generator 8.
[0038]
The display data is first converted by the code conversion processing means 7 in accordance with the protocol of the symbol to be displayed. This conversion to a code pattern is not only a one-to-one conversion of display data into a code word, but also data compression, addition of an error correction code word, and a predetermined word including a code word such as a start pattern and left and right indicators. Output as a format.
[0039]
The symbol data converted into a code word having a predetermined format configuration is converted into a bit pattern of a symbol image to be actually printed by the pattern generator 8. The symbol converted into the bit pattern is stored in the print buffer 10 corresponding to the second storage means. The symbols stored in the print buffer 10 are printed by the printer mechanism 11.
[0040]
Such symbol printing can be controlled by a command from the host device. In the above description, the symbol display data and printing are linked, and the symbol is printed as it is when the display data is transmitted. However, various commands such as a command for transmitting display data, a command for requesting the host device to notify the size of the transmitted display data, or a command for printing display data that has already been transmitted can be provided.
[0041]
Assume that the host device requests to report the symbol size. The command transmitted from the host device 90 is analyzed by the data analysis means 5. If it is determined as a result of the analysis that the report is a size report request, the data analysis means 5 controls to output the data stored in the display data storage means to the symbol image creation means 9. At the same time, the size information transmission means 12 is activated. Thus, the size information transmission unit 12 acquires the size information from the symbol image information created by the symbol image creation unit 9 and transmits the size data to the host 90 via the transmission unit 13 and the interface 2.
[0042]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that a window size storage means 15 and a control means 14 are provided. This embodiment also performs the same processing as the first embodiment, but more functions can be executed.
[0043]
The control unit 14 is a unit that controls the entire printer and performs processing according to various commands by organic cooperation of each unit. The window size storage means 15 is a means for storing a print range frame for printing a symbol. When a print range frame is set in the host device 90 and transmitted to the printer 1, the size is stored in the window size storage unit 15. When such a setting from the host device is not made, a predetermined size may be automatically set as a preset value.
[0044]
The symbol must be printed within a predetermined printing range frame. However, as described above, in the case of a two-dimensional code, data compression, error correction code addition, etc. are performed, so the size of the printed symbol Does not know the size of the actual bit pattern without converting it. For this reason, it may be necessary to check whether printing is possible within the print range frame before printing the symbol. In such a case, the confirmation can be confirmed by a confirmation command. When the confirmation command is received, it is analyzed by the data analysis means 5 and when it is found that the command is the confirmation command, the size information transmission means 12 is notified.
[0045]
The size information means 12 obtains the information of the print range frame from the window size storage means 15 and compares it with the size information from the pattern generator 8 to confirm whether the symbol can be printed within the print range frame, Information of the comparison result is transmitted to the host device 90. Thereby, the host device 90 can know whether the symbol can be printed within the print range frame. If printing is not possible within the print range frame, the length and width of the symbol can be changed, or the module width can be changed.
[0046]
FIG. 3 exemplifies control commands for symbol printing that can be transmitted from the host device. The command functions, command codes, and parameter designation methods shown in this figure are examples, and other functions, various codes, parameters, and the like can be used. These commands are analyzed by the data analysis means 5, and processing corresponding to the commands is executed by the cooperation of each part under the control of the control means 14.
[0047]
First, in this example, the command “XXX1” specifies the number of digits in the horizontal direction of the PDF417 symbol. In PDF417, since the maximum length in the horizontal direction is 30, the number of digits is specified by the parameter a1a2 that follows.
“XXX2” is a command for designating the number of symbol stages. In PDF417, since the number of stages from 3 to 90 can be specified, the number of stages of the symbol is specified by the parameter b1b2. In “XXX3”, the module width is designated by c1c2. In “XXX4”, the height of each code word is designated by d1d2. In “XXX5”, an error correction level from 0 to 8 is designated by e. “XXX6” designates an option of PDF417 by a parameter f.
[0048]
In “XXX7”, the display data designated by g 1 to gn is stored in the display data storage unit 6. The display data stored in the display data storage unit 6 is printed as a symbol by “XXX8”. “XXX9” transmits size information when the display data stored in the display data storage unit is displayed as a symbol to the host device 90.
[0049]
With reference to FIG. 4, the flow of processing when printing the symbol 417 of the PDF 417 as shown in FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of conversion from display data to a symbol image when printing a symbol.
First, the basic configuration of the symbol 70 (the number of digits of the symbol, the number of stages, the module width, the error correction level, etc. is set by the command “XXX 1 to 6” from the host device 90. The setting contents of these basic configurations are as follows. Is stored in a predetermined storage unit (not shown), for example, in the control unit 14 or the code conversion processing unit 7. Once these settings are set, the same settings are made in the next and subsequent symbol printings unless changed. Further, when the setting of these basic configurations is not instructed from the host device 90, a predetermined preset value can be used. The number of symbols to be printed is set to three, the number of digits in the horizontal direction is set to three, and the module width is set to a predetermined specified value.
