JPH10181106A - Bar code printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print a bar code positively read avoiding the influence of a background by printing a bar code in a predetermined area on a medium and by printing the bar code in an area which is different from the predetermined area on the medium according to a requirement. SOLUTION: A postal code number read by an OCR 21 is transformed into a bar code and an address number corresponding to a destination address read by the OCR 21 is read from an inner memory and the address number is transformed into a bar code. Then, the bar code is printed in a predetermined area on a mail P with a colorless fluorescent ink by a bar code printer 13. The printed bar code is read by a bar code scanner 14 and a bar code reader 24 to confirm a printing state of the bar code. Next, when a read out of the bar code is impracticable, the same bar code is printed on an area which is different from the predetermined area with the colorless fluorescent ink by a bar code printer 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code printing apparatus for printing a bar code on mail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, various bar codes are widely used in the distribution industry. The size, shape, and contrast value (PCS) of these barcodes are strictly determined by standards such as JIS.

[0003] In addition, many bar codes are printed with black ink, but others are printed with special ink (fluorescent ink) that emits light by irradiation with infrared light or ultraviolet light.

[0004]

In the case of a barcode printed with special ink, the amount of light emission changes according to the background color and density. For this reason, a stable image signal cannot be obtained,
Barcode reading may not be performed properly in the binarization processing using a single threshold value.

In particular, a bar code printed on a black background can hardly be read. Even when a barcode is printed over characters or the like, the barcode image at the portion overlapping the characters may be lost, and the barcode may not be detected or an error may occur in reading the barcode.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a barcode printing apparatus capable of printing a barcode that can be read reliably without being affected by the background.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus for printing a bar code on a predetermined area on a medium, and a bar code printing apparatus for printing the bar code on the medium as needed. And a second printing unit for printing in an area different from the area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus for printing a bar code on a predetermined area on a medium,
When the status of barcode printing on the above medium is not appropriate,
Second printing means for printing the barcode on an area different from the predetermined area on the medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus comprising: first printing means for printing a bar code on a predetermined area on a medium;
Reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means, and second printing means for printing the barcode in an area different from a predetermined area on the medium when reading by the reading means is impossible, Is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus for printing a bar code representing a postal code on a predetermined area on a postal matter, and for reading a bar code printed by the first printing means. Means for printing the barcode on an area different from a predetermined area on the mail when the reading by the reading means is impossible.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus for printing a bar code representing a postal code and an address on a predetermined area on a postal matter, and a bar code printed by the first printing means. And a second printing means for printing the barcode in an area different from a predetermined area on the mail when the reading by the reading means is impossible.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus, comprising: first reading means for reading a postal code and a mailing address written on a postal matter; and a bar code representing the postal code and the mailing address read by the first reading means. A first printing unit that prints a bar code printed by the first printing unit on a predetermined area on the postal matter, a second reading unit that reads a barcode printed by the first printing unit, Second printing means for printing a barcode on an area different from the predetermined area on the postal matter.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barcode printing apparatus for reading a postal code and a mailing address written on a mail, and a barcode representing the postal code and the mailing address read by the first reading means. Printing means for printing a predetermined area on the mail using fluorescent ink, second reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means, and reading by the second reading means is impossible. And a second printing means for printing the barcode with an area different from a predetermined area on the mail using fluorescent ink.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus comprising: first printing means for printing a bar code representing a zip code and a bar code representing an address on a predetermined area on a postal matter;
Reading means for reading a bar code printed by the first printing means; and reading when the reading means cannot read either a bar code representing a postal code or a bar code representing an address. Second printing means for printing the impossible barcode on an area different from the predetermined area of the postal matter.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus comprising: a first printing means for sequentially printing a bar code representing a zip code and a bar code representing an address on a predetermined area on a postal matter; Reading means for reading a bar code printed by the first printing means, and when the reading means cannot read the bar code, the bar code representing the postal code and the bar code representing the addressee are printed in reverse to the printing by the first printing means. And second printing means for printing in an area different from the predetermined area on the mail.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code printing apparatus comprising: first printing means for printing a bar code representing a zip code or a mailing address on a predetermined area on a postal matter; and a bar code printed by the first printing means. And a bar code whose character element arrangement direction is opposite to that of the bar code printed by the first printing unit when reading by the reading unit is impossible. Second printing means for printing on the area.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a mail supply unit 1 on which mails P are accumulated, and a mail conveyance path 2 is provided from the mail supply unit 1 to a plurality of sorting ports 3.

