JP2012064174A - Illumination setting support device for optical information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination setting support device that enables a user to easily set an optimum lighting pattern while visually confirming the pattern.SOLUTION: Image capturing by a bar code reader 2 is executed while, based on illumination parameters including plural typical lighting patterns, partial illumination according to the plural lighting patterns is performed in order (S204). Plural captured images captured by the bar code reader 2 according to the plural lighting patterns are sequentially acquired (S206). A list of the acquired plural captured images is displayed, and an lighting pattern corresponding to each captured image is list-displayed with the captured image (S208). An illumination parameter corresponding to a captured image selected from among the list-displayed captured images is set (S209, S210). Based on the set illumination parameter, the bar code reader 2 and illumination units 4, 5 are controlled.

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination setting support device of an optical information reading device for reading optical information such as a barcode and a QR code.

  Now that traceability has become widespread, optical information readers are installed in factories, logistics bases, etc., and optical information such as barcodes attached to products and products or optical codes are decoded. This type of optical information reader is called a “bar code reader” or “code reader”.

  The bar code reader irradiates optical information with laser light, visible light, and infrared light, and captures the reflected light with an optical reading element (imaging element). Then, the information recorded in the optical information is analyzed from this captured image.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a bar code reader. The barcode reader disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer case, in which two pointer LEDs, various substrates, a lens assembly, and an illumination LED are accommodated. Optical information is captured while irradiating the optical information with optical light. When the light quantity of the illumination LED incorporated in the barcode reader is insufficient, an external illumination unit is attached to the barcode reader, and optical information is illuminated using the external illumination unit.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a ring-type external illumination unit, and also discloses partial illumination that turns on some of the LEDs included in the ring-type external illumination unit. By using such a partial illumination method, various illuminations are possible.

JP 2008-33465 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-241476

  When the combination of which lighting LED is turned on and which lighting LED is not turned on when performing partial illumination, that is, when the number of lighting patterns is relatively small, the user sets from the small lighting patterns. The labor and labor required for setting the lighting are relatively small. However, when a lighting unit having a high degree of freedom in lighting patterns is employed, enormous effort and labor are required to select an optimal lighting pattern. In particular, in the case of metal workpieces (especially when optical information is attached to the processing surface called a hairline), it is known that the imaging results vary greatly depending on the angle at which the workpiece is illuminated. Although partial lighting that can be changed in various ways is useful, the setting of the lighting parameters is extremely difficult.

  As countermeasures against this, it is conceivable to optimize the setting parameters using tuning technology. However, if the number of lighting patterns is large, this tuning process will take an enormous amount of time. Measures to do are not realistic solutions.

  An object of the present invention is to set illumination parameters even when an illumination unit capable of setting a relatively large number of lighting patterns is used as illumination of an optical information reader for reading optical information such as a barcode and a QR code. An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination setting support device that can reduce work.

According to the present invention, the above technical problem is
In an illumination setting support device for supporting the setting of illumination of an optical information reading device including an illumination unit capable of partial illumination by partial lighting,
The optical information reader while performing partial illumination in accordance with the plurality of lighting patterns in order based on illumination parameters including a plurality of lighting patterns of partial lighting of the lighting unit designated by the user from among selectable lighting patterns Imaging command transmission means for transmitting a command to execute imaging by the optical information reader;
Captured image acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of captured images captured by the optical information reading means according to the plurality of lighting patterns;
A list display means for displaying a list including a lighting pattern when the captured images are captured together with the captured images together with a list of the captured images;
Illumination setting transmission means for setting an illumination parameter corresponding to a captured image selected from the captured images displayed in a list and transmitting the set illumination parameter to the optical information reader. This is achieved by providing an illumination setting support device for an optical information reader.

  According to this, when a user selects a plurality of lighting patterns from a plurality of lighting patterns prepared in advance, imaging is sequentially performed under illumination according to each of the illumination parameters including the selected plurality of lighting patterns. Then, a list of captured images is displayed. Since the lighting pattern is displayed together with each captured image in this list, the user can evaluate the suitability of the light hitting while looking at the lighting pattern by looking at this list display as an example. Typically, the illumination parameter corresponding to the captured image is set by the user selecting from the list display. Therefore, even if a lighting unit with a large number of lighting patterns that can be set is adopted, the burden on the user when setting the lighting parameters is not increased, and the user's setting work can be reduced. .

  Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the following examples.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a barcode reader system. It is a perspective view of the barcode reader which is an optical information reader. It is the figure which looked at the arrangement | positioning of the various board | substrates arrange | positioned inside a barcode reader from diagonally forward. FIG. 4 is a diagram related to FIG. 3, and is a diagram of an arrangement of various substrates arranged inside the barcode reader as viewed obliquely from the rear. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection relation of the various board | substrates incorporated in a barcode reader. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the chassis incorporated in a barcode reader, the main board | substrate assembled | attached to this chassis, a power supply board, and a sub board | substrate. It is a figure for demonstrating the various elements assembled | attached to a chassis. It is the figure which looked at the camera module from diagonally backward. It is the figure which looked at the camera module from diagonally forward. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the internal structure of a camera module. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a camera module and various board | substrates, and is accommodated in the main case of a barcode reader in this state. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a camera module and various board | substrates similarly to FIG. 11, It is a figure which shows the example which mounted the heat conductive rubber which is a heat radiating member on a power supply board and a main board | substrate as a preferable example. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the heat conductive rubber is in contact with the power supply substrate, the main substrate, and the main case in relation to FIG. 12. It is a figure for demonstrating attaching an LED board (internal illumination board) to the front end surface of a pair of rod-shaped extension part extended ahead from a main case, and fixing the front end of a power supply board and a main board to an extension part. is there. It is a figure for demonstrating that the main case and its open | released rear end of a barcode reader are closed by a rear case, and is an exploded perspective view which shows the state which fixed the connector board | substrate to this rear case. It is a front view of the main case which accommodated the built-in thing shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a front view of the main case with the camera module removed from FIG. 16. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the external illumination unit to the barcode reader. It is a disassembled perspective view of an external illumination unit. It is a perspective view of the LED board carrying LED built in an external illumination unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the attachment relationship of the two board | substrates integrated in an external illumination unit. In order to explain that LEDs included in an internal illumination unit that is a surface light source that is built in a barcode reader and that has a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plane are divided into a plurality of areas, and lighting control is possible for each area. FIG. 4 is a front view of the internal lighting unit. It is a front view of a large-diameter dedicated external lighting unit, and is a diagram for explaining that LEDs included in the external lighting unit are divided into a plurality of areas and lighting control is performed for each area. It is a front view of a small-diameter dedicated external lighting unit, and is a diagram for explaining that the LEDs included in the external lighting unit are divided into a plurality of areas and lighting control is performed for each area. It is a figure which shows an example of the LED drive circuit integrated in the internal illumination unit and the external illumination unit. It is a systematic diagram for controlling the partial illumination of an internal illumination unit and an external illumination unit. FIG. 5 is a process diagram for explaining a flow of setting a bar code reader system. An image displayed on a personal computer connected to a barcode reader and installed with an illumination setting program for setting illumination of the internal illumination unit and the external illumination unit of the barcode reader, and the captured image captured by the barcode reader is It shows the state displayed in real time. It is a figure which shows the lighting setting screen displayed on a personal computer by a lighting setting program, and the real-time image of the picked-up image displayed simultaneously with this, and the external lighting unit is in the state where all of the outermost circumferential area is set Show. It is a figure which shows the lighting setting screen displayed on a personal computer by a lighting setting program, and the real-time image of the captured image displayed simultaneously with it, and the area where an external lighting unit opposes an outermost periphery mutually was set as an illumination area Indicates the state. It is a figure which shows the illumination setting screen displayed on a personal computer by an illumination setting program, and the real-time image of the captured image displayed simultaneously with this, The state in which all the areas of the external illumination unit and the internal illumination unit were set as an illumination area Indicates. It is a figure which shows the illumination setting screen displayed on a personal computer by an illumination setting program, and the real-time image of the captured image displayed simultaneously with it, the external illumination unit is unconnected, and the mutually opposing areas of the internal illumination unit are The state set as an illumination area is shown. It is a figure which shows the lighting setting screen displayed on a personal computer by a lighting setting program, and the real-time image of the captured image displayed simultaneously with this, and shows the display state of the lighting setting screen when a general-purpose external lighting unit is connected . It is a figure which shows a display mode when a large diameter external illumination unit is connected among the several illumination setting screens displayed on a personal computer by an illumination setting program. It is a figure which shows a display mode when nothing connects an external illumination unit among the some illumination setting screens displayed on a personal computer by an illumination setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which an illumination setting program selects an illumination setting screen. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which performs the selection according to the selection of the illumination area by a user, and the selected area. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the concrete 1st setting process of the 2nd setting mode of an illumination setting program. It is a figure which shows the typical example of the list display of a some captured image (still image). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the concrete 2nd setting process of the 2nd setting mode of an illumination setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the concrete 2nd setting process of the 2nd setting mode of an illumination setting program.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Bar code reader system (Figure 1) :
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a bar code reader system. Referring to FIG. 1, a bar code reader system 1 includes a bar code reader 2 which is a two-dimensional information reading device, and a personal computer 3 connected to the bar code reader 2 as necessary. Various settings are performed using the personal computer 3 while confirming an image captured by the reader 2 with the personal computer 3. In the barcode reader system 1, a ring-type external illumination unit 4 is further connected to the barcode reader 2 as necessary, and together with the internal illumination unit 5 of the barcode reader 2 or the internal illumination unit 5. The operation is stopped and the work is illuminated only by the external illumination unit 4.

