CN115114942A

CN115114942A - Information reading assembly, information reading device and expansion module

Info

Publication number: CN115114942A
Application number: CN202210236259.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佐伯靖
Original assignee: Keyence Corp
Current assignee: Keyence Corp
Priority date: 2021-03-18
Filing date: 2022-03-11
Publication date: 2022-09-27
Also published as: JP2022144178A

Abstract

The invention provides an information reading assembly, an information reading device and an expansion module, which can use a common shell to deal with different reading modes. The information reading assembly comprises an information reading device and more than one expansion module, wherein the information reading device comprises: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface, in which a peripheral open region is formed in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and a main body side connection terminal is provided, the expansion module including: a module-side housing having a third major surface; a battery; and a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, bonded to the main body-side bonding region, and provided with a module-side connection terminal connected to the main body-side connection terminal. The expansion module exposes a part of the module-side bonding region from the surrounding open region in a state where the module-side bonding region is bonded to the main body-side bonding region.

Description

Information reading assembly, information reading device and expansion module

Technical Field

The invention relates to an information reading component, an information reading device and an expansion module.

Background

There is known an optical information reading apparatus called a barcode reader or the like which receives light from a mark (hereinafter, referred to as a "barcode") called a barcode, a symbol or the like such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code to be read, reads image data of the symbol by an imaging module, and analyzes the image data to read information corresponding to the barcode. In addition, information reading apparatuses that electromagnetically read information, such as RFID tags and IC tags, have been developed. Here, the information reading device is not limited to an information reading device that optically reads a print medium, and an information reading device that electromagnetically reads information using RFID or the like is included, and these are referred to as a barcode reader and an information reading device. Such information reading apparatuses include a handheld information reading apparatus and a stationary information reading apparatus that are held by a user. The handheld information reading device is provided with a battery inside so that a user can carry the handheld information reading device.

Further, as the hand-held information reading device, there are a plate-like information reading device such as a smartphone, a gun-shaped information reading device having a grip for holding, an information reading device provided with a reading surface such as an RFID, and the like. Conventionally, in order to cope with these different forms, a user has to prepare a plurality of information reading devices corresponding to the forms.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2008-234634

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-194843

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an information reading unit, an information reading apparatus, and an expansion module that can cope with different reading modes while using a common housing.

Means for solving the problems

A 1 st aspect of the present invention provides an information reading module including an information reading device and one or more expansion modules, the information reading device including: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a camera unit provided in the housing; a processor unit that decrypts a symbol included in the image acquired by the camera unit; a display unit provided on the first main surface; a communication interface capable of wireless communication with the outside; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface of the housing, the main body side bonding region being formed with a peripheral open region in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and being provided with a main body side connection terminal, the expansion module including: a module-side housing having a third major surface; a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to a main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus, and being provided with a module-side connection terminal connected to the main body-side connection terminal, wherein the expansion module is formed so that a part of the module-side bonding region is exposed from the peripheral open region in a state where the module-side bonding region is bonded to the main body-side bonding region.

According to the above configuration, the information reading device has a function for reading information, and the expansion module is engaged with the information reading device, whereby the expansion module can be replaced, and a function corresponding to the application can be added or selected. Further, by exposing a part of the module-side joining region from the surrounding open region, it is possible to avoid the size of the module-side case from being restricted by the size of the main body-side joining region, and it is possible to flexibly design the external shape of the expansion module, for example, by projecting the module-side case from the exposed part to the outside.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reading module including an information reading device and a plurality of expansion modules, the information reading device including: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a camera unit provided in the housing; a processor unit that decrypts a symbol included in the image acquired by the camera unit; a display unit provided on the first main surface; a communication interface capable of wireless communication with the outside; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface of the housing, the main body side bonding region being provided with a main body side connection terminal, the expansion module including: a module-side housing having a third major surface; a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to a main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus and having a module-side connection terminal connected to the main body-side connection terminal, wherein the module-side connection terminal includes a power supply terminal for supplying power to the battery and a plurality of module-side signal terminals, the main body-side connection terminal and the module-side connection terminal are electrically connected in a state where the module-side bonding region of any one of a plurality of expansion modules is engaged with the main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus, the main body-side connection terminal and the module-side connection terminal are supplied with driving power from the battery to the information reading apparatus via the power supply terminal, and the module-side bonding region of any one of the plurality of expansion modules is bonded to the main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus, the number of the plurality of signal terminals used is made different depending on the extension module of the connection destination.

According to the above configuration, by supplying power from the expansion module to the information reading apparatus using the terminal for performing communication between the information reading apparatus and the expansion module and by varying the number of terminals used according to the function of the expansion module connected, it is possible to use the expansion module of various functions.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reading unit including a plurality of information reading devices and one or more expansion modules, the information reading device including: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a camera unit provided in the housing; a processor unit that decrypts a symbol included in the image acquired by the camera unit; a display unit provided on the first main surface; a communication interface capable of wireless communication with the outside; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface of the housing, in which a peripheral open region is formed in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis line orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and a main body side connection terminal is provided, the expansion module including: a module-side housing having a third major surface; a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to each of the main body-side bonding regions of the plurality of information reading devices and having a plurality of module-side connection terminals connected to the main body-side connection terminals, wherein the expansion module is formed such that a part of the module-side bonding region is exposed from the main body-side bonding region in a state where the module-side bonding portion is bonded to the main body-side bonding region.

According to the above configuration, the common expansion module can be connected to the information reading devices having different external shapes, and the expansion module can be used for each information reading device at will, thereby improving convenience.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reading apparatus detachably connected to an expansion module, the information reading apparatus including: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a camera unit provided in the housing; a processor unit that decrypts a symbol included in the image acquired by the camera unit; a display unit provided on the first main surface; a communication interface capable of wireless communication with the outside; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface of the housing, the main body side bonding region being formed with a peripheral open region in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and being provided with a main body side connection terminal, the main body side bonding region of the information reading apparatus including: a first wall portion that partially surrounds a periphery of the peripheral open region provided at the second main surface of the case; and the pair of second wall parts are arranged in the open region of the periphery and are separated from the first wall parts.

