JP2695999B2 - Barcode 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 bar code reader for reading a bar code attached to a product or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), a bar code label 1 on which a bar code 1a of product information including a PLU (Price Look Up) code for specifying the product is printed on each product. Are respectively attached. Conventionally, the bar code 1 of such a bar code label 1
As a bar code reader for reading a by optical means, a stationary scanner, a hand scanner, and the like have been put to practical use.

Recently, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), a bar code label 2 in which a bar code 2a of merchandise information and a bar code 2b of discount information are printed in two upper and lower layers is attached to a discount target product. There is a type in which discount information such as a discount amount, which was previously key-input from a keyboard of an electronic cash register, can be input by a barcode reading operation together with product information of a corresponding product. In this case, each bar code 2
A flag F for identifying a two-level barcode label is assigned to a part of a and 2b. The bar code reader determines whether or not there is a flag each time the bar code is read. If there is no flag, the bar code reading device recognizes the input of a single-stage bar code and immediately processes the data. It was both data processing and barcode input next recognizes the input of the stage bar code.

[0004]

However, there is a service for discounting a specific product depending on the time of the day, for example.
Assuming that the bar code label 2 is used, the bar code label 1 shown in FIG. 5A is attached to each product until the time before the discount time zone. The bar code label is replaced with the two-stage bar code label 2 shown in FIG. 5B, and after the discount period, the original one-stage bar code label 1 is returned. For this reason, the two-tiered barcode label 1 outside the discount time zone and the two-tier barcode label 2 outside the discount time zone are assigned to the discount target products.
Required, and the barcode label was useless.

[0005] Such a problem is caused by creating a bar code label of only the bar code 2b of the discount information, and using the bar code label of the bar code 1a or 2a of the product information until the time before the discount time zone. In the time zone, a bar code label of only the bar code 2b of the discount information is affixed to the upper or lower part of the bar code label of the bar code 1a or 2a of the product information. The problem can be solved by removing the barcode label of only the barcode 2b.

However conventional bar code reading equipment is read to determine whether a flag for identifying that a bar code in a two-stage bar code label, one stage in the case of no flag Since data processing is performed as barcode data of barcode label 1 and data is processed as barcode data of two-level barcode label 2 when a flag is present, the barcode data of one-level barcode label 1 is used.
-Code 1a has no flag, so this bar code 1a
To the barcode label of the same information in the two-level barcode label 2.
Could not be used as Therefore , the above operation could not be performed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a one-stage bar code label.
Barcodes can be used as is in multi-level barcode labels.
Bar code information even if used as a single information bar code
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader that can read the bar code.

[0008]

[0009]

The present invention SUMMARY OF] includes a scanner unit for reading a bar code by optical means, a buffer for storing the bar code data read by the scanner unit, the bar code is Ru read by the scanner unit Start timing operation
That the timer and the data processing device a barcode data stored before the start of the time counting operation to the buffer when the time measured by the timer reaches a predetermined time as a one-stage bar code data
A one-stage barcode processing means for stopping the time counting operation of the sending timer, and when the next barcode is read by the scanner unit before the time counted by the timer reaches a certain time, the read barcode data and the data in the buffer are read. Barcode comparing means for comparing the barcode data with the barcode data; timekeeping control means for continuing the timekeeping operation of the timer when the coincidence of both barcode data is confirmed by the barcode comparing means; If a mismatch is found, both barcode data are displayed in two-stage barcode data.
To the data processing device as a timer
And a two- stage bar code processing means for stopping .

When the time counted by the timer reaches a predetermined time, it is determined whether the barcode data stored in the buffer is valid or invalid before the start of the timekeeping operation. Processing means converts the barcode data in the buffer as one-stage barcode data.
It is desirable to stop the timing operation of the sending timer to the data processing device .

