JP2734784B2 - Multi-control 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 multi-control bar code reader. The bar code reader used in the POS system is required to be particularly small-sized and low-priced, for example, because the bar code reader is partially stopped in the installation space and in the off-season.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a bar code reader.
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a portion of the POS system used for checking out a store. Among them, the barcode reader 30 that reads a barcode label and demodulates it and transfers the demodulated data to the POS terminal 20 has been miniaturized in order to increase the space for placing shopping items. A structure in which the unit 1 and the demodulation unit 2 are separated is common. The signal output from the optical unit 1 is usually serial binary data, and is output only during a period during which the label is scanned. Demodulation unit that receives this binary data
2 identifies a guard bar, a center bar, etc., performs demodulation, performs a predetermined check, and outputs the result to the POS terminal 20.

[0003]

The barcode readers 30 and the POS terminals 20 are partially stopped when the store is busy, because the number of the barcode readers 30 and the number of the POS terminals 20 are prepared when the store is busy. For this reason, the installation space and price of the barcode reader 30 are issues.

[0004]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. Reference numerals 1a and 1b denote a first optical unit and a second optical unit for reading a bar code, respectively, which process signals read from a bar code label. For example, it is binarized and output. Reference numeral 3 denotes a memory for storing output signals from the optical units 1a and 1b. A switching circuit 4 switches output signals from the optical units 1a and 1b. Reference numeral 6 denotes a switching control unit which controls the switching of the switching circuit 4 by discriminating the presence / absence of an output signal, and when the signal is output from one optical unit and output from the other optical unit, the output of the other optical unit is output. After the signal is stored in the memory 3 and the demodulation of one is completed and the input of the other is completed, the stored output signal is read from the memory 3 and input to the demodulation unit 5. A demodulation unit 5 demodulates the input output signal and separates and outputs demodulated data to an interface unit for each optical unit.

[0005]

When a signal is output from the first optical unit 1a or the second optical unit 1b, the switching control unit 6 identifies the signal and switches the switching circuit 4, and inputs the output signal to the demodulation unit 5. .
When the signal is output from the other terminal during this input, the output signal is temporarily stored in the memory 3, and the demodulation of the previously input output signal ends, and after the output from the other terminal ends,
The stored output signal is taken out from the memory 3 and input to the demodulation unit 5.

In general, since the scanning interval of a product is long, as described above, a signal stored in the memory 3 can be taken out and demodulated during that time, and one demodulation unit 5 can be replaced with a plurality of optical units 1.
It can be shared by a and 1b.

As described above, if, for example, the bar code reader that is always used is provided with the demodulation unit 5 and the bar code reader that is inactive during the off-peak period is configured to share the demodulation unit 5, space can be saved and the cost can be reduced. Price is achieved.

[0008]

FIG. 2 is a time chart, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a POS system configuration.

In this embodiment, a case where two optical units are provided is shown.
An example is shown in which one A device having one set of optical units has a demodulation unit, and the other B device receives the demodulated data by passing the output of the optical unit to the A device.

In the apparatus A shown in FIG. 3, 1a is an optical unit (first unit).
The light reflected from the bar code label is received, converted into an electric signal, binarized and output. Reference numeral 4 denotes a switching circuit for switching binary data from the optical unit 1a and the optical unit 1b (corresponding to the second optical unit) of the B apparatus. Reference numerals 3a and 3b denote memories for storing binarized data output from the optical units 1a and 1b, respectively. Since the binarized data is serial data and has different pulse widths, the binarized data has a function of, for example, sampling and converting it into parallel data, storing the converted data, and converting it into serial data at the time of reading. Reference numeral 8 denotes a memory control unit, which outputs data to the memories 3a and 3b by a write / read command.
Write / read control. Reference numeral 11 denotes a switching register, which is set by the switching control unit 6 to switch the switching circuit 4 and is referred to by the demodulation unit 5. 13a and 13b are storage registers which are set when stored in the memories 3a and 3b, respectively. Reference numeral 6 denotes a switching control unit which performs switching control described later. 14
a is a passage detection sensor which is provided before and after within the optical scanning range and outputs a passage start and passage end signal. 15a and 15b indicate that A data and B data are being output, respectively.
The set of flip-flops FF is set by the passage start signal and reset by the passage end signal. Also, the memory 3a,
It is also set when each is read from 3b. 5
Is a demodulation unit, which performs demodulation processing based on the binary data input from the switching circuit 4 and, if the demodulated data is from the optical unit 1a with reference to the switching register 11, the A output IF unit
The demodulated data is output to 9a, and if it is from the optical unit 1b, it is output to the B output IF unit 9b. 9a is the A output IF section, POS
Interface with terminal 20a, 9b is B output IF section, PO
This is an interface with the S terminal 20b. 12 is B output IF
In the section, the binarized data from the B device and the passage detection sensor
This is the interface to input the output of 14b. 20a is PO
The S terminal performs the settlement process based on the input demodulated data and the like.

