Barcode printing device, method, and computer program product for printing barcodes

Abstract

A barcode printing device, method, and computer program product for printing barcodes are provided. The barcode printing device includes a printer that defines a printable area for printing barcodes on a substrate, and a scanner for scanning barcodes printed on the substrate. The barcode printing device comprises a control unit, which is operably connected to the printer and the scanner, and is configured to perform the following steps: a) instruct the printer to print barcodes at different barcode positions within the printable area on the substrate; b) obtain scans of the barcodes printed on the substrate from the scanner; and c) compare the barcodes in each scan until at least a mismatch is identified for each barcode with respect to the information for that barcode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Background The present invention relates to a barcode printing device and method for printing barcodes.

Background Art

[0002] French Patent Application Publication No. 2682512A1 discloses a process for automatically preventing barcode printing defects in a printer, the printing head of which includes a number of juxtaposed dot printing members that tend to be individually defective. Before printing, an electronic circuit is used to detect the state of the microresistors of the printing head, and that state is stored in a control data table. Subsequently, the successive positions of the barcode are virtually compared to the positions of the defective printing members in order to determine positions offset laterally of the barcode where none of the defective printing members are used to print one of the bars of the barcode. By this process, the printing of the barcode can be shifted to the right or left using only the microresistors that function well for printing the bars.

[0003] Summary of the Invention The drawback of known barcode printers and processes is that they only attempt to shift the barcode in order to avoid defective dot printing members and still print the barcode successfully despite the defective dot printing members. This may be acceptable for most barcode applications where having a readable barcode is the only important requirement. However, in the field of printing labels, pouches or other substrates with drug information, barcode printers are used to print not only barcodes but also important patient-related information that is human-readable to the patient. A shifted barcode may still be readable, but nevertheless, the defective dot printing members may introduce blank lines in the important patient information.

[0004] In addition, an electronic circuit for detecting a defective dot printing member may not be able to reliably identify all types of defects, for example, defects related to dirt on the substrate on which the barcode is printed or the absence of the substrate.

[0005] Finally, the available printing area may be limited and / or in the layout or design of the information to be printed, a dedicated printer may not always be able to print a verification pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a barcode printing device, method, and computer program product for printing a barcode, and it is possible to determine and / or improve the quality of information printed by the barcode printing device.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a barcode printing device including a printer for defining a printable area for printing a barcode on a substrate and a scanner for scanning the barcode printed on the substrate, the barcode printing device comprising a control unit, the control unit being operably connected to the printer and the scanner and configured to perform the following steps, namely a) instructing the printer to print the barcode at different barcode positions within the printable area on the substrate; b) obtaining from the scanner a scan of the barcode printed on the substrate; c) comparing the barcode in each scan with the information for each respective barcode until at least a mismatch is identified.

[0008] By printing barcodes at different barcode positions, different portions of the printable area are used sequentially to receive the bars of the barcode. Therefore, small malfunctions within the printer that occur locally at specific positions within the printable area tend to be discovered early, for example, after printing a limited number of barcodes at various barcode positions. By scanning the barcode and comparing the scan with the information stored for said barcode, malfunctions that should not be detectable by simply analyzing the state of the printer can be determined or identified.

[0009] Moreover, instead of avoiding malfunctions that may affect the readability of other information printed with the same printer, appropriate actions can be taken to repair the malfunctions as quickly as possible. Therefore, the overall print quality can be improved not only for barcodes but also for other information printed by the same printer, such as important human-readable patient information.

[0010] Also, by using the barcode itself as a verification for print quality, no separate or dedicated verification pattern is required within the printable area.

[0011] In one embodiment, the barcode printing device further includes a database unit for storing information about the barcode printed on the substrate, and the control unit is operably connected to the database unit to compare the barcode in each scan with the information stored in the database unit for each respective barcode. The database unit can be configured to store information about a plurality of barcodes in a structured manner. The database unit can be a separate unit or part of the control unit, for example, in the form of a database within a memory integrated into the control unit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to interrupt the printing of barcodes when a discrepancy is identified. Therefore, any further barcodes and associated human-readable information can be prevented from being printed until the fault is repaired.

[0013] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to generate a notification when a discrepancy is identified. The notification can point out the fault to the operator and assist in its repair. The notification can, for example, visualize the location of the fault in the scanning of each barcode or identify the location of the fault within the printer.