[0011]

With the bar code reading apparatus having such a configuration, when a bar code is read by the scanner section, the bar code data is stored in a buffer and time counting by a timer is started. When the bar code of the next is not reading is within a predetermined time, the bar code data in the buffer is output sent to the data processing apparatus as a bar code of one-stage bar code label. If the next barcode is read within a certain time, the read data is compared with the barcode data in the buffer,
Both the bar code data is output sent to the data processing apparatus as a bar code of the two-stage bar code label in case of disagreement.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a stationary scanner will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 via a bus line 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a timer 15, and a scanner unit 16. Controller 16a, an I / O port 17a for outputting a drive signal to a buzzer 17, and an electronic cash register body (hereinafter referred to as EC)
The stationary scanner 10 is configured by connecting each unit of the communication interface 18 for controlling data transmission and reception performed between the stationary scanner 10 and the R main unit 20.

The scanner section 16 reads a bar code by receiving a laser beam emitted from a laser tube and scanned in multiple directions by a polygon mirror by a fat sensor. The RAM 14 has a scanner unit 1
A buffer A14a and a buffer B14b for storing the barcode data read in step 6 are provided.

The timer 15 is used to measure the time from when a bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 to when the next bar code is read. A fixed time (for example, 0.5 seconds) that is equal to or longer than the time required to read the other bar code after reading the bar code and less than the time required to read the bar code of another product after reading the bar code of one product. Is set in advance.

The ECR body 20 is a stationary scanner 1
The merchandise sales data is registered in the memory based on the barcode product information and the like read at 0 and the receipt is controlled, and a numeric key, a subtotal key, a closing key, and the like are provided. External devices such as a keyboard 21, a display 22 for displaying the price of a product for sale and the total amount of customers, a printer 23 for printing on receipts and the like, and a drawer 24 for storing cash and the like are provided.

Thus, the CP of the stationary scanner 10
U11 executes the control shown in FIG. That is, ST
(Step) When the bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 as 1, the read bar code data is stored in the buffer A 14 a of the RAM 14 as ST 2. Also,
In step ST3, the timer 15 starts counting time. In this state, before the next bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 in step ST4, if the timer 15 times out a predetermined time set in step ST5 and times out, then the first-stage bar code label 1 is read out. Is determined to have been read, and the barcode data in the buffer A14a is transmitted to the communication interface 1 in ST6.
The data is transmitted to the ECR main unit 20 via the data transmission unit 8 (one-stage barcode processing means).

On the other hand, if the next bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 in ST4 before the time measured by the timer 15 reaches a predetermined time in ST5, the process proceeds to ST7.
Barcode comparison data and the bar code data in the buffer A14a read as (bar code comparison hand
Dan) If they match, the barcode data read later is discarded, and the process proceeds to ST5 to continue timer monitoring (time control means) . If it does not match
Since two types of bar codes within a predetermined time set in the timer 15 is read, it is determined that read the bar code of the two-stage bar code label 2, the bar code data read from behind as ST8 After the data is stored in the buffer B 14b, the barcode data in both buffers 14a and 14b are stored in the ECR via the communication interface 18 as ST9.
Data is transmitted to the main body 20 (multi-stage bar code processing means).

After transmitting the barcode data at ST6 or ST9, the timer 15 stops the timer operation at ST10, resets the timer time to "0", and returns to ST1 to read the barcode of the next product. Wait for input.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when a bar code is read by the scanner unit 16, the read data is stored in the buffer A14a, and the timer 15 starts counting time. If the timer 15 times out a predetermined period of time without reading the next barcode by the scanner unit 16 and times out, the barcode data in the buffer A is transmitted to the ECR body 20. You. On the other hand, if the next bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 before the timer 15 times out, the read data and the bar code data in the buffer A are transmitted to the ECR main unit 20. .

