JP2010152928A - Barcode scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely read a code symbol. <P>SOLUTION: In a barcode reader 100 provided with: a box-shaped housing 110 provided with an opening part 113 at the side of an imaging area F where an article with a barcode attached thereto is arranged; an imaging device 120 provided with an imaging substrate 121 with a CCD imaging element and an imaging lens 122; and an illumination board 130 to output an image signal to an image processing board 140 for extracting and analyzing an image of the barcode from the image signal to acquire an article code, a surface plate 111a is arranged on the side closest to the imaging area of the housing 110, a recessed providing part 160 with the opening part 113 at a deep part of around the center part of the surface plate 111a is formed, the illumination board 130 is arranged inside the opening part 113 and outside the imaging area F to illuminate the entire imaging area F, and the imaging device 120 is set in such a manner that a lens side boundary Pc of a readable area A where the image processing board 140 can read the barcode almost coincides with the arrangement position of the surface plate 111a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a barcode scanner.

  As a code symbol reading device that acquires an image of a code symbol attached to a product and outputs product data, there is one using an area image sensor such as a CCD image pickup device. Such a code symbol reader extracts image information of a target barcode from image data obtained by a CCD image sensor, and analyzes the image information to obtain product data.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional code symbol reader. The code reading device 200 is arranged on the imaging region F side where the product is arranged, and is arranged in combination with the front side cover member 211 having the imaging opening 213 opened and the front side cover member 211 on the side opposite to the imaging region. And a box-shaped casing 210 formed of the back and front side cover member 212.

  An imaging device 220 that images the imaging area F, an illumination board 230 that illuminates the imaging area, and an image processing board 240 are arranged in the housing 210, and the barcode attached to the product is displayed. The image data is imaged by the imaging device 220, the image product data is analyzed by the image processing board 240, and the product data is output. The opening 213 is covered with a plate-shaped transparent cover 250.

  The image pickup apparatus 220 includes an image pickup substrate 221 including a CCD image pickup element (not shown) that is an area image sensor and a drive circuit (not shown) for the CCD image pickup element, and the image pickup region F in the CCD image pickup element. And an imaging lens 222 for forming the image.

  In addition, the illumination board 230 has an opening 232 where the imaging lens 222 faces at the center thereof, and includes a plurality of LED light emitting elements 231 that irradiate the imaging region F with illumination light around the opening 223. Further, the image processing board 240 extracts and analyzes the barcode area from the product image data output from the imaging substrate 221 to acquire and output the product code.

  In such a code reading device 200, the casing 210 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the transparent cover 250 covers the opening 213 on the back side of the surface 211 a closest to the imaging region F of the front cover member 211. Is arranged. The illumination board 230 is provided with an imaging opening 232 of the imaging lens 222 and is disposed on the imaging region F side so that the LED light emitting element 231 is positioned inside the opening 213. The light emitted from 231 is applied to the illumination region I including the range of the imaging region F.

  The barcode of the product arranged in the imaging area F is captured by the imaging device 220, and the image processing board 240 extracts the image data of the code symbol from the image data of the product acquired by the imaging device 220, and this image data To obtain the product code.

  Thus, as a code symbol reading device including an area sensor, Patent Document 1 discloses that a plurality of LEDs that emit irradiation light on a bar code symbol and reflected light from the bar code symbol are connected via a light receiving lens. CCDs to be imaged, and each LED irradiation part is covered with an LED cap for diffusion so that the irradiation light from each LED forms a uniform irradiation distribution surface on the barcode symbol. It describes what has diffusion characteristics for diffusing the irradiation light.

  By the way, in the conventional code symbol reader, from the viewpoint of cost reduction, the imaging lens 222 is often set to a fixed focus. In such a case, the captured image is so-called depending on the arrangement position of the code symbol in the imaging region F. It will be “out of focus”. From the viewpoint of resolution, the blur of the photographed image becomes maximum at the focal position P1 of the lens and decreases before and after that as shown in FIG.

  In the barcode analysis on the image processing board 240, the analysis cannot be performed when the image data to be processed has a resolution equal to or lower than the predetermined value d, and the product code cannot be output.

  For this reason, the bar code readable area A1 is a predetermined area between the lens side limit Pc1 and the anti-lens side limit Pf1 located across the focal position P. Usually, the focal length of the imaging lens 222 of the imaging device 220 is selected so that the readable area A1 is at a position where it is easy to place a product. That is, the product is selected so as to be most easily placed at the in-focus position P.

