JPH10143598A - Small-sized scanning module provided with scanning element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To integrate a scanning mechanism, a light source and a light receiving part without being affected by temperature change at the time of an operation by providing a housing case with a window for passing through a beam scanned from a scanning part housed in the case at the time of irradiating a symbol and receiving reflected light reflected at the symbol. SOLUTION: A mirror 15 is fixed to the surface of a polarization part 21 provided on a flexible substrate 17 inside the housing case 7c and a coil 16 parallel to a turning center direction is wired. The scanning part 4 for scanning and irradiating the outside with beam light by electromagnetic force by permanent magnets 18a and 18b and a yoke 19 is arranged parallelly to the coil 16. Then, at the time of irradiating the symbol with the beam scanned from the scanning part 4, it is passed through from the window of a hologram 7a and the reflected light reflected at the symbol is received by the light receiving part 3 from the window of the hologram 7a. Thus, a beam scanning operation is not affected by the temperature change at the time of the operation and the scanning mechanism, the light source 1 and the light receiving part 3 are integrated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a compact scanning module having a scanning element for optically reading a symbol such as a bar code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as a symbol for describing information such as an article name relating to an article, a number for classification, a price, and the like, for example, a bar code in which a bar and a space are used as a pattern symbol is known.

As a device for reading such a bar code, there is, for example, a small-sized hand-held type reading device that can be held as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-199103.

[0004] As shown in FIG.
Opposite to the irradiation port of a laser diode (not shown) attached to the substrate, a mirror 42 whose both ends are rotatably attached by a hinge 41 is disposed, and upper electrodes 43a and 43b are provided above the mirror 42, and below the mirror 42. Substrate electrode 44
a, 44b. These upper electrodes 43a, 43
b, exciting the substrate electrodes 44a and 44b, generating an electrostatic force, and rotating (or rotating back and forth) the mirror 42;
The rotation of the mirror 42 irradiates the light beam emitted by the laser diode to the outside so as to scan.

[0005] For this reason, since electrodes are required in both the upper and lower directions of the mirror, the structure becomes complicated, thick and bulky.
Very high voltage and booster circuits are required for use as electrostatic force. Moreover, the upper side becomes a transparent electrode, which increases the cost. In addition, the deflection angle cannot be increased because silicon is used.

Further, a hinge 41 for supporting a mirror 42
Although the deflection angle can be increased even if is formed of a shape memory alloy, the drawback of electrostatic force remains, so that it is difficult to commercialize in practice. In the reading device configured as described above, the above-described module is integrally formed by a semiconductor manufacturing technique, and the size is reduced to a handy type that can be held.

[0007]

In the above-described scan module of the reading apparatus, it is necessary to rotate the mirror 42 by electrostatic force or rotate (swing) the focusing module back and forth to obtain a certain amount of deflection angle. Required the application of a high voltage.

Further, there is a problem that the swing angle of the focusing module cannot be made too large when a silicon substrate is used. If the deflection angle is small, the bar code cannot be read close to the bar code, and the bar code must be read at a certain distance away from the bar code. Becomes difficult.

Further, in this conventional reading apparatus, when the mirror is oscillated, since the distance between the two electrodes is large at the center position of the oscillating movement, the repulsive force and the suction force due to the electrostatic force are generated. The scanning force (oscillating motion) is slower than that of the conventional type of reading device due to the weak force, and a special metal called shape memory alloy is used. In addition, problems such as an unstable scanning speed occur, and the cost is high.

Further, in this conventional reading apparatus, the light receiving portion for receiving the light beam reflected by the bar code is formed in a simple plane shape. The light receiving signal when the light is emitted to the right (left) side end of the bar code becomes larger, and the reading process becomes difficult. In particular, since the reading angle and the reading distance are reduced, the performance is reduced.

Therefore, the present invention provides a large deflection angle, the scanning operation is not affected by a temperature change during operation, the scanning mechanism and the light source and the light receiving unit are integrated, and the device is driven at a small size, at low cost and with low current consumption. It is an object to provide a compact scanning module having a scanning element.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a small-sized scanning module which irradiates a symbol with a scanning light beam and reads information optically. A polarizing portion rotatably supported in a hole provided in the center of a substrate having an insulating and flexible function and having a mirror fixed to the surface, and wiring along the outer periphery on the back side or inside the polarizing portion And a magnet arranged along the wiring direction of the coil in the vicinity of the coil wired on the end side of the polarizing unit parallel to the rotation center direction, and a magnetic field generated by the magnet, Scanning means for oscillating the mirror to bend the light beam from the light source with an electromagnetic force generated by a current flowing in the coil for a predetermined time applied to the coil and scanning and irradiating the beam light to the outside, A light receiving unit that receives the reflected light, and extracts information from the reflected light as an electric signal; a processing unit that reproduces information from a signal read by the light receiving unit; and the light source, the scanning unit, and the light receiving unit. A small-sized scanning module, comprising: a storage case that houses and allows a beam scanned by the scanning unit to pass when irradiating a symbol, and a window that receives a light reflected by the symbol.

