JP2005275530A - Optical information reader, information reading system, and method for reading recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical information reader equipped with an imaging part and adapted to read optical information by laser beam scanning that shows an imaging position explicitly and implements a compact optical system. <P>SOLUTION: The optical information reader comprises the imaging part comprising an area sensor and an image forming part for capturing an area image, an index beam radiation part for radiating an index beam to target optical information, a storage part for storing the area image captured by the imaging part, and a decoding part for extracting and decoding the optical information from the area image captured by the imaging part. The index beam is designed for alignment with the center axes and/or diagonal axes and/or outlines of the optical information. The storage part stores a predetermined area of the successfully decoded area image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reader for reading optical information such as a barcode, an information reading system using the same, and a method for reading a recording medium.

  In recent years, barcodes printed on packing slips or invoices have been used in the fields of logistics and transportation for information management such as classification of packages and tracking of packages. At the same time, if the received seal or signature image can be saved, it can be applied to confirm delivery.

  In addition to baggage collection and delivery operations, acquiring image information as barcodes are read includes, for example, characteristics such as color and shape at the time of reading barcodes of articles with barcodes as image information. Various applications can be considered by being able to record.

  Optical information readers that read optical information such as barcodes include those that acquire image information with area or line sensors such as CMOS and CCD, and those that scan with laser light.

  An optical information reading apparatus using an area sensor images reflected light from optical information such as a barcode on an area sensor in which light receiving elements are arranged on a surface by an imaging lens, and converts the image into an electric signal for imaging. Optical information is extracted from image information, decoded and read, and the acquired image information can also be stored.

  If not all the captured and acquired images are stored, but only necessary image information can be cut out and stored from the image, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced, and the images can be stored and managed efficiently. As a method for cutting out and storing necessary image information, there is an example in which a cut-out symbol existing in an image is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, an optical information reader that scans with laser light forms a beam by condensing laser light from a laser light source such as a semiconductor laser diode, and reflects the light to a scanning mirror that rotates or swings to form the beam. The laser beam is repetitively fanned and shaken, the laser beam scanned in a straight line is applied to optical information such as a barcode, the reflected light is condensed, and the light intensity is measured by a light receiving element such as a phototransistor. A time change is converted into an electric signal, and this electric signal is binarized and combined to read optical information.

  Since laser light has high directivity and the amount of light is not easily attenuated, an optical information reader that scans with laser light is optical from a short distance to a relatively long distance compared to an optical information reader that uses an area sensor. Information can be read.

  However, an optical information reader that scans a laser beam in a straight line can acquire optical information arranged in a straight line (one-dimensional) like a bar code, but it can be used for areas such as seals and signatures (2 (Dimensional) image information cannot be acquired. When acquiring image information such as seals and signatures along with barcode reading, or when reading two-dimensional codes along with barcode reading, imaging is performed so that image information of the area (two-dimensional) can be acquired. It is necessary to have an image pickup unit including an area sensor in which a light receiving element is arranged in a plane with a lens.

Similar to the optical information reading device that scans the laser beam in a straight line, the optical information reading device using the line sensor having the light receiving elements arranged on the straight line is also arranged in a straight line (one-dimensionally). Although it is possible to acquire target information, it is not possible to acquire area (two-dimensional) image information. Therefore, it is necessary to have an imaging unit in order to acquire image information (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-307886 (Section 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-259215

  When reading and acquiring image information in combination with reading optical information such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes, the image information that is desired to be acquired is at the imaging position and is captured in a focused state, and the required image It is desirable to be able to store information efficiently. As an example of using the cutout symbol existing in the image as a method of cutting out and storing the required image information, it is difficult to extract the cutout symbol when the optical information is close to the cutout symbol. Cannot be cut out, or it takes a long processing time, so that the readability of optical information is deteriorated.

  In the present invention, when image information is captured and acquired in combination with reading optical information such as a barcode, the image information desired to be acquired is at the imaging position and is captured in a focused state, and the required image It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical information reading apparatus that can easily store information efficiently, an information reading system using the same, and a recording medium reading method.

  Further, an optical information reading apparatus that has an imaging unit for acquiring image information and scans with a laser beam to read optical information includes a device that generates target light that indicates a position to be imaged by the imaging unit. This makes it easy to operate the image acquisition, but the device that generates the target light is a light-emitting diode and a condensing lens that condenses the light into a beam, or diffracts the laser diode and the laser light. There is a problem that an image pickup unit that includes a diffraction element that irradiates so as to form a figure and to which the image is added becomes large. The present invention provides an optical information reading device that has an image pickup unit and scans with a laser beam to read optical information, and is an easy-to-understand position for image pickup and a compact optical system. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an optical information reading apparatus according to the present invention irradiates an imaging unit composed of an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, and an index beam that targets the optical information. The index beam irradiation unit includes a storage unit that stores an area image acquired by the imaging unit, and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the area image acquired by the imaging unit. Are aligned with the central axis and / or the diagonal axis and / or the contour, and the storage unit stores a predetermined area of the area image that has been successfully decoded.

  With this configuration, the index light from the index light irradiation unit is aligned with the central axis and / or the diagonal axis and / or the contour of the optical information, the area image is acquired by the imaging unit, and the decoding unit is acquired from the acquired area image Thus, when the optical information is extracted and decoded, and decoding is successful, a predetermined area of the area image is stored in the storage unit. Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets and / or changes a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an area image to be stored in the storage unit, and an input that indicates whether the area image is stored after the image is displayed or whether the area image is reacquired without being stored. A part.

  Furthermore, the information reading system of the present invention is an information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, and the optical information reading device comprises an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit. The optical information is extracted from the imaging unit, the index beam irradiating unit that irradiates the index beam that targets the optical information, the storage unit that stores the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the area image acquired by the imaging unit The index ray is aligned with the central axis and / or the diagonal axis and / or the contour of the optical information, and the storage unit is a predetermined area image among the area images successfully decoded. The optical information and the image information are provided at predetermined positions on the recording medium, and the optical information and the image information provided on the recording medium are acquired by the optical information reader. Sometimes, when the optical information reader is positioned at a position where the index beam is aligned with the central axis and / or the diagonal axis and / or the contour of the optical information, a predetermined area in which image information is stored in the storage unit It is in.

  Furthermore, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information is a bar code and the image information is a seal and / or a signature.

  Furthermore, the information reading system of the present invention is an information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, and the optical information reading device comprises an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit. And an index beam irradiating unit for irradiating the index beam, and the recording medium is provided with optical information and / or image information and a frame and / or figure and / or symbol, and the index beam is recorded. When aligned with a predetermined frame and / or figure and / or symbol provided on the medium, the recording medium is positioned at a substantially in-focus position of the imaging unit.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading device of the present invention is acquired by an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, and an imaging unit. A storage unit that stores the image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit displays a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol on the acquired image. The storage unit stores the region indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the acquired image.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading device of the present invention is acquired by an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, and an imaging unit. A decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the image, the display unit displays a frame and / or graphic and / or symbol display superimposed on the acquired image, and the decoding unit displays the acquired image Optical information is extracted from the area indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the inside and decoded.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading device of the present invention is acquired by an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, and an imaging unit. A storage unit that stores the image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit displays a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol on the acquired image. The decoding unit extracts and decodes optical information from the area indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the acquired image, and the storage unit A predetermined area is stored from the acquired image.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets and / or changes a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information reading device includes an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, and a display unit that displays an image acquired by the imaging unit. And a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit displays a frame and / or graphic and / or symbol display superimposed on the acquired image The decoding unit extracts and decodes optical information from the area indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the acquired image, and decodes the storage unit. Stores a predetermined area from the acquired image, and optical information and image information are provided at predetermined positions on the recording medium, and the recording medium is read by the optical information reader. When the provided optical information and the image information are acquired, the display of the frame and / or graphic and / or symbol displayed on the display unit and the optical information provided on the recording medium are aligned. The image information is in a predetermined area stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information reading device includes an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, And a decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit displays the frame and / or graphic and / or symbol display superimposed on the acquired image, and displays it on the recording medium. Is provided with optical information, the outline of the optical information has a substantially predetermined size, the display of frames and / or figures and / or symbols displayed on the display unit, and the optical information provided on the recording medium The recording medium is positioned at a substantially in-focus position of the image forming unit.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading device of the present invention is acquired by an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, and an imaging unit. A decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the image, the imaging unit can switch the magnification, and the display unit superimposes frames and / or figures and / or symbols on the acquired image. The frame and / or figure and / or symbol indicate the area of the area image acquired by the imaging unit after switching the magnification.

