JP2004252994A - Bar code reader integrated with temperature or other sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar code reader with a built-in measurement means, such as a temperature sensor, to allow for easy and simultaneous reading of bar code data and measuring and determining of an object. <P>SOLUTION: The bar code reader integrated with the temperature sensor comprises a bar code reading means for reading bar codes put on commodities, a temperature and other measurement means for measuring the temperature of the commodities subject to temperature measurement, and an information processing means for storing or transferring information including the temperature determined by the measurement means and information acquired by the bar code reading means as correlated with each other. Using temperature correction data contained in the bar code, along with reading thereof by the bar code reading means, and measurement triggered thereby allow for accurate measurement of temperature and others corresponding to various commodities. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a barcode reader having a built-in temperature sensor.

Conventionally, convenience stores and the like have introduced a POS system for merchandise management and customer management.
The POS grasps sales data by acquiring point-of-sale data, and links this with purchase data, thereby enabling unified management of sales, purchase, and inventory. For example, in the distribution industry such as the convenience store industry, not only does the cash register read the barcode attached to the product, calculate the purchase price, issue receipts, but also manage product inventory and sales, etc. These data are transferred online to the headquarters server. At this time, data such as gender and age of the customer is input, and data such as season, date and time, store area etc. are also stored, so that data can be used for marketing, product purchase, inventory management, sales forecasting, etc. can do.

By the way, even when using the data as described above, at present, for example, when selling canned beverages, PET bottled beverages, etc., manually input data as to whether hot beverages or cold beverages were sold If you don't do it, you can't understand it, and it's actually done that way. This is because it is not possible to determine whether the product is hot or cold based only on the barcode printed on the product.
You can solve the problem by attaching different barcodes for hot and cold, but if you print different barcodes on exactly the same product while storing it, considering the trouble of managing product inventory, etc. It is not suitable in terms of labor and cost. Further, at the turn of the season, if the product on which the bar code for hot is printed is sold for cold, the POS data may manage erroneous data.

JP 2001-33316 A

As a conventional barcode reader or a technology for performing temperature measurement or the like in order to manage products in a POS system, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-33316 “Portable Thermometer and Food Sanitation Management System” discloses a barcode reader. Using a portable thermometer having a thermocouple sensor unit, a position code indicating the number of each work process, etc., and temperature information of food processed in each work process are stored as a pair and stored in a personal computer. A system for direct transfer to a device is disclosed.
However, in this method, the bar code reading and the temperature measurement must be used interchangeably, and the purpose of use is quality control for a specific product in a manufacturing work process, and the sales site of the product (for example, It cannot be used for POS systems that handle various products at convenience stores.

JP-A-11-160160

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-160160 "Food production information collection and management system" collects food production information such as temperature history and equipment used throughout food production and processing and automatically records the information on a recording medium. There is disclosed a food production information collection management system capable of outputting the information.
This includes a temperature history detecting device that stores the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means together with the measurement time and sends the stored data to a host computer, at least an operator ID input from the input means, production equipment information, and A portable data input device for transmitting data linking data of product information and time to a host computer; and temperature history, workers and production equipment for each product in time series based on the data received by both devices. And a temperature history collection device provided with a control means for editing and recording the result on a recording medium.
However, in this method, the barcode reading and the temperature measurement must be used interchangeably, and the purpose of use is to control the quality of a specific product in a food processing factory, and the point of sale of the product (for example, It cannot be used for POS systems that handle various products at convenience stores.
This is because the measurement result of the temperature of the food, the information on the workers and the production facilities, and the information on the products in the food processing factory are merely input and managed by the respective devices.

At present, there is a type in which a barcode reader and a temperature measurement probe are completely separated for a manufacturing facility. However, in this case, it is necessary to switch between using barcode reading and temperature measurement.
Further, the purpose of use is quality control for a specific product in manufacturing (production) and cannot be used in a POS system that handles various commodities.

