JP2019046212A - Optical information reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration that can suppress the influence of noise light caused by reflection of illumination light with respect to a captured image even when an illumination light source is housed in a casing.SOLUTION: The optical information reading device includes a reflecting member 50 that reflects illumination light Lf emitted from an illumination light source 21 toward a reading surface 14, and an image forming unit 27 configured to set an imaging target held up to the reading surface 14 within an imaging range of an imaging unit 23. Given that, of the imaging range, a range formed between the image forming unit 27 and the reading surface 14 is referred to as a first imaging range AR1 and a range formed between the reading surface 14 and the reflecting member 50 in such a way as to be subsequent to the first imaging range AR1 in a case where light is reflected inside a casing at the reading surface 14 is referred to as a second imaging range AR2, the reflecting member 50 is disposed at a position outside the first imaging range AR1, and the illumination light source 21, the imaging unit 23 and the image forming unit 27 are disposed at positions outside the second imaging range AR2. Then, the illumination light Lf is emitted by the illumination light source 21 toward a reflection surface 55 of the reflecting member 50 which is in the second imaging range AR2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reader.

  Currently, optical information readers that optically read information codes such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademark) displayed on display media are widely provided, and stationary optical devices used in stores and offices. As a typical information reader, for example, a stationary information code reader disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This stationary information code reader is configured such that a reading port is formed at the center of the upper surface of the case, and an imaging unit and the like are accommodated inside the case so that the outside can be imaged through the reading port. When the information code is held over the reading port, the information code is picked up by the image pickup unit, and the picked up code image is decoded by a known decoding method.

JP 2014-219796 A

  In particular, in recent years, as an optical information reading apparatus, not only reading of an information code but also reading of various optical information displayed on a display medium such as reading of a passport using an OCR function is required. Yes. At that time, for example, there is a need to store the captured image in a passport or the like, and the demand for a stationary optical information reading apparatus corresponding to this need is increasing.

  In such a stationary optical information reader, generally, a reading surface (reading port) covered with a dustproof plate or the like is formed on the upper surface of the casing, and a light receiving sensor or the like is provided inside the casing. An imaging lens, an imaging light source, and an illumination light source for defining an imaging range that can be imaged via the reading surface by the imaging unit are housed. For this reason, part of the illumination light from the illumination light source may be reflected by the dust-proof plate and reflected in the captured image as noise light. Similarly, noise light may be reflected in the captured image even when a part of the illumination light from the illumination light source is reflected by the display medium held over the reading surface. Like the stationary information code reader disclosed in Patent Document 1, if it is a captured image for decoding the information code, it is unlikely to affect the decoding result even if noise light is reflected, If it is assumed that the captured image is stored, there is a problem that a clear captured image cannot be obtained due to noise light generated due to reflection by a dust-proof plate or the like.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to influence the influence of noise light caused by reflection of illumination light on a captured image even when an illumination light source is accommodated in a housing. It is in providing the structure which can suppress this.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the scope of claims
A housing (11) provided with a reading surface (14);
An illumination light source (21) disposed in the housing;
A reflecting member (50) for reflecting the illumination light (Lf) emitted from the illumination light source toward the reading surface;
An imaging unit (23) disposed in the housing;
An imaging unit (27) configured to set the imaging target held over the reading surface within the imaging range of the imaging unit;
Prepared,
Of the imaging range, a range configured between the imaging unit and the reading surface is a first imaging range (AR1), and the first imaging is reflected when the reading surface reflects the inside of the housing. When the range configured between the reading surface and the reflecting member so as to follow the range is the second imaging range (AR2),
The reflecting member is disposed at a position outside the first imaging range,
The illumination light source, the imaging unit, and the imaging unit are arranged at positions outside the second imaging range,
The illumination light source irradiates the illumination light toward a predetermined reflection surface (55) that is the second imaging range of the reflection member.
In addition, the code | symbol in each said parenthesis shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the reflection member that reflects the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source toward the reading surface and the imaging object held over the reading surface are configured to be within the imaging range of the imaging unit. And an image portion. Of the imaging range, a range formed between the imaging unit and the reading surface is the first imaging range, and when the reading surface reflects the inside of the housing, the reading surface When the range configured between the reflecting member and the reflecting member is the second imaging range, the reflecting member is disposed at a position outside the first imaging range, and the illumination light source, the imaging unit, and the imaging unit are configured as the second imaging range. Arranged at a position outside the range. And illumination light is irradiated toward the predetermined | prescribed reflective surface used as the 2nd imaging range among reflection members by an illumination light source.

  Thereby, when imaging the imaging target held over the reading surface, even if the inner side of the housing is reflected in the captured image due to reflection by the imaging target, the reflection member irradiated with illumination light is reflected. The entire predetermined reflecting surface is easily imaged. For this reason, compared with the case where an illumination light source is imaged directly, etc., the illumination light becomes inconspicuous and the generation of noise light due to the illumination light can be suppressed while securing the necessary illuminance in the captured image. Therefore, even when the illumination light source is housed in the housing, it is possible to suppress the influence of noise light caused by the reflection of illumination light on the captured image.

  In the invention of claim 2, since the illumination light is irradiated by the illumination light source so as to suppress variation in the illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface, the illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface is likely to be uniform, Illumination light is less noticeable in the captured image. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the influence of noise light caused by the reflection of illumination light on the captured image.

