JP2019079362A - Information reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration that is excellent in operability and can improve an accuracy of detecting a touch operation even when detecting the touch operation using a capacitive switch.SOLUTION: A count value N corresponding to capacitance for a touch electrode 51 of a capacitance switch 50 is detected by a control unit 40 functioning as a detection unit, and a reading process according to an operation on the switch 50 is performed by the control unit 40 based on the detection result. Then, a recess 15 is formed in a housing 11 to expose a touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 so as to allow for direct touch operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reader.

  Optical information reader such as an optical information reader that optically reads optical information including information code such as QR code (registered trademark) and character information, and information reader such as a wireless tag reader that reads an RFID tag and an IC card by wireless communication In many cases, a trigger switch is provided which is operated when starting reading. In such a configuration, if a switch having a drive portion such as a mechanical operation switch is adopted as a trigger switch, the trigger switch may fail due to the operation durability life in operation where the number of operations of the trigger switch is large. . In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to adopt a capacitive electrostatic switch as a trigger switch, and an information reader using such a switch is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below. Handheld information readers are known.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 04-160580

  By the way, in the structure which adopts the electrostatic switch of an electrostatic capacitance system as a trigger switch as mentioned above, when performing touch operation which touches the outer surface of the housing located directly on the electrode of an electrostatic switch, The on / off determination is performed based on the magnitude of parasitic capacitance generated between the electrode and the human body via the wall. For this reason, depending on the threshold for ON / OFF determination, the detection accuracy of the touch operation may decrease due to the sensitivity difference (difference in the detected capacitance) caused by the individual difference.

  On the other hand, if the threshold for ON / OFF determination is simply reduced so that the electrostatic switch reacts even if anyone performs a touch operation, the reaction area of the electrostatic switch becomes wider. The action of releasing Then, in the case where the ON / OFF operation is continuously repeated, it is necessary to repeatedly perform a touch operation that is largely separated from the electrode, and a finger or the like who performs the touch operation becomes tired. In addition, if the electrostatic capacitance of the electrostatic switch itself changes due to ambient temperature changes or the approach of metal etc., the information reader may malfunction because the ON / OFF determination can not be made accurately. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide excellent operability and touch operation even when detecting a touch operation using a capacitance type switch. An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that can improve detection accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, an information reader (10, 10a) according to claim 1 of the claims is:
An information reading unit (23, 40) capable of reading information to be read;
A capacitive switch (50) having a touch electrode (51) which is touch-operated when starting reading by the information reading unit;
A housing (11) in which the switch is housed;
A detection unit (40, 60) for detecting a capacitance of the touch electrode;
A control unit (40) that controls the information reading unit according to an operation on the switch based on a detection result by the detection unit;
Equipped with
The housing is characterized in that a recess (15) is formed to expose at least a part of the touch electrode so as to allow direct touch operation.

Moreover, the information reader (10b) according to claim 5 is
An information reading unit (23, 40) capable of reading information to be read;
A capacitive switch (80) having a touch electrode (81) that is touch-operated when starting reading by the information reading unit;
A housing (11) in which the touch electrode is provided on the outer surface;
A detection unit (40, 60a) for detecting a capacitance of the touch electrode;
A control unit (40) that controls the information reading unit according to an operation on the switch based on a detection result by the detection unit;
Equipped with
The touch electrode is elastically deformable,
The housing is provided with a second electrode (64) with which a portion (83) of the elastically deformed touch electrode is in contact;
The detection unit is further configured to be capable of detecting contact between a part of the touch electrode and the second electrode.
The control unit performs predetermined control when the detection unit detects a contact between a part of the touch electrode and the second electrode.
In addition, the code | symbol in each said bracket shows correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the electrostatic capacitance is detected by the detection unit with respect to the touch electrode of the electrostatic capacitance type switch, and based on the detection result, control of the information reading unit according to the operation on the switch is performed by the control unit. It will be. Then, a recess is formed in the housing to expose at least a part of the touch electrode so as to allow direct touch operation.

