JP2009276912A - Information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antenna structure which is suitable for a reading operation regarding an information reader having a function for optically reading an information code and a function for reading a radio tag by radio communication. <P>SOLUTION: The information reader 1 includes an optical reading means and a radio reading means. An antenna 51 for forming the radio reading means is arranged along a reading section 3, and includes a power supply element 54 for receiving electric power supply and non-power supply elements 52, 53. Each of the power supply element 54 and the non-power supply elements 52, 53 is formed in a long shape extending along the lateral direction D2. Further, the power supply element 54 and the non-power supply elements 52, 53 are arranged in parallel along the front and back direction D1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus.

  Currently, code readers that read information codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes are provided. This type of code reader is widely used in merchandise sales, inventory management, etc., and as a function, it acquires an image of an information code attached to the product etc. and decodes the information code based on the image content Generally, those having an optical reading function such as generating data.

On the other hand, there are many cases where a reading system using a wireless tag is used for an application in which the above-described code reader is used (product sales, inventory management, etc.) or an application related thereto. For example, a method of attaching a wireless tag to a product or the like and reading the wireless tag with a wireless tag reader to perform product sales, inventory management, or the like has been adopted in various fields.
2000-348133

  As described above, since a code reader that optically reads an information code and a wireless tag reader that reads a wireless tag by wireless communication are often closely related to each other, both functions are previously stored in a single reader. It is useful to be prepared for. For example, when reading is performed in a situation where information codes and ID tags are mixed, it is more efficient to use a single reading device having both functions than to prepare each dedicated reader separately. In terms of cost, size, etc., such a technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  By the way, as described above, when a code reader for reading an information code and a wireless tag reader for reading a wireless tag are provided in a single device, a problem peculiar to the configuration arises. That is, in the case of this configuration, it is necessary to realize a function as a wireless reading device while configuring as an optical reading device. Therefore, a necessary configuration for realizing the function is limited to a limited space. The problem is how to arrange them. In particular, it is a problem how to arrange an antenna that has a great influence on the workability of reading. For this antenna, an easy-to-use configuration capable of performing the reading work well is desired.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and relates to an information reading apparatus having a function of optically reading an information code and a function of reading a wireless tag by wireless communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use antenna configuration that can be performed in a simple manner.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light receiving sensor that receives reflected light from an information code, a reading portion that includes a reading port that takes in the reflected light at an end portion, and extends in a predetermined direction, and the reading port. An optical reading unit including an imaging unit configured to form an image of the reflected light that enters the apparatus by the light receiving sensor; and an antenna that performs wireless communication between the wireless tag and at least the wireless tag A wireless reading means for reading information stored in the information reading device, wherein the antenna is disposed along the reading unit and receives a power supply, and at least one or more power supply elements The optical axis direction of the imaging means is the front-rear direction, the overlapping direction of the antenna and the reading unit is the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction are the horizontal direction When The feeding element and the parasitic element are both configured in a longitudinal shape in a form extending along the lateral direction, and the feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction. It is characterized by being.
In the present invention, “extending in a predetermined direction” means that the direction in which the reading unit extends extends in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the main body portion (portion other than the reading unit) connected to the reading unit, You may extend in the form inclined with respect to a main-body part, and may extend in the direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a main-body part.
In the present invention, the “form extending along the lateral direction” is a concept including both a form in which the extending direction (longitudinal direction) of the feeding element and the parasitic element is a lateral direction or a substantially lateral direction. It is.
In addition, the “form extending along the lateral direction” is sufficient if the feeding element and the parasitic element extend at least in the lateral direction, and includes a form that extends linearly without bending, and is slightly curved. The form which extends is also included.
In the present invention, the term “arranged along the front-rear direction” includes, of course, a configuration in which the direction in which the feed element and the parasitic element are arranged is parallel or substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. Even if it is not parallel or substantially parallel to the element group, it is sufficient that the element group composed of the feeding element and the parasitic element is arranged from the rear side to the front side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to the first aspect, both of the feeding element and the parasitic element are provided at a longitudinal shape portion extending along the lateral direction and at an end portion of the longitudinal shape portion. A bent portion that bends and has a size in the longitudinal direction that is smaller than a size obtained by adding the length of the longitudinal shape portion and the length of the bent portion.
In addition, the longitudinally shaped portion only needs to be configured in a longitudinal shape along the lateral direction, and may be configured to extend without being curved in the lateral direction or substantially lateral direction, or may be configured to extend slightly curved. May be.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information reading device according to the second aspect, the bent portions of the feeding element and the parasitic element are bent in a predetermined direction from the longitudinal shape portion and are folded back. It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the bent portions of the power feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal shape section, and the power feeding element. And the direction in which the parasitic elements are arranged is bent along a plane direction parallel to both directions.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to the second or third aspect, each bent portion of the power feeding element and the non-feeding element is moved from the longitudinal shape portion to the reading portion side. It is characterized by being bent.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the arrangement area of the feeding element and the parasitic element in the front-rear direction is the antenna of the light receiving unit and the imaging unit in the front-rear direction. It is a position that avoids the arrangement area of the end portion on the side.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information reading device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the bent portion is provided at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion in each of the feeding element and the parasitic element. The light receiving means and the imaging means are arranged so as to avoid a pair of bent portions disposed at both ends of the power feeding element and the parasitic element.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the display unit is provided on one surface side of the exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging means. The arrangement region of the feeding element and the parasitic element in the front-rear direction is a position that avoids the arrangement region of the end portion on the antenna side of the display unit in the front-rear direction. .

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the display unit is provided on one surface side of the exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging unit. The bent portions are provided at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion in each of the feeding element and the parasitic element, and the display portion is provided at both ends of the feeding element and the parasitic element. It is characterized by being arranged so as to avoid a space between the pair of bent portions.

  The invention of claim 10 is the information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the display unit is arranged on one side of the outer case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging means. The feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged along one side, and are arranged so as to avoid an extended area extending along the one side from the display unit.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the parasitic element is disposed on a front side of the power feeding element, and the power feeding is performed. A reflector disposed on the rear side of the element, wherein the longitudinal shape portion of the waveguide is configured to be shorter than the longitudinal shape portion of the feeder element, and the longitudinal shape portion of the reflector Is configured to be longer than the longitudinal portion of the power feeding element.

The invention of claim 12 is the information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the feeding element and the parasitic element are provided on a flexible substrate,
The flexible substrate on which the feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged is integrally covered with an elastomer.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the flexible substrate has a curved configuration that is convex toward the reading unit side or the opposite side of the reading unit, The parasitic element is arranged in a curved shape along the curve of the flexible substrate.

  A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the information reading apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the reading section is provided on one end side of an exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging means. An antenna unit including the antenna is detachably attached to the exterior case.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading device according to the fourteenth aspect, a communication circuit that communicates with the wireless tag through the antenna is accommodated in the antenna unit.

  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the information reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein a readable angle by the optical reading means in a plane direction parallel to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The readable angle by the wireless reading unit is configured to be wider than the reading area by the optical reading unit, and the reading area by the wireless reading unit is configured to overlap. To do.

  In the invention of claim 1, since the optical reading means and the wireless reading means are provided in a single device, two types of information media (information code and wireless tag) having different reading methods can be used in a single device. Can be read. Further, the antenna constituting the wireless reading unit has a longitudinal feeding element and a parasitic element extending in a predetermined direction, and the feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction. In this way, electromagnetic waves can be more concentrated in the optical axis direction (front-rear direction) in the horizontal direction (surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction and the lateral direction) (that is, directivity can be improved). In the vertical direction, the degree of concentration can be made gentler than in the horizontal direction. That is, a wide reading area can be secured in the vertical direction in which the reading unit and the antenna are arranged, and the reading area is narrowed in the horizontal direction to increase the sensitivity of a predetermined area (an area corresponding to the reading direction of the optical reading unit). Therefore, reading can be performed efficiently, and the configuration is convenient for the operator.

  In the invention of claim 2, both the feeding element and the parasitic element are bent at the ends, and the size in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the size obtained by adding the length of the longitudinal shape portion and the length of the bending portion. It is configured. If it does in this way, a feed element and a parasitic element can be secured longer, and the size of the longitudinal direction (namely, the extension direction of each element) which is easy to be bulky can be made more compact. In addition, since the end portion of the element in which the current distribution is sparse is bent, it is possible to reduce the size while suppressing a decrease in gain.

