CN106096472B

CN106096472B - Optical information reading apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN106096472B
Application number: CN201610278756.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山本贤了
Original assignee: Denso Wave Inc
Current assignee: Denso Wave Inc
Priority date: 2015-04-28
Filing date: 2016-04-28
Publication date: 2020-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-28
Also published as: TW201702939A; JP2016212861A; CN106096472A; JP6884514B2; TWI609330B

Abstract

The invention provides a structure capable of observing and confirming an information code during reading operation without using a component formed by a specific shape, a specific material and the like. An optical information reading device (10) is provided with: a main body (12) in which a reading port (13) is formed; a grip part (15) which is connected to a part of the main body part (12) different from the part where the reading port (13) is formed and which is gripped by a user; a light-receiving sensor (28) that captures an image of a predetermined imaging range (AR) via a reading port (13); and a control circuit (40) for decoding the code image of the information code (C) captured by the light-receiving sensor (28). In addition, an extending part (14) extending to the information code (C) side is arranged around the reading port (13), and an opening part (14a) is formed at a part of the extending part (14) different from the part at the holding part (15) side.

Description

Optical information reading apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an optical information reading apparatus for optically reading an information code such as a barcode.

Background

Currently, optical information reading apparatuses that optically read information of information codes such as barcodes are widely used in various fields such as manufacturing industry. In the case of this optical information reading apparatus, in order to reliably read information contained in a desired information code, a reading operation is often performed in a state where a reading port is close to the information code. For example, when a bar code attached to a commodity is read using a portable reading device disposed in a cash register of a store, the bar code is read while a reading port of the reading device is brought into contact with the bar code of the reading target, thereby preventing reading of another bar code or the like different from the reading target. For example, an information code attached to a large object that cannot be lifted by hand is read with a certain distance therebetween.

However, in the reading device as described above, when the reading port is brought into contact with or brought close to the information code or the product to which the information code is attached, the information code may be hidden by the reading device, and the user may not see the information code. Therefore, the user of the reading apparatus cannot grasp the position of the information code with respect to the reading port, and may not perform reliable reading processing. In particular, when reading a two-bit code, since the reading port does not align the two-dimensional code at an appropriate position, the reading process may fail when only a part of the two-dimensional code is photographed.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, a configuration of the data symbol reading apparatus 1 disclosed in patent document 1 is considered. The data symbol reading device 1 has a housing 2 composed of a grip 21 and a head 22, and the head 22 has a case 3 composed of side walls 32 to 35. The side wall 32 is formed of a transparent plate-shaped optical component having an optical thin film on the back surface thereof, which selectively reflects the illumination light from the light source.

Prior art documents

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 9-326004

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the reading device as in patent document 1, at least a part of the housing is configured to serve as both a window portion for observing and confirming the information code and a member for reflecting the light from the information code and guiding the light to the condensing optical system. Therefore, the selection range of the shape, material, and the like of the portion (the side wall 32) constituting the window for observation and confirmation is limited, the configuration of the reading apparatus becomes complicated, and repair is required even when the side wall 32 is damaged.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of observing a confirmation information code during a reading operation without using a member formed of a specific shape, material, or the like.

Means for solving the technical problem

In order to achieve the above object, an optical information reading apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes: a main body section having a reading port through which illumination light and reflected light thereof are transmitted; a grip portion connected to a portion of the body portion different from a portion where the reading port is formed, and gripped by a user; an image pickup unit that optically picks up an image of a predetermined image pickup range through the reading port; and an image reading unit configured to perform an information code reading process based on the image of the imaging range captured by the imaging unit, wherein an extending unit extending to a reading side of the reading port is provided around the reading port, and the extending unit has an opening formed by cutting a part of a distal end of the extending unit and allowing a line of sight of a user to pass therethrough.

Effects of the invention

In the invention according to claim 1, the extension portion extending forward (i.e., in the direction toward the information code) is provided around the reading port, and the opening portion is formed by cutting a part from the front end of the extension portion and opening, for example, at a portion of the extension portion different from the grip portion. Therefore, even when the reading port is brought close to the information code when the information code is read, the confirmation information code can be observed through the gap generated by the opening of the extending portion. Thus, the user of the reading apparatus can easily confirm the position of the information code from the side opposite to the grip portion side of the main body portion through the gap generated by the opening portion of the extending portion, and can easily arrange the information code at a desired position where reading is easy with respect to the reading port. In addition, such a configuration can be realized without using a specific shape and material for the extension portion, and an increase in the number of components can be suppressed, thereby simplifying the configuration of the reading apparatus.

In the invention according to claim 2, the extending portion has an end portion on the reading side, and at least a part of the end portion is formed so as to be along one edge of the imaging range of the imaging portion.

