JP2837664B2 - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a bar code reader that optically scans a bar code symbol and receives reflected light from the bar code symbol.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For the purpose of streamlining merchandise management and checkout work, POS is used in department stores and supermarkets.
A system (point of sale information management system) has been introduced.

In such a system, in order to automate the input of a product, a bar code is attached to the product, and the bar code is read by a bar code reader.

There are two types of barcode readers: stationary devices that emit a plurality of scanning patterns, and handy devices that emit one scanning beam. In general, stationary stores are used in large stores such as supermarkets. However, since the devices are large and require a large installation space, small-sized stores use small hand-held devices.

[0005] However, in the case of a hand-held device, the device must be operated by hand during scanning, and the number of scanning beams is one, so that the operability is not as good as that of a stationary device. Therefore, a small and thin stationary device is desired.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art. The laser light from the laser light source 1 such as a semiconductor laser
The light is emitted to the polygon mirror (scanning pattern forming means) 6 rotated by the polygon motor 7 through the hole, and a scanning pattern is formed by the rotation of the polygon mirror 6 and emitted to the barcode symbol BS via the reflection mirror 8. .

The reflected light (dotted line in the figure) from the bar code symbol BS is reflected by the polygon mirror 6 via the reflecting mirror 8, collected by the condenser lens 9, and received by the light receiving sensor 10 via the reflecting mirror 12. And converted into an electrical signal. Note that reference numeral 11 denotes a casing for housing these.

That is, in the prior art, the emission condensing portion is arranged on the right side of the scanning pattern forming space.

[0009]

Generally, in order to obtain a scanning pattern of an appropriate length, it is necessary to increase the optical path length from the polygon mirror 6 to the bar code symbol BS.

For this reason, in the prior art, it is necessary to increase the optical path length between the polygon mirror 6 and the reflection mirror 8, thereby increasing the space for forming the scanning pattern of the emission section.

If the condenser lens 9 is placed at a position where it does not block the optical path of the output beam, the condenser lens 9 must be arranged at a position on the right side of the scanning pattern formation space and farther from the polygon mirror 6. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the condensing area, so that the condensing lens 9 becomes large.

For this reason, the prior art has a problem that the device becomes large. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader that can reduce the size of the apparatus.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a principle diagram and one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view of the principle diagram and one embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser light source for generating laser light, 2 denotes focusing means for determining a focal length of the laser light, 3 denotes a first reflection mirror, 4 denotes a second reflection mirror, and 5 denotes a first reflection mirror. 3 is a reflection mirror, 6 is a scanning pattern forming means for forming a scanning pattern for scanning a barcode symbol by a laser beam, 7 is a polygon motor,
8 is a fourth reflecting mirror, 9 is a light collecting means for collecting the reflected light from the bar code symbol, 10 is a light receiving sensor which receives the collected light and converts it into an electric signal, and 11 is a casing.

The above object is achieved by the invention described in each claim. In the invention described in claim 1, a laser light source that emits laser light, a scanning pattern forming unit that reflects a laser light emitted from the laser light source to form a scanning pattern for scanning a bar code, A light collecting means for collecting light reflected by the code, and a light receiving sensor for receiving the light collected by the light collecting means and converting the light into an electric signal are provided. In a bar code reader that scans and reads a bar code symbol by receiving reflected light from the bar code symbol, a laser beam emitted from the laser light source is placed on a first optical axis to form the scanning pattern. Means for reflecting light , said laser light source being provided with said first light
Pass through a position parallel to the axis and away from the first optical axis
Emitting laser light toward the second optical axis,
The reflection mirror reflects the laser light emitted to the second optical axis.
The first mirror that reflects back and the first mirror
Fold the reflected laser light toward the first optical axis.
A second mirror disposed on the first optical axis for reflecting back;
And the light collecting means and the light receiving sensor are
Characterized by being arranged on an extension of the first optical axis.
You.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the laser light
A laser light source that emits light,
Scan pattern that scans barcodes by reflecting the laser beam
With multiple reflective surfaces that form
Pattern forming hand including polygon mirror rotating
A step, a condensing means for condensing reflected light from the barcode,
The light condensed by the condensing means is received and an electric signal is received.
And a light-receiving sensor that converts the light into laser light.
-Scan the barcode symbol
Bar that receives reflected light and reads barcode symbols
-In the code reader, emitted from the laser light source
The scanning laser beam onto the first optical axis
A reflecting mirror that guides the light to the focusing means;
The light receiving sensor is disposed on an extension of the first optical axis.
And the laser reflected by the reflection mirror
Light is emitted from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the polygon mirror.
Incident on the scanning pattern forming means.
You.

