JP4191883B2

JP4191883B2 - Optical information reader

Info

Publication number: JP4191883B2
Application number: JP2000245294A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 保美加藤; 春彦猪島
Original assignee: Optoelectronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Optoelectronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-07
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-07
Also published as: JP2002024754A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この出願の発明は、桁数が多大で横幅の長大なバーコード等の光学的情報を読取ることが出来る、光学的情報読取装置に関する。
特に、バーコード読取口幅を超える長大な横幅と多大な桁数を有するバーコード等の光学的情報を読取ることが出来る、電子走査形の光学的情報読取装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の技術について説明する。
従来の光学的情報読取装置は、タッチ式スキャナ、ペン式スキャナ及びレーザスキャナの三つに大別される。
従来のタッチ式スキャナは、光学的記録媒体（被読取部材）に記録された光学的パターンを照明手段で照明し、
上記光学的パターンからの散乱反射によって成る光像を、一次元電子走査形読取センサ（例えばＣＣＤ）上に結像させ、これを当該一次元電子走査形読取センサの光電変換機能によって、時間軸上の電気的アナログ信号に変換し、
この信号を電気的に処理して、当該光学的パターンを読取るものである。
そして、この光学的パターンとしては、主としてバーコードシンボル類が使用されて来た。
又、光学的記録媒体（被読取部材）としては、おおむね、表面が硬く且つ平坦な部材が使用されて来た。
【０００３】
しかるところ、物品情報の登録処理や情報管理等を行う分野が、小売り、ＦＡ（ＦａｃｔｏｒｙＡｕｔｍａｔｉｏｎ）、流通、サービス業、ＯＡ（ＯｆｆｉｃｅＡｕｔｍａｔｉｏｎ）、等々と拡がるにつれて、取り扱う物品や情報の種類が多岐に上り、且つ、情報量が益々増大した。
その結果、幾つかの注目すべき変化が生じた。
第一に、かかる情報量の増大に伴って、バーコードシンボル類の最大構成桁数が益々長大化した。そして、被読取部材（例えばラベル）の読取桁方向の長さが１５ｃｍから２０ｃｍに及ぶものも出現した。
【０００４】
第二に、光学的記録媒体（被読取部材）としては、表面が硬く且つ曲面状の部材や、表面が柔らかく且つ不定形な部材も、使用されるようになった。
例えば、バーコードシンボルが印刷されたラベルを袋物や缶物の表面に貼付したり、或はバーコードシンボル自体を袋や缶の表面に直接印刷したり、するようにもなった。
【０００５】
第三に、バーコードシステムの進展と相まって、小売り、ＦＡ、ＯＡ、物流の用途において、袋物のように表面の柔らかな部材に付されたＪＡＮ、ＥＡＮ、ＵＰＣのようなバーコードシンボルと、Ｃｏｄｅ３９、Ｃｏｄｅ１２８、ＮＷ７、ＩＴＦのような構成桁数が不定長のバーコードシンボルとが、混在するようにもなった。
【０００６】
【従来技術の問題点】
第一に、読取桁方向に長大な光学的パターンを上記従来のタッチ式スキャナで読取可能にしようとすると、その読取口幅を長大にしなければならない。
しかしながら、読取口幅が長大化したタッチ式スキャナは、当然ながら、操作性が低下して仕舞う。
【０００７】
第二に、読取口幅を長大化させた従来形式のタッチ式スキャナでは、一次元電子走査形読取センサの横幅が自ら限られているため、焦点距離が短く且つ広角の結像しンズが必要となる。
しかしながら、焦点距離が短く且つ広角の結像しンズを使用するときは、広角レンズに特有のゆがみ収差（歪曲収差）が発生するため、一次元電子走査形読取センサ上の光像（結像）は、原像である光学的パターンとの相似性が損なわれて仕舞う（岩波「理化学辞典第４版」（１９８９年１２月１５日発行）第４７３頁「ザイデルの５収差」の欄参照）。
【０００８】
第三に、読取口幅を長大化させた従来形式のタッチ式スキャナにおいて焦点距離が短く且つ広角の結像しンズを使用するときは、一次元電子走査形読取センサ上のピクセル（画素）数が自ら限られているため、分解能と読取精度が低下して仕舞う。
【０００９】
第四に、表面が柔らかく且つ不定形を成す被読取部材や、表面が硬く且つ曲面状を成す被読取部材のバーコードシンボルに対して、ベン式スキャナの先端部を接触させながら、しかも一定の速度で走査することは、多くのオペレータにとって、決して容易ではなかった。バーコードシンボルが長大化すれば尚更である。そのため、バーコード情報の誤読が多く、従って読取り作業が非効率的となって仕舞う。
【００１０】
第五に、構成桁数が不定長のバーコードシンボルを読取るために、予めペン式スキャナとタッチ式スキャナとを用意しておき、被読取部材上のバーコードシンボルの長さに応じて、両者を使い分ける方法もあるが、
当該方法には、常時２種類のスキャナを取り揃えておくための、従って又、ホストコンピュータに対する接続換えを常時可能にするための、イニシアルコスト及びランニングコストが増加するという問題がある。しかも、両者の使い分けの仕方は、多くのオペレータにとって、甚だ煩雑であった。
第六に、以上の諸問題の存在の故に、更なるシステムスケールアップに、大きなネックが生じていた。
【００１１】
【発明の目的】
それ故、この出願の発明の第１の目的は、任意の読取桁方向の長さを持つ各種の光学的パターンを、単独で読取ることが出来る、光学的情報読取装置を提供することにある。
この出願の発明の第２の目的は、読取桁方向に長大な光学的パターンを、１個同一の広角結像レンズを使用したものに比べて、歪み（ゆがみ）が少なく、高分解能で読取ることが出来ると共に、操作性の良好な、光学的情報読取装置を提供することにある。
この出願の発明の第３の目的は、読取桁方向に長大な一段バーコードや多段バーコード、文字、記号等の光学的パターンを、正確に且つ高速で読取ることが出来る、光学的情報読取装置を提供することにある。
【００１２】
【目的を達成するための手段】
前記の諸問題を解決し、前記の諸目的を達成するために、この出願の発明の第１の形態の光学的情報読取装置は、
光照射手段と、集光光学系５と、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８と、信号２値化手段と、信号重複部解消手段とを含有し、
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８は、ｎ個の線状受光領域（但しｎは２以上の整数）、即ち第１の線状受光領域８_１、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎが垂直面内において互いに平行且つ水平に配置され、各線状受光領域８_１〜８_ｎには無数のピクセルが水平方向に密に配列されておって、全体として横長状に配設され、
集光光学系５は、ｎ個の結像レンズ、即ち第１の結像レンズ５_１、第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、及び第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎを含有しておって、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８の前方に配置され、
横幅が最大読取幅に達する光学的パターン３が、集光光学系５の前方に、略最大読取距離を隔てて横長状に置かれ、
光学的パターン３上に線状反射領域３ｃが想定され、
線状反射領域３ｃ上に、ｎ個の反射区域、即ち線状反射領域３ｃの一端を含む第１の反射区域３ｃ_１、第ｉ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ−１（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）に対して一端の近傍が重複する第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ、及び第ｎ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｎ−１に対して一端の近傍が重複すると共に線状反射領域３ｃの他端を含む第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎが想定されているとき、
第１の結像レンズ５_１の光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃと第１の線状受光領域８_１とを含む第１の平面内であって、しかも、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１の中心点から第１の線状受光領域８_１の中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置され、
第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）の光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃと第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉとを含む第ｉの平面内であって、しかも、第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉの中心点から第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置され、
第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎの光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃと第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎとを含む第ｎの平面内であって、しかも、第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎの中心点から第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置され、
以って、光照射手段が光学的パターン３の全体を照射したとき、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１〜第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎによってそれぞれ反射されて成る第１の光像〜第ｎの光像がそれぞれ、第１の結像レンズ５_１〜第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎによって、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上に結像せしめられ、
次いで、第１の線状受光領域８_ｉ〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上の各ピクセルにおける光の強弱信号がそれぞれ信号電荷に光電変換され、当該信号電荷が蓄積され、当該各ピクセルに対してラスタ走査式の電子的走査がなされることによって、全ての信号電荷が時間軸上の一連の電気的アナログ信号に変換され、
上記一連の電気的アナログ信号が、信号２値化手段によって、一連の２値信号に変換され、
上記一連の２値信号が、信号重複部解消手段によって、重複信号の一方を削除され、且つ縮合されることによって、光学的パターン３に対応する真正２値信号に変換される、
ものである。
【００１３】
この出願の発明の第２の形態の光学的情報読取装置は、
前記第１の形態の光学的情報読取装置において、一の筐体を含有し、
上記筐体は、その内部に、前記集光光学系５、前記二次元電子走査形読取センサ８、前記信号２値化手段、及び前記信号重複部解消手段の全部又は主要部が収納される、
ものである。
【００１４】
この出願の発明の第３の形態の光学的情報読取装置は、
筐体１と、光照射手段２と、反射ミラー４と、集光光学系５と、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８と、信号２値化手段と、信号重複部解消手段とを含有し、
筐体１は、後部から中間部が水平筒形を成し、前部が末広がり形を成すと共に、途中の湾曲点迄は水平部、同湾曲点から先は下降部を成し、且つ、先端部に光出入口、内部に空洞が形成され、
光照射手段２は、１又は複数個の光源からなり、且つ、それらの光源は、光出入口の前方に最大読取可能距離を隔てて横長状に置かれた光学的パターン３の全体を照射可能にするために、同光出入口の内側近傍に点状、線分状、コの字状又はループ状に配列され、
反射ミラー４は、斜め下前方から到来する反射光を略水平方向に偏向させるために、湾曲点近傍の空洞内に、斜め下後ろ向きに配置され、
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８は、ｎ個の線状受光領域（但しｎは２以上の整数）、即ち第１の線状受光領域８_１、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、及び第ｎの線状受光領域８ｎが垂直面内において互いに平行且つ水平に配置され、各線状受光領域８_１〜８_ｎには無数のピクセルが水平方向に密に配列されておって、筐体１の後部の空洞内に配置され、
集光光学系５は、ｎ個の結像レンズ、即ち第１の結像レンズ５_１、第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、及び第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎ、を含有し、
横幅が最大読取幅に達する光学的パターン３が、集光光学系５の前方に、略最大読取距離を隔てて横長状に置かれ、
