JP2002279338A - Record carrier reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an efficient reader capable of reading different types of record carriers. SOLUTION: This record carrier reader capable of reading different types of the record carriers by attaching/detaching different types of reader parts 100 is provided with a recognition part recognizing a type of the attached reader part and a control part 300 having multiple reader modes, corresponding to the different types of the reader parts, and the reader mode of the control part is selected based on the recognition result of the recognition part. The reader part 100 is provided with a response part 110 for receiving a response signal characteristic to the type, when receiving a question signal characteristic to the type, and the recognition part 200 recognizes the type of the reader part by transmitting the question signal to the reader part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a record carrier reading apparatus for managing articles provided with record carriers such as bar codes and contactless IC tags.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, barcodes have been widely attached to articles in order to efficiently manage the articles, but in recent years, articles have been provided with a contactless IC tag.

A contactless IC tag has an IC chip and an antenna, records data on the IC chip, and reads and writes data by radio waves via the antenna.

Although barcodes are inexpensive and easy to manufacture,
Therefore, forgery is easy and the amount of information that can be recorded is small. On the other hand, a contactless IC tag is difficult to forge and can record a large amount of information, but is expensive.

[0005] These bar code and contactless IC tag readers only exist for barcode or contactless IC tag readers.

[0006]

Therefore, in order to change the record carrier from a bar code to a contactless IC tag, it is necessary to replace the reading device.

[0007] Further, when trying to operate both a barcode and a contactless IC tag at the same time, two readers are required.

A reading apparatus is generally expensive, and a transport section for transporting an article to a reading section, a display section for displaying a reading result, a control section for controlling the transport section and the display section, and the like are provided with a bar code reading apparatus. And a contactless IC tag reader, it is inefficient to replace the reader or to provide two readers.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide an efficient reader that can read different types of record carriers by one unit.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A reading device for a record carrier capable of reading a different type of record carrier by attaching and detaching a different type of reading unit, wherein a recognition unit for recognizing the type of the mounted reading unit, and a reading unit of the different type, A reading device, comprising: a control unit having a plurality of corresponding reading modes, wherein a reading mode of the control unit is selected based on a recognition result of the recognition unit.

According to the present invention, different types of record carriers can be efficiently read by one reader.

For example, when the record carrier is to be changed to a different type, it is only necessary to replace the reading unit and there is no need to replace the reading device, so that the cost is reduced.

Also, for example, when simultaneously operating different types of record carriers, it is only necessary to mount a plurality of reading units corresponding to the record carriers, and it is necessary to provide a plurality of reading devices for each type of record carrier. Because there is no space, costs are reduced and space is not required.

Further, since the reading mode is automatically selected in accordance with the mounted reading section, the operability is good.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reading unit includes a response unit for transmitting a response signal specific to the type when receiving the interrogation signal specific to the type. The recognizing unit is a reading device that recognizes the type of the reading unit by transmitting an inquiry signal to the reading unit.

According to the present invention, the type of the reading section can be efficiently recognized by exchanging signals.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the different types of reading units are a bar code reading unit and a contactless IC tag reading unit. It is.

According to the present invention, a single reader can efficiently read a barcode and a contactless IC tag.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

The reading device of this embodiment is a reading device capable of reading either a barcode or a contactless IC tag by exchanging a reading section. It is used for management.

The configuration of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a reading device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a reading unit and a transport unit of the reading device. As shown in FIG.
00, the recognition unit 200, the control unit 300, and the operation unit 40
0, a transport section 500, and a display section 600.

Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail. Reading unit 1
In the case of 00, a bar code reading unit 800 or a contactless IC tag reading unit 900 is attached according to the type of the card 700 to be used.

The bar code reader 800 includes a light source and an optical sensor, irradiates the bar code with light, detects reflected light with the optical sensor, and converts the reflected light into an electric signal.

The contactless IC tag reading section 900 includes an antenna, transmits radio waves to the contactless IC tag, and receives radio waves from the contactless IC tag.

Each of these reading units 100 includes a response unit 110 that receives a query signal specific to the type from the recognition unit 200 and transmits a response signal specific to the type.

In this embodiment, the response section of the bar code reading section only receives a response signal unique to the bar code reading section (tentatively "OK") only when receiving an inquiry signal unique to the bar code reading section (tentatively "SET"). Is set to return).

