JP2985885B1 - Information reading device, information management method, and bar code - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for reading pattern information such as a bar code, which can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple structure, an information management method and a bar code using the same. A bar code is composed of a central data bar and positioning bars on both sides. The data bar 10 is constituted by unit data bars 11 to 18, and the alignment bar 20 is constituted by black unit alignment bars 21 and 22 at both ends of the data bar 10. Head part 3 of code scanner 3
0: Data bar reading photo reflector 31
, And photoreflectors 51 and 52 for reading the alignment bar. Unit data bars 11-18
The data bar reading photoreflectors 31 to 38 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence, and the positioning bar reading photoreflectors 51 and 52 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the unit positioning bars 21 and 22. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus, an information management method, and a barcode, and more particularly, to a barcode scanner, an information management method using a barcode, and a barcode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bar code scanner is widely known as a code scanner. When roughly classified, a linear image sensor (CCD) or the like is used, and there are a handy type in which a code can be read only by pressing, and a pen type in which a bar code is manually scanned from left to right.

[0003]

The handy type is very easy to use because it can be read only by pressing it, but the data processing unit uses an image sensor and determines 1 or 0 from the bar width. Very expensive in the relationship that requires. The pen type is slightly cheaper than the former, but has the following problems.

In order to determine data from the width of each bar of the bar code, first, the width of the start bar is measured, and the widths of the bars are sequentially compared to detect a thick and thin bar. For this reason, if the scanning speed changes during scanning, the detection cannot be performed. There is also a restriction on the pen angle during scanning. Furthermore, although it is cheaper than a handy type code scanner, it is still expensive because of the use of the above-described processing unit and optical components such as ruby balls and optical fibers. In particular, infants cannot satisfy both price and ease of use for use in educational textbooks used by themselves.

Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for reading pattern information such as a bar code, which operates reliably even when handled by an infant, can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple structure, and an information management apparatus using the apparatus. It is to provide a method and a barcode.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information reading device for reading pattern information provided on an object, comprising: an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information; A position information detecting device for detecting the position information of the information reading device, wherein the position information detecting device is provided separately from the information content reading device. You.

According to the second aspect, the information content reading device is provided corresponding to the pattern information, and the position information detecting device is provided with a position information display provided separately from the pattern information on the object. 2. An information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information reading apparatus is provided corresponding to said position information display means having a specific positional relationship with said pattern information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information content reading device includes a plurality of unit information content reading devices provided corresponding to the basic constituent units of the pattern information. 2 is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the position information detecting device is provided with a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided corresponding to the basic constituent units of the position information display means. An information reading device according to claim 2 or 3 is provided.

According to claim 5, the plurality of unit position information detecting devices are divided into two unit position information detecting devices separated from each other in the first direction, and the two unit position information detecting devices are separated from each other. 5. The information reading device according to claim 4, wherein at least two of the unit position information detecting devices are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction. .

According to the sixth aspect, all of the plurality of unit information content reading devices are arranged so as to be sandwiched by the position information detecting device in a direction in which the plurality of unit information content reading devices are arranged. The information reading device according to claim 3, wherein the information reading device is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information reading apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the plurality of unit information content reading apparatuses are arranged point-symmetrically.

According to the present invention, the position information detecting device includes a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided corresponding to the basic structural units of the position information display means, respectively. 4. The information reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the information content reading apparatus and the plurality of unit position information detecting apparatuses includes a light receiving element.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the position information detecting device includes a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided corresponding to the basic constituent units of the position information display means, respectively. 4. The information reading device according to claim 3, wherein a spatial resolution of the detecting device is higher than a spatial resolution of the unit information content reading device.

According to a tenth aspect, when the position is detected by the position information detecting device, data latch means for latching the output from the information content reading device only once is provided. An information reading device is provided.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information reading apparatus according to the tenth aspect, further comprising means for resetting the data latch means when the information reading head moves away from the object. .

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a positioning mark provided corresponding to the position information detecting device is provided at a place visible outside the information reading head. An information reading device according to any one of the eleventh to eleventh aspects is provided.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the pattern information is a bar code, and the basic constituent unit of the position information display means is a bar. An apparatus is provided.

According to the present invention, the pattern information is a bar code, the basic constituent unit of the position information display means is a bar, and the plurality of unit information content reading devices of the information reading head are arranged. 4. The information reading device according to claim 3, wherein a width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the position information is displayed is shorter than a length of a bar which is a basic constituent unit of the position information display means.