光学的パターン３上に線状反射領域３ｃが想定され、
線状反射領域３ｃ上に、ｎ個の反射区域、即ち線状反射領域３ｃの一端を含む第１の反射区域３ｃ_１、第ｉ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ−１（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）に対して一端の近傍が重複する第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ、及び第ｎ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｎ−１に対して一端の近傍が重複すると共に線状反射領域３ｃの他端を含む第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎが想定されているとき、
第１の結像レンズ５_１の光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃから到来し、反射ミラー４で略水平方向に偏向され、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第１の線状受光領域８_１で受光される、略水平な反射光光束によって規定される、第１の平面内であって、しかも、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１の中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第１の線状受光領域８_１の中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置され、
第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）の光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃから到来し、反射ミラー４で略水平方向に偏向され、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉで受光される、略水平な反射光光束によって規定される、第ｉの平面内であって、しかも、第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉの中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉの中心に到る反射光の光路内に配置され、
第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎの光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃから到来し、反射ミラー４で略水平方向に偏向され、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎで受光される、略水平な反射光光束によって規定される、第ｎの平面内であって、しかも、第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎの中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置され、
上記信号２値化手段は、上記空洞内のその余の部位に配置され、
以って、光照射手段２が光学的パターン３の全体を照射したとき、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１〜第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎによってそれぞれ反射されて成る第１の光像〜第ｎの光像がそれぞれ、第１の結像レンズ５_１〜第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎによって、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上に結像せしめられ、
次いで、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上の各ピクセルにおける光の強弱信号がそれぞれ信号電荷に光電変換され、当該信号電荷が蓄積され、当該各ピクセルに対してラスタ走査式の電子的走査がなされることによって、全ての信号電荷が時間軸上の一連の電気的アナログ信号に変換され、
上記一連の電気的アナログ信号が、上記信号２値化手段によって、一連の２値信号に変換され、
上記一連の２値信号が、信号重複部解消手段によって、重複信号の一方を削除され、且つ縮合されることによって、光学的パターン３に対応する真正２値信号に変換される、
ものである。
【００１５】
この出願の発明の第４の形態の光学的情報読取装置は、
筐体１の光出入口の横幅を超える長大な横幅を有する光学的パターン３が同光出入口の前方に最大読取可能距離を隔てて横長状に置かれたとき、同光学的パターン３における光出入口の横幅を超える部分の照度を特に大とするために、前記光照射手段２における光源の配設密度が、前記光出入口の左端部又は右端部に近付くに連れて大とされる、
ものである。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
〔第１の実施の形態〕
この出願の発明の光学的情報読取装置の第１の実施の形態について説明する。
同第１の実施の形態は、種々なる長さを有する光学的パターンを読取るためのものである。
（構成要素の簡単な説明）
図１は同第１の実施の形態の斜視図、図２はその平面図、図３はその側面図、図４は被読取部材（例えばラベル）の平面図、そして、図５は被読取部材Ｌ上の線状反射領域３ｃの細部の説明図である。
図１〜３において、Ｌは被読取部材（例えばラベル）、５は集光光学系、５_１は第１の結像レンズ、５_２は第２の結像レンズ、８は二次元電子走査形読取センサである。（３、３ｃ_１、３ｃ_２については、後述する）。
【００１７】
図４において、Ｌは被読取部材（例えばラベル）、３は被読取部材Ｌ上に記録された光学的パターン（例えばバーコードシンボル）、３ｃは光学的パターン３上に想定された線状反射領域である。
図５において、３ｃ_１は線条反射領域３ｃ上に想定された第１の反射区域、３ｃ_２は同じく第２の反射区域、そして、ｄは第１の反射区域３ｃ_１と第２の反射区域３ｃ_１とが重複している区域重複部である。
図１に戻って再説するに、被読取部材Ｌの表面（図１では裏面は見えるが表面は見えない。）上に想定された線状反射領域３ｃ、並びに、該線状反射領域３ｃ上に想定された第１及び第２の反射区域３ｃ_１及び３ｃ_２が、破線によって、表されている。
【００１８】
この実施の形態では、以上の諸要素の外に、増幅手段や信号２値化手段、メモリ手段、信号重複部解消手段、信号解読手段（デコード手段）が使用される（何れも無図示）。
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８の後段には、上記増幅手段が接続され、上記増幅手段の後段には、信号２値化手段が接続される。
上記のメモリ手段や、信号重複部解消手段、信号解読手段は、１個のマイクロコンピュータで構成することも出来る。
【００１９】
（要素の構成及び要素間関係の詳細な説明）
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８は、図１では、２個の線状受光領域、即ち第１の線状受光領域８_１及び第２の線状受光領域８_２が、垂直面内において、互いに平行且つ水平に配置され、各線状受光領域８_１〜８_２には、無数のピクセル（画素）が水平方向に密に配列されている（無図示）。
この二次元電子走査形読取センサ８は、図２の如く、横長状に配設される。
集光光学系５は、図１〜３では、第１の結像レンズ５_１及び第２の結像レンズ５_２を含有する。そして、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８の前方に配置されている。
【００２０】
以下においては、説明を簡単にするため、横幅が最大読取幅に達する光学的パターン３が、集光光学系５の前方に、略最大読取距離を隔てて、図１〜３の如く、横長状に置かれているものと仮定する。（このような仮定を置いても、この出願の発明の一般性が失われる虞（おそれ）はない。）
【００２１】
第１の結像レンズ５_１の光軸は、かかる光学的パターン３上の線状反射領域３ｃ（図１及び図４参照）と二次元電子走査形読取センサ８内の第１の線状受光領域８_１とを含む第１の平面内であって、しかも、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１の中心点から第１の線状受光領域８_１の中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される。
【００２１】
第２の結像レンズ５_２の光軸は、上記線状反射領域３ｃと二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第２の線状受光領域８_２とを含む第２の平面内であって、しかも上記第２の反射区域３ｃ_２の中心点から上記第２の線状受光領域８_２の中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される。
かくの如くにして配列された第１及び第２の結像レンズ５_１及び５_２は、相互に接触又は衝突する虞無しとしない。そのような場合は、第１及び第２の結像レンズ５_１及び５_２を前後方向にずらすことによって、接触や衝突を簡単に回避することが出来る。
【００２２】
（動作の説明）
光照射手段が光学的パターン３の全体を照射したとき、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１及び第２の反射区域３ｃ_２によってそれぞれ反射されて成る第１の光像及び第２の光像がそれぞれ、第１の結像レンズ５_１及び第２の結像レンズ５_２によって、第１の線状受光領域８_１及び第２の線状受光領域８_２上に結像せしめられる。
【００２３】
第１の線状受光領域８_１及び第２の線状受光領域８_２の各ピクセル（画素）に光信号が入射すると、当該各ピクセルにおける光の強弱信号がそれぞれ信号電荷に光電変換され、当該信号電荷が蓄積され、当該各ピクセルに対してラスタ走査式の電子的走査がなされることによって、全ての信号電荷が時間軸上の一連の電気的アナログ信号に変換される。
上記一連の電気的アナログ信号は、信号２値化手段によって、一連の２値信号に変換される。
上記一連の２値信号は、好ましくは、メモリ手段に一旦記憶せしめられる。
【００２４】
第１の反射区域３ｃ_１由来の２値信号と第２の反射区域３ｃ_２由来の２値信号とは、両者の重複部分（共通部分）が、上記信号重複部解消手段によって検出され、その一方が削除され、両信号が縮合されることによって、光学的パターン３に対応する真正２値信号に変換される。
いま、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１由来の２値信号列をＢ、その長さをＭ、第２の反射区域３ｃ_２由来の２値信号列をＣ、その長さをＮ、両信号列の重複部の長さをＫとすれば、両信号列は、下記の如く、表される。
Ｂ＝（Ｂ_１，…，Ｂ_{Ｍ−Ｋ＋１}，…，Ｂ_Ｍ）・・・・・・・・・・・（１）
Ｃ＝ …，…．… （Ｃ_１，…，Ｃ_Ｋ，…，Ｃ_Ｎ）・・・・・・（２）
而して、重複部の両２値信号間には、下記Ｋ個の一致式が成り立つ。
Ｂ_{Ｍ−Ｋ＋１}＝Ｃ１・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・（３−１）
Ｂ_{Ｍ−Ｋ＋ｉ}＝Ｃ_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，Ｋ−１）・・・・・（３−２）
Ｂ_Ｍ＝Ｃ_Ｋ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・（３−３）
式（３−１）〜（３−３）によれば、少なくともＫ個の一致回路と、Ｋ−１個のアンド回路を用意すれば、長さＫ個の信号重複部分を検出出来ることが明らかである。
上記真正２値信号は、信号解読手段（デコード手段）によって解読され、それによって元の情報、即ち光学的パターン３に担持された情報が復元される。
【００２５】
（図１〜５の拡張）
図１の二次元電子走査形読取センサ８における、線状受光領域の個数２は、ｎ個に拡張することが出来る。即ち、
拡張された二次元電子走査形読取センサ８は、ｎ個の線条受光領域（但しｎは２以上の整数）、即ち第１の線状受光領域８_１、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、及び第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ（無図示）が、図１と同様に、垂直面内において互いに平行且つ水平に配置され、各線状受光領域８_１〜８_ｎには、無数のピクセル（画素）が水平方向に密に配列される（無図示）こととなる。
【００２６】
図１〜３の集光光学系５における結像レンズの個数２は、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８における線状受光領域の個数２と同様に、ｎ個に拡張することが出来る。
拡張された集光光学系５は、ｎ個の結像レンズ、即ち第１の結像レンズ５_１、第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、及び第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎを含有する（無図示）こととなる。
【００２７】
拡張された線状反射領域３ｃ上には、ｎ個の反射区域が想定される。
第１の反射区域３ｃ_１は、その一端（例えば右端）が線状反射領域３ｃの一端（例えば右端）を含むと共に、その他端（例えば左端）の近傍が第２の反射区域３ｃ_２の一端（例えば右端）の近傍と重複する。
第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）は、その一端（例えば右端）の近傍が第ｉ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ−１の他端（例えば左端）の近傍と重複すると共に、その他端（例えば左端）の近傍が第ｉ＋１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ＋１の一端（例えば右端）の近傍と重複する。