[0016]

The following effects are obtained by such a configuration. (1) A reflection mirror is provided to guide the laser light emitted from the laser light source on the first optical axis to the scanning pattern forming means, and the light collecting means and the light receiving sensor are arranged on an extension of the first optical axis. Therefore, the scanning pattern forming means, the reflecting mirror, the light collecting means, and the light receiving sensor can be arranged on the first optical axis, and the bar code reader can be reduced in size and thickness.

Further , the laser light source 1 is configured to emit laser light toward a second optical axis passing through a position parallel to and separated from the first optical axis, and is arranged on the first optical axis. by a second mirror that is, since the laser light so as to return reflection toward the first optical axis, these Mi
Need to receive the reflected light from the barcode.
Since it is only necessary to reflect a laser beam with a small beam diameter,
These may be small, and each mirror and laser light source can be compactly arranged in the casing, and the barcode reader can be reduced in size and thickness.

(2) orthogonal to the rotation axis of the polygon mirror
Scans the laser beam reflected by the reflection mirror from the direction
Since the light enters the pattern forming means, this reflecting mirror
-It is not necessary to receive the reflected light from the
The barcode reader can be made smaller and thinner because it can be a small one that reflects a small laser beam .

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (a) Description of an embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A laser light source 1 that emits laser light, a focus lens 2 that determines the focal length of the laser light, and a first reflection mirror 3 that changes the direction of the laser light passing through the focus lens 2 by 90 ° are provided in a lower portion of the casing 11. A second reflecting mirror 4 for changing the direction of the laser light from the first reflecting mirror 3 by 90 °, and a third reflecting mirror 5 for changing the laser light from the second reflecting mirror 4 upward by 90 °. You.

On the right side of the reflection mirror 4, a condenser lens 9 for condensing light reflected from the reflection mirror 5 and a light receiving sensor 10 for receiving light returned from the condenser lens 9 are provided. On the other hand, a polygon mirror 6 rotated by a polygon motor 7 and a fourth reflection mirror 8 are provided on the upper stage of the casing 11 so as to face the lower reflection mirror 5.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning pattern. Next, the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The laser light emitted from the laser light source 1 passes through the focus lens 2, is guided to the first reflection mirror 3 and the second reflection mirror 4, is reflected upward by the third reflection mirror 5, and is reflected by the polygon mirror 6. Hit.

The laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 6 becomes a scanning beam and travels toward the fourth reflecting mirror 8,
The light is reflected and emitted to the barcode symbol BS. The scanning pattern is determined by the angle α ₁ of the mirror surface of the polygon mirror 6 shown in FIG. 3A, and the emission direction of the beam changes according to the angle of the polygon mirror surface as shown in FIG.
A plurality of parallel scanning patterns S _{1 to} S ₆ are drawn according to the angle α ₁ of the polygon mirror surface as shown in FIG.

[0024] For example, there polygon mirror 6 is six surfaces, the surfaces of the angle alpha ₁ is different, as shown in FIG. 3 (C), S ₁ ~
Draw six parallel scan pattern of S _6. After the emission, the laser light reflected on the barcode symbol BS returns in the order of the fourth reflection mirror 8, the polygon mirror 6, and the third reflection mirror 5, is condensed by the condensing lens 9, and is received by the light receiving sensor 10
And converted to electrical signals.