[0014] In another embodiment, the printer includes a printhead having an array of printing members juxtaposed laterally to define the width of the printable area, and the barcode position is shifted in the lateral direction. Therefore, different printing members within the array are used to print a series of barcodes.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the control unit is configured to shift the barcode position so that all printing members of the array of printing members are used at least once between a specific number of barcode prints, i.e., the number of barcodes printed. Specifically, the specific number of barcode prints is selected to be 100 or less, preferably 10 or less. Therefore, a local fault in one or more printing members can be detected as early as possible, for example, before the barcode is printed 10 times. The barcode position may be shifted gradually and / or in the same direction. The control unit may also determine or anticipate the overlap between individual bars of subsequent barcodes in the lateral direction and calculate the direction and magnitude of the shift required to address all printing members with the minimum number of barcodes. The shifts may therefore differ in magnitude and / or direction to use all printing members within the minimum number of printed barcodes.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the control unit is configured to identify a failed printing member within the array of printing members, which is the cause of the discrepancy, based on the location of said discrepancy in each scan. Therefore, rather than relying on means for detecting the state of individual printing members, the location of the discrepancy detected within each scan can be used to associate the printing member causing the discrepancy with the location, for example, by comparing the lateral position of the discrepancy within the printable area with the known lateral position of the printing member relative to the printable area.

[0017] In a further embodiment, each printing member of the array of printing members includes one of a thermal printing member, an ink printing member, a toner printing member, a resistor or a nozzle. The barcode printing device may thus detect discrepancies as a result of malfunctions, such as defective resistors, clogged nozzles and / or dirt, in the printers, particularly those printing members listed above.

[0018] In another embodiment, the printer is arranged to output a string of pouches, the substrate is formed by the string, and each pouch comprises one barcode. The barcode printing member can thus prevent the printer from continuing to print the string of pouches after a discrepancy has been detected that may affect the readability of the information printed on said pouch.

[0019] In another embodiment, the control unit includes a processing device and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that holds an instruction to cause the control unit to execute steps a), b) and c) when performed by the processing device. In other words, the control unit can be adapted, configured and / or programmed to execute the aforementioned steps using software loaded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0020] According to a second aspect, a method for printing a barcode on a substrate is provided, the method comprising the following steps, namely a) Instruct the printer to print barcodes at different barcode positions within the printable area on the substrate; b) Compare each barcode until at least a mismatch is identified with respect to the information for that barcode.

[0021] The method relates to the actual mounting of the barcode printing device and thus has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0022] In one embodiment, the printing of the barcode is interrupted when a mismatch is identified.

[0023] In another embodiment, a notification is generated when a mismatch is identified.

[0024] In another embodiment, the printer includes a printhead having an array of printing members juxtaposed horizontally to define the width of the printable area, and the barcode position is shifted in the horizontal direction.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the barcode position is shifted so that all printing members of the array of printing members are used at least once during a specific number of barcode printings. Specifically, the specific number of barcode printings is selected to be 100 or less, preferably 10 or less.

[0026] In a further embodiment, a malfunctioning printing member within the array of printing members that is the cause of the mismatch is identified based on the position of the mismatch in the printable area.

[0027] In another embodiment, the printer outputs a string of pouches, the substrate is formed by the string, and each pouch includes one barcode.

[0028] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product including a non-transitory computer-readable medium that holds an instruction to cause a control unit of a barcode printing device according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect to execute steps of a method according to any one of the embodiments of the second aspect when being performed by a processing device.

[0029] In other words, the control unit can be adapted, configured, and / or programmed to execute the aforementioned steps using software loaded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0030] The various aspects and features described and shown in this specification can be applied individually as much as possible. These individual aspects, specifically the aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, can be the subject of divisional patent applications.

[0031] Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be described based on exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying schematic diagrams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Detailed Description of the Invention FIG. 1 shows a barcode printing device 1 for printing barcodes B1 to B9 on a substrate 9. In this example, the substrate 9 is formed by or is a string 90 of pouches 91 to 99, specifically pouches for receiving individual pharmaceuticals (not shown) in the pharmaceutical industry. Each pouch 91 to 99 has one barcode B1 to B9 unique to the respective pouch 91 to 99. Due to the schematic nature of FIGS. 1 to 4, not all of the barcodes B1 to B9 shown are necessarily unique, but it should be noted that in practice they should normally be unique. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each pouch 91 to 99 further includes patient - relevant information I important to the human - readable patient.

[0034] Alternatively, the substrate 9 is formed by the surface of an object such as a label, a sticker, or a liquid medicine bottle or a tablet case.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the barcode printing device 1 includes a printer 2, a scanner 3, a database unit 4, and a control unit 5. The control unit is operably and / or electronically connected to the printer 2, the scanner 3, and the database unit 4.