With this configuration, the relative position of the information code with respect to the reading port can be determined with reference to the position of the end of the extending portion along one edge of the imaging range of the imaging unit, and the information code can be easily placed in the imaging range. Therefore, the information code can be easily read by the reading device, and the success rate of reading can be improved.

In the invention according to claim 3, the extending portion includes a wall portion connected to a portion on the side of the grip portion, and the wall portion is formed such that an end portion on the reading side is along one edge of an imaging range of the imaging portion.

With this configuration, the relative position of the information code with respect to the reading port can be determined with reference to the end portion on the front side of the wall portion (i.e., the end portion facing the information code), and the information code can be easily placed in the imaging range.

In the invention according to claim 4, the extending portion has a portion on the side of the grip portion, and the portion is formed such that the end on the reading side is along one edge of the imaging range of the imaging portion.

With this configuration, the relative position of the information code with respect to the reading port can be determined with reference to the front end portion of the extension portion on the grip portion side, and the information code can be easily placed in the imaging range.

In the invention according to claim 5, the extension portion has a portion on the side of the grip portion, and the length of the end portion on the reading side of the extension portion is substantially the same as the length of one edge on the side of the grip portion in the imaging range of the imaging portion.

With this configuration, the user of the reading apparatus can grasp the width of the imaging range (the length of one edge of the grip portion side) from the length of the front end portion of the portion on the grip portion side of the extension portion, and thus can easily place the information code in the imaging range.

In the invention according to claim 6, the opening of the extending portion is formed such that an opening length in a front-rear direction of the reading port facing the information code increases as the distance from the grip portion increases.

With this configuration, the opening width of the extension portion increases as the extension portion is separated from the grip portion, and the confirmation information code can be easily observed from the opposite side of the main body portion from the grip portion. On the other hand, the opening width of the portion of the opening of the extending portion near the grip portion can be easily reduced, and the strength of the connecting portion between the reading port and the extending portion can be maintained at a high strength.

In the invention according to claim 7, the opening portion is configured such that an opening length in a direction in which the reading port faces the information code is at least 1/2 or more of a distance between a portion on the side of the grip portion around the reading port and a portion on the opposite side of the portion on the side of the grip portion.

With this configuration, since the opening width of the opening is formed to be equal to or larger than a predetermined size with respect to the reading port, when the reading port is brought close to the information code, a minimum space in which the information code can be viewed and confirmed through the opening can be secured between the reading port and the information code.

In the invention according to claim 8, one or more openings are provided in which a part is cut back from the front end of a portion of the front end portion forming the extending portion, the portion being on the opposite side to the portion on the grip portion side. This makes it possible to diversify the method of forming the opening.

In the invention according to claim 9, a tip end portion of the extending portion has a tapered surface, and when a user brings the tip end portion into contact with a medium having the information code attached to a surface of the medium in order to read the information code, the tapered surface comes into contact with the extending portion so that an extending direction of the extending portion is inclined with respect to the surface of the medium. When the user reads the information code, the tapered surface is used in an auxiliary manner to tilt the reading device, which is the extending portion, thereby reducing or eliminating the influence of the specular reflection of the illumination light on the optical system.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical information reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the upper right.

Fig. 2 is a right side view of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1 together with a configuration according to a partial modification.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a right side view illustrating a structure in the vicinity of a reading port of the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a right side view illustrating a state in which an information code formed on a display medium is read by the optical information reading apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a front view of a part of the optical information reading apparatus schematically showing the state shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a front view schematically showing a part of an optical information reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a front view schematically showing a part of an optical information reading apparatus having a configuration different from that of fig. 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view illustrating a modification of the opening formed in the extension portion.

Fig. 15 is a partial perspective view illustrating a modification of the structure that is formed as an extension portion and provides an opening portion.

Description of the reference numerals

10: optical information reading device 12: body part

13: the reading port 14: extending part

14a, 14a1, 14a 2: opening 14 b: extend out of the upper wall part

14c, 14 d: extended side wall portion (wall portion) 14 e: extending out of the bottom wall

15: grip portion 28: light receiving sensor (image pickup part)

40: control circuits (interpretation units) B1, B2: rod-shaped body with opening

AR: a shooting range C: information code

Detailed Description

(first embodiment)

A first embodiment of an optical information reading apparatus embodying the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 11.