  Furthermore, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information reading device includes an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, A decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, the imaging unit can switch the magnification, and the display unit adds a frame and / or figure and / or image to the acquired image. Alternatively, the symbols are displayed in an overlapping manner, and the frame and / or figure and / or symbol indicate the area of the area image that the imaging unit acquires after switching the magnification, and the recording medium has optical information and optical information. A frame and / or figure and / or symbol is provided around the frame, and the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit and the frame and / or figure and / or symbol provided on the recording medium are displayed. Doo is when it is aligned, the recording medium is located at Ryakugo focal position after switching the magnification of the imaging unit.

  Furthermore, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information reading device includes an imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, A decoding unit that extracts and decodes optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, the imaging unit is capable of switching the magnification, and the display unit includes a frame and / or a figure and / or an image on the acquired image The display of symbols is superimposed and optical information is provided on the recording medium. The outline of the optical information has a substantially predetermined size, and a frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit is displayed. When the display and the contour of the optical information provided on the recording medium are aligned, the recording medium is positioned at a substantially in-focus position after the magnification of the imaging unit is switched.

  Furthermore, the optical information reader of the present invention scans the optical information by changing the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source and the laser light source that is the light source of the laser light that irradiates the optical information. A scanning optical element, a sensor unit that receives reflected light reflected by the optical information and converts it into an electric signal, a decoding unit that decodes the electric signal converted by the sensor unit, and an area image An imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit, and a storage unit that stores an image acquired by the imaging unit, and the laser beam indicates an imaging position of the imaging unit. With this configuration, the scanned laser beam is applied to optical information, the reflected light is received, converted into an electrical signal, decoded and read, and the optical information is read. The laser light indicates the imaging position of the imaging unit.

  Furthermore, the optical information reader of the present invention acquires and stores an area image almost simultaneously with completion of reading of optical information.

  Alternatively, an input unit for individually instructing start of reading of optical information, acquisition of area image, and start of storage is provided. With this configuration, reading of optical information and acquisition and storage of area images are individually performed.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention stores a predetermined region in the storage unit in the acquired area image.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets and / or changes a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit. With this configuration, a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit can be set and / or changed.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a display representing a predetermined area to be stored on the acquired area image. With this configuration, a display representing a predetermined area stored in the area image acquired by the imaging unit is displayed on the display unit in an overlapping manner.

  Further, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention displays a image of a predetermined area of the acquired image in the storage unit, and re-acquires the image after storing the image or not storing the image. An input unit for instructing is provided. With this configuration, an image of a predetermined area stored in the storage unit is displayed, and after confirming the image, the input unit instructs to store the image or not to store the image again.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention is substantially parallel to the scanning plane of the laser beam and the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements of the area sensor of the imaging unit, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit sets the center line of the laser beam scanning. The laser beam is on a plane substantially perpendicular to the scanning plane of the laser beam, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit and the center line of the scanning of the laser beam are substantially parallel and in the vicinity. With this configuration, the scanning direction of the laser light coincides with the vertical or horizontal direction of the visual field of the imaging unit, and the center of the scanning line of the laser light is on the central axis in the vertical or horizontal direction of the visual field of the imaging unit and It will be in the vicinity.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention is substantially parallel to the scanning plane of the laser beam and the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements of the area sensor of the imaging unit, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit sets the center line of the laser beam scanning. The scanning plane of the laser beam is substantially perpendicular to the scanning plane of the laser beam, and the scanning plane of the laser beam is substantially parallel to and adjacent to one boundary surface of the field of view of the imaging unit. With this configuration, the scanning direction of the laser light coincides with the vertical or horizontal direction of the field of view of the imaging unit, and the center of the scanning line of the laser light is on the central axis in the vertical or horizontal direction of the visual field of the imaging unit. The scanning line will be in parallel with one of the boundaries of the field of view.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading device of the present invention irradiates laser light intermittently when acquiring an image by the imaging unit.

  Furthermore, when the optical information reader of the present invention acquires an image by the imaging unit, the scanning angle of the laser beam and the viewing angle of the imaging unit of the imaging unit are made substantially the same.

  Further, in the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention, the beam waist position of the laser light and the in-focus position of the imaging unit of the imaging unit are substantially the same.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention can change the scanning angle of the laser beam, and changes the area of the area image stored in the storage unit accordingly.

  Furthermore, in the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention, the magnification of the imaging unit of the imaging unit is variable, and the scanning angle of the laser light is made substantially the same as the viewing angle of the imaging unit.

  The optical information reader of the present invention further includes a reflecting optical element that changes the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source and scanned by the scanning optical element, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit is the optical element. The imaging unit is disposed close to the surface opposite to the reflecting surface of the reflecting optical element so as to pass near the end surface near the reflection position of the laser beam to be scanned. With this configuration, the light receiving axis of the imaging unit and the scanning surface of the laser light are brought close to each other.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention acquires a two-dimensional code as image information by the imaging unit and decodes the two-dimensional code.

  Furthermore, the optical information reader of the present invention reads a barcode with a laser beam.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention does not read optical information, but uses only laser light as guide light for an image acquisition position when only acquiring an image by an imaging unit.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a diffraction grating that irradiates a laser beam so as to form a figure, and does not read optical information but only acquires an image by an imaging unit. In this case, the laser light is diffracted through the diffraction grating, and the diffracted laser light is irradiated so as to form a figure indicating an image acquisition range by the imaging unit. With this configuration, when optical information is not read and only an image is acquired by the imaging unit, a laser beam is diffracted through the diffraction grating to form a figure that indicates an image acquisition range by the imaging unit. Will be irradiated.

  Furthermore, the information reading system of the present invention is an information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, and the optical information reading device is a laser light source that is a light source of laser light that irradiates optical information. A scanning optical element that scans the optical information by changing the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source, and a sensor that receives the reflected light reflected by the optical information and converts it into an electrical signal A decoding unit that decodes the electrical signal converted by the sensor unit, an imaging unit that includes an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, and a memory that stores an image acquired by the imaging unit The optical information and the image information are provided on the recording medium, and the optical information and the image information provided on the recording medium are obtained by the optical information reader. It becomes.

  Further, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information and the image information are provided at predetermined positions on the recording medium, and the optical information reading device is provided at a position where the laser light scans the optical information. When positioned, the imaging unit can acquire the image information.

  Furthermore, in the information reading system of the present invention, the optical information is a bar code and the image information is a seal and / or a signature.

  Furthermore, the recording medium reading method of the present invention scans the optical information by changing the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source and the laser light source that is a laser light source for irradiating the optical information. A scanning optical element, a sensor unit that receives reflected light reflected by the optical information and converts it into an electric signal, a decoding unit that decodes the electric signal converted by the sensor unit, and an area image Optical information and image information determined in advance by an optical information reading device including an image pickup unit including an area sensor and an image forming unit and a storage unit that stores an image acquired by the image pickup unit are determined in advance. The optical information and the image information are acquired by positioning an optical information reader at a position where the laser light can scan the optical information.

  Further, in the reading method of the recording medium of the present invention, the optical information is a barcode and the image information is a seal and / or a signature.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when image information is captured and acquired together with reading optical information such as a barcode, the image information desired to be acquired is in an imaging position and is captured in a focused state. The required image information can be efficiently stored.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
1a and 1b are perspective views of the optical information reading apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view partially showing a cross-section at the fracture position alarm of FIG. 1 in order to explain the optical system 2 inside the optical information reading apparatus 1. The optical information reading device 1 has an optical system 2 for reading optical information such as a barcode and acquiring image information at the front part, and the operator grips and operates the rear part.