[0036] The printer 2 includes a print head 20 that defines a printable area A for printing barcodes B1 to B9 on the substrate 9. More specifically, the print head 20 includes a row or array of printing members 21 to 29 arranged, adjacent to, or juxtaposed in the lateral direction L. In FIG. 1, nine printing members 21 to 29 are shown, but in practice there may be considerably more printing members, for example, more than 100 or more than 250 printing members. The array of printing members 21 to 29 defines the width W of the printable area A. The print head 20 is fixed such that the printable area A remains stationary or substantially stationary in the lateral direction L with respect to the substrate 9.

[0037] The printing members 21 to 29 may be thermal printing members, ink printing members, toner printing members, or the like. The printing members 21 to 29 may include resistors, micro-resistors, or nozzles.

[0038] The scanner 3 includes sensing or imaging means, such as a camera, for acquiring optical images or scans S1 to S9 of barcodes B1 to B9. Alternatively, the scan line may be projected onto the barcodes B1 to B9 by a scan line emitter (not shown), such as a laser, in which case the scans S1 to S9 may be just a single line instead of an image. In the situation shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 3 is positioned at a certain distance downstream of the printer 2. Ideally, the scanner 3 is positioned downstream but as close as possible to the printer 2 so that any errors can be detected early.

[0039] The database unit 4 is configured to store information about barcodes B1 to B9 printed on the substrate 9 and / or scans S1 to S9 received from the scanner 3, that is, in the cross-reference table 40. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the table 40 may have a first row that holds sequence numbers (#1 to #9), for example, the order in which the barcodes B1 to B9 were printed, so that it can be referred to for later use. In this example, the second row marked "B" stores information on the barcodes B1 to B9. In this example, the third row marked "S" stores the scans S1 - S9. The information about the barcodes B1 to B9 may include a visual display of the barcodes B1 to B9 to be printed, the information represented by the barcodes B1 to B9, the print instructions sent to the printer 2 for printing each of the barcodes B1 to B9, and / or a visual display of the barcodes B1 to B9 that should have been printed based on the print instructions.

[0040] It will be understood that the information discussed above can be represented in many different forms and is not limited to the rows and table 40 as shown. The information does not necessarily have to be presented to the operator in a graphical form. Instead, the steps of storing, retrieving, comparing, analyzing, and controlling in response to the analysis may be performed internally without any visual display.

[0041] The control unit 5 includes a processing device 50 and a non - transitory computer - readable medium 51. The computer - readable medium 51 is a non - transitory or tangible physical data carrier such as a hard drive, a USB drive, a RAM memory, or the like. The computer - readable medium 51 is configured to receive and / or hold an instruction that, when executed by the processing device 50, causes the control unit 5 to control the barcode printing device 1 in a manner described in more detail below. As a result, the computer - readable medium 51 can be regarded as part of a computer program product that includes the non - transitory computer - readable medium 51.

[0042] Next, a method for printing barcodes B1 - B9 on the substrate 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 4.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a situation where the control unit 5 sends an instruction to the printer 2 to print barcodes B1 - B9 on the substrate 9, in this example, on the string 90 of pouches 91 - 99. Specifically, the control unit 5 instructs the printer 2 to print barcodes B1 - B9 at different barcode positions P1 - P9 within the printable area A. The barcode positions P1 - P9 are shifted in the lateral direction L such that different printing members 21 - 29 are activated, operated, and / or used sequentially to print barcodes B1 - B9 at different barcode positions P1 - P9. The print instructions sent to the printer 2 to print each of the barcodes B1 - B9, and / or the visual representation of the barcodes B1 - B9 that should have been printed based on the print instructions, are stored in the database unit 4, specifically in row "B" of table 40, and linked or associated with the sequence numbers #1 - #9 within the same table 40.

[0044] Figure 1 further shows that the scanner 3 is used to acquire scans S1 to S9 of barcodes B1 to B9 printed on the substrate 9. The scans S1 to S9 are stored in the database unit 4, specifically in the row "S" of Table 40, and are linked or associated with the sequence numbers #1 to #9 within the same Table 40.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, for each combination of barcodes B1 to B9 and scans S1 to S9, the control unit 5 is configured to compare the barcodes B1 to B9 within each scan S1 to S9 with the information stored in the database unit 4 for each of the barcodes B1 to B9. Specifically, the control unit 5 is configured to detect a mismatch between the information stored in the database unit 4 for each of the barcodes B1 to B9 and the actually printed and scanned barcodes B1 to B9.

[0046] Figure 2 shows the scan S4 of the pouch 94 with the barcode B4 printed at the barcode position P4 by the properly functioning printer 2. Therefore, the barcode B4 is printed perfectly without any errors. The same applies to the patient information I printed within the printable area A below the barcode B4.

[0047] Figure 3 shows, for comparison purposes, the same scan S4 with the same barcode B4, but printed by the malfunctioning printer 2. Specifically, the printhead 20 has two defective lines or blank lines F1, F2, which are two defective or defective printing members (not shown) that appear in the printable area A. The first blank line F1 does not pass through the barcode B4 at all, and the second blank line F2 passes through a part of the barcode B4, which is not occupied by the bars of the barcode B4 or only partially occupied. Therefore, the comparison with the barcode information related to the barcode B4 in the table 40 of the database unit 4, schematically shown in Figure 3 under the pouch 94, does not identify any discrepancies. The inability to detect the blank lines F1, F2 is schematically indicated by question marks indicating the inner and outer areas of the affected barcode B4. Although the barcode B4 is printed so that no discrepancies are detected, the blank lines F1, F2 overlap an important part of the patient information I below the barcode B4. Specifically, the amount of capsules to be ingested and the frequency of ingesting the capsules cannot be read.

[0048] Figure 4 shows the scan of another barcode B7, which is printed after the barcode B4 in Figure 3, with the same malfunctioning printer 2 having two defective lines, i.e., blank lines F1, F2, at the same position within the printable area A. However, the barcode B7 in Figure 4 is shifted by a shift X from the barcode position P4 in Figure 3 to the barcode position P7 in Figure 4 with respect to the barcode B4 in Figure 3. The shift X in Figure 4 may be the result or accumulation of a gradual shift of the barcode positions P1 - P9 for each successive printed barcode B1 - B9. Alternatively, the control unit 5 may determine or predict the overlap between the individual bars of the horizontally consecutive barcodes B1 - B9 and calculate the direction and magnitude of the shift X necessary to address all the printing members 21 - 29 with the minimum number of barcodes B1 - B9. The shift X may therefore differ in magnitude and / or direction.

[0049] The barcode positions P1 to P9 are shifted such that, within a specific number of barcodes, for example, for each of the barcodes B1 to B9 of 10 or less, all of the printing members 21 to 29 of the array of printing members 21 to 29 are used at least once for the printing of the barcodes B1 to B9. In this example, the barcodes B1 to B9 are gradually shifted in one direction in 6 steps across the full width W of the printable area A, and then the process is repeated.

[0050] The barcode B7 printed as shown in the scan S7 in FIG. 4 is compared by the control unit 5 with the information associated with said barcode B7 in table 40 of the database unit 4 schematically shown in FIG. 4 under the pouch 97. Due to being shifted to the barcode position P7, the blank lines F1, F2 here overlap with the bars of the barcode B7, thereby resulting in two clearly identifiable differences or discrepancies D1, D2 between the barcode B7 in the scan S7 and the information associated with said barcode B7, as schematically indicated by exclamation marks in FIG. 4.

[0051] The control unit 5 is configured to take appropriate action when detecting the discrepancies D1, D2. Such action may be to perform a cleaning operation automated by the print head 20, to instruct the printer 2 to perform a self-diagnosis, and / or to interrupt the printing. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 5 may be configured to send a notification, such as a graphical notification or an audible alarm. The control unit 5 may be further configured to identify the printing members 21 to 29 within the array of printing members 21 to 29 that are the cause of the discrepancies D1, D2 based on the positions of said discrepancies D1, D2 within their respective scans S1 to S9. The operator can then repair the fault and then resume printing.

[0052] The pouches 91 to 99 that have already been printed before the discrepancy is identified may be removed from the process and can be reproduced again once the fault is repaired.

[0053] It should be understood that the above is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. From the above discussion, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications should be further included within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] Explanation of Reference Numerals 1 Barcode printing device 2 Printer 20 Print head 21 - 29 Printing members 3 Scanner 4 Database unit 40 Table 5 Control unit 50 Processing device 51 Computer - readable non - transitory memory 9 Substrate 90 String 91 - 99 Pouches A Printable area B1 - B9 Barcodes D1, D2 Discrepancy F1, F2 Poor printing lines I Patient information L Horizontal direction P1 - P9 Barcode positions S1 - S9 Scanning X Shift W Width

Claims

1. A barcode printing device (1) comprising a printer (2) including a print head (20) having an array of printing members (21-29) defining a printable area (A) for printing barcodes (B1-B9) on a substrate (9), and a scanner (3) for scanning the barcodes (B1-B9) printed on the substrate (9), wherein the barcode printing device (1) comprises a control unit (5), the control unit (5) is operatively connected to the printer (2) and the scanner (3), and the following steps, namely a) instructing the printer (2) to print the barcodes (B1-B9) at different barcode positions (P1-P9) within the printable area (A) on the substrate (9); b) obtaining scans (S1-S9) of the barcodes (B1-B9) printed on the substrate (9) from the scanner (3); c) comparing the barcodes (B1-B9) in each scan (S1-S9) until at least a mismatch (D1, D2) is identified with the information for the respective barcodes (B1-B9), the control unit (5) being configured to shift the barcode positions (P1-P9) such that all of the printing members (21-29) of the array of printing members (21-29) are used at least once during a specific number of barcode printing operations, the barcode printing device (1) being configured to perform the comparing.

2. The barcode printing device (1) further comprises a database unit (4) for storing information about the barcodes (B1-B9) printed on the substrate (9), the control unit (5) being operatively connected to the database unit (4) for comparing the barcodes (B1-B9) in each scan (S1-S9) with the information stored in the database unit (4) for the respective barcodes (B1-B9), the barcode printing device (1) according to claim 1.

3. The control unit (5) is configured to interrupt the printing of the barcodes (B1-B9) when the mismatch (D1, D2) is identified, the barcode printing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to generate a notification that the inconsistency (D1, D2) is identified.

5. The array of the printing members (21 to 29) is juxtaposed in the lateral direction (L) to define the width (W) of the printable area (A), and the barcode positions (P1 to P9) are shifted in the lateral direction (L). The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The specific number of barcode printing times is selected to be 100 times or less, preferably 10 times or less. The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The control unit (5) is configured to identify a malfunctioning printing member (21 to 29) in the array of the printing members (21 to 29) that is the cause of the inconsistency (D1, D2) based on the position of the inconsistency (D1, D2) in each of the scans (S1 to S9). The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Each of the printing members (21 to 29) of the array of the printing members (21 to 29) includes one of a thermal printing member, an ink printing member, a toner printing member, a resistor, or a nozzle. The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The printer (2) is arranged to output a string (90) of pouches (91 to 99), the substrate (9) is formed by the string (90), and each pouch (91 to 99) includes one barcode (B1 to B9). The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The control unit (5) includes a processing device (50) and a non-transitory computer-readable medium (51) that holds an instruction to cause the control unit (5) to execute steps a), b), and c) when performed by the processing device (50). The barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method for printing barcodes (B1 to B9) on a substrate (9), comprising the following steps, namely a) instructing the printer (2) to print the barcodes (B1 - B9) at different barcode positions (P1 - P9) within the printable area (A) on the substrate (9), wherein the printer (2) includes a printhead (20) having an array of printing members (21 - 29), and the barcode positions (P1 - P9) are shifted such that all of the printing members (21 - 29) of the array of printing members (21 - 29) are used at least once during a specific number of barcode printing times; b) comparing each barcode (B1 - B9) until at least a mismatch (D1, D2) is identified with the information for each respective barcode (B1 - B9). **Claim 12** The method according to claim 11, wherein the printing of the barcodes (B1 - B9) is interrupted when the mismatch (D1, D2) is identified. **Claim 13** The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a notification is generated when the mismatch (D1, D2) is identified. **Claim 14** The method according to any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein the array of printing members (21 - 29) is juxtaposed in a lateral direction (L) to define the width (W) of the printable area (A), and the barcode positions (P1 - P9) are shifted in the lateral direction (L). **Claim 15** The method according to any one of claims 11 - 14, wherein the specific number of barcode printing times is selected to be 100 times or less, preferably 10 times or less. **Claim 16** The method according to any one of claims 11 - 15, wherein the malfunctioning printing member (21 - 29) within the array of printing members (21 - 29), which is the cause of the mismatch (D1, D2), is identified based on the position of the mismatch (D1, D2) in the printable area (A). **Claim 17** The method according to any one of claims 11 - 16, wherein the printer (2) outputs a string (90) of pouches (91 - 99), the substrate (9) is formed by the string (90), and each pouch (91 - 99) comprises one barcode (B1 - B9). **Claim 18** A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium (51) that holds an instruction to cause a control unit (5) of a barcode printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to execute steps of a method according to any one of claims 11 to 17 when performed by a processing device (50).

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