According to claim 15, the bar for position detection is
A bar code is provided which is provided outside the information display bar code.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the barcode according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein a width of the position detection bar is smaller than a width of the bar of the information display barcode.

According to claim 17, claim 15 or 1
The bar according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of barcodes are arranged, and adjacent ones of the plurality of barcodes are arranged at least one barcode apart from each other according to claim 15 or 16. Code is provided.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information management method for managing information on an object by reading pattern information provided on the object using an information reading head. In addition to the pattern information, a position information display unit having a specific positional relationship with the pattern information is provided separately from the pattern information, and the information reading head includes an information content reading device that reads the content of the pattern information. Provided corresponding to the pattern information, a position information detecting device for detecting the position information from the position information display means, between the pattern information and the position information display means between the information content reading device. The position information detecting device is provided separately from the information content reading device so as to have the same or similar position relationship as a specific position relationship. By detecting the position information from the position information display means using a device, the information content reading device is positioned at a position where the information pattern is read, and the information pattern is read by the information content reading device, and the information pattern is read. An information management method for managing information on the object by using information read from the information processing apparatus.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an embodiment of the present invention,
A description will be given of a device capable of reading a barcode whose number of read bits is determined in advance more easily than before, and a barcode used for the device.

The position is detected by the position detecting photo reflectors arranged on both sides of the scanner, and the data is read by inputting from all the data reading photo reflectors at the moment when the position is determined. Basic.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a barcode and a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a plan view of a bar code, FIG. 1B is a bottom view of a code scanner, and FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view for explaining a photo reflector.

In this embodiment, printed binary data such as a barcode and a code scanner capable of reading the binary data are used. The code scanner is a hand-scanning code scanner such as a pen-type bar code scanner. The present embodiment is particularly suitably applied to a code having a relatively small number of data used for learning and educational texts and the like and a code scanner for reading the code.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the bar code 1 is composed of a data bar 10 arranged at the center and alignment bars 20 arranged at both sides thereof. Data bar 1
0 is composed of a plurality of unit data bars 11 to 18 representing binary data in white and black (or two different colors). The unit data bars 11 to 18 are in the horizontal direction (X
Direction) at equal intervals. In the drawings of the present specification, hatched portions indicate black, and other portions indicate white. Black (or one of two different colors) provided one at each end of data bar 10
Unit alignment bars 21 and 22
Is composed.

In order to read the bar code 1, FIG.
The code scanner 3 shown in FIG. The head section 30 of the code scanner 3 houses eight data bar reading photo reflectors 31 to 38 and two alignment bar reading photo reflectors 51 and 52.

The data bar reading photoreflectors 31 to 38 are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction (X direction) of the drawing. Positioning bar reading photoreflectors 51 and 52 are arranged at both ends in the X direction with the data bar reading photoreflectors 31 to 38 interposed therebetween. In order to detect black and white of a plurality of unit data bars 11 to 18 representing binary data, photoreflectors 31 to 38 for reading data bars are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the unit data bars 11 to 18, respectively. I have. Further, in order to detect the unit positioning bars 21 and 22 at both ends, photoreflectors 51 and 52 for reading the positioning bars are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the unit positioning bars 21 and 22.

Further, a head section 30 'of a code scanner 3' as shown in FIG. 1C may be used. In this case, a photo reflector 5 for reading the alignment bar is used.
Two or more (two in this embodiment) 1, 51 'and 52, 52' are arranged on each side. in this case,
Photoreflector 5 for reading the left alignment bar
Reference numerals 1 and 51 'are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the X direction and along the vertical direction (Y direction) of the drawing, and the right-side alignment bar reading photoreflectors 52 and 52' are also arranged along the Y direction. Have been. in this way,
By arranging at least two photoreflectors 51, 51 'and 52, 52' for reading the alignment bar on one side, the parallelism can be ensured and false recognition at the time of position detection can be reduced. In addition, if at least one side is provided with two alignment bar reading photoreflectors 51, 51 'or 52, 52', the alignment bar reading photoreflector 5 is provided.
1, 51 ', 52, 52' become three, and a triangle can be formed, whereby a plane is determined geometrically.

Light-emitting / light-receiving sections 41 to 48 are provided at the center of the data bar reading photo-reflectors 31 to 38, respectively. The center of the alignment bar reading photo-reflectors 51, 51 ', 52, 52' is provided. The parts are provided with light emitting / receiving parts 61, 61 ', 62, 62', respectively.

