JP2010527481A5 - - Google Patents

Description

Symbol reader and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a symbol reading apparatus such as a barcode scanner and a control method thereof . A barcode scanner that reads a barcode, which is a symbol, generally performs various functions such as autofocus (autofocus), image data capture, and image data decoding on a common platform.

  Performing the above operations unconditionally when the power is turned on will help point the barcode scanner to the appropriate image and ensure that the image data that you want to capture is acquired. However, performing the functions described above, whether or not necessary, wastes energy and the barcode scanner acquires and decodes data about another image that is not related to scanning the barcode. , The possibility to store.

  Such irrelevant data will waste data storage space and may require subsequent work to separate the irrelevant image data from the barcode data. Therefore, it is technically problematic that the operation of one or more barcode scanners is unconditionally executed when the scanner is turned on. Otherwise, it will require the user to input such as a trigger signal for execution.

  One object of the present invention provides a method for controlling a barcode scanner that includes detecting a state of the barcode scanner and changing at least one operation of the barcode scanner based on the detected state. That is.

  Another object of the present invention is a barcode scanner comprising a scanner gun and at least one sensor in communication with the scanner gun, the at least one sensor operating to detect at least one operating state of the barcode scanner. Is to provide.

  In the preferred embodiment, multiple operations or standbys are performed in the desired mode when the scanner is not in use, and different operations or transitions to different modes when in use. According to an exemplary embodiment, a scanner initiates a specific action based on the scanner's ability to detect when the use begins or ends when the scanner is used or when it is terminated. Or stop and / or change mode.

Other embodiments, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the preferred embodiment of the invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
For the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

1 is a schematic view of a barcode scanner for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process implemented by the barcode scanner shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the barcode scanner shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process by other Example of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a barcode scanner 10 for explaining an embodiment of a symbol reading apparatus according to the present invention. The barcode scanner 10 includes a barcode scanner gun 100, a trigger unit 102, a motion sensor 104, and / or a contact sensor 106. Bar code scanner gun 100 may be a conventional bar code scanner gun. The motion sensor (motion detector) 104 may be a gyroscope sensor and / or other types of sensors. A more complete list of various motion sensors can be viewed from one or both of the following two websites:
http://www.vti.fi/en/products-solutions/products/accelerometers/digital-platform/
http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/tech_news/tnl0502single.pdf#search='gyro%20sensor
In any case, any of various conventionally available motion sensors is sufficient.

Contact sensor 106 may be implemented using an infrared (IR) sensor, a capacitive sensor, and / or other suitable sensor. As another type of sensor, there is an optical sensor arranged so as to detect that light is no longer incident from a detection window at a position covered by the palm of the user. Various other contact sensors can be viewed below.
http://www.psocdeveloper.com/uploads/tx_piapappnote/an2105_01.pdf
http://www.omron.com/ecb/products/touch/genri.html
http://www.omron.com/ecb/products/touch/yougo.htm

  The motion sensor 104 can operate to indicate whether the barcode scanner 10 is moving or stationary. This information is used to change one or more operations of the barcode scanner 10 to start and / or stop. The use of information from the motion sensor 104 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, motion sensor 104 may be located anywhere within barcode scanner gun 100. In other embodiments, the motion sensor 104 can be located outside the scanner gun 100 as long as it can communicate with the scanner gun.

The contact sensor 106 can operate to indicate whether the operator is in contact with the barcode scanner 10. Being in contact with the barcode scanner 10 includes holding the barcode scanner 10 or simply touching it. Alternatively, the contact sensor 106 is actually also the operator is not in physical contact with the bar code scanner 10 may be operator bar code scanner 10 is configured to detect that it has approached. This contact information is used to change one or more operations of the barcode scanner 10 to start and / or stop. The use of information from the contact sensor 106 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  In one or more embodiments, the contact sensor 106 is disposed in an area where an operator on the outer surface of the barcode scanner gun 100 can touch the operator when lifting the barcode scanner 10. In one or more alternative embodiments, the contact sensor 106 is disposed within the barcode scanner gun 100 and is suitable for detecting when the operator touches the barcode scanner gun 100. Detect it using technology.