The set time of the timer 15 is equal to or longer than the time required for reading one bar code of the two-level bar code label 2 by the scanner unit 16 and then reading the other bar code. This is a fixed time shorter than the time required to read the barcode of another product after reading the code, for example, 0.5 second.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, a bar code label 3 on which a bar code 3a of product information is printed is attached to each product. 3B, the barcode label 4 on which the barcode 4a of the discount information is printed is placed above or below the barcode label 3. As shown in FIG. Affix to. As a result, the barcode label 3 having the same configuration as the one-tier barcode label 1 is attached to the products not to be discounted, and the barcode labels 3 and the same configuration as the two-tier barcode label 2 are attached to the discount target products. 4 is attached.

As a result, with respect to the merchandise not to be discounted, only the bar code 3a of the bar code label 3 is read within the time set by the timer 15, and the bar code data is stored in the EC.
The data is transmitted to the R main body 20, and the sales data of the product is registered at the normal price. On the other hand, the bar code 3a of the bar code label 3 and the bar code 4a of the bar code label 4 are read within the set time of the timer 15 for the discount target product, and both bar code data are transmitted to the ECR body 20. The sales data of the corresponding product is discounted and registered.

When the discount service of the discount target product is completed, the barcode label 4 is peeled off. As a result, the barcode label 3 having the same configuration as the single-stage barcode label 1 is attached to the product, and only the barcode 3a of the barcode label 3 is read within the set time of the timer 15, The bar code data is E
The data is transmitted to the CR main body 20, and the sales data of the product is registered at the normal price.

As described above, for example, for a product to be discounted according to the time zone, only the barcode label 3 on which the barcode 3a of the product information shown in FIG. A bar code label 4 with a bar code 4a of discount information shown in FIG. 3B printed on the upper or lower part of the bar code label 3 during the discount time zone.
The bar code label 4 is peeled off after the elapse of the discount time zone. In this case, it is not necessary to assign a flag indicating a two-stage barcode to the barcode 3a of the product information or the barcode 4a of the discount information. Therefore, a single-stage barcode label 2
Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare two types of barcode labels, ie, two-stage barcode labels, and waste of barcode labels can be prevented. In addition, the label 4 of the barcode 4a of the discount information can be used as long as the product has the same discount information, so that the effect is great.

In the above example, if the bar code label 3 is erroneously peeled off after the elapse of the discount time zone, the stationary scanner of the above-described embodiment uses the bar code reading operation of the corresponding product to read the bar code of the bar code label 4. The code 4a is read as a one-stage barcode label, and only the barcode data of the discount information is transmitted to the ECR body 20. Therefore, another embodiment which solves such a problem will be described below.

The other embodiment is different from the above embodiment in part of the control of the CPU 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 in ST1, the read data is stored in the buffer A in ST2.
14a. In ST3, the timer 15 starts counting time. Thereafter, if the timer 15 times out in ST5 before the next barcode is read by the scanner unit 16 in ST4, it is determined in ST51 whether or not the barcode data in the buffer A 14a is a valid barcode by itself. Determination (data determination means). In this case, a predetermined flag is assigned to a barcode that is invalid alone, for example, a barcode of discount information, and the CPU 11 determines whether the barcode is valid or invalid based on the presence or absence of the flag. In the case of a bar code that is valid independently even like the bar code 3a of the product information, the buffer A1 is set in ST6.
The bar code data in 4a is transmitted to the ECR main body 20 side (one-stage bar code processing means). On the other hand, in the case of a barcode that is invalid alone such as the barcode 4a of the discount information, error processing such as generating an error sound from the buzzer 17 is performed in ST52, and the barcode data in the buffer A14a is discarded. I do. Thereafter, the timer 15 stops the timer operation in ST10, resets the timer time to "0", and returns to ST1 to wait for a barcode reading input of the next product.

If the next bar code is read by the scanner unit 16 in ST4 before the time measured by the timer 15 reaches a predetermined time in ST5, the same as in the above embodiment.