Therefore, in order to solve the above various problems, in the present invention, a temperature sensor is built in a barcode reader, and data reading of a barcode and temperature measurement / determination of an object are simultaneously performed. Thus, the object is to easily and accurately input the product data, the date, and the temperature data by integrating them.
Another object of the present invention is to enable accurate measurement using correction data when reading a barcode attached to a product or the like.
Further, in the present invention, in addition to the combination of the barcode reader and the temperature sensor, by combining the barcode reader and various sensors such as humidity, moisture, odor, and gas, acquisition of correction data and acquisition and setting of measurement conditions are performed. Provided is a system that can be easily performed and that can determine a measured object from a barcode and determine whether the humidity, moisture, smell, sound, illuminance, and the like are appropriate.

In order to solve the above problem, in the invention according to claim 1,
Bar code reading means for reading a bar code attached to an article or the like;
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of an object or the like to be measured,
Temperature information obtained by the temperature measuring means, and information processing means for storing or transferring the information obtained by the bar code reading means in association with,
It is a bar code reader integrated with a temperature sensor, which can simultaneously measure product data and temperature data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 2,
The temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature correction data contained in the barcode can be read by the barcode reading means, and accurate temperature measurement corresponding to various products can be performed. It is an integrated barcode reader.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 3,
The temperature measurement area is determined by using the barcode reading means as a barcode reading success as a trigger of temperature measurement, and the temperature measurement area can be set by changing the reading focus range of the barcode reader. A bar code reader integrated with a temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 and 2.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 4,
The temperature measuring means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature measuring means can perform measurement by a measuring method suitable for a temperature measuring object according to a temperature measuring condition included in a barcode. Is a bar code reader integrated with a temperature sensor.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 5,
The barcode reader is provided with data input means other than the barcode reading means,
The data read or input by the data input unit and the temperature data measured by the temperature measurement unit are associated with each other, and the information processing unit can store or transfer the data. 4. A bar code reader integrated with a temperature sensor according to item 4.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 6,
Instead of the temperature measuring means, or separately from the temperature measuring means, a measuring means for measuring any one or more of humidity, moisture, odor, gas, etc. of the article to be measured and the like ,
Information processing means for storing or transferring the information obtained by the measuring means and the information obtained by the bar code reading means in association with each other,
The sensor-integrated barcode reader according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the product data and the data obtained by the measuring means can be measured simultaneously.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 7,
The sensor-integrated bar code reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the information processing means stores or transfers the information, time information at which the information is obtained is added. It is characterized by being.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 8,
Various sensors are always measured simultaneously with the reading of the barcode reader, and triggered by the success of reading the barcode, the data read by the sensor at that time is stored or transferred in association with the information obtained by the barcode reading means. Thereby, the response is improved, and the bar code reader integrated with a temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 2 or 4 to 7 is characterized.

According to the present invention, a temperature sensor is built in a barcode reader, and data reading of a barcode and temperature measurement / determination of an object are simultaneously performed. In this way, the product data, the date and the temperature data thereof can be easily and definitely input by being integrated.
Further, when reading a barcode attached to a product or the like, accurate measurement can be performed using correction data or the like.
Further, in the present invention, in addition to the combination of the barcode reader and the temperature sensor, by combining the barcode reader and various sensors such as humidity, moisture, odor, and gas, acquisition of correction data and acquisition and setting of measurement conditions are performed. In addition to being easily performed, it is possible to judge an object to be measured from a barcode and judge whether the humidity, moisture, smell, sound, illuminance, and the like are appropriate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a basic configuration of the system of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a bar code reading unit such as a bar code sensor unit for optically reading a bar code attached to a product or the like by a bar code sensor is provided. Further, a temperature measuring means such as a radiation type temperature sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the product or the like is provided at the same time as the bar code.
Further, an example is shown in which data input means such as a keyboard for inputting POS data and the like and input keys of a cash register are provided.
The barcode reading unit such as a barcode sensor unit and the temperature measuring unit such as a radiation type temperature sensor unit face in the same direction as shown in FIG. 2 so that the barcode and the temperature can be read and measured simultaneously. It is desirable to be able to measure the same range or overlapping range.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of another basic configuration of the system of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, a bar code reading unit such as a bar code sensor unit for optically reading a bar code attached to a product or the like by a bar code sensor is provided. Further, a temperature measuring means such as a radiation type temperature sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the product or the like is provided at the same time as the bar code.
Further, an example is shown in which data input means such as a keyboard for inputting POS data and the like and input keys of a cash register are provided.
Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a humidity measuring unit such as a humidity sensor unit for measuring the humidity of a product or the like at the same time as the bar code is provided.
Further, an odor detecting means such as an odor sensor for detecting the odor of the product and the like simultaneously with the bar code and measuring the freshness of the product is provided.