  In the invention of claim 3, the reading surface is opened as a reading port, and a translucent plate for closing at least a part of the reading port is disposed. For this reason, when imaging an imaging target placed on the plate so as to be held over the reading surface (reading port), even if the inside of the housing is reflected from the plate due to reflection by the plate, illumination Since the entire predetermined reflection surface of the reflecting member irradiated with light is easily imaged, the illumination light is conspicuous while ensuring the necessary illuminance in the captured image, compared to when the illumination light source is directly imaged. It is possible to suppress the generation of noise light caused by the illumination light. Therefore, even when a translucent plate that closes the reading port, such as a dustproof plate, is used, it is possible to suppress the influence of noise light caused by the reflection of illumination light on the captured image.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the reading surface is provided with a mounting portion for mounting the imaging target, not only the imaging target is easily held over the reading surface but also the imaging target with respect to the reading surface at the time of imaging is selected. The position can be easily limited. For this reason, even if the inside of the housing is reflected from the reading surface due to reflection by the imaging target, a portion different from the predetermined reflecting surface is difficult to be reflected, so that the noise light suppression effect using the predetermined reflecting surface is reduced. Can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 5, since the mounting portion is provided integrally with the housing, not only can the number of components be reduced by adopting the mounting portion, but also the relative relationship between the mounting portion and the reading surface. Position accuracy is improved. For this reason, the position of the imaging target with respect to the reading surface at the time of imaging can be accurately limited, and the noise light suppression effect using the predetermined reflection surface can be further improved.

  In the invention of claim 6, since the illumination light source is a surface light source, it is possible to irradiate illumination light with a substantially uniform illuminance on the predetermined reflection surface, and therefore, noise light using the predetermined reflection surface. The suppression effect can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 7, since the diffusing material for diffusing the illumination light is disposed between the illumination light source and the reflecting member, the illumination light diffused by the diffusing material is applied to the predetermined reflecting surface. Thereby, since the illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface is likely to be uniform, the noise light suppression effect using the predetermined reflecting surface can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 8, since a plurality of irregularities are provided on at least the predetermined reflecting surface of the reflecting member, the illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface is likely to be uniform, so the predetermined reflecting surface is used. Noise light suppression effect can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 9, since the reflecting member is formed such that at least the predetermined reflecting surface is a curved surface, the illuminance distribution on the reading surface can be controlled according to the curvature of the predetermined reflecting surface. For this reason, for example, by forming a predetermined reflecting surface so as to have a curvature that enhances the illuminance distribution on the end side of the reading surface, it is possible to compensate for a decrease in the amount of light at the periphery of the imaging unit.

  In the invention of claim 10, the illumination light source irradiates the illumination light so that the illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface gradually changes according to the distance from the illumination light source. Even in this case, for example, the illuminance distribution on the end side of the reading surface can be increased to compensate for the decrease in the amount of light at the periphery of the imaging unit while suppressing the change in the illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, a lens is provided for irradiating a part of the illumination light from the illumination light source without passing through the reflecting member toward a predetermined range on the reading surface. By irradiating a part of the illumination light with this lens in the predetermined range, for example, toward the end side of the reading surface where the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit is reduced, the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit is reduced. Can be supplemented.

  In the invention of claim 12, a second illumination light source for irradiating the second illumination light toward a predetermined range on the reading surface is provided. By irradiating the second illumination light from the second illumination light source in the predetermined range, for example, toward the end side of the reading surface where the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit is reduced, the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit Can compensate for the decline.

  In the invention of claim 13, the illumination light source is disposed between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit, and between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit, and the first side surface is the first light emitting unit. And a light guide plate on which light from the second light emitting unit is incident on the second side surface. The light guide plate includes a plurality of grooves in which light incident from the first side surface and the second side surface is reflected toward the output surface, and the plurality of grooves are surfaces on the first side surface side. And the shape of the second side surface are different from each other.

  As a result, the shape of the surface on the first side surface side and the shape of the surface on the second side surface side of the plurality of grooves are emitted from the emission surface as compared with the case where they are formed symmetrically. The illuminance distribution of the illumination light tends to vary. That is, by changing the shape of the plurality of grooves according to the illuminance distribution of the desired illumination light, it is possible not only to irradiate illumination light in a plurality of directions via the emission surface, but for example, a part of the illumination light is reflected on a predetermined reflection surface The irradiation direction can be controlled, for example, by irradiating the other part of the illumination light toward the end side of the reading surface where the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit is reduced.

  In the invention of claim 14, the illumination light source includes a light emitting portion and a light guide plate on which light from the light emitting portion is incident on one side surface. The light guide plate has a plurality of grooves in which light incident from one side surface is reflected toward the emission surface, and the plurality of grooves are opposite to the shape of the surface on the one side surface and the one side surface. It is formed asymmetrically so that the shape of the surface on the side surface side is different.

  The light incident from one side surface is internally reflected by the other side surface to the one side surface, so that the illuminance distribution of the illumination light emitted from the emission surface is likely to vary as in the case of the invention of claim 13. Thus, by changing the shape of the plurality of grooves according to the illuminance distribution of the desired illumination light, the illumination light can be irradiated not only in a plurality of directions via the emission surface, but also the illumination, as in the invention of claim 13. The direction can be controlled. In particular, since it is only necessary to arrange the light emitting part on one side surface, it is not necessary to arrange the light emitting part on the other side surface, and the space of the illumination light source can be saved and the number of parts can be reduced.

  In the invention of claim 15, a reflective material is provided on the other side surface. As a result, since the light incident from one side is easily reflected internally by the other side to the one side, the reflection efficiency is increased. As a result of suppressing the transmission through the side surface, it is possible to increase the illuminance of the illumination light irradiated in a plurality of directions through the emission surface.