In the compact scanning module having the scanning element having the above-described configuration, the light beam generated and emitted by the light source is passed through the light-collecting unit, and the magnetic field generated by the combination of the magnet and the yoke and the wiring are connected to the polarizing unit. The mirror of the polarization unit rotates (oscillates) due to the electromagnetic force generated by the generated coil, and the bar code is irradiated with a scanning beam obtained by bending the light beam that has passed through the light collection unit by the mirror. The light reflected from the barcode is condensed by the light condensing unit, and the light receiving unit extracts information from the reflected light as an electric signal, and processes the read signal by the processing unit.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a small-sized scanning module having a scanning element according to an embodiment of the present invention. This small scanning module converts information represented by symbols such as barcodes,
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for reading based on reflected light of a beam light emitted by scanning by the scanning element of the present invention.

The compact scanning module includes a light source 1 for generating and emitting a light beam, a light condensing unit 2 for transmitting the light beam from the light source 1 and condensing reflected light from a bar code, and a light condensing unit 2. A scanning unit 4 for scanning and irradiating the light beam passing through the outside to the outside, a light receiving unit 3 for extracting information as an electric signal from the reflected light condensed by the condensing unit 2, and a processing unit for processing the read signal 5, the light source 1, the light condensing part 2, and the light receiving part 3
A fixed substrate 6 on which the respective components of the scanning unit 4 and the processing unit 5 are mounted, a cover having a window (hologram) 7a for performing scanning irradiation and light reception of the light beam and preventing dust from being mixed therein; A storage case 7c having a plurality of terminals 7b for exchanging external signals with constituent parts of the fixed substrate 6 to be stored.
It is composed of

FIG. 7 shows an example of the external configuration of the storage case 7c. The storage case 7c is formed of resin, metal, or the like, and has a terminal of the light source 1
And a terminal for electrically connecting the scanning unit 4 and the processing unit 5 to each other. Although not shown, it is assumed that terminals connectable to the outside are provided on at least one of the outer peripheral portion and the bottom surface of the storage case 7c.

The light source 1 is fixed on the fixed substrate 6 and has a mount table 8 for adjusting the height, a laser diode 9 for generating and emitting a beam light for reading a bar code, LD sensor 1 for detecting and monitoring the intensity of the light beam emitted from light source 9
0.

The condensing unit 2 is provided with the laser diode 9
A condenser lens 11 for passing the light beam emitted from the scanner and condensing the reflected light received by the scanning unit 4, an aperture 12a for controlling the emitted beam, and guiding the collected reflected light to the light receiving unit 3. And a prism block 12. The light receiving unit 3 includes a filter 13 that extracts only light in a predetermined band from the reflected light collected by the light collecting unit 2 and an optical sensor 14 such as a photodiode that performs photoelectric conversion.

The scanning unit 4 includes a flexible substrate 17 having a flexible function in which a coil 16 having a variable electromagnetic force (including ON / OFF) is formed on a rotatable polarizing unit 21 to which a mirror 15 is fixed. , The flexible substrate 1
7, disposed so as to surround the polarizing section 21,
The magnets 18a, 18 are arranged on both sides in parallel with the coil 16.
and yoke 19 on which b is disposed.

The flexible substrate 17 is provided with a mirror 15 so that the light beam passing through the light condensing section 2 passes through a window (even if the upper portion of the storage case is open) and goes to an external bar code. The (polarizing unit 21) is disposed on the polarizing unit base 22 inclined at a predetermined angle, and the polarizing unit base 22 is fixed to the fixed substrate 6.

As the flexible substrate 17, a resin having an insulating property, for example, a plastic sheet made of polyimide or the like is preferable. Here, a specific configuration example of the scanning unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

The scanning section 4 has a rectangular hole at the center of the flexible substrate 17 and supports the support section 2 from both sides in the hole.
A polarizing section 21 fixed at 0a and 20b and having a mirror 15 on the surface is formed. A coil 16 made of a conductive wire is provided on the back side or inside of the polarizing section 21 at least at two ends of the polarizing section parallel to the rotation center direction (the direction connecting the supporting section 20a and the supporting section 20b). Wired.
The coil 16 may be formed using a printing technique, a photolithography technique, or the like.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the permanent magnets 18a and 18a are arranged in a direction parallel to the coil 16 near the coil 16 at both ends of the two sides of the polarizing section 21 below the flexible substrate 17. The permanent magnets 18a and 18b are connected to the yoke 19 by disposing the permanent magnets 18b.