  As described above, since the configuration is configured to directly touch the touch electrode using the recess, the capacitance detected at the time of the touch operation is large compared to the conventional configuration in which the touch operation is performed via the housing wall portion. can do. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the influence on the detection accuracy of the touch operation due to the sensitivity difference due to the individual difference, the ambient temperature change, the approach of metal or the like. Furthermore, since the capacitance detected at the time of touch operation is large, the threshold for ON / OFF determination is smaller when the ON is determined when the detected value is less than or equal to the threshold, and the detected value is greater than or equal to the threshold Since it can be set to a larger value in the case of ON determination, operability can be improved without the need for a touch operation that is largely separated from the electrode. Therefore, even in the case of detecting a touch operation using a capacitive type switch, it is possible to realize a configuration that has excellent operability and can improve the detection accuracy of the touch operation.

  In the invention of claim 2, the recess is formed such that the touch surface of the touch electrode is recessed with respect to the annular edge surface constituting the recess, so that the touch electrode may be touched even by merely touching the annular edge surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unintended contact with the touch electrode and to prevent an erroneous operation.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the recess is formed by the annular convex portion formed in the housing, and thus only touching the vicinity of the recess does not touch the touch electrode even when touching the annular convex portion. Unintended contact with the touch electrode can be prevented, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

  In the invention of claim 4, another electrode whose impedance is lower than that of the touch electrode is provided to surround the recess on the outer surface of the housing. Therefore, even when static electricity or the like is applied from the outside, the switch is easily applied to another electrode without being applied to the touch electrode, so that the switch can be protected from static electricity or the like.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic capacitance is detected by the detection unit with respect to the touch electrode of the electrostatic capacitance type switch, and based on the detection result, control of the information reading unit according to the operation on the switch is performed by the control unit. It will be. The housing is provided with a second electrode in contact with a portion of the elastically deformed touch electrode, and the control unit detects a contact between the portion of the touch electrode and the second electrode. The predetermined control is performed by the

  As described above, since the touch electrodes are directly touched, the capacitance detected at the time of the touch operation can be increased as compared with the conventional configuration in which the touch operation is performed via the housing wall. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the influence on the detection accuracy of the touch operation due to the sensitivity difference due to the individual difference, the ambient temperature change, the approach of metal or the like. Furthermore, since the capacitance detected at the time of touch operation becomes large, the threshold for ON / OFF determination is smaller when the ON is determined by the detected value being equal to or less than the threshold, and the detected value is greater than the threshold Since it can be set larger when it is ON, it is possible to improve operability without the need for a touch operation that is largely separated from the electrode. Therefore, even in the case of detecting a touch operation using a capacitive type switch, it is possible to realize a configuration that has excellent operability and can improve the detection accuracy of the touch operation.

  In particular, when a contact between a part of the touch electrode and the second electrode is detected by the detection unit, the control unit performs predetermined control, so the predetermined control is performed when the detected capacitance value is less than or equal to the threshold In addition to the function as the electrostatic switch, the contact between the part of the touch electrode and the second electrode is the contact method by setting the same contents as the control performed at the time of ON judgment (or ON judgment at the threshold or more). Function as mechanical switch to be used as Since the touch operation can be detected by two methods as described above, an abnormality occurs in either of the methods, such as when an abnormality occurs in the capacitance detection circuit or when a contact failure occurs in a mechanical switch. Even in such a case, an abnormal situation in which the information reader does not function can be suppressed, and the detection accuracy can be further enhanced.

  Furthermore, the function as the electrostatic switch and the mechanical switch can be performed by setting the predetermined control different from the control performed when the detected value of the electrostatic capacitance is less than or equal to the threshold value or when the ON determination (or more than the threshold value). It is also possible to have separate functions as. For example, reading by the information reading unit can be started as control content to be functioned by the electrostatic switch, and power on / off of the information reading apparatus can be performed as control content to be functioned by the mechanical switch.