It is a perspective view which shows the optical information reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the optical information reading apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an XX cross section of the optical information reading device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining a 1st imaging range and a 2nd imaging range regarding XX cross section. It is explanatory drawing explaining the 1st imaging range and the 2nd imaging range seen from the illumination light source side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the information reading apparatus in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display state of the display surface in a passport. It is a perspective view which shows the state which held the display surface of the passport so that it might contact a reading surface. It is explanatory drawing explaining the illumination light source comprised by a some point light source. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on the 1st modification of 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on the 2nd modification of 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the illuminance distribution in the reading surface by the illumination light from the reflective surface with uniform illuminance distribution. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reading apparatus which concerns on the modification of 6th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on 7th Embodiment. FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an irradiation direction in which light from the first side surface is emitted as illumination light, and FIG. 19B is a diagram in which light from the second side surface is illumination light. It is explanatory drawing explaining the irradiation direction radiate | emitted as. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on the 1st modification of 7th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principal part of the optical information reader which concerns on the 2nd modification of 7th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state which has arrange | positioned the protection plate below the illumination light source.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an optical information reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An optical information reader 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a stationary reader placed on the placement surface with the upper surface of a desk, shelf, etc. as a placement surface, In addition to optically reading display information (optical information) such as an information code and character information displayed on the camera, it is configured as a captured image storage device capable of storing a captured image of the imaging target. In the present embodiment, the imaging target is a display medium on which display information such as predetermined character information using a specific character format or information code is displayed on the display surface. For this reason, the optical information reader 10 optically captures captured optical information, such as a known symbol recognition processing function (OCR) for recognizing captured character information, or a function as an information code reader for reading captured information codes. It is configured to have a function of optically reading (optical information reading means).

  In the present embodiment, for example, a passport (passport) 60 illustrated in FIG. 7 is assumed as a display medium (imaging target) on which predetermined information or the like is displayed on the display surface using a specific character format. Yes. As shown in FIG. 7, the passport 60 has a page of an identification item (hereinafter also referred to as a display surface 61) on which a face photo is displayed based on the standard of Doc 9303 issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is configured to be on one side. In a predetermined area of the display surface 61 which is a lower column, passport information 61a using a predetermined specific character format is displayed. When the optical information reading device 10 functions as a captured image storage device, an image storage process for storing the captured image obtained by capturing the display surface 61 is performed. As the information code, for example, a known code configured by arranging a plurality of types of cells such as a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) is assumed. For this reason, in this embodiment, the passport reading mode for recognizing the passport information 61a by imaging the display surface 61 of the passport 60, the information code reading mode for optically reading the information code, and the driver's license that does not require character recognition are imaged. At least three modes, such as a license reading mode for storing the image, are prepared so as to be switchable.

  The optical information reading device 10 includes a housing 11 that forms an outline of the optical information reading device 10 with a resin material such as ABS resin. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the housing 11 includes an upper case 12 and a lower case 13, and the upper case 12 and the lower case 13 are vertically assembled to form a substantially box shape as a whole. Has been. And inside the housing | casing 11, each components, such as the illumination light source 21, the image formation part 27, the imaging part 23, and the reflection member 50 which are mentioned later, are accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, a reading surface 14 serving as a light entrance and exit is formed on the upper surface 11a of the housing 11 so as to open in a rectangular shape as a reading port. Light enters the casing, and light from the casing is emitted outside the casing. The optical system configured by the imaging unit 27 and the imaging unit 23 functions to image the display medium held over the reading surface 14.

  An upper surface 11 a of the housing 11 is configured by a reading surface 14 and a strip-shaped one end 15 connected to one side 14 a of the reading surface 14, and is protected by a protection plate 16 so that the reading port is closed. The protective plate 16 is configured as a flat plate having a predetermined thickness, and is a translucent plate (for example, a transparent acrylic plate) that allows light from outside the housing or light from inside the housing to pass therethrough. Resin, transparent glass, etc.). In addition, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43, and the like, which will be described later, are disposed at the one end portion 15.

  Of the four sides of the reading surface 14, the side 14 b facing the one side 14 a corresponds to one edge of the upper surface 11 a of the housing 11, and the other two sides 14 c and 14 d of the four sides of the reading surface 14 are also the upper surface 11 a of the housing 11. It corresponds to each other edge. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface 11 a has a width of three edge portions surrounding the reading surface 14 excluding the one end portion 15 approximately equal to the thickness of the main body portion 12 a formed in a square ring shape of the upper case 12. Are formed to be equal. That is, the upper surface 11 a is formed such that the width of each edge portion along the sides 14 b to 14 d is smaller than the one end portion 15.

  The reading surface 14 is formed to match the display surface 61 of the passport 60. Specifically, the reading surface 14 is formed such that the distance between the other two sides 14c and 14d substantially matches the width W of the display surface 61 (see FIG. 7). Further, a portion between the display surface 61 and the other one surface 62 which is one side of the display surface 61 is defined as a boundary portion 63 (see FIG. 7), and as shown in FIG. When the display surface 61 of the passport 60 is placed in contact with the reading surface 14 so as to be aligned with one edge of the upper surface 11a, the reading surface 14 is such that the lower edge 61b of the display surface 61 substantially coincides with the one side 14a. Is formed.

  The lower case 13 is set so that its height is suitable for reading the passport 60. Specifically, the bottom case 13a of the lower case 13 is provided with a plurality of legs that come into contact with the placement surface during placement, and the lower case 13 has the boundary 63 as the upper surface as shown in FIG. When the display surface 61 of the passport 60 is placed in contact with the reading surface 14 so as to be aligned with one edge of 11a, the one edge 62a of the other one surface 62 reaches the bottom surface 13a and does not reach the placement surface. It is formed to become.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the optical information reader 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the optical information reader 10 mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 21, an imaging unit 27, an imaging unit 23, and a microcomputer (hereinafter “microcomputer”) such as a memory 35 and a control unit 40. And a power supply system such as a power supply unit and a power switch (not shown).