  On the upper surface, a display lamp 3 that displays whether the optical information is read correctly or not, a display lamp 4 that displays the status of the optical system 2, and a liquid crystal display screen 5 that displays the read contents, etc. Is placed on the side, and a trigger switch 7 that is pressed when optical information is read is arranged on the side surface. The optical information is read and image information is acquired in front of the lower surface. A reading window 8 is arranged.

  The optical system 2, as the imaging unit 9, has an illumination LED 10 that projects illumination light on an image acquisition target and an imaging lens 11 that forms reflected light from the image acquisition target and an image formed on a rectangular surface. Laser light from the semiconductor laser 14 serving as the light source of the index light and the laser light from the semiconductor laser 14 as the area sensor 12 that converts the light into the electrical signal by the arranged light receiving elements and the index light beam irradiation unit 13 that irradiates the index light beam that indicates the imaging position Is formed by a diffraction element 16 that forms a light beam on an H-shaped index pattern 15.

  The emission direction of the light beam of the index pattern 15 is parallel and close to the light receiving axis (A) connecting the pupil of the imaging lens 11 and the center of the imaging area of the area sensor 12, and the spread angle in the width direction of the H-shaped index pattern 15 Is substantially the same as the lateral divergence angle of the field of view (c) of the imaging unit 9, and the center of the H-shaped index pattern 15 irradiated to the image acquisition target is always at the center of the field of view (c) of the imaging unit 9. The width of the H-shaped index pattern 15 that is close is substantially the same as the horizontal length of the field of view (c), and indicates the imaging position of the imaging unit 9 and the horizontal imaging range. The control circuit 17 configured on the printed circuit board in the optical information reading apparatus 1 includes a CPU, a memory element, and the like, and controls the driving of the imaging unit 9 and the index beam irradiation unit 13 and the area sensor 12 according to the written program. The binarization of the electrical signal converted in step B, the extraction of optical information such as a barcode from the binarized image information, and decoding, or the acquired image is stored in a memory element as a storage unit Control of the liquid crystal display screen 5 and the like.

  The operation of the optical information reading apparatus configured as described above will be described. On the recording medium 18, a fine barcode 19 having a minimum bar width of 0.19 mm as optical information is printed on paper, and a signature 20 is entered in a predetermined entry field on the upper right of the barcode 19.

  When a reading start signal is input by pressing the trigger switch 7 with the optical information reading device 1 facing the recording medium 18, the control circuit 17 causes the semiconductor laser 14 serving as the index light source of the index beam irradiation unit 13. The light is turned on, and the laser beam is formed on the H-shaped index pattern 15 by the diffraction element 16.

  The semiconductor laser 14 is turned off while the illumination LED 10 of the imaging unit 9 is turned on and the area sensor 12 is exposed, and is turned on while the area sensor 12 is not exposed. The area sensor 12 repeatedly exposes and converts the image formed by the imaging lens 11 into an electrical signal, thereby repeatedly acquiring image data.

  The optical information reader 1 is moved so that the center line of the H-shaped indicator pattern 15 is aligned with the longitudinal central axis of the barcode 19, and the outline of the barcode 19 is located at both ends of the H-shaped indicator pattern 15. When the line is aligned with the line, the barcode 19 is positioned at the center of the field of view (c) of the imaging unit 9, and when the recording medium 18 is positioned near the in-focus position of the imaging lens 11, the acquired image is 2 It is converted into a value and the bar code 19 is extracted and combined. When the decoding is successful, the driving of the index beam irradiation unit 13 and the imaging unit 9 is stopped, the reading of the barcode 19 is finished, the read information is stored in the memory element, and the display lamp 3 is turned on to indicate that the reading is successful. The information of the read barcode 19 and the image information of a predetermined area set in advance in the acquired image information are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 5.

  When the upward direction of the recording medium 18 is the forward direction of the optical information reading device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the image of the bar code 19 is always in the center of the acquired image, and the signature entry column displays the image vertically and horizontally. In the upper left divided area (within the dotted line in FIG. 3).

  When the number of display pixels on the liquid crystal display screen 5 is smaller than the number of imaging pixels of the area sensor 12, it is not possible to display all acquired images. Further, if all the images are displayed after thinning, the display image is not rough. It is not necessary to display all the acquired images, and the image of the signature 20 necessary for confirmation may be displayed neatly. If the area to be displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 5 is divided into four divided areas at the upper left, The image of the signature 20 to be confirmed is displayed large and neatly.

  In the range where the barcode can be read, the recording medium 18 is located near the focal point of the imaging lens 11, and the imaging unit 9 can store the focused image. The optical information reading apparatus 1 displays the image of the signature 20 on the liquid crystal display screen 5 and waits for an input as to whether or not to store the acquired image. When the displayed image of the signature 20 is beautiful, a predetermined switch of the main switch 6 is pressed to instruct storage of the acquired image in the memory element.

  The acquired image is stored only in a predetermined area set in the acquired image. If only the upper left divided area obtained by dividing the image into four by the vertical and horizontal central axes is stored, the image of the signature 20 to be stored can be stored, and the image data amount can be reduced to a quarter. The predetermined area to be stored in the acquired image can be changed or corrected by inputting the coordinates of the area to be stored by the main switch 6 when applied to a system using a recording medium of another format, for example.

  In this way, by acquiring and storing the area image simultaneously with the completion of the reading of the optical information, for example, when the recording medium 18 is a package invoice, the barcode read in the image information of the acquired signature 20 received Since the 19 invoice management number information can be acquired and read substantially collectively, it is easy to manage them in a one-to-one pair.

  Next, when the displayed image of the signature 20 is not received, or when the signature 20 is written in a place other than the entry field and cannot be acquired, another predetermined switch of the main switch 6 is pressed to re-acquire the image. Instruct. In the re-acquisition of the image, the control circuit 17 drives the index light irradiation unit 13 and the imaging unit 9 again according to the program, and informs that the display lamp 4 is turned on and is in a mode in which only the image is acquired.

  The optical information reader 1 is moved, the lines on both ends of the H-shaped index pattern 15 are aligned with the two double lines 21 provided so as to sandwich the title column of the recording medium 18, and the trigger switch 7 is pressed. The image is acquired again by the imaging unit 9. The two double lines 21 are printed so that the recording medium 18 is positioned at a substantially in-focus position of the imaging lens 11 when the lines at both ends of the H-shaped index pattern 15 are aligned. Can be acquired.

  The control circuit 17 displays the acquired image on the liquid crystal display screen 5 and waits for an input as to whether or not to store the stored image. When the image is beautiful, the main switch 6 decides to store the memory, terminates a series of processes of reading the optical information and obtaining the signature image, and re-acquiring the image when the image is not received. Instructions are given by pressing a predetermined switch.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the index pattern 15 of the index light from the index light irradiating unit 13 is aimed according to the central axis and the contour of the barcode 19 in the longitudinal direction, and the area image is captured by the imaging unit 9. When the decoding unit extracts and decodes the optical information from the acquired area image and succeeds in decoding, a predetermined area of the area image is stored in the storage unit.

  In a range where the barcode can be read, the recording medium 18 is located near the focal point of the imaging lens 11, and the imaging unit 9 can store a focused image, and also stores the read image information. Since the image information can be stored in a one-to-one correspondence, the stored image information can be easily managed, and the amount of image data to be stored can be reduced by storing only the necessary image information among the acquired image information. Can do.

  Furthermore, by providing the main switch 6 as a setting unit for setting and / or changing a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit, the predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit can be arbitrarily set and / or changed. Further, the main switch 6 indicates whether the area image to be stored in the storage unit is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 5 and the display contents are viewed and then the area image is stored or not acquired, and the main switch 6 instructs to store the area image. It can be confirmed whether the quality of the image information to be displayed is good. Further, since the display content is not the acquired image information itself but image information of a necessary predetermined area and the amount of information is small, the image information is not subjected to thinning compression or displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 5 with a reduced thinning amount. Therefore, the display contents can be made clear and easy to understand. Further, optical information and image information are provided at predetermined positions on the recording medium 18, and when the optical information 19 provided on the recording medium and the image information 20 are acquired by the optical information reader 1. When the optical information reader 1 is positioned at a position where the index light beam 15 irradiates the optical information 19, the image information 20 is in a predetermined area stored in the storage unit, and the image information 20 can be reliably stored. it can. Furthermore, the optical information 19 is a barcode, the image information 20 is a seal and / or a signature, and the stored seal and / or signature can be managed by the barcode information provided on the recording medium 18. Further, the recording medium 18 is provided with a double line 21 so that the recording medium 18 is positioned at a substantially in-focus position of the imaging lens 11 when the lines at both ends of the H-shaped index pattern 15 are aligned. It is printed on and can obtain a beautiful image.