It is a perspective view showing the information reading device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the information reader of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the information reader of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the position of the annular edge surface which comprises the recessed part of a housing | casing, and a touch electrode. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electric constitution of the information reader in a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining a touch detection circuit. It is explanatory drawing which compares the electrostatic capacitance in an open state, a little finger touch state, a thumb touch state, and a direct touch state. It is an explanatory view which compares a count value and a judgment threshold value in an open state, a little finger touch state, a thumb touch state, and a direct touch state. FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the finger is attached to the annular edge surface, and FIG. 8B is a state in which the finger lightly pressed from the state of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which contacted. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the position of the cyclic | annular convex part which comprises the recessed part of a housing | casing in the modification of 1st Embodiment, and a touch electrode, and FIG. 9 (A) is the state by which the finger was attached to the cyclic | annular convex part. FIG. 9B shows a state in which the finger lightly pressed from the state of FIG. 9A is in direct contact with the touch electrode. It is a top view which shows the information reader which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 11A is a plan view of the information reading apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a side view of the information reading apparatus of FIG. 11A. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electric constitution of the information reader in a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 13A is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of the touch electrode in FIG. 11B in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 13B shows that the projection of the touch electrode in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which depressed operation until it contacts.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information reader according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The information reading apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a portable optical information reading apparatus for imaging and optically reading optical information such as information code (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) and character information. It is done.

  In the information reading apparatus 10, an outer shell is formed by a housing 11 configured by assembling an upper case 11a and a lower case 11b, and in the housing 11, a circuit unit 20 made of various electric components and the like is accommodated. . The housing 11 is engaged at a plurality of engagement locations provided on the inside of the housing so that the upper case 11a and the lower case 11b made of synthetic resin such as ABS resin are not exposed to the outside at the time of assembly. It is configured without using another member such as a screw member. The reading port 13 is formed on one end side of the housing 11 in the longitudinal direction, and the cable attachment portion 14 is formed on the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the housing 11 is smooth so that the longitudinal middle portion is convex upward as shown in FIG. It is curved. Further, on the upper surface 12 which is an outer surface near the reading port 13 of the upper case 11a, the touch electrode 51 of a capacitive type switch (hereinafter also referred to as a switch 50) housed in the housing 11 A substantially circular recess 15 is provided which is exposed at the same time. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter of the recess 15 decreases toward the bottom surface, and the touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 has a depth h (for example, 2 to 3 mm) with respect to the annular edge surface 16 configuring the recess 15. It is formed so as to be recessed in degree). In addition, in order to facilitate touch operation on the touch electrode 51 in the recess 15 in the gripped state, the reading portion 13 including the recess 15 in the grip portion closer to the cable attachment portion 14 than the recess 15. The width is smaller than that of the side reading unit.

Next, the electrical configuration of the information reader 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit unit 20 housed in the housing 11 mainly includes an optical system such as the illumination light source 21, the light receiving sensor 23, and the imaging lens 25, and a microcomputer such as the memory 35 and the control unit 40. (Hereinafter referred to as a "microcomputer") and a system.

  The optical system is divided into a projection optical system and a light receiving optical system. The illumination light source 21 constituting the light projection optical system functions as an illumination unit capable of emitting the illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a lens provided on the emission side of the LED.

  The light receiving optical system is configured by the light receiving sensor 23, the imaging lens 25, and the like. The light receiving sensor 23 is configured as an area sensor in which light receiving elements, which are solid-state imaging elements such as C-MOS and CCD, for example, are two-dimensionally arrayed, and has a light receiving surface 23a as a substantially square light receiving area. Is configured. The light receiving sensor 23 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so as to be able to receive incident light incident through the imaging lens 25 at the light receiving surface 23 a.