  In the invention of claim 3, since each bent portion of the feeding element and the parasitic element is folded, it can be suppressed that the bent portion protrudes in a direction other than the longitudinal direction of each element, As a result, the entire antenna can be effectively reduced in size.

  In the invention of claim 4, each bent portion of the feed element and the parasitic element is a plane direction parallel to both the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal shape portion and the alignment direction of the feed element and the parasitic element (that is, Since it is bent along the horizontal direction), the bent portion can be accommodated along the surface direction, and bulkiness in directions other than the surface direction (for example, the vertical direction) can be effectively suppressed.

  In the invention of claim 5, the bent portions of the feeding element and the parasitic element are bent from the longitudinal shape portion to the reading portion side. In this case, the bent portion can be arranged using the region between the longitudinal shape portion and the reading portion or the vicinity thereof, so that the bent portion is not bulky and fits compactly.

  In the invention of claim 6, the arrangement area of the feed element and the parasitic element in the front-rear direction is a position that avoids the arrangement area of the end portion on the antenna side of the light receiving means and the imaging means in the front-rear direction. This configuration is intended to solve the gain reduction caused by the positional overlap of the feeding element and the parasitic element with the antenna side end portions of the light receiving means and the imaging means. The feeding element and the parasitic element are not easily affected by the light receiving means and the imaging means, and a decrease in gain due to the light receiving means and the imaging means can be effectively suppressed.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, the light receiving means and the imaging means are arranged so as to avoid between a pair of bent portions disposed at both ends of the feeding element and the parasitic element. In this way, it is possible to more effectively suppress the influence of the light receiving unit and the imaging unit on the feeding element and the parasitic element.

  In the invention of claim 8, the arrangement area of the feed element and the parasitic element in the front-rear direction is a position that avoids the arrangement area of the end of the display unit on the antenna side in the front-rear direction. This configuration is intended to solve the gain reduction caused by the position where the feeding element and the parasitic element overlap with the end of the display unit on the antenna side. According to the configuration of claim 8, The parasitic element is less susceptible to the influence of the display portion, and a decrease in gain due to the display portion, and hence a reduction in communication distance can be effectively suppressed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the display unit is disposed so as to avoid a space between the pair of bent portions disposed at both ends of the power feeding element and the parasitic element. If it does in this way, the influence which a display part has on a feed element and a parasitic element can be suppressed more effectively.

  In the invention of claim 10, the feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged avoiding the extended region of the display unit. If it does in this way, the influence which a display part has on a feed element and a parasitic element can be suppressed further.

  In the invention of claim 11, the longitudinal shape portion of the director is configured to be shorter than the longitudinal shape portion of the feed element, and the longitudinal shape portion of the reflector is configured to be longer than the longitudinal shape portion of the feed element. In this way, each longitudinal shape part where current distribution tends to concentrate can be set to an appropriate length, and a reduction in gain can be effectively suppressed.

  In the invention of claim 12, since the feeding element and the parasitic element are provided on the flexible substrate, the feeding element and the parasitic element can be satisfactorily covered while being arranged at appropriate positions. In addition, since the feeding element and the parasitic element are covered with the high dielectric constant elastomer, a wavelength shortening effect can be obtained, and the antenna can be reduced in size and density.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the invention, the flexible substrate has a curved configuration that is convex on the reading unit side or on the opposite side of the reading unit, and the feeding element and the non-feeding element are arranged in a curved form along the curvature of the flexible substrate. ing. If it does in this way, while the size of the longitudinal direction of a feed element and a parasitic element can be suppressed effectively, on the other hand, each element can be secured longer. Moreover, if it is set as the structure bent after integrating a feeder element and a parasitic element with a flexible substrate as mentioned above, it can curve favorably, arrange | positioning a feeder element and a parasitic element in an appropriate position. It becomes like this.

  In the invention of claim 14, the reading unit is provided on one end side of the exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging means, and the antenna unit including the antenna is detachably provided to the exterior case. . If it does in this way, since an antenna part can be attached or detached as needed, the convenience increases further.

  In the invention of claim 15, a communication circuit for communicating with the wireless tag through the antenna is accommodated in the detachable antenna unit. In this way, not only the antenna but also the communication circuit can be easily inspected, repaired, exchanged, and the convenience can be further enhanced.

  In the invention of claim 16, in the surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction and the longitudinal direction, the readable angle by the wireless reading unit is configured to be wider than the readable angle by the optical reading unit, so that the optical reading is performed. The reading area by the means and the reading area by the wireless reading means are configured to overlap. In this case, the direction in which the information reading device is directed when reading by the optical reading unit and the direction in which the information reading device is directed when reading by the wireless reading unit can be made substantially the same. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the direction greatly according to the reading method, and the configuration is easy to use. In addition, when an article with both an information code and a wireless tag is read, these can be read almost at the same time. Therefore, in such a situation, the reading operation can be facilitated and speeded up. Effectively.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an information reading apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the information reading apparatus 1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the information reading apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4A is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the information code reading unit 30, and FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an electrical configuration of the wireless tag processing unit 20 and the like. It is a block diagram. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of reading by the information reading apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 (viewed from above), and FIG. 6 shows a state of reading by the information reading apparatus 1 of FIG. It is explanatory drawing demonstrated from a different side (side). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 in the antenna unit 50. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state where the antenna unit 50 is viewed from one side, and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the antenna unit 50. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the antenna unit 50 is removed. FIG. 10 is a power directivity diagram for explaining the directivity of the antenna 51.

  The information reading apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a longitudinal appearance, and an almost half area (an area in the vicinity of the key operation unit 11) on one end side is set as a gripping area and is gripped by a user. However, it is configured to be used. The information reading device 1 is configured as, for example, a portable information terminal that is carried by a user and used in various places, and functions as an information code reader that reads an information code such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code. It has a function as a wireless tag reader for reading a tag, and can be read by two methods.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information reading apparatus 1 has an outer case constituted by a longitudinal outer case 2. The exterior case 2 accommodates various components (such as various electrical components), and is composed of, for example, a resin material, and is composed of a plurality of case bodies (for example, two case bodies including an upper case and a lower case). These are combined in a box-like form. The outer case 2 is configured as a reading unit 3 that extends in a predetermined direction in a form in which one end is bent and reads an information code. Specifically, the reading unit 3 extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal main body 4 (a portion other than the reading unit in the exterior case), and a reading port 3a that takes in reflected light from the information code at the end. Is formed. The reading port 3a has an opening that can take in light, and the opening is closed by a transparent member (for example, a transparent resin member).

  In the present embodiment, the direction parallel to the outer surface of the display unit 10 and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 1) of the information reading apparatus 1 (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) is defined as the width direction. Yes. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the information reading apparatus 1 is the vertical direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 2), and the side on which the display unit 10 is provided is the upper side, and the opposite side is the lower side. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, various components are attached in a form exposed from the outer case 2. For example, a display unit 10 including a small liquid crystal display unit is provided on the upper surface side, and a key operation unit 11 having an LED display unit and a plurality of operation keys 11a (numeric keys, function keys, etc.) is provided. Yes. A trigger switch 7 for reading instructions is provided on the side of the main body 4. Furthermore, a power switch 8, a notification LED 9, a speaker 12 (not shown in FIG. 1 and the like) and the like are provided on the upper surface of the main body 4.

  Furthermore, an antenna unit 50 is attached to the exterior case 2. The antenna unit 50 is detachably attached to the reading unit 3 of the outer case 2 and has a flat shape along the protruding direction of the reading unit 3. In addition, the antenna unit 50 is provided in a form that protrudes forward and backward in the reading direction (optical axis direction described later) by the reading unit 3. The specific configuration of the antenna unit 50 will be described later.

Next, an electrical configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, a control unit 8 that controls the entire information reading apparatus 1 is provided in the outer case 2 of the information reading apparatus 1. The control unit 8 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, has a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and can constitute an information processing apparatus together with the memory 13 and has an information processing function. ing. Further, a trigger switch 7 (not shown in FIG. 3), an LED 9, a display unit 10, a key operation unit 11, a speaker 12, an external interface 17 and the like are connected to the control unit 8. The trigger switch 7 and the key operation unit 11 are configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 receives the operation signal from these to perform an operation according to the content of the operation signal. It has become. The LED 9, the speaker 12, and the display unit 10 are configured to be controlled by the control unit 8 and are configured to operate in response to commands from the control unit 8. The external interface 17 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with the outside (for example, a host device), and is configured to perform communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 8. In addition, a battery 15 and a power source unit 16 serving as a power source are provided in the outer case 2, and power is supplied to the control unit 8 and various electric components by these.