  The ring-type external lighting unit 4 is a dedicated product for the bar code reader system 1, and it is preferable to prepare a plurality of different types of external lighting units 4. Of course, it is also possible to incorporate a lighting unit other than a dedicated product as the external lighting unit 4.

  The bar code reader system 1 is installed in an article conveyance path in a factory that manufactures goods or articles printed or engraved with optical information or optical codes such as bar codes and QR codes. The information recorded in the optical information printed on is read and transferred to the personal computer 3 for information analysis. The “optical information reader” is generally called “bar code reader” or “code reader”, and the industry term “bar code reader” is used here.

  Further, in the illustrated example, as disclosed in FIG. 1, various settings of the barcode reader system 1 are performed using the personal computer 3 by installing a setting program in the personal computer 3. Of course, the bar code reader 2 is provided with, for example, a display means with a touch panel, and the bar code reader 2, the internal illumination unit 5 (FIG. 3) and / or the external illumination 4 (FIGS. 18 and 19) are set using this display means. You may be able to work.

Bar code reader 2 (FIGS. 2 to 17) :
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the barcode reader 2. The bar code reader 2 has a main case 6 having a polygonal cross section and a cylindrical front case 7 fixed to the front end of the main case 6, and the internal lighting unit described above is provided in the cylindrical front case 7. 5 is built-in. As can be seen from FIG. 2 and the like, the main case 6 preferably has a substantially square cross-sectional shape.

The barcode reader 2 includes a plurality of substrates that are independent of each other. With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the plurality of substrates included in the barcode reader 2 are as follows.
(1) Main board 10:
The main substrate 10 is equipped with a CPU and a memory M, and an image is transferred to the memory M and processed by a DSP (digital signal processor). The CPU of the main board 10 controls the barcode reader 2 including the internal lighting unit 5 and performs communication with the external lighting unit 4.
(2) Power supply board 11:
A power source for the barcode reader 2 is generated. An isolated input / output circuit is implemented.

(3) Sub-board 12:
A large-capacity memory is mounted, and acquired images and various settings are stored in the large-capacity memory. In the main board 10 having a limited size and shape, elements that could not be mounted on the main board 10 are mounted.
(4) CMOS substrate 13 (light receiving substrate):
A CMOS image sensor (optical reading element) is mounted, and an image is acquired and transferred to the main board 10. A pointer LED 40 (FIG. 10) is mounted.

(5) LED substrate 14:
It is a disk-shaped board | substrate provided with the circular opening 14a which comprises the internal illumination unit 5, The some LED80 for illumination is mounted in this LED board 14 (FIG. 22 mentioned later), and lighting of this some LED80 for illumination Execute control. The plurality of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged on a plurality of concentric circles having different diameters around the optical axis of the lens assembly 36 of the barcode reader 2 described later. The plurality of illumination LEDs 80 mounted on the internal illumination unit 5 (LED substrate 14) are controlled to be lit in divided areas as will be described later. The LED board 14 is provided with a constant current circuit for supplying a constant current to a plurality of illumination LEDs belonging to each area.
(6) Connector board 15:
This is a board constituting an input / output interface with an external power supply, IO, RS232C, Ethernet (registered trademark), and external lighting unit 4. The external lighting unit 4 is supplied with power from the power supply board 11.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, main board 10 and power supply board 11 are arranged to face each other, and these main boards 10 are located in regions sandwiched between the side edges of main board 10 and power supply board 11. The sub-board 12 is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the power supply board 11. The arrangement positions of the sub board 12 and the main board 10 may be replaced with each other. The main board 10, the power supply board 11, and the sub board 12 are arranged along the three side surfaces of the bar code reader 2 adjacent to three side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the main case 6 having a rectangular cross section. . A CMOS substrate 13 is located in a space surrounded by the main substrate 10, the power supply substrate 11, and the sub substrate 12, and the CMOS substrate 13 is disposed on one vertical plane orthogonal to the substrates 10 to 12. Further, the LED substrate 14 and the connector substrate 15 are positioned parallel to the CMOS substrate 13 and facing each other with the CMOS substrate 13 interposed therebetween.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between the substrates 10 to 15 described above. The main board 10 is connected to the power supply board 11 by a first FFC 20 (Flexible Flat Cable), connected by a sub board 12 and a second FFC 21, and connected to the CMOS board 13 by an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 22, The lighting unit 4 is connected to the LED board 14 by the third FFC 23, and is connected to the connector board 15 by the first harness 24. The power supply board 11 is also connected to the LED board 14 of the internal lighting unit 5 by the second harness 25, and a power source for causing the illumination LED mounted on the LED board 14 to emit light is supplied from the power supply board 11 to the LED board 14. Supplied. The power supply board 11 and the connector board 15 are connected by two harnesses 26 and 27 and the FFC 28.

  Referring to FIG. 5 again, it should be noted that the main board 10 and the power supply board 11 have substantially the same size and shape. In other words, the main board 10 is designed to have substantially the same size and shape as the power supply board 11, and electronic components that could not be mounted on the main board 10 due to this restriction are mounted on the sub board 12.