(Embodiment 2)
4a and 4b are perspective views of the optical information reader 22. The optical information reading device 22 extracts an optical information when optical information such as a barcode is included in the acquired area image and an imaging unit 23 including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring the area image. This is a mobile phone having a decoding unit to be combined and a storage unit for recording image information in a control board including a CPU and a memory element.

  An imaging unit 23 is disposed in front of the lower surface of the optical information reader 22, and a liquid crystal display screen 24 and a key switch 25 are disposed on the upper surface. The imaging unit 23 acquires an area image, and the liquid crystal display screen 24 displays it as a moving image. The liquid crystal display screen 24 can display a frame graphic 26 superimposed on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 23 by the input setting from the key switch 25. The frame graphic 26 is always displayed at a fixed position in the center of the liquid crystal display screen 24. The imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 can switch the magnification, and when a predetermined key of the key switch 25 is pressed, the magnification is switched from a normal magnification to a high magnification.

  The operation of the optical information reader 22 configured as described above will be described. The catalog magazine 27 is printed with a photograph 28 of an article, a sentence explaining information about the article, and a two-dimensional code 29 as optical information on the right side. The two-dimensional code 29 describes information such as the article name, the management number, and the URL of the order destination.

  The operator sets the two-dimensional code normal reading mode with the key switch 25 of the optical information reading device 22, and the liquid crystal display screen 24 reads the frame image 26 on the area image acquired by the imaging unit 23 and displays the moving image. In the standby state, the imaging unit 23 is opposed to the catalog magazine 27.

  As shown in the display state of the liquid crystal display screen 24 shown in FIG. 5, the outline of the two-dimensional code 29 of the article desired to be ordered and the frame figure 26 displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 among the articles described on the same page. When the optical information reading device 22 is positioned so as to coincide with each other and a predetermined switch in the key switch 25 is pressed and a reading start signal is input, the CPU in the control board as a decoding unit follows the program according to the program. Among the image data acquired by 23 and converted into electrical signals, only the image data at the address of the area surrounded by the frame graphic 26 displayed on the area image on the liquid crystal display screen 24 is binarized. Two-dimensional code extraction and decoding are performed.

  The size of the outline of the two-dimensional code printed on the catalog magazine 27 is determined to be a predetermined size so that the frame figure 26 fixedly displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 matches the outline of the two-dimensional code. When the optical information reading device 22 is positioned, the optical information is positioned at the focal point position of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23, and a focused area image can be acquired.

  Further, one two-dimensional code can be selected from several two-dimensional codes in the area image acquired while viewing the liquid crystal display screen 24. If the combination is successful, the information of the combined two-dimensional code 29 is stored in the memory element, and the reading process is terminated. Subsequently, according to the program, the CPU in the control board as a storage unit stores a predetermined area set in advance, indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 5, on the left side of the area used for the image data combination.

  A photograph 28 of the article corresponding to the two-dimensional code 29 is entered in the area of the stored image data. Only the photograph 28 of the article corresponding to the two-dimensional code 29 read from the acquired area image can be stored, and the amount of image data to be stored can be reduced compared to storing all the images. . The predetermined area to be stored in the acquired image can be changed or corrected by inputting the coordinates of the area to be stored with the key switch 25, for example, when applied to a system using a catalog magazine of another format.

  The name and management number of the article in the stored photo 28 and the information of the read two-dimensional code 29 are displayed. After confirming the display contents, the order quantity is input from the key switch 25, and the order transmission process is performed from the key switch 25. When the start is inputted, it is transmitted to the ULR of the order destination in the information of the two-dimensional code 29. Information on the stored photograph 28 and the read two-dimensional code 29 is stored as an order history, and is used for reordering or the like using the order history. When it is desired to store only a photographic image without reading a two-dimensional code, the key switch 25 is set to an image recording mode.

  A frame graphic 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 so as to overlap the center of the area image acquired by the imaging unit 23. As shown in FIG. 6, the photograph 31 to be stored is stored in the frame figure 30, and the upper and lower sides of the frame figure are aligned with the ruled lines 32 above and below the photograph 31, and a predetermined switch in the key switch 25 is pressed to obtain the image. When the start signal is input, as a storage unit, the CPU in the control board follows the program and displays the image data acquired by the imaging unit 23 and converted into an electrical signal on the liquid crystal display screen 24 so as to be superimposed on the area image. Only the image data at the address of the area surrounded by the frame figure 30 is stored in the memory element.

  The interval between the ruled lines 32 printed on the catalog magazine 27 is determined to be a predetermined length so that the upper and lower sides of the frame figure 30 fixedly displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 coincide with the ruled lines 32 sandwiching the photograph. When the optical information reading device 22 is positioned, the optical information is positioned at the focal point position of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23, and a focused area image can be acquired. The stored photograph image is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24, and the image recording mode is terminated.

  Then place an order in another catalog magazine. A photograph 33 of the article, a sentence explaining information about the article, and a two-dimensional code 34 as optical information are printed on the right side of the photograph 33. The two-dimensional code 34 is a name of the article, a management number, and an order destination. In addition to the URL and the like, there are explanatory information about the article, and since the amount of information is large, the number of cells that are the minimum elements of the two-dimensional code 34 is large, and the cell size is reduced and the density is increased.

  If the optical information reader 22 is brought close to the two-dimensional code 34 and the two-dimensional code 34 is enlarged so that the number of area sensor light-receiving pixels of the imaging unit 23 per cell necessary for reading is not short, Although the number of light receiving pixels of the area sensor can be increased, if only one two-dimensional code can be displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24, it is difficult to determine which two-dimensional code when a plurality of two-dimensional codes are printed in close proximity.

  Also, the image is shifted from the in-focus position, resulting in a blurred image. Therefore, the zoom switch mode is set by operating the key switch 25. A frame graphic 35 is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 so as to overlap the center of the area image acquired by the imaging unit 23. The inside of the frame figure 35 represents the range of the acquired image after moving the zoom lens of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 and switching to a high magnification.

  The frame figure 35 is aligned with the outline of the two-dimensional code 34 for an article to be ordered from among several two-dimensional codes in the acquired area image, and a predetermined switch in the key switch 25 is pressed to start reading. When the signal is input, the CPU in the control board drives the actuator of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 to move the zoom lens to switch to a high magnification, and the image is zoomed up on the area sensor to form an image. The image data obtained by converting the image into an electric signal is subjected to binarization processing, two-dimensional code extraction and decoding according to a program as a decoding unit.

  When the combination is successful, the information of the combined two-dimensional code 34 is stored in the memory element, and the actuator of the imaging unit is driven to move the variable power lens to return to the normal magnification, and the reading process is terminated. Subsequently, the photograph 35 corresponding to the two-dimensional code 34 is recorded. The photograph 33 is fine, and the zoom lens of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 is moved at the time of image acquisition in the same manner as the reading of the two-dimensional code 34. Switch to a higher magnification to acquire an image.

  The photograph 33 is put in the frame figure 35, and the four corners of the frame figure 35 are aligned with a symbol (star) 36 printed on the diagonal surrounding the photograph 33, and a predetermined switch in the key switch 25 is pressed to start image acquisition. When the signal is input, the CPU in the control board drives the actuator of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 to move the zoom lens to switch to a high magnification, and the image is zoomed up on the area sensor to form an image. The image data obtained by converting the image into an electrical signal is stored as a storage unit in the CPU in the control board according to the program. The size of the outline of the two-dimensional code 34 and the interval between the symbols 36 printed at the four corners surrounding the photograph are determined to be a predetermined length and are aligned with the frame figure 35 fixedly displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24. Thus, when the optical information reader 22 is positioned, the optical information is located at the in-focus position after the zoom lens of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 is moved and switched to a high magnification, and the focus is adjusted. Area image can be acquired.

