JP3611554B2 - Bar code creation system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a barcode creation technique, and more particularly to a technique for creating a barcode more easily without using special image processing software, barcode creation dedicated software, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a barcode is used as an input means for quickly and accurately performing checkout in the retail industry and the like.
Since barcodes require high precision in the line width of barcode symbol characters arranged in a straight line, relatively complex applications with high graphics functions (drawing functions) as software dedicated to barcode creation Software is used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described software dedicated to barcode creation is expensive, and the data area occupied by the program is not small.
In some cases, a barcode is created on the display screen of a mobile terminal and is read directly. However, since the display screen of the mobile terminal is small, it is difficult to display a barcode that is long in the reading direction on the display screen. there were. In addition, the data capacity and image processing capability are not high.
[0004]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a barcode generation technique that is simpler and has a small data capacity.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, rectangular data that operates on an information device including an input unit and a display unit and is displayed in a matrix on a two-dimensional plane defined by the display unit. Thus, the rectangular data including the first rectangular data having the first identification property and the second rectangular data having the second identification property different from the first identification property can be displayed. 2nd software which operates on 1 software, Comprising: The step which inputs a 1st data sequence, and each 1st data contained in this 1st data sequence are matched with this 1st data sequence beforehand Converting the first data string into a second data string including continuous second data by converting the first data string into second data; and converting the second data in the second data string into the first rectangular data. And the second rectangular data The second software is provided for the bar code creation and a step of displaying on the two-dimensional plane to the information appliance Te.
[0006]
Since the second software operates on the first software and executes only simple steps, only a few steps need be added to the first software. Therefore, the operation is simple and the amount of data added to the information device may be small.
[0007]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a first program that operates on a first software that can create a bar graph on an XY two-dimensional plane based on numbers input to a data input area arranged in a matrix. And a second step of inputting a first data string and converting each of the first data included in the first data string into binary data associated in advance with each other. Based on the respective binary data of the second data string, the order of the second data string is X, the value of the binary data is Y, and on the XY two-dimensional plane Second software for barcode generation is provided that causes a computer to execute a step of displaying a bar graph.
[0008]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barcode displayed on an XY plane, the barcode being adjacent to the barcode and displaying coordinates on the X axis and the Y axis.
[0009]
According to still another aspect of the present invention, an input unit, a display unit, and a transmission / reception unit are provided, and the data input area is arranged in a matrix on a two-dimensional plane defined by the display unit. The rectangular data displayed in a rectangular shape with respect to the data input area, the first rectangular data having the first identification property and the second identification object different from the first identification property Barcode generating software that operates on a portable terminal capable of displaying rectangular data including the second rectangular data having the characteristics, the step of inputting the first data string by the input unit, and included in the first data string Converting each of the first data into second data previously associated with the first data and converting the first data string to a continuous second data string; and Each of the second data , Software for executing the step of displaying on the display unit is replaced with the first rectangle data into the second rectangular data to the portable terminal is provided.
[0010]
By using the above software, a barcode can be created by adding a simple program even in a portable terminal whose data capacity is not so large.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present specification, a bar code is a symbol obtained by arranging bar code symbol characters in a straight line to form information, and this is called a one-dimensional bar code (or linear bar code). More precisely, information is a symbol coded by an array of parallel and rectangular bars and spaces of varying width. On the two-dimensional plane, there are also two-dimensional barcodes arranged vertically and horizontally (in a matrix), for example. When this two-dimensional barcode is used, a larger amount of information than that of the one-dimensional barcode can be secured.
[0012]
In this specification, the expression “the first distinguishability and the second distinguishability different from the first distinguishability” is, for example, rectangular data having the first distinguishability and This means that the rectangular data having the second distinguishability or the bar (bar) obtained by stacking them can be identified by optical means including, for example, a light receiving element or a CCD sensor.
[0013]
The rectangular data is data that displays a shape that can form a bar (bar) by stacking them, and the displayed data does not necessarily have to be a complete rectangle (rectangle). For example, a bar can be formed even when data close to a circle are stacked so as to partially overlap. Such data is also included in the category of rectangular data.
[0014]
The case where the first and second rectangular data are displayed will be described as an example. However, it is also possible to display rectangular data having discriminability from the first to the nth (n is an integer of 2 or more).