According to the above configuration, the first wall portion and the second wall portion can engage with the expansion module in the engagement region of the information reading apparatus.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expansion module detachably connected to an information reading apparatus, the information reading apparatus including: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface, in which a peripheral open region is formed in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and a main body side connection terminal is provided, wherein the expansion module includes: a module-side housing having a third major surface; a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to a main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus and having a plurality of module-side connection terminals connected to the main body-side connection terminals, wherein the expansion module is formed so that a part of the module-side bonding region is exposed from a surrounding open region in a state where the module-side bonding region is bonded to the main body-side bonding region.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expansion module detachably connected to an information reading apparatus, the information reading apparatus including: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface, in which a peripheral open region is formed in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and a main body side connection terminal is provided, wherein the expansion module includes: a module-side housing having a third major surface; a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to the main body-side bonding region of the information reading device, wherein the module-side housing has a protruding portion protruding from a peripheral open region of the main body-side bonding region in a direction parallel to the second main surface in a state where the module-side bonding region of the expansion module is bonded to the main body-side bonding region provided on the second main surface of the housing of the information reading device.

According to the above configuration, the module-side housing of the expansion module can be formed into a shape that is not limited by the shape of the housing, and the external shape of the expansion module can be flexibly designed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a plurality of expansion modules that can be connected to a common information reading apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an information reading unit.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the information reading assembly of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the information reading assembly of fig. 3 as viewed from the right side.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the information reading apparatus of fig. 3 in a state of being engaged with an expansion module, as viewed obliquely from below.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a joint portion between the information reading device of fig. 3 and the expansion module.

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of an information reading module according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an information reading assembly in which the expansion module is a keypad module.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an information reading assembly showing a keypad module in which the expansion module is elongated.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an information reading assembly in which the expansion module is a trigger module.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an information reading assembly in which the expansion module is an RFID module.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a common charging stand to which various information reading components can be joined.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing one information reading unit of fig. 12 mounted on a surface of a charging stand.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing another information reading unit of fig. 12 mounted on a surface of a charging stand.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a state where a plurality of information reading components are mounted on another charging stand.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the information reading device of fig. 2 is mounted on another charging stand.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a case where a plurality of different information reading devices are joined to a common expansion module.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing an arbitrary combination of a plurality of different information reading devices joined to a plurality of different expansion modules.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a case where a plurality of information reading devices mounted with different OSs are joined to a common expansion module.

Description of the reference numerals

1000. 1000D, 1000E, information reading assembly; 100. 100D, 100E, information reading device; 110. a camera portion; 120. a processor section; 121. a decoding unit; 123. a key operation section; 130. 130D, a display unit; 140. a communication interface; 140a, a wireless communication unit; 140b, a wired interface part; 150. a judgment section; 160. a control unit; 170. a main body side memory section; 101. a first engaging structure; 102. a second engaging structure; 10. a housing; 10a, a first end portion; 10b, a second end; 11. a first major surface; 12. a second major surface; 13. a peripheral open area; 14. a first wall portion; 14a, an engaging hole; 14b, a first abutting surface; 14c, a sound hole; 15. a second wall portion; 15b, a second abutting surface; 16. a storage section; 16a, a groove; 17. a locking claw receiving section; 18. a SIM card slot; 19. an SD card slot; 20. a main body side connection terminal; 20a, a power receiving terminal; 20b, signal terminals; 30. a body-side joining region; 40. a module-side housing; 40a, a first end; 40b, a second end; 41. a third major surface; 42. a module-side connection terminal; 42a, a power supply terminal; 42b, module-side signal terminals; 43. a module-side bonding area; 44. a snap-fit protrusion; 45. a snap-fit recess; 46. 46b, a protrusion; 47. a locking claw; 48. a grip portion; 48a, a trigger; 49. an RFID grip; 49a, an RFID reader; 50. a convex portion; 60. a seal member; 70. 70B, 70C, a charging stand; 71. 71C, a carrying surface; 72. a charging station side contact; 200. an expansion module; 211. 221, 231, 241, a battery; 201. an internal interface portion; 202. an external interface portion; 203. module side contacts; 204. a number key; 205. a memory section; 210. a power supply module; 220. 220a, 220b, a keypad module; 230. a triggering module; 240. an RFID module; AR1, AR2, AR3, direction of movement of the module-side housing; HD. A holder.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. However, the embodiments described below exemplify an information reading unit, an information reading apparatus, and an expansion module for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the information reading unit, the information reading apparatus, and the expansion module as follows. In addition, the description never specifies the components shown in the claims as components of the embodiments. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not particularly specifically described, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these, but is merely an illustrative example. In addition, the sizes, positional relationships, and the like of the members shown in the respective drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. In the following description, the same names and reference numerals are used for the same members or members having the same properties, and detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate. Further, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, or conversely, the function of one member may be realized by sharing the plurality of members.

[ embodiment 1]

(information reading assembly 1000)

The information reading unit 1000 is used for reading a barcode and an IC tag and performing registration and verification of data. Fig. 1 shows an example of a combination of an information reading module 1000 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, an example of a plurality of expansion modules that can be engaged with a common information reading apparatus is shown. As shown in the drawing, the information reading unit 1000 is used by combining an information reading apparatus 100 including a function for reading information with any one of a plurality of different expansion modules 200.

In the example of fig. 1, the expansion module 200 includes, for example, a power supply module 210 and a keypad module 220, a trigger module 230, and an RFID module 240 as input modules. Then, any one of the plurality of expansion modules 200 is engaged with one information reading device 100. Hereinafter, the entire information reading unit 1000 will be described by taking the power supply module 210 of the expansion module 200 as an example, and other expansion modules will be described later.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the information reading assembly 1000, fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the information reading assembly 1000 of fig. 2, fig. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the information reading assembly of fig. 2 as viewed from the right side, fig. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a state where the information reading device of fig. 3 is engaged with a power supply module as viewed from obliquely below, and fig. 6 illustrates an enlarged perspective view showing an engagement portion between the information reading device of fig. 3 and an expansion module. As shown in these figures, the information reading apparatus 100 includes: a housing 10 having a first major surface 11 and a second major surface 12; and a main body side bonding region 30 in which a peripheral open region 13 is formed in which at least a part of a peripheral edge portion of the second main surface 12 is open, and the main body side connection terminal 20 is provided.