Along the mail transport path 2, an OCR scanner 11, a pre-barcode scanner 12, a barcode printer 13, a barcode scanner 14, a barcode printer 15, and a barcode scanner 16 are sequentially arranged. .

The OCR scanner 11 optically reads an image on the mail P. This read image is sent to the OCR 21 to read (recognize) the postal code and the address. If reading (recognition) by the OCR 21 is not possible,
An image read by the OCR scanner 11 is displayed on a monitor of a video coding system (hereinafter, abbreviated as VCS) 27. The VCS 27 allows the operator to visually recognize the postal code and address from the read image displayed on the monitor.
It is provided for keying in the postal code and mailing address number.

The pre-barcode scanner 12 scans the mail P
Optically read the barcode image above. This read image is sent to the pre-barcode reader 22, where the presence or absence of barcode printing is confirmed, and if there is a barcode, it is read (recognized).

The bar code printer 13 prints a bar code on the postal matter P. The bar code corresponding to the postal code / addressing address number based on the result of reading (recognition) of the OCR 21 and the postal code input by the VCS 27. It is prepared for printing a barcode corresponding to the number / address / address number.

The bar code scanner 14 optically reads a bar code image on the mail P. This read image is sent to the barcode reader 24, where the barcode is read (recognized).
Is made. The barcode scanner 14 and the barcode reader 24 are provided for checking whether the printing state of the barcode by the barcode printer 13 is appropriate.

The bar code printer 15 prints a bar code on the postal matter P. The bar code corresponding to the postal code / address / address number based on the result of reading (recognition) of the OCR 21 and the postal code input by the VCS 27. It is prepared for printing a barcode corresponding to the number / address / address number.

The bar code scanner 16 optically reads a bar code image on the mail P. This read image is sent to the barcode reader 26, and the barcode is read (recognized).
Is made. The barcode scanner 16 and the barcode reader 26 are provided to confirm whether the barcode printing state of the barcode printer 15 is appropriate.

An overall control device 28 controls the entire device. The overall control device 28 includes the OCR 21,
The VCS 27, the pre-barcode reader 22, the barcode printer 13, the barcode reader 24, the barcode printer 15, and the barcode reader 26 are connected.

The overall control device 28 has the following [1] to [4] as main functional means. [1] Means for converting the postal code read by the OCR 21 into a bar code, reading the address number corresponding to the address addressed read by the OCR 21 from the internal memory, and converting the address number into a bar code.

[2] The converted barcode is converted into a colorless fluorescent ink (special ink) by the barcode printer 13.
Means for printing in a predetermined area on the postal matter P. [3] Means for reading the printed barcode with the barcode scanner 14 and the barcode reader 24 and confirming the printing state of the barcode.

[4] When the barcode cannot be read by the barcode scanner 14 and the barcode reader 24 (when the printing state is not proper), the same barcode is converted into a colorless fluorescent ink ( Means for printing in a region different from a predetermined region (printing region of the barcode printer 13) on the mail P with special ink).

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the mail P is supplied from the mail supply unit 1 (step 101), and the zip code and the address on the mail P are input to the OCR scanner 11 (step 101).
And read by the OCR 21 (step 102).

If it is not possible to read the postal code and the address (NO in step 103), the ID code (such as the number of the postal matter P), which is the identification information of the corresponding postal matter P, is sent to the postal matter by the barcode printer 15. A bar code is printed on P (step 104). Then, the barcode scanner 16 and the barcode reader 26 confirm whether or not the printing state is proper (step 105).

