JP2003141441A - Optical information reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the reading in a state of surely positioning a code in a reading visual field of a reading mechanism. SOLUTION: The reading mechanism composed of an area sensor, an image pick-up lens, a LED for lighting, a lens for lighting and the like, and reading out the QR code C with a two-dimensional reading visual field F, is mounted in a case 2 of a code scanner 1. LEDs for marker applying the marker beams Mc, Me composed of three spot lights and a projection lens are mounted for indicating a reading position to a read object. Here, the marker beam Mc indicating a central part of the reading visual field F is continuously lit, and two marker beams indicating a range (left and right both end parts) of the reading visual field F are flashed, to be distinguished.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bar code and a QR.
The present invention relates to an optical information reader including a marker light irradiating unit that irradiates a reading object on which a code such as a code is recorded with a plurality of marker lights for indicating a reading position.

[0002]

As an optical information reader of this type, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-120150 discloses two headlights having different emission colors from a head equipped with a bar code reading mechanism. A bar code reader configured to illuminate so as to intersect at a reading point is shown. As a result, the operator can easily be notified of the optimum distance between the head on which the barcode is recorded and the head, that is, the best focus position. However, this has a problem that the operator cannot be notified of the visual field range of the barcode reading device.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-11 / 1999 filed by the present applicant
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 250172, a guide light composed of three spot lights at the left and right and in the center is provided in order to visually notify an operator of a range (field of view) from which information symbols can be read and an optimum reading depth (focus position). An information symbol reading device configured to irradiate from a reading opening portion is shown. In this system, the guide light is clearly imaged on the surface to be read, so that it becomes the optimum focus position, and by aligning the information symbol at the position sandwiched between the left and right guide lights, the proper reading is performed. Can be done.

By the way, in recent years, a small two-dimensional code called a micro QR code, which is a quadrangle having a side length of about several millimeters, is attached to the product itself or to a tag attached to the product. Systems have been provided for recording (see FIG. 4) and reading the two-dimensional code by a handy type two-dimensional code reader. When reading such a small code with the above-described information symbol reader that irradiates the guide light of three points, the reading operation is performed by aligning the guide light in the center so that the code is irradiated. I'm fine.

However, since the area to be read on which the above-mentioned small code is recorded is small, only one of the three guide lights is irradiated (it does not get on the surface), and the operator is in the center. It is difficult to distinguish whether or not the guide light is correctly applied to the code.Therefore, the reading operation may be performed with the right or left guide light being applied to the code, which may lead to a failure in reading. In that respect, there was room for improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an optical information reading device capable of reading a code while surely aligning the code within the reading field of the reading mechanism. is there.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an optical information reader according to the present invention irradiates a reading object with a plurality of marker lights, and a central part of a reading field. In order to be able to distinguish the marker light indicating the above from the remaining marker light, the irradiation form of the marker light is configured to be different (the invention of claim 1).

According to this, the operator can easily distinguish at least the marker light indicating the central portion of the reading field from other marker lights. Therefore, when reading a small code, even if the reading object is small and not all the marker light is radiated to the reading object, the operator can easily position the marker light indicating the central portion to the code portion. The read operation can be reliably performed as a result.

By the way, as a mode for distinguishing the marker light irradiating means by changing the irradiation form depending on the position of the marker light, the marker light is changed by changing the color of the marker light (red, orange, green, etc.). , By changing the shape or size of the marker light, by continuous lighting and blinking of the marker light, or by changing the blinking cycle of the marker light, and the like. Either configuration can be adopted. .

In particular, by continuously lighting and blinking the marker light, or by changing the blinking cycle of the marker light,
If the marker light indicating the central portion of the reading visual field and the remaining marker light are made to have different irradiation forms (the invention of claim 2), the effect of visually appealing to the operator is large, and the central portion of the reading visual field is shown. It is more effective to distinguish the marker light from the remaining marker light.