  6 and 7, the main substrate 10, the power supply substrate 11, the sub substrate 12, and the CMOS substrate 13 are assembled to a chassis 30 that is a resin molded product. As best seen in FIG. 7, the chassis 30 has a box shape having a substantially square cross-sectional shape that is substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the main case 6, and closes one side surface 30a of this box shape. The five surfaces are open. The main substrate 10, the power supply substrate 11, and the sub substrate 12 are disposed on the three open side surfaces 10b to 10d, respectively. The resin molded chassis 30 is open front and rear, and a camera module 32 is inserted through one end opening 30f (FIG. 7). The camera module 32 inserted into the chassis 30 is surrounded by the main substrate 10, The power supply board 11 and the sub board 12 are located, and the camera module 32 is surrounded by the main board 10, the power supply board 11 and the sub board 12.

  Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the camera module 32 has a camera holder 35 made of a die-cast product such as aluminum. The camera holder 35 is opposed to a holder main body 35a having a rectangular cross section and a holder main body 35a. A pair of arms 35b extending forward and parallel to each other from the side surfaces, and a pair of attachment portions 35c extending in the direction away from the front ends of the pair of arms 35b. The CMOS substrate 13 is fixed to the holder main body 35a by a plurality of screws 37 on the rear end surface opened rearward (FIG. 8).

  For positioning the main board 10 and the power supply board 11, six claws 38 are integrally formed on the chassis 30 (FIG. 7), and the main board 10 and the power supply opposite to the main board 10 are formed using the six claws 38. The substrate 11 is positioned on each of the two opposite side surfaces 30b and 30d that the chassis 30 is open. The main substrate 10 is formed with a notch 10a for receiving the claw 38 (FIG. 7). Similarly, a notch 11a is formed in the power supply substrate 11 (FIG. 3). Referring to FIG. 7, rectangular sub-board 12 has a pair of through holes 12a and 12b at diagonal corners, and a pair of chassis 30 corresponding to the pair of through holes 12a and 12b. A through hole 30g (one through hole is not shown in the drawing for drawing reasons) is formed, and the sub-board 12 is screwed to the chassis 30 by aligning these through holes 12a, 12b, 30g.

Arrangement of pointer LEDs (FIG. 10) :
The camera module 32 includes a cylindrical lens assembly 36, and the lens assembly 36 is disposed between a pair of arms 35 b and 35 b of the camera holder 35. Referring to FIG. 10, the CMOS substrate 13 is fixed to the rear end opening of the holder main body 35a using screws 37 (FIG. 8). A pair of pointer LEDs 40 and 40 are mounted on the CMOS substrate 13. In relation to the pointer LED 40, a diffusion sheet 41 is disposed in the holder body 35a immediately in front of each pointer LED 40. The lights of the two pointer LEDs 40 are irradiated forward through the diffusion sheet 41 and the lens assembly 36, respectively, and indicate two points separated from each other in the field of view of the barcode reader 2. Reference numeral 43 in FIG. 10 indicates a CMOS image sensor which is an optical reading element, and the optical reading element 43 is mounted on the CMOS substrate 13.

  By incorporating the pointer LED 40 in the camera module 32, the relative position between the optical reading element 43 and the pointer LED 40 can be easily maintained, and the bar code reader 2 can be easily downsized. In particular, since the pointer LED 40 shares the lens assembly 36 of the barcode reader 2 with the optical reading element 43, a dedicated lens for the pointer LED 40 is not required, and the barcode reader 2 can be easily downsized. is there.

  In the camera module 32, the distance between the optical reading element (imaging element) 43 and the lens assembly 36 is very large as compared with the conventional one, and optical information such as a bar code and a QR code is very minute with high resolution. It has the feature that it can be read to the area. Thus, when the camera module 32 having a large length in comparison with the conventional case is accommodated in the barcode reader 2, attention should be paid to the above-described substrate arrangement. That is, by introducing the technical idea that the camera module 32 is surrounded by the main board 10, the power supply board 11, and the sub board 12, the long camera module 32 is accommodated in the outer case while downsizing the barcode reader 2. can do.

Incidentally, the specifications of the camera module 32 are as follows.
(1) Optical magnification: 0.6 to 1.0 times (in the examples, 0.823 times);
(2) Field of view range: 7.5 mm x 4.8 mm to 4.5 mm x 2.9 mm (5.5 mm x 3.5 mm in the example);
(3) Distance from the optical reading element to the front lens: 35 mm or more (40 mm in the embodiment).

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly in which the substrates 10, 11, 12 and the camera module 32 are assembled to the chassis 30. FIG. 12 shows a state in which a heat conductive rubber 45 is installed on the main board 10 and the power supply board 11 as a heat radiating member having cushioning properties and excellent heat conductivity. If there is a need for heat dissipation of the barcode reader 2, it is accommodated in the main case 6 (FIG. 2) having a rectangular cross section with the heat conducting rubber 45 attached in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12 (FIG. 13).

  Since the main board 10 and the power supply board 11 are disposed adjacent to and along different side surfaces of the main case 6 having a polygonal cross section made of a metal material having excellent heat conductivity, the heat of the main board 10 and the power supply board 11 can be obtained. Since the camera module 32 can be accommodated in a space surrounded by the main board 10 and the power supply board 11, the barcode reader 2 can be further reduced in size. In particular, heat dissipation efficiency can be increased by interposing a heat dissipation member such as the heat conductive rubber 45 between the main board 10, the power supply board 11 and the main case 6. Miniaturization is possible.

  Reference numeral 46 in FIGS. 13 and 15 denotes a rear case, which is detachably attached to the rear end opening of the main case 6 and closes the main case 6. A connector board 15 is attached to the rear case 46, and the connector board 15 is fixed to the rear case 46 with screws 47 (FIG. 15). The main case 6, the front case 7, and the rear case 46 constituting the outer case of the barcode reader 2 are preferably made of, for example, a metal material excellent in heat conduction, for example, a heat transfer material such as aluminum.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the main board 10 and the power supply board 11 have through holes 50 and 51 in the narrow part of the front end, respectively. The main case 6 of the barcode reader 2 has a pair of rod-like extension portions 6a extending forward and parallel to the inside of the cylindrical front case 7 (FIG. 15).

  Referring to FIG. 14 in which the front end portion of the main case 6 is extracted, the pair of extension portions 6 a of the main case 6 are formed in the through holes 50 and 51 associated with the narrow front end width portions of the main board 10 and the power supply board 11. Holes 52 and 53 are formed, and the main board 10 and the power supply board 11 are fixed to the main case 6 (extension portion 6a) using screws 54 inserted into the through holes 52 and 53. As a result, the main board 10 and the power board 11 positioned by the three claws 38 of the chassis 30 are each fixed to the extended portion 6 a extending forward of the main case 6 by one screw 54. In other words, the chassis 30 is fixed to the main case 6 by the two screws 54 in total. In order to facilitate the work of fastening the screw 54 and the work of removing the screw 54, it is preferable to mount a nut 55 to which the screw 54 is screwed into the through hole 50 of the main board 10 and the through hole 51 of the power supply board 11. . A ring-shaped LED board 14 is fixed to the front end face of the pair of rod-like extension portions 6 a of the main case 6 using screws 60. The ring-shaped LED substrate 14 is arranged around the lens assembly 36, and a plurality of illumination LEDs 80 mounted on the LED substrate 14 form a ring-shaped surface light source positioned on the outer peripheral side of the lens assembly 36. The

  FIG. 17 is a view of the main case 6 as viewed from the front. The main case 6 has a pair of left and right mounting seats 62 on its front end surface, and the camera module 32 is fixed to the main case 6 using the pair of mounting seats 62. FIG. 16 is a front view of the main case 6 with the camera module 32 incorporated therein. FIG. 17 is a front view of the main case 6 drawn with the camera module 32 removed.