The optical information reading device 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the reading device 10) according to the present embodiment is configured as a code reader that optically reads an information code C (see fig. 8) such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, and has an external appearance as shown in fig. 1 to 7, and a circuit portion 20a including various electric components and the like is housed in a housing 11, and the circuit portion 20a is mounted on a circuit board 20 and the like. The housing 11 is composed of a first housing 11a and a second housing 11b, and the first housing 11a and the second housing 11b are molded members made of synthetic resin such as ABS resin. The reading device 10 shown in fig. 1 to 7 is configured as a so-called gun type, and includes: a main body 12 having a reading port 13 formed at an end thereof for passing illumination light and reflected light thereof; and a substantially cylindrical grip portion 15 connected to a portion of the main body portion 12 different from a portion where the reading port 13 is formed, and gripped by a user.

A cylindrical extending portion 14 is provided around the reading port 13 in the main body 12, and the cross section of the cylindrical extending portion 14 intersecting the extending direction (front-rear direction) is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to extend from a wall portion around the reading port 13 to the front of the main body 12. When the reader 10 is used, the leading end portion of the extending portion 14 faces the information code C as shown in fig. 2. The grip 15 has the following structure: a trigger operation portion 42 (trigger switch) that can be pressed is disposed near the upper end of the grip portion 15, and a cable 48a for interface is attached near the lower end of the grip portion 15.

Next, an electrical configuration of the reader 10 will be explained with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 8, the circuit unit 20a housed in the housing mainly includes an optical system such as the illumination light source 21, the light receiving sensor 28, and the imaging lens 27, and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") system such as the memory 35 and the control circuit 40.

The optical system is divided into a light projecting optical system and a light receiving optical system. As shown in fig. 7, the illumination light source 21 constituting the light projection optical system functions as an illumination unit that can emit illumination light Lf, and is constituted by, for example, a red LED21a and a lens 21b provided on the emission side of the LED21 a. As is apparent from the illumination optical axis L1 shown in fig. 7, the illumination light source 21 is configured to irradiate the illumination light Lf in a manner inclined with respect to the imaging optical axis L2.

The light receiving optical system includes a light receiving sensor 28, an imaging lens 27, a mirror (not shown), and the like. The light receiving sensor 28 is configured as an area array sensor in which light receiving elements, which are solid-state imaging elements such as CMOS and CCD, are two-dimensionally arrayed, and has a light receiving surface as a rectangular light receiving region 28 a. The light receiving sensor 28 is mounted on the circuit board 20 so as to be able to receive incident light that enters through the reading port 13, the protective plate 26, and the imaging lens 27, and functions to capture an image of a predetermined imaging range. The light receiving sensor 28 corresponds to an example of an "image pickup unit". The imaging lens 27 functions as an imaging optical system that collects incident light that is incident from the outside through the reading port 13 and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 28. In the present embodiment, the illumination light Lf emitted from the illumination light source 21 is reflected by the information code C formed on the display medium R, and then the reflected light Lr is condensed by the imaging lens 27, so that a code image is imaged on the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 28.

The microcomputer system is composed of an amplifier circuit 31, an a/D converter circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generator circuit 36, a synchronizing signal generator circuit 38, a control circuit 40, a trigger switch 42, a buzzer 44, a vibrator 45, a light emitting unit 46, a communication interface 48, and the like. As the name implies, the microcomputer system is configured mainly by a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing device), and can perform signal processing on an image signal of an information code captured by the optical system in a hardware system and a software system.

An image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 28 of the optical system is input to an amplification circuit 31, amplified at a predetermined gain, and then input to an a/D conversion circuit 33, converted from an analog signal into a digital signal. Then, when the digitized image signal, that is, the image data (image information), is input into the memory 35, it is stored in the image data storage area. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to be able to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 28 and the address generation circuit 36, and the address generation circuit 36 is configured to be able to generate a storage address of the image data stored in the memory 35 based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38.

The memory 35 is a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) and/or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). The RAM in the memory 35 can secure a work area and a read condition table used when the control circuit 40 performs various processes such as arithmetic operation and logical operation, in addition to the image data storage area. In addition, the ROM stores a system program and the like capable of controlling hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the light receiving sensor 28 in advance.

The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire reading device 10, and is configured by a CPU, a system bus, an input/output interface, and the like, and can constitute an information processing device together with the memory 35, and has an information processing function. The control circuit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input/output devices (peripheral devices) via a built-in input/output interface, and in the present embodiment, is connected to a trigger switch 42, a buzzer 44, a vibrator 45, a light emitting unit 46, a communication interface 48, and the like. Thus, the control circuit 40 monitors and manages the trigger switch 42, turns on and off the buzzer 44 that generates a buzzer sound and/or an alarm sound, controls the driving of the vibrator 45 that generates vibration that can be transmitted to the user of the reader 10, controls the lighting and non-lighting of the light emitting unit 46, and controls the communication of the communication interface 48 that can communicate with an external device.

The control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of the "decoding unit" and functions to decode a code image of the information code captured by the light receiving sensor 28.