  The imaging lens 25 functions as an imaging optical system capable of condensing incident light incident from the outside through the reading port 13 and forming an image on the light receiving surface 23 a of the light receiving sensor 23. In the present embodiment, the illumination light Lf emitted from the illumination light source 21 is reflected by the information code C and the reading target R to which the information code C is attached, and the reflected light Lr is reflected by the imaging lens 25. , And the code image is formed on the light receiving surface 23 a of the light receiving sensor 23.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control unit 40, a switch 50, a light emission unit 43, a buzzer 44, a vibrator 45, a communication interface 48, etc. It consists of

  The image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 23 of the optical system is amplified by a predetermined gain by being input to the amplification circuit 31, and then input to the A / D conversion circuit 33 and the analog signal to the digital signal Converted to Then, the digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to a memory 35 configured by a known storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, etc., and stored in a predetermined storage area. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to be able to generate synchronization signals for the light receiving sensor 23 and the address generation circuit 36, and the address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. The storage address of image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The control unit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire information reading apparatus 10 and comprises a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, etc., which can constitute an information processing apparatus together with the memory 35 and has an information processing function. The control unit 40 is configured to analyze the image data of the information code stored in the memory 35 and to perform a reading process of decoding the data recorded in the information code by a known decoding method. The control unit 40 may correspond to an example of an “information reading unit” that can read information to be read together with the light receiving sensor 23.

  Further, the control unit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input / output devices via the built-in input / output interface, and in the case of the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 43, the buzzer 44, the vibrator 45, the communication interface 48, etc. Is connected. This enables, for example, lighting and non-lighting of the light emitting unit 43, turning on and off of the buzzer 44 capable of generating a beep sound and an alarm sound, drive control of the vibrator 45, control of the communication interface 48, and the like.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the vibrator 45 is closer to the grip portion than the recess 15, and one end of the housing 11 provided with the reading port 13 directed to the reading target It is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the cable attachment part 14 (other end part) distant from the part. The vibrator 45 is controlled by the control unit 40 and functions to vibrate, for example, when reading of the information code is successful or when touch on the touch electrode 51 is detected. The vibrator 45 can correspond to an example of the “vibration portion”.

  Further, the control unit 40 is connected to a switch 50 for outputting to the control unit 40 a signal corresponding to the presence or absence of direct touch (contact) on the touch electrode 51. The control unit 40 functions as a detection unit that converts the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 into a count value N and detects the touch electrode 51 using the switch 50, and the count value N is for touch determination (for ON / OFF determination) When the touch on the touch electrode 51 is detected by being equal to or less than a threshold (hereinafter, also referred to as a determination threshold Nth), the reading process is started.

  The switch 50 is housed in the housing 11 and configured to include the touch electrode 51 and the touch detection circuit 60 described above. The touch electrode 51 is assembled to the housing 11 so that the bottom surface of the concave portion 15 is opposed to the lower surface thereof and the touch surface 52 to be the upper surface is recessed with respect to the annular edge surface 16 by the depth h. There is. The touch electrode 51 can be coated at least on the touch surface 52 to prevent corrosion and the like.

  The touch detection circuit 60 is a circuit for receiving the switching signal CLK from the control unit 40, converting the electrostatic capacitance of the touch electrode 51 into a count value N and acquiring it. As shown in FIG. 5, the touch detection circuit 60 includes a switching element 61, a circuit protection resistor Ro, a capacitor C1, a discharge resistor R1, and a comparator 62. By the power supply from the power supply B, charges are accumulated in the stray capacitance Co on the sensor wiring.

  When the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 is measured, the sensor line connection is switched between the power supply B side and the comparator 62 side according to the switching operation of the switching element 61 according to the switching signal CLK. When connected to the comparator 62, the charge stored in the stray capacitance Co moves to the capacitor C1, and the negative input voltage V- of the comparator 62 increases. On the other hand, when the connection is switched to the power supply side, the negative input voltage V- is gradually decreased by the discharge resistor R1, and charge is again accumulated in the stray capacitance Co.

  When the gradually increasing negative input voltage V− exceeds the positive input voltage Vref by repeating the switching operation of the switching element 61, the output of the comparator 62 switches from Hi to Lo, and the control unit 40 performs switching. The output of the signal CLK is stopped. The control unit 40 can convert the electrostatic capacitance of the touch electrode 51 into the count value N and obtain it by counting the number of switchings required until the output of the comparator 62 switches from Hi to Lo.

