JPS6227431B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a reading device, and more particularly to a reading device that efficiently and accurately reads information using a hand scanner.

With the spread of terminal devices in a wide range of fields, reading devices that can directly input original information without key operations have replaced conventional terminal devices in which information was input mainly through key operations through specialized operators. has appeared.

For example, an OCR (optical character reader), OMR (optical mark reader), or barcode reader is used as a POS terminal. OMR
An optical mark reader (optical mark reader) uses a tungsten lamp or light emitting diode as a light source to read mark information, and a barcode reader uses an optical fiber, a light emitting diode, or a light receiving diode as a hand scanner to read barcodes. It is something to read.

According to these reading devices, for example, in register operations at supermarkets, department stores, etc.
Since it becomes possible to directly read the recorded information on price tags affixed to products, it reduces input errors and fatigue caused by conventional key operations, and significantly improves operational efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional reading device.

The reading detector 1 reads information recorded on the recording medium 2 by manual scanning, converts the optical information into an electrical signal, and then sends the electrical signal to the reading device 4 via the signal cable 3. The reading device 4 is equipped with a display section 5 for displaying information sent from the reading detector 1 on a screen, and a keyboard section 6.
Arranged on the keyboard section 6 are a "delete key" for canceling information displayed on the screen, a "repeat key" for repeatedly inputting the same information, and an "end key" for indicating the end of input information.

In FIG. 1, by manually scanning the information on the medium 2 with the reading detector 1, the read information is displayed on the display unit 5, and by scanning the next information, the information that was previously displayed on the screen is displayed. is transferred from the reading device 4 to the processing device 10, and the next read information is displayed on the display section 5.

In addition, when inputting the same information repeatedly, there is no need to repeatedly scan the reading detector 1 many times.
After inputting the first information, by pressing the "repeat key" on the keyboard section 6 the required number of times, a function completely equivalent to that of repeated scanning can be obtained.

However, in FIG. 1, there is a problem with the operating method, so erroneous operations are likely to occur, reducing reliability. That is, since the operator operates while holding the medium 2 in one hand and the reading detector 1 in the other hand, in order to operate the keys on the keyboard 6, the operator must temporarily put down the reading detector 1 or move the reading detector 1 You have to operate the keys in an unnatural state, such as by pressing the keys with the same hand, and using multiple keys makes it easier to make erroneous operations, which reduces the operating efficiency and reliability of the reading device. This is causing a decline.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by allowing the operation of a hand scanner and key operations to be performed with one hand, eliminating the need to use multiple keys, and eliminating the need for "erasing" based on the number of one-handed operations. , "Repeat", and "End" information can be inputted, erroneous operations can be reduced, and operational efficiency and reliability can be improved.

The reading device of the present invention reads information on a recording medium by scanning a reading detector equipped with a switch that can be operated with one hand, converts the read information into an arbitrary code, and transfers it to a processing device. In the apparatus, a first buffer for storing the read information, a second buffer for storing the information transferred from the first buffer, and the first or the first buffer are arranged between the reading detector and the processing device. a selection circuit that selectively outputs the information transferred from the second buffer to the processing device; and a selection circuit that counts the number of times the switch is operated, and sends a control signal according to the count to the first and second buffers. A reading control device is provided having a counter that sends a signal to the selection circuit and operates the selection circuit,
When the number of operations is 2 times, only the information from the first buffer is selectively output, when the number of operations is 2 times, only the information from the second buffer is selectively output, and when the number of operations is 2 or more times A feature of the present invention is that information from the first and second buffers is alternately selected and output.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, a switch 9 for performing key operations is newly installed on the reading detector 1, and a keyboard section and a display section (not shown) are installed on the reading device 4', and an internal circuit for operating the switch 9 is installed. Counter 1 that counts the number of times
3 and buffers 11 and 12 for storing the transferred read information.

The operator holds the handle 7 of the reading detector 1 and holds the medium 2.
When you manually scan the information recorded on the , the information is converted into an electrical signal by the information detection section 8, and then
It is transferred to the reading device 4' via the signal cable 3 and stored in the buffer 11.