  The area outside the readable area A1, the outer area B1 of the anti-lens side limit Pf1, and the inner area C1 from the inner side of the lens side limit Pc1 to the surface of the front cover member 211 are arranged with low resolution. The bar code cannot be read. Looking at this on the lens side limit Pc1 side, the lens side limit Pc1 closer to the lens in the readable area A1 is located at a position away from the casing 210 and the product is arranged at a position close to the casing 210. Will not be able to parse the barcode.

  By the way, in such a code symbol reading device, when the reading of the barcode attached to the product is unsuccessful, the operator again places the product in the photographing area of the code symbol reading device and reads the barcode. Make it. At this time, since the position of the readable area A1 in the imaging area is not clear in the conventional code symbol reader, the operator cannot place the product in the readable area A1 again, and the reading is possible again. May be unsuccessful.

  In such a retry, if the product can be reliably read when the product is placed near the housing of the code symbol reader, the operator can place the product close to the housing of the barcode reader. The barcode can be read simply by placing it at the position. Therefore, a code symbol reading device that can reliably read a barcode when a product is arranged at a position close to the casing of the code symbol reading device is desired.

  As such a code symbol reading device, the following can be assumed as the one capable of reading the barcode even in the vicinity of the housing by selecting the focal length of the imaging lens of the imaging device. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a modification of the conventional code symbol reader.

  The code symbol reading device 300 according to this example includes the same housing 310, the imaging substrate 321, the illumination board 330, the image processing board 340, and the transparent cover 350 as the above-described code reading device 200, and the focal length of the imaging lens 322 is set as described above. The focal point position P <b> 2 is made closer to the front cover member 311 of the housing 310 than the imaging lens 222.

  The lens side limit Pc2 is made to substantially coincide with the position of the surface 311a on the imaging region side of the front cover member 311 so that the barcode can be read even if a product is placed near the housing 210.

  However, if the focal length of the imaging lens 322 is shortened in this way, the readable area A2 becomes narrow due to the characteristics of the lens as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing another modification of the conventional code symbol reader. The code reading device 400 includes a housing 410 including a front cover member 411 having an opening 413 and a back cover member 412, an imaging device 420, an illumination board 430, an image processing board 440, and a transparent cover 450. The imaging device 420 has the same specifications as the imaging device 220 described above, and the positional relationship of the illumination board 430 is the same as that of the code reading device 200 according to the first example described above, while the position of the imaging substrate 421 is set. The lens side limit Pc3 of the readable area A3 is changed to match the surface of the front cover member 411.

  That is, in the code reading apparatus 400 of this example, the image pickup apparatus 420 is moved to a position away from the front cover member 411, and the readable area A3 is secured.

  However, in such a code reading device 400, it is necessary to open a large opening 432 in the center of the illumination board 430, and the LED light emitting element 431 needs to be arranged outside the opening 432. For this reason, in the vicinity of the front cover member 411, a region D where light does not hit the central portion of the illumination region occurs, and in this region D, illumination light does not hit the placed product, and barcode imaging cannot be performed. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a barcode scanner that can read a code symbol of a product in a wide range including the vicinity of a housing and can reliably read the code symbol. For the purpose.

  Means for solving the above-described problems in the present invention includes a front-side position demarcating section that demarcates a side on which a commodity with a code symbol to be read is placed, and the commodity of the front-side position delimiting section A concave portion formed in a concave shape toward the side opposite to the side where the concave portion is disposed, an opening established in the back of the concave portion, and a transparent cover disposed in the opening An image pickup board that includes an area image sensor and converts the image into an electrical signal, and a lens in a readable area of the code symbol from which the code symbol can be analyzed. An imaging device that includes an imaging lens that is selected so that a side limit is substantially coincident with the front-side position demarcating portion and forms an image of the imaging region on the area image sensor, and that captures a code symbol through the opening An illumination device that illuminates the entire area of the imaging region and is disposed outside the imaging region of the imaging device, and is coded from an image signal output by the imaging substrate A bar code reader that outputs an image signal to an image processing device that extracts an image signal of a symbol, analyzes the extracted image signal, and outputs a product code; and a display provided above the bar code reader; And a keyboard provided above the bar code reader, and a soccer stand on which the bar code reader is erected and on which a basket containing merchandise is placed.

