JP2602173Y2 - Code reader - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading device, and more particularly, to a reading device capable of accurately reading and adjusting a reading device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there are various types of readers. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, barcodes have been attached to many products for the purpose of product management and the like, and therefore devices for reading barcodes are used in factories and distribution processes.

A bar code reader is a device that irradiates a unique bar code attached to a product with light and determines the type of the product based on the reflected light. Such, in general,
There are two types of operation systems of the barcode reading device, called a different axis system and a coaxial system. Hereinafter, different axis type and coaxial type bar code readers will be described.

FIG. 5A shows a bar code reader 1 of a different axis type.
00 is shown in the perspective view. This bar code reader 1
00 is a semiconductor laser 10 and a collimator lens 1
5, polygon mirror 20, condensing lens 25 and light receiving unit 3
0. Here, the polygon mirror 20 refers to a mirror having six reflecting surfaces. The bar code 4 is located at a predetermined position near the bar code reader 100.
5 are arranged.

Next, an outline of the operation of the bar code reader 100 of the different axis type will be described with reference to FIG. 5A. Irradiation light 10L emitted from the semiconductor laser 10 is converged in a parallel direction by the collimator lens 15, and then is emitted to the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 20. Polygon mirror 20
Are rotated in the direction of the arrow 300 around the central axis 20C. Thereby, the angle of each reflection surface of the polygon mirror 20 with respect to the semiconductor laser 10 changes sequentially.

[0006] Irradiation light 10L applied to the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 20 is scanned on the bar code 45 in the direction of arrow 350 by rotating the polygon mirror 20 in the direction of arrow 300. Since the rotation of the polygon mirror 20 is high, the scanning speed of the irradiation light 10L is also high.

[0007] Irradiation light scanned at high speed over the bar code 45 is reflected including the density of the code (such as the interval between black and white portions). A part of the reflected light (reflected light 10R) is collected by the condenser lens 25 and provided to the light receiving unit 30. The light receiving unit 30 receives the reflected light 10R from the condenser lens 25, and specifies a product with a bar code 45 based on the density included in the reflected light 10R. In this manner, the barcode can be read reliably.

Next, a coaxial type bar code reader will be described. FIG. 5B shows a coaxial bar code reader 2.
00 is shown in the perspective view. Barcode reader 200
Is composed of a semiconductor laser 10, a collimator lens 15, a mirror 17, a polygon mirror 20, a condenser lens 25, and a light receiving unit 30. Here, the bar code reader 200 is provided with a mirror 17, and is different from the bar code reader 100 of the off-axis type in that the semiconductor laser 10, the collimator lens 15, and the mirror 17 are provided in the vertical direction. Is different. Also, unlike the above-described off-axis method, the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror 20 and the condensing lens are formed large, which is different from the off-axis method.

The operation of such a coaxial barcode reader 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 5B. Irradiation light 10L emitted from the semiconductor laser 10 in the vertical direction is converged by the collimator lens 15 and then reflected by the mirror 17.
, And is illuminated on the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 20.

Also here, the polygon mirror 20 has an arrow 30
The polygon mirror 20 is rotating at high speed in the 0 direction, so that the angle of each reflection surface of the polygon mirror 20 with respect to the mirror 17 changes successively.

The irradiation light 10L applied to the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 20 is scanned on the bar code 45 at a high speed in the direction of the arrow 350 by rotating the polygon mirror 20 in the direction of the arrow 300.

The irradiation light 10 scanned on the bar code 45
L is reflected including the shading of the code (interval between black and white portions, etc.). The reflected light (reflected light 10 </ b> R) reaches the polygon mirror 20 while diffusing, and is given to the condenser lens 25 by rotating in the direction of the arrow 300. Condensing lens 2
The reflected light 10 </ b> R collected by 5 is narrowed down and provided to the light receiving unit 30.

The light receiving section 30 receives the reflected light 10R from the condensing lens 25, and specifies a product with a bar code 45 on the basis of the density contained in the reflected light 10R. In this manner, the barcode can be read reliably.

[0014]

However, the conventional bar code reader has the following problems.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of the off-axis type bar code reader 100 shown in FIG. 5A. Normal barcode 45
The light scanned above is diffused to a width W400 as reflected light 10R.

[0016] In different shafts type bar code reader 100, the condenser lens 25 are evenly condensing the whole reflected light 10R diffused at intervals of the width W 400. For this reason, in the off-axis type bar code reader 100, noise included in the diffused reflected light 10R is also collected. Therefore, the light receiving section 30 receives the reflected light 10R.
Bar code 4 to be read by the noise contained in
It becomes difficult to distinguish the shades of 5 (such as the interval between black and white portions).