In addition, a wireless tag processing unit 20 and an information code reading unit 30 are connected to the control unit 8.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the information code reading unit 30 includes a light receiving sensor 33 including a CCD area sensor, an imaging lens 37, an illumination unit 31 including a plurality of LEDs and lenses, and the like. And functions to read the information code C (bar code or two-dimensional code) attached to the reading object R in cooperation with the control unit 8. When reading is performed by the information code reading unit 30, first, the illumination light Lf is emitted from the illumination unit 31 that has been instructed by the control unit 8, and the illumination light Lf passes through the reading port 3 a (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The reading object R is irradiated therethrough. The reflected light Lr reflected from the illumination code Lf by the information code C (bar code or two-dimensional code) is taken into the apparatus through the reading port 3a, and is received by the light receiving sensor 33 through the imaging lens 37. The The imaging lens 37 disposed between the reading port 3a and the light receiving sensor 33 is configured to form an image of the information code C on the light receiving sensor 33. The light receiving sensor 33 is configured to image the information code C. The light reception signal corresponding to the is output. The light receiving signal output from the light receiving sensor 33 is stored as image data in the memory 13 (FIG. 3) and used for decoding processing. The information code reading unit 30 is provided with an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal from the light receiving sensor 33, an AD converter circuit that converts the amplified signal into a digital signal, and the like. Is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging lens 37 corresponds to an example of an “imaging unit”, and functions so that reflected light Lr that enters the apparatus via the reading port 3 a is imaged by the light receiving sensor 33. The information code reading unit 30 and the control unit 8 correspond to an example of an “optical reading unit” and function to read the information code C optically. In this embodiment, the optical axis direction of the imaging lens 37 corresponds to the reading direction of the optical reading unit, and in FIG. 4A and the like, the optical axis direction is indicated by a one-dot chain line L1. Further, the angle of view of the imaging lens 37 corresponds to “a readable angle of the optical reading unit”.

  The wireless tag processing unit 20 performs communication by electromagnetic waves with the wireless tag T (see FIGS. 5 and 6) in cooperation with the antenna 51 and the control unit 8, and reads data stored in the wireless tag T. Alternatively, it functions to write data to the wireless tag T. In the present embodiment, the antenna 51, the wireless tag processing unit 20, and the control unit 8 correspond to an example of “wireless reading unit”, and function to read information stored in the wireless tag T.

  The wireless tag processing unit 20 is configured as a circuit that performs transmission using a known radio wave system, and includes an oscillator 21, a modulator 22, a demodulator 23, and the like, as schematically shown in FIG. 4B. It will be. The RFID tag processing unit 20 is also provided with other known configurations (for example, an amplifier, a filter circuit, a matching circuit, etc.), but these are not shown in FIG. 4B.

The wireless tag processing unit 20 modulates the carrier wave generated by the oscillator 21 based on transmission data to be given to the wireless tag T (such as a read command or a write command issued from the control unit 8), and the modulated wave Is emitted from the antenna 51 to the wireless tag T. The wireless tag T that receives this receives the radio wave emitted from the antenna 51, demodulates it, and performs reading and writing. On the other hand, data transmission from the wireless tag T to the information reading device 1 is performed by using a radio wave emitted from the antenna 51 as a reflected wave and modulating it based on data to be transmitted from the wireless tag T. The radio wave reflected from the wireless tag T is received by the antenna 51, demodulated by the demodulator 23, and then used as data by the control unit 8.
The wireless tag processing unit 20 corresponds to an example of a “communication circuit” and functions to communicate with the wireless tag T through the antenna 51. Note that the RFID tag processing unit 20 (communication circuit) may be embedded in the antenna unit 50 as in the present embodiment, or may be disposed in the exterior case 2 (see the circuit configuration in FIG. 4C). ).

  As the RFID tag T to be read, an RFID tag T that includes a tag-side antenna for performing communication with the information reader 1 and an IC chip that holds data and generates a response signal can be cited. The IC chip incorporated in the wireless tag T includes, for example, a CPU that controls communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit that modulates and demodulates transmission / reception signals, a ROM that stores operation programs, and a read / write that stores data. One possible chip is a possible EEPROM. As the wireless tag T, various known devices that can be used in the radio wave system can be targeted. However, when the information reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used, both the information code C and the wireless tag T are attached. This is particularly advantageous when reading a finished article (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Since it is configured as described above, according to the information reading apparatus 1, optical reading of the information code C and reading / writing of data with respect to the wireless tag T can be realized by a single apparatus. In the information reading apparatus 1, the reading operation of the information code C and the reading operation or the writing operation with respect to the wireless tag T may be performed at different timings, or can be performed almost simultaneously (for example, Two types of reading can be realized by one reading operation). As a configuration in which the reading operation of the information code C and the reading operation or writing operation with respect to the wireless tag T are performed at different timings, for example, the user operates the key operation unit 11 to select one of the reading methods. In some cases, there is a configuration that switches to the selected reading method.

Next, the configuration of the antenna unit 50 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the antenna unit 50 is configured as a unit having an antenna 51 for performing wireless communication with the wireless tag T therein. The antenna unit 50 has a flat plate shape as a whole, and is disposed adjacent to the reading unit 3 so that the plate surface direction is along the extending direction of the reading unit 3. The antenna unit 50 is attachable to and detachable from the outer case 2 (see FIG. 9). Specifically, the antenna unit 50 is supported on the outer wall on the side opposite to the main body connecting side in the reading unit 3. ing.

  The antenna 51 accommodated in the antenna unit 50 is configured by a feeding element 54 that receives power supply and two parasitic elements 52 and 53 that do not receive power supply. The antenna 51 functions as a Yagi / Uda antenna (so-called Yagi antenna (registered trademark)), the feeding element 54 functions as a radiator, and the parasitic element 53 functions as a waveguide. The parasitic element 52 functions as a reflector.

  The feed element 54 functions in the same manner as a dipole antenna with linear elements arranged on both sides of the feed point from the RFID tag processing unit 20. The feed element 54 includes a longitudinal shape portion 54 a and bent portions 54 b and 54 c connected to the end of the longitudinal shape portion 54 a, and is a direction orthogonal to the overlapping direction of the antenna 51 and the reading portion 3. In addition, the image forming lens 37 is configured in a longitudinal shape extending along a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1.

  In the present invention, the optical axis direction L1 of the imaging lens 37 is the front-rear direction, the overlapping direction of the antenna 51 and the reading unit 3 is the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction are the horizontal direction. The element 54 has a longitudinal shape extending in the lateral direction. In each figure illustrating this embodiment, the front-rear direction is indicated by reference sign D1, and the horizontal direction is indicated by reference sign D2. In addition, the vertical direction is indicated by D3.

  The longitudinal shape portion 54a of the power feeding element 54 is composed of two linear portions disposed on both sides of the power feeding point, and is disposed in a form extending as a whole in the lateral direction D2. The longitudinal direction of the longitudinal shape portion 54a is orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1 of the imaging lens 37 (FIG. 4A), and is also orthogonal to the overlapping direction (vertical direction) of the antenna unit 50 and the reading unit 3. is doing. As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna unit 50 is arranged so that the overlapping direction (vertical direction D3) of the antenna unit 50 and the reading unit 3 and the thickness direction of the antenna unit 50 substantially coincide with each other. Yes.

  The bent portions 54b and 54c of the power feeding element 54 are integrally connected to the longitudinal shape portion 54a at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion 54a, respectively, and are arranged so as to be bent from each end portion. Both of these bent portions 54b and 54c are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal-shaped portion 54a and the direction in which the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are arranged (that is, the front-rear direction D1) (see FIG. 7 is bent along a plane parallel to the paper surface. The bent portion 54b is connected to an end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 54a and is connected to the orthogonal shape portion 54b ′ so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal shape portion 54a. The bent portion 54b is connected to the orthogonal shape portion 54b ′ and is parallel to the longitudinal shape portion 54a. The parallel portion 54b "is arranged at the end of the long shape portion 54a, and is bent in the direction opposite to the reading direction (the direction of the arrow F2 in FIG. 7) and folded back. As shown in FIG. 7, the arrangement shape of the end portion of the long-shaped portion 54a and the bent portion 54b is substantially U-shaped.