第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎは、第ｎ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｎ−１に対して一端の近傍が重複すると共に、線状反射領域３ｃの他端を含む。
【００２８】
拡張された集光光学系５における第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（ｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）の光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃと第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉとを含む第ｉの平面内であって、しかも、第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉの中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される（無図示）こととなる。
【００２９】
拡張された集光光学系５における第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎの光軸は、線状反射領域３ｃと第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎとを含む第ｎの平面内であって、しかも、第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎの中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される（無図示）こととなる。
その余の構成については、図１〜３と同様である。
【００３０】
（拡張された動作）
光照射手段が光学的パターン３の全体を照射したとき、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１〜第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎによってそれぞれ反射されて成る第１の光像〜第ｎの光像がそれぞれ、第１の結像レンズ５_１〜第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎによって、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上に結像せしめられる。
【００３１】
その時、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上の各ピクセルにおける光の強弱信号がそれぞれ信号電荷に光電変換され、当該各信号電荷が各ピクセルに蓄積され、当該各ピクセルに対してラスタ走査式の電子的走査がなされることによって、全ての信号電荷が時間軸上の一連の電気的アナログ信号に変換される。
【００３２】
ここでは、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１〜第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎ中の任意の反射区域は、第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ（一般項）で代表される。その際、ｉには、順次、整数１，２，…，ｎが代入される。
第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ由来の２値信号（但しｉ＝１，２，…，ｎ−１）と第ｉ＋１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ＋１由来の２値信号とは、それらの重複部分（共通部分）が、信号重複部解消手段によって検出され、その一方が削除され、両信号が縮合されることによって、光学的パターン３に対応する真正２値信号に変換される。
上記信号重複部解消手段は、前述の如く、少なくともＫ個の一致回路と、Ｋ−１個のアンド回路とを含有するが、それらの回路は、反復して少なくともｎ−１回使用されることとなる。
その余の動作については、図１〜３の動作と同様である。
【００３３】
〔第２の実施の形態〕
この出願の発明の光学的情報読取装置の第２の実施の形態について説明する。
同第２の実施の形態の光学的情報読取装置は、前記第１の実施の形態の光学的情報読取装置において、一の筐体を含有したものである。
上記筐体は、その内部に、前記集光光学系５、前記二次元電子走査形読取センサ８、前記信号２値化手段、及び前記信号重複部解消手段の全部又は主要部が収納される。
第２の実施の形態では、光照射手段は、上記筐体の内部又は外部に配置することが出来る。
第２の実施の形態のその余の事項は、第１の実施の形態と同様である。
【００３４】
〔第３の実施の形態〕
この出願の発明の光学的情報読取装置の第３の実施の形態について説明する。同第３の実施の形態は、水平方向に読取口幅よりも長大な寸法を有する光学的パターンを読取るためのものである。
（構成要素の簡単な説明）
図６は、同第３の実施の形態の説明図であって、同図（ａ）は、筐体上部を除去して示す平面図、同図（ｂ）は縦断面図である。
図６において、１は筐体、２は光照射手段、Ｌは被読取部材（例えばラベル）、３は被読取部材Ｌ上の光学的パターン、４は反射ミラー、５は集光光学系、５_１及び５_２は結像レンズ、８は二次元電子走査形読取センサである。
【００３５】
この実施の形態では、以上の諸要素の外に、増幅手段や信号２値化手段、メモリ手段、信号重複部解消手段、信号解読手段（デコード手段）が使用される（何れも無図示）。
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８の後段には、上記増幅手段が接続され、上記増幅手段の後段には、信号２値化手段が接続される。
上記のメモリ手段や、信号重複部解消手段、信号解読手段は、１個のマイクロコンピュータで構成することも出来る。
【００３６】
（要素の構成及び要素間関係の詳細な説明）
以下においては、説明の便のため、オペレータから見て、前後方向を縦方向、左右方向を横方向という。
筐体１は、縦方向（図６の紙面では左右方向）に即して、後部、中間部及び前部から成る。図６では、後部から中間部が水平部、前部が下降部（傾斜部）を成し、両部の境界近傍が湾曲部を成す。
筐体１の先端部には光出入口、内部には空洞が形成される。
上記水平部は、断面が長方形の角筒から成り、略水平に置かれている。
上記前部は、図示の如く、断面が長方形を成すと共に、より前方の横幅程大と成る、末広がり形（逆台形又は扇形）を成す。
上記水平部の形状は、断面が六角形の角筒形や、断面が円形の円筒形とすることも出来る。一般に、断面が任意の形状の筒形とすることが出来る。
【００３７】
光照射手段２は、光出入口の前方に最大読取可能距離を隔てて横長状に置かれた光学的パターン３の全体を、照射するためのものである。図６では、４個の光源が、光出入口の内側近傍の一の線分の上に、等間隔を成して配列されている。
光照射手段２の光源の個数は、１〜３個とすることも出来るし、５個以上とすることも出来る。即ち、１〜複数個とすることが出来る。
光源の個数が複数個の場合は、その配列形状を、コの字状又はループ状とすることが出来る。
【００３８】
反射ミラー４は、斜め下前方から到来する反射光を、略水平方向後ろ向きに偏向させるために、図６（ｂ）の如く、湾曲点近傍の空洞内に、斜め下後ろ向きに配置される。ここに、反射ミラーの向きは、鏡面に立てた法線の向きによって表されるものとする。
そして、図６（ａ）の如く、横長状に配置される。
【００３９】
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８は、ｎ個の線状受光領域（但しｎは２以上の整数）、即ち第１の線状受光領域８_１、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）、及び第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎが垂直面内において互いに平行且つ水平に配置され、各線状受光領域８_１〜８_ｎには無数のピクセルが水平方向に密に配列されている。
二次元電子走査形読取センサ８の配設位置は、筐体１の後部における空洞の内部とされる。
集光光学系５は、ｎ個の結像レンズ（ｎは２以上の整数）、即ち、第１の結像レンズ５_１、第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（但しｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）及び第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎを含有する。
【００４０】
以下においては、説明を簡単にするため、横幅が最大読取幅に達する光学的パターン３が、前記光出入口の前方に、略最大読取可能距離Δを隔てて横長状に置かれているものと仮定する。
ここに、最大読取可能距離Δとは、集光光学系５から見た前記最大読取距離をＤ、集光光学系５と前記光出入口との距離をＤ_０とすれば、
Δ＝Ｄ−Ｄ_０
によって与えられる。
【００４１】
光学的パターン３上に線状反射領域３ｃが想定される。
線状反射領域３ｃ上には、ｎ個の反射区域、即ち、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１〜第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎが想定される。
第１の反射区域３ｃ_１は、その一端（例えば右端）が線状反射領域３ｃの一端（例えば右端）を含むと共に、その他端（例えば左端）の近傍が第２の反射区域３ｃ_２の一端（例えば右端）の近傍と重複する。
【００４２】
第２の反射区域３ｃ_２から第ｎ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｎ−１までを、「第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ（ｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）」で代表させたとき、
第ｉの反射区域３ｃ_ｉ（ｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）は、その一端（例えば右端）の近傍が第ｉ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ−１の他端（例えば左端）の近傍と重複する共に、その他端（例えば左端）の近傍が第ｉ＋１の反射区域３ｃ_ｉ＋１の一端（例えば右端）の近傍と重複する。
第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎは、その一端（例えば右端）の近傍が第ｎ−１の反射区域３ｃ_ｎ−１の他端（例えば左端）の近傍と重複する共に、その他端（例えば左端）が線状反射領域３ｃの他端を含む。
【００４３】
線状反射領域３ｃから到来し、反射ミラー４で略水平方向に偏向され、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第１の線状受光領域８_１で受光される、略水平な反射光光束によって、第１の平面が規定される。
第１の結像レンズ５_１の光軸は、上記第１の平面内であって、しかも、第１の反射区域の中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第１の線状受光領域８_１の中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される。
【００４４】
第２の結像レンズ５_２〜第ｎ−１の結像レンズ５_ｎ−１を、「第ｉの結像レンズ５_ｉ（ｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）」で代表させたとき、
線状反射領域３ｃから到来し、反射ミラー４で略水平方向に偏向され、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第ｉの線状受光領域８ｉで受光される、略水平な反射光光束によって、第ｉの平面が規定される。
第ｉの結像レンズ５ｉ（ｉ＝２，３，…，ｎ−１）の光軸は、上記第ｉの平面内であって、しかも、第ｉの反射区域の中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第ｉの線状受光領域８_ｉの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される。
【００４５】
線状反射領域３ｃから到来し、反射ミラー４で略水平方向に偏向され、二次元電子走査形読取センサ８上の第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎで受光される、略水平な反射光光束によって、第ｎの平面が規定される。
第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎの光軸は、上記第ｎの平面内であって、しかも、第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎの中心点から、反射ミラー４を介して、第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎの中心点に到る反射光の光路内に配置される。
前記信号２値化手段は、前記空洞内のその余の部位、即ち光照射手段２、反射ミラー４、集光光学系５及び二次元電子走査形読取センサ８の配設部位並びに照射光及び反射光の通過空間以外の部位に配置される。
前記信号重複部解消手段は、前記第１の実施の形態の信号重複部解消手段をｎ−１個含有して成るものであっても良いし、前記信号重複部解消手段の１個を、反復してｎ−１回適用するようにしたものであっても良い。
第３の実施の形態のその余の構成は、第１の実施の形態のそれと同様である。
【００４６】