[0015]
A macro is defined such that a plurality of instruction groups are substituted for one instruction by a computer or the like, and is used particularly when a specific process is automated by a word processor or a spreadsheet.
[0016]
The inventor is preinstalled (preinstalled) in most information processing devices, and is frequently used application software such as first software, for example, spreadsheet software or word processor software (hereinafter referred to as “word processor software”). )), A large number of data input areas (such as cell areas for inputting numerical values in spreadsheet software, one character or one symbol in word processing software). We focused on the fact that data input areas that can be input are referred to as "data input areas") arranged in a matrix on the display screen.
[0017]
When these data input areas are identified by, for example, a bar code reader, first rectangular data having a first identification property, for example, a white square (symbol □), and a first identification target If the second rectangular data having the second distinguishability different from the character, for example, a black square (■ symbol) is input by operating the second software, a barcode symbol character is obtained. I realized that I could easily create a so-called barcode pattern displayed at intervals of.
[0018]
If such an application program (macro) executed by the second software is operated on an application program (spreadsheet, word processor, etc.) executed on the first software, complicated image processing or the like is not used. However, you can easily create barcodes (patterns).
[0019]
Based on the above consideration, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a barcode creation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a display example on the barcode creation screen included in the barcode creation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a barcode creation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 1 and a printer 3. In FIG. 1, the PC 1 includes an input device (keyboard) 5, a display device (display) 7, and a PC main body 11. The display 7 may be separate from the PC main body 11.
[0022]
The PC main body 11 includes a control unit (central processing unit: CPU and high-speed memory: DRAM) 15 and a storage unit (main storage device: hard disk) 17. For example, the control unit 15 can operate application software such as the spreadsheet software 21 and can also operate the barcode creating macro 25. A program for operating the spreadsheet software 21 and the barcode creation macro 25 is stored in the hard disk (storage device) 17, and this program is expanded on a high-speed memory by an operation using the keyboard 5, for example. Thus, high-speed processing can be performed using the application software.
[0023]
The storage unit 17 stores a database 17b and data for operating the database engine 17a for searching for data in the database 17b.
[0024]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the display screen of the display 7. As shown in FIG. 2, on the display screen (7), a data display area 31 for displaying various data and a bar code input area for displaying the input bar code creation source data (first data string) 35a. 35 and a barcode display area 37 for displaying a barcode pattern 37a created based on the inputted barcode creation source data 35a.
[0025]
Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The database 17b is associated with the first conversion table 18a-1. The first conversion table 18a-1 includes a first data 18a-2 such as numbers and symbols constituting the barcode creation source data 35a, and a binary whose correspondence is determined in advance with the first data 18a-2. It is a table which shows data sequence 18a-3. Each binary data constituting the binary data string 18a-3 is represented by one of binary values of “0” or “1”, for example.
[0026]
The binary data is converted into first and second display patterns (for example, ■ and □) that can be identified by a bar code reader using optical means, for example, using the second conversion table 18b. These first and second display patterns are input to the barcode display area 37 on the display screen B by using the automatic input program 18c or the like.
[0027]
As described above, the barcode pattern 37a can be displayed on the display screen (7) as shown in FIG. 2 on the basis of the inputted barcode creation source data 35a.
[0028]
Next, the barcode displayed on the display screen of the display 7 is adjusted to a desired format and printed using the printer 3. For example, if the display screen (7: FIG. 2) is printed at a desired size by the printer 3, a document with a barcode can be created.
[0029]
Next, a procedure for actually creating a barcode pattern using the barcode creation technique according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.
[0030]
First, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the barcode creation technique according to the first embodiment for creating a barcode by painting a cell area for data input such as spreadsheet software into a black area and a white area separately. I will explain. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a barcode creation procedure according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a display example of a barcode pattern created according to the flow of FIG.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, first, spreadsheet software is started on the PC in step S1. As shown in FIG. 4A, an initial screen 41 of spreadsheet software having a large number of cells 43a and 43b is displayed. However, on the initial screen, all the cells are white.
[0032]
Next, in step S2, the barcode creation macro is activated. In step S3, for example, the barcode data on the display screen is input to the barcode input area 35 (FIG. 2). The barcode creation macro may be automatically activated when data is input to the barcode input area (for example, when the cursor is placed on the barcode input area 35).