If the bar code can not be read by the bar code scanner 16 and the bar code reader 26, it is determined that the printing state is not appropriate (N in step 105).
O), the postal matter P is discharged to the reject sorting port 3 (step 110).

If the bar code can be read by the bar code scanner 16 and the bar code reader 26, it is determined that the printing state is appropriate (YE in step 105).
S) The operator inputs data in the VCS 27 (step 106). That is, the operator visually recognizes the postal code and the destination address described in the postal matter P on the monitor, inputs the postal code by key, and inputs the address number corresponding to the destination address by key input. At this time, the postal matter P is transported to the predetermined sorting port 3.

The mail P conveyed to the predetermined sorting port 3 is
It is returned to the mail supply unit 1 and re-supplied (step 107).
). At the time of this resupply, the ID code on the mail P is read by the pre-barcode scanner 12 and the pre-barcode reader 22.
Is read (step 108), and it is determined whether or not the reading is possible (step 109).

If the ID code cannot be read (NO in step 109), the mail P is discharged to the rejecting slot 3 (step 110). If the ID code can be read (YES in step 109), the postal code and the address number corresponding to the postal matter P are retrieved based on the read ID code from the postal code and the address number previously input in the VCS 27. .

The zip code and address number searched are converted into barcodes, which are converted into machine codes A (postal code code 31 + address code 32) in a predetermined area on the mail P by the barcode printer 13. It is printed (step 111). Then, the barcode scanner 14 and the barcode reader 24 confirm whether or not the printing state is proper (step 112).

If the intra-office machine code A can be read (YES in step 112), the postal matter P is accumulated in the sorting port 3 corresponding to the intra-office machine code A (step 113).
). The ID code 30 and the intra-office machine code A (the postal code 31 and the address code 32) are printed in an area on the mail P which is considered to be a non-character area, as shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step 103 that the zip code and the address can be read, the zip code and the address are immediately converted into a bar code. 13 is printed on the mail P (step 111).
).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, only the intra-office machine code A (postal code 31 + address code 32) is printed on the mail P, and the ID code 30 is not printed. If it is not possible to read the intra-office machine code A in the printing state confirmation at step 112 after the intra-office machine code A is printed (NO at step 112), the same as the intra-office machine code A is used. It is printed on the postal matter P by the bar code printer 14 at the subsequent stage as a code B (postal code 33 + address code 34) (step 114).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the intra-office machine code A (postal code 31 + address number code 32) and the intra-office machine code B (postal code 33+
And the address number code 34) are printed at positions separated from each other. If the ID code 30 has already been printed,
The local machine code B is printed in an area that does not overlap with the D code 30.

Then, by reading the bar code scanner 16 and the bar code reader 26, it is confirmed whether the printing state of the intra-office machine code B is appropriate (step 115).
When the intra-office machine code B can be read, that is, when the printing state of the intra-office machine code B is proper (YE in step 115).
S), the postal matter P is accumulated in the sorting port 3 corresponding to the local machine code B (step 113).

If the in-station machine code B cannot be read (NO in step 115), the mail P is discharged to the reject section 3 (step 110). Thus, the in-office machine code A corresponding to the postal code and the address code is printed in a predetermined area on the postal matter P, and the postal matter code P is printed.
Immediately check the status of the above barcode printing, and if the printing status of the intra-office machine code A is not proper in this check, print the same intra-office machine code B in an area different from the printing position of the intra-office machine code A Thus, the correct postal code and address number can be reliably grasped in the delivery sorting process of the postal matter P.

For example, if characters of the address have already been written in the area where the intra-office machine code A is printed, it may interfere with the delivery classification processing of the postal matter P as it is. , The in-station machine code B is printed, so that accurate delivery classification processing can be executed.