  Then, when the touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 is touched, the electrostatic capacitance Cf of the touched finger or the like is directly added to the touch electrode 51, whereby the electrostatic capacitance on the sensor side becomes Co + Cf, and the accumulated charge Quantity increases. For this reason, when switching is repeated as described above, the negative input voltage V− exceeds the positive input voltage Vref earlier than when not touching, so the number of times of switching decreases and the count value N decreases. That is, the count value N acquired according to the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 fluctuates according to the presence or absence of the touch on the touch surface 52.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 is directly touched by a finger or the like using the concave portion 15 of the upper surface 12. For this reason, the touch electrode is added to the touch electrode 51 in comparison with a configuration in which a capacitance such as a finger is added to the touch electrode through the thickness of the case because the touch electrode is accommodated in the resin case. The capacitance is extremely large.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in a state where a finger or the like is not touched (open state), in a state in which touch is made via a 2 mm thick resin corresponding to about the thickness of the housing 11, The added capacitance is about 1 pF regardless of the touch state (little finger touch state) or the touch state with the thumb (thumb touch state). On the other hand, in the state where the touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 is directly touched (direct touch state) with respect to the open state, the added capacitance is about 50 pF, and the capacitance added to the touch electrode 51 is extremely It turns out that it becomes large.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the count value N converted from the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 is based on the open state, the direct touch state is more remarkable than the little finger touch state and the thumb touch state. It becomes smaller. Then, the determination threshold Nth is not influenced by variations in sensitivity due to individual differences (see symbol S1 in FIG. 7), variations in ambient temperature, variations due to approach of metal etc. (see symbol S2 in FIG. 7) Since the count value N in the open state can be set to a sufficiently small value, the influence on the detection accuracy of these touch operations can be suppressed.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the touch electrode 51 is assembled to the housing 11 so that the touch surface 52 is recessed with a depth h with respect to the annular edge surface 16 in the recess 15. ing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the finger F is merely attached to the annular edge surface 16 when gripping the housing 11, the finger F does not directly touch the touch electrode 51. . In this case, the count value N converted from the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 does not become equal to or less than the determination threshold Nth, and the reading process is not started. That is, the contact to the touch electrode 51 which is not intended can be prevented, and an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in order for the user to start the reading process, as shown in FIG. 8B, the finger F attached to the annular edge surface 16 is lightly pressed toward the inside of the recess 15 so that the finger F contacts the touch electrode 51. Direct contact In this case, the count value N converted from the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 becomes equal to or less than the determination threshold Nth, and the reading process is started. That is, the switch 50 can be turned ON / OFF with only slight movement of the finger F.

  As described above, in the information reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the count value N corresponding to the capacitance of the touch electrode 51 of the capacitance type switch 50 is detected by the control unit 40 functioning as a detection unit. Based on the detection result, the control unit 40 performs a reading process (control of the information reading unit) according to the operation on the switch 50. Then, a recess 15 is formed in the housing 11 to expose the touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 so as to allow direct touch operation.

  As described above, since the configuration is in direct contact with the touch electrode 51 using the recessed portion 15, the capacitance detected at the time of the touch operation is compared with the conventional configuration in which the touch operation is performed via the housing wall portion. Can be increased. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to suppress the influence on the detection accuracy of the touch operation due to the sensitivity difference due to the individual difference, the temperature change of the surroundings, the approach of metal or the like. Furthermore, since the capacitance detected at the time of the touch operation becomes large, the threshold value for determination Nth (the threshold for ON / OFF determination) can be set smaller, so a touch operation that is largely separated from the touch electrode 51 is required. Without any problems, operability can be improved. Therefore, even in the case of detecting a touch operation using the capacitive switch 50, it is possible to realize a configuration that has excellent operability and can improve the detection accuracy of the touch operation.