The power supply module 210 includes: a module-side case 40 having a third main surface 41; and a module-side bonding region 43 provided on the third main surface 41. The module-side bonding region 43 is detachably bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30 of the information reading apparatus 100. Further, the module-side connection terminals 42 are provided in the module-side bonding region 43, and when the module-side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30, the module-side connection terminals 42 are connected to the main body-side connection terminals 20.

By joining the main body side joining region 30 of the information reading device 100 and the module side joining region 43 of the power module 210, the information reading device 100 and the power module 210 are engaged with each other as shown in fig. 2. At this time, in a state where the module-side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30, a part of the module-side bonding region 43 indicated by a portion surrounded by a dotted line in fig. 2 is exposed from the peripheral open region 13. This exposes the terminals, keys, and the like provided for each expansion module, and enables the user to connect cables, operate keys, and the like.

Further, by configuring such that a part of the module-side case 40 is exposed from the surrounding open region, the module-side case 40 can be expanded from the exposed portion. For example, as shown in fig. 1, the external shape of the expansion module can be flexibly designed by using one information reading apparatus 100 to cope with not only the power supply module 210 but also the keypad module 220, the trigger module 230, and the RFID module 240.

(information reading apparatus 100)

As shown in fig. 4, the information reading apparatus 100 is provided with a camera unit 110 on the upper end side of the casing 10. Fig. 7 shows a functional block diagram of the information reading unit. The information reading apparatus 100 shown in the figure includes a camera unit 110, a processor unit 120 that decrypts a symbol included in an image acquired by the camera unit 110, a display unit 130 provided on the first main surface 11, a communication interface 140 that enables wireless communication with the outside, and a main body side memory unit 170. As such, the information reading apparatus 100 includes a function for reading information such as a barcode, an IC tag, and the like.

The camera unit 110 captures an image of a barcode, a symbol, a character string, or the like of a reading target, or an image of the appearance of a target object to which the barcode, the symbol, the character string, or the like is attached. In the case of a barcode, the camera unit 110 receives light reflected by the barcode and acquires an input image. Such a camera unit can be constituted by a camera module including an imaging element for taking an image, an optical system including a lens and the like, an autofocus mechanism, and the like. As the image pickup device, an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS can be used. Further, an illumination unit may be added as necessary. The illumination unit irradiates light to a barcode to be read.

The processor unit 120 realizes the functions of the decoding unit 121, the control unit 160, the key operation unit 123, the determination unit 150, and the like. Such a processor unit 120 may be constituted by a CPU, MPU, GPU, SoC, or the like, or a combination thereof. The decoding section 121 decrypts the input image obtained by the camera section 110. The control unit 122 performs necessary processing such as control and output based on the information decrypted by the decoding unit 121. The key operation unit 123 is various keys, a trigger, a touch panel, and the like provided in the casing 10, and receives an operation such as a key input from a user via the key operation unit 123. The determination section 150 determines which type of expansion module 200 connected to the current information reading apparatus 100 is by communicating with the connection-destination expansion module 200 via the communication interface 140. The main body side memory unit 170 is constituted by a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and is a work space for various arithmetic processing executed by the processor unit 120. In addition, the required information is saved.

The display unit 130 is configured by, for example, an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The display unit 130 can display, for example, a barcode captured by the camera unit 110 and a character string as a decoding result of the barcode. The display unit 130 is configured by a touch panel, and can also function as a part of the key operation unit.

The communication interface 140 is a means for communicating with an external device, and may include a wireless communication unit 140a for wireless communication and a wired interface unit 140b for wired communication. The communication interface 140 is connected to an internal bus, and is connected to an external network such as the internet, LAN, WAN, or the like, thereby enabling data transmission and reception with an external device.

On the other hand, the plurality of expansion modules 200 have different structures according to uses. For example, the power supply module 210 includes an internal interface part 201, a wired communication part, a memory part 205, an external interface part 202, and a battery 211. Internal interface unit 201 is electrically connected to communication interface 140 of information reading apparatus 100, and performs data communication. The external interface unit 202 includes a connector for connection, which is used for data communication with an external device, input/output, or power supply from a charging station. The external interface 202 is connected to a wired communication unit that performs data communication and signal exchange with an external device. The memory section 205 realizes, for example, the function of an ID storage section. The ID storage unit stores the type of the extension module and ID information for individual identification. On the information reading apparatus side, in order to determine the connected expansion module, the ID information held in the ID storage unit is read via the internal interface unit 201.

Here, in the information reading apparatus 100 of fig. 7, a battery for supplying power for driving the information reading apparatus 100 is not provided. Therefore, the main body side engaging portion 30 is engaged with the module side engaging region 43 of the expansion module 200 including the battery, so that the information reading device 100 is engaged with the expansion module 200, and power is supplied from the expansion module 200 to the information reading device 100.

The expansion module 200 that can be mounted on the information reading device 100 in this manner can use not only the power supply module 210 that is mainly powered but also the keypad module 220, the trigger module 230, the RFID module 240, and the like that further have functions other than power supply. Further, as will be described later, since each expansion module 200 has the common module-side bonding region 43, the module-side bonding region 43 of any one expansion module 200 can be bonded to the main body-side bonding portion 30, and the expansion module 200 can be mounted on the information reading apparatus 100. As a result, the expansion module 200 corresponding to the application can be appropriately selected from the plurality of expansion modules 200 having different functions and used.

(case 10)

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the case 10 housing the above-described members may have any shape including a first main surface 11 and a second main surface 12 opposed to the first main surface 11. In the present embodiment, the shape of the housing 10 is made substantially plate-like extending in one direction. The case 10 is light and excellent in moldability, and is made of an insulating material, for example, a resin such as ABS or polycarbonate. The two ends of the housing 10 in the extending direction are referred to as a first end 10a and a second end 10b, respectively.

As shown in fig. 4, a camera unit is provided on the first end 10a side. Further, a connector terminal and the like are provided on the second end 10b side. Further, a display unit 130 such as a touch panel is provided on the first main surface 11. As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, a housing portion 16 in which the main body side connection terminal 20 is disposed is formed on the second end portion 10b side of the second main surface 12.