Next, the configuration of the reading port 13 and the extending portion 14 of the reading apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

In the embodiment, the direction substantially along the longitudinal direction ND (see, for example, fig. 2) in which the substantially cylindrical grip portion 15 extends is defined as the vertical direction, the main body portion 12 side of the grip portion 15 is defined as the upper side, and the opposite side thereof is defined as the lower side. The direction orthogonal or intersecting the vertical direction is the front-rear direction, the side of the grip portion 15 where the trigger switch 42 is provided is the front side, and the rear side is the rear side. In particular, the front of the extending portion 14 in the front-rear direction is referred to as a reading side or simply as a front. The direction (the left-right direction in fig. 3) orthogonal to the up-down direction and the front-back direction is the left-right direction (width direction), and the left-hand side when the reading apparatus 10 is viewed from the front side is the left side and the right-hand side is the right side. Further, as shown in fig. 2, the longitudinal direction ND of the grip portion 15 is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the main body portion 12, and therefore, the above-described up-down direction and front-rear direction are introduced for convenience of explanation.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the reading port 13 is configured to open forward in a substantially rectangular shape on the front side of the main body 12. Further, an extension portion 14 extending from a wall portion forming the periphery thereof toward the front side of the main body portion 12 is provided around the reading port 13. The main purpose of the extending portion 14 is to keep a certain distance from the reading portion 13 to the front when reading the information code. When the reader 10 is used, the information code C is in contact with or separated from the tip of the extending portion 14.

The extending portion 14 has an opening 14a, and as described later, the opening 14a functions as a partitioned gap or space portion for allowing a line of sight to pass (allowing a line of sight to pass) when a user uses the front end of the reading apparatus 10, that is, the front end of the extending portion 14, toward the information code C, so that the user can visually confirm the presence and/or size of the information code.

Here, the structure of the extending portion 14 will be described in detail. The extending portion 14 is composed of an extending upper wall portion 14b, extending

side wall portions

14c and 14d, and an extending bottom wall portion 14 e. In addition, in the extending portion 14, an opening portion 14a is formed at a portion (a portion apart from the grip portion 15) different from a portion on the grip portion 15 side. Specifically, the extension portion 14 has a structure without an eave, and is partially notched or cut away from the upper front edge toward the lower rear edge.

The extending portion 14 is an extending upper wall portion 14b which extends from the rear side of the opening 14a toward the front side of the main body 12 (toward the information code when in use) and has an inverted U-shape when viewed from the front. Specifically, the extended upper wall portion 14b is constituted by an upper portion of the reading port 13 (an upper portion constituting the periphery of the reading port 13) and a portion extending forward of the main body portion 12 at a portion above the substantially central position on both the left and right sides. The extended upper wall portion 14b is inclined such that its front end portions on both left and right sides (upper portion of the opening portion 14a) protrude forward toward the lower side.

In the extending portion 14, a portion on the grip portion 15 side is an extending bottom wall portion 14 e. That is, the extended bottom wall portion 14e is configured to extend forward from a lower portion of the reading port 13 (a lower portion configuring the periphery of the reading port 13) in a substantially rectangular plate shape having a plate surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The end portion extending forward of the bottom wall portion 14e is formed so as to extend along one edge of a predetermined cross section in the imaging range of the light receiving sensor 28. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the end portion extending forward of the bottom wall portion 14e is configured to extend along a lower side edge AR1 of a cross section substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction in the imaging range (or imaging field of view) AR. Although the imaging range depends on the distance from the light projecting optical system of the main body 12, the imaging range AR in the present embodiment is an imaging field of view that can be obtained at the front end position of the extension portion 14.

The extended bottom wall portion 14e is formed such that the length of the end portion on the front side thereof is substantially the same as the length of the edge AR1 of the imaging range AR. Specifically, the length of the extended bottom wall portion 14e in the direction along the periphery of the reading port 13, that is, the length of the extended bottom wall portion 14e in the left-right direction (width direction) is formed to be substantially the same as the width of the imaging range of the light receiving sensor 28 in the left-right direction.

Further, the extended portion 14 has extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d at portions substantially perpendicularly connected to the extended bottom wall portion 14 e. That is, the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d are configured to extend from the portions facing each other with the reading port 13 interposed therebetween to the front side of the main body 12 on the side of the grip portion 15 with respect to the opening portion 14 a. More specifically, the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d are configured to extend in a substantially rectangular plate shape toward the front side in portions below substantially the center positions of both the left and right sides around the reading port 13. The end portions extending forward of the

side wall portions

14c and 14d are formed along one edge of a predetermined cross section in the imaging range of the light receiving sensor 28. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the front end portions of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d are configured to extend along the left and right edges AR2 and AR3 of the section perpendicular to the front-rear direction in the imaging range AR. The extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d are connected to the extended bottom wall portion 14e at their lower side end portions, and are formed integrally with the extended bottom wall portion 14 e.