  The optical system is divided into a light projecting optical system and a light receiving optical system. The illumination light source 21 constituting the light projecting optical system functions as a surface light source capable of irradiating uniform illumination light Lf. The illumination light source 21 is disposed below the one end portion 15 and is configured to irradiate illumination light Lf toward a reflection surface 55 (described later) of the reflection member 50. Thus, since a surface light source is adopted as the illumination light source 21, it is possible to suppress variation in illuminance distribution in the reflecting member 50 irradiated with the illumination light Lf.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the light projecting optical system includes a reflecting member 50 that reflects and guides light from the illumination light source 21. The reflecting member 50 is disposed inside the housing 11 at a position where the illumination light Lf from the illumination light source 21 is irradiated and outside the first imaging range AR1, which will be described later, and the illumination light from the illumination light source 21. Lf is guided so as to be irradiated through the reading surface 14 to the outside of the housing 11. The reflection member 50 includes a first reflection part 51, a second reflection part 52, and a third reflection part 53. As shown in FIG. 3, the first reflecting portion 51 is formed in a planar shape so that the upper end is continuous with the side 14 b of the reading surface 14. Further, the second reflecting portion 52 is formed in a planar shape so that the upper end is continuous with the side 14c of the reading surface 14 and the third reflecting portion 53 is connected with the side 14d of the reading surface 14. An opening 54 that exposes the image forming unit 27 is formed at the lower end of the first reflecting unit 51. In addition, in FIG. 6, illustration of the reflection member 50 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the light receiving optical system includes an imaging unit 23, an imaging unit 27, and the like. The imaging unit 23 is configured as imaging means by a light receiving sensor (area sensor) in which solid-state imaging devices (light receiving elements) such as CCD elements and CMOS elements are two-dimensionally arranged. A light receiving surface 23a capable of receiving light from the outside of the housing is disposed on the side to be operated. The imaging unit 23 is mounted on the substrate so that light incident via the reading surface 14 can receive incident light that passes through the imaging unit 27 and enters the light receiving surface 23a.

  The imaging unit 27 is configured by a known imaging lens and functions as an imaging optical system. The imaging unit 27 defines an imaging range that can be imaged by the imaging unit 23 and guides light that has entered the reading surface 14 from the outside of the housing 11 to the light receiving surface 23 a of the imaging unit 23. ing. The imaging unit 27 is arranged so that the imaging target such as the display surface 61 of the passport 60 held over the reading surface 14 is within the imaging range of the imaging unit 23.

  The imaging unit 27 functions to form an image of the imaging target on the light receiving surface 23 a of the imaging unit 23 when the imaging target is disposed within the imaging range outside the housing 11. In this configuration, the imaging target can be imaged while the illumination light Lf irradiated from the illumination light source 21 and guided to the outside of the housing by the reflecting member 50 is applied to the imaging target. When the target is disposed within the imaging range, the reflected light from the imaging target is collected and an image of the imaging target is formed on the light receiving surface 23a of the imaging unit 23.

  Particularly, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the range configured between the imaging unit 27 and the reading surface 14 among the imaging ranges is defined as the first imaging range AR1 and the reading surface 14. When the second imaging range AR2 is a range formed between the reading surface 14 and the reflecting member 50 so as to follow the first imaging range AR1 when reflected by the protective plate 16 or the like at The image forming unit 27 is disposed such that the reflecting units 51 to 53 are outside the first imaging range AR1. That is, the reflecting member 50 is disposed at a position outside the first imaging range AR1. In addition, in order to suppress reflection in the captured image, the illumination light source 21, the imaging unit 23, and the imaging unit 27 are arranged at positions outside the second imaging range AR2.

  And the illumination light source 21 suppresses the influence of the reflection of the illumination light Lf on the captured image, and a predetermined reflective surface (hereinafter also referred to as the reflective surface 55) that becomes the second imaging range AR2 among the reflective portions 51 to 53. The illumination light Lf is disposed so that the illuminance distribution on the reflecting surface 55 is substantially uniform. In FIG. 5, for convenience, the reflecting surface 55 is hatched.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 34, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control unit 40, and the like. For example, a captured image captured by the optical system described above. Is configured to perform signal processing on the image signal. Specifically, it is configured such that display image data arranged in the imaging range can be stored in the memory 35 when captured by the imaging unit 23, and the control unit 40 can display such display information. Image data such as information is analyzed, and character information or the like is recognized using the OCR technique. Further, when the information code arranged in the imaging range is imaged by the imaging unit 23, the control unit 40 functions as an information code reading unit that optically reads the information code by analyzing the code image of the information code. It is configured as follows. That is, the control unit 40 functions as a reading unit that reads display information displayed on the display surface based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43, a speaker 44, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected to the control unit 40. The operation unit 42 includes a mode switch 42a and a scan switch 42b as touch switches provided so as to be externally operable with respect to the one end portion 15, and sends an operation signal to the control unit 40 according to a user's operation. The control unit 40 is configured to perform an operation according to the operation signal when receiving the operation signal from the operation unit 42. The mode switch 42a is configured as a switch operated when switching the above-described passport reading mode, information code reading mode, reading mode such as a license, etc., and the scan switch 42b starts reading in the switched mode. It is configured as a switch that is operated when For example, when a predetermined display medium such as a passport 60 is held over the reading surface 14 so as to be detected, the mode is automatically switched to a mode corresponding to the detected display medium without operating the operation unit 42. You may start reading automatically above.

  The display unit 43 includes a mode display LED 43a and a reading confirmation display LED 43b provided at one end 15, and is between the mode changeover switch 42a and the scan switch 42b, and the reading confirmation display LED 43b is a mode display LED 43a. It is arrange | positioned so that it may become elongate than. The display unit 43 is configured to be controlled by the control unit 40 so that the mode display LED 43a is lit so that the switched mode can be identified, and the reading confirmation display LED 43b is lit so that the reading result can be confirmed. Specifically, for example, the mode display LED 43a is lit in green when the mode is switched to the passport reading mode, is lit in red when the mode is switched to the information code reading mode, and is switched to the reading mode such as a license. When it is switched on, it lights up in blue and functions as a display unit capable of displaying the switched mode. Further, for example, the reading confirmation display LED 43b is lit in green when reading or imaging is possible, is lit in blue when reading is successful, and is lit in red when reading is unsuccessful. It functions as a display unit capable of displaying the result of reading.