In the head section 30 of the code scanner 3 shown in FIG. 1B, photoreflectors 31 to 38 for reading data bars, light emitting / receiving sections 41 to 48, photoreflectors 51 and 52 for reading alignment bars, and light emitting / receiving sections. 61 and 62 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the point C. Also, the code scanner 3 'shown in FIG.
In the head section 30 ′, the data bar reading photoreflectors 31 to 38 and the light emitting / receiving sections 41 to 48 are provided.
And photoreflector 5 for reading alignment bar
1, 52, alignment bar reading photoreflectors 51 ', 52' and light emitting / receiving parts 61, 62, 6
1'62 'is arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the point C'.

In the head section 30 of the code scanner 3 shown in FIG. 1B, the front faces of the photoreflectors 31 to 38 for reading data bars and the front faces of the photoreflectors 51 and 52 for reading alignment bars correspond to the scanning of the head section 30. The plane 39 is substantially in the same plane. In the head section 30 'of the code scanner 3' shown in FIG.
38 and the front surfaces of the alignment bar reading photoreflectors 51, 51 ', 52, 52' are substantially in the same plane as the scanning surface 39 'of the head unit 30'. With such a configuration, cleaning, wiping, and the like of the head units 30, 30 'are facilitated, and maintenance is facilitated.

In the present embodiment, when a plurality of barcodes 1 shown in FIG. 1A are arranged in the X direction, adjacent barcodes 1 must be longer than one barcode in length. Keep away. If the interval between the adjacent barcodes 1 is one or less, the head part 30,
Photoreflectors 51, 52 or 51, 51 ', 5 for positioning bar reading on both sides of 30'.
This is because there is a possibility that the barcodes 2 and 52 ′ are erroneously recognized as one barcode without being recognized as adjacent barcodes 1. On the other hand, when the adjacent bar codes 1 are separated from each other by at least the length of one bar code, the positioning bar reading photo reflectors 51, 52 or 51, 51 'on both sides are provided. 52, 5
Of the 2 ′, the alignment bar reading photoreflector on one side is in an undetected state of the alignment bar, and is not erroneously recognized as a barcode.

As shown in FIG. 1D, the photoreflector 70 is formed by integrating a light emitting diode (LED) 71 and a phototransistor 72. A light emitting / receiving slit hole 73 is provided on the front surface of the photo reflector 70, and light 75 emitted from the LED 71
And again passes through the light emitting / receiving slit hole 73 and reaches the phototransistor 72. The photo reflector 70 having such a structure is used as the data bar reading photo reflectors 31 to 38 and the alignment bar reading photo reflectors 51, 51 ', 52, 52'. As described above, a phototransistor array and one or more LEDs may be used without using a photoreflector in which an LED and a phototransistor are integrated.

In the present embodiment, taking the case of FIG. 1B as an example, when the photoreflectors 51 and 52 for reading the alignment bars at both ends detect the black level (only at that moment), the center Eight data bar reading photo reflectors 31 to 38 detect the white and black levels of the data bar 20 and latch the data. Once latched, the alignment bar reading photoreflectors 51 and 52 will not accept even if both detect black unless reset. However, when the head unit 30 of the code scanner 3 moves away from the data reading target, the resetting is performed, and the reading can be performed again in the same manner as described above. In addition, when data is detected, the operator is notified by sound or light.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a bar code and a code scanner for comparison. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the bar code, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the code scanner.

In the above embodiment, the data bar 10 composed of a plurality of unit data bars 11 to 18 is used.
One unit alignment bar 21 and 22 is provided at each end of the data bar, and the data bar reading photo-reflectors 31 to 31 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the unit data bars 11 to 18 respectively.
38 and unit alignment bars 2 at both ends.
The alignment bar reading photoreflectors 51 and 52 corresponding to the alignment bars 1 and 22 on a one-to-one basis are provided. Although it is conceivable to arrange a plurality of photoreflectors in one correspondence, the following problems occur.

When white or black is read by one light receiving element per unit data bar without providing an alignment bar, alignment is very difficult. As shown in FIG.
If the unit data bars 111 to 116 constituting 1 are increased, as shown in FIG. 2B, an allowable range can be obtained by the amount of the arrow. However, the size of the barcode 101 and the size of the scanner 103 must be considered according to the level of the user. In the case of an infant, the size of the barcode 101 becomes considerably large, which is not practical. In FIG. 2B, reference numerals 121 to 126 represent
The photoreflectors provided in one-to-one correspondence with the unit data bars 111 to 116 are shown.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention,
Since the data bar is read only when the alignment bar at both ends of the data bar is detected, even a small child can read without increasing the bar code.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a bar code and a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The code scanner head 30 of the code scanner 3 is pressed against the printed bar code 1 to
Left and right (X direction), and in some cases back and forth (Y direction)
By slightly moving the bar code 1, the bar code 1 can be scanned.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, a photoreflector 5 for reading an alignment bar is provided on the outside of the side surface of the housing of the code scanner head 30.
1 and 52, the alignment marks 55,
The provision of 56 facilitates positioning in accordance with the positioning marks 55 and 56.