In any of the forms shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an information processing means for processing read / measured data and a control means for controlling the operation of hardware and software. Is provided.
In order to correct the read / measured data according to the prescribed rules and perform information processing, it is necessary to support each sensor in order to correct the data as a reference for data correction and correct data according to the reference. Then, a temperature correction unit, a humidity correction unit, and an odor correction unit are provided.
Next, storage means such as a memory and a hard disk for storing the processed data, and network communication means for transferring the data via a network such as the Internet and a LAN are provided.
The display means is a display, a liquid crystal display screen, or the like for displaying when inputting POS data, inputting an amount or the like using a cash register, reading / measuring data, and the like. However, these need not be provided in the barcode reader itself, and are usually provided in connection with the barcode reader. Further, the bar code reader may be connected to the storage unit, the display unit, and the like by wireless communication.

Conventionally, contact sensors and non-contact sensors have been known as temperature sensors used for temperature measuring means. The contact type is a method of measuring by directly contacting an object. The sensor has a simple configuration and is widely used. Platinum resistance thermometers, thermistors, and thermocouples have been developed as typical examples.
The non-contact type is a method that measures infrared radiation emitted from an object and measures the temperature of the object from the amount of infrared radiation. There is a radiation temperature sensor, etc. Even from a distance of about 1 m, the infrared sensor on the front of the main unit In this way, the temperature of the object can be measured by receiving infrared rays emitted naturally by the object. That is, the temperature can be sampled without touching the measurement object at all, and the temperature can be integrated into the barcode reader of the present invention.
A radiation thermometer can measure temperature in a non-contact manner by capturing the amount of infrared energy radiated from an object according to the temperature.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the temperature correction data contained in the bar code can be read by the bar code reading means, and accurate temperature measurement corresponding to various commodities is enabled.

For example, in the case of a canned beverage, the product is specified by the read barcode, and hot / cold determination is performed based on the temperature at that time.
The measurement accuracy need not be so high as long as the determination of hot / cold of the canned beverage is made. To perform accurate temperature measurement, it is necessary to know the emissivity of the measured object.
Temperature measurement sensors include a contact-type thermocouple-type temperature sensor and a non-contact-type radiation-type temperature sensor. In the case of a non-contact radiation temperature sensor, the emissivity of heat (infrared rays) of an object must be known in order to accurately measure the temperature. For cabbage it is necessary to use the emissivity of cabbage, for iron cans and aluminum cans it is necessary to use the respective emissivity.

The data for temperature correction is stored in storage means such as a memory provided in the barcode reader, or storage means connected to the barcode reader, for each product read and discriminated by the barcode. The correction data can be stored.
As still another method, a method of storing temperature correction data in the barcode itself can be adopted.
If accurate temperature measurement is required, the emissivity of the object can be determined and accurately measured by including emissivity correction data or the like in the barcode.
When accurate temperature measurement is required, the temperature is corrected and corrected by including emissivity (correction) data in the barcode. Usually, the emissivity of infrared rays is about 0.85 to 0.95.
The measurement accuracy can be improved by using the temperature correction data and combining it with the barcode information. If the temperature of the portion where the barcode is printed is measured, the temperature can be accurately measured even for a material that is not made of a homogeneous material.