Here, it is converted into an arbitrary code, a leading code (usually an alpha code) and a parity code indicating that it is read information is added, and then sent to a display device and displayed on the screen, but the circuit is Since it is the same as the conventional one, it is not shown in the drawings and its description will be omitted.

When the operator scans the next information with the reading detector 1, the information in the buffer 11 passes through the selection circuit 14 and is transferred to the processing device 10, and the next read information is stored in the buffer 11.

On the other hand, when the operator operates the switch 9 provided on the handle 7 of the reading detector 1, an operation signal is sent to the counter 1 via the signal cable 17 each time the operator operates the switch 9.
3, and the contents of the counter 13 are counted up. That is, the counter 13 counts the number of times the switch 9 is operated, and sends a control signal 18 to transfer information from the buffer 11 to the buffer 12 through the transfer line 21, and
A control signal 19 is generated to transfer information stored in the processor 10 to the processing device 10 through the transfer line 22, the selection circuit 14, and the transfer line 23.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, operating the switch 9 once activates the "delete" function for canceling scanned and read information, and operating the switch 9 two or more times allows the read information to be repeatedly processed. device 10
By operating the switch 9 twice, the reading device 4' can be provided with a "repeat" function for transferring the data to the next page, and an "end" display function for indicating the end of reading.

Note that the same functions of "delete", "repeat" and "end" can also be provided by pressing the keyboard provided on the reading device 4'.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the reading device of FIG. 2.

First, when the device 4' is powered on, meaningless data unrelated to the read information is stored in the buffer 11,
The counter 1 is set to the buffer 12, and the data is set to the buffer 11.
3 is cleared to the value "0" by the control signal 25.

The controller 24 converts the code of the information stored in the buffer 11 and adds a leading code and a parity code.

When each function of "erase", "repeat" and "end" is operated, the control signal 1 from the counter 13 is activated.
8 transfers the information in buffer 11 to buffer 12 via line 21.

In a normal case, the value of the counter 13 is "0" and the control signal 19 is "0", so the AND gate G1 is opened and the information of the buffer 11 is transferred to the selection circuit 1.
4 and is transferred to the processing unit CPU.

Although the selection circuit 14 is omitted in FIG. 3, it monitors whether the information transferred from the buffer 11 or 12 is read information (significant data) by checking the leading code and parity code. , data other than read information (meaningless data)
to the processing device 10.

In addition, in the selection circuit 14, even if the counter 13 counts "1", the control signal 19 is "0".
, the AND gate G2 remains closed and information from the buffer 12 cannot pass through, thus blocking the transfer. In this case, the reading device 4' has performed a "deletion" function for canceling the read information.

Further, the selection circuit 14 determines that the counter 13 is "2".
When counting, the control signal 18 becomes "1" and information is transferred from the buffer 11 to the buffer 12, and then the control signal 19 becomes "1", so the information from the buffer 12 is transferred to the AND gate. G
Open 2 and let it pass.

In this case, the reading device 4' will display "end" indicating the end of information reading.

Further, in the selection circuit 14, when the counter 13 counts "2" or more, "1" and "0" are alternately given to the control signals 18 and 19.
AND gates G1 and G2 are opened alternately to transfer the information stored in buffers 11 and 12 a number of times one less than the count number.

In this case, the reading device 4' performs a "repeat" function of repeatedly transmitting the same read information.

The basic operation of the reading device shown in FIG. 2 will be explained in order.

First, when the power of the reading device 4 is turned on, meaningless data is set in the buffers 11 and 12, so that the value of the counter 13 is set to "0".

The operator holds the handle 7 of the reading detector 1 and holds the medium 2.
When the first information above is read, the read information is sent to the buffer 11 via the signal line 3 and stored therein. At the same time, the meaningless data previously stored in the buffer 11 is transferred to the selection circuit 14, but its transfer to the processing device 10 is prohibited by checking the presence or absence of the leading code and parity code.