As described above, the light emitting section (laser light source 1, focus lens 2, reflection mirrors 3, 4) and the light condensing section (condensing lens 9, light receiving sensor 10) are arranged in the lower stage, and the scanning pattern forming section (polygon) Since the mirror 6 and the reflection mirror 8) are arranged in the upper stage and the upper and lower optical paths are connected by the fourth reflection mirror 5, the entire upper stage can be used as a scanning pattern forming space, the apparatus can be reduced in size, and the light can be collected. The lens 9 can be brought closer to the polygon mirror 6, the condenser lens 9 can be made smaller, and the thickness can be reduced.

(B) Description of Another Embodiment FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, 6 'is a drum-shaped polygon mirror, and an upper reflecting surface 6b and a lower reflecting surface. 6a
And an upper reflecting surface 6b and a lower reflecting surface 6 as described later.
A multi-directional scanning pattern is generated based on the intersection angle θ ₂ and the inclination angle θ ₁ .

This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that a third reflecting mirror 5 and a polygon mirror 6 are provided.
Is replaced by a drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 '. The operation of this embodiment will be described.
The emitted laser light passes through the focus lens 2, is guided to the first reflection mirror 3 and the second reflection mirror 4, and hits the lower reflection surface 6a of the drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 '.

Lower reflecting surface 6a of drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 '
Is guided to the upper reflecting surface 6b, is reflected and becomes a scanning beam, is directed to the fourth reflecting mirror 8, is reflected, and is emitted to the barcode symbol BS.

After the emission, the laser light reflected from the bar code symbol BS returns in the order of the fourth reflecting mirror 8, the upper reflecting surface 6b, and the lower reflecting surface 6a of the drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 '. The light is collected, collected by the light receiving sensor 10, and converted into an electric signal.

The scanning pattern is a drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 '.
Is determined by FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hourglass polygon mirror, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the hourglass polygon mirror, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning pattern of the hourglass polygon mirror. Note that FIG.
7A is a side view of FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a front view of FIG.

The drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 'comprises an upper reflecting surface 6b and a lower reflecting surface 6a as shown in FIG. 6, and the two reflecting surfaces 6b and 6a intersect each other as shown in the side view of FIG. θ ₂
And the inclination angle θ as shown in the front view of FIG.
Leaning in _one relationship.

The scan pattern is changed by this crossing angle theta ₂ between the inclination angle theta _1. When the crossing angle θ ₂ is changed, FIG.
(A), the scanning pattern S ₁₁ according to the crossing angle θ _2.
~S ₁₄ is substantially parallel shift.

When the inclination angle θ ₁ is changed, FIG.
Scanning patterns S _{21 to} S ₂₇ according to the inclination angle θ ₁ as shown in FIG.
Have different inclinations (directions) about one point. Furthermore, when changes to both cross angle theta ₂ between the inclination angle theta _1, as shown in FIG. 8 (C), the the slope around the large number of points in accordance with the inclination angle theta ₁ and crossing angle theta ₂ (direction) different scanning patterns S ₃₁ to S ₃₄
Draw.

Accordingly, the intersection angle θ ₂ and the inclination angle θ ₁ between the upper reflecting surface 6 b and the lower reflecting surface 6 a of the drum-shaped polygon mirror 6 ′.
Is changed on each peripheral surface, it is possible to draw various scanning patterns as shown in FIG. 8 (C), the degree of freedom of reading with respect to the direction of the barcode is increased, and the operability is improved. It is effective for.

Also in this example, as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the light-emitting portion and the light-condensing portion are arranged in the lower stage, and the scanning pattern forming portion is arranged in the upper stage, so that the apparatus can be reduced in size and thickness. Is also possible.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a use example of the present invention. Since the device according to the present invention is small and thin, the device RD connected to the demodulation device DM on the desk ES as shown in FIG.
And the barcode BS of the product AS held by hand can be read in the scanning pattern S.