  Note that, unlike the count value N, even if the ON / OFF determination is performed using a detection value that increases as the capacitance detected at touch operation increases, the threshold for ON / OFF determination is set larger. Therefore, operability can be improved without the need for a touch operation that is largely separated from the electrode.

  In particular, since the recess 15 is formed such that the touch surface 52 of the touch electrode 51 is recessed with respect to the annular edge surface 16 forming the recess 15, as shown in FIG. Since the touch electrode 51 is not touched only by touching, it is possible to prevent an unintended contact with the touch electrode 51 and to prevent an erroneous operation.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, the recess 15 may be configured by an annular protrusion formed on the outer surface of the housing 11. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an annular (ring-like) convex portion is formed as an annular convex portion 17 at a position corresponding to the annular edge surface 16 of the housing 11. The recess 15 is formed by the inside of the annular protrusion 17. In this configuration, the touch electrode 51 is assembled to the housing 11 such that the touch surface 52 is recessed with respect to the top surface (upper surface) of the annular convex portion 17 with a depth h (for example, about 2 to 3 mm) ing.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the finger F merely touches the vicinity of the recess 15 when gripping the housing 11, the finger F touches the annular protrusion 17 Even without touching the touch electrode 51 directly. On the other hand, in order for the user to start the reading process, as shown in FIG. 9B, the finger F is lightly pressed toward the inside of the recess 15 with the finger F attached to the annular convex portion 17. Direct contact Also in this case, not only the unintentional touch to the touch electrode 51 can be prevented to prevent an erroneous operation, but the switch 50 can be turned ON / OFF with only a slight operation of the finger F.

Second Embodiment
Next, an information reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The second embodiment mainly differs from the first embodiment in that a guard pattern is arranged around the touch electrode 51. Specifically, as in the information reading device 10 a shown in FIG. 10, the concave portion is in a state where the annular (ring-like) guard pattern 70 whose impedance is lower than that of the touch electrode 51 is exposed on the top surface 12 of the housing 11. It is provided to surround 15. The guard pattern 70 is connected to the ground or the like of the substrate accommodated in the housing 11 and functions to remove static electricity applied in the vicinity of the recess 15.

  Therefore, even when static electricity or the like is applied from the outside, it is easy to be applied to the guard pattern 70 without being applied to the touch electrode 51, so that the switch 50 and other internal circuits can be protected from static electricity or the like. The guard pattern 70 may correspond to an example of the “other electrode” whose impedance is lower than that of the touch electrode 51, and is not limited to being formed in an annular shape (ring shape), for example, surrounding the recess 15 As such, it may be formed in a square ring shape.

Third Embodiment
Next, an information reader according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The third embodiment mainly differs from the first embodiment in that an elastically deformable touch electrode is adopted. Specifically, as in the information reader 10b shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a switch 80 is employed instead of the switch 50 as a capacitive switch. The switch 80 includes a touch electrode 81 and a touch detection circuit 60a.

  As shown in FIGS. 11B and 13A, the touch electrode 81 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape (dome shape), so that the top portion 82 is configured so as to be elastically concavely deformed inwardly. ing. The touch electrode 81 is connected at its lower end to an electrode 63 connected to the switching element 61 via the circuit protection resistor Ro. Further, on the inner surface of the top portion 82 of the touch electrode 81, a conductive protrusion 83 projecting inward is integrally provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the touch detection circuit 60a is configured to include a contact point 64 and a switching unit 65 with respect to the touch detection circuit 60 described above. The contact point 64 is provided below the projection 83, and is arranged such that the projection 83 comes into contact and conducts when the touch electrode 81 is elastically deformed in response to the pressing operation of the top portion 82. The switching unit 65 is controlled by the control unit 40 and functions to switch between the state where the contact 64 is connected to GND and the state where the contact 64 is not connected. The touch detection circuit 60a is configured such that, in a state where the contact 64 is connected to GND, a current flows between the projection 83 and the contact 64 in response to the contact between the projection 83 and the contact 64. The contact between the projection 83 and the contact point 64 can be detected according to the detection of. The contact point 64 can correspond to an example of the “second electrode”.

