JP2805036B2 - 2D code reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code reader.
(Hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as “code reader”)
For more details, please refer to the two-dimensional code attached to the product etc. in the hand (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as “code”).
Is) Toward example EIE code or the like, relates to a two-dimensional code reader for reading the EIE code or the like in an optically non-contact.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional code reader. The code reader 71 is a kind of CCD camera, and captures an image of a tag code M attached to a product G and outputs image data to a host computer (not shown). The host computer analyzes the image data and extracts data such as the product number and price of the product G.

FIG. 8 shows a tag code M, in which a code unit CC consisting of a combination of four squares is divided into a half of a side.
15 × 15 pieces are arranged in an inch square. Information such as the product number and price of the product G is expressed by a pattern in which the four squares of the code unit CC are painted and a pattern in which the code units CC are arranged.

[0004] Whether the code reader 71 captures the tag code M can be confirmed by viewing the image captured by the code reader 71 on a monitor TV. However, since it takes time to look at the monitor TV, it is usually merely aiming at the operator's feeling.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A conventional code reader 7
In the case of 1, the accuracy of aiming on the T-shaped code M varies depending on the skill of the operator. In the case of reading a bar code in which the code units are one-dimensionally arranged, the tolerance for variation is relatively large, but in the case of reading the tag-shaped code M in which the code units are two-dimensionally arranged, the tolerance is relatively large. small. For this reason, a reading error often occurs due to inaccurate aiming, and there is a problem that efficiency is not improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional code reader improved so that even a low-skilled operator can accurately aim at a code.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A two-dimensional code reader according to the present invention is directed to a two-dimensional code attached to a product or the like held in a hand, and a non-contact type reader for optically reading the two-dimensional code.
In a two-dimensional code reader, the reading optical axis is
When oriented perpendicular to the center of the code, the two-dimensional code
Multiple light beams in place around the outer edge of the
Aiming mark projection means for projecting aiming marks and operation with fingers
Triggers two-dimensional code reading
It is an feature that includes a switch. In the above configuration, the visible light beam generating means is constituted by a laser beam generating apparatus for generating one laser beam, and the aiming mark / distance mark projecting beam generating means is converted from the one laser beam to six laser beams. It is preferable to comprise a laser beam splitting device for splitting and lens means for converting four of the six laser beams into four planar beams to be combined into a cross-section girder.

[0008]

[Function] The reading optical axis of the two-dimensional code reader is two-dimensional
When correctly oriented perpendicular to the center of the
Is an aiming mark at a predetermined position surrounding the outer edge of the 2D code
Is projected. Check that the aiming mark is in the specified position.
Operate the trigger switch with a finger to give a reading instruction.
Then, the data of the two-dimensional code can be accurately read.
If the 2D code reader is not pointed in the right direction,
The reading optical axis of the two-dimensional code reader is
When tilted, project on the 2D code sticking surface
The relationship between the projected positions of multiple light beams is distorted
No aiming mark from a predetermined position surrounding the two-dimensional code
To easily identify the front position relative to the 2D code
can do.

The trigger switch is operated by a finger to read the data.
The reading instruction is given.
Data is prevented from being read
Waste of rereading can be reliably avoided.

If the aiming mark is projected by the four planar beams combined with the cross-section girder, it becomes easy to aim the square M-shaped cord M. When the code reading optical axis is not perpendicular to the code, the shape of the cross-shaped aiming mark is distorted, so that the front position with respect to the code can be easily identified.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
This shows a state in which the original code reader 1 is reading a tag-shaped code M attached to a product G. Code reader 1
Mark projecting beams B1, B2, B emitted from
Aiming marks L1, L2 on product G by 3 and B4
L3 and L4 are projected and look like a cross. Then, make this girder look square.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a state in which a code reader 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is reading a tag code M attached to a product G. FIG. Aiming mark projection beams B1, B2, B3, B emitted from the code reader 1
4, the aiming marks L1, L2, L3 on the product G
L4 is projected and looks like a cross. Then, make this girder look square.

Further, beams B5 and B6 for projecting distance marks are provided.
As a result, distance marks P1 and P2 are projected near the product G, and the distance between the tag code M and the code reader 1 is maintained so that the two distance marks overlap each other.