Next, in the invention according to the third aspect, the temperature measurement area is determined by using the success of reading the barcode by the barcode reading means as a trigger for temperature measurement, and the reading focus range of the barcode reader is determined. , The area for temperature measurement can be set.
For example, a laser marker can be used to change the focus range in order to hit the temperature sampling point of the object.
By using the barcode reading success as a trigger, accurate temperature measurement can be performed without making a mistake in the temperature measurement location. The area for temperature measurement can be set by changing the read focus range of the barcode reader.

  As for the timing of measurement by the various sensors, the measurement of the various sensors is always performed simultaneously with the reading of the barcode reader, and the success of the barcode reading may be used as a trigger to use the data read by the sensor at that time. In this case, the responsiveness increases.

  In addition, the beam width of the radiation thermometer is adjusted by measuring the overall temperature or the temperature of the part where the barcode is printed based on the instructions written in the read barcode data. Things can be set flexibly. For example, if the reading focus range of the barcode reader is set to about 0 to 1 cm, the temperature of the barcode printed portion can be reliably measured.

By selecting the material of the part on which the barcode is printed and painting the surface with matte black, measurement can be performed more accurately.
From the temperature data read from the product, it is possible to control the temperature of the refrigerator and the refrigerator.
The present invention can be applied not only to the handy type bar code reader but also to an automatic reading device such as a table type bar code reader, an OCR, a laser scanner, a two-dimensional code reader, a QR code reader, and a handy terminal.

Next, in the invention according to claim 4, the temperature measuring means can perform measurement by a measuring method suitable for a temperature measuring object according to a temperature measuring condition included in the barcode.
If the conditions for temperature measurement are described in the barcode, the measurement method suitable for the object can be flexibly specified.

With a structure in which a temperature sensor is combined with a conventional handy barcode reader, the barcode is scanned and the temperature at that time is measured. By integrating them, product data and its temperature data can be easily and definitely input.
The bar code reader normally scans constantly while the power is turned on. When the bar code is scanned close to the bar code and the bar code is read, the temperature at that time is measured by a radiation temperature sensor.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a barcode reading process.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a temperature measurement process.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic processing of the present invention.
The processing by the above-described bar code reader integrated with bar code reading and temperature measurement will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 4 shows a bar code attached to a product or the like at the point of sale or the like by an operator. To scan and read. Information such as a product name, a maker name, and a price can be read from the barcode as in a normal POS system. In a cash register or the like connected to the barcode reader, the user can input the quantity and calculate the purchase price. Further, it is possible to input customer information (sex, age, etc.), and to automatically read the date and time by means of a timer, and to read the area of the store.
Next, correction data such as emissivity and measurement conditions are directly or indirectly acquired from the barcode.
When the barcode is successfully read by scanning, the trigger is used as a trigger to operate the temperature measuring means, and the measurement by the temperature sensor is performed.
If there are other measuring means and input means, the measured data and the input data are also acquired. The measured or input data and the data obtained by reading a barcode such as product information are stored in association with each other.
Also, data can be transferred online to a remote location such as a store headquarters.

In the invention according to claim 5, the bar code reader is provided with data input means other than the bar code reading means.
The information processing means can store or transfer the data by associating the data read or input by the data input means with the temperature data measured by the temperature measuring means. The data input means is a keyboard for inputting POS data or the like, an input key of a cash register, or the like. In addition, data read from a storage unit such as a memory included in the barcode reader, a storage unit connected to the barcode reader, and data read from a clock unit having a clock function are obtained through a connection terminal, a circuit, and the like. Including means. By acquiring the data in association with data read by a barcode or measured data such as temperature data, it can be used for merchandise management, freshness management, POS data management, and the like.