  The actuator of the imaging unit is driven to move the zoom lens to return to the normal magnification, the image storage process is terminated, and the name and management number of the article in the information of the stored photograph 33 and the read two-dimensional code 34 Is displayed, and after confirming the display contents, the order quantity is input from the key switch 25, and when the start of order transmission processing is input from the key switch 25, it is transmitted to the ULR of the order destination in the information of the two-dimensional code 34. The

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display screen 24 displays the frame graphic 26 so as to overlap the area image acquired by the imaging unit 23 so that the outline of the two-dimensional code 29 matches the frame graphic 26. The optical information reader 22 is positioned, and a predetermined switch in the key switch 25 is pressed to start reading, and the CPU in the control board is acquired by the imaging unit 23 as a decoding unit and converted into an electrical signal according to the program Of the image data, only the image data in the area surrounded by the frame figure 26 is decoded, and a predetermined area set in advance is stored in the image data.

  A photograph 28 of the article corresponding to the two-dimensional code 29 is entered in the area of the stored image data. Simultaneously with the reading of the two-dimensional code 29, only the photograph 28 of the article corresponding to the two-dimensional code 29 read from the acquired area image can be stored, and the image to be stored is compared with storing all the images. The amount of data can be reduced. The predetermined area to be stored in the acquired image can be changed and corrected by inputting the coordinates of the area to be stored by the key switch 25, and can be applied to another format.

  Further, when the optical information reader 22 is positioned so that the frame figure 26 fixedly displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 coincides with the outline of the two-dimensional code, it is at the focal position of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23. The optical information is located, and an in-focus area image can be acquired. Further, when the optical information reader 22 is positioned so that the upper and lower sides of the frame figure 30 fixedly displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24 coincide with the ruled lines 32 sandwiching the photograph, Optical information is located at the in-focus position, so that only necessary pictures can be acquired as focused images.

  Further, for the high-density two-dimensional code 34 and the photograph 33, the liquid crystal display screen 24 displays a frame graphic 35 superimposed on the area image acquired by the imaging unit 23, and the inside of the frame graphic 35 is the image of the imaging unit 23. Represents the range of the acquired image after moving the variable magnification lens in part and switching to high magnification, and aligns the frame figure 35 to the outline of the two-dimensional code 34 or the symbol 36 printed diagonally surrounding the photograph 33 Then, when a predetermined switch in the key switch 25 is pressed to start reading, the CPU in the control board drives the actuator of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 to move the variable power lens to switch to a high magnification. Image data obtained by converting an image formed by zooming up on the sensor into an electrical signal is decoded as a decoding unit according to a program as a decoding unit, and an image is stored as a storage unit.

  The size of the outline of the two-dimensional code 34 and the interval between the symbols 36 printed diagonally surrounding the photograph are determined to be a predetermined length and aligned with the frame graphic 35 fixedly displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 24. Thus, when the optical information reader 22 is positioned, the optical information is located at the in-focus position after the zoom lens of the imaging unit of the imaging unit 23 is moved to switch to a high magnification, and the focus information is The area image that was present can be acquired.

(Embodiment 3)
8a and 8b are perspective views of the optical information reader 37. FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view partially showing a cross-section at a broken position (D)-(D) in FIG. 8A in order to explain the optical system 38 inside the optical information reading device 37. FIG. 10 is an arrow view showing a part of the optical system 38 as viewed in the direction of the arrow (v) in FIG. FIG. 11 is an arrow view showing a part of the optical system 38 as viewed in the direction of the arrow (f) in FIG. 9.

  The optical information reader 37 is arranged with an optical system 38 for reading optical information such as a barcode and acquiring image information at the front part, and the operator grips and operates the rear part. On the upper surface, a display lamp 39 that displays whether optical information is read correctly or not, a display lamp 40 that displays the status of the optical system 38, and a liquid crystal display screen 41 that displays the read contents, etc. Is placed on the side, and a trigger switch 43 that is pressed when optical information is read is arranged on the side surface, and the optical information is read and image information is obtained on the lower front side. A reading window 44 is arranged.

  The optical system includes a barcode reading unit 45 for scanning optical information such as a barcode by scanning a laser beam and an imaging unit 46 for acquiring image information. The bar code reading unit 45 irradiates a laser beam from the semiconductor laser 47, a beam forming lens 48 that condenses the laser beam from the semiconductor laser 47 and forms the beam, and reflects the laser beam formed in the beam, A scanning mirror 50 that swings around 49 and scans the laser light, a fixed mirror 51 that reflects the laser light scanned by the scanning mirror 50 and changes the direction of travel, a barcode or the like to which the laser light is applied It comprises a light receiving lens 52 that collects reflected light from optical information and a phototransistor 53 that receives the collected reflected light and converts it into an electrical signal.

  The swinging of the scanning mirror 50 is such that the permanent magnet 55 is fixed to the opposite side of the scanning mirror 50 and the fixed side of the scanning mirror 50 of the mirror fixture 54 attached to the shaft 49 so that the shaft 49 is fixed. The electromagnets 56a and 56b in which a coil is wound around an iron core is disposed with the permanent magnet 55 sandwiched between the permanent magnets 55. When the magnets 56 are not excited, the permanent magnets 55 are held by the balance of magnetic force between the electromagnets 56a and 56b. The electric magnets 56a and 56b are energized by alternately passing currents and are brought closer to the excited ones.

  The amplitude of oscillation of the scanning mirror 50 is changed by changing the amount of current flowing through the electromagnets 56a and 56b to adjust the magnetic force, that is, the laser beam is reflected in the scanning mirror 50 and oscillated in a fan shape about the scanning mirror 50. Thus, the scanning angle (ki) of the scanned laser beam can be changed. The imaging unit 46 is connected to an illumination LED 57 that projects illumination light onto an image acquisition target such as a seal stamp pressed on paper or a signature written on paper, and an imaging lens 58 that forms an image of reflected light from the image acquisition target. The image sensor is composed of an area sensor 59 that converts an imaged image into an electrical signal by a light receiving element arranged on a rectangular surface.

  The scanning direction of the laser beam after being reflected by the fixed mirror 51 (direction (C) in FIG. 11) and the side-by-side direction of the light receiving elements of the area sensor 59 (direction (Q) in FIG. 11) are substantially parallel, and the imaging lens The light receiving axis (co) connecting 58 pupils and the center of the imaging area of the area sensor 59 is on a plane perpendicular to the scanning plane including the central axis (scan) of the scanning of the fan-shaped laser beam, and the light receiving axis (co) and the laser. The imaging unit 46 is disposed on the back side of the reflecting surface of the fixed mirror 51 so that the central axis (scan) of the light scanning is substantially parallel and close. In addition, the scanning angle (g) of the laser beam is usually substantially the same as the viewing angle (g) in the horizontal direction of the imaging unit 46. Further, the most focused position of the laser beam formed by the beam forming lens 48, that is, the position where the beam waist is in focus with respect to the area sensor 59 of the imaging lens 58, that is, the in-focus position is approximately. In the same position.

  The control circuit 60 configured on the printed circuit board in the optical information reader 37 includes a CPU, a memory element, and the like, and controls the drive of the barcode reader 45 and converts it by the phototransistor 53 according to the written program. The binarization and decoding of the electrical signal thus performed, the drive control of the imaging unit 46 and the storage of the acquired image, and the operation control of the liquid crystal display screen 41 and the like are performed.

  The operation of the optical information reading apparatus configured as described above will be described. On the recording medium 61, a fine barcode 62 having a minimum bar width of 0.19 mm as optical information is printed on paper, and a signature 63 is entered in a predetermined entry column at the upper right of the barcode 62. When a read start signal is input by pressing the trigger switch 43 with the optical information reading device 37 facing the recording medium 61, the control circuit 60 drives the semiconductor laser 47 of the bar code reading unit 45 to irradiate the laser beam. Then, the laser beam is scanned by the scanning mirror 50.