（動作の説明）
光照射手段２が光学的パターン３の全体を照射したとき、第１の反射区域３ｃ_１〜第ｎの反射区域３ｃ_ｎによってそれぞれ反射されて成る第１の光像〜第ｎの光像はそれぞれ、第１の結像レンズ５_１〜第ｎの結像レンズ５_ｎによって、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上に結像せしめられる。
次いで、第１の線状受光領域８_１〜第ｎの線状受光領域８_ｎ上の各ピクセルにおける光の強弱信号がそれぞれ信号電荷に光電変換され、当該各信号電荷が当該各ピクセルに蓄積され、当該各ピクセルに対してラスタ走査式の電子的走査がなされることによって、全ての信号電荷が時間軸上の一連の電気的アナログ信号に変換される。
【００４７】
上記一連の電気的アナログ信号は、上記信号２値化手段によって、一連の２値信号に変換される。
上記一連の２値信号は、上記信号重複部解消手段によって、重複信号の一方を削除され、且つ縮合されることによって、光学的パターン３に対応する真正２値信号に変換される。
第３の実施の形態のその余の動作は、第１の実施の形態のそれと同様である。
【００４８】
〔第４の実施の形態〕
この出願の発明の光学的情報読取装置の第４の実施の形態について説明する。同第４の実施の形態の光学的情報読取装置は、前記第３の実施の形態の光照射手段２の光源の個数が複数個である場合において、光源の配設密度が、前記光出入口の左端部又は右端部に近付くに連れて大とされて成るものである。
上記光源のこのような配設密度によれば、筐体１の光出入口の横幅を超える長大な横幅を有する光学的パターン３が同光出入口の前方に最大読取可能距離を隔てて横長状に置かれたような場合であっても、同光学的パターン３における光出入口の横幅を超える部分の照度を特に大とすることが出来る。
これによって、上記光出入口の横幅の外方に位置する線状反射領域からの反射光の強度を、当該線状反射領域の中央部からの反射光の強度と同程度に成る様、増大させることが出来る。
【００４９】
【発明の効果】
この出願の発明は、以上のように構成したから、下記（ａ）〜（ｆ）の通り、顕著な効果を奏することが出来る。
（ａ）読取桁方向に種々なる長さを持つ各種の光学的パターンを、単独で読取ることが出来る。
（ｂ）読取桁方向に方向に長大な長さを有する光学的パターンを、光出入口の幅が狭くて、小型の筐体で読み取ることが出来る。
（ｃ）読取桁方向に長大な長さを有する光学的パターンを、１個同一の広角結像レンズを使用したものに比べて、歪み（ゆがみ）が少なく、高分解能で読取ることが出来る。
そして、操作性も良好である。
（ｄ）読取桁方向に長大な長さを有する一段バーコードや多段バーコード、文字、記号等の光学的パターンを、正確に且つ高速で読取ることが出来る。
（ｅ）表面が柔らかく且つ不定形を成す被読取部材や、表面が硬く且つ曲面状を成す被読取部材のバーコードシンボルについても誤読の虞が無く、従って読取り作業が効率的となる。
（ｆ）従って、バーコードリーダを入力手段として使用する大型システムの構築が容易に成る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この出願の発明の光学的情報読取装置の第１の実施の形態の要部の斜視図である。
【図２】同第１の実施の形態の要部の平面図である。
【図３】同第１の実施の形態の要部の側面図である。
【図４】被読取部材（例えばラベル）の平面図である。
【図５】被読取部材上の線状反射領域３ｃの細部の説明図である。
【図６】この出願の発明の光学的情報読取装置の第３の実施の形態の説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１筐体
２光照射手段
３光学的パターン
３ｃ線状反射領域
３ｃ_１第１の反射区域
３ｃ_２第２の反射区域
４反射ミラー
５集光光学系
５_１第１の結像レンズ
５_２第２の結像レンズ
８二次元電子走査形読取センサ
８_１第１の線状受光領域
８_２第２の線状受光領域
ｄ区域重複部
Ｌ被読取部材（ラベル）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention of this application relates to an optical information reading apparatus capable of reading optical information such as a barcode having a large number of digits and a wide width.
In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic scanning optical information reading apparatus capable of reading optical information such as a barcode having a long width exceeding the barcode reading port width and a large number of digits.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Prior art will be described.
Conventional optical information readers are roughly classified into three types: a touch scanner, a pen scanner, and a laser scanner.
A conventional touch scanner illuminates an optical pattern recorded on an optical recording medium (a member to be read) with illumination means,
An optical image formed by scattering and reflection from the optical pattern is formed on a one-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor (for example, CCD), and this is formed on the time axis by the photoelectric conversion function of the one-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor. To an electrical analog signal
This signal is processed electrically to read the optical pattern.
As the optical pattern, bar code symbols have been mainly used.
Further, as an optical recording medium (a member to be read), a member having a generally hard and flat surface has been used.
[0003]
However, as the field of product information registration processing and information management expands to retail, FA (Factor Automation), distribution, service industry, OA (Office Automation), etc., the types of goods and information handled are diversified. The amount of information has been increasing.
As a result, some notable changes occurred.
First, as the amount of information increases, the maximum number of digits of barcode symbols increases. Some of the members to be read (for example, labels) have a length in the reading digit direction ranging from 15 cm to 20 cm.
[0004]
Secondly, as the optical recording medium (read member), a member having a hard surface and a curved surface, and a member having a soft surface and an indefinite shape have been used.
For example, a label on which a barcode symbol is printed is attached to the surface of a bag or can, or the barcode symbol itself is directly printed on the surface of a bag or can.
[0005]
Third, coupled with the development of the barcode system, barcode symbols such as JAN, EAN, UPC attached to soft materials on the surface such as bags in retail, FA, OA, and logistics applications, and Code39 , Code128, NW7, ITF, etc., bar code symbols with indefinite length are mixed.
[0006]
[Problems of the prior art]
First, in order to make it possible to read a long optical pattern in the reading digit direction with the conventional touch scanner, the width of the reading port must be made long.
However, a touch-type scanner with a wide reading port width naturally has a poor operability.
[0007]
Second, in the conventional type touch scanner with a long reading port width, the horizontal width of the one-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor is limited by itself, so that a short focal length and a wide-angle image are required. It becomes.
However, when a wide-angle lens is used with a short focal length and a wide-angle lens, a distortion aberration (distortion aberration) peculiar to the wide-angle lens is generated. Therefore, an optical image (image formation) on a one-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor. , The similarity with the original optical pattern is impaired (see Iwanami "Science and Chemistry Dictionary 4th Edition" (issued on December 15, 1989), page 473, "Seidel's Five Aberrations").
[0008]
Third, when using a conventional touch type scanner with a wide reading aperture and a short focal length and wide angle imaging, the number of pixels on the one-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor However, the resolution and the reading accuracy are reduced and the result is limited.
[0009]
Fourth, while the tip of the Ben type scanner is in contact with the barcode symbol of the member to be read whose surface has a soft and irregular shape, or the member to be read whose surface has a hard surface and a curved surface, and while maintaining constant Scanning at speed has never been easy for many operators. This is even more so when the barcode symbol becomes longer. For this reason, there are many misreads of bar code information, so that the reading operation becomes inefficient.