  By fixing the camera module 32 to the main case 6 that is a metal molded product, the positioning accuracy of the camera module 32 can be increased and the positioning accuracy of the visual field range can be increased as compared with the case where the camera module 32 is fixed to the chassis 30. .

  An assembly in which the main board incorporated in the barcode reader 2, that is, the power supply board 10, the main board 12 and the like, and the camera module 32 including the lens assembly 36 are assembled in the chassis is built in the outer case (main case 6). By adopting the configuration, by preparing a plurality of types of camera modules 32, a plurality of types of barcode readers 2 can be provided to the user using the same outer case. Further, it is possible to manufacture the barcode reader 2 using the same power supply board 10 and the main board 12 for the different types of camera modules 32 and using the same outer case.

  The pair of left and right mounting portions 35 c of the camera module 32 described above are seated on the pair of left and right mounting seats 62 of the main case 6, and each mounting portion 35 c is fixed to the corresponding mounting seat 62 using four screws 63. (FIG. 16).

Dedicated external lighting unit 4 (FIGS. 18 to 21) :
FIG. 18 shows a state in which the dedicated external illumination unit 4 is mounted on the barcode reader 2, and reference numeral 70 indicates a cable connecting the barcode reader 2 and the external illumination unit 4. The external illumination unit 4 is supplied with power from the barcode reader 2.

  The external illumination unit 4 having a ring-shaped outer shape has a circular outer contour, and includes a circular opening 4a at the center thereof. The center of the circular opening 4a and the optical axis of the lens assembly 36 of the barcode reader 2 The bar code reader 2 is positioned so as to match. A stand 71 is prepared for positioning the barcode reader 2. As will be described in detail later, the stand 71 has a pair of plate members 72 bolted to the back surface of the external lighting unit 4 and an attachment for placing the barcode reader 2 at an arbitrary height position of the plate members 72. It is comprised with the metal fitting 73.

  First, the structure of the external illumination unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the external illumination unit 4. In the external lighting unit 4, an LED board 77 and a circuit board 78 are stacked in a stack case 79 (FIG. 19) and a first spacer 82 inside an outer case composed of a ring-shaped cylindrical front case 75 and a rear case 76. (FIG. 21) is accommodated in a stacked state.

  A plurality of LEDs for illumination 80 are mounted on a ring-shaped LED substrate 77 having the same size as the ring-shaped cross section of the ring-shaped cylindrical front case 75. The ring-shaped circuit board 78, which is preferably substantially the same size as the ring-shaped LED board 77, controls lighting of a plurality of LEDs 80 mounted on the external illumination unit 4 in addition to the LED drive circuit. A CPU that controls communication with the barcode reader 2 and a memory M (FIG. 1) are mounted. Referring to FIG. 23, the LED board 77 and the circuit board 78 are of course electrically connected, but the LED board 77 and the circuit board 78 are fixed to each other by the first spacer 82 described above. In addition, the LED substrate 77 is fixed to the rear case 76 by the second spacer 81. In other words, the circuit board 78 is fixed to the rear case 76 via the LED board 77.

  When, for example, a Fresnel lens (not shown) is adopted for the front case 75, the relative positioning of the illumination LED 80 of the LED substrate 77 and the front case 75 becomes important. In the example of FIG. 21, the LED board 77 is positioned on the front case 75 via the rear case 76, so that the front case 75 and the LED board 77 are not only relatively positioned, but also the LED board 77. Assembling work of the circuit board 78 is easy.

  As a first modification, regarding the installation structure of the LED board 77 and the circuit board 78, the circuit board 78 may be directly fixed to the rear case 76 via a spacer without the LED board 77 interposed. As a second modification, the circuit board 78 may be fixed to the rear case 76 via a spacer, and the LED board 77 may be fixed to the circuit board 78 via another spacer.

Type of dedicated external lighting unit 4 (FIGS. 23 and 24) :
Two types of dedicated external lighting units 4 are prepared. FIG. 23 shows the LED substrate 77 of the large-diameter external illumination unit 4B. FIG. 24 is a plan view of the LED substrate 77 of the small-diameter external illumination unit 4A. These two types of external illumination units 4 both incorporate a CPU and a memory M as described above. Model information is stored in the memory M. When these external illumination units 4A and 4B are connected to the barcode reader 2, the barcode reader 2 is stored in the memory M of the external illumination unit 4. The external lighting unit 4 is recognized by capturing the model information, and thereby the connection setting with the external lighting unit 4 is executed.

Partial illumination of the internal illumination unit 5 (FIG. 22) :
FIG. 22 is a plan view of the LED substrate 14 built in the barcode reader 2. On the ring-shaped LED substrate 14, a large number of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged almost uniformly over the entire circumference. The illumination LEDs 80 are arranged at substantially the same intervals on three concentric circles spaced in the radial direction. More specifically, the plurality of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged on a plurality of concentric circles having different diameters around the optical axis of the lens assembly 36 of the barcode reader 2.

  The ring-shaped LED substrate 14 is divided into four blocks at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and is partially illuminated in units of a total of eight areas formed by dividing each block into two in the radial direction. Specifically, one row on the outermost periphery is divided into four regions at 90 ° intervals. This is illustrated as an outer periphery first area AEout1, an outer periphery second area AEout2, an outer periphery third area AEout3, and an outer periphery fourth area AEout4. The innermost and middle two rows are divided into four regions at 90 ° intervals. This is illustrated as an inner circumference first area AEin1, an inner circumference second area AEin2, an inner circumference third area AEin3, and an inner circumference fourth area AEin4. The LEDs 80 belonging to each of the areas AEout1 to out4 and in1 to in4 are positioned so as to be uniformly distributed in each area.

  Lighting can be controlled in units of the divided areas AEout1 to out4 and AEin1 to in4 of the internal lighting unit 5. The lighting control divided into these areas may include control of the light emission amount of the LED 80.

Partial illumination of the large-diameter external lighting unit 4B (FIG. 23) :
On the ring-shaped LED substrate 77 of the large-diameter external illumination unit 4B, a large number of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged almost uniformly over the entire circumference. The illumination LEDs 80 are arranged at substantially the same interval on four concentric circles spaced in the radial direction. More specifically, the plurality of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged on four concentric circles having different diameters around the optical axis of the lens assembly 36 of the barcode reader 2.