On the other hand, the contactless IC tag reader reads an interrogation signal unique to the contactless IC tag reader (for example, "R
ESET ”only), a response signal unique to the contactless IC tag reading unit (tentatively“ READY ”
Is set to return).

When the bar code reader receives an interrogation signal other than "SET" (for example, "RESET"), neither a response signal unique to the bar code reader nor a response signal specific to the contactless IC tag reader. It is set to return a response signal (tentatively “NG”).

On the other hand, when the contactless IC tag reading unit receives an inquiry signal (for example, "SET") other than "RESET", it is set so as not to respond.

When the power is turned on, the recognizing unit 200 reads the reading unit 1
00, an interrogation signal “SE
T ”or an inquiry signal“ RESET ”unique to the contactless IC tag reader, and the reader 100
Recognize the type of

When the type of the reading unit 100 is recognized, the result is sent to the control unit 300.

The control unit 300 has a reading mode corresponding to each of the bar code reading unit and the contactless IC tag reading unit, and performs reading according to the type of the reading unit 100 based on the recognition result sent from the recognition unit 200. Select a mode. As a result, the apparatus operates as a barcode reader or a contactless IC tag reader.

The control unit 300 determines whether the card 700 is valid based on the data sent from the reading unit 100, calculates the data, and stores the data. In addition, it controls the transport unit 500 and the display unit 600.

The operation unit 400 is configured by arranging a plurality of push-type operation buttons for operating the start and end of reading.

The transport section 500 is a belt conveyor driven by a motor, and has a set section 510 for stacking and inserting a large number of cards 700. At the start of reading, the cards 700 inserted into the set section 510 are set. Part 5
10 is configured to move together with the belt one by one from below and pass through the reading unit 100.

The display section 600 displays the number of cards read,
Display the read data and the like.

Here, the operation of the recognition section 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the content of the processing of the recognition unit 200.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the power is turned on, the recognizing unit 200 of the apparatus 1 first sends an inquiry signal "SET" unique to the bar code reading unit to the reading unit 100 (S1). In response to this, it is determined whether or not there is a response of "OK" (S2).
If there is a response of “OK”, the attached reading unit 100
Is a bar code reading unit to the control unit 300 (S3). Thereby, the control unit 300 selects the barcode reading mode, and the present device 1 operates as a barcode reading device.

In the process S2, when the response signal is other than "OK" or when there is no reply, the recognizing unit 2
00 then sends an inquiry signal "RESET" unique to the contactless IC tag reading unit to the reading unit 100 (S4). In response to this, it is determined whether or not there is a response of “READY” (S5). If there is a response of “READY”, the control unit determines that the attached reading unit 100 is a contactless IC tag reading unit. 300 (S6). As a result, the control unit 300 selects the contactless IC tag reading mode, and the device 1 operates as a contactless IC tag reading device.

In step S5, the response signal becomes "READ".
If it is other than "Y", or if there is no response, the control unit 300 is notified that neither the barcode reading unit nor the contactless IC tag reading unit is mounted (S7). Thereby, the control unit 300 issues a warning to the display unit 600 and the like.

When changing the record carrier attached to the card 700, the reading unit 100 is replaced and the power is turned on again.

According to this example, when the record carrier is to be changed from a bar code to a contactless IC tag (or vice versa), only the reading unit needs to be replaced, and it is not necessary to replace the reading device. Cost is reduced.

Further, since the reading mode is automatically selected in accordance with the mounted reading section, the operability is good.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The reader of this embodiment has two connectors for connecting the readers, and can be equipped with both a barcode reader and a contactless IC tag reader. It is a reading device that can read one or both of the tags.

The description of the same parts as those in the above specific example is omitted.