  The speaker 44 is configured as a sound generation unit by a known speaker or the like, and according to an operation signal from the control unit 40, various notification sounds such as a preset sound and an alarm sound are provided at the one end portion 15. It is configured to emit sound through the sound port 44a. The protective plate 16 may be formed so as to expose the sound emission opening 44a.

  The communication interface 48 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with an external device, and is configured to perform communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 40.

  In the optical information reader 10 configured as described above, for example, when the passport 60 is read, after switching to the passport reading mode by operating the mode switch 42a, as shown in FIG. The scan switch 42b is operated in a state where the display surface 61 is held in contact with the reading surface 14 so that 63 is aligned with one edge (14b side) of the upper surface 11a. Thereby, the display surface 61 is imaged in the state irradiated with the illumination light Lf from the illumination light source 21 reflected by the reflecting member 50, and the passport information 61a and the like displayed on the display surface 61 are obtained using the OCR technique. The captured image is stored in the memory 35 while being recognized.

  At this time, the imaging range includes the second imaging range AR2 that is inside the housing with respect to the reading surface 14 (protective plate 16) due to reflection by the protective plate 16. As a result, the captured image includes not only the display surface 61 but also the captured image. The reflection surface 55 of the reflection member 50 is slightly reflected. Since the illumination light Lf is irradiated on the reflecting surface 55 so that the illuminance distribution is substantially uniform, for example, the illuminance distribution varies such that there is a high illuminance range on the reflecting surface 55. Thus, the illumination light Lf can be made inconspicuous while ensuring the necessary illuminance in the captured image.

  For example, when reading an information code displayed on a display surface of a predetermined sheet or the like as a display medium, the information code on the display surface is changed to the information code reading mode by operating the mode changeover switch 42a. The scan switch 42b is operated while being held over the reading surface 14. Thereby, a display surface is imaged in the state irradiated with the illumination light Lf from the illumination light source 21 reflected by the reflecting member 50, the code image of the information code displayed on the display surface is analyzed, and the information Information recorded in the code is decoded and read.

  Further, for example, when the display surface of the driver's license is imaged and stored, the mode is switched to the reading mode such as a license by operating the mode changeover switch 42a, and then the display surface is held over the reading surface 14. The scan switch 42b is operated. Thereby, the display surface of the driver's license is imaged in a state where the illumination light Lf from the illumination light source 21 reflected by the reflecting member 50 is irradiated, and the captured image is stored in the memory 35 or the like.

  Even in this case, not only the display surface of the driver's license but also the reflection surface 55 of the reflection member 50 is slightly reflected in the captured image, but the illumination light Lf is reflected on the reflection surface 55 so that the illuminance distribution is almost uniform. Since it is irradiated, the illumination light Lf can be made inconspicuous while ensuring the necessary illuminance in the captured image.

  As described above, in the optical information reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the reflection member 50 that reflects the illumination light Lf emitted from the illumination light source 21 toward the reading surface 14 is held over the reading surface 14. An imaging unit 27 configured to set the imaging target within the imaging range of the imaging unit 23 is provided. Of the imaging range, when the range configured between the imaging unit 27 and the reading surface 14 is reflected to the inside of the housing by the first imaging range AR1 and the reading surface 14, the first imaging range AR1 is continued. As described above, when the range formed between the reading surface 14 and the reflecting member 50 is the second imaging range AR2, the reflecting member 50 is disposed at a position outside the first imaging range AR1, and the illumination light source 21, The imaging unit 23 and the imaging unit 27 are arranged at a position outside the second imaging range AR2. Then, the illumination light source 21 irradiates illumination light Lf toward the reflection surface 55 that becomes the second imaging range AR <b> 2 in the reflection member 50. The reading surface 14 is opened as a reading port, and a translucent protective plate 16 that closes the reading port 14 is disposed.

  Thereby, when imaging the imaging target placed on the protection plate 16 so as to be held over the reading surface 14, it is assumed that the inside of the housing is reflected in the captured image due to reflection by the protection plate 16. In addition, the entire reflecting surface 55 of the reflecting member 50 irradiated with the illumination light Lf is easily imaged. For this reason, compared with the case where the illumination light source 21 is imaged directly, etc., the illumination light Lf becomes inconspicuous while ensuring the required illuminance in the captured image, and the generation of noise light due to the illumination light Lf can be suppressed. . Therefore, even when the illumination light source 21 is housed in the housing, it is possible to suppress the influence of noise light caused by the reflection of the illumination light Lf on the captured image. Moreover, since generation | occurrence | production of noise light can be suppressed in this way, the antireflection coating process etc. with respect to the reflective surface 55 can be abbreviate | omitted, and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In particular, the illumination light source 21 emits the illumination light Lf so as to suppress variations in the illuminance distribution on the reflection surface 55, so that the illuminance distribution on the reflection surface 55 is likely to be uniform. Lf becomes less noticeable. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the influence of noise light resulting from the reflection of the illumination light Lf with respect to the captured image.

  Furthermore, since the illumination light source 21 is a surface light source, it can irradiate the illumination light Lf with a substantially uniform illuminance on the reflection surface 55, so that the noise light suppression effect using the reflection surface 55 is improved. Can do. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the illumination light source 21 may be configured by a plurality of point light sources 21a, or the illumination light source 21 may be configured by one point light source depending on the use environment or the like.