(Main body side joining region 30)

The main body side bonding region 30 is detachably bonded to the module side bonding region 43 of the power module 210. The main body side bonding region 30 is a portion in surface contact with the module side bonding region 43, and may be provided over the entire second main surface 12 or may be provided in a part of the second main surface 12.

(surrounding open area 13)

The peripheral open region 13 of fig. 5 is formed so as to open at least a part of the main body side joint region 30 in the circumferential direction of the axis orthogonal to the second main surface 12. In the present embodiment, a peripheral open region 13 is formed by opening a part of the peripheral edge of the second main surface 12. By the peripheral open region 13, a part of the module-side bonding region 43 shown by a portion surrounded by a broken line in fig. 2 is exposed in a state where the module-side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30.

By providing such an exposed portion, the module-side case 40 can be further expanded from the exposed portion. For example, as shown in fig. 1, one information reading apparatus 100 can be used to cope not only with the power supply module 210 but also with the keypad module 220, the trigger module 230, and the RFID module 240.

In other words, by forming the peripheral open region 13, it is possible to avoid the case where the shape of the module-side case 40 is restricted or the like in the case where the entire peripheral edge portion of the main body-side joining region 30 has a closed structure. This allows the module-side case 40 to have a shape extending from the peripheral open region 13. As a result, the external shape of the expansion module can be flexibly designed, and various expansion modules 200 can be engaged with the information reading device 100, thereby realizing addition of functions corresponding to the applications.

(first wall part 14)

In the main body side joining region 30, the first wall portion 14 can also be provided. The first wall portion 14 partially surrounds the periphery of the peripheral open region 13. In the present embodiment, the first wall portion 14 is provided on the first end portion 10a side of the case 10 as an example. The first wall 14 may have any shape as long as it can partially surround the peripheral open region 13, and in the present embodiment, the first wall 14 is convex along the first end 10 a. The first wall portion 14 is formed integrally with the housing 10.

The first wall portion 14 shown in fig. 5 is provided so as to abut against a first end portion 40a of the module-side case 40 described later when the module-side joining region 43 is joined to the main-body-side joining region 30. In this case, the first wall portion 14 may include a first engagement structure 101 that abuts and engages with a portion of the module-side case 40. In the main body side joining region 30, the first wall portion 14 is partially opened in the circumferential direction, and the first engagement structure can be provided at a position where the power module 210 is engaged.

The first engagement structure 101 may be of a known form if the first wall portion 14 can be engaged with the module-side case 40, and in the present embodiment, the first wall portion 14 is provided with an engagement hole 14a as an example. On the other hand, an engagement projection 44 is provided at a position corresponding to the engagement hole 14a at the first end 40a of the module-side case 40. By inserting the engaging projection 44 into the engaging hole 14a, the module-side housing 40 can be engaged with the housing 10 of the information reading device 100. This enables the power supply module 210 to be stably engaged with the information reading apparatus 100.

In the information reading apparatus 100, the sound emission hole 14c of the speaker may be formed on the bottom surface side (the upper surface side in fig. 5) of the first wall portion 14. In general, the sound emission hole of the speaker is provided on the bottom surface side of the housing, and in the case of a configuration in which the expansion module is disposed on the bottom surface side, the sound emission hole is covered. It is difficult to hear the sound. Therefore, by housing the speaker in the first wall portion 14 and providing the sound emission holes 14c on the protruding surface of the first wall portion 14 by the first wall portion 14 as shown in fig. 5, the sound emission holes 14c can be arranged at positions not covered by the power module 210, and it is possible to avoid that the sound from the speaker becomes difficult to hear by joining the power module 210.

As shown in fig. 4, the camera unit 110 may be disposed inside the first wall portion 14. In other words, the first wall portion 14 is used as a portion for housing the camera portion 110. By forming the first wall portion 14 by using the storage space of the camera portion 110 and providing the first engagement structure 101 in this manner, it is possible to avoid an increase in size of the housing 10 and simplify the structure.

(second wall part 15)

In addition, not only the first wall portion but also a pair of second wall portions may be provided in the main body side junction region of the information reading apparatus 100. As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, the pair of

second wall portions

15, 15 are used to engage with the module-side case 40 when the main body-side joining region 30 and the module-side joining region 43 are joined. The pair of

second wall portions

15, 15 are provided at positions apart from the first wall portion 14 in the peripheral open region 13. In the present embodiment, as an example, the pair of

second wall portions

15, 15 is provided on the second end portion 10b side of the housing 10. In addition, the pair of

second wall portions

15, 15 are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the housing 10. The shape of the

second wall portions

15, 15 may be any shape, and in the present embodiment, the second wall portions are convex along the extension direction of the housing 10. The pair of

second wall portions

15, 15 are also integrally formed in the housing 10.

The pair of

second wall portions

15 and 15 may include a second engagement structure 102, and the second engagement structure 102 may be brought into contact with and engaged with a part of the module-side case 40 in a state where the first wall portion 14 is engaged with the other part of the module-side case 40 via the first engagement structure 101.

In order to engage with the second engagement structure 102 of the pair of second wall portions 15, in the example of fig. 5 and the like, a pair of engagement

concave portions

45, 45 are provided at positions corresponding to the

second wall portions

15, 15 on the second end portion 40b side of the module-side case 40. The pair of engaging

recesses

45, 45 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the second wall portion 15. By coupling the

second wall portions

15, 15 and the engaging concave portions 45, respectively, the power module 210 can be stably held in the information reading apparatus 100.

In the example shown in fig. 5, the first wall portion is provided with a first contact surface 14b that contacts a portion of the module-side case 40. The second wall portion is provided with a second contact surface 15b that contacts the other portion of the module-side case 40. The first contact surface 14b and the second contact surface 15b are arranged to intersect. That is, the module-side case 40 is engaged by the first engagement structure 101 while movement of the module-side case 40 in the direction of the arrow AR1 is restricted. Further, the module-side case 40 is engaged by the second engagement structure 102, and the movement of the module-side case 40 in the directions of arrows AR2 and AR3 is restricted. By causing the first engagement structure 101 and the second engagement structure 102 to act in the intersecting direction in this manner, resistance to external forces from different directions can be improved, and structural bonding strength can be more easily exhibited.