As shown in fig. 9, each of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d has a front surface, i.e., a surface FF located on the front side and facing the display medium R (the surface of the medium to which the information code is attached in the display medium R) in contact or at a distance when in use. The front surface FF has a tapered surface receding rearward at a predetermined angle α from the front end TP toward the downward side. The inclination angle α can be defined as an angle with a normal line in the vertical direction passing through the position of the tip TP, and is, for example, a value of about 12 °. When the user brings the distal end portion of the extending portion 14 into contact with the display medium R with the information code C attached to the medium surface in order to read the information code C, the tapered surface comes into contact so that the extending direction of the extending portion 14 is inclined with respect to the medium surface. That is, the inclination angle α is formed so that the optical system placed inside the main body 12 is less susceptible to the influence of specular reflection in use, and can be set to an appropriate value in the geometrical relationship of the optical system.

The extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d correspond to an example of the "wall portion of the extended portion that is continuous with the portion on the grip portion side" in the present invention.

The opening 14a of the extending portion 14 is formed such that the opening length (slot width) in the direction (front-rear direction) in which the reading port 13 faces the information code increases as the distance from the grip portion 15 increases. That is, as shown in fig. 9, the distance A3 is greater than the length a2, where the length a2 is the length of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d extending forward from the connecting portion with the front end of the extended upper wall portion 14b, and the distance A3 is the distance between the side extending above the upper wall portion 14b and the front end of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14 d. With this configuration, an angle θ 1 formed by a side extending from the upper side end of the

side wall portions

14c and 14d and a side extending from the front side end (the upper side portion of the opening portion 14a) of the upper wall portion 14b is an obtuse angle.

The opening 14a of the extending portion 14 is configured such that the opening length in the front-rear direction is at least 1/2 or more of the distance between the portion on the side of the grip portion 15 around the reading port 13 and the portion on the opposite side to the grip portion 15. For example, as shown in fig. 9, the length a2 is 1/2 which is a distance a1, wherein the distance a1 is a distance between an upper side end portion extending from the upper wall portion 14b and a front side end portion extending from the bottom wall portion 14 e.

Next, a reading operation of the information code by the reading device 10 will be described.

As shown in fig. 10, in order to reliably read a desired information code C (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) by the reading device 10, the reading device 10 is brought close to the display medium R on which the information code C is formed. At this time, since the extending portion 14 formed around the reading port 13 is configured such that the opening 14a is formed at a portion (upper portion on the front side) apart from the grip portion 15, even when the display medium R is in contact with the extending

side wall portions

14c and 14d, a gap (space) is generated between the display medium R and the extending portion 14 (more specifically, the opening 14 a). Specifically, the display medium R and the extended upper wall 14b are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the longitudinal length of the

extended side walls

14c and 14d, and an opening portion that opens upward is formed by the display medium R, the

extended side walls

14c and 14d, and the extended upper wall 14 b. Therefore, the user gripping the reading apparatus 10 can view the front side of the reading port 13 from the upper side through the gap between the opening 14a of the extending portion 14 and the display medium R. In this way, by observing and confirming the information code C formed on the display medium R from above, the reader 10 is moved, and the information code C can be moved to a desired position where it can be easily read with respect to the reading port 13.

In reading, the front surfaces FF of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d are tapered surfaces. Therefore, in the reading state indicated by the virtual line R (LN) in fig. 10, the user can easily adjust the angle of the held reading apparatus 10 manually so that the line LN along the tapered surface abuts on the display medium R. As described above, the inclination angle α of the tapered surface can prevent specular reflection in the optical system. When the mirror reflection occurs, the control circuit 40 does not give an instruction to end reading, and therefore, the user waits for the instruction to end reading while manually changing the angle of the extension unit 14 with respect to the display medium R. When the angle is changed by this manual method, the reading state indicated by the virtual line r (ln) in fig. 10 can be easily achieved by using the tapered surface as the auxiliary means. This makes it possible to easily avoid an unreadable state due to specular reflection.

As described above, the end portions of the side wall portions 14C and 14d on the information code C side (front side) are formed so as to extend along one edge (edges AR2 and AR3) of the predetermined cross section in the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28. Therefore, as shown in fig. 10, when the display medium R is opposed to or brought into contact with the front side end portions of the extended side wall portions 14C and 14d in the vicinity, the relative position of the information code C with respect to the imaging range AR in the left-right direction can be grasped as shown in fig. 11. That is, as shown in fig. 11, by disposing the reading port 13 with respect to the information code C in such a manner that the information code C is placed in the imaging range AR in the right-left direction, that is, the right and left end portions of the information code C are respectively accommodated inside the range sandwiched by the front end portions of the extended side wall portions 14C, 14 d. Further, by making the left and right ends of the information code C respectively along the inner edges of the front side ends of the extended side walls 14C and 14d, the front side ends of the extended side walls 14C and 14d become marks that use the width of the imaging range AR in the left-right direction to the maximum.