  In addition to the function as an electrostatic switch, the switch 80 configured in this way also has a function as a mechanical switch that utilizes the contact between the protrusion 83 of the touch electrode 81 and the contact 64 as a contact system.

  Therefore, in the first mode in which the switch 80 functions as an electrostatic switch, the control unit 40 switches the switching element 61 according to the switching signal CLK in a state where the switching unit 65 is controlled so that the contact 64 is not connected to GND. Make it work. In the first mode, as in the first embodiment, when the touch electrode 81 is touched, the electrostatic capacitance Cf of the touched finger or the like is added, so the count value N decreases and becomes equal to or less than the determination threshold Nth Thus, a touch on the touch electrode 81 is detected, and the reading process is started.

  On the other hand, in the second mode in which the switch 80 functions as a mechanical switch, the control unit 40 stops the switching signal CLK in a state in which the switching unit 65 is controlled such that the contact 64 is connected to GND as predetermined control. In the second mode, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the projection 83 contacts the contact 64 in response to the pressing operation of the top portion 82, the flow of current between the projection 83 and the contact 64 is detected. Thus, the contact between the protrusion 83 and the contact 64, that is, the pressing operation on the top portion 82 of the touch electrode 81 is detected, and the reading process is started.

  That is, not only when the touch electrode 81 is pressed but also when the touch electrode 81 is touched, the operation can be detected. For this reason, in the present embodiment, by switching to the second mode at the time of product shipment, it is possible to give the user a click feeling associated with elastic deformation of the touch electrode 81 regarding the operation for starting the reading process. Then, when the contact between the projection 83 and the contact point 64 is repeated a predetermined number of times, if the possibility of the conduction failure between the two members becomes high due to aged deterioration or the like, the switching unit 65 of the control unit 40 By switching to the first mode according to the control, the conduction state becomes unnecessary, and the product life can be extended with respect to the switch giving a click feeling. Further, switching between modes can also be performed according to control of the switching unit 65 by the control unit 40 in accordance with a predetermined operation by the user or an instruction input from the upper-level device.

  As described above, in the information reading device 10b according to the present embodiment, the count value N corresponding to the capacitance of the touch electrode 81 of the capacitance type switch 80 is detected by the control unit 40 functioning as a detection unit. Based on the detection result, the control unit 40 performs a reading process (control of the information reading unit) according to the operation on the switch 80. Then, the case 11 is provided with the contact point 64 where the elastically deformed touch electrode 81 comes in contact with the projection 83, and even if the contact between the projection 83 and the contact point 64 is detected, the reading process is performed by the control unit 40 It will be.

  Even in this case, an effect equivalent to that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and even when detecting a touch operation using the capacitance type switch 80, the configuration is excellent in operability and can improve the detection accuracy of the touch operation. Can be realized.

  In particular, when the contact between the projection 83 of the touch electrode 81 and the contact 64 is detected, as described above, the reading process is started as the predetermined control. Therefore, in addition to the function as the electrostatic switch, the projection 83 and the contact The contact with 64 can be combined with the function as a mechanical switch using the contact system. Since the touch operation can be detected by two methods as described above, an abnormality occurs in either of the methods, such as when an abnormality occurs in the capacitance detection circuit or when a contact failure occurs in a mechanical switch. Even in such a case, an abnormal situation where the information reading device 10b does not function is suppressed, and the detection accuracy can be further enhanced.

  Furthermore, the function as the electrostatic switch and the mechanical switch can be performed by setting the predetermined control different from the control performed when the detected value of the electrostatic capacitance is less than or equal to the threshold value or when the ON determination (or more than the threshold value). It is also possible to have separate functions as. For example, it is possible to start the reading process as the control content to be functioned by the electrostatic switch and to turn on / off the power of the information reading device 10b as the control content to be functioned by the mechanical switch. Specifically, when the contact between the projection 83 and the contact 64 is detected by pressing the touch electrode 81 in the power-on state by the control unit 40, the control unit 40 is controlled to shift to the power-off state, When the contact between the projection 83 and the contact 64 is detected by pressing the touch electrode 81 in the OFF state, control is performed to shift to the power ON state.

