JPH05324894A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To convent the contents of the information corresponding to the contents of a bar code into voice and to output the voice by providing a data base part storing the information corresponding to the bar code and a voice synthesizing part. CONSTITUTION:A bar code reader contains a bar code reading part 1-1, a data base part 1-3, a voice synthesizing part 1-4, etc., The part 1-3 stores the number of bar codes stuck to the commodities and the information on the names, the prices, the quantities, the illustrations, etc., of the commodities. The part 1-1 reads the bar codes added to the commodities or the display shelves. The part 1-3 retrieved based on the read bar code numbers for acquisition of the preceding information on the commodities. Based on these information, the part 1-4 obtains the voice signals. These voice signals are outputted through an earphone 1-5. The part 1-3 can also be set at the outside and can be referred to by radio.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reading device, and is intended to assist the visually impaired in shopping.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a visually handicapped person is shopping, he or she obtains information about the product by checking the product by hand or by asking a nearby store clerk.

[0003]

However, there is an increasing number of stores that make a payment at a cash register after selecting a desired product such as a supermarket or a convenience store. In such stores, products are often placed in plastic trays for display, and products with similar packaging are often lined up mainly for processed products. ing. Also, in these stores, due to rationalization, the number of store employees is generally small and it is difficult to receive explanations about products. Therefore, although there are many products, it is difficult for a visually handicapped person to obtain information about the product.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide the visually impaired with information regarding products and assist shopping.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a bar code reading section, a database section which stores information contents corresponding to the bar code, and a voice synthesizing section. The database is provided outside the device, and the database is wirelessly referred to.

[0006]

According to the present invention, with the above-described structure, the bar code attached to the product is read by the bar code reading unit and the database built in the apparatus is referred to, or an external database is referred to by radio. Due to
Information such as the name, price, quantity, product description, etc. of the product is acquired, and this information is converted into a voice by the voice synthesizer.

[0007]

1 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1-1 is a bar code reader, 1-
Reference numeral 2 is a control unit, 1-3 is a database unit, 1-4 is a voice synthesis unit, and 1-5 is an earphone. The database section 1-3 stores information such as the bar code number attached to a product and the name, price, quantity, and product description of the product. If the control unit is a microprocessor, the database unit is a ROM, a hard disk device, an IC card, etc., and the voice synthesizing unit is a DSP and a voice data ROM, it is easy to make the entire device portable. ..

Next, the operation of each part will be described with reference to FIG. The barcode reading unit 1-1 reads the barcode attached to the product or the barcode attached to the display shelf. The database section 1-3 is searched based on the read bar code number to obtain information such as name, price, quantity, product description, and the like. Based on the acquired information, it is converted into a voice signal by the voice synthesizing unit 1-4 and output from the earphone 1-5. The database unit may be stored in the form of a voice signal, or the name, price, amount, etc. may be encoded and stored, and voice synthesis may be performed based on this.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 2-1 is a bar code reading unit, 2-
2 is a control unit, 2-3 is a wireless unit, 2-4 is a voice synthesis unit, 2
-5 is an earphone, 2-6 is a database unit, and 2-7 is a wireless unit attached to the database unit. The difference from the first embodiment is that the database unit is separate from the device main body,
The point is that the database is searched wirelessly. A weak radio wave, a specific low power radio, or a mobile phone (PHP) frequency can be used for the radio unit. The device can be further reduced in size and weight by separating the database unit. Also, when updating the database, there is no need to make changes to individual devices, which can be performed very easily.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 3-1 is a bar code reading unit, 3-
2 is a control unit, 3-3 is a database unit, 3-4 is a voice synthesis unit, 3-5 is a modulation unit, and 3-6 is a portable receiver. The output of the voice synthesizer is converted into a radio signal by the modulator. The wireless signal is received by the portable receiver, and an audio signal is output from this. The difference from the first embodiment is that the apparatus main body is installed on the store side and the user carries only the portable receiver. The device carried by the user can be further downsized. Further, since the size restriction of the bar code reading device 3-1 is reduced, it becomes easy to use a device (laser scan) which is easier to use.

[0011]

As described above, the present invention comprises a bar code reading section, a database section which stores information contents corresponding to a bar code, and a voice synthesizing section, and the database is provided outside the apparatus. Every time, it is equipped with a means for wirelessly referencing the database, and obtains information such as the product name, price, quantity, product description from the barcode number attached to the product, and the voice synthesizer uses this information as voice. By converting the information, it is possible to provide information about products to the visually impaired and assist shopping.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1 Bar code reading unit 1-2 Control unit 1-3 Database unit 1-4 Voice synthesis unit 1-5 Earphone 2-1 Bar code reading unit 2-2 Control unit 2-3 Wireless unit 2-4 Voice synthesis unit 2-5 Earphones 2-6 Database 2-7 Wireless section of database 3-1 Bar code reading section 3-2 Control section 3-3 Database section 3-4 Voice synthesis section 3-5 Modulation section 3-6 Portable receiver

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Uno Yashiro Hiroshi 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reading section, a database section for storing information corresponding to a bar code, and a voice synthesizing section, wherein the contents of the information corresponding to the bar code are converted into voice and output. Characteristic bar code reader. 2. The bar code reader according to claim 1, wherein the database is provided outside the device and the database is referred to by radio.