  The bent portion 54c is also the same as the bent portion 54b, and is connected to the end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 54a and orthogonal to the orthogonal shape portion 54a, and is connected to the orthogonal portion 54c ′. And a parallel portion 54c "arranged in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 54a, and is bent from the end of the longitudinal shape portion 54a in the direction opposite to the reading direction (the direction of the arrow F2) and folded back. The arrangement shape of the end portion of the longitudinal portion 54a and the bent portion 54c is also substantially U-shaped.

  Since the power feeding element 54 is configured as described above, the size in the longitudinal direction (that is, the total length W1) of the power feeding element 54 is substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal shape portion 54a, and the length of the longitudinal shape portion 54a and the bent portion. The size is reduced so as to be smaller than the size obtained by adding the lengths of 54b and 54c (that is, the length obtained by extending all the bent portions of the end portions).

  The parasitic element 53 that functions as a director is disposed on the reading side (that is, the front side) with respect to the feeding element 54. The parasitic element 53 is also formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the horizontal direction D2. The parasitic element 53 also includes a longitudinal portion 53a and bent portions 53b and 53c connected to the end of the longitudinal portion 53a. The longitudinal shape portion 53 a is configured in a straight line extending along the lateral direction D <b> 2, and is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 54 a of the power feeding element 54. Note that the longitudinal direction of the longitudinally shaped portion 53a is also orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1 of the imaging lens 37 (FIG. 4A), and the overlapping direction (vertical direction D3) of the antenna unit 50 and the reading unit 3. It is designed to be orthogonal.

  The bent portions 53b and 53c are integrally connected to the longitudinal shape portion 53a at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion 53a, respectively, and are arranged so as to be bent from each end portion. Any of these bent portions 53b and 53c is a plane direction parallel to both the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal-shaped portion 53a and the direction in which the feeding element 54a and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are arranged (that is, the front-rear direction D1). In FIG. 7, it is bent along a plane direction parallel to the paper surface. The bent portion 53b is connected to the end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 53a and is connected to the orthogonal shape portion 53b ′ so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal shape portion 53a, and is connected to the orthogonal shape portion 53b ′ and parallel to the longitudinal shape portion 53a. And is bent from the end of the long shape portion 53a to the reading side (arrow F1 side) and folded back. As shown in FIG. 7, the long shape portion 53a is formed. The arrangement shape of the end portion and the bent portion 53b is also substantially U-shaped.

  The bent portion 53c is the same as the bent portion 53b, and is connected to the orthogonal portion 53c ′ connected to the end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 53a and orthogonal to the longitudinal shape portion 53a, and connected to the orthogonal portion 53c ′. And a parallel portion 53c "arranged in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 53a, and is bent from the end of the longitudinal shape portion 53a to the reading side (arrow F1 side) and folded back. The arrangement shape of the end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 53a and the bent portion 53c is also substantially U-shaped.

  Since the parasitic element 53 is configured as described above, the size of the parasitic element 53 (that is, the total length W2) is substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal shape portion 53a, and the length of the longitudinal shape portion 53a is bent. It is made compact so that it may become smaller than the size which added the length of the part 53b, 53c (namely, the length which extended all the bending of the edge part).

  The parasitic element 52 functioning as a reflector is disposed on the side opposite to the reading side (that is, the rear side) with respect to the feeding element 54. The parasitic element 52 is also formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the horizontal direction D2. The parasitic element 52 also includes a longitudinal portion 52a and bent portions 52b and 52c connected to the end of the longitudinal portion 52a. The longitudinal shape portion 52 a is configured in a straight line extending along the lateral direction D <b> 2, and is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 54 a of the power feeding element 54. Note that the longitudinal direction of the longitudinally shaped portion 52a is also orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1 of the imaging lens 37 (FIG. 4A) and the direction in which the antenna unit 50 and the reading unit 3 overlap (vertical direction D3). It is designed to be orthogonal.

  The bent portions 52b and 52c are integrally connected to the longitudinal shape portion 52a at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion 52a, respectively, and are arranged so as to be bent from the respective end portions. Both of these bent portions 52b and 52c are surface directions parallel to both the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal-shaped portion 52a and the direction in which the feeding element 54a and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are arranged (that is, the front-rear direction D1). In FIG. 7, it is bent along a plane direction parallel to the paper surface. The bent portion 52b is connected to an end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 52a and is connected to the orthogonal shape portion 52b ′ so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal shape portion 52a, and is connected to the orthogonal shape portion 52b ′ and parallel to the longitudinal shape portion 52a. The parallel portion 52b "is arranged to be bent from the end of the long shape portion 52a to the side opposite to the reading side (arrow F2 side) and folded back as shown in FIG. The arrangement shape of the end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 52a and the bent portion 52b is also substantially U-shaped.

  The bent portion 52c is also the same as the bent portion 52b, and is connected to the orthogonal portion 52c ′ connected to the end of the longitudinal shape portion 52a and orthogonal to the longitudinal shape portion 52a, and connected to the orthogonal portion 52c ′. And a parallel portion 52c "arranged in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 52a. The end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 52a is bent to the side opposite to the reading side (arrow F2 side) and is folded back. Further, the arrangement shape of the end portion of the longitudinal shape portion 52a and the bent portion 52c is also substantially U-shaped.

  Since the parasitic element 52 is configured as described above, the size in the longitudinal direction (that is, the total length W3) is substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal shape portion 52a, and the parasitic element 52 is bent with the length of the longitudinal shape portion 52a. It is made compact so that it may become smaller than the size which added the length of the parts 52b and 52c (namely, the length which extended all the bending of the edge part).

  In the antenna unit 50, the central portion in the width direction at the end opposite to the reading side (that is, the end in the direction of the arrow F2) is configured as a recess 57. The recess 57 is cut out so as to be recessed toward the center of the antenna unit 50 along the plate surface direction of the antenna unit 50, and the information reader 1 is viewed in plan as shown in FIG. At the time (that is, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the display unit 10), the end portion 10a of the display unit 10 can be visually recognized through the cutout area AR of the recess 57. In addition, on both sides of the recess 57 (that is, on both sides of the cutout area AR), two projections 58a and 58b that project in the direction opposite to the reading direction are provided, and the projections 58a and 58b have the above-described inside. The bent portions 52b and 52c of the parasitic element 52 are embedded. The protrusions 58a and 58b protrude from one end position of the display unit 10 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 1) of the information reading device 1 (on the multi-end side in the longitudinal direction (the side opposite to the arrangement side of the antenna unit 50). ). That is, in the antenna unit 50, the protrusions 58a and 58b are arranged using regions on both sides in the width direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) of the display unit 10, and the bent parts 52b and 52c are such protrusions. It arrange | positions using the parts 58a and 58b.

  In the antenna 51 configured as described above, the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are arranged along the reading unit 3, and the arrangement direction of the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 is arranged. However, it is comprised so that it may become the direction (specifically, the direction parallel to the front-back direction D1) along the front-back direction D1. More specifically, the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are all arranged side by side so as to be positioned on a virtual plane parallel to the front-rear direction D1 and the lateral direction D2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are both provided on a flexible substrate 58 that can be bent and deformed, and are integrated with the flexible substrate 58. The flexible substrate 58 on which the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are arranged is covered with a covering member 59 made of an elastomer as shown in FIG. 8B, and is integrated with the covering member 59. In FIG. 8B, the power supply element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are not shown, but these elements are arranged on the flexible substrate 58 and sandwiched between the flexible substrate 58 and the covering member 59. It is molded in the form.

  The antenna unit 50 can be attached to and detached from the exterior case 2 as shown in FIG. Specifically, it is configured to be detachable from the outer wall of the reading unit 3, and the antenna unit 50 and the reading unit 3 are fixed by a connecting member such as a screw. In addition, connectors 61 and 62 are provided on the exterior case 2 and the antenna unit 50, respectively. When these connectors 61 and 62 are connected at the time of mounting, electrical components (such as the control unit 8) in the exterior case 2 are connected. In addition, electrical connection with electrical components (such as the wireless tag processing unit 20) in the antenna unit 50 is achieved.