[0033]
In step S4, by converting the barcode data into binary data according to the procedure described with reference to FIG. 1, a data string formed by binary data (for example, “0” and “1”) is created. it can. Here, if the process of blacking a cell is performed only in the case of “1”, a pattern 43b in which only a predetermined cell is blacked as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed. Other areas are white patterns 43a. The pattern width at this time can be set to an arbitrary value on the spreadsheet software. The bar code is also separated by a wide white boundary pattern 43c. Next, for example, when the cell boundary line is erased, barcodes 45a to 45d can be displayed as shown in FIG. If necessary, it can be printed on a slip or a sticker using the printer 3 (FIG. 1).
[0034]
By using the barcode generation technique according to the first embodiment, a barcode can be easily generated by using a matrix-like cell display that is an initial screen of spreadsheet software.
[0035]
Next, a barcode creation technique according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a barcode creation procedure using the graph creation function of the spreadsheet software, and FIG. 6A shows an example of binary data created using the procedure of FIG. FIG. 6B is a bar code using a graph created based on the table of FIG.
[0036]
In step S11, spreadsheet software is activated. Next, in step S12, the barcode creation macro is activated. When the barcode creation source data is input in step S13, the barcode creation source data is converted into binary data in step S14 as in the first embodiment. The order of the data string of binary data as X shown in the table in FIG. 6A is the first binary data in the data string indicated by 1 to 8, for example. In the column of Y, binary data corresponding to the value (position) of X is described and tabulated. Based on the table shown in FIG. 6A, a bar graph having an X-axis and a Y-axis is created as shown in FIG. 6B. A bar graph with a Y value of 1 is displayed at a position 51b on the X axis where the Y value is "1". A bar graph is not displayed at a position on the X axis where the value of Y is “0”. An arbitrary barcode pattern can be created using a pattern displayed by the bar graph and its interval.
[0037]
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are barcodes actually created by the above method. FIG. 7A shows a bar code in a state where a numerical value of the graph (a number from 0 to 1.2 is displayed on the Y axis) remains, and FIG. 7B shows a state after the numerical value is removed. It is a barcode.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the value of the first data string, for example, “012345789000000” is input to the bar code number 61a in the bar code input area 61, the bar code display area 63 is processed according to the procedure shown in FIG. A graph 63a is displayed inside. The displayed bar code 63a can be normally read using a general bar code reader. At this time, the position where the smallest value of x in the graph 63a is displayed can be read normally by separating it from the Y axis by about 3 mm.
[0039]
FIG. 7B shows an example in which another bar code number 65 a, for example, “49177015” is input to the bar code input area 65 and the bar code 67 a is displayed in the bar code display area 67. In this case, the Y-axis number is removed. Even when the graph shown in FIG. 7B was used, it was confirmed that the bar code functions normally.
[0040]
Next, a barcode creating technique according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a barcode creation procedure when a barcode creation macro is activated in a state where a word processor (word processor) according to the third embodiment of the present invention is activated. FIG. 9A is a display screen in a state where binary data is automatically input, and FIG. 9B is a display screen when the line spacing is reduced in FIG. 9A.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 8, first, word processor software is started in step S21. Next, in step S22, the barcode creation macro is activated. In step S23, the barcode data is input, and in step S24, the barcode data is converted into binary data. In step S25, □ and ■ are automatically distinguished from the binary data and displayed as shown in FIG. 9A. As shown in FIG. 9A, a column 71a and a column 71b are arranged from row 71-1 to row 71-7. That is, either ■ 71a or □ 71b is arranged in the column direction. Next, when the line spacing is reduced, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, a bar code in which black bars 73a and white bars 73b are arranged in the line direction is displayed.
[0042]
According to the barcode creation technique according to the third embodiment of the present invention, barcodes can be easily created by adding a few macros to the word processor software most commonly used on a PC. Can do.
[0043]
Next, a barcode creation technique according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. The barcode creation technique according to this modification is a technique for creating a two-dimensional barcode, and is an application example of the technique according to the third embodiment.