If the depth L2 of the code scanner head 30 is shorter than the length L1 of the alignment bar 20, the alignment bar 20 will not be hidden by the code scanner head 30, and the alignment will be easier. .

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a barcode and a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a plan view of a barcode, and FIG. 4B is a bottom view of a code scanner.

Positioning bars 20 at both ends of bar code 1
Is read, and then the data bar 10 is read. Therefore, for example, if the width of the unit alignment bars 21 and 22 forming the alignment bar 20 is wider than the unit data bars 11 to 18 forming the data bar 10, the alignment bar 2
Even if 0 is detected, the light emitting / receiving slit holes 141 to 148 of the photoreflector for reading data bars may not match the target unit data bars 11 to 18 in some cases. Since there are also problems with the printing accuracy of the barcode 1 and the processing accuracy of the scanner 3, it is preferable to make the following contrivances.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the width of the unit alignment bars 21 and 22 at both ends is equal to the unit data bar 1
The bar code 1 may be narrower than the width of 1 to 18 or the width of the light receiving slit holes 161 and 162 of the alignment bar reading photoreflector at both ends may be changed to the light emission of the data bar reading photoreflector. By making the width smaller than the width of the light receiving slit holes 141 to 148, the light receiving range of the alignment bar reading photoreflector is made narrower than the emission and reception of the data bar reading photoreflector (that is, the space of the alignment bar reading photoreflector). The resolution is higher than the spatial resolution of the data bar reading photoreflector).

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for explaining a code scanner according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a photo reflector used in the code scanner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, photoreflectors PR0 to PR7 for reading data bars (in FIG. 1,
These correspond to the data bar reading photo reflectors 31 to 38, respectively. ) Are connected to data input terminals D0 to D7 of the data latch 201, respectively, and the data output terminals Q0 to Q7 of the data latch 201 are connected as read data to a data decoder (not shown). The alignment bar reading photoreflectors PR8 and PR9 (corresponding to the alignment bar reading photoreflectors 51 and 52 in FIG. 1) are connected to the two input terminals of the AND circuit 203, respectively. Is connected to the data input terminal D of the D flip-flop 204.

The data output terminal Q of the D flip-flop is connected to the input terminal of the inverter 202, and the output terminal of the inverter 202 is connected to the LATCH of the data latch 201.
ENABLE and OUTPUT ENABLE
Connected to terminal.

The data output terminal Q of the D flip-flop and the output terminal of the AND circuit 203 are respectively connected to the input terminal of the OR circuit 205. The output terminal of the OR circuit 205 is connected to the clock input terminal C of the D flip-flop 204.
Connected to K.

Inverting clear terminal C of D flip-flop
LR is grounded via a resistor R3 and connected to a power supply Vcc via a switch SW2.

Further, the data output terminal Q of the D flip-flop is connected to the control terminal of the analog switch 207 via the one-shot multivibrator 206. One of the controlled terminals of the analog switch is connected to the power supply,
The other is grounded via buzzer 208.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cathode terminal of the LED 71 and the emitter terminal of the photodiode 72 constituting the photo reflector 70 are grounded, and the anode terminal of the LED 71 is connected to the photodiode 7 via a resistor R1.
2 are connected to a switch S via a resistor R2.
It is connected to one end of W1, and the other end of switch SW1 is connected to Vcc. The collector terminal of the photodiode 72 is connected to the data input terminal of the data latch 201 via the amplifier 211.

The CLR switch SW2 and the reflector switch SW1 are turned on by mechanically or electrically detecting that the scanner has been pressed against a data reading object such as text, and turned off when the scanner is separated.