[0010]
Fifth, in order to read a bar code symbol having an indefinite length, a pen type scanner and a touch type scanner are prepared in advance. There is a way to use differently,
This method has a problem that the initial cost and the running cost are increased to always have two types of scanners, and therefore to enable the connection change to the host computer at all times. In addition, how to use the both is very complicated for many operators.
Sixth, due to the existence of the above problems, a major bottleneck has occurred in further system scale-up.
[0011]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a first object of the invention of this application is to provide an optical information reader capable of independently reading various optical patterns having a length in an arbitrary reading digit direction.
The second object of the invention of this application is to read an optical pattern that is long in the reading digit direction with less resolution (distortion) and higher resolution than that using a single wide-angle imaging lens. It is possible to provide an optical information reading apparatus that can perform the above operation and has good operability.
A third object of the invention of this application is to provide an optical information reader capable of accurately and rapidly reading an optical pattern such as a one-stage bar code, a multi-stage bar code, characters and symbols that are long in the reading digit direction. Is to provide.
[0012]
[Means for achieving the objectives]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the above-mentioned objects, an optical information reader according to a first aspect of the invention of this application includes:
A light irradiating means, a condensing optical system 5, a two-dimensional electronic scanning read sensor 8, a signal binarizing means, and a signal duplication portion eliminating means,
The two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 includes n linear light receiving regions (where n is an integer of 2 or more), that is, the first linear light receiving region 8.₁I-th linear light receiving region 8_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1), the nth linear light receiving region 8_nAre arranged in parallel and horizontally in the vertical plane, and each linear light receiving region 8₁~ 8_nInnumerable pixels are arranged densely in the horizontal direction, and are arranged horizontally as a whole.
The condensing optical system 5 includes n imaging lenses, that is, the first imaging lens 5.₁, I-th imaging lens 5_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth imaging lens 5_nIs disposed in front of the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8,
The optical pattern 3 whose horizontal width reaches the maximum reading width is placed in a horizontally long shape in front of the condensing optical system 5 with a substantially maximum reading distance,
A linear reflection region 3c is assumed on the optical pattern 3,
On the linear reflection region 3c, n reflection regions, that is, a first reflection region 3c including one end of the linear reflection region 3c.₁, I-1th reflective area 3c_i-1(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1), the i-th reflective area 3c where the vicinity of one end overlaps._i, And the (n-1) th reflective area 3c_n-1And the vicinity of one end overlaps the nth reflection area 3c including the other end of the linear reflection region 3c._nIs assumed,
First imaging lens 5₁The optical axes of the linear reflection region 3c and the first linear light receiving region 8 are₁In a first plane including the first reflective area 3c₁From the center point of the first linear light receiving region 8₁Placed in the optical path of the reflected light to the center point of
I-th imaging lens 5_iThe optical axes (where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) have linear reflection regions 3 c and i-th linear light receiving regions 8._iAnd the i th reflective area 3c._iI-th linear light receiving region 8 from the center point of_iPlaced in the optical path of the reflected light to the center point of
Nth imaging lens 5_nThe optical axis of the linear reflection region 3c and the nth linear light receiving region 8_nAnd the nth reflection area 3c._nTo the nth linear light receiving region 8 from the center point of_nPlaced in the optical path of the reflected light to the center point of
Therefore, when the light irradiating means irradiates the entire optical pattern 3, the first reflection area 3c.₁-Nth reflection area 3c_nThe first optical image to the n-th optical image respectively reflected by the first imaging lens 5 respectively.₁To nth imaging lens 5_nBy means of the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nImaged above,
Next, the first linear light receiving region 8_iTo nth linear light receiving region 8_nThe light intensity signal in each pixel above is photoelectrically converted into signal charges, the signal charges are accumulated, and raster scanning electronic scanning is performed on each pixel, so that all signal charges are timed. Converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the axis,
The series of electrical analog signals are converted into a series of binary signals by the signal binarization means,
The series of binary signals is converted into a true binary signal corresponding to the optical pattern 3 by deleting and condensing one of the duplicate signals by the signal duplication portion elimination means.
Is.
[0013]
The optical information reader of the second aspect of the invention of this application is:
In the optical information reader of the first embodiment, containing one housing,
The casing houses therein all or main parts of the condensing optical system 5, the two-dimensional electronic scanning reading sensor 8, the signal binarizing means, and the signal duplication canceling means.
Is.
[0014]
The optical information reader of the third aspect of the invention of this application is:
A housing 1, a light irradiation means 2, a reflection mirror 4, a condensing optical system 5, a two-dimensional electronic scanning read sensor 8, a signal binarization means, and a signal duplication portion elimination means;
The housing 1 has a horizontal cylindrical shape from the rear to the middle, a front widened to the end, a horizontal portion up to the middle curved point, a lower portion from the curved point, and a tip. A light entrance and exit is formed in the part, and a cavity is formed inside,
The light irradiating means 2 is composed of one or a plurality of light sources, and these light sources can irradiate the entire optical pattern 3 placed in a horizontally long shape with a maximum readable distance in front of the light entrance. In order to do so, it is arranged in the shape of a dot, line segment, U-shape or loop near the inside of the same light entrance,
The reflection mirror 4 is disposed obliquely downward and rearward in the cavity near the bending point in order to deflect the reflected light arriving from obliquely downward and forward in a substantially horizontal direction,
The two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 includes n linear light receiving regions (where n is an integer of 2 or more), that is, the first linear light receiving region 8.₁I-th linear light receiving region 8_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth linear light receiving regions 8n are arranged in parallel and horizontally with each other in the vertical plane.₁~ 8_nInnumerable pixels are densely arranged in the horizontal direction, and are arranged in a cavity at the rear of the housing 1,
The condensing optical system 5 includes n imaging lenses, that is, the first imaging lens 5.₁, I-th imaging lens 5_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth imaging lens 5_nContaining,
The optical pattern 3 whose horizontal width reaches the maximum reading width is placed in a horizontally long shape in front of the condensing optical system 5 with a substantially maximum reading distance,
A linear reflection region 3c is assumed on the optical pattern 3,
On the linear reflection region 3c, n reflection regions, that is, a first reflection region 3c including one end of the linear reflection region 3c.₁, I-1th reflective area 3c_i-1(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1), the i-th reflective area 3c where the vicinity of one end overlaps._i, And the (n-1) th reflective area 3c_n-1And the vicinity of one end overlaps the nth reflection area 3c including the other end of the linear reflection region 3c._nIs assumed,
First imaging lens 5₁Of the first linear light-receiving region 8 on the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8, which comes from the linear reflection region 3 c and is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflection mirror 4.₁In the first plane defined by the substantially horizontal reflected light beam, and the first reflection area 3c.₁From the center point of the first linear light receiving region 8 via the reflecting mirror 4.₁Placed in the optical path of the reflected light to the center point of
I-th imaging lens 5_iThe optical axis (where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) arrives from the linear reflection region 3 c and is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflection mirror 4. i linear light receiving region 8_iIn the i-th plane defined by the substantially horizontal reflected light beam, and the i-th reflection area 3c._iThrough the reflecting mirror 4 from the center point of the i-th linear light-receiving region 8._iPlaced in the optical path of the reflected light to the center of
Nth imaging lens 5_nThe optical axis of the light beam comes from the linear reflection region 3c, is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflection mirror 4, and is the nth linear light receiving region 8 on the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8._nIn the nth plane defined by the substantially horizontal reflected light beam, and the nth reflection area 3c._nThrough the reflecting mirror 4 from the center point of the nth linear light receiving region 8._nPlaced in the optical path of the reflected light to the center point of
The signal binarizing means is disposed in the remaining part of the cavity,
Therefore, when the light irradiation means 2 irradiates the entire optical pattern 3, the first reflective area 3c is used.₁-Nth reflection area 3c_nThe first optical image to the n-th optical image respectively reflected by the first imaging lens 5 respectively.₁To nth imaging lens 5_nBy means of the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nImaged above,
Next, the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nThe light intensity signal in each pixel above is photoelectrically converted into signal charges, the signal charges are accumulated, and raster scanning electronic scanning is performed on each pixel, so that all signal charges are timed. Converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the axis,
The series of electrical analog signals are converted into a series of binary signals by the signal binarization means,
The series of binary signals is converted into a true binary signal corresponding to the optical pattern 3 by deleting and condensing one of the duplicate signals by the signal duplication portion elimination means.
Is.
[0015]
The optical information reader of the fourth aspect of the invention of this application is:
When the optical pattern 3 having a long width exceeding the width of the light entrance of the housing 1 is placed in a horizontally long shape with a maximum readable distance in front of the light entrance, the light entrance of the optical pattern 3 In order to particularly increase the illuminance of the portion exceeding the lateral width, the arrangement density of the light sources in the light irradiation means 2 is increased as it approaches the left end portion or the right end portion of the light entrance,
Is.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the optical information reading device of the invention of this application will be described.
The first embodiment is for reading optical patterns having various lengths.
(A brief description of the components)
1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a member to be read (for example, a label), and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the detail of the linear reflective area | region 3c on L. FIG.
1-3, L is a member to be read (for example, a label), 5 is a condensing optical system, 5₁Is the first imaging lens, 5₂Is a second imaging lens, and 8 is a two-dimensional electronic scanning reading sensor. (3, 3c₁3c₂Will be described later).