As described above, the end portion of the bottom wall portion 14e on the information code C side (front side) is formed so as to extend along one edge (edge AR1) of the predetermined cross section in the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28. Therefore, when the display medium R and the front side end portions of the extending side wall portions 14C and 14d face each other in the vicinity, or come into contact with each other as shown in fig. 10, the user holding the reading device 10 can grasp the relative position of the information code C with respect to the imaging range AR by observing the front side end portion of the extending bottom wall portion 14e and the information code C (see fig. 9) from above through the gap between the opening portion 14a of the extending portion 14 and the display medium R. For example, as shown in fig. 9, when the user views the front side of the reading port 13 from above at an angle θ 2, the information code C can be placed in the imaging range AR by positioning the lower edge of the information code C slightly above the front side end of the extended bottom wall portion 14 e.

For example, when the information code C is a barcode and the information code C is arranged in the longitudinal direction in the lateral direction, the barcode is arranged on the reading line by aligning the edge of the lower end of the information code C in parallel with the front side end portion of the extended bottom wall portion 14e, and the reading is facilitated.

As described above, by providing the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d and the extended bottom wall portion 14e such that the front side end portions thereof extend along one edge of the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28, the imaging range AR of the reader 10 can be visually grasped by these wall portions.

As shown in fig. 9, the length a2 of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d extending forward from the connecting portion with the front end of the extended upper wall portion 14b is 1/2 of the distance a1 between the extended upper wall portion 14b and the extended bottom wall portion 14e, and the distance A3 between the side extending above the extended upper wall portion 14b and the front end of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d is 1/2 of a1 or more. Therefore, even when the display medium R is in contact with the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d (see fig. 10), the user can visually confirm the space formed in front of the reading port 13 from above at an angle θ 2 (e.g., 25 °) with respect to the display medium R as shown in fig. 9.

Next, a case where the extending portion 14 contacts the display medium R on which the information code C is formed and reads the information code C will be described. The user moves the reader 10 in accordance with the above-described configuration, causes the extending portion 14 to contact the information code C at an appropriate position (a position where the information code C is placed in the imaging range AR as shown in fig. 11), and then presses the trigger switch 42, thereby starting the reading process of the information code C. Here, since the extension portion 14 is provided so as to extend forward in the reading port 13, the reading port 13 can be separated from the display medium R by the extension distance of the extension portion 14 extending forward. Similarly, in the main body 12, the grip portion 15 formed at a portion opposite to the portion where the reading port 13 is formed can be separated from the display medium R by the extending portion 14, and the separated distance is an extended distance. Therefore, the information code C or the display medium R is less likely to interfere with the hand of the user gripping the grip 15, and the user can smoothly perform the reading operation of the reading device 10 by the user without being hindered by, for example, the pressing operation of the trigger switch 42. Further, with such a configuration, even when the reader device 10 is placed at a predetermined place with the reading port 13 facing downward, for example, a gap is formed between the grip portion 15 and the placement surface due to the presence of the extending portion 14, and therefore, the user can grip the grip portion 15 and easily pick up the reader device 10.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the extension portion 14 extending forward from the peripheral wall portion is provided around the reading port 13, and the opening portion 14a is formed in the extension portion 14 at a position different from the grip portion 15 side. Therefore, even when the reading port 13 is brought close to the information code C when the information code C is read, the user can visually confirm the presence, size, and the like of the information code C through the gap or space generated by the opening 14a of the extending portion 14. Thus, the user of the reader 10 can easily place the reader 10 at a desired position where the information code C can be easily read by observing the position and size of the confirmation information code C through the gap formed by the opening 14 a. Further, such a configuration can be realized without using a specific shape and material for the extending portion 14, and an increase in the number of components can be suppressed, thereby simplifying the configuration of the reading apparatus 10.

At least a part of the end portion of the extension unit 14 on the information code C side is configured to extend along one edge of the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28.

With this configuration, the relative position of the information code C with respect to the reading port 13 can be determined with reference to the end position of the extension unit 14 on the information code C side along one edge of the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28, and the information code C can be easily placed in the imaging range AR. Therefore, the information code C can be easily read by the reading device 10, and the success rate of reading can be improved.

The extending side wall portions 14C and 14d of the extending portion 14, which are connected to the portion on the side of the grip portion 15, are formed such that the end portions on the side of the information code C are along one edge (AR2 and AR3) of the imaging range AR of the light-receiving sensor 28.