Further, when the off-axis type bar code reader 100 is used in a place where external light is strong, there is a problem that the influence of the external light makes it more difficult to distinguish the density of the bar code 45. In such a case, the off-axis barcode reader 100 recognizes that the barcode is different from the barcode actually used for reading, and there is a problem that accurate reading cannot be performed. .

Next, FIG. 4B is a plan view of the coaxial barcode reader 200 shown in FIG. 5B. In this method, the bar code 45 is irradiated with the irradiation light 10L by the rotation of the polygon mirror 20, and the reflected light 10R from the bar code 45 is given to the condenser lens 25 by a polygon mirror having a large size. Accordingly, unlike the off-axis method, it is easy to read the density of the barcode 45 even when used in a place where external light is strong.

However, a mirror 17 is provided on the optical path of the reflected light 10R provided to the condenser lens 25 (FIG. 4B). Therefore, the reflected light 10 </ b> R is blocked by the mirror 17 before being collected by the condenser lens 25. That is, a shadow of the mirror 17 is formed on the condenser lens 25 over the width W200, and the reflected light 10R is not condensed in the shadow portion. That is, the reflected light 10 </ b> R is
Part of the reflected light from the
U. Therefore, there has been a problem that accurate reading cannot be performed.

Further, as described above, in the coaxial barcode reader 200, the semiconductor laser 10, the collimator lens 15, and the mirror 17 are provided in the vertical direction. Therefore, in order to reflect the irradiation light 10L to the polygon mirror 20, scan the barcode 45, and read the barcode 45 included in the reflected light accurately, the semiconductor laser 10, the collimator lens 15, and the mirror 17 are required. There was a problem that each of them had to be adjusted accurately, which was troublesome. In particular, the mirror 17 is formed small in order to make the shadow by the mirror 17 as small as possible. For this reason, there has been a problem that it takes a lot of trouble to accurately adjust each of the above parts. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reading device that is not affected by external light and that can be easily adjusted.

[0021]

According to the present invention, there is provided a reading apparatus comprising:
Irradiation means for emitting irradiation light, having a plurality of reflecting surfaces,
An irradiation light reflecting means for irradiating the reading object while scanning the irradiation light by rotating about the rotation axis, and a plurality of reflection surfaces which are shifted by a predetermined angle in the rotation direction with respect to the reflection surface of the irradiation light reflection means. A reading reflection light reflecting means for reflecting the reading reflection light from the reading object toward the light receiving means by rotating about the rotation axis, and provided at a position different from the irradiation means on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis; Light receiving means provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading device having an irradiating means for emitting irradiation light and a plurality of reflection surfaces which are not parallel to the rotation axis. Irradiation light reflecting means for irradiating while scanning, having a plurality of reflection surfaces substantially parallel to the rotation axis,
Reading reflected light reflecting means for reflecting the reading reflected light from the object to be read toward the light receiving means by rotating about the rotation axis, and receiving light provided at a position different from the irradiation means on a plane including the rotation axis. A reading device , wherein the irradiating light reflecting means includes:
It is provided at the end of the shooting means .

[0023]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading device provided with irradiation light reflecting means separately from the reading reflected light reflecting means, and shifting the reflecting surface of the irradiation light reflecting means and the reflecting surface of the reading reflected light reflecting means by a predetermined angle in the rotation direction. ing. Therefore, while making the optical path of the irradiation light from the reflection surface to the object to be read and the reading reflection light substantially the same, the positions of the irradiation means and the light receiving means can be made different without providing a reflecting mirror in the light path of the reading reflection light.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading device provided with irradiation light reflecting means separately from the reading reflected light reflecting means, and one of a reflecting surface of the irradiation light reflecting means and a reflecting surface of the reading reflected light reflecting means with respect to the rotation axis. substantially parallel to provided Rutotomoni provided not parallel to the other, it reflected light reflected hands reading irradiation light reflecting means Te
It is provided at the end of the step. Therefore, it is possible to make the positions of the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit different from each other without providing a reflecting mirror in the optical path of the reading reflected light, while making the optical path of the irradiation light and the reading reflected light from the reflecting surface to the reading target almost the same , Only
Can receive the reflected light without missing
it can.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the reading device according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1A shows a bar code reader 40 according to the present embodiment.
Indicates 0. The barcode reading device 400 includes a light projector 10 as an irradiation unit, a polygon mirror 20, and a light receiver 30 as a light receiving unit.

In this embodiment, a semiconductor laser and a collimator lens are integrally formed in the light projector 10, and the polygon mirror 20 includes a light-projecting polygon mirror 20T serving as irradiation light reflection means and a reading reflection light reflection means. The light receiving polygon mirror 20J is integrally formed. Further, a condensing lens and a light receiving unit are integrally formed in the light receiver 30.