In this case, in addition to the marker light that indicates the central portion of the reading field, the remaining marker light that is emitted indicates the range of the reading field, that is, two marker lights that indicate at least both ends of the range of the reading field. The above is preferable (invention of claim 3), whereby when the code is relatively large (long), it is possible to adjust the code between the marker lights at both ends. Can read. Furthermore, for the remaining marker light,
Irradiation may be performed in different irradiation modes so that the positions can be distinguished from each other (the invention of claim 4), and the alignment during the reading operation is further facilitated.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 schematically shows the internal configuration of the code scanner 1 which is the optical information reading device according to the present embodiment. The code scanner 1 is referred to as a handy terminal that an operator holds with his / her hand and performs various operations such as a one-dimensional code such as a bar code, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, and characters for OCR reading. The code can be read. Further, not only the reading of the code but also the processing (decoding processing) and storage of the read code data and the function of data communication with the management computer are provided.

This code scanner 1 has a case 2
A reading mechanism 3 for optically reading a code, a control device 4 (see FIG. 3), and the like are incorporated. The control device 4 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and is adapted to perform a decoding process of a signal from the reading mechanism 3 and a control of the entire device. In addition, the case 2
As shown in FIG. 1, the base end side is a grip portion, the front end side is bent so as to incline slightly downward, and the reading window portion 2a is provided at the front end portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the key input section 5 including a plurality of key switches 5a is provided on the upper surface of the case 2.
Is provided so that the operator can selectively set the program to be installed and specify the type of code to be read. Also, case 2
The trigger switch 6 for reading (see FIG. 1,
(See FIG. 3). Further, on the upper surface of the case 2, a display unit 7 made of, for example, an LCD is provided. The key switch 5a, the display unit 7, the control device 4, and the like are mounted on a printed circuit board 8 arranged in the case 2. In addition, a secondary battery (not shown) serving as a power source is incorporated in the case 2.

On the other hand, the reading mechanism 3 includes the reading window section 2
An area sensor 9 including a CCD image sensor provided in the center of the inner part of a, an imaging lens 10 provided in front of the area sensor 9, and a code provided in the vicinity (upper side) of the periphery of the imaging lens 10. It is provided with a plurality of illuminating LEDs 11 serving as an illuminating light source at the time of reading, an illuminating lens 12 positioned in front of these illuminating LEDs 11, and the like. At this time, the area sensor 9 is, for example, a horizontal 6
It has 00 pixels and 400 pixels in the vertical direction, and has a two-dimensional reading field F as shown in FIG. Further, the LED 11 for illumination and the lens 12 for illumination uniformly illuminate the entire reading field F.

Thus, the operator brings the reading window portion 2a of the code scanner 1 close to the reading object (for example, the label L shown in FIG. 1) on which the code (for example, the two-dimensional code C shown in FIG. 1) is recorded. In this state (for example, the optimum reading distance is 90 mm), by performing a reading operation, that is, an ON operation of the trigger switch 6, the reading object is illuminated by the illumination LED 11, and the reflected light is imaged by the area sensor 9. As a result, the code can be read. Although not shown, the code may be a one-dimensional code such as a bar code or a character for OCR reading, and there are various reading objects such as slips and catalogs.

Now, in the reading mechanism 3 portion, the marker LED 13 which constitutes a marker light irradiating means for irradiating a plurality of marker lights for indicating the reading position on the object to be read.
And a light projecting lens 14 arranged in the front thereof. The marker LED 13 and the projection lens 14
Is located in the vicinity (lower side) of the periphery of the imaging lens 10,
In this case, a plurality of pieces are provided, and three pieces are provided, and each of the pieces emits marker light, which is spot light.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the three marker lights indicate the central portion (center portion) of the reading field F (marker light Mc) and the range of the reading field F, that is, the left and right end portions. 2 (marker light Me). Further, the marker lights Mc and Me are read by the reading mechanism 3
On the other hand, when the reading target is at an appropriate focus position (range), the image is clearly formed on the reading target surface. The images of Mc and Me are blurred.