  In addition, the barcode reader may be connected to a control device such as a cash register or a computer device, or may be integrated with the sensor, such as a handy type, and may be integrated with a sensor such as a temperature measuring unit. A bar code reader that has been used can also be used. Further, a bar code reader having a wireless communication function can be used.

Further, regarding data measurement and data input / acquisition, various data other than temperature data can be performed by a barcode reader integrated sensor.
Instead of the temperature measuring means or separately from the temperature measuring means, it may be provided with a measuring means for measuring any one or more of humidity, moisture, odor, gas, and others of the article to be measured. It is a form.
Information processing means for storing or transferring the information obtained by the humidity, moisture, odor, gas, and other measurement means and the information obtained by the bar code reading means in association with each other; Can be measured simultaneously.

Humidity sensors mainly use changes in electrical properties due to adsorption and desorption of atmospheric moisture.
Examples of the humidity sensor include a dry-wet bulb type, a hair type, a crystal vibration type, a polymer sensor, and a metal oxide sensor. Among them, high-molecular metal oxides are small sensors having good compatibility with electronic circuits.
In addition to the combination of a barcode reader and a temperature sensor, by combining a barcode reader with various sensors such as humidity, moisture, odor, and gas, acquisition of correction data and acquisition and setting of measurement conditions can be easily performed. The object to be measured is determined from the bar code, and it can be determined whether the humidity, moisture, smell, sound, illuminance, and the like are appropriate. More accurate measurement can be performed by inserting correction data into the barcode.
Humidity control is important for maintaining the quality of stored rice and the storage environment. By combining the barcode reader and the sensor of the hygrometer, the date, control number, brand and humidity can be known at the same time, the humidity condition of the stored rice can be centrally managed, and the storage environment can be easily maintained and managed.

Even when a humidity sensor is used as the measuring means, more accurate measurement can be performed by using the humidity correction data.
The data for the humidity correction is stored in storage means such as a memory provided in the barcode reader, or storage means connected to the barcode reader, for each product read and determined by the barcode. The correction data can be stored.
As still another method, a method of storing humidity correction data in the barcode itself can be adopted.

Further, an odor sensor can be provided as a measuring means.
For judging and maintaining the freshness of fruits and vegetables, the water content of the fruits and vegetables is measured. Of course, the proper amount of water varies depending on the fruits and vegetables. By combining a barcode reader and a sensor of a moisture meter, the type of fruit and vegetable, date and moisture content can be simultaneously determined, and freshness can be determined according to the type of fruit and vegetable from the measured moisture content.
Even when the odor sensor is used as the measuring means, more accurate measurement can be performed by using the odor correction data.
Data for odor correction is stored in storage means such as a memory provided in the barcode reader, or storage means connected to the barcode reader, for each product read and discriminated by the barcode. The correction data can be stored.
As still another method, a method of putting odor correction data in the barcode itself can be adopted.

In the food / beverage field, judge "odor" for quality control and inspection of raw materials. For example, identification of the type of coffee, aging of cheese, and the like. By combining a barcode reader and an odor sensor, the date, the production number, the production time of cheese and the degree of ripening can be simultaneously known, and the degree of ripening can be determined to predict the ripening time.
Fruits and vegetables produce ethylene gas and act as a hormone that speeds the ripening of the fruits and vegetables. When it begins to ripen, it produces more ethylene gas. Some fruits and vegetables produce more ethylene gas and others produce less ethylene gas.
By combining a barcode reader and a sensor for ethylene gas, the date, the type of fruit and vegetable, and the ethylene gas concentration can be simultaneously determined, and the degree of ripening and aging of the fruit and vegetable according to the type of fruit and vegetable can be determined from the measured ethylene gas concentration. .

  Acetaldehyde is produced when vegetables rot. Attached fish and meat produce ammonia and amines. Some foods produce more gas and others produce less gas. If a barcode reader and various gas sensors are combined, the date, the type of food and the gas concentration can be simultaneously determined, and the degree of spoilage according to the type of food can be determined from the measured gas concentration.