When the alignment bar reading photoreflectors PR8 and PR9 both detect the black level, the AND circuit 203 performs an AND operation and holds the output Q of the D flip-flop 204 at Hi. Data latch 2
01 LATCH ENABLE, OUTPUT EN
ABLE is inverted by the inverted output of the D flip-flop 201 to Lo.
Then, the detection levels of the data bar reading photoreflectors PR0 to PR7 are output to the data latch outputs Q0 to Q7 which have been high impedance until then.
The D flip-flop 204 detects the rising edge of the clock only when the alignment bar reading photoreflectors PR8 and PR9 both detect the black level for the first time, and the clock is kept Hi until there is a clear input. The subsequent detection of the black level of the alignment bar reading photoreflectors PR8 and PR9 is not accepted. Also, only at the time of the first detection, the output of the one-shot multivibrator 206 becomes instant Hi, and the analog switch 20
7 turns on and the confirmation buzzer 208 sounds.

In the above description, logic gates have been described for simplicity. However, in an actual product, a one-chip microcomputer or the like can be used together with a decoder and other functions.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

(1) Since data is fetched only when the alignment bars 20 at both ends are detected, it is only necessary to place the scanner roughly and move it slightly back and forth and left and right without aiming and placing a scanner.

(2) The reason for the above is that, unlike the pen type, the pressing portion of the scanner is flat and the angle does not change, so that it can be used even by infants.

(3) For the reason (1), even if the barcode is made small, it can be read reliably.

(4) An inexpensive photo reflector can be used, and optical components such as ruby balls and optical fibers, a line sensor, and a complicated data processing section are not required. Also, the optical design may be rough.

In the above-described embodiment, a bar code in which information is displayed one-dimensionally has been described. However, the present invention is preferably applied to a code having a two-dimensional information spread. Is done.

[0065]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for reading pattern information such as a bar code which can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple structure, an information management method and a bar code using the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a barcode and a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the barcode, FIGS. 1B and 1C are bottom views of the code scanner, and FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating a photoreflector.

2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining a barcode and a code scanner for comparison, FIG. 2A is a plan view of a barcode, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the code scanner;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a barcode and a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a barcode and a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the barcode, and FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the code scanner.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a code scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram for explaining a photo reflector used in the code scanner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bar code 3 ... Code scanner 10 ... Data bar 11-18 ... Unit data bar 20 ... Alignment bar 21, 22 ... Unit alignment bar 30, 30 '... Code scanner head part 31-38 ... Data bar reading photo Reflectors 39, 39 'scanning surfaces 41-48 light-emitting / light-receiving portions 51, 51', 52, 52 'of data bar reading photo reflectors photo-reflectors 55, 56 ... positioning marks 61, positioning bar reading photo-reflectors 61 ', 62, 62' ... Light emitting / receiving part of photo reflector for reading alignment bar 70 ... Photo reflector 71 ... LED 72 ... Photo transistor 73 ... Light emitting / receiving slit hole 141-148 ... Light emitting / receiving of photo reflector for reading data bar Slit holes 161, 162 ... alignment bar Reading photo reflector of the light emitting receiving slit holes 204 ... D flip-flop 206 ... one-shot multivibrator 207 ... photo reflector analog switch 211 ... amplifier PR0 to PR7 ... data bar reading PR8, PR9 ... alignment bar reading photo-reflector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06K 7/10 G06K 7/016 G06K 19/06

Claims (24)