  Further, in the information reading apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the readable angle θ2 by the wireless reading means is larger than the readable angle θ1 by the optical reading means in the plane direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the vertical direction D3. By being configured more widely, the reading area by the optical reading means and the reading area by the wireless reading means are configured to overlap. In the present embodiment, the angle of view of the imaging lens 37 in the plane direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the vertical direction D3 is θ1, and the half-value angle of the antenna 51 in the plane direction is θ2.

  In the information reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, directivity as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. FIG. 10 is a power directivity diagram for explaining the directivity of the antenna 51 used in the information reading apparatus 1 shown in this embodiment. FIG. 10A shows the vertical direction (both the front-rear direction D1 and the vertical direction D3). FIG. 6 is a directivity diagram with respect to (parallel plane direction). Further, (b) is a directivity diagram in the horizontal direction (surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the horizontal direction D2). (C) is a diagram in which (b) and (c) are superimposed.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, since the optical reading unit and the wireless reading unit are provided in a single device, two types of information media (information code C and wireless tag T) having different reading methods are provided in a single unit. It can be read by the device. Further, the antenna 51 constituting the wireless reading means has a longitudinal feeding element 54 and parasitic elements 52, 53 extending in a predetermined direction, and the feeding element 54 and parasitic elements 52, 53 are arranged in the front-rear direction D1. Are arranged side by side. In this way, electromagnetic waves can be more concentrated in the optical axis direction (front-rear direction D1) in the horizontal direction (surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the horizontal direction D2) (that is, directivity can be improved). In the vertical direction (surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the vertical direction D3), the degree of concentration can be made gentler than in the horizontal direction. That is, a wide reading area can be secured in the direction in which the reading unit 3 and the antenna 51 are arranged, and in the horizontal direction, the reading area is narrowed to increase the sensitivity of a predetermined area (an area corresponding to the reading direction of the optical reading unit). Therefore, reading can be performed efficiently, and the configuration is convenient for the operator.

  In addition, both of the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are bent at the ends, and the respective sizes in the longitudinal direction are smaller than the size obtained by adding the length of the longitudinal shape portion and the length of the bent portion. It is configured as follows. In this way, the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 can be secured longer, and the size in the longitudinal direction (that is, the extending direction of each element) that is easily bulky can be made more compact.

  Further, since the bent portions of the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are folded, it is possible to prevent the bent portion from projecting in a direction other than the longitudinal direction of each element. The entire antenna can be effectively downsized.

  In addition, the bent portions of the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are plane directions parallel to both the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal shape portion and the arrangement direction of the feeding element and the parasitic element (that is, Since it bends along the horizontal direction), the bent portion can be accommodated along the surface direction, and bulkiness in directions other than the surface direction (for example, the vertical direction) can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, since the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are provided on the flexible substrate 58, the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 can be satisfactorily covered while being arranged at appropriate positions. Further, since the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 are covered with the covering member 59 made of an elastomer having a high dielectric constant, the wavelength shortening effect can be obtained, and the antenna can be reduced in size and density. .

  The reading unit 3 is provided on one end side of the outer case 2 that houses the light receiving sensor 54 and the imaging lens 37, and the antenna unit 50 including the antenna 51 is detachably provided to the outer case 2. ing. If it does in this way, since an antenna part can be attached or detached as needed, the convenience increases further.

  An endless tag processing unit 20 (communication circuit) that communicates with the wireless tag T through the antenna 51 is housed in the detachable antenna unit 50. In this way, not only the antenna but also the communication circuit can be easily inspected, repaired, exchanged, and the convenience can be further enhanced.

  Further, in the plane direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D3, the readable angle θ2 by the wireless reading unit is configured to be wider than the readable angle θ1 by the optical reading unit, so that the optical reading unit And the reading area by the wireless reading means are configured to overlap each other. In this way, the direction in which the information reading apparatus 1 is directed when reading by the optical reading means and the direction in which the information reading apparatus 1 is directed when reading by the wireless reading means can be made substantially the same. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the direction greatly according to the reading method, and the configuration is easy to use. Further, when an article having both the information code C and the wireless tag T is read, these can be read almost at the same time. Therefore, in such a situation, the reading operation can be facilitated and quickly performed. Can be effectively achieved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically illustrating an information reading apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the information reading apparatus 200 of FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the information reading apparatus 200 of FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged view illustrating a part of FIG. FIG. 15A is an explanatory view for explaining the arrangement of the antenna 251 in the antenna unit 250, and FIG. 15B shows a form in which the bent portions of the respective elements are extended (form before being bent). It is explanatory drawing. FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration and arrangement of the antenna 251.

  The information reading apparatus 200 of the second embodiment differs from the information reading apparatus 1 of the first embodiment only in that an antenna unit 250 is provided instead of the antenna unit 50, and the information reading apparatus 200 other than the antenna unit 250 is the same as that of the first embodiment. It is the same. Therefore, components other than the antenna unit are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The electrical configuration is the same as in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the reading state and reading area in the information reading apparatus 200 are the same as those in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  The information reading apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment with respect to the outer case 2 and its internal configuration, and reflects reflected light from the information code C as shown in FIGS. A light receiving sensor 33 for receiving light, a reading port 3a having a reading port 3a for capturing reflected light at its end and extending in a predetermined direction, and reflected light entering the apparatus through the reading port 3a are received by the light receiving sensor 33. And an imaging lens 37 for imaging. In the present embodiment, the imaging lens 37 corresponds to an example of “imaging unit”. The information code reading unit 20 and the control unit 8 correspond to an example of an “optical reading unit” and function to optically read the information code C.

On the other hand, the information reading apparatus 200 of the present embodiment is provided with an antenna 251 having a shape and arrangement different from those of the first embodiment, and is configured to perform wireless communication with a wireless tag. The antenna 251 constitutes “wireless reading means” together with the wireless tag processing unit 20 and the control unit 8 (FIGS. 3 and 4) described in the first embodiment, and these store information stored in the wireless tag. It works to read. Note that the wireless tag processing unit 20 (communication circuit) may be embedded in the antenna unit 250 as in the first embodiment, or may be disposed in the exterior case 2 (see FIG. 4C).
Also in this embodiment, the optical axis direction L1 of the imaging lens 37 is the front-rear direction D1, the overlapping direction of the antenna 251 and the reading unit 3 is the vertical direction D3, and the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction D1 and the vertical direction D3 is the horizontal direction. D2.

Next, the antenna unit 250 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the antenna unit 250 includes a flat plate-like portion 255 and a pair of wall portions 256 and 257 that are bent from the plate-like portion 255. The plate-like portion 255 is fixed to and supported by the outer wall of the reading unit 3 (the outer wall on the side opposite to the main body 4) so that the plate surface direction is a direction along the extending direction of the reading unit 3. Are arranged adjacent to the reading unit 3. The pair of wall portions 256 and 257 are arranged on both sides of the reading unit 3 in the width direction so as to sandwich the reading unit 3 and partially cover the reading unit 3. The antenna unit 250 is also detachable from the outer case 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 15 (a), and 16, the antenna 251 includes a feeding element 254 that receives power supply and two parasitic elements 252 and 253. The structure embedded in the inside. The antenna 251 also functions as a Yagi / Uda antenna (so-called Yagi antenna (registered trademark)), the feeding element 254 functions as a radiator, and the parasitic element 253 functions as a waveguide. The parasitic element 252 functions as a reflector. As shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 16, both the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are formed in a longitudinal shape extending along the lateral direction D2, and further, these feeding elements are provided. The arrangement direction of the element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 is arranged so as to substantially coincide with the front-rear direction D1. Specifically, the longitudinal shape portion 254a (detailed later) of the power feeding element 254 and the longitudinal shape portions 252a and 253a (detailed later) of the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are both in the front-rear direction D1 and the lateral direction D2. Are arranged side by side so as to be located on a virtual plane parallel to.

  The feed element 254 functions in the same manner as a dipole antenna with linear elements arranged on both sides of the feed point from the RFID tag processing unit 20. The power feeding element 254 includes a longitudinal portion 254a and bent portions 254b and 254c connected to ends of the longitudinal portion 254a, and is configured in a longitudinal shape in a form extending along the lateral direction D2. Yes.