  Further, the same effect can be obtained by a configuration in which the reading surface 14 is simply opened without providing the protective plate 16. That is, when the imaging object held over the reading surface 14 is imaged, even if the inside of the housing is reflected in the captured image from the reading surface 14 due to reflection by the imaging object, the imaging object is located on the reading surface 14. If it is almost parallel and held close to each other, the entire reflection surface 55 of the reflection member 50 irradiated with the illumination light Lf is easily imaged. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise light caused by the illumination light Lf because the illumination light Lf becomes inconspicuous while securing the necessary illuminance in the captured image.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the reading surface 14 is provided with a placement unit for placing an imaging target.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, since the imaging target R held on the reading surface 14 is imaged at an optimal position with respect to the casing 11 from which the protective plate 16 is abolished, the optimal imaging is performed. The mounting portion 70 is detachably provided so as to support the imaging target R at a position from below at least at the four corners. In particular, the placement unit 70 is formed such that the display surface R1 of the imaging target R to be placed is parallel to the reading surface 14 and the distance between the display surface R1 and the reading surface 14 is as small as possible.

  As described above, since the placement surface 70 for placing the imaging target R is provided on the reading surface 14, not only the imaging target R is easily held over the reading surface 14, but also the reading surface 14 at the time of imaging. It is possible to easily limit the position of the imaging target R. For this reason, even if the inside of the housing is reflected from the reading surface 14 due to reflection by the imaging target R, a portion different from the reflecting surface 55 of the reflecting member 50 is difficult to be reflected, so noise light using the reflecting surface 55 is reflected. The suppression effect can be improved.

  The placement unit 70 is not limited to be detachable from the housing 11 and may be provided integrally with the housing 11. In such a configuration, not only can the number of parts be reduced by adopting the placement unit 70, but also the relative positional accuracy between the placement unit 70 and the reading surface 14 is improved. For this reason, the position of the imaging target with respect to the reading surface 14 at the time of imaging can be accurately limited, and the noise light suppression effect using the reflecting surface 55 can be further improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The third embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that a diffusing material 71 that diffuses the illumination light Lf is disposed between the illumination light source 21 and the reflecting member 50.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the diffusing material 71 covers the emission surface of the illumination light source 21 configured as a surface light source, and is diffused by the diffusing material 71 outside the first imaging range AR1. The illumination light Lf is arranged so as to be emitted toward the reflection surface 55 of the reflection member 50.

  Thus, since the diffusing material 71 that diffuses the illumination light Lf is disposed between the illumination light source 21 and the reflecting member 50, the illumination light Lf diffused by the diffusing material 71 is applied to the reflecting surface 55. Thereby, since the illuminance distribution on the reflection surface 55 is likely to be uniform, the noise light suppression effect using the reflection surface 55 can be improved. In particular, by using the diffusing material 71, the illumination light source 21 configured as a surface light source can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Moreover, even when the illumination light source 21 is comprised from a some point light source, the number of required point light sources can be decreased and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The fourth embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that a plurality of irregularities are provided on the reflection surface 55 of the reflection member 50.

  Specifically, a plurality of projections and depressions are provided on at least the reflection surface 55 by using texture processing or the like for the reflection member 50.

  As described above, since a plurality of projections and depressions are provided on the reflection surface 55 of the reflection member 50, the illuminance distribution is likely to be uniform due to irregular reflection of the illumination light Lf on the reflection surface 55, and thus the reflection surface 55 is used. Noise light suppression effect can be improved. The plurality of irregularities are not limited to being formed only on the reflection surface 55, but may be formed on other portions of the reflection member 50. In addition, the plurality of irregularities is not limited to being provided on the reflection surface 55 or the like by embossing, but may be provided on the reflection surface 55 or the like by using other processing methods that cause irregular reflection or the like of the illumination light Lf.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The fifth embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the illuminance distribution on the reading surface 14 is controlled.

  Specifically, with respect to the illuminance distribution on the reading surface 14, for example, in order to compensate for a decrease in the amount of light at the periphery of the imaging unit 27, the reflecting member 50 has a direction in which the reflecting surface 55 moves away from the illumination light source 21 as shown in FIG. It is curved so as to be concave. Thereby, on the side 14b side of the reading surface 14 close to the reflecting member 50, the distance to the reflecting surface 55 is relative to the center of the reading surface 14 as compared with the case where the reflecting surface 55 is formed in a flat shape. Therefore, the illuminance distribution on the side 14b side of the reading surface 14 close to the reflecting member 50 can be relatively higher than the center of the reading surface 14.

  By curving the reflection surface 55 in this way, the illuminance distribution on the reading surface 14 of the illumination light Lf reflected by the reflection surface 55 can be controlled while making the illuminance distribution on the reflection surface 55 uniform. That is, the illuminance distribution on the reading surface 14 can be controlled according to the curvature of the reflecting surface 55. It is assumed that the illuminance distribution on the reflecting surface 55 is in a uniform state by the illumination light Lf from the illumination light source 21.

  As a first modification of the present embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the illumination light source 21 is further curved by curving the lower part of the reflection surface 55 so as to protrude toward the illumination light source 21. Compared with the case where the reflection surface 55 is formed in a flat shape on the side 14a side of the near reading surface 14, the illumination light Lf reflected by the convex portion of the reflection surface 55 is easily collected. Thereby, the illuminance distribution on the side 14a side of the reading surface 14 close to the illumination light source 21 can be made relatively higher than the center of the reading surface 14 to compensate for the decrease in the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit 27.

  As a second modification of the present embodiment, the illumination light source 21 emits the illumination light Lf so that the illuminance distribution on the planar reflection surface 55 gradually changes according to the distance from the illumination light source 21. May be. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the illumination light source 21 is configured such that the illuminance of the illumination light Lf emitted from the emission surface farther from the reflection surface 55 becomes higher.