Therefore, in the other embodiment, FIG.
(A), only the barcode 3a of the barcode label 3 is read within the set time of the timer 15 for the non-discountable products to which only the barcode label 3 is attached.
The barcode data is transmitted to the ECR main body 20,
The sales data of the product is registered at the normal price. In the case of a discount target product in which the bar code label 3 and the bar code label 4 shown in FIG. The bar code 3a of the code label 3 and the bar code 4a of the bar code label 4 are read, and both bar code data are transmitted to the ECR main body 20, and the sales data of the corresponding product is discounted and registered.

On the other hand, for a product to which only the bar code label 4 shown in FIG. 4B is attached, an error occurs because the read bar code is a meaningless bar code by itself, and the bar code data is discarded. As a result, a problem in which incorrect barcode data is transmitted to the ECR main body 20 is reliably prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the barcode 3a of the product information and the barcode 4a of the discount information are configured as a two-stage barcode. Bar codes 3a and 2
It is also conceivable to use a column bar code configuration. In the above embodiment, a two-level barcode label is shown as a multilevel barcode label. However, by increasing the number of buffers formed in the RAM 14, barcode labels having three or more levels can be handled. Further, the present invention is not limited to a stationary scanner, but is also applicable to a hand-operated scanner by extending a scanner unit that can read only one bar code and improving the scanner unit to read a plurality of bars at the same time. It is possible. In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0032]

As described in detail above, the present invention corresponds to claim 1.
According to the invention, the bar code of the single-stage bar code label is
Bars of the same information in multi-stage barcode labels as they are
Bar code information can be read even when used as a code
A bar code reader that can be provided.

Further , according to the invention corresponding to claim 2 of the present application,
In addition to the above effects, a bar that is not used
-Useless reading of codes as single-stage barcodes
It is possible to provide a bar code reader that can prevent the bar code reading.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing main control of a CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a configuration of a barcode label used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main control of a CPU according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional barcode label.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3, 4 ... bar code label, 11 ... CPU, 1
4a, 14b: buffer, 15: timer, 16: scanner unit.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] (1)Decodes based on the received barcode data.
Barcode connected to data processing device that performs data processing
In the reader,  A scanner unit for reading a barcode by optical means, and storing barcode data read by the scanner unit
A buffer and a bar code are read by the scanner unit.The timekeeping operation
StartA timer and when the time measured by the timer reaches a certain timeTiming
Before the work startsThe bufferStored inBarcode data
ToSent to the data processing device as one-stage barcode data
Stop the timer operationOne-stage barcode processing
Before the time measured by the timer reaches a certain time.
When the next bar code is read by the scanner unit,
The read bar code data and the bar code in the buffer
Bar code comparing means for comparing the bar code data with the bar code data.
If you check the match,ofTimekeeping system that keeps timekeeping operation
Control means and the barcode comparing means,
When the match is confirmed, both barcode dataTwo-stage barco
The data is sent to the data processing device as
Stop Ima's timing operation 2A bar code reader comprising: a step bar code processing means. (2)Decodes based on the received barcode data.
Barcode connected to data processing device that performs data processing
In the reader,  A scanner unit for reading a barcode by optical means, and storing barcode data read by the scanner unit
A buffer and a bar code are read by the scanner unit.The timekeeping operation
StartA timer and when the time measured by the timer reaches a certain timeTiming
Before the work startsThe bufferStored inBarcode data
Data determination means for determining whether data is valid or invalid; and when the determination means determines that the data is valid,
Bar code dataOne-stage barcode data
And sends the data to the data processing device.
StopOne-stage barcode processing means, and before the time measured by the timer reaches a certain time.
When the next bar code is read by the scanner unit,
The read bar code data and the bar code in the buffer
Bar code comparing means for comparing the bar code data with the bar code data.
If you check the match,ofTimekeeping system that keeps timekeeping operation
Control means and the barcode comparing means,
When the match is confirmed, both barcode dataTwo-stage barco
The data is sent to the data processing device as
Stop Ima's timing operation 2A bar code reader comprising: a step bar code processing means.