With this configuration, the relative position of the information code C with respect to the reading port 13 can be determined with reference to the end portion on the information code C side extending from the side wall portions 14C and 14d, and the information code C can be easily set in the imaging range AR. Further, by positioning the information code C at a position along the end portion of the extended side wall portions 14C and 14d on the information code C side, the imaging range AR can be used to the maximum extent, and the information code C can be placed within the imaging range AR.

Further, the portion of the extending portion 14 on the side of the grip portion 15 (extending bottom wall portion 14e) is formed such that the end portion on the side of the information code C is along one edge (AR1) of the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28.

With this configuration, the relative position of the information code C with respect to the reading port 13 can be determined with reference to the end portion of the bottom wall portion 14e on the information code C side, and the information code C can be easily placed in the imaging range AR. Further, by positioning the information code C at a position along the end portion of the extension bottom wall portion 14e on the information code C side, the imaging range AR can be used to the maximum extent, and the information code C can be placed within the imaging range AR.

The opening 14a of the extension portion 14 is configured such that the length of the reading port 13 in the direction (front-rear direction) facing the information code C increases as the distance from the grip portion 15 increases.

With this configuration, the opening length of the extension portion 14 increases with distance from the grip portion 15, and the confirmation information code C is easily viewed from the side of the main body portion 12 opposite to the grip portion 15 side. On the other hand, the opening length of the opening portion 14a of the extending portion 14 in the vicinity of the grip portion 15 can be easily reduced, and the strength of the connection portion between the reading port 13 and the extending portion 14 can be maintained at a high strength.

The opening 14a is configured such that the opening length in the direction (front-rear direction) in which the reading port 13 faces the information code C is at least 1/2 or more of the distance between a portion on the gripper 15 side and a portion on the opposite side of the portion on the gripper 15 side around the reading port 13.

With this configuration, the opening length of the opening 14a is set to be equal to or larger than a predetermined size with respect to the reading port 13, and therefore, when the reading port 13 is brought close to the information code C, a minimum gap (space) is ensured between the reading port 13 and the information code C, at which the information code C can be observed and confirmed through the opening 14 a.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the extending portion 14 is configured to be slotted toward the rear lower side from the front upper side of the extending portion 14, but the extending portion 14 may have another shape as long as the opening portion 14a is formed at least in a part of a portion (a portion other than the extending bottom wall portion 14e) different from the portion of the grip portion 15.

For example, as shown in fig. 12, a portion of the upper right of the extension portion 14 extending from the wall portion around the reading port 13 toward the front side of the main body portion 12 may be formed as a groove. That is, the extension portion 14 is configured to extend except for a portion of the upper right portion of the reading port 13 (the upper right portion constituting the periphery of the reading port 13).

As shown in fig. 13, the extending portion 14 may be formed so as to be grooved except for a portion on the grip portion 15 side around the reading port 13. That is, only the bottom wall portion 14e extends from the periphery of the reading port 13. In such a configuration, the length of the end portion extending forward of the bottom wall portion 14e may be formed to be substantially the same as the length of the edge (AR1) on the grip 15 side of the predetermined cross section in the imaging range AR of the light receiving sensor 28. The user of the reader 10 can grasp the width of the imaging range AR (the length of the edge on the side of the grip 15) from the length of the end of the extension portion 14 on the front side on the side of the grip 15, and thus can easily place the information code C in the imaging range AR. Further, by aligning the end portions in the left-right direction in the lower edge of the information code C with the end portions in the left-right direction in the front side end portion of the extended bottom wall portion 14e, the extended bottom wall portion 14e becomes a mark that uses the width in the left-right direction of the imaging range AR to the maximum extent.

In the first embodiment, the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d are formed in the read port 13, but one of the extended

side wall portions

14c and 14d may be formed. When the extended side wall portion 14c is formed, the end portion on the front side (the side facing the information code) is formed so as to be along one edge (edge AR2) of the predetermined cross section in the imaging range AR of the light-receiving sensor 28, and when the extended side wall portion 14d is formed, the end portion on the front side is formed so as to be along one edge (edge AR3) of the predetermined cross section in the imaging range AR of the light-receiving sensor 28. Even with such a configuration, the reading port 13 can be oriented at an appropriate position with respect to the information code C with reference to one of the extended side wall portions 14C, 14 d. Further, by positioning the information code C at a position along one of the extended side wall portions 14C, 14d, the width of the imaging range AR in the left-right direction can be used as large as possible.