[0044]
The creation procedure is the same as the procedure shown in FIG. 8, but in the third embodiment, only either ■ 71a or □ 71b is arranged in the column direction, whereas in this modification, different data is also arranged in the column direction. It differs in that it includes a sequence procedure. That is, each of the binary data is allocated on the (x, y) coordinates. More specifically, a continuous binary data string is broken into lines with a predetermined number of columns (12 columns from the first column 83-1 to the twelfth column 83-12 in FIG. 10A). Can be specified in the macro. In this way, the data input areas arranged in the column direction (for example, from row 81-1 to row 81-12) and the row direction (for example, from column 83-1 to column 83-12) on the two-dimensional plane. In addition, the symbol 81a and the symbol 81b can be arbitrarily input using a word processor and a barcode creation macro.
[0045]
FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example in which the display shown in FIG. 10A is displayed with the intervals between the data narrowed in the row direction and the column direction. As shown in FIG. 10B, an arbitrary two-dimensional barcode pattern having, for example, 12 rows and 12 columns can be created simply by adding a simple macro to the word processor. If this two-dimensional barcode pattern is printed by a printer or the like, a two-dimensional barcode can be easily created.
[0046]
A two-dimensional barcode pattern may be created by assigning predetermined data to each cell from the initial screen of the spreadsheet software shown in the first embodiment.
[0047]
As described above, when the barcode creation technique according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used, a simple macro is added to a commonly used word processor or spreadsheet software to obtain a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. Code can be created with low cost and workload. In other words, a barcode can be created easily without using barcode-dedicated software as in the prior art.
[0048]
Next, a barcode creation technique according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A shows a part of the barcode displayed on the mobile terminal. FIGS. 11B and 11C are diagrams illustrating an operation of reading a barcode displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal using the barcode reader.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 11A, a mobile terminal (mobile phone) 90 according to the present embodiment includes a display screen (liquid crystal display device) 91, a power on / off button 92a / 92b, and a character / symbol input button 93. And an antenna 94 and a scroll button 95 capable of scrolling the display screen.
[0050]
For example, at least a part P1 of the barcode pattern can be displayed on the display screen 91 by inputting and displaying □ and ■ on the mobile phone 90 using the input button 93. Since the display screen of the mobile phone 90 is small, portions other than the part P1 of the barcode pattern are often hidden above or below the display screen 91.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 11 (B), the barcode pattern (part) P1 displayed on the display screen 91 of the mobile phone 90 can be directly read by the barcode reader 101. If the bar code pattern is displayed using the mobile phone 90 and can be read directly by the line sensor unit (103) of the bar code reader 101, the admission permission for an identification mark (ID) for identifying the person or an event is permitted. This is convenient because it can also be used for confirmation of product purchases.
[0052]
At this time, even if it is difficult to display all the barcode patterns in the reading direction due to the limitation of the size of the display screen, the pattern on the display screen 91 is scrolled by the scroll button 95 from the state shown in FIG. By displaying the hidden barcode pattern P2, all barcode patterns (for example, P1 + P2) can be read by the barcode reader 101.
[0053]
In this case, it is possible to read the barcode pattern by moving the barcode reader 101. However, the relative position between the barcode reader 101 and the mobile phone 90 is fixed and the scroll button 95 is used to carry the barcode pattern. It is also possible to read the barcode by scrolling the barcode pattern displayed on the display screen 91 of the telephone 90 in the reading direction.
[0054]
Further, even if all the above operations are not performed on the cellular phone 90, for example, a binary data string for creating a barcode pattern is created by, for example, a PC, and is then wirelessly or wired to the cellular phone. It can also be sent. In this case, the mobile phone only needs to have a function of creating a barcode pattern based on the received binary data string. Alternatively, a bar code pattern can be created on a mobile phone, and the data can be transferred to the mobile phone and then printed with a size adjusted. If a printer having a wireless data reception function is used, data can be directly transmitted from the mobile phone to the printer for printing. If a function for enlarging or reducing the display is added to the mobile phone, a pattern in accordance with the barcode standard can be easily created. In the case of a simple bar code such as simple JIS, it can be read without scrolling.
[0055]
Note that the mobile terminal in this specification is not limited to a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), but is a broad concept including, for example, an electronic device having a communication function in a digital camera or the like.
[0056]
As described above, according to the barcode creation technique according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a barcode pattern can be easily created even in a portable terminal such as a cellular phone.