As shown in FIG. 3, the three marker LEDs 13 are controlled by the control device 4. At this time, in this embodiment, the control device 4 operates as follows. The marker LED 13 in the central portion is continuously turned on (actually, blinks in a very short cycle), and the marker LEDs 13 on the left and right sides are controlled to blink in a predetermined cycle. As a result, the control device 4 changes the irradiation modes of the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field F and the remaining two marker light Me indicating the range of the reading field F. Is there. Therefore, the marker LED 13,
The light projecting lens 14 and the control device 4 constitute a marker light irradiation means.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an electrical configuration of the code scanner 1 centering on the control device 4. Operation signals from the key input unit 5 and the trigger switch 6 are input to the control device 4, and the control device 4 controls the display of the display unit 7. Further, the control device 4 controls the lighting of the LED 11 for illumination and, as described above, the LED 13 for marker.
To control.

Then, the image pickup data of the code read by the area sensor 9 is inputted to the control device 4 and decoded. At this time, although not shown, an amplifier for amplifying the image pickup signal of the area sensor 9 and a binarization circuit for converting the image pickup signal into binarized data are provided. Further, the image memory 15 is provided so as to be connected to the control device 4 and the area sensor 9. Furthermore,
To the control device 4, for example, a sounding unit 16 that emits a buzzer sound when a code is read is connected, and a data communication unit 17 that performs data communication with the outside (for example, a management computer) by infrared rays, for example. It is connected.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the barcode scanner (not shown) printed on the label attached to the product (or directly on the package of the product) is read by using the code scanner 1 described above,
The operator brings the reading window portion 2a of the code scanner 1 close to the reading target (label) and turns on the trigger switch 6. Then, first, the marker LED 13 is turned on (blinking), and the reading target is irradiated with the marker lights Mc and Me.

Therefore, the operator aligns the relatively large and horizontally long bar code so as to be sandwiched between the marker lights Me at the left and right ends, and the respective marker lights Mc and Me are clearly imaged. Be sure to align at an appropriate distance. This makes it possible to perform good reading at an appropriate focus position without the bar code leaving the reading field F.

When the marker lights Mc and Me are irradiated for a predetermined time, the marker LED 13 is turned off, the illumination LED 11 is continuously turned on to illuminate the reading object, and the area sensor 9 reads the code (imaging). Done.
The completion of reading is notified by a buzzer sound. Also, when reading a relatively large two-dimensional code such as a QR code, the two-dimensional code is similarly positioned so as to be sandwiched between the marker lights Me at the left and right ends, and each marker light is aligned. Good reading can be performed by aligning Mc and Me at such a distance that a clear image is formed on the reading target. The same applies when reading characters for OCR reading.

By the way, among the codes which can be read by the code scanner 1, there is a code called a small micro QR code which forms a quadrangle having a side length of several mm. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of a product to which the micro QR code C is attached. In (a), the frame part of the eyeglasses is attached with a plastic tag on which the micro QR code C is printed, In (b), the micro QR code C is printed on the spine of a paperback book. In the micro QR code C, various kinds of information regarding the product are coded and recorded.

When reading such a small micro QR code C, the reading operation may be carried out by aligning so that the marker light Mc at the center is irradiated to the code C. In this case, As shown in FIG. 1, since the area to be read is small (sufficiently smaller than the reading field F), only one of the three marker lights Mc and Me is irradiated (does not ride on the surface to be read). If there is a circumstance, if the reading operation is accidentally performed while the marker light Me at the right end portion or the left end portion is applied to the code C, a part of the code C is out of the reading field F, and the reading fails. Will end up.

However, in the present embodiment, the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field F is continuously lit, and the marker light Me indicating the left and right end portions is blinking, so that the operator uses the marker light indicating the central portion. Mc can be easily distinguished visually and can be easily aligned so that the marker light Mc indicating the central portion is irradiated to the code C portion. Therefore, even when reading the small code C, the above-mentioned misalignment can be prevented and the reading operation can be reliably performed.