Next, the direction of the code reader 1 is corrected so that the vertical and horizontal positions of the girder are parallel to the vertical and horizontal directions of the T-shaped code M, and the reading trigger T may be pulled.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the distance between the tag code M and the code reader 1 is a predetermined distance, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the distance between the tag code M and the code reader 1 is too short than the predetermined distance. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the distance between the tag code M and the code reader 1 is too long than a predetermined distance.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main structure of the code reader 1. The laser diode 4 emits one red laser beam 5 in a horizontal direction.

Half mirrors 7 and 8 are fixed on the optical path of the red laser beam 5. Assuming that the dimension of one side of the tag code M is D [mm], the positions of the half mirrors 7 and 8 are (D / 2 + 2) left and right from the code reading optical axis A.
[Mm]. The half mirrors 7 and 8 reflect a part of the red laser beam 5, make the beam parallel to the code reading optical axis A, and make the beams enter the cylinder lenses 9 and 10.

The cylinder lenses 9 and 10 convert the incident beam into surface beams B1 and B2. The cylinder lenses 9 and 10 are arranged such that their central axes are parallel to the red laser beam 5, and the surface beams B
1 and B2 are parallel to each other and also to the code reading optical axis A. By these surface beams B1 and B2,
Aiming marks L1 and L2 are projected on the product G.

The mirror 16 reflects the red laser beam 5 at right angles to form a vertically oriented laser beam 6.

On the optical path of the laser beam 6, half mirrors 17, 18, 21 and a mirror 22 are fixed. The positions of the half mirrors 17 and 18 are (D / 2 + 2) [mm] above and below the code reading optical axis A. The half mirrors 17 and 18 reflect a part of the laser beam 6,
A beam parallel to the code reading optical axis A is incident on the cylinder lenses 19 and 20. Cylinder lens 19, 2
0 converts the incident beam into surface beams B3 and B4. The cylinder lenses 19 and 20 are arranged so that their central axes are parallel to the laser beam 6, and the plane beams B3 and B4 are parallel to the code reading optical axis A.
The aiming marks L3 and L4 are projected on the product G by the surface beams B3 and B4.

The surface beams B1, B2 and the surface beam B
3 and B4 are orthogonal to each other and become a cross-section girder. Then, the aiming marks L1, L2, L3, and L4 make it possible to see a cross-shaped aiming mark on the commodity G.

The half mirror 21 and the mirror 22 reflect the laser beam 6 to form line beams B5 and B6. The line beams B5 and B6 are inclined such that they cross each other at a predetermined distance. The distance marks P1 and P2 are projected, for example, in the vicinity of the product G by the line beams B5 and B6.

Incidentally, frame-shaped aiming marks L1 ', L2', L3 ', L4' as shown in FIG. 5 or a key-shaped aiming mark L9 as shown in FIG. 6 may be used. Also, a laser diode may be provided for each beam, and the half mirror and the mirror may be omitted.

[0024]

According to the two-dimensional code reader of the present invention, regardless of the skill level of the operator, it is visually confirmed that the two-dimensional code has been accurately aimed, and the trigger switch is set at that time. The reading can be instructed by operating, and the efficiency of reading the two-dimensional code can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a two-dimensional code reader according to one embodiment of the present invention is reading a tag code M;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a two-dimensional code reader according to one embodiment of the present invention is reading a tag code M;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a two-dimensional code reader according to one embodiment of the present invention is reading a tag code M;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main structure of a two-dimensional code reader according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a frame-shaped aiming mark and a tag code.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a key-shaped aiming mark and a tag code.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a tag code is read by a conventional code reader.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a tag code.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 two-dimensional code reader 4 laser diode 5 red laser beam 6 laser beam 7,8 half mirror 9,10 cylinder lens B1, B2 plane beam L1, L2 aiming mark 16 mirror 17,18,21 half mirror 22 mirror 19 cylinder lens 20 Cylinder lens B3, B4 Surface beam B5, B6 Line beam L3, L4 Aiming mark P1, P2 Distance mark M Tag code A Code reading optical axis G Product

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A toward the two-dimensional code <br/> de attached to a commodity or the like in hand, in the two-dimensional code reader of the non-contact type that reads the two-dimensional code optically, the read optical axis Orient perpendicular to the center of the two-dimensional code.
When all the parts of the two-dimensional code are
Aiming marks in place with multiple light beams
Aiming mark projection means to be projected, and two-dimensional code reading is indicated by operating with a finger
A two-dimensional code reader, comprising: a trigger switch .