Here, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed on the polygon mirror 20, and the reflecting surface of the light projecting polygon mirror 20T is as small as possible (for example, about the same as a laser spot of irradiation light, for example, about 3 mm). The reflection surface of the light receiving polygon mirror 20J is formed as large as possible. The two reflecting surfaces are provided at a predetermined angle (about 25 degrees in this embodiment). FIG. 2 shows a plan view of such a barcode reader 400.

The operation of the bar code reader 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2. First, the irradiation light 10L emitted from the light projector 10 impinges on the reflection surface of the light-projecting polygon mirror 20T (FIGS. 1A and 2). The polygon mirror 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow 300 around the central axis 20C. Here, the light-projecting polygon mirror 20T and the light-receiving polygon mirror 20J rotate in the direction of the arrow 300 while maintaining the above difference in angle (see FIG. 2). Therefore,
Irradiation light 1 that hits the reflection surface of the projection polygon mirror 20T
0L is scanned at high speed in the direction of arrow 350 on the barcode 45 by the rotation of the polygon mirror 20.

On the other hand, the reflected light 10R from the bar code 45
Impinges on the reflecting surface of the light-receiving polygon mirror 20J while diffusing. As described above, the reflection surface of the light-receiving polygon mirror 20J is formed larger than the reflection surface of the light-projection polygon mirror 20T, and rotates while maintaining the above-described angle difference between itself and the light-projection polygon mirror 20T. ing.

Thus, the reflected light 10R is reflected only toward the light receiver 30 by the reflecting surface of the light receiving polygon mirror 20J, and is not reflected toward the light projector 10.
That is, the reading position of the barcode 45 is sequentially changed by the rotation of the light receiving polygon mirror 20J. Therefore, the reflected light 10R surely enters the light receiver 30, and the density of the barcode 45 is accurately read. This allows
The bar code can be read accurately even when used in a place with strong external light.

In the bar code reader 400, each part is adjusted in order to perform accurate reading. On the light emitting side (light emitting device 10 and light emitting polygon mirror 20)
In T), an adjustment is required to accurately reflect the irradiation light 10L to the reflection surface of the light-projecting polygon mirror 20T and scan the barcode. On the other hand, also on the light receiving side (the light receiving polygon mirror 20J and the light receiver 30), an adjustment is required in order to reflect the reflected light 10R on the reflection surface of the light receiving polygon mirror 20J and make the light enter the light receiver 30. For example, the angle adjustment of the reflecting surface of the light projecting polygon mirror 20T with respect to the light emitting device 10 and the angle adjustment of the light receiving device 30 with respect to the reflecting surface of the light receiving polygon mirror 20J correspond to this.

The adjustment in the bar code reader 400 can be performed individually on the light emitting side (light emitting device 10 and light emitting polygon mirror 20T) and on the light receiving side (light receiving polygon mirror 20J and light receiving device 30). .

That is, by using the bar code reading device 400, it is possible to read the bar code more easily and easily adjusted without being affected by external light. Next, FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the barcode reader according to the present invention. The barcode reader 500 according to the present embodiment also includes the light projector 10, the polygon mirror 20, and the light receiver 30. In the light projector 10, a semiconductor laser and a collimator lens are integrally formed, and a condenser lens and a light receiving unit are integrally formed in the light receiver 30.

However, the polygon mirror 20 of the present embodiment has a light projecting polygon mirror 20T between the first light receiving polygon mirror 20J1 and the second light receiving polygon mirror 20J2.
Are sandwiched to form a triple structure integrally formed.

Also in this case, the light projecting polygon mirror 20T is formed as small as possible, and the first light receiving polygon mirror 20J1 and the first light receiving polygon mirror 20J2 are formed as large as possible. Further, the light projecting polygon mirror 20T and the first light receiving polygon mirror 20J1 and the second light receiving polygon mirror 20J2 are provided to be shifted by a predetermined angle.

The operation of the bar code reader 500 according to the present embodiment is the same as the operation of the bar code reader 400 described above.

In this embodiment, too, the first light receiving polygon mirror 20 is used to supply the reflected light 10R to the light receiver 30.
J1 and the second light receiving polygon mirror 20J2 are used. Therefore, the reflected light 10R can be more accurately given to the light receiver 30. That is, the bar code can be read more accurately even when used in a place with strong external light.

Further, the adjustment of each part in this embodiment is as follows.
Projection side (projector 10 and projection polygon mirror 20T)
And on the light receiving side (the first light receiving polygon mirror 20J1, the second light receiving polygon mirror 20J2, and the light receiver 30).

Next, another embodiment of the bar code reader according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating a configuration of the barcode reading device 600 according to the present embodiment. Here, for convenience of explanation, bar codes are not shown. Also in this embodiment, the barcode reader 600 is
0, is composed from the polygon mirror 20 and the light receiver 30
I have . In the light projector 10, a semiconductor laser and a collimator lens are integrally formed, and a condenser lens and a light receiving unit are integrally formed in the light receiver 30. The polygon mirror 20 is integrally formed with a light-projecting polygon mirror 20T and a light-receiving polygon mirror 20J, each of which has a plurality of reflection surfaces.