  The large-diameter external lighting unit 4B is divided into eight blocks at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and partial illumination is performed in units of a total of 32 areas formed by dividing each block into four in the radial direction. Is set to Specifically, the ring-shaped LED substrate 77 is divided into eight areas at 45 ° intervals in the outermost row. This is illustrated by the outer periphery first area AEout1 to the outer periphery eighth area AEout8. The next row is also divided into 8 areas at 45 ° intervals. This is illustrated by the outer middle first area AEmid1 to the outer middle eighth area AEmid8. The next row is also divided into 8 areas at 45 ° intervals. This is illustrated by the outer middle ninth area AEmid9 to the outer middle sixth area AEmid16. The innermost section is divided into eight areas at 45 ° intervals. This is illustrated by the inner circumference first area AEin1 to the inner circumference eighth area AEin8. Even in the large-diameter external illumination unit 4B, illumination can be controlled in units of a total of 32 areas. Even in the external illumination unit 4B, it is possible to control the light emission amount of the LED 80 for each area.

Partial illumination of the small-diameter external illumination unit 4A (FIG. 24) :
Referring to FIG. 24, on the ring-shaped LED substrate 77 of the small-diameter external illumination unit 4A, a large number of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged almost uniformly over the entire circumference. The illumination LEDs 80 are arranged at substantially the same intervals on three concentric circles spaced in the radial direction. More specifically, the plurality of illumination LEDs 80 are arranged on three concentric circles having different diameters around the optical axis of the lens assembly 36 of the barcode reader 2.

  The ring-shaped LED substrate 77 is divided into 8 regions at 45 ° intervals in the outermost row. This is illustrated by the outer periphery first area AEout1 to the outer periphery eighth area AEout8. The middle row is also divided into eight regions at 45 ° intervals. This is illustrated by the outer middle first area AEmid1 to the outer middle eighth area AEmid8. The inner circumferential row is also divided into eight regions at 45 ° intervals. This is illustrated by the inner circumference first area AEin1 to the inner circumference eighth area AEin8. Even in the small-diameter external illumination unit 4A, partial illumination can be set in a total of 24 areas. The lighting control divided into these areas may include control of the light emission amount of the LED 80. In addition, you may make it vary the color of illumination by LED80 for illumination for the area set as partial illumination.

LED drive circuit of external illumination unit 4 (FIG. 25) :
FIG. 25 shows a part of the LED drive circuit. The LED driving circuit shown in the drawing can turn on the LEDs 80 for each area and supply a constant current to the plurality of illumination LEDs 80 belonging to each area.

  For example, the small-diameter outer illumination unit 4A of FIG. 24 will be described. A region in which the ring-shaped LED substrate 77 is divided into 8 at 45 ° intervals in the circumferential direction is referred to as a “block”. For example, the outer periphery first area AEout1, the intermediate first area AEmid1, and the inner periphery first area AEin1 constitute the first block. A block switch 105 and a constant current circuit 106 are provided for each block. When the block switch 105 is turned on, a voltage can be applied to the plurality of LEDs 80 belonging to the block. A plurality of LEDs 80 in each column is provided with a column switch 107 that bypasses the LED 80 for each block, and a group of illumination LEDs 80 is connected in series with the column switch 107 in parallel. In FIG. 25, only one illumination LED 80 for each circumferential row is shown, but this is only for simplifying the diagram, and for illumination connected in parallel with each row switch 107. It should be understood that there are a plurality of LEDs 80 in series.

  Each column belonging to each block is connected in series, and the column switch 107 described above is connected in parallel to each column. Therefore, by turning off an arbitrary column switch 107, a constant current is supplied to a plurality of LEDs 80 belonging to the corresponding block and the corresponding column. By providing this LED drive circuit in the external illumination unit 4A, it is possible to arbitrarily set the area of partial illumination for each column of each block. Moreover, by providing the constant current circuit 106 for each block, for example, the current flowing through the illumination LEDs 80 in the first to third circumferential rows in the same block can be maintained constant.

  In other words, without the constant current circuit 106, for example, when the illumination LEDs 80 in the second and third circumferential rows are lit, the illumination LEDs 80 in the first circumferential row are switched from OFF to ON. The voltage applied to the illumination LEDs 80 in the third circumferential row changes, the current flowing through the second and third illumination LEDs 80 changes, and the brightness changes.

  In other words, even if the block switch 105 is turned ON / OFF, the light emission amount of the illumination LED 80 belonging to another block does not change. This is because each block is connected to the power supply in parallel with each other. However, when the column switch 107 is turned ON / OFF, the number of LEDs 80 lit in the block changes, and the brightness of the LEDs 80 changes accordingly.

  This means that, when setting the lighting pattern of partial illumination, it is desirable to eliminate as much as possible the factors that change the brightness of the LED 80 in order to find out how to best apply light to the workpiece. The constant current circuit 105 is provided in each block for this purpose. Thereby, when setting the lighting pattern, the optimal lighting pattern is ensured by uniformizing the luminance of the LED 80 in the lighting area for partial illumination when the lighting pattern is changed and ensuring the uniformity of the luminance. It will be easier to find. Note that the LED drive circuit of FIG. 25 can be similarly adopted for the large-diameter external illumination unit 4B and the internal illumination unit 4B.

Partial illumination of the internal lighting unit 5 and the external lighting unit 4 (FIG. 26) :
The internal lighting unit 5 and the external lighting unit 4 are both surface light sources in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a plane, and each surface area is divided into several areas in the circumferential direction and the radial direction. It is possible to partially illuminate, and the user can arbitrarily set the lighting pattern of which area is lit and which area is not lit. The lighting pattern including lighting of all areas can be registered in advance by the user using the PC 3, and the lighting pattern set by the user is obtained when the memory M of the barcode reader 2 and the external lighting unit 4 are connected. This is stored in the memory M of the external illumination unit 4. This lighting control includes control of the light emission amount of the illumination LED 80. In FIG. 26, as in FIG. 25 described above, only one LED for illumination 80 in each circumferential row is shown. However, this is only a simplified diagram, and each row switch 107 is shown. It should be understood that there are a plurality of lighting LEDs 80 connected in parallel with each other.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the external illumination unit 4 includes CPU control means. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, the partial illumination areas divided in the circumferential direction and the radial direction are set by controlling each block switch 105 and the column switch 107 of each circumferential row by the CPU of the external illumination unit 4. Sometimes, the lighting control of the LED 80 is executed in units of this area.

Barcode reader system settings (Figure 27) :
FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a series of procedures relating to the setting of the barcode reader system 1 performed using the personal computer 3. Referring to FIG. 27, first, connection setting between personal computer (PC) 3 and bar code reader 2 is performed (S1). At this time, connection setting can be easily performed by assigning a temporary IP address. When the dedicated external illumination unit 4 is connected to the barcode reader 2, the model information of the external illumination unit 4 stored in the memory M (FIG. 1) of the external illumination unit 4 is read. The connection setting of the external lighting unit 4 is automatically executed based on the model information registered in advance in the memory M (FIG. 1) of the reader 2.

  Next, the pair of pointer LEDs 40 built in the barcode reader 2 are turned on to place the work within the field of view of the barcode reader 2 (S2). Then, the work is positioned on the display of the PC 3 (S3).

  Next, various settings are performed using the PC 3 (S4). This setting is mainly performed so that the optical information (bar code or QR code) of the workpiece can be easily seen. The setting of the area to be lit by the internal lighting unit 5 and the lighting area pattern setting for setting which area within the area that can be controlled to be lit by the external lighting unit 4 when the external lighting unit 4 is used are included.

  When this setting is completed, tuning setting, which is fine adjustment of the setting, is performed (S5). Tuning includes selection of brightness priority or processing speed priority, setting of a tuning method, etc., and actual fine adjustment of the setting is performed (S6), and if tuning is successful, a reading test is performed (S7). If it is confirmed in this reading test that the optical information of the workpiece is stably decoded, the setting operation is completed (S8).