Also, for example, in the actual delivery classification processing, the postal code 3 in the in-office machine code A as shown in FIG.
7 cannot be read. In addition, the last four characters of the postal code 33 in the in-house machine code B (indicated by X) as shown in FIG. If it cannot be read, the zip code 31
Characters other than the first four characters of the
By reading in combination with the remaining characters except the last four characters, the postal code and the address code can be reliably grasped.

Note that the postal code codes 31 and 33 shown in FIG.
Are the first seven characters "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
"7" is a postal code, and the last three characters "C1, C2, C3" are check codes.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, instead of the processing of steps 112 and 114 of the first embodiment,
The processing of steps 112a, 112b, 112c, 114a, 114b, 114c is adopted. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 8 shows only a changed part of the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the intra-office machine code A (postal code 31 + address code 32) is printed on the mail P by the bar code printer 13 (step 111).
), The postal code code 31 constituting the in-station machine code A
The barcode scanner 14 and the barcode reader 24 confirm whether or not the printing state of the address number code 32 is appropriate (steps 112a, 112b, 112).
c).

When the address code 32 can be read and the postal code 31 cannot be read (step 11).
2b, YES), only the zip code 33 of the components of the intra-office machine code B is printed on the mail P (step 114).
b). This is shown in FIG. In the actual delivery classification process, the postal code 33 and the address code 32 are effectively read.

When the zip code 31 can be read and the address code 32 cannot be read (step 11)
2a), only the address code 34 of the components of the intra-office machine code B is printed on the mail P (step 114).
a). This is shown in FIG. In the actual delivery classification process, the postal code 31 and the address code 34 are effectively read.

If it is possible to read both the postal code 31 and the address code 32 (step 11).
2c, YES), the postal code 33 and the address code 34, which are the components of the intra-office machine code B, are both postal items P
Is printed (step 114c). This is the same processing as in the first embodiment.

As described above, by printing only necessary ones of the postal code 33 and the address code 34 which are the components of the intra-office machine code B, the processing speed can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiments, the printing order of the postal code 33 and the address code 34 forming the in-office machine code B is different from the printing order of the postal code 31 and the address code 32 forming the intra-office machine code A. Was the same,
As shown in FIG. 11, the order may be reversed.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the arrangement direction of the character elements of the intra-office machine code A is the same as the arrangement direction of the character elements of the intra-office machine code B. However, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. The opposite is also possible. That is, the postal code 31 is "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, C1,
The postcode codes 33 are arranged in the order of "C3, C2, C1, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1".

In this case, in the actual delivery division processing,
As shown in FIG. 14, the first five characters of the postal code 31 (marked by x) cannot be read, and in addition, as shown in FIG.
) Cannot be read, the zip code 31
Characters other than the first five characters of the zip code 33
By reading in combination with the remaining characters except for the first five characters, the postal code and the address number can be surely grasped.

The arrangement direction of the character elements of the address number code 32 in the intra-office machine code A and the arrangement direction of the character elements of the address number code 34 in the intra-office machine code B are opposite to each other as shown in FIGS. Has become. That is, the address number code 32 is “1, −,
2,-, 3,-, 4,5,6, C1, C2, C3, C
4 ”, and the address number code 34 is“ C4, C4 ”.
3, C2, C1, 6, 5, 4,-, 3,-, 2,-,
1 ".