[0050]
When the setting of the basic symbol configuration is completed, display data of the symbol 70 is then transmitted from the host device 90. In this example, it is assumed that display data “ABCDEF (ASCII code)” is transmitted from the host device 90 to the printer 1 together with the command “XXX7”. When the printer 1 receiving this display data recognizes that it is “XXX7” by the data analysis means 5, it stores the data following the command in the display data storage means 6 as display data. The display data may be configured to be transmitted from the host device 90 as an ASCII code, or may be configured to be converted into an ASCII code by a printer.
[0051]
FIG. 4 shows the flow of data conversion from when the ASCII code display data stored in the display data storage means 6 is converted into a code word value and then into a bit pattern image (symbol image) from the code word value. Is shown.
[0052]
Next, for example, when the host device 90 requests transmission of symbol size information by a command “XXX8”, the printer 1 uses the code conversion processing means 7 to compress data, convert an error correction code, display data, and start pattern. A codeword value 80 to which an indicator or the like has been added is created. FIG. 4 shows only the code word values “001, 063, 125” obtained by converting only the ASCII code “ABCDEF” in the text compression mode as the contents of the code word value 80. The code words such as the start pattern, the stop pattern, and the indicator are Not listed. The conversion from the ASCII code to the codeword value of the PDF417 code is performed according to the convention of PDF417. However, since the convention is not important here, only the converted codeword value is displayed.
[0053]
In this example, although there are only three code word values “001, 063, 125”, the final bit pattern image has three horizontal digits and three heights. The reason is that in the PDF417 code word, the minimum number of stages is three, and in this example, since the symbol size is specified as three digits in the horizontal direction, not only the code word corresponding to the code word value of the display data, This is because vertical and horizontal correction code words and dummy code words are inserted.
[0054]
The converted code 80 is converted by the pattern generator 8 into a bit pattern image of the PDF417 symbol 70 to be printed. The horizontal size x and the vertical size y of the symbol 70 are compared with the print range designation area (window) of the window size storage unit 15 by the size information transmission unit 12, and the comparison result is transmitted to the host device 90.
[0055]
5 and 6 show the relationship between the print range and the symbol size. FIG. 5 shows a case where the print range frame 21 is set in the upper left portion on the paper 20. If the symbol to be printed is too long in the horizontal direction, the right end of the horizontal outline symbol outline 22 is applied to the character on the right side of the print range frame 21 as shown as the symbol outline 22 in FIG. End up. In such a case, it is difficult not only to read the symbol outline 22, but also the left character cannot be read.
[0056]
The symbol outline 23 shows a case where the symbol is too long in the vertical direction. In this case, the lower end of the symbol 23 is applied to the lower character of the print range frame 21. Also in this case, as in the case of the symbol 22, there arises a problem that it becomes difficult to read the symbol and a problem that the left character cannot be read.
[0057]
As described above, when one of the vertical and horizontal sides of the symbol protrudes from the print range frame 21 and there is a space on the other side, the symbol may be deformed and printed. That is, in the case of the symbol 22, the number of digits in the horizontal direction may be reduced, the number of steps corresponding thereto may be increased, and the symbol 22 may be transformed into a long symbol in the vertical direction. On the other hand, in the case of the symbol 23, it is preferable to reduce the number of stages and increase the number of digits.
[0058]
If the symbol cannot be printed within the print range frame even if the symbol is deformed in the vertical or horizontal direction, the entire symbol is reduced by reducing the module that is the smallest unit constituting the codeword of the symbol. It is also possible.
[0059]
Thus, if it is known whether or not the symbol can be printed within the printing range before printing the symbol, it can be printed within the printing frame by changing the shape of the symbol. For this purpose, it is necessary to know the shape of the symbol printed before printing. The size information is acquired from the printer 1 by the command “XXX9”. The acquired information is checked for symbol size by an application program (not shown) in the host device, and is adjusted so that it is transformed into the print range frame or the display data is changed as necessary. Is done. The symbol size is changed by changing the symbol size print setting of the printer 1 using the command “XXX1 to 6”.
[0060]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where a symbol such as a barcode is printed on the label 26. A plurality of labels 26 are stuck on the normal label paper 25. Adhesive is applied to the back surface of the label 26, and after the symbol is printed, the label 26 is peeled off from the label paper 25 and attached to a product or the like. In this case, it is particularly important to accurately print the symbol on the predetermined label 25.
[0061]
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration when each control unit and storage unit shown in FIG. 1 or 2 is realized by a central control unit (CPU) 60, a RAM 61, and a ROM 62.
[0062]
The print head 31, the motors 32, the plungers 33, and the print mechanism drive circuit 34 that drives them constitute the printer mechanism 11 that involves physical operations such as conveyance, printing, and cutting of printing paper. The CPU 30 is connected to various detection devices 35 for detecting an error state such as a cutter error or a paper jam, a cover open, an ink remaining amount, a paper position, and the like. The detection result is input to the CPU.