  Considering right-handed and left-handed operators, we also considered the placement of multiple sensors that detect the same specific state in various parts around the sensor. For example, a light detector that detects when a portion of the barcode scanner 10 covered by the user's hand is gripped by the user can be realized by two detectors, and each of the barcode scanner guns 100 can be realized. One on each side, so that the person operating the bar code scanner 10 is blocked, regardless of whether it is right-handed or left-handed.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing performed by a barcode scanner according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method of FIG. 2 is used to control one or more operations of the barcode scanner 10 based on detection of one or more states of the barcode scanner 10. Here, the term “state” corresponds to the term “operation state”. Further, the operation control of the barcode scanner 10 includes start and / or stop of operations such as scanning, warm-up for scanning, light emission operation, sensor operation, mode change, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, the method 200 starts at step 202. In step 203 , the initial operation settings of the barcode scanner 10 are established. The initial setting includes setting the barcode scanner 10 to the sleep mode and setting one or more elements to the non-operating or power saving mode or similar state.

In step 204, the motion sensor 104 detects whether or not the barcode scanner 10 is moving. If the barcode scanner 10 is not moving, the operation of the barcode scanner 10 is not changed in step 208. If the barcode scanner 10 is moving, one or more operations, such as decoding, are stopped at step 206. When steps 210 and 216 follow steps 204 and 208, it is left in sleep mode or idle mode, for example, as long as the barcode scanner 10 is not moved or touched.

In step 210, it is determined whether the operator is in contact with the barcode scanner 10, which is performed using the contact sensor 106. If the barcode scanner 10 is not touched, the operation of the barcode scanner 10 is not changed in step 216.
When contact with the barcode scanner 10 is detected, one or more operations of the barcode scanner 10 are started or stopped in steps 212 and 214, respectively. When contact with the bar code scanner 10 is detected, the device determines in step 210 , which is the decision point, whether the scanner is already in focus or whether the autofocus process shown in step 214 is required to stop. To do. In either case, control then proceeds to step 212 where data is acquired and decoded.

  Usually, the autofocus operation is relatively fast. That is, when contact is detected, the autofocus operation can be completed within a sufficient time for enabling the decoding process.

  Data acquisition and decoding are executed when there is contact with the barcode scanner 10 but the barcode scanner 10 is not moving. In essence, this means that the operator has moved the barcode scanner 10 to the proper position near the image to be scanned and correctly positioned it to begin scanning. It is noteworthy that the motion sensor 104 detects a slight hand movement of the operator if the operator has not yet fully grasped the barcode scanner 10. Nevertheless, the motion sensor 104 accurately determines that the bar code scanner 10 is held in a relatively stable state in front of the image to be scanned by the operator as “not moving”. The detection sensitivity can be easily adjusted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the barcode scanner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows one or more features added to the barcode scanner shown in FIG. The barcode scanner 10 includes a barcode scanner gun 100, a motion sensor 104, a contact sensor 106, an autofocus mechanism 302, a data acquisition unit 304, an image data decoder 306, and an optical communication unit 308. In FIG. 3, the trigger unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted for convenience. Here, the motion sensor 104 and the contact sensor 106 are as described above. Therefore, the part mentioned above for convenience is not demonstrated again.

  In this embodiment, the optical communication unit 308 includes an optical element, an electro-mechanical device, and a control circuit suitable for transmitting light reflected by a barcode such as a two-dimensional barcode. The autofocus mechanism 302 has a lens moving mechanism and a control circuit suitable for automatically focusing the barcode scanner 10. The data acquisition unit 304 includes a data processing circuit suitable for receiving and at least temporarily storing image data by the optical device, the converter, and the barcode scanner 10. The image data decoder 306 has a data processing circuit suitable for converting image data received by the barcode scanner 10 into original barcode data indicated by the barcode read by the barcode scanner 10.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to another embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows a processing procedure for the bar code scanner to execute autofocus, image acquisition, and decoding based on the detection of the contact and movement.
The process starts from step 401, and first, initial operation settings are established in step 402.
Thereafter, in step 403, it is determined whether or not there is a trigger (the trigger is pressed). If it is determined that there is a trigger, in step 404, it is determined whether or not the previous decoding was successful. If it is determined that the process has succeeded, the decoding result is transmitted in step 416 and the process returns to step 403.

