JP3785990B2 - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical information reading apparatus including a reading mechanism that optically reads an information code such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code in a vertically long case that can be operated by hand.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, a handy type bar code reader called a bar code handy terminal, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), has a thin, vertically long (horizontal in the figure) case 1 in the form of a substantially rectangular box. (Left side in the figure) is provided with a reading mechanism 2 for reading a barcode. The reading mechanism 2 includes a CCD sensor 3, a reflecting mirror 4, an imaging lens 5, an illumination light source (not shown), and the like, and from the front end reading port 1 a on the front end surface of the case 2 to a reading target (barcode). The illumination light is irradiated, and the reflected light is incident from the front end reading port 1 a and is imaged by the CCD sensor 3 through the imaging lens 5 and the reflecting mirror 4.
[0003]
By the way, in this kind of barcode reader, in addition to the so-called straight type that reads the barcode straight from the reading port 1a on the front end surface of the case 1 as described above, the reading port provided on the lower surface side of the front end of the case In other words, there is a so-called oblique reading type that reads diagonally downward, and the user selects and purchases any desired one. At this time, separately manufacturing the case 1 for the straight type and the oblique reading type leads to an increase in cost. In recent years, it has been considered to share the case 1 for both types. .
[0004]
In the case of this oblique reading type, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the case 1 has a lower surface reading port 1b formed on the lower surface on the front end side, so that the user can easily understand the reading direction. A horizontally long cylindrical reading port member 6 is attached to the lower surface of the lens. In the case of the oblique reading type, a second reflecting mirror 7 for changing the optical axis direction is added to the reading mechanism 3. Further, the tip reading port 1a not used is closed with a plate.
[0005]
However, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the separate reading port member 6 is attached to the case 1, the number of parts increases and the cost increases accordingly, and the reading port member 6 protrudes from the case 1. Therefore, the case 1 is increased in size, the handling property is deteriorated (for example, it cannot enter the pocket of clothes), and a structure for attaching the reading port member 6 so as not to be easily detached is required. There were problems such as.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to share a case between a straight type and an oblique reading type, and to indicate a reading direction in the case of an oblique reading type. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical information reading apparatus that can eliminate the need for adding another member and prevent the case from becoming large and costly.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an optical information reader according to the present invention has a case shared by a so-called straight type and an oblique reading type. A design line for instructing an obliquely downward reading direction is provided (invention of claim 1). According to this, the reading direction in the case of the oblique reading type can be instructed by a design device such as providing a design line on the side surface portion of the case. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to add another member to indicate the reading direction in the case of the oblique reading type, and it is possible to prevent an increase in the size and cost of the case. An excellent effect can be obtained.
[0008]
At this time, if the direction in which the design line extends is configured to coincide with the optical axis direction of the light receiving optical system of the reading mechanism (the invention of claim 2), the user can read the information code written at the time of reading. It is possible to optimize the positional relationship (angle) between the object and the case and thus the optical system of the reading mechanism, which is more effective. Further, if the design line is formed in a stepped shape by providing irregularities on the side surface portion of the case (invention of claim 3), the user can set the design line not only from the side surface side of the case but also to the upper surface side (obliquely). (Including the upper side) can be easily visually recognized, and further, the reading direction can be understood by tactile sensation with fingers, and the reading direction can be pointed out more easily.
[0009]
By the way, in the case of the type in which the information code is read straight from the front end reading opening of the case, the case itself can indicate the reading direction without providing a design line for indicating the reading direction. However, in the case where the case is configured by abutting a vertically divided case, the dividing line may be configured to extend so as to indicate the reading direction from the front end reading port (claim). (Invention of Item 4), it becomes possible for the user to indicate the straight reading direction from the front end reading port in an easily understandable manner.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a handy type barcode reader will be described with reference to FIGS. The bar code reader 11 as an optical information reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is called a bar code handy terminal, and not only reading bar codes as information codes but also processing of read bar code data. (Decoding processing, etc.), storage, a function of data communication with the outside such as a management computer, and the like.
[0011]
FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of the barcode reader 11. The bar code reader 11 is configured by disposing an optical reading mechanism 13 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, in a plastic case 12, for example. The case 12 is formed by butt-joining a split case divided into upper and lower parts, that is, an upper case 12a and a lower case 12b. As a whole, the case 12 has a corner that is large enough to be operated with one hand. It is round and vertically long (extends straight in the left-right direction in the figure) and has a thin, almost rectangular box shape.
[0012]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a display unit 14 made of, for example, an LCD is provided on the upper surface of the case 12, and a key operation having a plurality of operation keys such as numeric keys and function keys is provided. A portion 15 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1A and the like, trigger switches 16 for reading barcodes are respectively provided on the left and right side portions of the case 12.