  The longitudinal part 254a of the power feeding element 254 is composed of two linear elongated parts arranged on both sides of the power feeding point, and is embedded in the plate-like part 255 in a form extending as a whole in the lateral direction D2. Since the longitudinal shape portion 254a is arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is the lateral direction D2, it is orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1 (that is, the front-rear direction D1) of the imaging lens 37 (FIG. 4A), In addition, the overlapping direction (vertical direction D3) between the antenna unit 250 and the reading unit 3 is also orthogonal. As shown in FIG. 13, the antenna unit 250 is arranged so that the overlapping direction (vertical direction D3) of the antenna unit 250 and the reading unit 3 and the thickness direction of the plate-like unit 255 substantially coincide with each other. ing.

  The bent portions 254b and 254c of the power feeding element 254 are integrally connected to the longitudinal shape portion 254a at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion 254a, respectively, and are arranged in a form that is bent with respect to the longitudinal shape portion 254a. . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 16, the bent portions 254 b and 254 c are bent at a right angle or a substantially right angle from the longitudinal shape portion 254 a toward the reading unit 3, and each bent portion 254 b, The extending direction of 254c is substantially coincident with the vertical direction D3. Further, the bent portions 254b and 254c are arranged in such a manner that the reading unit 3 is sandwiched between both sides of the outer case 2 (specifically, both sides in the width direction of the reading unit 3). In the example of the present embodiment, walls 256 and 257 are provided on both sides of the reading unit 3 by the covering member 259 made of an elastomer, and the respective bent portions are embedded in the walls 256 and 257, respectively. Portions 254b and 254c are arranged.

  Note that the lengths of the bent portions 254b and 254c are such that the tip positions of the bent portions 254b and 254c are longer than the end of the information code reading unit 30 (the end on the antenna unit 250 side) in the longitudinal direction D3. However, as shown in FIG. 14 and the like, the ends of the bent portions 254b and 254c are connected to the end portions of the information code reading unit 30 in the vertical direction D3 (on the antenna unit 250 side). It is advantageous in terms of miniaturization and the like if it is configured to be longer than the other end side (on the opposite side to the arrangement side of the antenna unit 250 in the exterior case 2).

  Since it is configured as described above, the feed element 254 has a longitudinal size (that is, a total length W21) that is substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal shape portion 254a, and the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. The size is reduced to be smaller than the size obtained by adding the length of the shape portion 254a and the length of the bent portions 254b and 254c (that is, the length W11 obtained by extending all the bent portions of the end portions).

  The parasitic element 253 that functions as a director is disposed on the reading side (that is, the front side) with respect to the feeding element 254. The parasitic element 253 is also formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the horizontal direction D2. The parasitic element 253 also includes a longitudinal portion 253a and bent portions 253b and 253c connected to the end of the longitudinal portion 253a. The longitudinal shape portion 253a is formed in an elongated and linear shape extending along the lateral direction D2, and is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 254a of the power feeding element 254. Since the longitudinal shape portion 253a is also arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is the lateral direction D2, it is orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1 (that is, the front-rear direction D1) of the imaging lens 37 (FIG. 4A). In addition, the overlapping direction (vertical direction D3) of the antenna unit 250 and the reading unit 3 is also orthogonal.

  The bent portions 253b and 253c of the parasitic element 253 are integrally connected to the longitudinal shape portion 253a at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion 253a, respectively, and are arranged in a form that is bent with respect to the longitudinal shape portion 253a. Yes. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 16, the bent portions 253 b and 253 c are bent at a right angle or a substantially right angle from the longitudinal shape portion 253 a toward the reading unit 3, and the bent portions 253 b, The extending direction of 253c substantially coincides with the vertical direction D3. Further, the bent portions 253b and 253c are arranged in such a manner that the reading unit 3 is sandwiched between both sides of the outer case 2 (specifically, both sides in the width direction of the reading unit 3). Further, these bent portions 253b and 253c are also arranged in a form of being embedded in the walls 256 and 257, respectively.

  Since the parasitic element 253 is configured as described above, the size in the longitudinal direction (that is, the total length W22) is substantially the same as the length of the longitudinal shape portion 253a, as shown in FIG. It is made compact so as to be smaller than the size obtained by adding the length of the longitudinal shape portion 253a and the length of the bent portions 253b and 253c (that is, the length W12 obtained by extending all the bent portions of the end portions).

  The parasitic element 252 that functions as a reflector is disposed on the side opposite to the reading side (that is, the rear side) with respect to the feeding element 254. The parasitic element 252 is also configured in a longitudinal shape extending along the horizontal direction D2. The parasitic element 252 also includes a longitudinal portion 252a and bent portions 252b and 252c connected to the end of the longitudinal portion 252a. The longitudinal shape portion 252a is formed in an elongated and linear shape extending along the lateral direction D2, and is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal shape portion 254a of the power feeding element 254. Since the longitudinal shape portion 252a is also arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is the lateral direction D2, it is orthogonal to the optical axis direction L1 (that is, the front-rear direction D1) of the imaging lens 37 (FIG. 4A). In addition, the overlapping direction (vertical direction D3) of the antenna unit 250 and the reading unit 3 is also orthogonal.

  The bent portions 252b and 252c of the parasitic element 252 are integrally connected to the longitudinal shape portion 252a at both ends of the longitudinal shape portion 252a, respectively, and are arranged in a form that bends with respect to the longitudinal shape portion 252a. Yes. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 16, the bent portions 252 b and 252 c are bent at a right angle or a substantially right angle from the longitudinal shape portion 252 a toward the reading unit 3, and the bent portions 252 b, The extending direction of 252c and the vertical direction D3 are substantially coincident. Further, the bent portions 252b and 252c are arranged so as to sandwich the reading unit 3 on both sides of the outer case 2 (specifically, both sides in the width direction of the reading unit 3). Further, these bent portions 252b and 252c are also arranged in a form embedded in the walls 256 and 257, respectively.

  Since the parasitic element 252 is configured as described above, the size of the parasitic element 252 (that is, the total length W23) is almost the same as the length of the longitudinal shape portion 252a, as shown in FIG. It is made compact so as to be smaller than the size obtained by adding the length of the longitudinal portion 252a and the length of the bent portions 252b and 252c (that is, the length W13 obtained by extending all the bent portions of the end portions).

  In FIG. 12, the embedding form in the wall portion 257 with respect to the bent portions 252c, 253c, 254c on one side is shown by broken lines, and in FIG. 14, the bent portions 252c, 253c, 254c on one side are shown. Although the arrangement position is virtually indicated by a two-dot chain line, the arrangement form of the bent portions 252b, 253b, and 254b on the other side is the same.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the arrangement area E1 of the feeding element 254 and the arrangement areas E2 and E3 of the parasitic elements 253 and 252 in the front-rear direction D1 are arranged on the antenna 251 side of the information code reading unit 30 in the front-rear direction D1. The position is such that the arrangement area G1 of the end 30b is avoided. That is, the arrangement area E1 of the feeding element 254 and the arrangement areas E2 and E3 of the parasitic elements 253 and 252 in the front-rear direction D1 are arranged on the antenna 251 side of the light receiving sensor 33 constituting the information code reading unit 30 in the front-rear direction D1. It is a position that avoids the arrangement region of the end portion and the arrangement region of the end portion of the imaging lens 27 on the antenna 251 side. Further, the information code reading unit 30 avoids between the bent portions 254b and 254c of the power supply element 254, between the bent portions 253b and 253c of the parasitic element 253, and between the bent portions 252b and 252c of the parasitic element 252. Placed in position. That is, the light receiving sensor 33 and the imaging lens 37 constituting the information code reading unit 30 are between the bent portions 254b and 254c of the power supply element 254, between the bent portions 253b and 253c of the parasitic element 253, and the parasitic element 252. It is arrange | positioned in the position which avoided between the bending parts 252b and 252c.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the arrangement region E1 of the feeding element 254 and the arrangement regions E2 and E3 of the parasitic elements 253 and 252 in the front-rear direction D1 are end portions on the antenna 251 side of the display unit 10 in the front-rear direction D1. The position is such that the arrangement area G2 of 10b is avoided. Further, the display unit 10 avoids the bent portions 254b and 254c of the feed element 254, the bent portions 253b and 253c of the parasitic element 253, and the bent portions 252b and 252c of the parasitic element 252. Is arranged. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the display unit 10 is provided along the one surface 2 a on the one surface 2 a side of the outer case 2, and the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are Further, the display unit 10 is disposed so as to avoid the extension region G3 extending along the one surface 2a from the display unit 10.