[0057]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated along embodiment, this invention is not restrict | limited to these. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other various modifications, improvements, and combinations can be made.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
By using the barcode creation technology of the present invention, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode can be reduced by adding a simple macro to a word processor or spreadsheet software generally used on a PC. A barcode can be created with the amount of work. That is, a barcode can be easily created without using conventional barcode creation dedicated software.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a barcode creation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of a display screen on which a barcode pattern is displayed using the barcode generation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a barcode pattern creation procedure using the barcode creation system according to the first example of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an example of a barcode pattern created using the barcode creation system according to the first example of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 (A) displays cells of spreadsheet software; 4B is a display example of the barcode pattern at the stage where the cell is deleted.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a barcode pattern creation procedure using the barcode creation system according to the second example of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for creating a barcode pattern using the barcode creation system according to the second example of the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a number indicating the order of the binary data string is input in the X column of the cell and each binary data value is input in the Y column. It is the example of a display which displayed the bar graph on the XY coordinate according to the input value of (A).
FIGS. 7A and 7B are examples of barcodes actually created using the barcode creation system according to the second example of the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the original data for barcode creation is also displayed.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a barcode pattern creation procedure using the barcode creation system according to the third example of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an example of a barcode pattern created using the barcode creation system according to the third example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A shows two types of rectangular data by word processing software. FIG. 9B is a display example of the barcode pattern at the stage where the column interval between the rectangular data is shortened.
FIG. 10 is an example of a barcode pattern created using a barcode creation system according to a modification of the third example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A shows two types of barcode patterns using word processing software. 9B is a display example of a two-dimensional barcode pattern at a stage where the rectangular data is displayed, and FIG. 9B is a display example of a two-dimensional barcode pattern at a stage where the row spacing and column spacing between the rectangular data are reduced. .
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of a barcode creation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIGS. 11B and 11C are diagrams illustrating a procedure for reading a barcode on a display screen of a mobile phone with a barcode reader.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer PC (information processing apparatus), 3 ... Printer, 5 ... Keyboard (input device), 7 ... Display (display screen), 11 ... PC main body, 15 ... Control part, 17 ... Storage device (bird disk), 17a ... Database engine, 17b ... Database, 18a-1 ... First conversion table, 18a-2 ... First data, 18a-3 ... Second data string, 18b ... Second conversion table, 18c ... Automatic input program, 21 ... Spreadsheet software, 25 ... Barcode creation macro, 31 ... Data display, 35 ... Barcode input area, 35a ... Barcode creation source data, 37 ... Barcode (pattern) display area, 37a ... Barcode pattern, 41 ... Data input screen of spreadsheet software, 43a, 43b ... cells with different identities, 43c ... barcode pattern , 45, 45a to 45d ... Bar code pattern example, 51a ... Area where bar graph is not displayed, 51b ... Area where bar graph is displayed, 61, 65 ... Bar code creation source data input area, 61a, 65a ... Bar code Source data, 63, 67 ... Bar code (pattern) display area, 63a, 67a ... Bar code pattern, 90 ... Mobile phone, 91 ... Display screen, 95 ... Scroll button, P1 ... Part of barcode pattern, 101 ... Bar code reader, 103 ... reading area, P2 ... part of the bar code pattern.

Claims (2)

Barcode creation software that uses the graph creation function of spreadsheet software,
Starting spreadsheet software;
A step of activating a barcode creation macro;
In response to the input of the barcode creation source data, the barcode creation source data is associated in advance. A step of converting to a binary data string comprising binary data consisting of “0” and “1”, wherein the binary data string is in the order of X values, and the binary value corresponding to the X value A step of tabulating data as Y;
A step of creating a bar graph having an X axis and a Y axis based on the table and having a numerical value of the graph remaining on the Y axis, wherein the Y value is “1”. A bar graph is displayed at the position of, and a bar graph is displayed using a pattern displayed by the bar graph and its interval by not displaying the bar graph at the position on the X axis where the Y value is “0”. Creating a bar code for causing the computer to execute a step of creating the position where the smallest value of X is displayed in the bar graph so as to be about 3 mm away from the Y axis. Software . The barcode creation software according to claim 1, wherein the creating step further includes a step of removing a numerical value of the graph from a state where the numerical value of the graph remains .

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