  The scanning line 64 of the laser beam is applied so that the entire barcode 62 is scanned, and is applied to the barcode 62 near the beam waist of the laser beam, and the beam diameter is equal to the minimum bar width of the barcode 62. In the following, when the difference in the reflection intensity of the scanned laser beam between the black bar and the white bar of the bar code 62 is sufficient, the electrical signal converted by the phototransistor 53 shows the temporal change in the reflection intensity of the laser beam. Then, the control circuit 60 binarizes and decodes and reads the information as the barcode 62 information. When the reading of the barcode 62 is completed, the read information is stored in the memory element, the display lamp 39 is turned on to notify that the reading is successful, the illumination LED 57 of the imaging unit 46 is turned on, and the recording medium 61 is illuminated. The area sensor 59 converts the image formed by the imaging lens 58 into an electrical signal and acquires image data.

  The liquid crystal display screen 41 displays the read bar code 62 information and image information of a predetermined area set in advance in the acquired image information. If the upper direction of the recording medium 61 is the front direction of the optical information reading device 37 and the center of the scanning line 64 of the laser beam and the center of the barcode 62 are substantially coincident when the image is acquired by the area sensor 59, the laser The scanning direction of the light coincides with the horizontal direction of the field of view of the imaging unit (inside the dotted line in FIG. 8), and the center of the scanning line of the laser light is in the vicinity of the center of the field of view of the imaging unit. Thus, the image of the barcode 62 is always in the center of the acquired image, and the signature entry field is in the upper left divided area (C) (within the dotted line in FIG. 12) of the image divided into four by the vertical and horizontal central axes. is there.

  When the number of display pixels on the liquid crystal display screen 41 is smaller than the number of imaging pixels of the area sensor 59, it is not possible to display all acquired images. Further, if all the images are displayed after thinning, the display image is not rough. It is not necessary to display all the acquired images, and the image of the signature 63 necessary for confirmation may be displayed neatly. If the area displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 41 is set to the upper left divided area among the four divided areas. The image of the signature 63 to be confirmed is displayed large and neatly.

  Further, since the beam waist of the laser beam and the focusing position of the imaging lens 58 are substantially the same position, the imaging unit 46 is in a focused image within a range where the barcode can be read by the laser beam of the barcode reading unit 45. Can be obtained. The optical information reading device 37 displays the image of the signature 63 on the liquid crystal display screen 41 and waits for an input as to whether or not to store the acquired image.

  When the displayed image of the signature 63 is beautiful, a predetermined switch of the main switch 42 is pressed to instruct to store the acquired image in the memory element. The acquired image is stored only in a predetermined area set in the acquired image. By storing only the upper left divided area (second) of the image divided into four by the vertical and horizontal central axes, the image of the signature 63 to be stored can be stored, and the image data amount can be reduced to a quarter.

  The predetermined area to be stored in the acquired image can be changed or corrected by inputting the coordinates of the area to be stored by the main switch 42, for example, when applied to a system using a recording medium of another format. As described above, by acquiring and storing the area image almost simultaneously with the completion of the reading of the optical information, for example, when the recording medium 61 is a package invoice, the bar information read in the image information of the received signature 63 is acquired. Since the invoice management number information of the code 62 can be acquired and read substantially collectively, it is easy to manage it in association with a pair.

  Next, when the displayed image of the signature 63 cannot be affected by camera shake at the time of acquisition or when the signature 63 is written in a place other than the entry field and cannot be acquired, another predetermined switch of the main switch 42 is selected. Press the switch to instruct re-acquisition of the image. In the re-acquisition of the image, the control circuit 60 drives and controls each component according to the program so as to only acquire the image without reading the barcode. The display lamp 40 is turned on to inform that it is a mode for performing only image acquisition.

  Further, the laser beam irradiation by the semiconductor laser 47 of the barcode reading unit 45 is intermittently performed to notify that the mode is a mode in which only the image acquisition is performed. By adjusting the magnetic force by changing the amount of current flowing through the electromagnets 56a and 56b, the swing amplitude of the scanning mirror 50 is reduced, that is, the scanning angle of the laser beam scanned in a fan shape is reduced.

  The laser beam is used as a target beam that indicates the position when the image is acquired. As shown in FIG. 13, the length of the scanning line 64 of the laser beam is the horizontal direction of the frame 65 of the signature entry column of the recording medium 61. The scanning angle is set so as to be the in-focus position of the imaging lens 58 at the same position as the width of. The illumination LED 57 of the imaging unit 46 is turned on to illuminate the recording medium 61, and the area sensor 59 converts the image formed by the imaging lens 58 into an electrical signal, and repeatedly acquires image data.

  The timing of the laser light that is intermittently emitted during the exposure time when the area sensor 59 of the imaging unit 46 acquires an image is adjusted so that it is extinguished so that the reflected light of the laser light is not reflected in the acquired image. I have to. The area stored in the memory element is a quarter of the entire area at the center of the field of view of the imaging unit 46. As shown in FIG. 14, a frame graphic 66 is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 41 so as to overlap the acquired image, indicating that the inside of the frame graphic 66 is an area stored in the memory element, and a necessary image. You can check whether information can be stored.

  When the imaging position is determined, the trigger switch 43 is pressed to input an image storage start signal, and the control circuit 60 stores the acquired image in the area sensor 59 at this time. The optical information reader 37 displays the stored image on the liquid crystal display screen 41 and waits for an input as to whether or not to store the stored image as it is. When the image is beautiful, the main switch 42 confirms the storage, ends the series of processes of reading the optical information and obtaining the signature image, and re-acquiring the image when no image is received. Instructions are given by pressing a predetermined switch.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical information reading device 37 scans the laser beam and acquires image information with the barcode reading unit 45 for reading optical information such as a barcode. The laser beam scanned by the barcode reading unit 45 is irradiated to a position indicating the imaging position of the imaging unit 46. Laser light has high directivity and is difficult to attenuate the amount of light, so it can read optical information that is aligned on a straight line (one-dimensional) like a barcode that is relatively far from a short distance. An image can also be acquired by the imaging unit 46, and the laser beam scanned by the barcode reading unit 45 is captured by the imaging unit 46 without providing a dedicated device for generating target light that indicates the position to be captured by the imaging unit. By indicating the position, a compact optical system can be obtained.

  Specifically, the scanning direction of the laser beam and the side-by-side direction of the light receiving elements of the area sensor 59 are substantially parallel, and the light receiving axis (co) of the imaging unit includes a scanning plane including the center axis (scan) of the fan-shaped laser beam scanning. Since the light receiving axis (co) is arranged in parallel with and close to the central axis (scan) of the laser beam scanning on the vertical plane, the operator always has the laser beam of the barcode reading unit 45. Since the center of the scanning line is near the center of the field of view of the imaging unit 46, the imaging position of the imaging unit 46 can be easily understood.

  Furthermore, since the scanning angle of the laser light is usually substantially the same as the horizontal viewing angle of the imaging unit 46, the length of the scanning line of the laser light irradiated onto the imaging target is the imaging of the imaging unit 46. Thus, the operator can know the imaging range of the imaging unit 46 in an easy-to-understand manner using the laser beam of the barcode reading unit 45.

  Further, by acquiring and storing the area image almost simultaneously with the completion of the reading of the optical information, the image information and the optical information are paired when managing the information of the read optical information in association with the acquired image information. Easy to correspond.

  Further, since the position where the laser beam is most narrowed, that is, the beam waist and the in-focus position of the imaging unit 46 are substantially the same position, imaging is performed within a range where the barcode can be read by the laser beam of the barcode reading unit 45. The unit 46 can acquire a focused image.

  Further, by operating the main switch 42, it is possible to individually instruct start of reading of optical information, acquisition of area image, and start of storage. With this configuration, it is possible to only read the optical information without acquiring the area image, or to acquire and store the area image without reading the optical information.

  Furthermore, only the predetermined division area set in the image acquired by the imaging unit 46 is stored. Compared with storing all acquired images, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the predetermined area to be stored in the acquired image can be changed and corrected by inputting the coordinates of the area to be stored by the main switch 42, and the positional relationship between the optical information and the image acquisition target by switching the recording medium It becomes easy to respond when changes.

  Further, a frame 66 indicating the area to be stored is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 41 so as to be superimposed on the image acquired by the imaging unit 46, so that it can be confirmed whether the necessary image information is in the area to be stored. .