(storage part 16)

The housing portion 16 is for housing the main body side connection terminal 20 as shown in fig. 6. The housing portion 16 can be formed by forming a recess on the second end 10b side of the second main surface 12, for example. The body-side connection terminal 20 is disposed on the bottom surface of the recess. A pair of locking

claw receiving portions

17, 17 can be provided on both sides of the main body side connection terminal 20. When the module-side case 40 is engaged, a pair of locking

claws

47 and 47, which will be described later, are inserted into the locking

claw receiving portions

17 and 17, respectively. Thus, when the module-side housing 40 is engaged with the housing 10 of the information reading device 100, the main body-side connection terminal 20 and the module-side connection terminal 42 can be stably connected.

The housing 16 may be further provided with a SIM card slot 18 and an SD card slot 19. Here, the housing 16 may be opened in a state where the information reading device 100 is not engaged with the expansion module 200. That is, the main body side connection terminals 20, the SIM card slot 18, the SD card slot 19, and the like may be exposed without being engaged with the expansion module 200, instead of being covered with a cover or the like.

Thus, when the expansion module 200 is engaged to read information, the trouble of detaching the cover and storing the cover can be reduced. When the user wants to use the information reading device 100 and the expansion module 200 can be engaged quickly, and work efficiency is improved. On the other hand, even in the case of a structure in which a cover is housed in a part of the case 10 in order to save the labor for storing the cover as another member, the structure of the case 10 becomes complicated, the manufacturing process increases, and there is a possibility that the labor and the cost are required. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by opening the housing portion 16, the simple configuration of the information reading apparatus 100 and the improvement of the work efficiency are achieved.

(Main body side connection terminal 20)

The main body side connection terminal 20 is for receiving driving power from the expansion module 200. If the main body-side connection terminals 20 can ensure electrical connection with the expansion module 200, the main body-side connection terminals 20 may have any form. In the present embodiment, the main body side connection terminal 20 is disposed inside the housing portion 16 on the second end portion 10b side in the main body side bonding region 30, in other words, behind the rear surface of the housing 10 in fig. 3. By being arranged at such a position, the center of gravity of the information reading apparatus 100 can be stabilized.

As shown in fig. 6, the body-side connection terminal 20 is disposed between the pair of

second wall portions

15, 15. By engaging the second engagement structures 102 provided on the pair of

second wall portions

15 and 15 on both sides of the portion where the electrical connection between the information reading device 100 and the power supply module 210 is performed, the structural stability of the portion where the electrical connection is performed is improved, and the reliability of the electrical connection is improved.

The main body side connection terminal 20 includes a power receiving terminal 20a that receives driving power from the expansion module 200 and a plurality of signal terminals 20b that receive control signals from the expansion module 200. The power receiving terminal 20a and the signal terminal 20b can be conventional terminals, and in the present embodiment, pin-shaped terminals are used. In addition, as an example, the power receiving terminals 20a and the signal terminals 20b are arranged in a matrix.

With this main body side connection terminal 20, in a state where the module side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body side bonding region 30, drive power can be supplied from the module side connection terminal 42 described later to the information reading apparatus 100. That is, the information reading apparatus 100 of the present embodiment does not include a general-purpose power supply terminal, a secondary battery, and the like. It is assumed that power is supplied by engaging any one of the plurality of expansion modules 200.

Here, in a state where the module-side bonding region 43 of any one of the plurality of expansion modules 200 is bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30 of the information reading apparatus 100, the number of the plurality of signal terminals 20b used differs depending on the expansion module 200 of the connection destination.

Thus, by supplying power from the expansion module 200 to the information reading device 100 using the module-side connection terminal 42 and varying the number of signal terminals 20b used in accordance with the function of the connected expansion module 200, various expansion modules 200 can be used. Specifically, the following can be appropriately adjusted: the number of signal terminals 20b used is reduced in the case of an expansion module having a simple structure, and the number of signal terminals 20b used is increased in the case of an expansion module having a complicated structure.

(expansion module 200)

As shown in fig. 1, the information reading module 1000 according to embodiment 1 is used by combining any one of a plurality of different expansion modules 200 in the information reading apparatus 100. The expansion module 200 includes one or more input modules having a battery and a module-side input unit for receiving an input from the outside, such as a keypad module 220, a trigger module 230, and an RFID module 240. The expansion module 200 also contains a power module 210, the power module 210 having a battery without a module-side input. However, the information reading unit according to the present embodiment may not include all of the expansion modules 200, and may be appropriately adjusted according to the usage form.

Either the input module or the power module can be engaged with the information reading device 100. In other words, by detaching the power supply module of the information reading apparatus and attaching the input module having the module-side engaging region common to the power supply module to the detached portion, it is possible to use different module-side input portions. As an example, the expansion modules 200 shown in fig. 1 each include a common module-side bonding region 43.

In the information reading module 1000, the battery is not built in the information reading apparatus 100, but the battery is built in the expansion module 200. Therefore, the capacity and shape of the battery can be designed according to the function expanded by the expansion module 200.

As shown in fig. 7, each expansion module 200 includes a battery having a required capacity in order to realize a function corresponding to the type of each expansion module. The shape of the battery is different according to the shape of each expansion module 200. For example, the battery 211 of the power module 210 and the battery 211 of the keypad module 210 may be flat, and the battery 231 of the trigger module 230 and the battery 241 of the RFID module 240 may be battery-type, and may be adjusted according to the type of the extension module.

The power is directly supplied from the batteries 211 to 241 to the control unit 160 of the information reading apparatus 100. Data communication between each of the batteries 211 to 241 and the information reading device 100 is performed by a standardized communication method. For example, the internal interface 201 as a USB performs mutual communication. By performing communication using a standardized communication method, it is easy to create and add an expansion module later.

Each expansion module 200 further includes an external interface 202 serving as a supply terminal of, for example, a USB for charging the batteries 211 to 241. The external interface 202 can also be used as a wired interface for external connection. In this way, by providing the wired interface on the expansion module 200 side without providing it to the information reading apparatus 100, the waterproof and dustproof structure of the information reading apparatus 100 can be easily realized.

Any of the input modules of the expansion modules 200 described above can also include a dimensional measurement unit, a thermal imager. This allows the information reader 100 to read information to be read, and also allows measurement of size and temperature, thereby allowing further functions to be added to the information reader 100.