[0063]
ROM 36 and RAM 37 store software (including firmware) and data including programs for realizing various functions such as storage of display data, conversion processing to symbols, transmission of symbol size information, and the like already described. The CPU 30 reads out and executes this, thereby realizing the various functions described above. It is also possible to implement the printer and method of the present invention by recording software for executing these processes on a computer-readable recording medium, causing the computer to read the software, and controlling the printer with the software.
[0064]
When the present invention is implemented using such a CPU, memory, and printing mechanism, conversion processing of various symbols is easy, so that a desired symbol can be selected from various symbols and printed. It is also possible to configure.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the display data can be converted into a predetermined symbol and printed inside the printer simply by receiving the display data from the host device. The load can be greatly reduced.
[0066]
Also, according to the present invention, symbol size information can be returned in response to a request from the host device, so that the symbol size can be confirmed without performing symbol conversion processing by the host device itself.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block configuration diagram according to a first embodiment of a printer of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram according to a second embodiment of the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a symbol printing control command that can be transmitted from a host device and its control content;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of conversion from display data to a symbol image when a symbol is printed.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a case where a symbol size protrudes from a print range frame when a symbol is printed when a print range frame is set at the upper left stage on the paper.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where a symbol such as a barcode is printed on a label.
7 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration when each control unit and storage unit shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is realized by a central control unit (CPU), a RAM, and a ROM.
8A is a diagram showing a PDF417 symbol and its configuration, and FIG. 8B is a decimal display of display data in the data area of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a code word of PDF417.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer
2 Interface
3 receiver
4 Receive buffer
5 Data analysis means
6 Display data storage means
7 Code conversion processing means
8 Pattern generator
9 Symbol image creation means
10 Print buffer
11 Printer mechanism
12 Size information transmission means
13 Transmitter
14 Main control means
15 Window size storage means
20 Printing paper
21 Print range setting frame
22 Image outline (horizontal direction is protruding)
23 Image outline (extruding in the vertical direction)
25 Label paper
26 Label
27 Label printing image (horizontal direction is protruding)
30 CPU
31 Print head
32 motor
33 Plunger
34 Printing mechanism drive circuit
35 Various detection devices
36 ROM
37 RAM
70 Display example of PDF417 symbol
71 Start pattern
72 Left side indicator
73 Data area
74 Right side indicator
75 Stop Patan
76 codeword
77 modules
78 Black bar
79 Space bar

Claims (5)

Receiving means for receiving display data of an ASCII code printed as a symbol which is a mark made of a two-dimensional bar code or matrix , together with a control command for symbol printing, from a host device ;
Data analysis means for analyzing the control command;
The analysis result of the control command by the data analyzing unit, a first storage means for storing the display data received together with the control command,
Code conversion means for converting the display data into a codeword of the symbol according to the protocol of the symbol;
A pattern generator that creates bit pattern information representing the symbol from the codeword;
Second storage means for storing the bit pattern information;
Size information transmitting means for transmitting the vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image of the symbol to the host device;
Printing control means for controlling the printing of the bit pattern information,
When the data analysis means determines that the analysis result of the control command from the host device is a size information transmission request, the data analysis means outputs the display data stored in the first storage means to the code conversion means, The size information transmission unit is activated, whereby the size information transmission unit calculates the vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image of the symbol from the bit pattern information created by the pattern generator. A printer capable of printing symbols embodying information, wherein the vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image are transmitted to the host device . The printer, PDF417, super code, and the stack type two-dimensional code including the ultra code, or, Berikodo, to claim 1, characterized in that the printable matrix type two-dimensional code including the data matrix and MaxiCode The printer described. (A) a receiving step of receiving ASCII code display data printed as a symbol, which is a mark made of a two-dimensional barcode or matrix , together with a control command for symbol printing from a host device;
(B) a data analysis step of analyzing the control command by data analysis means;
(C) storing the display data received together with the control command in the first storage unit according to the analysis result of the control command by the data analysis unit ;
(D) converting the display data into a code word of the symbol according to a protocol of the symbol by code conversion means;
(E) creating bit pattern information representing the symbol from the codeword with a pattern generator ;
(F) storing the bit pattern information in a second storage means;
(G) printing the bit pattern information with a printer mechanism ;
In a symbol printing method for printing a symbol in which information is embodied, comprising:
(H) If the control command for symbol printing received in the reception step is a size information transmission request command, the code conversion unit stores the symbol printing control command in the first storage unit according to the analysis result in the data analysis step. The display data is converted into a code word, the pattern generator is made to generate bit pattern information representing a symbol from the converted code word, and the size information transmission means is used to generate a symbol image of the symbol from the generated bit pattern information And calculating the vertical and horizontal sizes of the image , and transmitting the calculated vertical and horizontal sizes of the symbol image to the host device . The symbol printing method is capable of printing a stack type two-dimensional code including PDF417, a super code, and an ultra code, or a matrix type two-dimensional code including a veri code, a data matrix, and a maxi code. 4. The symbol printing method according to item 3 . 5. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing the symbol printing method according to claim 3 is recorded.

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