[0017]
In FIG. 4, L is a member to be read (for example, a label), 3 is an optical pattern (for example, a bar code symbol) recorded on the member to be read L, and 3 c is a linear reflection region assumed on the optical pattern 3. It is.
In FIG. 5, 3c₁Is the first reflection area 3c assumed on the line reflection region 3c.₂Is also the second reflective area, and d is the first reflective area 3c₁And the second reflection area 3c₁It is the area overlap part where and overlap.
Returning to FIG. 1 again, the linear reflection region 3c assumed on the surface of the read member L (the back surface is visible but the front surface is not visible in FIG. 1), and the linear reflection region 3c are assumed. Assumed first and second reflective areas 3c₁And 3c₂Is represented by a broken line.
[0018]
In this embodiment, in addition to the above elements, an amplifying means, a signal binarizing means, a memory means, a signal duplication canceling means, and a signal decoding means (decoding means) are used (all not shown).
The amplification means is connected to the subsequent stage of the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8, and the signal binarization means is connected to the subsequent stage of the amplification means.
The memory means, the signal duplication part eliminating means, and the signal decoding means can be constituted by a single microcomputer.
[0019]
(Detailed description of element structure and inter-element relationship)
In FIG. 1, the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 includes two linear light receiving regions, that is, a first linear light receiving region 8.₁And the second linear light receiving region 8₂Are arranged in parallel and horizontally with each other in the vertical plane, and each linear light receiving region 8₁~ 8₂Innumerable pixels (pixels) are densely arranged in the horizontal direction (not shown).
The two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 is arranged in a horizontally long shape as shown in FIG.
The condensing optical system 5 is the first imaging lens 5 in FIGS.₁And the second imaging lens 5₂Containing. Then, it is arranged in front of the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8.
[0020]
In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the optical pattern 3 whose horizontal width reaches the maximum reading width is in a horizontally long shape as shown in FIGS. Suppose that (Even if such an assumption is made, there is no possibility that the generality of the invention of this application will be lost.)
[0021]
First imaging lens 5₁Of the linear reflection region 3c (see FIGS. 1 and 4) on the optical pattern 3 and the first linear light receiving region 8 in the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8.₁In a first plane including the first reflective area 3c₁From the center point of the first linear light receiving region 8₁It is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light reaching the center point.
[0021]
Second imaging lens 5₂Of the second linear light receiving area 8 on the linear reflection area 3c and the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8.₂And in the second plane including the second reflection area 3c.₂From the center point of the second linear light receiving region 8₂It is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light reaching the center point.
The first and second imaging lenses 5 arranged in this way₁And 5₂Are not in danger of contacting or colliding with each other. In such a case, the first and second imaging lenses 5₁And 5₂By shifting in the front-rear direction, contact and collision can be easily avoided.
[0022]
(Description of operation)
When the light irradiation means irradiates the entire optical pattern 3, the first reflection area 3c₁And the second reflective area 3c₂The first optical image and the second optical image that are respectively reflected by the first imaging lens 5.₁And the second imaging lens 5₂By means of the first linear light receiving region 8₁And the second linear light receiving region 8₂The image is formed on the top.
[0023]
First linear light receiving region 8₁And the second linear light receiving region 8₂When an optical signal is incident on each pixel, the intensity signal of the light at each pixel is photoelectrically converted into a signal charge, the signal charge is accumulated, and raster scanning electronic scanning is performed on each pixel. As a result, all signal charges are converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the time axis.
The series of electrical analog signals are converted into a series of binary signals by signal binarization means.
The series of binary signals are preferably stored once in the memory means.
[0024]
1st reflective area 3c₁Derived binary signal and second reflective area 3c₂The derived binary signal corresponds to the optical pattern 3 by detecting the overlapping part (common part) of both by the signal overlapping part eliminating means, deleting one of them, and condensing both signals. It is converted into a true binary signal.
Now, the first reflective area 3c₁The binary signal sequence derived from B is B, its length is M, and the second reflection area 3c₂If the derived binary signal sequence is C, the length is N, and the length of the overlapping portion of both signal sequences is K, both signal sequences are expressed as follows.
B = (B₁, ..., B_{M-K + 1}, ..., B_M(1)
C = ..., ... ... (C₁, ..., C_K, ..., C_N(2)
Thus, the following K coincidence equations are established between both binary signals in the overlapping portion.
B_{M-K + 1}= C1 ... (3-1)
B_{M-K + i}= C_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., K-1) (3-2)
B_M    = C_K........................... (3-3)
According to the equations (3-1) to (3-3), it is clear that if at least K matching circuits and K-1 AND circuits are prepared, K overlapping signal portions can be detected. It is.
The genuine binary signal is decoded by a signal decoding means (decoding means), whereby the original information, that is, the information carried on the optical pattern 3 is restored.
[0025]
(Expansion of Figs. 1-5)
In the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 of FIG. 1, the number of linear light receiving regions 2 can be expanded to n. That is,
The expanded two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 includes n linear light receiving regions (where n is an integer of 2 or more), that is, the first linear light receiving region 8.₁I-th linear light receiving region 8_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth linear light receiving region 8_n(Not shown) are arranged in parallel and horizontally with each other in the vertical plane as in FIG.₁~ 8_nInnumerable pixels (pixels) are densely arranged in the horizontal direction (not shown).
[0026]
The number of imaging lenses 2 in the condensing optical system 5 in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be expanded to n, similarly to the number 2 of linear light receiving regions in the two-dimensional electronic scanning reading sensor 8.
The expanded condensing optical system 5 includes n imaging lenses, that is, the first imaging lens 5.₁, I-th imaging lens 5_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth imaging lens 5_n(Not shown).
[0027]
On the extended linear reflection region 3c, n reflection areas are assumed.
1st reflective area 3c₁The one end (for example, the right end) includes one end (for example, the right end) of the linear reflection region 3c, and the vicinity of the other end (for example, the left end) is the second reflection area 3c.₂It overlaps with the vicinity of one end (for example, the right end).
I-th reflective area 3c_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) is in the vicinity of one end (for example, the right end) of the i−1th reflection area 3c._i-1And the vicinity of the other end (for example, the left end) is the i + 1th reflection area 3c._{i + 1}It overlaps with the vicinity of one end (for example, the right end).
Nth reflective area 3c_nIs the (n-1) th reflective area 3c_n-1, The vicinity of one end overlaps, and the other end of the linear reflection region 3c is included.
[0028]
The i-th imaging lens 5 in the extended condensing optical system 5_iThe optical axes (i = 2, 3,..., N−1) have linear reflection regions 3 c and i-th linear light receiving regions 8._iAnd the i th reflective area 3c._iThrough the reflecting mirror 4 from the center point of the i-th linear light-receiving region 8._iIt is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light that reaches the center point (not shown).
[0029]
The nth imaging lens 5 in the extended condensing optical system 5_nThe optical axis of the linear reflection region 3c and the nth linear light receiving region 8_nAnd the nth reflection area 3c._nThrough the reflecting mirror 4 from the center point of the nth linear light receiving region 8._nIt is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light that reaches the center point (not shown).
The remaining configuration is the same as in FIGS.
[0030]
(Extended behavior)
When the light irradiation means irradiates the entire optical pattern 3, the first reflection area 3c₁-Nth reflection area 3c_nThe first optical image to the n-th optical image respectively reflected by the first imaging lens 5 respectively.₁To nth imaging lens 5_nBy means of the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nThe image is formed on the top.
[0031]
At that time, the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nThe light intensity signal in each pixel above is photoelectrically converted into signal charges, each signal charge is stored in each pixel, and raster scanning electronic scanning is performed on each pixel. The signal charge is converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the time axis.
[0032]
Here, the first reflective area 3c₁-Nth reflection area 3c_nAny reflective area in the i-th reflective area 3c_i(General terms) At that time, integers 1, 2,..., N are sequentially substituted for i.
I-th reflective area 3c_iBinary signal (where i = 1, 2,..., N−1) and i + 1th reflection area 3c_{i + 1}The binary signal derived from the signal is the authenticity corresponding to the optical pattern 3 by detecting the overlapping part (common part) by the signal overlapping part eliminating means, deleting one of them and condensing both signals. It is converted into a binary signal.
As described above, the signal duplication canceling means includes at least K matching circuits and K-1 AND circuits, which are repeatedly used at least n-1 times. It becomes.
The other operations are the same as those shown in FIGS.
[0033]
[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the optical information reading device of the invention of this application will be described.
The optical information reading device of the second embodiment is the same as the optical information reading device of the first embodiment, but includes one housing.
The housing houses all or the main part of the condensing optical system 5, the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8, the signal binarizing means, and the signal duplication canceling means.
In the second embodiment, the light irradiation means can be disposed inside or outside the casing.
The remaining items of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0034]
[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the optical information reading device of the invention of this application will be described. The third embodiment is for reading an optical pattern having a dimension longer than the reading port width in the horizontal direction.
(A brief description of the components)
6A and 6B are explanatory views of the third embodiment, in which FIG. 6A is a plan view in which the upper part of the housing is removed, and FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view.
In FIG. 6, 1 is a housing, 2 is a light irradiation means, L is a member to be read (for example, a label), 3 is an optical pattern on the member to be read L, 4 is a reflecting mirror, 5 is a condensing optical system, 5₁And 5₂Is an imaging lens, and 8 is a two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor.