Therefore, the exclusive occupation area of the reading device RD is small, and it is possible to introduce the reading device RD into a small shop. (c) Description of Another Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the fourth reflection mirror 8 is provided and the scanning pattern is guided upward in the figure. However, when the scanning pattern is emitted in the horizontal direction, No reflection mirror 8 is required.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention can be variously modified in accordance with the gist of the present invention and is not excluded from the present invention.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the following effects are obtained. (1) A reflection mirror is provided to guide the laser light emitted from the laser light source on the first optical axis to the scanning pattern forming means, and the light collecting means and the light receiving sensor are arranged on an extension of the first optical axis. Therefore, the scanning pattern forming means, the reflecting mirror, the light collecting means, and the light receiving sensor can be arranged on the first optical axis, and the bar code reader can be reduced in size and thickness.

Further, disposing the laser light source 1, the first optical axis while configured to emit a laser beam toward the second optical axis passing through the first optical axis and a position apart parallel by a second mirror that is, since the laser light so as to return reflection toward the first optical axis, these Mi
Need to receive the reflected light from the barcode.
Since it is only necessary to reflect a laser beam with a small beam diameter,
These may be small, and each mirror and laser light source can be compactly arranged in the casing, and the barcode reader can be reduced in size and thickness.

(2) Perpendicular to the rotation axis of the polygon mirror
Scans the laser beam reflected by the reflection mirror from the direction
Since the light enters the pattern forming means, this reflecting mirror
-It is not necessary to receive the reflected light from the
The barcode reader can be made smaller and thinner because it can be a small one that reflects a small laser beam .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a principle diagram and one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the principle diagram and one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drum-shaped polygon mirror shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a drum-shaped polygon mirror of FIG. 6;

8 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning pattern of the drum-shaped polygon mirror of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser light source 2 Focusing means (lens) 6 Scanning pattern forming means 9 Focusing means (lens) 10 Light receiving sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Kitamura 4-1-1, Kamidadanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Tamotsu Takahashi 2--16-20 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Copal Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ishii ▲ Biao ▼ 2--16-20 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. Inside Cobalt Company (72) Yoshihiro Oyama 2--16-20 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Copal Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuo Sasaki 2-16-20 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Copal Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-150775 (JP, A) JP-A-57-85176 (JP, A) ( 58) Surveyed fields (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06K 7/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A laser light source for emitting a laser beam, a scanning pattern forming means for reflecting a laser beam emitted from the laser light source to form a scanning pattern for scanning a bar code, and a reflected light from the bar code And a light receiving sensor for receiving the light condensed by the light condensing means and converting the light into an electric signal. A bar code reader for receiving a reflected light from a symbol and reading a bar code symbol, comprising: a reflecting mirror for guiding a laser beam emitted from the laser light source on a first optical axis to the scanning pattern forming means. To
Provided, the laser light source is parallel to the first optical axis, said first
Toward the second optical axis passing through a position distant from the optical axis of
Thereby emitting laser light, the reflecting mirror, the laser emitted on the second optical axis
A first mirror for reflecting light back, and the first mirror
The laser light reflected by the laser beam toward the first optical axis.
A second reflection disposed on the first optical axis that reflects back.
A bar code reader, wherein the light condensing means and the light receiving sensor are arranged on an extension of the first optical axis. 2. A laser light source for emitting laser light, and a laser light reflected from the laser light source,
A plurality of counters to form a scanning pattern for scanning
A polygon mirror that has a launch surface and rotates around a rotation axis
Scanning pattern forming means including a light source, a light condensing means for condensing light reflected from the bar code , and an electric signal receiving light condensed by the light condensing means.
A light-receiving sensor for converting the bar code symbol into a bar code symbol.
Receives reflected light from the code symbol and
And have you to the bar code reader for reading Bol, a laser beam emitted from the laser light source, a first optical axis
And a reflection mirror that guides the scanning pattern forming means
The light-collecting means and the light-receiving sensor are provided on the first optical axis.
The laser light disposed on the extension line and reflected by the reflection mirror is
The scanning pattern from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the Gon mirror
Bar code reading characterized by being incident on the pattern forming means
apparatus.