Lighting pattern setting (FIGS. 28 to 33) :
Referring to FIG. 1, a lighting setting program is installed in personal computer 3, and lighting settings for internal lighting unit 5 and external lighting unit 4 are performed by this lighting setting program. That is, the personal computer 3 functions as a lighting setting support apparatus by incorporating a lighting setting program.

  The illumination setting work is included in the work of step S4 described with reference to FIG. The lighting setting created by the user using the lighting setting program is transferred to the bar code reader 2 and stored in the memory M of the bar code reader 2, and then the external lighting unit 4 when the external lighting unit 4 is connected. 4 and temporarily stored in the memory M of the external lighting unit 4.

  With this illumination setting, the control of the external illumination unit 4 is controlled when the trigger command is output from the barcode reader 2, the external illumination unit 4 receives the trigger command by communication, and is stored in the memory M of the external illumination unit 4. The lighting can be executed with reference to the lighting setting.

  The lighting setting program provided in the personal computer 3 has a real-time screen shown in FIG. 28, and an image captured by the barcode reader 2 is displayed in real time as shown in FIG. This captured image may be a live image or a still image. In the case of a live image, the test piece on which the optical information is printed can be moved within the field of view of the barcode reader 2 to check how light hits the optical information.

  FIG. 29 to FIG. 32 show display screens exemplarily showing real-time live image updating performed in accordance with the selection of the lighting pattern when the user operates the personal computer 3. The live image has the light intensity and exposure time so that the average brightness of the predetermined brightness setting area becomes the brightness adjusted by the user sliding the brightness adjustment bar prepared on the display screen. , Gain, etc. are feedback adjusted. As a result, even if the lighting pattern is changed, it is possible to display an image while keeping the brightness of the region of interest to the user constant.

  The display screen of the personal computer 3 will be described using FIG. 29 as an example. A lighting pattern setting screen is displayed on the left side, and a live image is simultaneously displayed on the right side. Of course, the setting screen may be displayed superimposed on the live image of FIG. In addition, the display of FIGS. 29-31 shows a display mode when the large-diameter external illumination unit 4B is connected.

  In FIG. 29, the internal lighting unit 5 is not selected, only the external lighting unit 4 is selected, and the outermost periphery of the external lighting unit 4 is checked. There are four choices for the external lighting unit 4: (1) “outer circumference”, (2) “outer circumference”, (3) “middle circumference”, and (4) “inner circumference”. Column selection items exist, and “outermost circumference” in (1) means AEout1 to out8 on the outermost circumference in FIG. The “outer circumference” in (2) means AEmid1 to out8 in FIG. The “middle circumference” in (3) means AEmid 9 to out 16 in FIG. The “inner circumference” in (4) means AEin1 to in8. One or more selections can be made in units of these circumferential rows.

  In FIG. 29, only the circumferential row of “outermost circumference” is selected. In the setting screen, a schematic diagram representing each area of the dedicated external lighting unit 4 in a similar shape is displayed. Using this schematic diagram, the user clicks an arbitrary area among the eight outermost areas AEout1 to out8. By doing this, it is possible to set an area to be lit out of the eight outermost areas.

  In the example of FIG. 29, the user clicks all of the eight outermost areas AEout1 to AE8 and sets the lighting of the eight areas AEout1 to OUT8. In this lighting setting, the lighting pattern is displayed in the schematic diagram of the lighting unit displayed on the setting screen, so that the user can immediately know what lighting pattern he / she has set. In FIG. 29, all areas on the outermost periphery set to be lit are displayed in red in a ring shape, and the other areas are displayed in gray. Needless to say, the schematic diagram of each area of the illumination unit displayed on the setting screen is similar to all the areas of the small-diameter external illumination unit 4A when the small-diameter dedicated external illumination unit 4A is connected. A schematic diagram expressed in is displayed.

  When the user sets an arbitrary area from eight areas in the “outermost circumference” circumferential row of the large-diameter external lighting unit 4B, this information is transmitted to the barcode reader 2, and the external lighting is also provided. The image is transferred to the unit 4B and temporarily stored in the barcode reader 2 and the memory M of the external illumination unit 4B, and then imaging is performed while performing illumination control according to this lighting pattern. This live captured image is transmitted to the personal computer 3, and this live image is displayed on the right side of the display screen of FIG. The user can check the appearance of the optical information printed on the test piece by moving the test piece while viewing the live image.

  FIG. 30 shows that the items of the two circumferential rows “outer circumference” and “outer circumference” of the large-diameter external lighting unit 4B are selected, and the user clicks the outer circumference and the next inner circle. This shows a state in which four areas AEout2, AEmid2, AEout6, and AEmid6 (FIG. 23) facing each other among the 16 areas on the circumference are set. As can be seen from FIG. 30, in the schematic diagram of all areas of the lighting unit included in the setting screen, the corresponding part is displayed in red, and the non-selected area is displayed in gray. The real time image on the right side of FIG. 30 is a live image of the barcode reader 2 that is captured while illuminating in the four areas AEout2, AEmid2, AEout6, and AEmid6.

  FIG. 31 shows that all items of the external lighting unit 4 and all items of the internal lighting unit 5 are selected, and all areas of the external lighting unit 4 and all areas of the internal lighting unit 5 are clicked by the user. The state set to light up. As can be seen from FIG. 31, in the schematic diagram of all areas of the illumination unit included in the setting screen, all areas of the external illumination unit 4 and the internal illumination unit 5 inside thereof are displayed in red. This information is transmitted to the barcode reader 2 and transferred to the external illumination unit 4B, and imaging is performed while performing illumination control according to the lighting pattern in which all the areas are set to be lit. This live image is immediately transmitted to the personal computer 3, and this live image is displayed in real time on the right side of the display screen of FIG.

  FIG. 32 shows a display mode when the external lighting unit 4 is in a disconnected state and all selection items of the internal lighting unit 5 are selected. Even in the internal lighting unit 5, (1) “inner circumference” and (2) “middle circumference” have two selection items in the circumferential row, and which area in the circumferential row of each item is lit. It can be turned on by the user performing a click operation. In the example of FIG. 32, “inner circumference” and “middle circumference” are selected, and four areas AEout2, AEin2, AEout4, and AEin4 (FIG. 22) are turned on by the user's click operation. This is a set example. Even in this internal lighting unit 4, it is possible to select a circumferential row divided in the radial direction by selecting “inner circumference” and “middle circumference” or all of them. it can.

  As can be seen from FIG. 32, the schematic diagram of the illumination unit included in the setting screen is a diagram expressing the entire area of the internal illumination unit 4. The non-selected area is displayed in gray, and the areas AEout2, AEin2, AEout4, and AEin4 (FIG. 22) set by the user to be turned on are highlighted in red. The real-time image on the right side of FIG. 32 is a live image of the barcode reader 2 that is captured while illuminating in the selected areas AEout2, AEin2, AEout4, and AEin4 of the internal lighting unit 5.

  As can be understood from the transition of the above display, the user determines the area to be lit while looking at the schematic diagram expressing all the settable areas of the lighting unit 4 in a similar form, and includes the lighting area set by the user. The pattern is sent to the barcode reader 2. The barcode reader 2 captures images according to this lighting pattern, and the captured image is displayed immediately. This captured image is preferably a live image.