  Combining a barcode reader with a sound sensor when inspecting vibration and abnormal sounds such as wear and deterioration during equipment maintenance, the date, control number, type and sound of the equipment can be found at the same time. Central management, time series management and maintenance can be assisted.

In any of the embodiments described above, when the information processing means stores or transfers the information, the time information at which the information was obtained is added so that the merchandise management, inventory management, POS data Can be used for management and other purposes.
Also, the use of foods and other products at sales sites has been mainly exemplified, but the use of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, odor sensors, illuminance sensors, voice sensors, wind speed sensors, rainfall sensors, weight sensors, and various other measuring means is also possible. Can be applied to various applications.
For example, if you use a barcode reader and an illuminance sensor to check the illuminance of fluorescent lights in an office building or the like, the date, floor, room number, model, management number, and other illuminances can be found at the same time. Time series management and maintenance can be assisted.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a barcode reader has a built-in temperature sensor, and simultaneously performs barcode data reading and temperature measurement / determination of an object. In this way, the product data, the date and the temperature data thereof can be easily and definitely input by being integrated.
Further, when reading a barcode attached to a product or the like, accurate measurement can be performed using correction data or the like.
Further, in the present invention, in addition to the combination of the barcode reader and the temperature sensor, by combining the barcode reader and various sensors such as humidity, moisture, odor, and gas, acquisition of correction data and acquisition and setting of measurement conditions are performed. In addition to being easily performed, it is possible to judge an object to be measured from a barcode and judge whether the humidity, moisture, smell, sound, illuminance, and the like are appropriate.

It is a block diagram showing an example of the basic composition of the system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a barcode reader in which a barcode reading unit such as a barcode sensor unit and a temperature measuring unit such as a radiation type temperature sensor unit are integrally provided in the same direction. It is a block diagram showing an example of another basic composition of a system of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows a barcode reading process. It is a perspective view which shows a temperature measurement process. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic process of the present invention.

Claims (8)

Bar code reading means for reading a bar code attached to an article or the like;
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of an object or the like to be measured,
Temperature information obtained by the temperature measuring means, and information processing means for storing or transferring the information obtained by the bar code reading means in association with,
A bar code reader with a built-in temperature sensor that can simultaneously measure product data and temperature data. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature correction data contained in the barcode can be read by the barcode reading means, and accurate temperature measurement corresponding to various products can be performed. Integrated barcode reader. The area for temperature measurement is determined by using the barcode reading means as a trigger for temperature measurement when barcode reading is successful, and the temperature measurement area can be set by changing the read focus range of the barcode reader. The barcode reader integrated with a temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature measurement unit can perform measurement by a measurement method suitable for a temperature measurement target according to a temperature measurement condition included in a barcode. Bar code reader with integrated temperature sensor. The barcode reader is provided with data input means other than the barcode reading means,
The data read or input by the data input unit and the temperature data measured by the temperature measurement unit are associated with each other, and the information processing unit can store or transfer the data. 4. The bar code reader according to 4, wherein the temperature sensor is integrated. Instead of the temperature measuring means, or separately from the temperature measuring means, a measuring means for measuring any one or more of humidity, moisture, odor, gas, etc. of the article to be measured and the like ,
Information processing means for storing or transferring the information obtained by the measuring means and the information obtained by the bar code reading means in association with each other,
The sensor-integrated barcode reader according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the product data and the data obtained by the measuring means can be measured simultaneously. The sensor-integrated bar code reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the information processing means stores or transfers the information, time information at which the information is obtained is added. . Various sensors are always measured simultaneously with the reading of the barcode reader, and triggered by the success of reading the barcode, the data read by the sensor at that time is stored or transferred in association with the information obtained by the barcode reading means. The barcode reader integrated with a temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 2 or 4 to 7, wherein responsiveness is improved by doing so.