[0013]
Although illustration and detailed explanation are omitted, a control device mainly composed of a microcomputer is provided in a base end side portion (the back side of the key operation unit 15) in the case 12 to control the entire system and the reading. Processing (decoding processing, etc.) and storage of imaging data from the mechanism 13 (CCD sensor described later) is performed. Furthermore, in the case 12, a communication device that performs communication with the outside, a secondary battery that serves as a power source, and the like are also provided.
[0014]
The case 12 includes a straight type barcode reader 11 (see FIG. 2A) that reads the barcode straight from the distal end reading port 17 on the distal end surface, and a barcode from the lower surface reading port 18 on the lower surface of the distal end side. Is used in an oblique reading type barcode reader 11 (see FIG. 2B).
[0015]
That is, on the front end surface (left end surface in the figure) of the case 12, as shown in FIG. 1C and the like, a horizontally long opening 17a is provided so as to straddle between the upper case 12a and the lower case 12b. As shown in FIG. 2A, a light-proof dust-proof plate 17b is attached to the opening 17a to constitute the front end reading port 17. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), a horizontally long opening 18a is formed on the lower surface of the front end side of the case 12 (lower case 12b), as shown in FIG. 2 (b). Further, a light-proof dust-proof plate 18b is attached to the opening 18a so that the lower surface reading port 18 is configured. In this case, the opening 18a constituting the lower surface reading port 18 is not yet opened when the case 12 (lower case 12b) is molded, and a groove is formed in the case 12 along the edge of the opening 18a. Has been.
[0016]
That is, when the lower case 12b is molded, the closing plate that closes the opening 18a constituting the lower surface reading port 18 is separated and easily formed as a single piece, and the case 12 is used for an oblique reading type. In other words, the closing plate is removed so as to be cut out, and a dustproof plate 18b is attached to that portion to constitute the lower surface reading port 18. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the case 12 is used for the oblique reading type, the opening 17a constituting the tip reading port 17 is closed by a closing plate 19. .
[0017]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the reading mechanism 13 includes a CCD sensor 20 for reading a barcode, an imaging lens 21 for imaging incident light (reflected light from the barcode), and the imaging lens 21. A first reflecting mirror 22 that bends incident light passing through the CCD sensor 20 and guides it to the CCD sensor 20; and an illumination device (not shown) that emits illumination light including a plurality of illumination LEDs and illumination lenses. Has been. As shown in FIG. 2B, for the oblique reading type, in addition to the above configuration, there is a second reflecting mirror 23 for bending outgoing light (illumination light) and incident light in an oblique direction. It has come to be added.
[0018]
Thus, in the straight type shown in FIG. 2A, the illumination light emitted from the illumination device toward the left in the drawing is read from the front end reading port 17 in front of it ( Barcode) is irradiated in a straight direction, and the reflected light is incident to the right in the drawing from the front end reading port 17 and is received by the CCD sensor 20 through the imaging lens 21 and the first reflecting mirror 22. It has come to be. The reading direction (optical axis direction of the light receiving optical system) at this time is a straight direction as indicated by an arrow A. Note that the direction of the optical axis of the emitted light is slightly different from that.
[0019]
On the other hand, in the oblique reading type shown in FIG. 2B, the illumination light emitted from the illumination device is bent obliquely downward by the second reflecting mirror 23 and disposed below the lower surface reading port 18. The reading object (barcode) is irradiated, and the reflected light enters from the lower surface reading port 18 and is bent by the second reflecting mirror 23, and then the imaging lens 21 and the first reflecting mirror 22 are moved. Via the CCD sensor 20. The reading direction at this time, in this case, the optical axis direction of the light receiving optical system, as indicated by an arrow B, is obliquely downward with respect to the lower surface of the case 12 by an angle θ.
[0020]
Now, the design of the case 12 (or a practical aspect such as anti-slip) is given on the surface of the case 12 (round etc.). In this embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, design lines 24 are provided on both the left and right side portions of the case 12 to indicate a diagonally downward reading direction from the lower surface reading port 18. As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the design line 24 bulges a portion of the both sides of the case 12 located on the side of the display unit 14 in a convex manner to the side. A bulging portion 12c is formed, and is formed in a stepped shape by an edge facing the tip side of the bulging portion 12c.
[0021]
At this time, the direction in which the design line 24 extends (indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 1A) is the optical axis direction (the direction of the arrow B) of the light receiving optical system of the reading mechanism 13 in the case of the oblique reading type described above. ). Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the dividing line 25 that abuts the upper case 12a and the lower case 12b of the case 12 is formed in a concave groove shape, and the extending direction thereof is In the case of the straight type shown in FIG. 2A, it coincides with the arrow A direction which is the reading direction of the reading mechanism 13 (the optical axis direction of the light receiving optical system). That is, the dividing line 25 extends so as to indicate the reading direction from the front end reading port 17.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the straight type barcode reader 11 is configured, as shown in FIG. 2A, the front end reading port 17 is formed on the front end surface (opening portion 17a) of the case 12, and the case 12 has the same figure. The reading mechanism 13 is arranged as described above. At this time, the opening 18a for constituting the lower surface reading port 18 remains closed.