In this configuration, a magnetic field as shown is generated and the yoke 19 is provided, so that the magnetic force can be used efficiently, and the size of the magnet and the current flowing through the coil can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (c) and 2 (d), by switching between positive and negative voltages applied to the terminals 23a and 23b of the coil 16, the supporting portions 20a and 20b follow the Fleming's left-hand rule. , The polarization unit 21 rotates (hereinafter, referred to as swing).

In the present embodiment, the entirety of the polarizing section 21 is formed of a flexible material, but the supporting sections 20a, 20
Only the portion b may be formed of a flexible material, and the entire polarizing section 21 does not need to be a flexible material.

When the polarizing section 21 is formed of a flexible material, it can be assumed that the deflection in an unnecessary direction other than the direction specified by the support section occurs.
In this embodiment, since the mirror is stuck on the flexible substrate, unnecessary swinging in the direction can be suppressed. However, depending on the case, the outer peripheral portion of the polarizing section 21 may be thickened, or the frame or the column may cross the outer periphery or inside. May be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the scanning section 4 having such a configuration is arranged at a predetermined direction, for example, at an angle at which the light beam passing through the condenser lens 11 is polarized by 90 degrees. With this arrangement, the beam light is scanned and emitted while being polarized by the mirror of the oscillating polarizing section 21.

The operation of receiving the light beam reflected by the bar code will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the beam 27a reflected by the bar code is
Through the hologram 7a provided in the window of the storage case 7c, light beams 27b and 27b 'around the B1 and B2 points of the mirror 15 of the oscillating polarizing section 21 are incident. The light is polarized by the mirror 15 and is incident on the condenser lens 11.
Here, the light is condensed, and the light beams 27c and 27 centered on C1 and C2 are further reflected on the reflection surface of the prism block 12.
c ′ is polarized and irradiated so as to be focused on the light receiving surface of the photodiode 14.

By providing the hologram 7a in the window, the reflected light of the laser reflected from the bar code and returned can be divided into right and left, so that the non-reflection stop 12a at the center of the prism block 12 is shifted left and right. The light can be collected by the light sensor 14 by the hologram surface.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the small scanning module according to the present invention. This modification includes a light source, a light receiving unit including an optical system, a part of a processing unit and a scanning unit illustrated in FIG. 1 described above, and a processing unit that processes signals read by the reading unit 31. Part 3
2 is arranged in a separate storage case, connected by a cable to form a separate type, and attached to the operator's hand. A wireless communication function 34 is built in a part 32 of the processing unit.

With this configuration, since the reader is not held by hand, both hands become empty, and other operations such as writing the read data on a document can be performed efficiently even during the reading operation. Work efficiency is improved.

Part of the processing unit 32 having a wireless communication function
Is integrated with the reading unit 31 to make it easier to use. Next, FIG. 5 shows a modified example of the small-sized scanning module according to the present invention.

This embodiment is an example of a configuration in which a commercially available general laser diode is used for the light source 1 that generates and emits a light beam in the embodiment shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, components that are the same as the components shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In this small scanning module, a diode holder 3 fixed to a fixed substrate 6 is used as a light source.
5, a laser diode 36 loaded in the diode holder 35, a light-collecting unit 2 for passing the light beam from the laser diode 36 and collecting the reflected light from the bar code, and passing through the light-collecting unit 2. A scanning unit 4 for scanning the irradiated light beam to the outside and irradiating the light beam, a light receiving unit 3 for extracting information as an electric signal from the reflected light condensed by the condensing unit 2, a processing unit 5 for processing the read signal, and A fixed substrate 6 on which the respective components of the light source 1, the light collecting unit 2, the light receiving unit 3, the scanning unit 4, and the processing unit 5 are mounted, and a window 7a for performing scanning irradiation and light reception of the light beam. It is composed of a cover, and a storage case 7c having a plurality of terminals 7b for exchanging external components with components of the fixed substrate 6 to be stored.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the small scanning module according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the polarizing function of the prism block is omitted from the condensing unit 2 that condenses the reflected light from the barcode in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the reflected light is directly received from the window of the storage case. This is an example configured as follows. Here, in the configuration of the present embodiment, components that are the same as the components shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In this small module, a light source including a stop 52 for controlling the light beam, a condenser lens 51, and a scanning unit 4 for scanning and irradiating the light beam to the outside.
A light receiving unit 53, a scanning unit 4, and a processing unit 5 for extracting information from reflected light directly from a window of the storage case 7c as an electric signal.
And a cover having a window 54 for scanning and irradiating the light beam and receiving light, and for exchanging external signals with the components of the fixed substrate 6 to be stored. Storage case 7 including a plurality of terminals 7b
c.