  Even in this case, while suppressing the change in the illuminance distribution on the reflecting surface 55, for example, the illuminance distribution on the side 14b side of the reading surface 14 close to the reflecting member 50 is increased to reduce the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit 27. Can be supplemented.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading apparatus according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The sixth embodiment is mainly different from the fifth embodiment in that illumination light is irradiated toward a predetermined range of the reading surface 14 without passing through the reflecting member 50.

  When the illuminance distribution on the reflecting surface 55 formed in a flat shape is uniform, the illuminance distribution S1 on the reading surface 14 becomes non-uniform so as to decrease as the distance from the reflecting surface 55 increases, as shown in FIG. That is, the illuminance on the side 14 b side of the reading surface 14 near the reflecting member 50 is relatively high, and the illuminance on the side 14 a side of the reading surface 14 near the illumination light source 21 is relatively low.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a part of the illumination light from the illumination light source 21 is irradiated toward the side 14 a side of the reading surface 14 close to the illumination light source 21 without passing through the reflecting member 50. A lens 80 is provided separately. Thereby, the illuminance distribution S2 on the reading surface 14 by the illumination light Lf2 through the lens 80 has relatively high illuminance on the side 14a side of the reading surface 14 close to the illumination light source 21. In this way, the illuminance on the side 14a side of the reading surface 14 close to the illumination light source 21 can be increased, and the decrease in the amount of light at the periphery of the imaging unit 27 can be compensated.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, a second illumination light source 81 that irradiates illumination light Lf2 as second illumination light toward a predetermined range on the reading surface 14 may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the illumination light Lf <b> 2 from the second illumination light source 81 is irradiated toward the side 14 a side of the reading surface 14 close to the illumination light source 21 as the predetermined range, thereby forming the imaging unit 27. It is possible to compensate for the decrease in the amount of peripheral light.

  The illumination light emitted using the lens 80 or the second illumination light source 81 is not limited to being emitted toward the side 14 a of the reading surface 14 close to the illumination light source 21, but the illuminance of the reading surface 14. Irradiation may be directed toward a range where it is desired to increase

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading apparatus according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The seventh embodiment is mainly different from the sixth embodiment in that illumination light is irradiated in a plurality of directions according to the shape of the light guide plate included in the surface light source.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the illumination light source 21 is disposed between the first light emitting unit 91 and the second light emitting unit 92, and between the first light emitting unit 91 and the second light emitting unit 92. And a light guide plate 93 on which light from the first light emitting unit 91 is incident on the first side surface 94a and light from the second light emitting unit 92 is incident on the second side surface 94b. The light guide plate 93 includes a plurality of grooves 96 in which light incident from the first side surface 94a and the second side surface 94b is reflected toward the output surface 95. The shape of the first side surface 96a on the side surface 94a side and the shape of the second side surface 96b on the second side surface 94b side are different from each other.

  Specifically, since the groove 96 is formed so that the first side surface 96a has a curved surface portion with a large curvature, the light from the first side surface 94a side is the first side as illustrated in FIG. Irradiation is performed from the emission surface 95 according to a direction that passes through the first side surface 96a and the second side surface 96b. In addition, since the second side surface 96b is formed to have a flat surface portion or a curved surface portion with a small curvature close to the flat surface, the light from the second side surface 94b side is second as illustrated in FIG. 19B. It irradiates from the output surface 95 according to the direction which reflects in the side surface 96b.

  That is, the irradiation direction of the illumination light irradiated from the irradiation surface can be divided into at least two directions, that is, the irradiation direction due to the shape of the first side surface 96a and the irradiation direction due to the shape of the second side surface 96b. Thereby, the first side surface 96a and the second side surface 96a of each groove 96 are directed so that one irradiation direction is directed to the reflection surface 55 and the other irradiation direction is directed to a predetermined range such as insufficient illumination on the reading surface 14. By forming the side surface 96b, the same effects as in the sixth embodiment can be obtained.

  Thus, compared with the case where the shape of the surface on the first side surface 94a side and the shape of the surface on the second side surface 94b side of each of the plurality of grooves 96 are formed to be symmetric, respectively. The illuminance distribution of the illumination light Lf emitted from the surface tends to vary. That is, by changing the shape of the plurality of grooves 96 according to the desired illuminance distribution of the illumination light Lf, the illumination light Lf can be irradiated in a plurality of directions via the emission surface, for example, a part of the illumination light Lf can be irradiated. The irradiation direction can be controlled, for example, by irradiating the reflective surface 55 and irradiating another part of the illumination light Lf toward the end of the reading surface 14 where the peripheral light amount of the imaging unit 27 is reduced. it can.

  As a first modification of the present embodiment, the second light emitting unit 92 may be eliminated as illustrated in FIG. That is, in the modified example of the present embodiment, the illumination light source 21 includes the first light emitting unit 91 and the light guide plate 93 on which light from the first light emitting unit 91 is incident on the first side surface 94a. Composed.

  Even in such a case, the light incident from the first side surface 94a is internally reflected by the second side surface 94b toward the first side surface 94a, so that the illuminance distribution of the illumination light Lf emitted from the emission surface varies. It becomes easy. Thus, by changing the shape of the plurality of grooves 96 according to the illuminance distribution of the desired illumination light Lf, the illumination light Lf can be irradiated in a plurality of directions via the emission surface, and the irradiation direction can be controlled. it can. In particular, since the first light emitting unit 91 only needs to be arranged on the first side surface 94a side, it is not necessary to arrange the second light emitting unit 92 on the second side surface 94b side, and space saving of the illumination light source 21 can be achieved. The number of parts can be reduced.

  Furthermore, as a second modification of the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 21, a reflective material 97 may be provided on the second side surface 94 b in which the second light emitting unit 92 is eliminated. Thereby, since the light incident from the first side surface 94a is easily reflected internally by the second side surface 94b toward the first side surface 94a, the reflection efficiency is increased. As a result of suppressing that a part of the light incident from the first side surface 94a is transmitted through the second side surface 94b, the illuminance of the illumination light Lf irradiated in a plurality of directions through the emission surface can be increased.