When the read detector 1 reads the second information, the read information currently stored in the buffer 11 is sent to the processing device 10 through the selection circuit 14, and the next read information is stored in the buffer 11. That is, by reading the next information, the previously stored information is sequentially transferred to the processing device 10.

Next, the operator operates the switch 9 once to delete the second data read earlier, the counter 13 counts 1, and the buffer 11,
Since the control signal 18 is set to "1" for the buffer 12, the information stored in the buffer 11 is transferred to the buffer 12.

Next, when the reading detector 1 reads the third information, the information stored in the previous buffer 11 is transferred to the buffer 12.
Since the counter 13 is cleared and the content of the counter 13 is "0", the control signals 18 and 19 are "0", and the second information is not transferred to the selection circuit 14. , of course, is not transferred to the processing device 10, and the third data read next is stored in the buffer 11.

The second information is treated as equivalent to pressing the "delete key" by operating the switch 9 once.

After reading the third information, the operator presses switch 9 to repeat and transfer the third information twice.
When is operated twice, the counter 13 counts "2" and the control information 18 and 19 are sequentially set to "1", so that the information stored in the buffer 11 becomes the buffer 12.
After being transferred to the selection circuit 14, the signal is further sent to the processing device 10.

If the switch 9 is operated three times, the counter 13 counts "3" and the same data in the buffers 11 and 12 is sent from the selection circuit 14 to the processing device 10 twice.

Hereinafter, when the switch 9 is operated n times, the information stored in the buffer 12 is passed through the selection circuit 14 to n-
The data is transferred to the processing device 10 only once.

However, n≧2. In other words, switch 9
Depending on the number of operations, a function equivalent to a "repeat key" for transferring the same information to the repeat processing device 10 can be obtained.

When the operator operates the switch 9 twice after reading the last information, the counter 13 counts "2" and the control signals 18 and 19 are sequentially set to "1", so that the information stored in the buffer 11 is But 1
2 to the selection circuit 14, and further transferred once to the processing device 10. That is, the last 2
This switch operation provides a function equivalent to the "end key".

In this way, in the reading device 4' shown in FIG. 2, when the switch 9 is operated once, information is erased, and n
If the operation is performed more than (n≧2) times, the same information for n-1 times is transferred to the processing device 10, and the final information is obtained by operating the switch 9 twice.

In the present invention, "deletion", "repetition" and "termination"
The number of times the switch is operated for this purpose can be arbitrarily set, and the number of buffers and the control line from the counter 13 can be arbitrarily set.

As explained above, according to the present invention, since there is no need to select and press multiple keys on the keyboard, it is possible to eliminate the cause of erroneous operations, and the user can concentrate only on the reading operation. , "Repeat" and "End" information can be entered accurately and quickly, greatly improving operational efficiency and reducing operator fatigue.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional reading device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a reading device showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the reading device shown in FIG. 1: Reading detector, 2: Recording medium, 3: Signal cable, 4, 4': Reading device, 5: Display section, 6: Keyboard section, 7: Handle, 8: Information detection section, 9: Switch, 10: Processing device, 11,1
2: Buffer, 13: Counter, 14: Selection circuit, 15, 16: T-type flip-flop, 1
7: Signal line, 18, 19, 25: Control signal,
20, 21, 22, 23: Transfer line, 24: Controller, CP: Clock, G1, G2: AND gate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a reading device that reads information on a recording medium by scanning a reading detector equipped with a switch that can be operated with one hand, converts the read information into an arbitrary code, and transfers it to a processing device, the above-mentioned reading detection method is used. A first buffer for storing read information, a second buffer for storing information transferred from the first buffer, and a buffer for storing information transferred from the first or second buffer between the device and the processing device. a selection circuit that selectively outputs the information obtained to the processing device; and a selection circuit that counts the number of times the switch is operated, and sends a control signal corresponding to the counted number to the first and second buffers and the selection circuit. , and a counter for operating these, and the selection circuit selectively outputs only the information from the first buffer when the number of operations is one, and when the number of operations is two. A reading device that selectively outputs only information from the second buffer, and alternately selects and outputs information from the first and second buffers when the number of operations is two or more. .