By the way, depending on the irradiation form of the marker light,
When distinguishing the central part of the reading field of view F from the left and right ends,
It is also possible to make the color of the marker light different. However, there is a circumstance that it becomes difficult to see when the background color on which the code C is recorded (printed) and the marker light have the same color. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, if the marker light is distinguished by continuous lighting and blinking, the effect of visually appealing to the operator is great and the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field F is displayed. It is more effective to distinguish from the marker light Me indicating both ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by irradiating the marker lights Mc and Me at three points, it is possible to perform reading while reliably aligning a relatively large code in the reading field F. Of course, since the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field F can be distinguished from the marker light Me indicating the left and right end portions by different irradiation modes, the small code C can also be distinguished from the conventional code. Unlike the one in which there was a risk of misalignment in which the mark C is out of the reading field of view, the marker light Mc indicating the central portion is easily coded to the code C.
There is an excellent effect that the position can be aligned with the portion and the reading can be surely performed.

In the above embodiment, the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field F is continuously turned on, and the marker light Me indicating both ends is blinked to be distinguished, but the relationship is reversed. Of course, it is also possible to distinguish by changing the blinking cycle. It is also possible to distinguish by changing the color of the marker light or changing the shape or size of the marker light. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. How many cases the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field and the marker light Me indicating the range of the reading field are distinguished by changing their shapes. The specific example is shown. It should be noted that these changes in shape can be easily carried out by, for example, providing a mask having a light-transmitting portion of a predetermined shape on the front surface of the projection lens.

That is, in FIG. 5A, the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field is ring-shaped and the marker light Me indicating the range is circular. In FIG. 5B, the marker light Mc indicating the central portion of the reading field is circular, the marker light Me indicating the left and right ends is semicircular, and the directions of these semicircles are different from each other to the left and right positions. Even the distinction is made. In FIG. 5C, the four marker lights Me indicating the four corners of the two-dimensional reading field are hooked (L-shaped) along the respective corners. According to this
It is possible to recognize the reading visual field not only in the left and right direction but also in the vertical direction.

Besides, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned respective embodiments. For example, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a so-called handy terminal, but a handy type connected to a host computer, That is, it may be applied to a type in which only image reading is performed and data processing is performed on the host computer side, for example, it may be applied to a QR code read-only device. Further, as the light source of the marker light, not only the LED but also a laser or the like can be used, and various modifications can be considered as the configuration of the reading mechanism (optical system). Can be carried out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing a positional relationship between a reading field and marker light.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing the configuration of a code scanner.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a code scanner.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a product to which a micro QR code is attached.

FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of the present invention and showing three kinds of concrete examples when changing the shape of the marker light.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is a code scanner (optical information reading device),
2 is a case, 2a is a reading window, 3 is a reading mechanism, 4 is a control device, 6 is a trigger switch, 9 is an area sensor, 13 is a marker LED, 14 is a projection lens, F is a reading field of view,
C is a code, L is a label (reading target), and Mc and Me are marker lights.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A marker having a reading mechanism for optically reading a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code recorded on a reading object, and irradiating a plurality of marker lights for indicating a reading position on the reading object. In the optical information reading device including a light irradiation unit, the plurality of marker lights include marker light indicating a central portion of the reading field of the reading mechanism, and the marker light irradiation unit is configured to detect the reading field of the reading field. An optical information reader characterized in that the marker light indicating the central portion is differentiated from the rest of the marker light so that the marker light is irradiated differently. 2. The marker light irradiating means divides the marker light indicating the central portion of the reading field and the remaining marker light by continuously lighting and blinking the marker light or changing the blinking cycle of the marker light. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation form is different. 3. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the remaining marker lights are irradiated to indicate the range of the reading field. 4. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining marker light is also irradiated in different irradiation forms so that the positions thereof can be distinguished from each other.