The device B comprises an optical unit 1b, a passage detection sensor 14b, and a POS terminal 20b.
a, the same function as the passage detection sensor 14p and the POS terminal 20a. The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a case where the binarized data (B data) of the B apparatus is input to the A apparatus while the binarized data (hereinafter, A data) output from the optical unit 1a of the A apparatus is demodulated. Is shown. (1) When the operator scans a product with the A device, a passage start signal is output from the passage detection sensor 14a, and the FF 15a is turned on. As a result, the switching control section 6 sends out a switching signal to switch the switching circuit 4 to the A data side. Thus, A
The data is input to the demodulation unit 5, and the demodulation unit 5 receives the data, converts it into pulse width data, and performs demodulation processing. (2) If the product is scanned by the B device by another operator before the pass detection signal is output from the pass detection sensor 14b, a pass start signal is output from the pass detection sensor 14b of the B device, and the FF 15b is output. Turns on. At this time, since the FF 15a is on, the switching control unit 6 turns on the storage register 13b and sends a write command to the memory control unit 8. Thereby, the memory control unit 8 stores the B data output from the optical unit 1b in the memory 3b. (3) When the passage output signal is output from the passage detection sensor 14a of the A device, the FF 15b is turned off, and the input of the A data ends. In the demodulation unit 5, when demodulation of the A data is completed,
The POS terminal 20a refers to the switching register 11, recognizes that the data is A data, and outputs the demodulated data via the A output IF unit 9a.
And the demodulation end signal to the switching control unit 6 (ON)
I do. This demodulation end signal is turned off at the start of demodulation. (4) On the other hand, when a passage end signal is sent from the passage detection sensor 14b of the B apparatus, the FF 15b is turned off. Switching control unit 6
Under the condition that the FFs 15a and 15b are off and the demodulation end signal is on, the register 13a or 13b specifies the memory 3a or 3b on which the register is on and sends a read command to the memory control unit 8, A switching signal is output to switch the switching circuit 4. In this case, since the storage register 13b is on, a read command of the memory 3b is sent to the memory control unit 8, and the switching circuit
4 is switched to the B data side. At this time, the FF 15b is set to ON. This is to store the data A in the memory 3a when the A data is output during the reading. (5) As described above, the serial B data is input to the demodulation unit 5 via the switching circuit 4. After being demodulated by the demodulation unit 5, the POS terminal 20b is output via the B output IF unit.
Sent to

As described above, the switching control unit 6 recognizes the input of the A data or the B data and controls the switching circuit 4 to input the data to the demodulation unit 5. If both data conflict, one of them is stored in the memory. After demodulation of the previously input data is completed, the data is read out from the memory and demodulated, so that the demodulation unit 5 can be shared.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration and an example of connection in a POS system. Since the B apparatus does not have a demodulation unit, the size can be reduced to the minimum necessary. Cost reduction is achieved.

Although two optical units have been described above, a plurality of optical units can share one demodulation unit. The detection of the presence or absence of the output signal of the optical unit is performed by:
A guard bar, a center bar, or the like may be used, and the invention is not limited to the passage detection sensor.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, one demodulation unit is shared by a plurality of optical units , and separate output is performed for each optical unit.
With such a configuration, if it is applied to a system using a plurality of barcode readers, it will greatly contribute to downsizing and cost reduction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 Time chart

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a POS system.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a barcode reader.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 optical unit 1a first optical unit, optical unit 1b second optical unit, optical unit 2, 5, demodulation unit 3, 3a, 3b memory 4 switching circuit 6 switching control unit 8 memory control unit 9a A output IF unit 9b B Output IF unit 11 Switching register 12 B Input IF unit 13a, 13b Storage register 14a, 14b Passage detection sensor 15a, 15b Flip-flop FF 20, 20a, 20b POS terminal 30 Barcode reader

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first optical section and a second optical section for scanning and reading a bar code , respectively, and respectively correspond to the first optical section and the second optical section.
An interface unit, a memory for storing output signals output from the first optical unit and the second optical unit, a switching circuit for switching the respective output signals and inputting them to a demodulation unit, While performing the switching control of the switching circuit by identifying the presence or absence, when output from the other optical unit during output from one optical unit, the output signal of the other optical unit is stored in the memory, A switch control unit that reads the stored output signal from the memory and inputs the output signal to the demodulation unit after one demodulation is completed and the other input is completed, and demodulates the input output signal. multi-controlled bar code reader and having a said demodulator for separating outputs demodulated data to the optical portion by the interface unit. 2. A bar code is scanned to read the bar code.
And an optical unit for outputting a first output signal and connecting to an external device
Output signal supplied from the read barcode reader
An interface unit for receiving the The first output signal and an output from the interface unit
A demodulation unit for demodulating a second output signal to be demodulated; The presence or absence of the first output signal and the second output signal is detected.
Separately, a switching unit for supplying one output signal to the demodulation unit
And The second output signal based on the identification result by the switching unit;
The demodulation result is output to the external barcode reader.
And a bar code reader. 3. The bar code reader further comprises: Storing the first output signal and the second output signal
With memory, The switching unit performs the demodulation of one output signal while the other output signal is demodulated.
Signal is output, the other output signal is sent to the demodulation unit.
3. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the battery is supplied. Code
leader.