If it is determined in step 404 that the previous decoding was not successful, the process proceeds to step 407 to start autofocus, and in step 408, autofocus is stopped. In step 409, an image is acquired, and the acquired image data is decoded in step 410. In step 411, it is determined whether the decoding is successful. If it is determined that the decoding is successful, the decoding result is transmitted in step 416, and the process returns to step 403. If it is determined that it has not succeeded, the process returns to step 403 as it is .

If it is determined in step 403 that there is no trigger, the process proceeds to step 405 to determine whether or not contact has been made (check the detection state by the contact sensor). Start and return to step 403. If it is determined that the touched, then it determines whether or not moving at step 412 (checking the detection state by the motion sensor), if it is determined that movement, it returns to step 403.

If it is determined in step 412 that it has not moved , autofocus is stopped in step 413, an image is acquired in step 414, and the acquired image data is decoded in step 415. This decoding is the previous decoding in which it is determined whether or not the decoding is successful in step 404. Thereafter, the process returns to step 403.
In this way, in this embodiment, the processing loop of steps 403 to 404 and steps 407 to 411 is repeatedly executed continuously until the obtained image data is successfully decoded.

  Note that the functions described so far are autofocus, image acquisition, and decoding, but other functions can be automatically executed and stopped based on parameters measured by touch and / or movement. I want to be. Furthermore, various combinations of movement and contact can be made as appropriate according to the specific function to be generated. For example, when executing the function of shifting the barcode scanner from the active mode to the sleep mode, the barcode scanner monitors whether the barcode scanner has been touched or moved for a predetermined time. Other combinations are possible as well.

  Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it merely illustrates the principles and applications of the invention. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and substitutions can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

By applying the present invention, the following symbol reader control method is also possible.
The state of the symbol reader is automatically detected, and according to the detected state, it is determined whether the barcode as the symbol is used or has been used, and based on the detected state A control method for a symbol reading device, wherein at least one operation is changed in preparation for the next operation of the symbol reading device.

The symbol reader may be a barcode scanner, and in the step of detecting the state, it may be determined whether the barcode scanner is moving or stopped.
In the step of detecting the state of the barcode scanner, it may be determined whether the operator is in contact with the barcode scanner.
When the movement of the barcode scanner is detected, the operation of the barcode scanner operating in the power saving mode can be stopped.

In the step of changing the operation, when it is detected in the detecting step that the barcode scanner has come into contact with the operator, an image acquisition process by the barcode scanner can be started.
In the step of changing the operation, the decoding operation by the barcode scanner can be started when it is detected that the barcode scanner is in contact with the operator in the detection step.
In the step of changing the operation, the autofocus operation by the bar code scanner can be started when it is detected in the detecting step that the bar code scanner is in contact with the operator.

By applying the present invention, the following symbol reading device or scanning device can be provided.
A scanner for performing a plurality of operations relating to symbol scanning and decoding, and at least one sensor communicating with the scanner, the sensor operating to detect whether the user is ready to use or complete use of the scanner, and A symbol reading apparatus comprising: means for changing at least one of the operation parameters of the scanner in accordance with a detection result of a user's use preparation or use completion by the sensor.

The at least one sensor may be a motion sensor.
The motion sensor can operate to detect whether the scanner is moving or stationary.
The at least one sensor may be a contact sensor.
The contact sensor can operate to detect whether an operator is holding the scanner gun.