The small-sized scanning module thus configured has the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment, and the prism block can be eliminated, so that a smaller size and lower cost can be realized.

The small-sized scanning module thus configured has the same operation and effects as those of the above-described embodiment, and uses a laser diode which is generally available at low cost as a light source. Can be further reduced.

As described above, according to the present invention, the electromagnetic force is used efficiently by the combination of the permanent magnet and the yoke. Sufficient repulsion and suction are generated, and scanning can be performed at a high speed. Furthermore, by combining permanent magnets and yokes, it is possible to reduce the size of the magnets, reduce the current flowing through the coil, and drive with a low-voltage source of about two or three dry cells, realizing low voltage and low power consumption. Is done.

Further, since the polarizing portion, that is, the hinge for swinging the mirror is made of a resin sheet, the durability is good, and the scanning by the swinging operation with a stable large swing angle is not affected by temperature and humidity. A beam can be irradiated.

Further, since the scanning module is driven by several small batteries, the size of the entire scanning module can be further reduced, and the scanning module can be attached to a finger or an arm for use. Can read code.

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the scanning operation is durable, easy to use due to a large swing angle, and is not affected by a temperature change during operation. It is possible to provide a small-sized scanning module having a scanning element in which the components are integrated and driven at a small size with low cost and low current consumption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a small scanning module having a scanning element as an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a scanning unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing an operation of receiving a light beam reflected by a bar code using the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the small scanning module according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a modified example of the small scanning module according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the small scanning module according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a storage case for a small scanning module according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a scan module of a conventional small scan module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light source 2 ... Condensing part 3 ... Reception detecting part 4 ... Scanning part 5 ... Processing part 6 ... Fixed substrate 7a ... Window (hologram) 7b ... Terminal 7c ... Storage case 8 ... Mounting stand 9 ... Laser diode 10 ... LD sensor DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Condensing lens 12 ... Prism block 12a ... Aperture 13 ... Filter 14 ... Optical sensor 15 ... Mirror 16 ... Coil 17 ... Flexible board 18a, 18b ... Magnet 19 ... Yoke 20a, 20b ... Support part 21 ... Polarizing part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A small scanning module for reading information optically by irradiating a symbol with a light beam to be scanned, wherein the light source generates and emits the light beam and is provided at the center of a substrate having an insulating and flexible function. A polarizing portion rotatably supported in the hole and having a mirror fixed to the front surface, a coil wired along the outer periphery on the back side or inside the polarizing portion, and the polarizing portion parallel to the rotation center direction A magnet disposed in the vicinity of the coil wired on the end side of the coil along the wiring direction of the coil, and a magnetic field generated by the magnet and an electromagnetic field generated by a current applied to the coil for a predetermined time. Scanning means for oscillating the mirror to bend the light beam from the light source by scanning and irradiating the mirror with light, receiving reflected light reflected by the symbol, and electrically converting information from the reflected light. Faith A light receiving unit for extracting information as a signal, a processing unit for reproducing information from a signal read by the light receiving unit, a light source, the scanning unit, and the light receiving unit. A small-sized scanning module having a scanning element, comprising: a storage case provided with a window through which the light is reflected when illuminated and which receives reflected light reflected by the symbol. 2. The substrate of the small-sized scanning module is entirely made of a resin sheet having an insulating property and a flexible function, or only a portion of the substrate supporting the polarizing section is made of a resin having an insulating property and a flexible function. The miniature scanning module having a scanning element according to claim 1, wherein the miniature scanning module comprises: 3. A terminal for electrically connecting the light source terminal, the light receiving means, the scanning means and the processing means to an outer peripheral portion inside the storage case, and a peripheral portion outside the storage case or 2. A small scanning module having a scanning element according to claim 1, wherein a terminal connectable to the outside is provided on at least one of the bottom surface. 4. The small scanning module according to claim 1, wherein the light source, the scanning unit, and the light receiving unit are mounted, and the substrate emits a scanning light beam to a symbol from the polarizing unit through the window. 2. The small scanning module having a scanning element according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed substrate fixed at a desired angle capable of taking in reflected light from the symbol and accommodated in the accommodation case.