The reading unit 100 is equipped with a barcode reading unit 800, a contactless IC tag reading unit 900, or both, depending on the type of the card 700 to be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the processing of the recognition unit.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the power is turned on, the recognizing unit 200 of the apparatus 1 first sends an inquiry signal "SET" unique to the bar code reading unit to the reading unit 100 (S8). In response to this, it is determined whether there is a response of "OK" (S9),
If there is a response of "OK", it is determined that at least the barcode reading unit is mounted, and then an inquiry signal "RESET" unique to the contactless IC tag reading unit is sent to the reading unit 100 (S10). On the other hand, "READ
It is determined whether there is a response of "Y" (S11), and "R
If the response is "EADY", it is determined that the contactless IC tag reading unit is also mounted, and the control unit determines that the mounted reading unit 100 is a barcode reading unit and a contactless IC tag reading unit. 300 is transmitted (S12). Thereby, the control unit 300 selects the barcode / contactless IC tag reading mode, and the present apparatus 1 operates as a barcode / contactless IC tag reading apparatus.

In step S11, the response signal is "REA"
DY ", or if there is no response,
Since it has been determined that the contactless IC tag reading unit is not mounted, the control unit 300 is informed that the mounted reading unit 100 is only the barcode reading unit (S
13). Thereby, the control unit 300 selects the barcode reading mode, and the present device 1 operates as a barcode reading device.

On the other hand, in step S9, the response signal
If it is other than "K" or if there is no response, it is determined that the barcode reading unit is not mounted. Next, similarly to the process S10, the interrogation signal "unique to the contactless IC tag reading unit""RESET" to the reading unit 100 (S14). In response to this, it is determined whether there is a "READY" response (S15). If there is a "READY" response, it is controlled that the mounted reading unit 100 is only a contactless IC tag reading unit. The information is transmitted to the unit 300 (S16). As a result, the control unit 300 selects the contactless IC tag reading mode, and the device 1 operates as a contactless IC tag reading device.

In step S15, the response signal is "REA"
DY ", or if there is no response,
Inform the controller 300 that neither the barcode reader nor the contactless IC tag reader is mounted (S1).
7). Thereby, the control unit 300 issues a warning to the display unit 600 and the like.

According to the present embodiment, when the barcode and the contactless IC tag are to be operated simultaneously, it is only necessary to mount the reading units corresponding to both the record carriers. Because there is no need to provide, costs are reduced and space is not required.

Further, since the reading mode is automatically selected according to the mounted reading section, the operability is good.

[0055]

As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is a recording carrier reading apparatus capable of reading different types of record carriers by attaching and detaching different types of reading units, A recognition unit for recognizing the type of the reading unit, and a control unit having a plurality of reading modes respectively corresponding to the different types of reading units, wherein the reading mode of the control unit is selected based on a recognition result of the recognition unit. A reading device.

According to the present invention, different types of record carriers can be efficiently read by one reader.

For example, when the record carrier is to be changed to a different type, it is only necessary to replace the reading unit, and there is no need to replace the reading device, so that the cost is reduced.

Also, for example, when simultaneously operating different types of record carriers, it is only necessary to mount a plurality of reading units corresponding to the record carriers, and it is necessary to provide a plurality of reading devices for each type of record carrier. Because there is no space, costs are reduced and space is not required.

Further, since the reading mode is automatically selected according to the mounted reading section, the operability is good.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the reading unit receives an inquiry signal specific to the type, the reading unit includes a response unit transmitting a response signal specific to the type. The recognizing unit is a reading device that recognizes the type of the reading unit by transmitting an inquiry signal to the reading unit.

According to the present invention, the type of the reading section can be efficiently recognized by exchanging signals.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the different types of reading units are a bar code reading unit and a contactless IC tag reading unit. It is.

According to the present invention, a bar code and a contactless IC tag can be efficiently read by one reader.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a reading device according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a reading device according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a recognition unit according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a reading device according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a recognition unit according to a specific example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader 100 Reading part 110 Response part 200 Recognition part 300 Control part 400 Operation part 500 Transport part 510 Set part 600 Display part 700 Card 800 Barcode reading part 900 Contactless IC tag reading part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reading device for a record carrier capable of reading different types of record carriers by attaching and detaching different types of readers, comprising: a recognizing unit for recognizing a type of a mounted reading unit; A reading device for a record carrier, comprising: a control unit having a plurality of reading modes respectively corresponding to different reading units, wherein a reading mode of the control unit is selected based on a recognition result of the recognition unit. 2. The reading unit, when receiving a question signal specific to the type, includes a response unit transmitting a response signal specific to the type, and the recognizing unit transmits an interrogation signal to the reading unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the reading unit is recognized. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different types of reading units are a bar code reading unit and a contactless IC tag reading unit.