  15A includes three element elements 254 ′, 252 ′, and 253 ′ (FIG. 15B) that can function as a Yagi / Uda antenna (so-called Yagi antenna (registered trademark)). It is formed by bending. FIG. 15B shows a state in which the arrangement of the longitudinal shape portions of the feeding elements 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 and the arrangement interval of the feeding elements 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the bent portions of the power feeding elements 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are extended (in other words, the state before the bending). The antenna 251 used in the present embodiment has lengths W11, W12, W13 of the element elements 254 ′, 252 ′, 253 ′, and element elements so as to function as a Yagi antenna in the state shown in FIG. The arrangement intervals C1 and C2 of 254 ′, 252 ′, and 253 ′ (that is, the arrangement intervals C1 and C2 of the feed element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253) are adjusted.

  Note that various known methods can be employed for adjusting the length of the element for functioning as the Yagi antenna and adjusting the arrangement interval. For example, the length W11 of the element element 254 ′ with respect to the feeding element 254 is set as an example. The length W12 of the element element 253 ′ of the parasitic element 253 is slightly shorter than λ / 2 (ie, in the example of FIG. 15B), which is about a half of the wavelength λ (that is, W11 = λ / 2). The length W13 of the element element 252 ′ of the parasitic element 252 is slightly longer than λ / 2 (slightly longer in the example of FIG. 15), and the element intervals C1 and C2 are added. By setting the interval to, for example, about 0.4λ to 0.5λ, the configuration of FIG. 15B functions suitably as a Yagi antenna.

  The antenna 251 uses the element elements 254 ′, 252 ′, and 253 ′ as described above, and arranges the element elements 254 ′, 252 ′, and 253 ′ at the intervals as described above, and the element elements 254 ′ and 252. This is realized by bending the end of '253'. The bending length of each bent portion 254b, 254c, 252b, 252c, 253b, 253c is the length of the long-shaped portion 253a of the parasitic element 253 functioning as a director (ie, W22). The length of the longitudinal shape portion 252a of the parasitic element 252 that is configured to be shorter than the length of the longitudinal shape portion 254a (ie, W21) and functions as a reflector (ie, W23) is the length of the longitudinal shape portion 254a of the feed element 254. It is longer than (W21). More specifically, the length ratio W12: W11: W13 of the element elements 253′254′252 ′ and the length ratio W22: W21: W23 of each longitudinally shaped portion are configured to be equal. .

  Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are integrally covered with a covering member 259 made of an elastomer. As a covering form, for example, the power supply element 254 and the parasitic element 253 are provided on the flexible substrate in the same manner as in the first embodiment (for example, the long shape portions 254a, 253a, and 252a are formed on a single flexible substrate. After the arrangement, a form of molding with the covering member 259 can be cited (in FIG. 13 and the like, the flexible substrate is not shown).

  In addition, the information reading apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same characteristics as the first embodiment in terms of the optically readable angle and the readable angle by wireless communication. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the plane direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D3, the wireless reading angle θ1 (specifically, the angle of view of the imaging lens 37) by the optical reading unit is wireless. Since the readable angle θ2 (specifically, the half-value angle) by the reading unit is configured to be wider, the reading area by the optical reading unit and the reading area by the wireless reading unit are configured to overlap.

The configuration of this embodiment also has basically the same effect as that of the first embodiment.
That is, since the optical reading means and the wireless reading means are provided in a single device, two types of information media (information code and wireless tag) having different reading methods can be read by the single device. Further, the antenna 251 constituting the wireless reading means has a longitudinal feeding element 254 and parasitic elements 252 and 253 extending in a predetermined direction, and the feeding element 254 and parasitic elements 252 and 253 are arranged in the front-rear direction ( They are arranged side by side in the optical axis direction of the imaging lens 37. In this way, electromagnetic waves can be more concentrated in the optical axis direction (that is, directivity can be increased) in the horizontal direction (surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the horizontal direction D2), and the vertical direction. With respect to (a surface direction parallel to both the front-rear direction D1 and the vertical direction D3), the degree of concentration can be made gentler than in the horizontal direction. That is, a wide reading area can be secured in the vertical direction in which the reading unit 3 and the antenna 251 are arranged, and the reading area is narrowed in the horizontal direction to increase the sensitivity of a predetermined area (an area corresponding to the reading direction of the optical reading unit). Therefore, reading can be performed efficiently, and the configuration is convenient for the operator.

  In addition, both the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are bent at the ends, and the size in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the size obtained by adding the length of the longitudinal shape portion and the length of the bending portion. It is configured. If it does in this way, a feed element and a parasitic element can be secured longer, and the size of the longitudinal direction (namely, the extension direction of each element) which is easy to be bulky can be made more compact. In addition, since the end portion of the element in which the current distribution is sparse is bent, it is possible to reduce the size while suppressing a decrease in gain.

  In addition, the bent portions of the power feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are bent from the longitudinal shape portion to the reading unit 3 side. In this way, the bent portion can be arranged using the region between each longitudinally shaped portion and the reading unit 3 or a region in the vicinity thereof, so that the bent portion is not bulky and fits in a compact manner.

  In addition, the arrangement area of the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 in the front-rear direction D1 is a position that avoids the arrangement area of the end 30b on the antenna side of the information code reading unit 30 in the front-rear direction D1 (that is, the information code The position of the light receiving sensor 33 and the imaging lens 37 constituting the reading unit 30 is a position that avoids the arrangement region on the antenna side. This configuration is intended to solve the gain reduction caused by the positional overlap of the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 with the antenna-side end 30b of the information code reading unit 30. For example, the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are not easily affected by the information code reading unit 30 (that is, the influence of the light receiving sensor 33, the imaging lens 37, etc.), and the gain is reduced due to the information code reading unit 30. As a result, a decrease in communication distance can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, the information code reading unit 30 is disposed so as to avoid between a pair of bent portions disposed at both ends of the power feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253. Thus, the influence of the information code reading unit 30 on the power feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 (that is, the light receiving sensor 33 and the imaging lens 37 constituting the information code reading unit 30 are fed to the power feeding element 254 and the parasitic power supply. (Effects on the elements 252 and 253) can be more effectively suppressed.

  In addition, the arrangement area of the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 in the front-rear direction D1 is a position that avoids the arrangement area of the end portion 10b on the antenna side of the display unit 10 in the front-rear direction D1. This configuration is intended to solve the gain reduction caused by the positional overlap between the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 with the antenna side end portion 10b of the display unit 10, and according to the configuration, The feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are not easily affected by the display unit 10, and a decrease in gain due to the display unit 10 and a reduction in communication distance can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, the display unit 10 is disposed so as to avoid a space between a pair of bent portions disposed at both ends of the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253. If it does in this way, the influence which the display part 10 has on the electric power feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 can be suppressed more effectively. Further, the feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 are arranged so as to avoid the extended region of the display unit 10. In this way, the influence of the display unit 10 on the power feeding element 254 and the parasitic elements 252 and 253 can be further suppressed.

  In addition, the longitudinal shape portion 253a of the parasitic element 253 that functions as a director is configured to be shorter than the longitudinal shape portion 254a of the feed element 254, and the longitudinal shape portion 252a of the parasitic element 252 that functions as a reflector is the feed element. 254 is configured to be longer than the longitudinal shape portion 254a (more specifically, the length ratio W12: W11: W13 of the element elements and the length ratio W22: W21: W23 of each longitudinal shape portion) Configured to be equal). In this way, it is possible to set the length-shaped portion where the current distribution tends to concentrate to an appropriate length, and to effectively suppress a decrease in gain.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the power supply element and the parasitic element extend in the lateral direction. However, the power supply element and the parasitic element may extend slightly curved like the antenna unit 350 in FIG. FIG. 17 illustrates a curved configuration in which the flexible substrate 358 is convex on the side opposite to the reading unit 3 (more specifically, a curved configuration with the central portion in the width direction as the top), and the longitudinal direction excluding the vicinity of the concave portion 357. Almost the entire cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. The feeding element 354 and the parasitic elements 352 and 353 are arranged in a curved shape along the curve of the flexible substrate 358, and in particular, the longitudinal shape portions 354a, 352a and 353a are configured to be curved. In the example of FIG. 17, the flexible substrate 358 is arranged in a curved manner, and the feeding element 54 and the parasitic elements 52 and 53 shown in FIG. 7 are arranged in a curved manner along the curvature of the substrate. A point where the feeding element 354 and the parasitic element 352 and 353 are used, and a covering member 359 (elastomer) is provided in a curved shape corresponding to the curved form of the flexible substrate 358, the feeding element 354 and the parasitic element 352 and 353. Only the difference from the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.
In the case of FIG. 17, while the size of the feeding element 354 and the parasitic elements 352 and 353 in the longitudinal direction is effectively suppressed, each element can be secured longer. In addition, if the power supply element 354 and the parasitic elements 352 and 353 are integrated with the flexible substrate 358 and bent as described above, the power supply element 354 and the parasitic elements 352 and 353 are displaced. It is difficult to bend well while arranging these elements at appropriate positions.