The expansion modules 200 are explained below.

(Power supply module 210)

As shown in fig. 3 and the like, the power module 210 includes a module-side case 40 having a third main surface 41, a battery 211 built in the module-side case 40, and a module-side bonding region 43 formed on the third main surface 41.

(Module side case 40)

The module-side case 40 can have any shape having the third main surface 41. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the module-side case 40 may be substantially plate-shaped and elongated in one direction. Both ends of the module-side case 40 in the extending direction are referred to as a first end 40a and a second end 40b, respectively. An engaging projection 44 is provided at a position on the first end 40a side corresponding to an engaging hole 14a formed in the first wall 14 of the information reading device 100. When the module-side joining region 43 is joined to the main body-side joining region 30, the module-side case 40 is engaged with the case 10 of the information reading device 100 by inserting the engaging projection 44 into the engaging hole 14 a.

If the engaging projection 44 can be engaged with the engaging hole 14a, the shape of the engaging projection 44 can be arbitrarily set, and in the present embodiment, it is a convex shape that can be inserted into the engaging hole 14 a. However, it goes without saying that an engaging protrusion may be formed on the first wall portion 14 and an engaging hole may be formed in the first end portion 40a of the module-side case 40.

A pair of engaging

recesses

45, 45 corresponding to the shape of the second wall 15 are provided at positions corresponding to the

second walls

15, 15 of the information reading device 100 on the second end 40b side of the module-side case 40. By engaging the

second wall portions

15, 15 with the engaging concave portions 45, respectively, the power supply module 210 is stably engaged with the information reading device 100.

(Module side bonding region 43)

The module-side bonding region 43 is detachably bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30 of the information reading apparatus 100. The module-side bonding region 43 is a portion in surface contact with the main body-side bonding region 30, and may be provided on the entire third main surface 41 or a part of the third main surface 41. As described above, when the module-side bonding region 43 and the main body-side bonding region 30 are bonded, a part of the module-side bonding region 43 is exposed from the peripheral open region 13.

(Module side connection terminal 42)

The module-side connection terminal 42 is connected to the main body-side connection terminal 20 of the information reading apparatus 100, and supplies power to the information reading apparatus 100. The module-side connection terminals 42 are formed in the module-side bonding areas 43. As an example, the module-side connection terminals 42 in fig. 6 can be provided at positions closer to the second end portions 40b than positions corresponding to the main body-side connection terminals 20 when the module-side bonding regions 43 are bonded to the main body-side bonding regions 30.

The module-side connection terminal 42 includes a power supply terminal 42a that supplies electric power of the battery 211 and a plurality of module-side signal terminals 42 b. In a state where the module-side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30 of the information reading device 100, the power supply terminal 42a and the power receiving terminal 20a of the main body-side connection terminal 20 are electrically connected, and the battery 211 supplies driving power to the information reading device 100.

The power supply terminal 42a and the module-side signal terminal 42b can be conventional terminals, and in the present embodiment, planar terminals that contact the pin-shaped main body-side connection terminal 20 are used. In addition, the power supply terminals 42a and the module-side signal terminals 42b are arranged in a matrix as an example.

(locking claws 47, 47)

The pair of locking

claws

47 and 47 are used to stably connect the main body side connection terminal 20 and the module side connection terminal 42. As shown in fig. 6, a pair of locking

claws

47 and 47 are provided on both sides of the module-side connection terminal 42 at positions corresponding to the pair of locking

claw receiving portions

17 and 17 provided in the housing portion 16 of the housing 10. The pair of locking

claws

47 and 47 are inserted into the pair of locking

claw receiving portions

17 and 17, respectively, and engaged with each other.

If the locking claws 47 can be inserted into the locking claw receiving portions 17 and engaged with each other, the shape of the locking claws 47 can be any shape. In the present embodiment, for example, the locking claw 47 is a tapered convex shape standing upright on the module-side joining region 43. However, the locking claw and the locking claw receiving portion of the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the locking claw may be provided in the main body side joining region 30 of the information reading device 100, and the locking claw receiving portion may be provided in the module side joining region 43.

Further, a groove 16a may be provided in the peripheral edge portion of the housing 16 of the information reading device 100, and a projection 50 may be provided at a position corresponding to the groove 16a of the module-side housing 40 so as to surround the module-side connection terminal 42. By inserting the projection 50 into the groove 16a, the information reading device 100 and the power module 210 can be engaged more stably.

(sealing member 60)

Further, the seal 60 may be provided on the joint surface between the main body side joint region 30 of the information reading device 100 and the module side joint region 43 of the power module 210. In the present embodiment, the seal 60 is provided along the convex portion 50 as an example, but the seal 60 may be provided in the groove 16 a. When the projection 50 is inserted into the groove 16a, the seal 60 is crushed, and water resistance and dust resistance such as prevention of water immersion can be exhibited at the joint portion between the information reading device 100 and the power module 210.

The power supply module 210 is described above as the expansion module 200. Hereinafter, the other expansion modules 200 will be described separately. At this time, the same names and reference numerals as those of the power module 210 denote the same members or members having the same properties, and detailed description thereof is appropriately omitted.

(keypad module 220)

The information reading module 1000 may include the keypad module 220 having the battery 221 built therein as 1 input module of the one or more input modules. The module-side housing 40 of the keypad module 220a shown in fig. 8 also has a projection 46.

Here, as described above, in a state where the peripheral open region 13 is provided in the main body side bonding region 30 and the module side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body side bonding region 30, a part of the module side bonding region 43 is exposed from the peripheral open region 13. By configuring such that a part of the module-side bonding region 43 is exposed from the peripheral open region 13, the module-side case 40 can be expanded from the exposed portion. Therefore, in a state where the module-side bonding region 43 is bonded to the main body-side bonding region 30, the protruding portion 46 can be protruded from the peripheral open region 13 of the main body-side bonding region 30 in a direction parallel to the second main surface 12. Thus, the module-side housing of the expansion module 200 can be configured without being restricted by the shape of the housing, and the external shape of the expansion module can be designed flexibly.