In these symbol reading devices, when the motion sensor and the heat sensor are operated, the scanner may change from the sleep state or the sleep mode to the active mode in preparation for scanning.
The scanner is in the shape of a gun, the motion sensor is preferably located in the front part of the gun, and the heat sensor is preferably located in the rear part of the gun.
When detecting a signal change of the motion sensor or the heat sensor, the symbol reading device may shift to a power saving mode.

A scanning device for scanning and decoding symbols, comprising a plurality of sensors that detect different parameters, and when at least two of the sensors detect the respective parameters, change from the power saving mode to the use mode. The scanning device is configured to change from the use mode to the power saving mode when at least one of the plurality of sensors changes during use or after use.
The at least one sensor that changes the state may be the at least two sensors.
The at least one sensor is one of the plurality of sensors, but may not be one of the at least two sensors.

By applying the present invention, the following image capturing device control method is also possible.
A method for controlling an image capturing device that detects whether the image capturing device is touched by a user and is not moving, and if so, starts an autofocus operation.
In the control method of the image capturing device, it is preferable to acquire and collect images and decode them after the autofocus operation is stopped.
The method for controlling the image capture device further includes the step of testing the device to determine whether the user has pressed the trigger, the step being in a state where the device is touched and moving by the user. It may be started in response to detection.

Claims (11)

A control method of a symbol reader,
A method of controlling a symbol reading device, comprising detecting that an operator has touched or approached the symbol reading device , and starting or stopping one or more operations of the symbol reading device by the detection . In the control method of the symbol reading device according to claim 1 ,
A method of controlling a symbol reading device , wherein an image acquisition process by the symbol reading device is started upon detection of an operator touching or approaching the symbol reading device. In the control method of the symbol reading device according to claim 1 ,
A control method of a symbol reading device , wherein a decoding operation by the symbol reading device is started by detecting that an operator touches or approaches the symbol reading device. In the control method of the symbol reading device according to claim 1 ,
A method for controlling a symbol reading apparatus , comprising: starting an image acquisition and decoding process by the symbol reading apparatus and stopping an autofocus operation upon detection of an operator touching or approaching the symbol reading apparatus. In the control method of the symbol reading device according to claim 1,
In addition, it automatically detects whether the symbol reader is moving or stationary,
When it is not detected that an operator has contacted or approached the symbol reading device, the symbol reading device starts an autofocus operation,
When it is detected that the operator has touched or approached the symbol reading device, if the symbol reading device is detected to be stationary, the symbol reading device stops the autofocus operation and acquires an image. And a method of controlling the symbol reading apparatus, wherein the operation of the symbol reading apparatus is not changed if the decoding process is started and it is detected that the symbol reading apparatus is moving. A scanner that performs a plurality of operations relating to symbol scanning and decoding ;
A contact sensor for detecting that an operator has touched or approached the scanner;
Symbols, characterized in that the contact sensor when it is detected that the operator has contact with or close to the scanner, and a motion control means for starting or stopping one or more of the plurality of operation the scanner Reader . The symbol reader according to claim 6, wherein
The symbol reading apparatus, wherein the operation control means is means for causing the scanner to start image acquisition processing. The symbol reader according to claim 6, wherein
The symbol reading apparatus, wherein the operation control means is means for causing the scanner to start a decoding operation. The symbol reader according to claim 6, wherein
The symbol reading apparatus, wherein the operation control means is means for causing the scanner to start image acquisition and decoding processing and to stop an autofocus operation. The symbol reader according to claim 6, wherein
And a motion sensor that automatically detects whether the symbol reader is moving or stationary,
The operation control means includes
When the contact sensor does not detect that an operator has contacted or approached the scanner, the scanner starts an autofocus operation, and when the operator has detected that the operator has contacted or approached the scanner, If the motion sensor detects that the scanner is stationary, the scanner stops the autofocus operation and starts the image acquisition and decoding process, and the motion sensor indicates that the scanner is moving. The symbol reading apparatus is a means that does not change the operation of the scanner if it is detected. The symbol reader according to claim 6, wherein the contact sensor is an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, or an optical sensor.