  According to the present invention, the readable area can be a wide range including the vicinity of the side surface of the imaging area of the casing, and the code symbol can be reliably detected only by placing the product close to the casing when reading the code symbol. Therefore, the code symbol can be read easily and intuitively.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a barcode scanner using a scanner device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the scanner device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional scanner device. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional scanner device. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional scanner device.

  A code reader according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this example, a vertical barcode scanner will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a barcode scanner according to an embodiment. The bar code scanner 10 has an elevating function for changing the height of the bar code reader 100 so that an operator can easily perform a reading operation. As shown in FIG. 1, the barcode scanner 10 is erected on a soccer base 11 (or a counter base) on which a basket or the like into which goods are put is placed. The bar code scanner 10 is provided with a pair of support columns 13 each having a guide groove 12 and a bar code reader 100 that is a code reader that is guided along the guide groove 12 so as to be movable up and down. A display 16 and a keyboard 17 are provided above the bar code reader.

  In the barcode scanner 10 according to this example, an operator places a product in front of the barcode reader 100 and reads a barcode attached to the product.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the scanner device according to the present invention. The barcode reading apparatus 100 is formed by a front side cover member 111 arranged on the imaging region F side where the product is arranged, and a front and back side cover member 112 arranged in combination on the side opposite to the imaging region of the front side cover member 111. The box-shaped housing 110 is provided.

  In this case 110, the barcode area is extracted from the image data of the product acquired by the imaging device 120, the illumination board 130 that is an illumination device that irradiates the imaging region F with illumination light, and the CCD image sensor, and the product And an image processing board 140 which is an image processing apparatus for acquiring a code.

  In the front cover member 111, a surface plate 111a as a front side position demarcating portion located closest to the imaging region in the housing is disposed on the imaging region F side, and a central portion of the surface plate 111a is directed inward. A recessed portion 160 is formed. The recessed portion 160 is formed with a quadrangular pyramid wall whose cross-sectional area decreases toward the back, and an opening 113 is formed in the innermost portion of the recessed portion 160. A transparent cover 150 is disposed on the back and front cover member 112 side of the opening 113.

  The imaging apparatus 120 includes an imaging substrate 121 having a CCD imaging device that is an area image sensor and a drive circuit for the CCD imaging device, and an imaging lens 122 having a focal length f that forms an image of the imaging region F on the CCD imaging device. It consists of.

  The illumination board 130 is disposed on the back side of the opening 113 and has an opening 133 for photographing. A plurality of LEDs are provided around the opening 133 and in the opening of the opening 113. The light emitting element 131 is formed so as to surround the opening 133, and irradiates light to the illumination area I wider than the imaging area F of the imaging device 120.

  Here, the bar code readable area A on the image processing board 140 is an area where the resolution of the image captured by the imaging device 120 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value d as described above, as shown in FIG. This is a region between the lens side limit Pc and the anti-lens side limit Pf located across the focal point P. The readable area A is determined by the specifications of the imaging device 120 such as the element pitch of the CCD imaging device, the focal length f of the imaging lens 122, and the arrangement position of the imaging device 120 on the housing 110.

  In this example, the barcode readable area A is set such that the position of the lens side limit Pc substantially coincides with the position of the surface plate 111 a of the front cover member 111. In this example, the readable area A is set to be a sufficiently wide area including the arrangement position of the surface plate 111a (that is, the lens side limit Pc).

  Here, the sufficiently wide area is a range in which the product can be placed without being aware of the special readable area A when the operator places the product. In this example, the distance a from the arrangement position of the surface plate 111a (ie, the lens side limit Pc) to the anti-lens side limit Pf is about 150 mm, the distance a1 from the focal position P to the anti-lens side limit Pf is about 100 mm, and the lens side The distance a2 to the limit Pc is about 50 mm.

  Further, the positional relationship between the lens side limit Pc and the surface plate 111a is determined by the focal length f of the imaging lens 122 and the arrangement position of the imaging device 120 in the housing 110. In this example, the distance b from the end surface of the imaging lens 122 to the in-focus position P under the above condition is about 110 mm. Further, the shape and depth dimension of the recessed portion 160 are selected so as not to obstruct the shooting of the imaging device 120 and the illumination of the lighting board 130 in consideration of the arrangement positions of the imaging device 120 and the illumination board 130. Is done.