In addition, the numeric keys 204 are disposed on the first main surface 11 side of the protruding portion 46. If the numeric keys 204 can be arranged on the protruding portion 46, the shape of the protruding portion 46 can be arbitrarily set, and is substantially plate-shaped in the present embodiment. The keypad module 220a can easily receive an input from a user and improve operability.

The keypad module 220a can also include a holder HD. With the holder HD, when the information reading unit 1000 is used, the information reading unit 1000 can be prevented from falling from the user's hand and can be easily held.

In addition, the holder HD may not be provided, and the protruding portion 46 may be a grip member having a shape that is easy for the user to grip. The keypad module 220b shown in fig. 9 is elongated, that is, the protruding amount of the protrusion 46b is increased, compared to the keypad module 220a of fig. 8. The shape of the projection 46b is also a bar shape that can be easily grasped by the user. This configuration improves the convenience of the user because the holder is shaped to be easily gripped by the user without providing any other member such as the holder HD.

In addition, the keypad module 220b may be provided with an RFID reader for reading RFID on the back side of the portion of the main body side bonding region 30 that houses the information reading device 100. This enables the RFID to be read and input can be performed by the numeric keys 204 at the same time.

(trigger module 230)

The information reading module 1000 may further include a trigger module 230 having a battery 231 built therein as 1 input module of the one or more input modules. The trigger module 230 of fig. 10 includes a grip portion 48 formed by the module-side case 40 protruding in a direction intersecting the third main surface 41. The grip portion 48 is provided with a trigger 48a as a module-side input portion. This makes it possible to satisfy the demand of a user who wants to make the information reading unit a gun type.

(RFID Module 240)

The information reading unit 1000 may further include an RFID module 240 having a battery 241 built therein as 1 input module of the one or more input modules. If the RFID module 240 can read the RFID tag, the RFID module 240 may have any form. For example, the RFID module 240 of fig. 11 includes an RFID grip portion 49 in which the module-side case 40 is protruded in a direction intersecting the third main surface 41, and an RFID reader 49a that reads an RFID tag. Thus, in addition to the function of optically reading information by the camera unit, a function of electromagnetically reading information by the RFID reader 49a can be added.

(charging stand 70)

The charging stand 70 is used to charge the above-described information reading components. Fig. 12 shows one embodiment of the charging stand. As shown in the figure, the information reading unit 1000 in which each expansion module 200 is engaged can be handled by 1 charging stand 70. The charging stand 70 includes a mounting surface 71 on which each information reading unit is mounted. The mounting surface 71 may have any shape, and in the present embodiment, has a substantially circular shape. As shown in fig. 12, the placement surface 71 is circular and the periphery of the placement surface 71 is open, so that the expansion module 200 can be placed and held from any direction of 360 °, and usability is improved.

A charging-stand-side contact 72 is provided at a substantially central portion of the mounting surface 71. The expansion module 200 can be charged by bringing the charging stand-side contact 72 into contact with the module-side contact 203 provided in the expansion module 200.

As shown in fig. 13, the module-side contacts 203 can be provided on the bottom surface side (upper surface side in fig. 13) of a plate-like module such as the power module 210 or the keypad module 220 a. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 14, in a module having a bar-like grip shape such as the keypad module 220b, the trigger module 230, and the RFID module 240, the module-side contacts 203 can be provided at the tip end portion of the module-side case 40 on the side opposite to the third main surface 41.

Further, magnets may be provided on the charging stand-side contact 72 and the module-side contact 203, respectively. This makes it possible to easily perform positioning when the module-side contact 203 is brought into contact with the charging stand-side contact 72.

The above describes an example in which 1 information reading assembly 1000 is charged using 1 charging stand 70. However, the charging stand according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the charging stand 70B shown in fig. 15 is formed by connecting a plurality of charging stands. This enables a plurality of information reading units 1000 to be charged at one time, which contributes to an improvement in work efficiency.

The mounting surface 71 of the charging

stand

70, 70B is substantially horizontal, but the charging stand of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a mounting surface 71C of a charging stand 70C shown in fig. 16 is made to be an inclined surface. The mounting surface 71C is inclined, so that the information reading unit 1000 having a plate shape, for example, engaging with the power module 210 can be easily mounted and held.

[ embodiment 2]

In embodiment 1, an example in which any one of a plurality of different expansion modules 200 is combined and used in the information reading apparatus 100 is described. However, the information reading unit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the information reading module 1000D according to embodiment 2 shown in fig. 17 and 18 may include a plurality of information reading devices 100D and one or more expansion modules 200.

Fig. 17 shows a case where there are 1 expansion modules 200, and fig. 18 shows a case where there are a plurality of expansion modules 200. By making the shapes of the housing portion 16 and the main body side connection terminal 20 and the like housed in the housing portion as shown in fig. 6 substantially the same for the plurality of information reading devices 100D, the common expansion module 200 can be joined to different information reading devices 100D. This allows the expansion module 200 to be used as desired in each information reading apparatus 100D, thereby improving convenience.

In the plurality of information reading apparatuses 100D, for example, as shown in fig. 17, the display portions 130D can be made different in size. This enables selective use of the information reading apparatus 100D having different display sizes.

[ embodiment 3]

In embodiment 2, a plurality of information reading apparatuses 100D having different display sizes are described. However, the information reading unit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the information reading unit 1000E according to embodiment 5 shown in fig. 19 may include a plurality of information reading apparatuses 100E having different operating systems and one or more expansion modules 200. Thus, even in the information reading apparatus 100E of a different OS, the expansion module 200 can be used as desired by sharing the main body side bonding region 30.

As described above, the information reading unit of the present invention has a system configuration in which a plurality of types of expansion modules can be freely combined with a plurality of types of information reading apparatuses. For example, it can be appropriately adjusted according to the form to be used, as in the case of combining a plurality of expansion modules with 1 information reading apparatus, combining 1 expansion module with a plurality of information reading apparatuses, combining a plurality of expansion modules with a plurality of information reading apparatuses, and combining 1 expansion module with 1 information reading apparatus. As a result, flexible operation according to the application can be performed. In addition, each expansion module can be improved and changed individually and repeatedly, and the long-term continuous use of the whole system can be realized.