[0023]
When the bar code reader 11 reads a bar code written on a reading target (not shown), the user holds the case 12 with his hand and directs the tip reading port 17 toward the reading target, and turns on the trigger switch 16. Just do it. At this time, since the reading direction from the front end reading port 17 (the optical axis direction of the light receiving optical system) is a straight direction, it can be said that the case 12 itself (upper surface) indicates the reading direction. In the embodiment, the dividing line 25 on the side surface of the case 12 coincides with the reading direction and indicates the reading direction more easily, so that the user can easily align the reading direction.
[0024]
On the other hand, when the oblique reading type barcode reader 11 is configured, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the opening 18a on the lower surface on the front end side of the case 12 is opened and the dust-proof plate 18b is attached to the lower surface. A reading port 18 is configured. In this case, the opening 17 a at the front end surface of the case 12 is closed by the closing plate 19. Along with this, a reading mechanism 13 having a second reflecting plate 23 as shown in FIG.
[0025]
In the case of such an oblique reading type, the case 12 as a whole has a straight shape, and the lower surface reading port 18 is present at a position that is difficult for the user to see on the lower surface side of the case 12. On the other hand, it is necessary to indicate the reading direction (angle). In this embodiment, the design lines 24 formed on both side surfaces of the case 12 serve as a guide for instructing the reading direction of the reading mechanism 13, so that the user can easily adjust the position (angle) and read the barcode. The operation can be performed.
[0026]
In this case, since the extending direction of the design line 24 coincides with the optical axis of the light receiving optical system of the reading mechanism 13 (arrow B direction), the barcode reader 11 (case 12) is in an optimum positional relationship with respect to the reading target ( It is possible to perform a reading operation in alignment with (angle). Further, since the design line 24 is formed in a stepped shape, the user can easily see the design line 24 not only from the side surface side of the case 12 but also from the upper surface side (including diagonally upward). Is capable of knowing the reading direction even by tactile sensation with a finger, and can indicate the reading direction more easily.
[0027]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the case 12 is shared between the straight type and the oblique reading type, and the oblique reading is performed by designing the design line 24 on the side surface of the case 12. The reading direction in the case of the type can be instructed, and the addition of a separate member (reading port member 6) for indicating the reading direction in the case of the oblique reading type can be made unnecessary. . As a result, according to the present embodiment, the case 12 can be prevented from being enlarged, the handleability can be improved, such as easily entering the pocket of clothes, and the number of parts is not increased. The attachment structure of the member 6 is also unnecessary, and an excellent effect that the cost of the case 12 can be prevented can be obtained.
[0028]
In the above embodiment, the design line 24 is formed in a stepped shape, but the design line may be formed by, for example, a groove or a ridge. In the above embodiment, the dividing line 25 indicates the straight type reading direction, but this configuration is not necessarily provided. In addition, the reading mechanism (optical system) and the like can be variously modified, and the present invention is not limited to the bar code reader, but can be applied to all optical information reading devices such as a two-dimensional code reader and an OCR reading device. It can be carried out with appropriate modifications within a range not departing from the gist.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view (a), a plan view (b), a front view (c), and a bottom view (d) showing the appearance of a bar code reader.
2 is a vertical side view showing the configuration of a case and a reading mechanism when used in a straight type (a) and when used in an oblique reading type (b). FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. Explanation】
In the drawings, 11 is a barcode reader (optical information reader), 12 is a case, 12a is an upper case, 12b is a lower case, 12c is a bulging portion, 13 is a reading mechanism, 16 is a trigger switch, and 17 is a tip reading. An opening, 17a is an opening, 17b is a dustproof plate, 18 is a lower surface reading port, 18a is an opening, 18b is a dustproof plate, 19 is a closing plate, 24 is a design line, and 25 is a dividing line.

Claims (4)

In a vertically long case that can be held by hand, a reading mechanism for optically reading an information code is provided, and the case is of a type that reads the information code straight from a tip reading port on its tip side, and a lower surface on the tip side An optical information reader that is shared with a type that reads the information code obliquely downward from the lower surface reading port,
An optical information reading apparatus, wherein a design line for instructing a reading direction obliquely downward from the lower surface reading port is provided on a side surface portion of the case. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a direction in which the design line extends coincides with an optical axis direction of a light receiving optical system of the reading mechanism. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the design line is formed in a stepped shape by providing irregularities on a side surface portion of the case. 4. The case according to claim 1, wherein the case is formed by abutting a vertically divided case, and the dividing line extends so as to indicate a reading direction from the leading edge reading port. The optical information reader according to any one of the above.

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