[0035]
In this embodiment, in addition to the above elements, an amplifying means, a signal binarizing means, a memory means, a signal duplication canceling means, and a signal decoding means (decoding means) are used (all not shown).
The amplification means is connected to the subsequent stage of the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8, and the signal binarization means is connected to the subsequent stage of the amplification means.
The memory means, the signal duplication part eliminating means, and the signal decoding means can be constituted by a single microcomputer.
[0036]
(Detailed description of element structure and inter-element relationship)
In the following, for convenience of explanation, the front-rear direction is referred to as the vertical direction and the left-right direction is referred to as the horizontal direction as viewed from the operator.
The housing 1 is composed of a rear portion, an intermediate portion, and a front portion in accordance with the vertical direction (the left-right direction in the drawing of FIG. 6). In FIG. 6, the middle part from the rear part forms a horizontal part, the front part forms a descending part (inclined part), and the vicinity of the boundary between both parts forms a curved part.
A light entrance / exit is formed at the tip of the housing 1 and a cavity is formed inside.
The horizontal portion is formed of a rectangular tube having a rectangular cross section, and is placed substantially horizontally.
As shown in the drawing, the front part has a rectangular cross section and a divergent shape (inverted trapezoidal shape or fan shape) that has a larger front width.
The shape of the horizontal portion may be a rectangular tube having a hexagonal cross section or a cylindrical shape having a circular cross section. Generally, the cross section can be a cylindrical shape having an arbitrary shape.
[0037]
The light irradiation means 2 is for irradiating the entire optical pattern 3 placed in a horizontally long shape with a maximum readable distance in front of the light entrance. In FIG. 6, four light sources are arranged at equal intervals on one line segment near the inside of the light entrance.
The number of light sources of the light irradiation means 2 can be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. That is, the number can be one or more.
When there are a plurality of light sources, the array shape can be a U-shape or a loop shape.
[0038]
The reflection mirror 4 is disposed obliquely downward and rearward in a cavity near the inflection point, as shown in FIG. 6B, in order to deflect reflected light arriving from the obliquely lower front in a substantially horizontal rearward direction. Here, the direction of the reflection mirror is represented by the direction of the normal line upright on the mirror surface.
And it arrange | positions horizontally long like FIG. 6A.
[0039]
The two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 includes n linear light receiving regions (where n is an integer of 2 or more), that is, the first linear light receiving region 8.₁I-th linear light receiving region 8_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth linear light receiving region 8_nAre arranged in parallel and horizontally in the vertical plane, and each linear light receiving region 8₁~ 8_nInnumerable pixels are densely arranged in the horizontal direction.
The arrangement position of the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 is the inside of the cavity in the rear part of the housing 1.
The condensing optical system 5 includes n imaging lenses (n is an integer of 2 or more), that is, the first imaging lens 5.₁, I-th imaging lens 5_i(Where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and the nth imaging lens 5_nContaining.
[0040]
In the following, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the optical pattern 3 whose horizontal width reaches the maximum reading width is placed in a horizontally long shape with a substantially maximum readable distance Δ in front of the light entrance. To do.
Here, the maximum readable distance Δ is the maximum reading distance as viewed from the condensing optical system D, and the distance between the condensing optical system 5 and the light entrance is D.₀given that,
Δ = D−D₀
Given by.
[0041]
A linear reflection region 3 c is assumed on the optical pattern 3.
On the linear reflection region 3c, n reflection areas, that is, the first reflection area 3c.₁-Nth reflection area 3c_nIs assumed.
1st reflective area 3c₁The one end (for example, the right end) includes one end (for example, the right end) of the linear reflection region 3c, and the vicinity of the other end (for example, the left end) is the second reflection area 3c.₂It overlaps with the vicinity of one end (for example, the right end).
[0042]
Second reflection area 3c₂To (n-1) th reflection area 3c_n-1Up to "i-th reflective area 3c_i(I = 2, 3, ..., n-1) "
I-th reflective area 3c_i(I = 2, 3,..., N−1) is in the vicinity of one end (for example, the right end) of the i−1th reflection area 3c_i-1And the vicinity of the other end (for example, the left end) is the i + 1th reflection area 3c._{i + 1}It overlaps with the vicinity of one end (for example, the right end).
Nth reflective area 3c_nIs near the one end (for example, the right end) of the n-1th reflection area 3c._n-1The other end (for example, the left end) includes the other end of the linear reflection region 3c.
[0043]
The first linear light receiving region 8 on the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 arrives from the linear reflective region 3c and is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflective mirror 4.₁The first plane is defined by the substantially horizontal reflected light beam received by the light beam.
First imaging lens 5₁The optical axis of the first linear light receiving region 8 is within the first plane and from the center point of the first reflection area via the reflection mirror 4.₁It is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light reaching the center point.
[0044]
Second imaging lens 5₂-N-1th imaging lens 5_n-1“I-th imaging lens 5_i(I = 2, 3, ..., n-1) "
Due to the substantially horizontal reflected light beam that arrives from the linear reflection region 3c, is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflection mirror 4, and is received by the i-th linear light reception region 8i on the two-dimensional electronic scanning read sensor 8. , An i th plane is defined.
The optical axis of the i-th imaging lens 5i (i = 2, 3,..., N−1) is in the i-th plane, and from the center point of the i-th reflection area, the reflection mirror 4 Through the i-th linear light receiving region 8_iIt is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light reaching the center point.
[0045]
The n-th linear light receiving region 8 on the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8 arrives from the linear reflective region 3c and is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflecting mirror 4._nThe nth plane is defined by the substantially horizontal reflected light beam received at.
Nth imaging lens 5_nIs in the nth plane and the nth reflection area 3c._nThrough the reflecting mirror 4 from the center point of the nth linear light receiving region 8._nIt is arranged in the optical path of the reflected light reaching the center point.
The signal binarizing means includes the remaining part in the cavity, that is, the light irradiating means 2, the reflecting mirror 4, the condensing optical system 5 and the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor 8, and the irradiated light and reflected light. It is arranged at a site other than the light passage space.
The signal duplication part elimination unit may include n-1 signal duplication part elimination units of the first embodiment, or one of the signal duplication part elimination units is repeated. Then, it may be applied n-1 times.
The remaining configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0046]
(Description of operation)
When the light irradiation means 2 irradiates the entire optical pattern 3, the first reflection area 3c₁-Nth reflection area 3c_nThe first to n-th optical images respectively reflected by the first imaging lens 5₁To nth imaging lens 5_nBy means of the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nThe image is formed on the top.
Next, the first linear light receiving region 8₁To nth linear light receiving region 8_nThe light intensity signal in each pixel above is photoelectrically converted into signal charges, each signal charge is accumulated in each pixel, and raster scanning electronic scanning is performed on each pixel. Are converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the time axis.
[0047]
The series of electrical analog signals are converted into a series of binary signals by the signal binarization means.
The series of binary signals are converted into genuine binary signals corresponding to the optical pattern 3 by deleting and condensing one of the duplicate signals by the signal duplication portion elimination means.
The remaining operation of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0048]
[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the optical information reader according to the invention of this application will be described. In the optical information reading apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, when the number of light sources of the light irradiation means 2 according to the third embodiment is plural, the arrangement density of the light sources is set at the light entrance / exit. It is made larger as it approaches the left end or the right end.
According to such an arrangement density of the light sources, the optical pattern 3 having a large width exceeding the width of the light entrance of the housing 1 is placed in a horizontally long shape with a maximum readable distance in front of the light entrance. Even in such a case, the illuminance at the portion exceeding the lateral width of the light entrance in the optical pattern 3 can be particularly increased.
Thus, the intensity of the reflected light from the linear reflection area located outside the lateral width of the light entrance is increased so as to be approximately the same as the intensity of the reflected light from the central portion of the linear reflection area. I can do it.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
Since the invention of this application is configured as described above, significant effects can be achieved as described in the following (a) to (f).
(A) Various optical patterns having various lengths in the reading digit direction can be read independently.
(B) An optical pattern having a long length in the direction of the reading digit can be read by a small casing with a narrow light exit / entrance width.
(C) An optical pattern having a long length in the reading digit direction can be read with a high resolution with less distortion (distortion) as compared with one using one identical wide-angle imaging lens.
And operability is also good.
(D) Optical patterns such as single-stage barcodes, multi-stage barcodes, characters and symbols having a long length in the reading digit direction can be read accurately and at high speed.
(E) There is no possibility of erroneous reading with respect to a member to be read having a soft surface and an indeterminate shape, and a barcode symbol of a member to be read having a hard surface and a curved surface, so that the reading operation becomes efficient.
(F) Therefore, it is easy to construct a large system that uses a bar code reader as an input means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part of a first embodiment of an optical information reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the main part of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a member to be read (for example, a label).