  The user can intuitively recognize the settable area by looking at the schematic diagram of the setting screen, and observe the live image that is the result of the lighting pattern set by the user, and check the lighting condition. It is possible to grasp in real time how changes occur.

  If the captured images of FIGS. 29 to 33 are live images, representative still images are stored in the memory of the personal computer 3 together with the respective lighting settings, and the user is most suitable while comparing the images of FIGS. 29 to 33. The final lighting parameters can be set by selecting an image.

  In the lighting area setting of the dedicated external lighting unit 4 and the internal lighting unit 5 described above, just click on the area of the schematic diagram without depending on the selection items of the circumferential row such as “inner circumference”, “middle circumference”, etc. Of course, an arbitrary area may be selected.

  FIG. 33 shows a display example when a general-purpose external lighting unit is connected. When an external lighting unit that cannot be recognized by the barcode reader 2 is connected, all the selection items are displayed in gray indicating that selection is impossible.

Setting screen (FIGS. 34 and 35) :
FIG. 34 shows a setting screen when the dedicated external lighting unit 4 is connected, and FIG. 35 shows a setting screen when neither the dedicated external lighting unit 4 nor the general-purpose external lighting unit is connected. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 34 and 35, when the dedicated external lighting unit 4 is connected (FIG. 34), each area of the dedicated external lighting unit 4 and each area of the internal lighting unit 5 are the units 4, 5 A schematic diagram of the lighting unit expressed in a ring shape is displayed. On the other hand, when only the internal lighting unit 5 is provided, a schematic diagram of the lighting unit in which each area of the internal lighting unit 5 is expressed in a ring shape in the same manner as the internal lighting unit unit is displayed.

Lighting pattern setting operation (FIGS. 36 and 37) :
FIG. 36 and FIG. 37 are flowcharts for explaining the procedure of the illumination setting using the setting program of the personal computer 3, and FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining the process of selecting the illumination setting screen by the illumination setting program. is there.

  Referring to FIG. 36, when an illumination setting button (not shown) on the display screen of personal computer 3 is clicked (S100), a setting program is activated and it is determined whether or not an external illumination unit is connected. (S101). The external lighting unit includes a dedicated external lighting unit 4 and a general-purpose external lighting unit. If YES is determined in this step S101, it is determined in the next step S102 whether or not it is a dedicated external lighting unit 4, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S103 and the dedicated external lighting unit 4 is connected. Time setting screen (FIG. 34) is displayed.

  When it is determined NO in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104, and the setting screen (FIG. 33) when the general-purpose external lighting unit is connected is displayed. If NO is determined in step S101, it is determined that the external lighting unit is not connected, and the process proceeds to step S105 to display a setting screen (FIG. 33) indicating that there is no dedicated external lighting unit.

  With reference to FIG. 37, the lighting pattern setting process will be described. In step S120, when the area of the schematic diagram displayed on the setting screen is clicked, the display of the clicked area is inverted and changed to, for example, a red display. (S121). The information of the user's lighting setting is immediately transferred to the barcode reader 2 and imaging of the barcode reader 2 is executed, preferably a live image is transmitted to the personal computer 3, and this live image is shown in FIGS. As described in 29 and the like, it is displayed on the personal computer 3 in real time. The user sets an optimal lighting pattern while watching this. Of course, the setting of the lighting pattern, that is, the illumination setting may include the setting of the light amount (light intensity) of the LED 80 for illumination.

  As can be understood from the above description, by using the illumination setting program, the illumination setting can be performed while confirming the live image intuitively and visually. The lighting pattern set in the lighting setting program is stored in the barcode reader 2 and the memory M of the dedicated external lighting unit 4 so that the lighting control of the dedicated external lighting unit 4 by the communication described above is executed.

Other setting modes related to partial illumination (FIGS. 38 to 41) :
The illumination setting program described above has another setting mode in addition to the partial illumination setting mode described above. The outline of the second partial illumination setting mode will be described. First, the user sets the range of the brightness setting area. Next, the brightness is set by sliding the brightness adjustment bar prepared at the right end of the display screen of FIG. 28 up and down. Then, images are sequentially captured while adjusting the illumination parameters such as the amount of illumination light, the exposure time, and the gain so that the brightness in the brightness setting region becomes the brightness set by the user. Imaging is performed in accordance with each illumination parameter, and a captured image (still image) is accumulated. Then, a list of the captured images (still images) of the accumulated illumination parameters is displayed. The user selects an optimum captured image from the list display, whereby the illumination parameter related to the captured image is set.

First Example Setting Procedure (FIGS. 38 and 39) :
The number of lighting patterns that can be set for the external lighting unit 4 and the internal lighting unit 5 described above exceeds 100. The personal computer 3 selects a typical lighting pattern according to a predetermined rule and stores it in the memory. The flowchart in FIG. 38 assumes that a plurality of typical lighting patterns are prepared in advance, and that the lighting patterns are automatically selected from the typical lighting patterns. A plurality of lighting patterns may be registered, and a lighting pattern may be automatically selected from these.

  Referring to FIG. 38, first, the range of the brightness area is set (S200). Next, the brightness of this brightness setting area is set (S201). The brightness can be set by sliding a brightness adjustment bar prepared at the right end of the display screen in FIG. 28 up and down while viewing the real-time screen described with reference to FIG. Next, when a setting change button (not shown) prepared on the display screen of the personal computer 2 is depressed (S202), the second setting mode can be entered. The next step S203 is a process for changing the setting of the partial illumination. When this step S203 is passed for the first time, the process proceeds to the next step S204, and the internal illumination unit 5 and / or the external illumination is performed in accordance with the first lighting pattern. Imaging by the barcode reader 2 is performed while the unit 4 is illuminated, and the captured image (still image) is immediately transferred to the personal computer 3 and displayed on the display of the personal computer 3 (FIG. 28).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the brightness setting area of the captured image is appropriate, that is, whether or not the brightness is stable (S205). If it is determined in this determination process that the brightness is inappropriate or unstable, the amount of light of the illumination unit 4 (5) is adjusted so that the average value of the brightness in the brightness setting area described above becomes a predetermined value. Imaging with the barcode reader 2 is repeated while feedback control of the adjustment. As a modified example, a process of stabilizing the brightness setting region brightness by controlling the light quantity of the illumination unit and the optical information reader so that the product of the lighting area of the partial illumination and the exposure time is constant. May be. When it is determined that the brightness of the brightness setting area is appropriate and stable, the process proceeds from step S205 to S206, and a still image is acquired.

  Next, in step S207, the presence or absence of another lighting pattern is confirmed. Now, since this step S207 is passed for the first time, the answer is YES, so that the process proceeds to step SS203, and the above-described processing from S204 to S205 is performed according to the second lighting pattern. These processes are repeated until the captured images are acquired for all of the plurality of lighting patterns prepared in advance. When the captured images of all the lighting patterns are acquired, the process proceeds from step S207 to S208, and all the acquired images are acquired. A list of captured images is created. For example, a list of captured images shown in FIG. 39 is displayed on the display of the personal computer 3.