(57) [Claims] 1. The pattern of an object provided with pattern information and position information display means provided separately from the pattern information, the position information display means having a fixed positional relationship with the pattern information. An information reading device for reading information, comprising: an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information; and an information reading head having a position information detecting device for detecting position information from the position information display means. The information content reading device is provided when the information content reading device and the position information detecting device have a fixed positional relationship, and the information reading head is arranged in such a manner that the position information detecting device is associated with the position information display means. Is configured to correspond to the pattern information. 2. An object provided with a plurality of combinations of pattern information and position information display means provided separately from said pattern information, said position information display means having a fixed positional relationship with said pattern information. An information reading device that reads the pattern information of one combination of the plurality of combinations of: an information content reading device that reads the content of the pattern information of the one combination; and the position information of the one combination. A position information detecting device for detecting position information from a display means, wherein the position information detecting device is provided separately from the information content reading device; and an information reading head comprising: . 3. The information reading device according to claim 2, wherein said information content reading device and said position information detecting device are provided so as to correspond to said pattern information and said position information display means, respectively. . 4. An information reading device for reading pattern information provided on an object, comprising: an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information; and a position information detecting device for detecting position information from the object. And a position information detecting device provided separately from the information content reading device; and a hand-scanning information reading head comprising: 5. The information content reading device and the position information detecting device are position information display means provided separately from the pattern information and the pattern information, and the position information having a fixed positional relationship with the pattern information. The information reading device according to claim 4, wherein the information reading device is provided so as to correspond to each of the information display means. 6. The information reading device according to claim 2, wherein the information content reading device and the position information detecting device have a fixed positional relationship. 7. An information reading device for reading pattern information provided on an object, comprising: an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information; and a position information detecting device for detecting position information from the object. And a position information detecting device provided separately from the information content reading device; and an information reading head comprising: the information content reading device is provided corresponding to the pattern information; An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is provided corresponding to the position information display means which is provided separately from the pattern information on the object and has a specific positional relationship with the pattern information; Is provided with a plurality of unit information content reading devices provided corresponding to the basic constituent units of the pattern information, respectively. Information reading apparatus according to claim. 8. The information content reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of unit information content reading devices provided corresponding to the basic constituent units of the pattern information. An information reading device according to any one of the above. 9. An information reading device for reading pattern information provided on an object, comprising: an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information; and a position information detecting device for detecting position information from the object. And a position information detecting device provided separately from the information content reading device; and an information reading head comprising: the information content reading device is provided corresponding to the pattern information; A position information display unit provided separately from the pattern information on the target object and provided in correspondence with the position information display unit having a specific positional relationship with the pattern information; Is provided with a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided respectively corresponding to the basic constituent units of the position information display means. Information reading apparatus according to. 10. The position information detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided corresponding to basic structural units of said position information display means. The information reading device according to 3, 5, or 7. 11. The plurality of unit position information detection devices are divided into two unit position information detection device groups separated from each other in a first direction, and each of the two unit position information detection device groups includes 11. The information reading device according to claim 9, wherein at least two of the unit position information detecting devices are arranged along a second direction intersecting the one direction. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of unit information content reading devices are arranged so as to be sandwiched by the position information detecting device in a direction in which the plurality of unit information content reading devices are arranged. 9. The information reading device according to claim 7, wherein 13. The information reading device according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of unit information content reading devices are arranged point-symmetrically. 14. The position information detecting device includes a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided corresponding to basic constituent units of the position information display means, respectively; 8. The information reading device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of unit position information detection devices includes a light receiving element. 15. The position information detecting device includes a plurality of unit position information detecting devices provided corresponding to basic constituent units of the position information display means, respectively, and a spatial resolution of the unit position information detecting device. 8. The information reading device according to claim 7, wherein the value of the information reading device is higher than the spatial resolution of the unit information content reading device. 16. A data latch means for reading the contents of the pattern information by latching the output from the information content reading device only once when the position is detected by the position information detecting device. 16. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 15. 17. An information reading device for reading pattern information provided on an object, comprising: an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information; and a position information detecting device for detecting position information from the object. An information reading head having the position information detecting device provided separately from the information content reading device; and, when a position is detected by the position information detecting device, the output from the information content reading device is latched only once. An information reading device comprising a data latch unit for reading the contents of the pattern information by performing the operation. 18. An information reading apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for resetting said data latch means when said information reading head moves away from said object. 19. An alignment mark provided corresponding to the position information detecting device is provided at a position visible outside the information reading head.
19. The information reading device according to any one of claims 18 to 18. 20. The pattern information is a bar code,
The basic structural unit of the position information display means is a bar.
The information reading device according to 1, 14, 15, or 17. 21. The pattern information is a bar code, a basic constituent unit of the position information display means is a bar, and a direction in which the plurality of unit information content reading devices are arranged in the information reading head. 8. The information reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a width in a substantially vertical direction is shorter than a length of a bar which is a basic constituent unit of the position information display means. 22. A bar code comprising a position detection bar and an information display bar code, wherein the width of the position detection bar is smaller than the width of the bar of the information display bar code. 23. A plurality of barcodes according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of barcodes adjacent to each other are spaced apart by at least one barcode according to claim 22. A bar code characterized by: 24. An information management method for managing information relating to an object by reading pattern information provided on the object using an information reading head, wherein the information is added to the object in addition to the pattern information. In addition, a position information display unit having a specific positional relationship with the pattern information is provided separately from the pattern information, and an information content reading device for reading the content of the pattern information is provided on the information reading head. And a position information detecting device for detecting position information from the position information display means, the specific positional relationship between the pattern information and the position information display means between the information content reading device. Provided separately from the information content reading device so as to have the same or similar positional relationship. When the information content reading device is positioned at the position for reading the information pattern by detecting the position information from the position information display means, the information pattern is read by the information content reading device, and the information read from the information pattern is read. An information management method, wherein information on the target object is managed by utilizing the information.