  Furthermore, by displaying not only all images acquired by the image pickup unit 46 but only images of a predetermined area necessary for confirmation, and instructing whether to re-acquire images without or memorize them with the main switch 42 after confirmation. Even when the number of display pixels on the liquid crystal display screen 41 is smaller than the number of imaging pixels of the area sensor 59, the state of the image data stored on the liquid crystal display screen 41 can be confirmed as an acquired image, and whether or not to store Can be directed.

  In the present embodiment, the light receiving axis (co) of the imaging unit 46 is on the plane perpendicular to the scanning plane including the central axis (scan) of the scanning of the fan-shaped laser beam of the barcode reading unit 45. The laser beam scanning center line (s) is approximately parallel and close to the laser beam scanning plane, but the laser light scanning plane is approximately parallel to and close to one of the boundary surfaces of the imaging field (sole). In this way, the operator can know the imaging position of the imaging unit 46 in an easy-to-understand manner by indicating that the scanning line 64 of the laser light indicates the lower side of the field of view.

  In addition, a program may be written in which the control circuit 60 performs binarization of the image, extraction of the two-dimensional code, and decoding when the acquired image data includes an image of the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code acquired by the imaging unit 46 can be read. In the image acquired near the in-focus position shown in FIG. 15, the two-dimensional code 67 is smaller than the image area to be acquired, and the number of pixels of the area sensor 59 corresponding to the unit element (one cell) of the two-dimensional code 67 is small. If it is too low, reading may not be possible.

  If the magnification can be changed without changing the focus position of the imaging lens 58, the switch of the main switch 42 is pressed to instruct to change the magnification of the imaging lens 58. When the magnification is increased, the unit element of the two-dimensional code 67 is increased. The number of pixels of the area sensor 59 corresponding to (one cell) can be increased, and reading can be performed. Further, by changing the amount of current flowing through the electromagnets 56a and 56b of the barcode reading unit 45 and adjusting the magnetic force, the swinging amplitude of the scanning mirror 50 is reduced, and the scanning angle (ki) of the scanning of the fan-shaped laser beam is changed. The viewing angle of the imaging lens 58 that changes as the magnification is increased is adjusted. The operator can easily understand the range of imaging by the changed imaging unit 46, and can easily aim at the two-dimensional code.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a diffraction grating 68 that irradiates a laser beam so as to form a figure is provided, and the range of the field of view of the imaging unit 46 is indicated using the laser beam from the semiconductor laser 47. The indicator light may be used. When an image is acquired by the imaging unit 46, one of the electromagnets 56 a of the reading unit 45 is excited to attract the permanent magnet 55 to fix the scanning mirror 50, and the beam is converted from the semiconductor laser 47 through the beam forming lens 48 to the beam. The formed laser beam is reflected by a fixed scanning mirror 50, and the direction is changed by a mirror 69 at a position deviated from the scanning range of the laser beam scanned at the time of reading a normal bar code 62 and guided to the diffraction grating 68. The laser beam diffracted by the diffraction grating 68 is irradiated onto the recording medium 61 to form a frame figure that substantially coincides with the boundary of the field of view of the image pickup unit 46, and the image pickup region can be indicated more clearly. .

  According to the optical information reading apparatus, information reading system, and recording medium reading method of the present invention, when image information is imaged and acquired together with reading optical information such as a barcode, the image information to be acquired is an imaging position. Can be stored in focus and can efficiently store the necessary image information. Information input device in collection / delivery information management in logistics and transportation fields, information input method, or information in catalog sales Industrially useful as an input device, an information input method, and the like.

The perspective view of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the optical information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view which shows the barcode which the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention reads 1 is an external view of an optical information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view of the two-dimensional code which the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention reads The front view which shows the photograph which the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention wants to memorize | stores, and the two-dimensional code to read The front view which shows the photograph which the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention wants to memorize | store, and the two-dimensional code to read 1 is an external view of an optical information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an air cross-sectional view of the optical information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the optical system of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the optical system of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The front view which shows the barcode of the reading object of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention 1 is an external perspective view showing an optical information reading device and a barcode to be read according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view which shows the signature of the reading object of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The front view which shows the reading object of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the optical system containing the diffraction grating of the optical information reader which concerns on one embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

1, 22, 37 Optical information reader 2, 38 Optical system 3, 39 Indicator lamp (reading correct / incorrect display)
4, 40 Indicator lamp (mode display)
5, 24, 41 Liquid crystal display screen 6, 42 Main switch 7, 43 Trigger switch 8, 44 Reading window 9, 23, 46 Imaging unit 10, 57 Illumination LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 58 Imaging lens 12, 59 Area sensor 13 Index beam irradiation part 14 Semiconductor laser 15 Index pattern 16 Diffraction element 17, 60 Control circuit 18, 61 Recording medium 19, 62 Optical information (barcode)
20, 63 Image information (signature)
21 Double line 25 Key switch 26, 30, 35, 66 Frame figure 27 Catalog magazine 28, 31, 33 Photo 29, 34, 67 Two-dimensional code 32 Ruled line 36 Symbol 45 Bar code reading part 47 Semiconductor laser 48 Beam forming lens 49 Axis 50 Scanning mirror 51 Fixed mirror 52 Receiving lens 53 Phototransistor 54 Mirror fixture 55 Permanent magnet 56a, 56b Electromagnet 64 Scanning line 65 Column for entry 68 Diffraction grating 69 Mirror

Claims (40)

An imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, an index beam irradiation unit that irradiates an index beam that targets optical information, and a memory that stores the area image acquired by the imaging unit And a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the area image acquired by the imaging unit, and the index ray includes a central axis and / or a diagonal axis and / or a contour of the optical information An optical information reading device that stores a predetermined area of the area image that has been successfully decoded. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that sets and / or changes a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit. The display part which displays the area image memorize | stored in a memory | storage part, and the input part which instruct | indicates whether the area image is memorize | stored after displaying the area image, or it does not memorize | store, but the area image is acquired again. The optical information reading device described. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, the optical information reading device comprising an area sensor for acquiring an area image and an imaging unit, and an optical information An index beam irradiation unit that irradiates a target index beam, a storage unit that stores an area image acquired by the imaging unit, and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the area image acquired by the imaging unit The index beam is aligned with a central axis and / or a diagonal axis and / or a contour of the optical information, and the storage unit stores a predetermined area of the area image that has been successfully decoded. And optical information and image information are provided at predetermined positions on the recording medium, and the optical information provided on the recording medium by the optical information reader When acquiring the image information, if the optical information reader is positioned at a position where the index beam is aligned with the central axis and / or the diagonal axis and / or the contour of the optical information, the image information is An information reading system in a predetermined area stored in a storage unit. 5. The information reading system according to claim 4, wherein the optical information is a bar code and the image information is a seal and / or a signature. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device irradiates an imaging unit comprising an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, and an index beam An optical beam and / or image information, a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol, and the index beam is provided on the recording medium. An information reading system in which the recording medium is positioned at a substantially in-focus position of the imaging unit when aligned with a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol. An imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit that displays an image acquired by the imaging unit, a storage unit that stores an image acquired by the imaging unit, and the imaging A decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the unit, and the display unit displays the frame and / or graphic and / or symbol display superimposed on the acquired image, and stores the storage The optical information reading device stores an area indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the acquired image. An imaging unit composed of an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, and extracting the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit A decoding unit for decoding, wherein the display unit displays a frame and / or graphic and / or symbol display superimposed on the acquired image, and the decoding unit displays the acquired image on the display unit An optical information reader for extracting and decoding optical information from a region indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol. An imaging unit including an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit that displays an image acquired by the imaging unit, a storage unit that stores an image acquired by the imaging unit, and the imaging A decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the unit, and the display unit displays the display of a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol superimposed on the acquired image, and the decoding The unit extracts and decodes optical information from the area indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the acquired image, and the storage unit acquires An optical information reading device for storing a predetermined area from an image. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a setting unit that sets and / or changes a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device comprises an imaging unit comprising an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit, and the imaging unit. A display unit that displays the acquired image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit adds a frame and / or figure and / or Alternatively, the display of symbols is displayed in an overlapping manner, and the decoding unit extracts optical information from an area indicated by the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit from the acquired image. The storage unit stores a predetermined area from the acquired image, and the recording medium is provided with optical information and image information at predetermined positions. When acquiring the optical information and the image information provided on the recording medium by a reading device, a display of a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol displayed on the display unit, and a provision on the recording medium An information reading system in which the image information is in a predetermined region stored in the storage unit when optical information is aligned. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device comprises an imaging unit comprising an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit, and the imaging unit. A display unit that displays the acquired image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit adds a frame and / or figure and / or Alternatively, symbols are displayed in an overlapping manner, and the recording medium is provided with optical information and a frame and / or figure and / or symbol around the optical information. Alternatively, when the graphic and / or symbol display and the frame and / or graphic and / or symbol provided on the recording medium are aligned, the recording medium is positioned at a substantially focused position of the imaging unit. Information reading system to be. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device comprises an imaging unit comprising an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit, and the imaging unit. A display unit that displays the acquired image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the display unit adds a frame and / or figure and / or Alternatively, symbols are displayed in an overlapping manner, the recording medium is provided with optical information, and the outline of the optical information has a substantially predetermined size, and a frame and / or figure displayed on the display unit and An information reading system in which the recording medium is positioned at a substantially in-focus position of the imaging unit when the symbol display and the contour of the optical information provided on the recording medium are aligned. An imaging unit composed of an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image, a display unit for displaying an image acquired by the imaging unit, and extracting the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit A decoding unit for decoding, the imaging unit is capable of switching the magnification, and the display unit displays a frame and / or a graphic and / or symbol display superimposed on the acquired image, and the frame and The optical information reading device indicates the area of the area image acquired by the image forming unit after switching the magnification. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device comprises an imaging unit comprising an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit, and the imaging unit. A display unit that displays the acquired image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the imaging unit is capable of switching magnification, and the display unit Displays the frame and / or figure and / or symbol superimposed on the acquired image, and the frame and / or figure and / or symbol indicates the area of the area image that the imaging unit acquires after switching the magnification. The recording medium is provided with optical information and a frame and / or figure and / or symbol around the optical information, and the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit. An information reading system in which the recording medium is positioned at a substantially focused position after magnification switching of the imaging unit when the display and a frame and / or a figure and / or a symbol provided on the recording medium are aligned. . An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device comprises an imaging unit comprising an area sensor for obtaining an area image and an imaging unit, and the imaging unit. A display unit that displays the acquired image; and a decoding unit that extracts and decodes the optical information from the image acquired by the imaging unit, and the imaging unit is capable of switching magnification, and the display unit Displays the frame and / or graphics and / or symbols superimposed on the acquired image, optical information is provided on the recording medium, and the outline of the optical information has a substantially predetermined size. When the display of the frame and / or figure and / or symbol displayed on the display unit and the outline of the optical information provided on the recording medium are aligned, the abbreviation after switching the magnification of the imaging unit The above-mentioned Information reading system medium is located. A laser light source that is a light source of laser light that irradiates optical information, a scanning optical element that scans the optical information by changing the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source, and reflected by the optical information A sensor unit that receives the reflected light and converts it into an electrical signal, a decoding unit that decodes the electrical signal converted by the sensor unit, an image sensor that includes an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image And an optical information reading device that indicates the imaging position of the imaging unit. The optical information reader according to claim 17, wherein an area image is acquired by the imaging unit and stored in the storage unit substantially simultaneously with completion of reading of the optical information. 18. The optical information reading device according to claim 17, further comprising an input unit for individually instructing start of reading of optical information, acquisition of area image, and start of storage. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a predetermined area of the acquired area image is stored in the storage unit. 21. The optical information reader according to claim 20, further comprising a setting unit that sets and / or changes a predetermined area to be stored in the storage unit. 21. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a display unit that displays a display representing a predetermined area to be stored on the acquired area image. 21. The display unit according to claim 20, further comprising: a display unit that displays an image of a predetermined area of the acquired image; and an input unit that instructs whether the image is stored or not stored after the image is displayed. Optical information reader. The scanning plane of the laser beam and the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements of the area sensor of the imaging unit are substantially parallel, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit passes through the center line of the scanning of the laser beam and is substantially perpendicular to the scanning plane of the laser beam. 24. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the optical information reading device is on a flat surface, and a light receiving axis of the imaging unit and a scanning center line of the laser beam are substantially parallel and close to each other. The scanning plane of the laser beam and the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements of the area sensor of the imaging unit are substantially parallel, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit passes through the center line of the scanning of the laser beam and is substantially perpendicular to the scanning plane of the laser beam. 24. The optical information reading device according to claim 17, wherein the scanning plane of the laser beam is substantially parallel to and close to one of the visual field boundary surfaces of the imaging unit. The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein when acquiring an image by an imaging unit, laser light is irradiated intermittently. The optical information reader according to any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein when acquiring an image by the imaging unit, the scanning angle of the laser beam and the viewing angle of the imaging unit of the imaging unit are made substantially the same. . The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the beam waist position of the laser beam and the in-focus position of the imaging unit of the imaging unit are substantially the same. The optical information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the scanning angle of the laser beam can be changed, and the area of the area image stored in the storage unit is changed accordingly. 30. The optical information reader according to claim 17, wherein the magnification of the imaging unit of the imaging unit is variable, and the scanning angle of the laser beam is substantially the same as the viewing angle of the imaging unit. . A reflection optical element that changes the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source and scanned by the scanning optical element, and the light receiving axis of the imaging unit is closer to the reflection position of the laser light scanned by the optical element The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 17 to 30, wherein the imaging unit is disposed in proximity to a surface opposite to the reflecting surface of the reflecting optical element so as to pass near an end surface. apparatus. 32. The optical information reader according to claim 17, wherein a two-dimensional code is acquired as image information by an imaging unit, and the two-dimensional code is decoded. The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 17 to 32, wherein the optical information is a bar code, and the bar code is read by a laser beam. The optical information reading according to any one of claims 17 to 33, wherein the optical information is not read but only the image acquisition by the imaging unit is performed, and the laser light is used as the guide light at the image acquisition position. apparatus. A diffraction grating that irradiates laser light to form a figure by diffracting the laser light is used. When optical information is not read and only an image is acquired by an imaging unit, the laser light is transmitted through the diffraction grating. The optical information reader according to any one of claims 17 to 34, wherein the optical information reader is irradiated with the diffracted laser light so as to form a figure indicating an image acquisition range by the imaging unit. An information reading system comprising an optical information reading device and a recording medium, wherein the optical information reading device includes a laser light source that is a light source of a laser beam that irradiates optical information, and a laser beam emitted from the laser light source. A scanning optical element that scans the optical information by changing the irradiation direction, a sensor unit that receives reflected light reflected by the optical information and converts it into an electrical signal, and is converted by the sensor unit The recording medium includes: a decoding unit that decodes an electrical signal; an imaging unit that includes an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image; and a storage unit that stores an image acquired by the imaging unit. An information reading system in which optical information and image information are provided, and the optical information and the image information provided on the recording medium are acquired by the optical information reading device. In the recording medium, the optical information and the image information are provided at predetermined positions. When the optical information reader is positioned at a position where the laser beam scans the optical information, the imaging unit The information reading system according to claim 36, wherein the image information can be acquired. 38. The information reading system according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the optical information is a barcode and the image information is a seal and / or a signature. A laser light source that is a light source of laser light that irradiates optical information, a scanning optical element that scans the optical information by changing the irradiation direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source, and reflected by the optical information A sensor unit that receives the reflected light and converts it into an electrical signal, a decoding unit that decodes the electrical signal converted by the sensor unit, an image sensor that includes an area sensor and an imaging unit for acquiring an area image And a recording medium reading method in which optical information and image information are provided at predetermined positions by an optical information reading device including a recording unit and a storage unit that stores an image acquired by the imaging unit. A method of reading a recording medium, wherein the optical information and the image information are obtained by positioning an optical information reader at a position where the laser light can scan the optical information. 40. The method of reading a recording medium according to claim 39, wherein the optical information is a bar code and the image information is a seal and / or a signature.

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