  That is, the reading process can be started by performing the touch operation on the touch electrode 81, and the power can be turned on / off by performing the pressing operation on the touch electrode 81. As described above, one touch electrode 81 can be used to double as the trigger switch and the power switch.

  The touch electrode 81 is not limited to being formed in a substantially hemispherical shape (dome shape), and may be formed in a shape that can be in contact with the electrode 63 by the projection 83 or the like at the time of elastic deformation. The characteristic configuration of the present embodiment employing the elastically deformable touch electrode as described above can be applied to other embodiments and the like.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, modification, etc., For example, you may actualize as follows.
(1) The touch electrode 51 provided so as to be capable of direct touch operation using the concave portion 15 is not limited to being disposed on the upper surface 12 which is the outer surface near the reading port 13 of the upper case 11a. Alternatively, they may be disposed together with the recess 15 or may be disposed together with the recess 15 with respect to the side surface of the housing 11. Similarly, the touch electrode 81 is not limited to being disposed on the upper surface 12 which is the outer surface near the reading port 13 of the upper case 11a, and may be disposed together with the recess 15 with respect to the lower case 11b, for example. It may be arranged with the recess 15 to the side of the body 11.

(2) The recess 15 may be configured to expose at least a part of the touch electrode 51 so as to allow direct touch operation using a through hole or the like provided in the housing 11. In addition, the concave portion 15 may be formed in a polygonal shape on the inner diameter side. Further, the annular convex portion 17 is not limited to being formed in an annular shape (ring shape), and for example, at least one of the inner diameter side and the outer shape side may be formed in a polygonal shape.

(3) The present invention is not limited to being applied to an optical information reading apparatus that optically reads optical information such as an information code and character information, but a touch detected using a capacitive switch The present invention may be applied to an information reading apparatus having another function of performing control according to an operation, for example, an information reading apparatus that starts reading a wireless tag or the like by wireless communication when a touch operation is detected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b ... Information reader 11 ... Housing | casing 15 ... Concave part 16 ... Annular edge surface 17 ... Annular convex part 23 ... Light reception sensor (information reading part)
40: Control unit (information reading unit, detection unit, control unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Switch 51 ... Touch electrode 52 ... Touch surface 60, 60a ... Touch detection circuit 64 ... Contact point (2nd electrode)
70 ... guard pattern (other electrodes)
80 ... switch 81 ... touch electrode 83 ... protrusion (part of touch electrode)
N: Count value (detected value)

Claims (5)

An information reading unit capable of reading information to be read;
A capacitive switch having a touch electrode that is touch-operated when starting reading by the information reading unit;
A housing in which the switch is housed;
A detection unit that detects a capacitance of the touch electrode;
A control unit configured to control the information reading unit according to an operation on the switch based on a detection result by the detection unit;
Equipped with
An information reading device characterized in that the housing is provided with a recess for exposing at least a part of the touch electrode so as to allow direct touch operation.   The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed such that a touch surface of the touch electrode is recessed with respect to an annular edge surface forming the recess.   The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion is configured by an annular convex portion formed in the housing.   The information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein another electrode whose impedance is lower than that of the touch electrode is provided to surround the recess on the outer surface of the housing. An information reading unit capable of reading information to be read;
A capacitive switch having a touch electrode that is touch-operated when starting reading by the information reading unit;
A housing in which the touch electrode is provided on the outer surface;
A detection unit that detects a capacitance of the touch electrode;
A control unit configured to control the information reading unit according to an operation on the switch based on a detection result by the detection unit;
Equipped with
The touch electrode is elastically deformable,
The housing is provided with a second electrode in contact with a portion of the elastically deformed touch electrode,
The detection unit is further configured to be capable of detecting contact between a part of the touch electrode and the second electrode.
The information reading device, wherein the control unit performs predetermined control when the detection unit detects a contact between a part of the touch electrode and the second electrode.

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