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of details of a linear reflection region 3c on a member to be read.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a third embodiment of the optical information reading device of the invention of this application.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 housing
2 Light irradiation means
3 Optical pattern
3c linear reflection area
3c₁  First reflective area
3c₂  Second reflection area
4 Reflection mirror
5 Condensing optical system
5₁  First imaging lens
5₂  Second imaging lens
8 Two-dimensional electronic scanning sensor
8₁  First linear light receiving region
8₂  Second linear light receiving area
d Area overlap part
L Member to be read (label)

Claims

An optical information reader capable of reading optical patterns having various lengths,
A light irradiating means, a condensing optical system (5), a two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor (8), a signal binarizing means, and a signal overlapping part eliminating means,
The two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor (8), a first linear light-receiving region _(81), the linear light receiving region of the i (8 _i) (where i = 2,3, ..., n- 1) N linear light receiving regions (where n is an integer of 2 or more) made up of the nth linear light receiving regions (8 _n ) are arranged in parallel and horizontally in the vertical plane, and each linear light receiving region m the band (8 ₁ ~8 _n) weaving a plurality of pixels are arranged in the horizontal direction, are arranged in a horizontally long shape as a whole,
The condensing optical system (5) includes a first imaging lens (5 ₁ ), an i-th imaging lens (5 _i ) (where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and an n-th coupling. Containing n imaging lenses of the image lens (5 _n ), disposed in front of the two-dimensional electronic scanning read sensor (8),
An optical pattern (3) whose horizontal width reaches the maximum reading width is placed in a horizontally long shape with a substantially maximum reading distance in front of the condensing optical system (5),
A linear reflection region (3 _c ) is assumed on the optical pattern (3),
On the linear reflection region (3 _c ), the first reflection area (3 _c1 ) including the end of the linear reflection region (3 _c ), the i- _1th reflection area (3 _ci-1 ) ( However, i = 2, 3,..., N−1), one end of the i-th reflection area (3 _ci ) whose one end overlaps, and one end of the n−1-th reflection area (3 _cn−1 ). And n reflection areas consisting of the nth reflection area (3 _cn ) including the other end of the linear reflection region (3 _c ) are assumed.
The optical axis of the first imaging lens (5 ₁ ) is in a first plane including the linear reflection region (3 _c ) and the first linear light receiving region (8 ₁ ), Moreover, disposed in the first reflection section (3 _c1) the first linear from the center point of the light-receiving region ₍₈₁₎ the optical path of the reflected light reaching the center point of,
The optical axis of the i- _th imaging lens (5 _i ) (where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) is such that the linear reflection region (3 _c ) and the i-th linear light-receiving region (8 _i ) and the reflected light from the central point of the i-th reflective area (3 _ci ) to the central point of the i-th linear light receiving region (8 _i ) In the optical path of
The optical axis of the n-th imaging lens (5 _n ) is in the n-th plane including the linear reflection region (3 _c ) and the n-th linear light-receiving region (8 _n ), Moreover, it is disposed in the optical path of the reflected light from the center point of the nth reflection area (3 _cn ) to the center point of the nth linear light receiving region (8 _n ),
Therefore, when the light irradiating means irradiates the entire optical pattern (3), the first reflection area (3 _c1 ) to the nth reflection area (3 _cn ) are reflected by the first reflection area (3 _c1 ) to the nth reflection area (3 _cn ). 1 of the optical image of the optical image to the n, respectively, by the first imaging lens (5 ₁₎ to the n-th of the imaging lens (5 _n), said first linear light-receiving region ₍₈₁₎ - An image is formed on the _nth linear light receiving region (8 _n ),
Next, the light intensity signal in each pixel on the _first linear light receiving region (8 ₁ ) to the n th linear light receiving region (8 _n ) is photoelectrically converted into signal charges, and the signal charges are accumulated. By performing raster scanning electronic scanning for each pixel, all the signal charges are converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the time axis,
The series of electrical analog signals are converted into a series of binary signals by the signal binarization means, and the series of binary signals are deleted by the signal duplication portion elimination means, and one of the duplicate signals is deleted. And by being condensed, it is converted into a true binary signal corresponding to the optical pattern (3).
Optical information reader.

The optical information reading device according to claim 1, comprising a case.
The casing includes in its interior all or main parts of the condensing optical system (5), the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor (8), the signal binarization means, and the signal duplication part elimination means. Stowed,
Optical information reader.

An optical information reader capable of reading an optical pattern having a long dimension in the horizontal direction,
A housing (1), a light irradiation means (2), a reflection mirror (4), a condensing optical system (5), a two-dimensional electronic scanning sensor (8), a signal binarization means, Including signal duplication elimination means,
In the case (1), the middle part from the rear part forms a horizontal cylinder, the front part forms a divergent shape, the horizontal part up to the middle curved point, and the lower part from the curved point to the lower part, And the light entrance and exit at the tip, and a cavity is formed inside,
The light irradiating means (2) is composed of one or a plurality of light sources, and these light sources are placed in an oblong shape with a maximum readable distance in front of the light inlet / outlet. In order to be able to irradiate the entire light, it is arranged in the vicinity of the inside of the light entrance / exit in the form of a dot, line segment, U-shape or loop,
The reflection mirror (4) is disposed obliquely downward and rearward in the cavity near the bending point in order to deflect the reflected light arriving from diagonally lower front in a substantially horizontal direction,
The two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading sensor (8), a first linear light-receiving region _(81), the linear light receiving region of the i (8 _i) (where i = 2,3, ..., n- 1) , And n-th linear light receiving regions (8 _n ), where n is an integer of 2 or more , are arranged in parallel and horizontally in a vertical plane, and each linear light receiving region ( 8 ₁ to 8 _n ), a plurality of pixels are densely arranged in the horizontal direction, and are arranged in a cavity at the rear of the housing (1).
The condensing optical system (5) includes a first imaging lens (5 ₁ ), an i-th imaging lens (5 _i ) (where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) and an n-th coupling. Containing n imaging lenses consisting of imaging lenses (5 _n ) ,
An optical pattern (3) whose horizontal width reaches the maximum reading width is placed in a horizontally long shape with a substantially maximum reading distance in front of the condensing optical system (5),
A linear reflection region (3 _c ) is assumed on the optical pattern (3),
On the linear reflection region (3 _c ), a first reflection area (3 _c1 ) including one end of the linear reflection region (3 _c ), an i- _1th reflection area (3 _ci-1 ) (provided that i = 2, 3,..., n-1), the i-th reflection area (3 _ci ) whose vicinity of one end overlaps , and the n- _1th reflection area (3 _cn-1 ) When n reflection areas consisting of an nth reflection area (3 _cn ) that overlap in the vicinity and include the other end of the linear reflection area (3 _c ) are assumed,
The optical axis of the first imaging lens (5 ₁ ) comes from the linear reflection region (3 _c ), is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflection mirror (4), and is read by the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading. In the first plane defined by a substantially horizontal reflected light beam received by the _first linear light receiving region (8 ₁ ) on the sensor (8), and the first reflective area (3 _c1 ) disposed in the optical path of the reflected light from the central point to the central point of the _first linear light receiving region (8 ₁ ) via the reflective mirror (4),
The optical axis of the i- _th imaging lens (5 _i ) (where i = 2, 3,..., N−1) comes from the linear reflection region (3 _c ) and is reflected by the reflection mirror (4). The i-th beam is defined by a substantially horizontal reflected light beam deflected in a substantially horizontal direction and received by the _i-th linear light receiving region (8 _i ) on the two-dimensional electronic scanning read sensor (8). Within the plane, and from the center point of the i-th reflection area (3 _c1 ) to the center point of the i-th linear light receiving region (8 _i ) via the reflection mirror (4). Placed in the optical path of the reflected light
The optical axis of the n-th imaging lens (5 _n ) comes from the linear reflection region (3 _c ), is deflected in a substantially horizontal direction by the reflection mirror (4), and is read by the two-dimensional electronic scanning type reading. In the nth plane defined by a substantially horizontal reflected light beam received by the _nth linear light receiving region (8n) on the sensor (8), and the nth reflection area (3 _cn ) arranged in the optical path of the reflected light from the central point to the central point of the _nth linear light receiving region (8 _n ) via the reflective mirror (4),
The signal binarizing means is disposed in the remaining part of the cavity,
Therefore, when the light irradiation means (2) irradiates the entire optical pattern (3), it is reflected by the first reflection area (3 _c1 ) to the nth reflection area (3 _cn ), respectively. first light image each of the light image, second n, the first imaging lens (5 ₁₎ by to the n-th of the imaging lens (5 _n), said first linear light receiving area (8 comprising Te ₁ ) to the nth linear light receiving region (8 _n ),
Next, the light intensity signal in each pixel on the _first linear light receiving region (8 ₁ ) to the n th linear light receiving region (8 _n ) is photoelectrically converted into signal charges, and the signal charges are accumulated. By performing raster scanning electronic scanning for each pixel, all the signal charges are converted into a series of electrical analog signals on the time axis,
The series of electrical analog signals are converted into a series of binary signals by the signal binarization means,
The series of binary signals is converted into a true binary signal corresponding to the optical pattern (3) by deleting and condensing one of the duplicate signals by the signal duplication portion elimination means.
Optical information reader.

The optical information reader according to claim 3,
When the optical pattern (3) having a large lateral width exceeding the lateral width of the light entrance / exit of the housing (1) is placed in a laterally long form with a maximum readable distance in front of the light entrance / exit, the optical pattern In order to particularly increase the illuminance at the portion exceeding the lateral width of the light entrance in (3), as the light source arrangement density in the light irradiation means (2) approaches the left end portion or the right end portion of the light entrance. Made big,
Optical information reader.