  In the said embodiment, although the structure containing all a feed element (radiator), a director, and a reflector was illustrated, you may abbreviate | omit a director or a reflector. For example, the antenna 451 may be configured by only the feeding element 54 and the parasitic element 52 as a reflector disposed behind the feeding element 54 as in the antenna unit 450 of FIG. 18 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Such an idea can also be applied to the second embodiment. For example, a waveguide is omitted from the antenna 251 as shown in FIGS. 15A and 16, and a parasitic element as a reflector is used. The antenna may be configured by only 252 and a power feeding element 254 as a radiator.

  Alternatively, as in the antenna unit 550 in FIG. 19, the antenna 551 may be configured by only the feeding element 54 and the parasitic element 53 as a waveguide disposed on the front side thereof. Note that the feeding element 54 and the parasitic element 53 in FIG. 19 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Such an idea can also be applied to the second embodiment. For example, a reflector is omitted from the antenna 251 as shown in FIGS. 15A and 16, and a parasitic element as a director is used. The antenna may be configured only by H.253 and the feeding element 254 as a radiator.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which one director and one reflector are provided is illustrated, but a plurality of either or both of these directors and reflectors may be provided. For example, a plurality of waveguides and reflectors shown in the first and second embodiments having the same configuration may be provided.

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating the information reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the information reading apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the information reading apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4A is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of the information code reading unit, and FIG. 4B is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of the wireless tag processing unit and the like. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of reading by the information reading apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of reading by the information reading apparatus of FIG. 1 from a direction different from that in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of the feeding elements and the parasitic elements in the antenna unit. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the antenna unit as viewed from one side, and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the antenna unit. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the antenna unit is removed. FIG. 10 is a power directivity diagram illustrating the directivity of the antenna. FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically illustrating an information reading apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the information reading apparatus in FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the information reading apparatus of FIG. 11, and schematically shows a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view illustrating a part of FIG. 13 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of antennas in the antenna unit of the information reading apparatus in FIG. 11, and FIG. 15B is a form in which the bent portions of the elements are extended (form before being bent). It is explanatory drawing explaining these. FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration and arrangement of the antenna of the information reading apparatus in FIG. FIG. 17 shows Modification 1 of the antenna unit, (a) is a view of the antenna unit according to Modification 1 as viewed from one side in the vertical direction, and (b) is a cross section of the antenna unit. FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second modification of the antenna unit. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a third modification of the antenna unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,200 ... Information reader 2 ... Exterior case 3 ... Reading part 3a ... Reading port 8 ... Control part (wireless reading means, optical reading means)
20 ... wireless tag processing unit (communication circuit, wireless reading means)
30: Information code reading unit (optical reading means)
33 ... Light receiving sensor 37 ... Imaging lens (imaging means)
50, 250, 350, 450, 550 ... antenna unit 51,251,351,451,551 ... antenna (wireless reading means)
52, 53, 252, 253, 352, 353 ... parasitic element 52a, 53a, 252a, 253a, 352a, 353a ... longitudinal shape part 52b, 52c, 53b, 53c, 252b, 252c, 253b, 253c ... bent part 54, 254, 354 ... Feeding elements 54a, 254a, 354a ... Longitudinal shaped parts 54b, 54c, 254b, 254c ... Bent parts 58, 358 ... Flexible substrates 59, 259, 359 ... Covering members (elastomers)
C ... Information code T ... Wireless tag

Claims (16)

A light receiving sensor for receiving reflected light from the information code, a reading port for receiving the reflected light at the end and a reading unit extending in a predetermined direction, and the light entering the apparatus through the reading port An image forming means for forming an image of reflected light by the light receiving sensor; and an optical reading means comprising:
A wireless reader that includes an antenna that performs wireless communication with the wireless tag, and that reads at least information stored in the wireless tag;
An information reading apparatus comprising:
The antenna is
A feed element that is arranged along the reading unit and receives power supply; and at least one parasitic element.
When the optical axis direction of the imaging means is the front-rear direction, the overlapping direction of the antenna and the reading unit is the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction are the horizontal direction, Each of the parasitic elements is configured in a longitudinal shape in a form extending along the lateral direction,
Furthermore, the power supply element and the parasitic element are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction. Both the feeding element and the parasitic element,
A longitudinal portion extending along the lateral direction, and a bent portion that bends at an end of the longitudinal portion;
2. The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size in a longitudinal direction is configured to be smaller than a size obtained by adding a length of the longitudinal shape portion and a length of the bent portion.   The information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bent portions of the power feeding element and the parasitic element are bent in a predetermined direction from the longitudinal shape portion and are turned back.   The bent portions of the feeding element and the parasitic element are bent along a plane direction parallel to both the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal shape portion and the arrangement direction of the feeding element and the parasitic element. The information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information reading apparatus is provided.   4. The information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bent portions of the feeding element and the parasitic element are bent from the longitudinal shape portion toward the reading portion. 5.   An arrangement region of the feeding element and the parasitic element in the front-rear direction is a position that avoids an arrangement region of the antenna-side end of the light receiving unit and the imaging unit in the front-rear direction. The information reading apparatus according to claim 5. The bent portion is provided at both ends of the longitudinal portion in each of the feeding element and the parasitic element,
The said light-receiving means and the said image formation means are arrange | positioned avoiding between a pair of said bending parts arrange | positioned at each both ends of the said electric power feeding element and the said non-power feeding element, The Claim 5 or Claim characterized by the above-mentioned. Item 7. The information reading device according to Item 6. A display unit is provided on one side of an exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging means;
6. The arrangement region of the feeding element and the parasitic element in the front-rear direction is a position that avoids the arrangement region of the end of the display unit on the antenna side in the front-rear direction. The information reading device according to claim 7. A display unit is provided on one side of an exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging means;
The bent portion is provided at both ends of the longitudinal portion in each of the feeding element and the parasitic element,
The said display part is arrange | positioned avoiding between the pair of said bending parts arrange | positioned at each both ends of the said electric power feeding element and the said parasitic element, The any one of Claims 5-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The information reading apparatus according to one item. A display unit is provided along the one side of the outer case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging unit,
10. The device according to claim 5, wherein the feeding element and the parasitic element are disposed so as to avoid an extended region extending along the one surface from the display unit. 11. The information reading apparatus described. As the parasitic element, a director disposed on the front side of the feeder element and a reflector disposed on the rear side of the feeder element are provided,
The longitudinal shape portion of the waveguide is configured to be shorter than the longitudinal shape portion of the feed element, and the longitudinal shape portion of the reflector is configured to be longer than the longitudinal shape portion of the feed element. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein: The feeding element and the parasitic element are provided on a flexible substrate,
The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the flexible substrate on which the power feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged is integrally covered with an elastomer. The flexible substrate has a curved configuration that is convex on the reading unit side or on the opposite side of the reading unit,
The information reading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the feeding element and the parasitic element are arranged in a curved shape along a curvature of the flexible substrate. The reading unit is provided on one end side of an exterior case that houses the light receiving sensor and the imaging unit,
The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an antenna unit including the antenna is detachably attached to the exterior case.   The information reading apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a communication circuit that communicates with the wireless tag through the antenna is accommodated in the antenna unit.   By the optical reading means, the readable angle by the wireless reading means is configured to be wider than the readable angle by the optical reading means in a plane direction parallel to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a reading area and a reading area by the wireless reading unit are configured to overlap each other.

Images