However, while the light receiving polygon mirror 20J has a plurality of reflection surfaces substantially horizontal to the rotation axis 20C, the light projection polygon mirror 20T has a plurality of non-parallel to the rotation axis. And the angle of the reflection surface is β (for example, about 10 degrees in the present embodiment).

In this embodiment, unlike the above embodiment, the light receiver 30 is provided above the light projector 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the polygon mirror 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow 300 around the central axis 20C.

The operation of the bar code reader 600 will be described. Irradiation light 10L emitted from the projector 10 is reflected by the reflection surface 20T of the projection polygon mirror 20T.
R, and is reflected in the angle β direction provided on the reflection surface (FIG. 3A). The reflected irradiation light 10L is scanned at high speed in the direction of arrow 350 on the barcode 45 by the rotation of the polygon mirror 20 (FIG. 3B).

Here, the reflected light 10 from the bar code 45
R impinges on the reflection surface of the light-receiving polygon mirror 20J while being diffused. The light-receiving polygon mirror 20J gives the received reflected light 10R to the light receiver 30 by rotation (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).
B). As described above, the light receiver 30 is located above the light projector 10. Therefore, although the light projector 10 and the light receiver 30 are provided on the same optical path, the reflected light 10R enters the light receiver 30 without being blocked by the light projector 10.

Thus, the portion of the reflected light 10R having the strongest signal can be received by the light receiver 30. Therefore, the bar code can be read accurately even when used in a place with strong external light.

Further, also in the bar code reader 600 according to the present embodiment, the adjustment of each part is performed on the light emitting side (light emitting device 1).
0 and the light projecting polygon mirror 20T) and the light receiving side (the light receiving polygon mirror 20J and the light receiver 30).

That is, even if the bar code reader 600 is used, the bar code can be accurately read without being affected by external light, and can be easily adjusted.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the reading light reflecting means is provided separately from the reading reflected light reflecting means, and the reflecting surface of the irradiated light reflecting means and the reflecting surface of the reading reflected light reflecting means are rotated in the rotation direction. It is shifted by a predetermined angle. In claim 2,
Provided substantially parallel one on reflective surfaces of the read reflected light reflecting means of the irradiation light reflecting means with respect to the rotation axis, provided with such non-parallel to the other, the irradiation light reflecting means read
It is provided at the end of the reflected light reflecting means. That is,
Not only can the positions of the irradiating means and the light receiving means be different without providing a reflecting mirror in the optical path of the reading reflected light, while making the optical path of the irradiation light from the reflecting surface to the reading object and the reading reflected light substantially the same, The reflected light without missing is
Light can be received. Therefore, it is possible to provide a reading device that is not affected by external light and that can be easily adjusted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a bar code reader according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relationship between an apparatus for reading using the bar code reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and irradiation light and reflected light.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the bar code reading device according to the present invention, and a plan view showing the relationship between the device and the irradiation light and the reflected light when reading.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the relationship between an apparatus and reading light and reflected light when reading is performed using a conventional bar code reading apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional bar code reader, irradiation light and reflected light.

[Explanation of symbols]

 ... Floodlight 20... Polygon mirror 30... Receiver 45... Barcode 10L... Irradiation light 10R... Reflected light 20J. ... Polygon mirror for light reception 20T ... Polygon mirror for light projection

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06K 7/10 G06K 7/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. Irradiation means for emitting irradiation light, irradiation light reflection means having a plurality of reflection surfaces, and irradiating irradiation light on a reading object while scanning the irradiation object by rotating about a rotation axis, irradiation light reflection. A plurality of reflection surfaces which are shifted by a predetermined angle in the rotation direction with respect to the reflection surface of the means, and read by reflecting the light reflected from the object to be read toward the light receiving means by rotating about the rotation axis. A reading device comprising: a reflected light reflecting unit; and a light receiving unit provided at a position different from the irradiation unit on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. 2. An irradiation means for emitting irradiation light, comprising: a plurality of reflection surfaces which are not parallel to a rotation axis;
Irradiation light reflecting means for irradiating the scanning object with irradiation light while rotating about a rotation axis, and having a plurality of reflection surfaces substantially parallel to the rotation axis, with the rotation axis as the center. Reading reflected light reflecting means for reflecting the reading reflected light from the object to be read toward the light receiving means by rotating, a reading device provided with a light receiving means provided at a position different from the irradiation means on a plane including the rotation axis a is, the irradiation light reflecting means, the end of the reading reflected light reflecting means
It is provided in the reading apparatus characterized by.