  Referring to FIG. 39, regarding the list display of a plurality of acquired captured images, a schematic diagram of the illumination unit described above is displayed next to each captured image, and the setting state of the lighting pattern is displayed by this schematic diagram. By viewing the schematic diagram next to each captured image, the user can immediately recognize the captured image (how the electronic information looks) as a result of comparison with the set lighting pattern.

  The user refers to the list display of FIG. 39 and selects the captured image “OK”, thereby setting the illumination parameter of the selected captured image (S209, S210). As described above, the set illumination parameter, that is, the illumination setting is stored in the memory M of the external illumination unit 4 when the memory M of the barcode reader 2 and the external illumination unit 4 are connected.

  The selection of the captured image by the list display, that is, the setting of the illumination parameter, may be performed by automatically selecting the captured image by calculation based on the feature amount of the captured image of the list display. Examples of the feature amount include an image contrast, success or failure of decoding, an error correction rate when decoding is successful, and an index relating to decoding stability. In addition, the user or the computer 3 selects a plurality of captured images as candidates suitable for setting the illumination parameter, and tunes the illumination parameters (including the lighting pattern) corresponding to the selected plurality of captured images. A captured image may be determined.

Setting procedure of the second example (FIG. 40) :
Referring to FIG. 40, steps S300 to S307 are the same as steps S200 to S207 of FIG. After acquiring a plurality of captured images, reading or decoding of each captured image is attempted in step S308, and to what extent the reading rate of each captured image, that is, the barcode or QR code can be read in the next step S309. A decode rate score is created, and a list of captured images and scores is displayed on the display of the personal computer 3 in the next step S310. In this list display, referring to FIG. 29 described above, the score is displayed as a numerical value or a graph next to the captured image. Of course, it is preferable to display a schematic diagram (set lighting pattern) of the illumination unit next to the captured image.

  Next, in the next step S311, the user views the picked-up images in the list and selects an OK picked-up image, whereby the lighting parameters of the picked-up picked-up image are set as lighting settings (S312). In step S311, the computer 3 may automatically select the captured image by comparing the numerical value of the score with a predetermined threshold instead of the user selecting the captured image. .

  When there are a plurality of captured images with delicate determination as to which is preferable, referring to a score that is an index of readability makes it possible to select a captured image appropriately and easily.

Setting procedure of the third example (FIG. 41) :
Referring to FIG. 41, steps S400 to S407 are the same as steps S300 to S307 in FIG. After attempting to read each captured image in step S408, a list of captured images (still images) is displayed (S409). The list display is performed in the form as shown in FIG. 39 described above, but it is needless to say that the schematic diagram of the illumination unit and / or the reading score may be displayed together with the captured image.

  It will be apparent from the description of FIG. 40 above that the user may refer to this list and, if a captured image of “OK” is present, the illumination setting may be executed by selecting this image. . However, when the user thinks that it is better to adjust the illumination parameters (typically lighting patterns) a little by looking at the picked-up images in the list display, or the personal computer 3 selects in comparison with the score and the threshold value. When it is determined that there is no captured image that is worthy, the process proceeds to step SS409, and the captured image to be tuned is selected by the user (S410), and then the illumination parameter tuning process of the selected captured image is executed (S410). S411). There may be one or more captured images to be tuned. In any case, in many cases, a picked-up image in which the number of picked-up images displayed in the list is narrowed down is selected as a tuning target. The tuning process is an image process for finely adjusting the brightness of the captured image. This tuning process involves reading or decoding of optical information.

  When the tuning process for all the captured images selected as the tuning target is completed, the process proceeds from step S412 to S413, and a tuning score is created. This score is a success rate of decoding of a captured image after tuning processing, that is, a reading rate. In the next step SS414, a captured image is selected based on the tuning score, and illumination parameters corresponding to the captured image are set for illumination. This illumination setting is stored in the memory M of the external illumination unit 4 when the memory M of the barcode reader 2 and the external illumination unit 4 are connected as described above (S415).

  According to the third setting procedure, since tuning is performed on a limited number of captured images as compared with tuning on all acquired captured images, the reduction and setting of the illumination setting process can be performed. Can be shortened.

  The present invention is applied to the illumination setting of an optical information reading device that reads optical information such as a barcode and a QR code.

1 Bar code reader system 2 Bar code reader (optical information reader)
3 Personal computer (PC)
4 Ring-type dedicated external illumination unit 5 Internal illumination unit built in barcode reader 43 Optical reader (imaging device: CMOS)
77 LED board of external lighting unit 78 Circuit board of external lighting unit (including CPU and memory)
80 LED for lighting
M memory

Claims (10)

In an illumination setting support device that supports the setting of illumination of an optical information reader having an illumination unit capable of partial illumination with a lighting pattern that defines an area to be lit,
Imaging that transmits, to the optical information reader, an instruction to execute imaging by the optical information reader while performing partial illumination according to the plurality of lighting patterns in order based on illumination parameters including a plurality of lighting patterns prepared in advance. Command transmission means;
Captured image acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of captured images captured by the optical information reading means according to the plurality of lighting patterns;
List display means for displaying a list of the acquired plurality of captured images;
Illumination setting transmission means for setting an illumination parameter corresponding to a captured image selected from the captured images displayed in a list and transmitting the set illumination parameter to the optical information reader. Illumination setting support device for optical information reading device. A plurality of lighting patterns prepared in advance are lighting patterns stored in a memory,
The illumination setting support device for an optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination information is selected from lighting patterns that can be set for the illumination unit and stored in advance in the memory.   The optical information reading device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of lighting patterns prepared in advance are stored in the memory in advance by a user selecting a lighting pattern that can be set for the lighting unit. Lighting setting support device.   The plurality of lighting patterns prepared in advance are stored in the memory in advance by a computer selecting a lighting pattern that can be set for the lighting unit according to a predetermined rule. Illumination setting support device of the optical information reading device.   5. The list display unit according to claim 1, wherein the list display unit displays a list of the acquired plurality of captured images and displays a list of lighting patterns corresponding to the captured images together with the captured images. Illumination setting support device of the optical information reading device.   Before the imaging screen acquisition means acquires the imaging screen, the brightness of the captured image is determined to be appropriate, and when the brightness is inappropriate, the light amount of the lighting unit is adjusted so that the brightness is appropriate. The illumination of the optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein imaging by the optical information reader is executed, and brightness determination processing of the captured image is performed on the captured image. Setting support device.   The illumination setting support device of the optical information reading device according to claim 6, wherein the determination of the brightness of the captured image is performed with respect to an average brightness value of a brightness setting region set by a user.   Before the imaging screen acquisition means acquires the imaging screen, it is determined whether or not the brightness of the captured image is appropriate. When the brightness is unstable, the product of the lighting area of the partial illumination and the exposure time is constant. The illumination setting support device for an optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light amount of the illumination unit and the exposure time of the optical information reading device are controlled so as to be.   The illumination setting of the optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein reading of the acquired captured image is attempted before the list display, and the reading score is added to the list display. Support device. The image processing apparatus further includes tuning processing means for selecting a tuning target captured image from the list-captured captured image based on the reading score, and performing tuning on the tuning target captured image by image processing,
An attempt is made to read the captured image processed by the tuning processing means to create a tuning score, and based on the tuning score, a captured image is selected from the captured images to be tuned, and illumination parameters corresponding to the captured image are set. The illumination setting support device for an optical information reading device according to claim 9, wherein the illumination parameter is set and transmitted to the optical information reading device.