Further, the opening 14a of the extending portion 14 described in the first embodiment can be further modified into various shapes and structures. A representative example of the modification of fig. 14 and 15 is shown. The extended upper wall portion 14b of the extended portion 14 shown in fig. 1 and the like corresponds to a residual portion remaining when a part of the upper wall of the extended portion 14 and a part of both the left and right walls are notched or cut out from the front end portions thereof to form the opening portion 14 a. A plurality of examples of the grooving or cutting-off can be conceived, and typical examples thereof are shown in fig. 14 and 15.

In the modification shown in fig. 14, the extended upper wall portion 14b of the extended portion 14 is formed with a first opening portion 14a1 and a second opening portion 14a2 that are formed by being notched or cut out in a substantially semicircular shape from the front end side to the rear side. The first and second openings 14a1, 14a2 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In this configuration, the leftmost end LF and the rightmost end RT of the first and second openings 14a1, 14a2 are preferably aligned with the left and right ends of the imaging range (imaging field of view) AR. The purpose is to facilitate the user to observe the presence and size of the confirmation information code C through the gap or space formed by the first and second openings 14a1, 14a 2.

In the modification shown in fig. 15, two rod-like bodies B1, B2 forming the extending portion 14 are provided to extend in the front-rear direction from the lower ends of the left and right wall portions of the reading port 13. The two rod-shaped bodies B1, B2 are formed of, for example, resin, and are set to have a length such that the imaging range AR of a certain size can be obtained as described above. In the case of the rod-like bodies B1 and B2, the surfaces other than the rods are empty. The empty space, particularly the upper space, provides an opening for a user to view the confirmation code.

These modifications also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the portion of the extension portion 14 that is notched to form the opening 14a may be covered with a transparent member. For example, a transparent member made of a resin material or the like may be provided in the same shape as the portion of the extending portion 14 that is grooved, and may be connected to the opening portion 14 a. With such a configuration, even when the reading device 10 is brought close to the information code C, the information code C can be observed and confirmed through the transparent member, and dust and the like can be prevented from adhering to the reading port 13. Further, by using a soft silicon material or the like for the transparent member, cushioning properties can be improved, and strength against impact can be improved.

Further, in the reader 10 according to the first embodiment, as indicated by the virtual line 26' in fig. 7, the protection plate 26 may be inclined in a posture in which the upper portion is inclined forward more than the lower portion. Thus, in the light receiving system, the influence of specular reflection by the irradiation light can be easily avoided. This modification is not limited to the first embodiment, and can be applied to the various modifications described above.

Claims

1. An optical information reading apparatus, comprising:

a main body section having a reading port through which illumination light and reflected light thereof pass;

a grip portion connected to a portion of the body portion different from a portion where the reading port is formed, and gripped by a user;

an image pickup unit that optically picks up an image of a predetermined image pickup range through the reading port; and

an interpretation unit that performs an interpretation process of an information code attached to a medium based on the image of the imaging range captured by the imaging unit,

an extension portion extending to a reading side of the reading port is provided around the reading port,

the extended portion has an opening portion formed by cutting a part of the distal end portion of the extended portion and allowing a user's sight line to pass therethrough,

the opening is formed such that the opening length in the front-rear direction of the reading port facing the information code increases as the opening is spaced apart from the grip portion,

the extending portion has a tip portion configured to have a tip end and a tapered surface that is inclined rearward from the tip end toward a lower side of the extending portion, and when the user brings the tip end of the tip portion into contact with the medium with the information code in order to read the information code, adjustment of the contact angle of the extending portion with respect to the medium is allowed by the tapered surface.

2. Optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1,

the extending portion has an end portion on the reading side, and at least a part of the end portion is formed so as to be along one edge of an imaging range of the imaging portion.

3. Optical information reading apparatus according to claim 2,

the extending portion has a wall portion connected to a portion on the grip portion side, the wall portion being formed such that an end portion on the reading side is along one edge of an imaging range of the imaging portion.

4. Optical information reading apparatus according to claim 2,

the extending portion has a portion on the grip portion side, which is formed such that an end portion on the reading side is along one edge of an imaging range of the imaging portion.

5. Optical information reading apparatus according to claim 4,

the extended portion has an extended bottom wall portion formed in a portion on the grip portion side in such a manner that a length of an end portion on the reading side is substantially equal to a length of one edge on the grip portion side in an imaging range of the imaging portion.

6. An optical information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the opening portion is configured such that the opening length in the direction in which the reading port faces the information code is at least 1/2 or more of the distance between the portion on the side of the grip portion and the portion on the side opposite to the portion on the side of the grip portion around the reading port.

7. An optical information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the grip portion is provided to protrude from the main body portion so as to intersect with an extending direction of the extending portion from an end portion of the extending portion on a rear side of the opening portion in the extending direction,

one or more openings are provided, a part of which is cut back from the front end of a portion of the front end portion forming the extending portion on the side opposite to the portion on the grip portion side.