  In the first modification, the first light emitting unit 91 may be omitted instead of the second light emitting unit 92. In the second modification, the first light emitting unit 91 may be omitted instead of the second light emitting unit 92, and the reflective material 97 may be provided on the first side surface 94a. That is, the illumination light source 21 includes a light emitting unit and a light guide plate 93 on which light from the light emitting unit is incident on one side surface. The light guide plate 93 reflects light incident on one side surface toward the emission surface 95. The plurality of grooves 96 are formed on the inside, and the plurality of grooves 96 have a shape of a surface that becomes one side surface when a surface that faces the one side surface among the side surfaces of the light guide plate 93 is the other side surface. You may form asymmetrically so that the shape of the surface used as the other side may differ.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, a modified example, etc. For example, you may actualize as follows.
(1) The protective plate 16 is not limited to the position that becomes the reading surface 14 as described above. For example, as illustrated in FIG. It may be arranged at a position. Even if it does in this way, generation | occurrence | production of the noise light resulting from the illumination light Lf from the illumination light source 21 reflecting in the protection plate 16 can be suppressed.

(2) The upper surface 11 a of the housing 11 is constituted by the reading surface 14 and the one end portion 15, and is formed so that the width of each edge portion along the sides 14 b to 14 d is smaller than the one end portion 15. For example, the reading surface 14 may be arranged at the center of the upper surface 11a so that the widths of the edge portions along the sides 14a to 14d are substantially equal.

(3) The operation unit 42, the display unit 43, and the like are not limited to be arranged at the one end 15, and a part of the operation unit 42, the display unit 43, and the like may be arranged on the side surface of the housing 11, for example.

(4) The imaging range defined by the imaging unit 27 is the second imaging range AR2 that follows the first imaging range AR1 when reflected on the reading surface 14 by the protective plate 16 or the like inside the housing. However, a part of the range following the first imaging range AR1 is not problematic in actual operation when reflected on the inside of the housing by the protective plate 16 or the like on the reading surface 14 (for example, 20%). May be set so as to include other parts in the casing different from the reflecting member 50.

(5) The optical information reader 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described passport 60, information code, or the like, but can also read optical information including other character information, for example. It is good. Further, the optical information reading apparatus 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the captured image of the display surface 61 of the passport 60 and the captured image of the driver's license, and the captured image of other display surfaces. May also be saved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Optical information reader 11 ... Housing 14 ... Reading surface 16 ... Protection plate 21 ... Illumination light source 23 ... Imaging part 27 ... Imaging part 40 ... Control part (reading part)
50: Reflecting member 55: Reflecting surface (predetermined reflecting surface)
60: Passport (for imaging)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 70 ... Mounting part 71 ... Diffusing material 80 ... Lens 81 ... 2nd illumination light source 91 ... 1st light emission part 92 ... 2nd light emission part 93 ... Light guide plate 96 ... Groove AR1 ... 1st imaging range AR2 ... 2nd imaging Range Lf: Illumination light

Claims (15)

A housing provided with a reading surface;
An illumination light source disposed in the housing;
A reflecting member that reflects the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source toward the reading surface;
An imaging unit disposed in the housing;
An imaging unit configured to set an imaging target held over the reading surface within an imaging range of the imaging unit;
Prepared,
Of the imaging range, a range configured between the imaging unit and the reading surface is a first imaging range, and the first imaging range is continued when the reading surface reflects the inside of the housing. When the range configured between the reading surface and the reflecting member is the second imaging range,
The reflecting member is disposed at a position outside the first imaging range,
The illumination light source, the imaging unit, and the imaging unit are arranged at positions outside the second imaging range,
The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light source irradiates the illumination light toward a predetermined reflection surface that is the second imaging range of the reflection member.   The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light source irradiates the illumination light so as to suppress variation in illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface. The reading surface is open as a reading port,
The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a translucent plate that closes at least a part of the reading port is disposed.   The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading surface is provided with a placement unit for placing the imaging target.   The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the placement unit is provided integrally with the housing.   The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light source is a surface light source.   The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein a diffusing material that diffuses the illumination light is disposed between the illumination light source and the reflection member.   The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of irregularities are provided on at least the predetermined reflecting surface of the reflecting member.   The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the reflection member is formed so that at least the predetermined reflection surface is a curved surface.   The illumination light source irradiates the illumination light so that an illuminance distribution on the predetermined reflecting surface gradually changes according to a distance from the illumination light source. The optical information reader according to the item.   The lens for irradiating a part of said illumination light from the said illumination light source toward the predetermined range among the said reading surfaces without passing through the said reflection member is provided. The optical information reader according to any one of the above.   The optical information reader according to claim 1, further comprising a second illumination light source that irradiates a second illumination light toward a predetermined range on the reading surface. The illumination light source is disposed between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit, and between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit, and the first light emitting unit on a first side surface. A light guide plate on which light from the second light-emitting portion is incident on a second side surface opposite to the first side surface.
The light guide plate has a plurality of grooves in which light incident from the first side surface and the second side surface is reflected toward the output surface,
The plurality of grooves are formed asymmetrically such that the shape of the surface on the first side surface side and the shape of the surface on the second side surface side are different. The optical information reading apparatus according to any one of the above. The illumination light source includes a light emitting unit and a light guide plate on which light from the light emitting unit is incident on one side surface,
The light guide plate has a plurality of grooves in which light incident from the one side surface is reflected toward the exit surface,
When the surface facing the one side surface among the side surfaces of the light guide plate is the other side surface, the plurality of grooves are different in the shape of the surface on the one side surface side and the shape of the surface on the other side surface side. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the optical information reader is formed asymmetrically.   The optical information reader according to claim 14, wherein a reflective material is provided on the other side surface.

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