  Therefore, in the barcode reading apparatus 100 according to the present example, the barcode can be read by placing the product in a wide range including the position close to the placement position of the surface plate 111a. Further, in this example, since the imaging area F is included in the illumination area I of the illumination board 130, an area where the light of the illumination board 130 is not irradiated does not occur in the imaging area F. Further, in this example, the housing 110 is provided with the recessed portion 160, and the transparent cover 150 is disposed in the opening 113 formed at the back of the recessed portion 160. The possibility of touching 110 is low, and there is no possibility of damaging the product when reading a barcode.

  According to the barcode reading apparatus 100 according to the present example, when the operator causes the barcode reading apparatus 100 to read the barcode of the product, the operator stands on the inner side of the soccer stand 11 and on the upstream side of the lane across the CCD scanner apparatus. The purchased products are taken out one by one from the placed shopping cart, and when the taken-out products are those with a barcode, the barcode is held toward the opening 113 of the barcode reader 100, and the barcode is placed on the imaging device 120. Let me read.

  Thereby, in the barcode reader 100, the product image read by the imaging device 120 is sent to the image processing board 140, and the barcode image is extracted and analyzed in the image processing board 140, and the product code is output to the host device. By doing so, product registration is performed.

  At this time, when the product is arranged in the readable area A, the barcode is photographed by the imaging device 120, read and output by the image processing board 140, and a confirmation sound for reading completion sounds from the barcode scanner 10, and the operator Confirms this confirmation sound and puts the product into a shopping cart arranged downstream of the lane.

  On the other hand, when the bar code cannot be read for some reason, the operator holds the bar code placed on the product again over the bar code reader to read the bar code. If the product is pressed to a position close to the opening 113 of the front cover member 111, that is, the same position as the surface plate 111a from the previous time when reading failed, the product is surely arranged in the readable area A. The barcode can be read reliably. That is, when the barcode is read, the recessed portion 160 and the front plate 111a of the front cover member 111 serve as marks for the operation for reading the barcode.

  In addition, even if the barcode is difficult to read at one time because the barcode is wrinkled or the barcode is small, the barcode can be changed by simply bringing it close to the front cover member 111 of the barcode reader. Since it can be read more reliably, a sense of security can be given to the operator, and the barcode reader can be used easily.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bar code scanner 11 Soccer stand 16 Display 17 Keyboard 100 Bar code reader 110 Case 111a Surface board (front side position demarcation part)
113 Opening 120 Imaging Device 122 Imaging Lens 130 Illumination Board (Illumination Device)
140 Image processing board (image processing device)
150 Transparent cover 160 Concave portion

JP 2005-25311 A

Claims (4)

A front side position demarcating portion that demarcates a side on which a product with a code symbol to be read is placed, and has a concave shape toward the side opposite to the side on which the product is placed A housing provided with a recessed portion formed in, an opening established in the back of the recessed portion, and a transparent cover disposed in the opening;
An imaging board that is arranged inside the housing and includes an area image sensor and converts an image into an electrical signal, and a lens side limit of a readable area of the code symbol that can obtain a resolution that allows the code symbol to be analyzed is An imaging device that is selected to substantially match a front-side position demarcating unit and that forms an image of the imaging region on the area image sensor, and that captures a code symbol through the opening;
An illumination device that is disposed outside the imaging area of the imaging device at the opening of the recessed portion and illuminates the entire imaging area;
A barcode reader that outputs an image signal to an image processing device that extracts an image signal of a code symbol from an image signal output by the imaging substrate, analyzes the extracted image signal, and outputs a product code ,
A display provided above the barcode reader;
A keyboard provided above the barcode reader;
The bar code reader is erected, and a soccer stand on which a basket containing products is placed;
A bar code scanner comprising: The lighting device includes a plurality of LED elements, and these LED elements are disposed outside the imaging region.
The bar code scanner according to claim 1. The readable area is an area where the resolution of an image photographed by the photographing apparatus is equal to or greater than a predetermined value d, and is an area between a lens side limit and an anti-lens side limit located across the focal point position of the photographing lens. is there,
The bar code scanner according to claim 1. The bar code reader is provided on the soccer stand so as to be movable up and down.
The bar code scanner according to claim 1.

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