Further, by designing each expansion module and maintaining the interface with each expansion module, it is possible to repeatedly improve and change the information reading apparatus connected to each expansion module. For example, when an information reading apparatus is improved with the development of a touch panel, a processor, and a camera, if an interface portion with an expansion module is maintained in advance, the information reading apparatus can be connected to an existing expansion module, and the long-term continuous use of the entire system can be realized.

Industrial applicability

The information reading module, the information reading device, and the expansion module according to the present invention can be preferably used in a fixed barcode reader, a palm scanner, a palm terminal, a PDA for business, and the like used in a warehouse, a factory, a store, and the like, which reads a barcode, a two-dimensional code, and the like to register and check data.

Claims

1. An information reading assembly includes an information reading device and one or more expansion modules,

the information reading apparatus includes:

a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a camera unit provided in the housing;

a processor unit that decrypts a symbol included in the image acquired by the camera unit;

a display unit provided on the first main surface;

a communication interface capable of wireless communication with the outside; and

a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface of the housing, the main body side bonding region having a peripheral open region in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and provided with a main body side connection terminal,

the expansion module includes:

a module-side housing having a third major surface;

a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and

a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to a main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus and having a module-side connection terminal connected to the main body-side connection terminal,

the expansion module is formed such that a part of the module-side bonding region is exposed from the peripheral open region in a state where the module-side bonding region is bonded to the main body-side bonding region.

2. The information reading assembly of claim 1,

the expansion module comprises a power supply module and more than one input module,

the input module has the battery and a module-side input unit for receiving an input from the outside,

the power module having the battery, but not having the module-side input portion,

the information reading unit is configured to enable engagement of either the input module or the power module with the information reading device.

3. The information reading assembly of claim 1,

the main body side engagement region of the information reading apparatus includes a first wall portion that partially surrounds a periphery of the peripheral open region,

the first wall includes a first engagement structure that engages with a part of the module-side housing in contact therewith.

4. The information reading assembly of claim 3,

the main body side joining region of the information reading apparatus includes a pair of second wall portions which are disposed apart from each other in the peripheral open region and at positions which are apart from the first wall portions,

the pair of second wall portions includes a second engagement structure that abuts and engages with a portion of the module-side housing in a state where the first wall portion is engaged with the portion of the module-side housing via the first engagement structure.

5. The information reading assembly of claim 4,

a first abutting surface of the first engagement structure that abuts against a part of the module side case and a second abutting surface of the second engagement structure that abuts against another part of the module side case are disposed so as to intersect.

6. The information reading assembly of claim 4,

the body-side connection terminal is disposed between the pair of second wall portions disposed apart from each other.

7. The information reading assembly of claim 1,

the module-side connection terminal includes:

a power supply terminal that supplies power of the battery; and

a plurality of module-side signal terminals,

the main body side connection terminal of the information reading apparatus includes:

a power receiving terminal connected to the power supply terminal and receiving driving power from the battery; and

a plurality of main body side signal terminals connected to the plurality of module side signal terminals and receiving a control signal from the expansion module,

in a state where the module-side engaging region of the expansion module is engaged with the main body-side engaging region of the information reading apparatus,

the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal are electrically connected to supply driving power from the battery to the information reading apparatus.

8. The information reading assembly of claim 7,

in a state where the module-side engagement region of any one of the plurality of expansion modules is engaged with the main body-side engagement region of the information reading apparatus, the number of the plurality of main body-side signal terminals used is made different depending on an expansion module of a connection target.

9. The information reading assembly of claim 1,

the main body side bonding region is a region to which a battery that supplies drive power to the processor portion can be attached as one of the expansion modules detachably attached to the information reading apparatus, and in the main body side bonding region, another expansion module that expands the function of the information reading apparatus, that is, a plurality of expansion modules having different expanded functions can be detachably attached in place of the battery.

10. An information reading assembly is provided with an information reading device and a plurality of expansion modules,

the information reading apparatus includes:

a camera unit provided in the housing;

a display section provided on the first main surface;

a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface of the housing, the main body side bonding region being provided with a main body side connection terminal,

the expansion module includes:

a module-side housing having a third major surface;

a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and

the module-side connection terminals include a power supply terminal that supplies power of the battery and a plurality of module-side signal terminals,

in a state where the module-side bonding region of any one of the plurality of expansion modules is engaged with the main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus,

the main body side connection terminal and the module side connection terminal are electrically connected,

supplying driving power from the battery to the information reading apparatus via the power supply terminal,

and the number of uses of the plurality of main body side signal terminals is made different according to the extension module of the connection target in a state where the module side engagement region of any one of the plurality of extension modules is engaged with the main body side engagement region of the information reading apparatus.

11. An information reading module including a plurality of information reading devices and one or more expansion modules, the information reading device comprising:

a camera unit provided in the housing;

a display unit provided on the first main surface;

the expansion module includes:

a module-side housing having a third major surface;

a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and

a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to each of the main body-side bonding regions of the plurality of information reading devices and having a plurality of module-side connection terminals connected to the main body-side connection terminals,

12. An expansion module detachably connected to an information reading apparatus, the information reading apparatus comprising: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface, the main body side bonding region being formed with a peripheral open region in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and being provided with a main body side connection terminal,

the expansion module includes:

a module-side housing having a third major surface;

a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and

a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to a main body-side bonding region of the information reading apparatus and having a plurality of module-side connection terminals connected to the main body-side connection terminals,

the expansion module is formed such that a part of the module-side bonding region is exposed from a surrounding open region in a state where the module-side bonding region is bonded to the main body-side bonding region.

13. An expansion module detachably connected to an information reading apparatus, the information reading apparatus comprising: a housing having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and a main body side bonding region formed on the second main surface, the main body side bonding region being formed with a peripheral open region in which at least a part in a circumferential direction of an axis orthogonal to the second main surface is open, and being provided with a main body side connection terminal,

the expansion module includes:

a module-side housing having a third major surface;

a battery internally disposed in the module-side housing; and

a module-side bonding region provided on the third main surface, the module-side bonding region being detachably bonded to a main body-side bonding region of the information reading device,

the module-side housing has a protruding portion that protrudes from a peripheral open area of a main body-side engagement area in a direction parallel to the second main surface in a state in which the module-side engagement area of the expansion module is engaged with the main body-side engagement area provided at the second main surface of the housing of the information reading apparatus.