Both the address number codes 32 and 34 are
"1,-, 2,-, 3,-, 4,5,6" is an address number,
“C1, C2, C3, C4” are check codes.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the intra-office machine code A is printed by the barcode printer 13 and the intra-office machine code B is printed by the barcode printer 15.
May be printed by the same printer while shifting the positions. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, a barcode is printed on a predetermined area on a medium, and the same barcode is printed on an area different from the predetermined area on the medium as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to provide a barcode printing apparatus capable of printing a barcode that can be read reliably without being affected by the background.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of each embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printing state of an ID code and a local machine code A in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing state of the intra-office machine code A in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a printing state of intra-office machine codes A and B in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a read result of a postal code in the intra-office machine code A in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a read result of a postal code in the intra-office machine code B according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a main part of the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a printing state of a part of an in-station machine code A and an in-station machine code B in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing state of another part of the in-station machine code A and the in-station machine code B in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a printing state of intra-office machine codes A and B in a modification of each embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the arrangement direction of the character elements of the postal code in the intra-office machine code A of another modification of each embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement direction of the character elements of the postal code in the intra-office machine code B of the same other modified example.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a read result of a postal code in the intra-office machine code A of the same other modified example.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a read result of a postal code in an intra-office machine code B according to another modification.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an arrangement direction of character elements of an address number code in an intra-office machine code A according to another modification.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the arrangement direction of the character elements of the address number code in the intra-office machine code B of the same other modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mail supply part 2 ... Mail conveyance path 3 ... Sorting port 11 ... OCR scanner 21 ... OCR 12 ... Pre-barcode scanner 22 ... Pre-barcode reader 13 ... Barcode printer 14 ... Barcode scanner 24 ... Barcode reader 15: Barcode printer 16: Barcode scanner 26: Barcode reader 27: Video coding system (VCS) 28: Overall control device

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first printing means for printing a barcode on a predetermined area on a medium, and a second printing means for printing the barcode on an area different from the predetermined area on the medium as needed. A bar code printing device, characterized in that: 2. A first printing means for printing a barcode on a predetermined area on a medium, wherein when a state of barcode printing on the medium is not proper,
A second printing unit that prints the barcode in an area different from a predetermined area on the medium. 3. A first printing means for printing a barcode on a predetermined area on a medium, a reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means, and when reading by the reading means is impossible. A second printing unit that prints the barcode in an area different from a predetermined area on the medium. 4. A first printing means for printing a barcode representing a postal code on a predetermined area on a postal matter, a reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means, and a reading means for reading by the reading means. And a second printing means for printing the barcode in an area different from the predetermined area on the mail when the operation is impossible. 5. A first printing means for printing a barcode representing a zip code and an address on a predetermined area on a mail, a reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means, and the reading means. And a second printing means for printing the barcode in an area different from a predetermined area on the mail when the reading by the barcode is impossible. 6. A first reading means for reading a postal code and a mailing address written on a postal matter, and a barcode representing the postal code and the mailing address read by the first reading means in a predetermined area on the mailing matter. A first printing unit for printing, a second reading unit for reading a bar code printed by the first printing unit, and a bar code on the mail when the second reading unit cannot read the bar code. And a second printing means for printing in an area different from the area. 7. A first reading means for reading a postal code and a mailing address written on a postal matter, and a barcode representing the postal code and the mailing address read by the first reading means is written on the mailing material by fluorescent ink. A first printing unit for printing on a predetermined area, a second reading unit for reading a barcode printed by the first printing unit, and when the reading by the second reading unit is impossible, the barcode is printed with fluorescent ink. A second printing means for printing on an area different from a predetermined area on the postal matter. 8. A first printing means for printing a barcode representing a zip code and a barcode representing an address on a predetermined area on a postal matter, and a reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means. When one of the barcode representing the postal code and the barcode representing the destination address cannot be read at the time of reading by the reading means, the unreadable barcode differs from the predetermined area of the postal matter. A bar code printing apparatus, comprising: second printing means for printing on an area. 9. A first printing means for sequentially printing a barcode representing a zip code and a barcode representing an address on a predetermined area on a postal matter, and a reading means for reading a barcode printed by the first printing means. Means, when reading by the reading means is impossible, a barcode representing the postal code and a barcode representing the addressee are printed in the reverse order of the printing by the first printing means and on the mail. 2. A bar code printing apparatus, comprising: a second printing unit that prints on an area different from a predetermined area. 10. A first printing unit that prints a barcode representing a zip code or an address on a predetermined area on a mail, a reading unit that reads a barcode printed by the first printing unit, and the reading unit. And a second printing means for printing a bar code having a character element arrangement direction opposite to that of the bar code printed by the first printing means on an area different from a predetermined area on the mail. A bar code printing device, comprising: