Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to barcoding systems and more particularly to a self-checking system for computer generated barcodes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The U.P.C. or Universal Product Code is very widely used in the retail and wholesale trades, usually being applied to packages or labels in the form of a printed barcode which is machine readable by suitable scanners. The barcode also incorporates the U.P.C. in human readable form along a lower margin so as to permit manual entry of the code in the event of a scanning failure. The U.P.C. in barcode form is used extensively in inventory management, and point-of-sales (POS) systems. Further details of the U.P.C. specification are found in the “U.P.C. Symbol Specification Manual” published by Uniform Code Council, Inc. (1986). 
     Many retailers now penalize suppliers heavily if a barcode does not scan properly. In some cases, retailers refuse to order stock from a supplier when barcode errors have occurred too many times, resulting in significant losses for the supplier. The supplier in turn may penalize a designer, film-house, plate maker, or printer for defectively printed barcodes. The extent of the problem is discussed in articles by the inventor published in the trade journal “Canadian Packaging”, namely “The Get-Tough Approach” (May, 1992); “UPC Barcodes and the Desktop Revolution” (February, 1993); and “Desk-top Barcodes Revisited” (May, 1994). The generally similar EAN coding system is widely used in Europe. 
     Barcodes are also used to encode many other types of data where machine readability of such data from printed material is required, and accurate printing of such data is essential to readability. There are many factors that can compromise the readability of barcodes during scanning. Most involve distortions introduced during press and pre-press operations used to apply the barcode to a substrate, and substrate based problems. Additionally, the master from which the barcode is reproduced may be incorrectly used or specified, e.g. it may have been prepared for a different printing process from that actually used. 
     In the art, there are commercially available desktop design computer software programs, for example Adobe Illustrator™, Adobe PageMaker™, and Quark XPress™, for designing consumer packaging. Such programs are run on a computer system commonly referred to as a packaging design system. The packaging design system typically comprises a personal computer, such as a PC or Macintosh, and a PostScript™ imaging device. The packaging design system allows a designer to create a design for a consumer package and also place barcode markings on the consumer package. The elements of the barcode are defined in terms of PostScript™ commands which are contained in an Encapsulated PostScript™ (EPS) file, which is part of a document file generated by the desktop design computer software program. The PostScript™ language is an industry standard page description language which was developed by Adobe. The EPS file is outputted to a Raster Image Processor (RIP) in the PostScript™ imaging device. The RIP interprets the commands and directs the imaging device to generate the barcode defined by the designer through the commands. The imaging device produces the film separations which are used to make printing plates. In known manner, the printing plates are used to print the packages with the integrated barcode markings on the packaging. 
     The present invention provides a mechanism for testing barcodes generated by packaging design systems. The mechanism according to the invention permits a PostScript™ imaging device or PostScript™ RIP software package (e.g. Adobe Distiller™) to check compliance of the defined barcode with predetermined specifications and to indicate problems with the barcode which would result in a failed Certificate of Conformity and/or attendant non-compliance penalties. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a system for self-checking the electronic file from which a barcode is generated for possible modifications to the configuration of the barcode. 
     In one aspect, the present invention comprises an Encapsulated PostScript™ barcode file which includes an executable self-checking module which tests the barcode file for specification violations to the UPC barcode definition. The results of the self-checking operation are communicated to a checklist module. The checklist module is an executable module which generates a checklist that displays the test results. The checklist may be placed at any location, scaled, mirrored or rotated within the design document but in most cases adjacent to or outside the boundaries of the consumer packaging being designed. 
     In another aspect, the checklist may include additional information related to the barcode which is stored in the EPS file when it is created. The additional information includes Manufacturer, Date/Time created, Intended Printing Process, Product Description, Bar Color when created, Barcode Symbology, Size as Created, and Line Width Reduction specified or used. This information is also communicated to the checklist module and displayed by the checklist. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that the method of communicating and displaying the self-check test results is independent of the relative order of “placement” of the “checklist” and the EPS barcode file. Advantageously, this allows the desktop designer to create a packaging design and insert/delete checklists or barcodes at will. 
     In a first aspect, the present invention provides in a package design system having interactive input means and processing means for creating a package design bearing a barcode and an imaging output device for generating the barcode, wherein the barcode comprises a definition stored in an electronic file, a mechanism for determining compliance of the barcode definition in the electronic file, comprising: (a) means for accessing definition data in the electronic file for the barcode; (b) means for testing the definition data and producing test results; (c) means for storing the test results; and (d) means for outputting the test results. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides in a package design system having interactive input means and processing means for creating a package bearing a barcode and an imaging output device for generating the barcode, wherein the barcode comprises a definition stored in an electronic file, a method for determining compliance of the barcode definition in the electronic file, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating a definition for the barcode and storing the barcode definition in an electronic file; (b) running a check of selected parameters in the barcode definition and generating test results for checking the barcode definition before generating the barcode on the imaging output device; (c) outputting the test results to the imaging output device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a conventional barcode used to encode a Universal Product Code or UPC; 
     FIG. 2 shows a checklist generated by a self-checking system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 shows a screen display which appears when a checklist is placed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows the checklist which is displayed when a checklist is placed and a UPC barcode is not available for that checklist; 
     FIG. 5 shows an example of a non-compliant barcode; 
     FIG. 6 shows the checklist generated by the self-checking system according to the invention for the non-compliant barcode of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 shows an example of a marginally compliant barcode (i.e. imaged at too low a resolution); 
     FIG. 8 shows the checklist generated by the self-checking system for the barcode of FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 shows an example of a consumer package design document in which two different and non-compliant barcodes and their associated checklists have been placed on the same page in the document. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which shows a standard UPC barcode  10  according to the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the barcode  10  comprises a series of n parallel bars  12  of varying width which are separated by n−1 spaces indicated by reference  14 . The barcode  10  also includes two groups  16   a  and  16   b  of human readable characters which are disposed to both sides of tall center guard bars  18 , and located to the right of left guard bars  20   a  and to the left of right guard bars  20   b.  The guard bars  20   a,    20   b  provide respective data start and data stop boundaries for the barcode data. The two human readable character groups  16   a,    16   b  provide manufacturer information and product information, respectively. 
     As also shown in FIG. 1, the barcode  10  includes a left light margin  22   a  to the left of the left guard bars  20   a  and a right light margin  22   b  to the right of the right guard bars  20   b.  The barcode  10  also includes a numeric figure in the left margin indicated by reference numeral  24  and another numeric figure in the right margin  22   b  indicated by reference numeral  26 . The first numeric FIG. 24 provides a human readable reference to the numbering system which is utilized for encodification in the barcode  10 . The second numeric FIG. 26 provides another human readable reference which is used as a check digit for the barcode  10 . 
     In known manner, a barcode  10  of the type shown in FIG. 1 is generated using a film/print process, or by an electronic master in which the barcode is contained in an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript™) file which is stored on suitable data storage media. In the EPS file, the barcode is defined in terms of page description commands according to the industry standard PostScript™ language developed by Adobe. 
     As will now be described, the present invention provides a self-checking system and mechanism for ascertaining compliance of electronic barcodes, i.e. EPS barcode files, of the type generated by a packaging design system running a desktop design computer software program according to the art. Such a packaging design system comprises a general purpose computer (i.e. a PC or a Macintosh), a desktop design computer software program, and a PostScript™ imaging device, for example a PostScript™ capable printer. The PostScript™ imaging device includes a Raster Image Processor (RIP) which interprets PostScript™ language commands and directs the imaging device to generate the defined images. The desktop design computer software program comprises a commercially available software package, such as Adobe Illustrator™, Adobe PageMaker™, or QuarkXPress™, and enables a designer to create a consumer package design and place (i.e. image) barcodes on the consumer package. The consumer package created by the designer on the packaging design system is stored in a document file which includes an Encapsulated PostScript™ or EPS file. In known manner, the desktop design computer software program places the Encapsulated PostScript™ (EPS) file comprising PostScript™ commands which define the barcode for imaging into the document file. The imaged barcodes may be printed directly by the printer on paper, or a film sheet may be created which is used to make printing plates for printing the images with the barcode on the package panel. The EPS file is outputted to the RIP which interprets the commands and directs the imaging device to generate the packaging with the barcode. 
     The self-checking mechanism according to the invention also provides for a directory of barcodes and checklists to allow for the management of multiple barcodes and checklists in a document as will be described in more detail below. 
     The self-checking mechanism according to the invention comprises two components: a self-checking module; and an automated checklist module. Each module comprises an Encapsulated PostScript™ , or EPS, file. The self-checking module is contained in a barcode EPS which also includes code, i.e. PostScript™ commands, for generating the graphic elements comprising the barcode. As will be described in more detail below, the self-checking module performs a self-check of criteria which define the barcode, and the checklist module displays a checklist which shows the results of the self-checking operation. The self-checking EPS and the checklist EPS are placed in a document file for the desktop design computer software program as PostScript™ modules which are sent together with PostScript™ commands for generating the graphic elements of the entire page of the document containing the barcode to the Raster Image Processor (RIP) in the PostScript™ imaging device. 
     As will be familiar to those skilled in the art, an EPS document file contains certain required elements in the body of the file including a header, a screen preview, and a body. In addition to these required elements both the barcode self-checking EPS module and the checklist EPS module contain specific code elements which, when both present in the document file, permit for the self-checking of the barcode criteria and display of the results in a checklist as will now be described in more detail. 
     The self-checking module comprises code for performing the following operations: 
     (1) testing the defined barcode against predetermined criteria; 
     (2) creating a data dictionary which will hold results of the test; 
     (3) storing the test results in the dictionary; 
     (4) executing procedures to graphically display the results in checklist form regardless of the location, rotation or scale of the checklist. 
     The self-checking module also includes code for managing multiple barcodes and checklists in a single document, i.e. a consumer package design, as will be described in more detail below. 
     The predetermined criteria against which the barcode (as defined or modified by the designer) is tested and flagged as an error or as a caution (as indicated below) by the self-checking module include the following: 
     (1) overall reduction of the UPC barcode to below 80% magnification of nominal dimensions is flagged as a failure; 
     (2) enlargement of the UPC barcode to over 200% magnification of nominal dimensions is flagged as a failure; 
     (3) alteration of the barcode in terms of color used for the bars is flagged as a caution to test again; 
     (4) output resolution which is less than the minimum required resolution is flagged as a caution; 
     (5) truncation of the barcode by more than ±2 millimeters is flagged as a failure; 
     (6) inadequately sized quiet zones are flagged as a failure; 
     (7) an altered aspect ratio is flagged as a caution; 
     (8) truncated or clipped human readable characters are flagged as a failure; 
     (9) the minimum allowable cylindrical package diameter is noted for the barcode&#39;s actual size; and 
     (10) skew checking is flagged as a caution. 
     As will be described in more detail below, a failure flag results in a checklist ill of the form shown in FIG. 6 being generated, while a caution flag results in a checklist  121  of the form shown in FIG. 8 being generated by the checklist module. A barcode EPS which meets or complies with the test criteria results in a checklist  100  of the form shown in FIG. 2 being generated. 
     Reference is now made to the accompanying pseudo code which describes the self-checking module and checklist module in further detail. 
     The self-checking module for the barcode EPS may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. In the pseudo code, data-structures and functions are denoted by italics. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  1: 
                 &lt;EPS Header&gt; 
               
               
                  2: 
                 if (RIP is Level 2 or higher) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  3: 
                 if (no barcodes and no check-lists have yet been placed in 
               
               
                   
                 the PostScript document) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  4: 
                 &lt;declare the shared variables in global VM (i.e. 
               
               
                   
                 number of barcodes, number of checklists, number of 
               
               
                   
                 checklists completed, number of barcodes waiting to 
               
               
                   
                 be documented)&gt; 
               
               
                  5: 
                 &lt;define procedures in global VM called by both check- 
               
               
                   
                 lists and barcodes&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                  6: 
                 end if 
               
               
                  7: 
                 if (no other barcodes have been placed in the PostScript 
               
               
                   
                 document) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  8: 
                 &lt;declare the barcode directory in global VM&gt; 
               
               
                  9: 
                 &lt;define procedures in global VM for logging info into 
               
               
                   
                 barcode directory&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                 10: 
                 end if 
               
               
                 11: 
                 &lt;define variables which contain this barcode&#39;s parameters 
               
               
                   
                 (i.e. size, LWR (Line Width Reduction), printing process, 
               
               
                   
                 bar colors, product description, etc.); this section is 
               
               
                   
                 created when the barcode is generated.&gt; 
               
               
                 12: 
                 &lt;write barcode&#39;s parameters into barcode directory&gt; 
               
               
                 13: 
                 &lt;perform sizing tests and write test results into barcode 
               
               
                   
                 directory&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                 14: 
                 end if 
               
               
                 15: 
                 &lt;image the barcode&gt; 
               
               
                 16: 
                 if (RIP is Level 2 or higher) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                 17: 
                 &lt;call check-list drawing procedure for all barcodes not yet 
               
               
                   
                 check-listed while unused check-lists are available&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                 18: 
                 end if 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the pseudo-code listing, the top portion of the self-checking module comprises the EPS header (Line  1 ). The first operation in the self-checking module involves checking if the Raster Image Processor (RIP) in the PostScript™ imaging device is Level  2  or higher (Line  2 ). (This particular implementation is only fully functional on a RIP with at least a Level  2  capability.) If the RIP is not Level  2  or higher, the self-checking operations are bypassed and the barcode is simply imaged without performing a self-check or generating a checklist according to the invention (Line  15 ). On the other hand, if the RIP is Level  2 , then the self-checking operations are performed as described below. 
     The first operation in the self-checking operation involves determining if any barcodes or checklists have been already placed in the document file produced by the desktop design system for the consumer packaging design (Line  3 ). If no barcodes or checklists have been placed in the document file, then the shared variables are declared in global virtual memory or VM (Line  4 ). The shared variables include the following: number of barcodes, number of checklists, number of checklists completed and number of barcodes waiting to be documented. Next, the procedures which will be called by the self-checking module and the checklist module are defined in global virtual memory (Line  5 ). 
     If there are no barcodes that have been placed in the barcode EPS file (Line  7 ), i.e. this is the first barcode being placed in the document file, then a barcode directory is created (i.e. declared) in global VM (Line  8 ). The barcode directory provides the capability to manage multiple barcodes in the desktop consumer packaging design system, and as will be described, a checklist directory is also provided for managing corresponding multiple checklists. Accordingly, every time a barcode or checklist is encountered in the document file, a check is made if the barcode or checklist is the first entry in the respective directory. Next, the procedures for logging into the barcode directory are defined (Line  9 ). 
     Next, the variables which contain the parameters for the barcode are defined (Line  11 ). The barcode parameters include size, Line Width Reduction or LWR, printing process, bar colors, product description. The barcode parameters are defined when the barcode is generated. Next, the barcode parameters are entered for the barcode in the barcode directory (Line  12 ). The next operation in Line  13  involves performing the actual self-checking tests. The self-checking tests comprise checking the barcode specification against predetermined criteria, such as criteria (1) to (10) described above, and pseudo-code for the size test, the aspect ratio test, the skew test, the truncation test, the quiet zone test and the human readable test is provided below. The test results are written into the entry for the barcode in the barcode directory. The next step (Line  15 ) involves imaging the barcode. As described above, if the RIP is not Level  2  or higher, the self-checking module moves directly to this step. Upon completion of the self-checking operations, control moves to the checklist module which generates a checklist as described below. 
     As described above, one of the tests performed by the self-checking module is Size Check test which involves determining if the UPC barcode  10  (FIG. 1) has been scaled down to less than 80% or up to more than 200%. The Size Check test may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  1: 
                 &lt;define a length function L(V)&gt; 
               
               
                  2: 
                 &lt;define a vector oriented in the X-axis; call it X&gt; 
               
               
                  3: 
                 &lt;transform X by the CTM; call the resultant vector XR&gt; 
               
               
                  4: 
                 if (L(XR/L(X)*mag &gt; 2.00) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  5: 
                 tooLargeFlag = TRUE 
               
               
                  6: 
                 toosmallFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                  7: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                  8: 
                 tooLargeFlag = FALSE 
               
               
                  9: 
                 if (L(XR)/L(X)*mag &lt; 0.8) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                 10: 
                 toosmallFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 11: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 12: 
                 toosmallFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 13: 
                 end if 
               
             
          
           
               
                 14: 
                 end if 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the above pseudo code listing, a vector length function is defined and called L(V) (Line  1 ), and a non-zero length X-axis test vector is constructed and called X (Line  2 ). The X-axis test vector is transformed by a current transformation matrix (CTM) and the transformed vector is called XR (Line  3 ). Next, the vector length function L(X) is executed and the length L(XR) is calculated (Line  4 ). Then the ratio L(XR):L(X) is calculated, and multiplied by the original magnification of the UPC barcode  10  when created (referred to as “mag” above) (Line  4 ). The result of this calculation is compared to 2.0 (i.e. 200%) as shown in Line  4 . The result is also compared to 0.8 (i.e. 80%) in Line  9 . The comparisons performed in Line  4  and Line  9  essentially determine the actual magnification of the UPC barcode  10  is determined after adjusting for the factor introduced by the transformation matrix CTM. 
     The UPC Aspect Ratio test involves determining if the aspect ratio for the UPC barcode  10  (FIG. 1) has changed. The UPC Aspect Ratio test may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  1: 
                 &lt;define a length function L(V)&gt; 
               
               
                  2: 
                 &lt;define a vector oriented in the X-axis; call it X&gt; 
               
               
                  3: 
                 &lt;transform X by the CTM; call the resultant vector XR&gt; 
               
               
                  4: 
                 &lt;define a vector oriented in the Y-axis; call it Y&gt; 
               
               
                  5: 
                 &lt;transform Y by the CTM; call the resultant vector YR&gt; 
               
               
                  6: 
                 squashedFlag = FALSE 
               
               
                  7: 
                 tallFlag = FALSE 
               
               
                  8: 
                 if (L(YR) = 0) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  9: 
                 squashedFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 10: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 11: 
                 if (L(XR)/L(YR) &lt; 1.00) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                 12: 
                 tallFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 13: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 14: 
                 if (L(XR)/L(YR) &gt; 1.00) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                 15: 
                 squashedFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 16: 
                 end if 
               
             
          
           
               
                 17: 
                 end if 
               
             
          
           
               
                 18: 
                 end if 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the pseudo code listing shown above, a vector length function is defined as L(V) (Line  1 ) and a non-zero length X-axis vector is constructed and called X (Line  2 ). The X-axis vector X is transformed by the current transformation matrix CTM and called XR (Line  3 ). Another non-zero length test vector oriented in the Y-axis is constructed and called Y (Line  4 ). The vector Y is transformed by the transformation matrix CTM and the resultant vector is called YR (Line  5 ). Flags “squashedFlag” and “tallFlag” are cleared (Lines  6  and  7 , respectively). If the length of the Y-axis vector Y is zero (Line  8 ), then the flag “squashedFlag” is set to TRUE to indicate that the UPC barcode  10  has been compressed. Otherwise, the ratio of the vector lengths L(XR):L(YR) is calculated (Line  11 ) and compared to 1.00 (i.e. equal distortions in both axis—Lines  11  and  14 ). 
     The UPC Skew test involves determining if a UPC barcode  10  (FIG. 1) is skewed. The UPC Skew test may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  1: 
                 &lt;define a dot-product function D(V1, V2)&gt; 
               
               
                  2: 
                 &lt;define a vector oriented in the X-axis; call it X&gt; 
               
               
                  3: 
                 &lt;transform X by CTM; call the resultant vector XR&gt; 
               
               
                  4: 
                 &lt;define a vector oriented in the Y-axis; call it Y&gt; 
               
               
                  5: 
                 &lt;transform Y by CTM; call the resultant vector YR&gt; 
               
               
                  6: 
                 if (D(XR,YR) ≠ 0) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  7: 
                 skewedFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                  8: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                  9: 
                 skewedFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 10: 
                 endif 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the pseudo code for the UPC Skew test, a vector dot-product function is defined as D(V 1 , V 2 ) (Line  1 ), and a non-zero length X-axis test vector is constructed and called X (Line  2 ). The vector X is transformed by the current transformation matrix CTM (Line  3 ) and the resultant vector is called XR. Then a test vector Y oriented in the Y-axis is constructed (Line  4 ) . The test vector Y is transformed by the transformation matrix CTM (Line  5 ) and the resultant vector is called YR. Next the dot-product function D(V 1 , V 2 ) is calculated and compared to zero (Line  6 ). Since the dot-product of the two perpendicular vectors XR and YR will be zero, the result of the dot-product calculation provides an indication if the transformation matrix CTM skews the axis of the UPC barcode  10  away from orthogonal. 
     The Truncation test involves determining if a UPC barcode  10  (FIG. 1) is truncated. The Truncation test may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1: 
                 &lt;test points 2 mm below top of barcode for insideness using the 
               
               
                   
                 “infill” command&gt; 
               
               
                 2: 
                 if (all test points are inside) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 3: 
                 truncatedFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 4: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 5: 
                 truncatedFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 6: 
                 endif 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the above pseudo code, the Truncation test utilizes a native command, i.e. “infill”, in the PostScript™ level  2  language which allows a point be tested against the current clipping path to determine if the point is “inside” the path, i.e. visible or not (Line  2 ). The truncation testing involves determining if any of the points across the top of the bars in the UPC barcode  10  (FIG. 1) have been “cut-down” in height by the clipping path associated with the box/mask currently in use with the barcode  10 . If the points are inside (Line  2 ), then the bars have not been clipped and a flag “truncatedFlag” is set FALSE (Line  3 ). If the points are outside, then the bars have been clipped and the flag “truncatedFlag” is set TRUE (Line  5 ). 
     The Quiet Zones test involves determining if the quiet zones in the UPC barcode  10  (FIG. 1) are adequately sized. The Quiet Zones test may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  1: 
                 &lt;test points across left side of the barcode for insideness&gt; 
               
               
                  2: 
                 if (all test points are inside) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  3: 
                 leftQzOkFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                  4: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                  5: 
                 leftQzOkFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                  6: 
                 endif 
               
               
                  7: 
                 &lt;test points across the right side of the barcode for insideness&gt; 
               
               
                  8: 
                 if (all test points are inside) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  9: 
                 rightQzokFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 10: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 11: 
                 rightQzokFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 12: 
                 endif 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the above pseudo code, the Quiet Zones test also utilizes the “infill” command which is native to the PostScript™ level  2  language. The Quiet Zones test determines if any of the points down the sides of the UPC barcode  10  have been clipped, i.e. by the clipping path associated with the box/mask currently in use with the barcode following the execution steps shown above. 
     The Human Readable Codes test involves determining if the human readable codes (i.e.  16   a,    16   b  in FIG. 1) in the UPC barcode  10  have been clipped. The Human Readable Codes test may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1: 
                 &lt;test points across bottom of the barcode for insideness&gt; 
               
               
                 2: 
                 if (all test points are inside) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                 3: 
                 hrOkFlag = TRUE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 4: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 5: 
                 hrOkFlag = FALSE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 6: 
                 endif 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the above pseudo code, the Human Readable Codes test also utilizes the “infill” command from the PostScript™ level  2  language. The Human Readable Codes test determines if any of the points across the bottom of the UPC barcode  10  have been clipped, i.e. by the clipping path associated with the box/mask currently in use with the barcode following the execution steps shown above. 
     The specific coding of the remaining operations, declarations, and definitions in the self-checking module is within the understanding of one skilled in the art and therefore additional pseudo-code is not provided. 
     The checklist module for the barcode EPS may be implemented as illustrated by the following pseudo code. In the pseudo code, data-structures and functions are denoted by italics. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  1: 
                 &lt;EPS Header&gt; 
               
               
                  2: 
                 if (RIP is Level 2 or higher) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  3: 
                 if (no barcodes and no checklists have yet been placed in 
               
               
                   
                 the PostScript document) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  4: 
                 &lt;declare the shared variables in global VM (i.e. 
               
               
                   
                 number of barcodes, number of checklists, number of 
               
               
                   
                 checklists completed, number of barcodes waiting to 
               
               
                   
                 be documented, etc.)&gt; 
               
               
                  5: 
                 &lt;define procedures in global VM called by both 
               
               
                   
                 checklists and barcodes&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                  6: 
                 end if 
               
               
                  7: 
                 if (no other checklists have been placed in the PostScript 
               
               
                   
                 document) then 
               
             
          
           
               
                  8: 
                 &lt;declare the checklist directory in global VM&gt; 
               
               
                  9: 
                 &lt;define procedures in global VM for logging info into 
               
               
                   
                 checklist directory&gt; 
               
               
                 10: 
                 &lt;define checklist drawing procedure&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                 11: 
                 end if 
               
               
                 12: 
                 &lt;create a new entry in the checklist directory&gt; 
               
               
                 13: 
                 &lt;log checklist&#39;s location into the new checklist directory 
               
               
                   
                 entry&gt; 
               
               
                 14: 
                 &lt;call checklist drawing procedure for all barcodes not yet 
               
               
                   
                 check-listed while unused checklists are available&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                 15: 
                 else 
               
             
          
           
               
                 16: 
                 &lt;generate only a rudimentary checklist graphics and inform 
               
               
                   
                 user that Level 2 is needed for self-check to function 
               
               
                   
                 properly&gt; 
               
             
          
           
               
                 17: 
                 end if 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the pseudo-code listing for the checklist module, the first portion of the module comprises an EPS header (Line  1 ). The first operation involves checking if the Raster Image Processor (RIP) in PostScript™ imaging device is Level  2  or higher (Line  2 ). If the RIP is not Level  2  or higher, the check-listing operations are bypassed and only a rudimentary checklist graphic is generated, e.g. a checklist with outline and title bar only (Line  16 ) and the procedure is terminated. If the RIP is Level  2  (Line  2 ), then the checklist is generated as follows. 
     The checklist module determines if any barcodes or checklists have been already placed in the document file (Line  3 ). If no barcodes or checklists have already been placed in the document file for the desktop designed consumer packaging, then the shared variables are declared in global virtual memory or VM (Line  4 ). The shared variables include the following variables: number of barcodes, number of checklists, number of checklists completed and number of barcodes waiting to be documented. Next, the procedures which will be called by both the checklist module and the self-checking module are defined in global virtual memory (Line  5 ). 
     If there no other checklists that have been placed in the document file from the desktop consumer packaging design system (Line  7 ), i.e. this is the first checklist which is being placed, then a checklist directory is declared in global VM (Line  8 ). The checklist directory provides the capability to manage multiple checklists in document file or files. The procedures for logging or entering information into the checklist directory are defined (Line  9 ). Next, a checklist drawing procedure or function is defined (Line  10 ). Next, a new entry is created for the checklist in the checklist directory (Line  12 ), and the checklist&#39;s location is logged with the new entry in the checklist directory (Line  13 ). Next, a checklist drawing procedure or function is called (Line  14 ). If the RIP is Level  2  or higher (Line  16 ), a procedure for drawing the checklist is called (Line  17 ). The checklist drawing procedure is coded to produce a compliant checklist  100  of the form shown in FIG. 2, a non-compliant checklist  111  of the form shown in FIG. 6, and a cautionary checklist  121  as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The specific coding of the operations, declarations, and definitions in the checklist module is within the understanding of one skilled in the art and therefore additional pseudo-code is not provided. 
     Reference is next made to FIGS. 1 to  9 , which show exemplary barcodes and checklists generated according to the present invention. Applying the self-check test to the barcode  10  shown in FIG. 1 results in the generation of the checklist  100  shown in FIG.  2 . As shown, the checklist  100  includes a header  101 , a self-check test result column  102 , and an information  103  column. The self-check test column  102  includes fields  104  for the self-check criteria described above and comprises a field  104   a  for “Magnification”, a field  104   b  for “Skew”, a field  104   c  for “H/W Ratio”, a field  104   d  for “Quiet Zones”, a field  104   e  for “Bar Heights”, a field  104   f  for “HR Digits”, a field  104   g  for “Bar Color Altered”, a field  104   h  for “RIP Output Resolution”, and a field  104   i  for “Min Pkg Diam (picket)”. The information column  103  comprises a series of fields  105  for providing additional information and includes a field  105   a  for “Barcode Number”, a field  105   b  for “Regd Manufacturer Name”, a first field  105   c  for “Product Desc 1”, a second field  105   d  for “Product Desc 2”, and the other fields  105   e  to  105   i  as shown. 
     As also shown in FIG. 2, the checklist  100  includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) link or hypertext field  201  in the header  101 . Once passed through Adobe Distiller™, clicking the URL link  201  launches a Web browser and takes the user to a homepage on the World Wide Web (i.e. the Internet) for the company. 
     When a checklist is first placed in a document, a notice  107  of the form shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen (i.e. display monitor) for the packaging design system. The notice  107  informs the designer that the self-checking results can be viewed by the passing the document file through Level  2  (or  3 ) PostScript™ RIP or the Adobe Distiller™. As shown in FIG. 3, the notice  107  also includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) link  202 . 
     Reference is next made to FIGS. 5 and 6. The barcode  110  shown in FIG. 5 is defective with the height of the UPC barcode (i.e. bars  14 ) being truncated as indicated by reference  113  and both the left  114   a  and right  114   b  quiet zones being clipped. As a result, the barcode  110  will fail the self-check test and a checklist  111  of the form shown in FIG. 6 is generated. The checklist  111  includes a prominent “NONCOMPLIANT!” overlay  115  to indicate that the barcode  110  has failed. To clearly indicate the defective nature of the barcode  110 , the “NONCOMPLIANT” overlay  115  is printed across the checklist  110  as shown. Preferably, the overlay  115  comprises a tinted overlay so that the fields  104 ,  105  are still visible below the overlay  115 . In the self-checking results column  102 , the “Quiet Zones” field  104   d  and the “Bar Heights” field  104   e  display the respective nature of the failures in boldface, while the remaining fields  104  display test results which are acceptable or “ok”. As also shown in FIG. 6, the RIP Output Res (i.e. resolution)  104   h  is flagged as being “SMALL! (600.0)” in boldface because the samples were generated on a low resolution printer. 
     Reference is next made to FIG. 7 which shows a marginal barcode  120 , and FIG. 8 which shows a checklist  121  for the marginal barcode  120 . The barcode  120  shown in FIG. 7 is marginal because the output resolution is low, i.e. the designer has set the output resolution below 600 dpi. Otherwise, the barcode  120  is compliant. As a result of the low output resolution setting, the barcode  120  is flagged with a caution when the self-check test is run and the checklist  121  shown in FIG. 8 is generated. The checklist  121  includes a “CAUTION!” overlay  122  to indicate that the barcode  110  has been flagged with certain defects. Preferably, the “CAUTION!” overlay  115  is printed as a tinted overlay. The low output resolution setting is noted in the “RIP Output Res” field  104   h  which also includes the annotation “SMALL!” in boldface. The parameters in the remaining fields  104  display an acceptable value for the parameter in question, or the parameters  104  are specified as being “ok” indicating that the parameter in question is acceptable, for example., the H/W Ratio in field  104   c  and the Bar Color Altered  104   g.    
     Reference is next made to FIG. 9 which shows an example of a document (denoted by  199 ) in which two barcodes  130  and  140  have been placed. Each of the barcodes  130 ,  140  are defective and result in respective checklists  131  and  141  being generated as also shown in FIG.  9 . The first barcode  130  is defective because the height of the UPC barcode (i.e. bars  14 ) is truncated as indicated by reference  132  and both the left  133   a  and right  133   b  quiet zones are clipped. As a result, the barcode  130  will fail the self-check test and the checklist  131  is generated. The checklist  131  includes a prominent “NONCOMPLIANT!” overlay  134  to indicate that the barcode  130  has failed the self-check test. To clearly indicate the defective nature of the barcode  110 , the “NONCOMPLIANT!” overlay  134  is preferably printed as a tinted overlay across the checklist  131  as shown. In the self-checking results column  102 , the “Quiet Zones” field  104   d  shows “BOTH CLIPPED!” in boldface indicating that both right and left quiet zones are clipped, and the “Bar Heights” field  104   e  shows “TRUNCATED!” in boldface to indicate that the height of the barcode is truncated. In addition, the RIP Output Res field  104   h  is flagged as being “SMALL!” in boldface. The parameters in the remaining fields  104  display an acceptable value for the parameter in question (e g. Magnification in field  104   a ) or the term “ok” indicating that the parameter in question is acceptable (e.g. the HR Digits are “ok” in field  104   f ) 
     Referring still to FIG. 9, the second barcode  140  is defective with a clipped right human readable digit  142  and a clipped right quiet zone  143   b.  As a result, the barcode  140  will fail the self-check test and the checklist  141  shown in FIG. 9 is generated. The checklist  141  includes a prominent “NONCOMPLIANT!” overlay  144  to indicate that the barcode  140  has failed. Preferably, the “NONCOMPLIANT!” overlay  144  is printed as a tinted overlay across the checklist  142  so that the fields  104 ,  105  are still visible. In the self-check test result column  102 , the “Quiet Zones” field  104   d  and the “HR Digits” field  104   f  display the nature of the failure as shown in FIG.  9 . In addition, the RIP Output Res field  104   h  is flagged as being “SMALL!” in boldface. 
     Reference is next made back to FIG.  4 . If more checklists are placed than there are barcodes in the document file, then a checklist  109  of the form shown in FIG. 4 will be generated when the self-checking procedure is run. As shown in FIG. 4, the checklist  109  is blank, i.e. the self-test result column  102  and the information column  103  are empty, because there is no barcode associated with the checklist  109 . The checklist  109  is displayed to inform the user, i.e. designer, the checklist is in excess of the number of barcodes, i.e. the checklist placed in the document file is surplus. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Technology Category: 3