JP3603441B2 - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical information reader, and more particularly to an optical information reader such as a bar code reader for reading information symbols.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, most products sold in supermarkets and retail stores are printed with barcodes of black and white stripes or pasted with barcode labels. When an optical information reading device such as a barcode reader irradiates light onto these information symbols such as a barcode, the intensity of light reflected according to the white and black of the barcode is generated. An optical information reading device such as a bar code reader reads the data of the strong and weak pulse signals, transmits the read data to an information processing device installed at a predetermined position, manages sales, inventory, etc., and places an order. 2. Description of the Related Art A point-of-sale information management system, a so-called POS system (Point Of Sales System), for streamlining operations such as purchasing and developing efficient sales has come into wide use.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a portable (handy type) barcode reader is used as the barcode reader of this type of POS system, it is necessary to electrically connect the barcode reader and the information processing device. For example, if a cable is used to electrically connect the barcode reader to the information processing device, the portability of the barcode reader deteriorates due to the weight of the cable, crawling of the cable, and the like. Data read operation efficiency is reduced.
[0004]
Therefore, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-93964, a remote control transfer type bar code reader has been proposed. In this bar code reader, the bar code reading section and the remote control transfer section are fixedly provided on the same side of the bar code reader housing, so that the transfer direction of the read data is the same as the direction of the bar code reading section, Unless the barcode reading unit is used in the transfer direction, a problem arises in that communication becomes impossible.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an optical information reading device capable of efficiently and accurately performing communication with a remotely located information processing device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following features.
Illuminating means for irradiating light to an optically readable information symbol, imaging means for imaging reflected light generated by reflecting the illuminated light on the information symbol at a predetermined position, and reflected light which is imaged And a control means for decoding the converted electric signal into a signal corresponding to the information symbol and performing various arithmetic control processes. On the outer surface,
A transmitting unit of transmitting means for transmitting the decoded signal to an information processing apparatus which is located for a required time, and an information confirmation signal transmitted from the information processing apparatus based on the reception of the transmitted signal And a receiving unit of a receiving means for receiving and performing a receiving process is rotatably disposed,
A container to be inserted into the through hole provided on the upper surface of the housing is provided, and a cylindrical portion having the same outer diameter as the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is formed at a lower portion of the container so as to extend downward from the upper surface of the housing, and
Forming a large-diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than the cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion, and a protruding portion projecting from a part of the large-diameter portion,
A transmitting unit and a receiving unit are arranged toward a translucent window formed on one side surface of the upper part of the container.
Thus, the operator using the optical information reading device can transfer data to the information processing device only by pointing the transmission unit in the direction of the information processing device in advance without changing the reading posture of the information symbol. As a result, the workability of reading information symbols is remarkably improved.
Further, since also has a receiver with transmit unit, ready to receive information confirmation signal transmitted from the information processing apparatus, by receiving this information confirmation signal, the information content transmitted from the optical information reading apparatus Can be easily confirmed to have been correctly transmitted to the information processing apparatus.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of a barcode reading device 1 as an optical information reading device and a register 90 as an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, when reading a barcode data of a barcode label Bc, a barcode reader 1 converts the read data into data for transmission, and sends a register 90 (information processing device) to a transmitter of the communication unit 60. ) Is transmitted to the receiving unit of the communication unit 91. When the register 90 receives the transmission data, the register 90 transmits data (information confirmation signal) corresponding to the transmission data from the transmission unit of the communication unit 91 to the reception unit of the communication unit 60 of the barcode reading device 1.
[0007]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the barcode reader 1, and FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the barcode reader of FIG.
2 and 3, the barcode reading device 1 has a housing 10 made of synthetic resin, and a reading tip side 10a of the housing 10 is formed in a convex shape. A transparent dustproof plate 11 faces the barcode label Bc on the convex reading tip side 10a of the housing 10 to prevent dust and dirt from entering the inside of the housing 10 from the reading tip side 10a. It is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG.
[0008]
Inside the housing 10, a light 20 composed of a red light emitting diode (for example, having a wavelength around λ = 660 nm) for irradiating the bar code label Bc with red light, and a light radiating light from the light 20 is transparent and dustproof. A condensing lens 21 for condensing light on the barcode label Bc through the plate 11; a flat reflecting mirror 12 for changing the direction of light reflected by the barcode label Bc and entering the housing 10 through the dustproof plate 11; An imaging lens 13 that forms an image of the light reflected by the mirror 12 and whose direction of the incident light is changed on the optical sensor 30, and an optical element that converts an optical signal formed by the imaging lens 13 into an electric signal. A target sensor 30 is provided.
[0009]
The optical sensor 30 uses a line-type image sensor having, for example, 2048 CCD sensors, which has a spectral sensitivity peak region in the vicinity of the emission spectrum of the illumination 20 made of a red light-emitting diode. The optical sensor 30 is mounted on a substrate 59a, and is driven by a sensor drive circuit 54 mounted on the substrate 59a based on a command from the microcomputer 51. The illumination 20 is mounted on the substrate 59b, and is driven by a light emitting element driving circuit 55 mounted on the substrate 59b based on a command from the microcomputer 51.
[0010]
A trigger switch 40 and a communication unit 60 to be described later are disposed on the upper surface of the housing 10, and when the trigger switch 40 is pressed, reading of the barcode on the barcode label Bc is started. Further, in the housing 10, a microcomputer (microcomputer) 51 of the control device 50 (see FIG. 3) for reading information content of the barcode label Bc based on electric signals from the DC power supply 70 and the optical sensor 30; A substrate 58 on which a reference numeral 52, a waveform shaping unit 53, a transmission driving circuit 56, and a reception driving circuit 57 are disposed is provided. Further, in the housing 10, for example, an LED (not shown) for emitting two colors and a buzzer 80 for emitting two tones, which notify the completion of reading the barcode, are provided.
[0011]
The control unit 50 performs various arithmetic and control processes based on the digital signal output from the waveform shaping unit 53 and sends the arithmetic result to the memory 52 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. A memory 52 for storing the operation result calculated by the microcomputer 51, a noise shaping in an output signal from the optical sensor 30, a waveform shaping, and amplifying the waveform shaped signal. A waveform shaping unit 53 that sequentially converts the analog output signals into digital signals, a sensor driving circuit 54 that drives each CCD sensor of the optical sensor 30 based on a command from the microcomputer 51, and a command from the microcomputer 51. An illumination driving circuit 55 for driving the illumination 20 composed of a red light emitting diode based on the optical communication; A transmission drive circuit 56 for driving the transmitting infrared light emitting element 61 of 60, is constituted by a reception drive circuit 57 for driving the receiving infrared light receiving element 62 of the optical communication portion 60.
[0012]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the above-described embodiment of the communication unit 60 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 10. FIG. 4 (a) shows a front view, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a bottom view. 4 (c) shows a vertical sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4 (b), and FIG. 4 (d) shows a horizontal sectional view. 4 (a), (b), (c) and (d), the communication section 60 is provided in a through hole 15 provided on the upper surface of the housing 10 and a container 63 provided with a translucent window 64 on one end surface. The lower part is inserted and attached. At the lower part of the container 63, a cylindrical part 67 having an outer diameter that fits into the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 15, a large diameter part 68 provided on the outer peripheral surface below the cylindrical part 67, and a large diameter part 68. And a protruding portion 65 protruding from a part thereof.
[0013]
In the container 63, an infrared light emitting element 61 and an infrared light receiving element 62 are arranged, and the infrared light emitting element 61 is arranged with its light emitting surface facing a light-transmitting window 64. Further, the infrared light receiving element 62 is disposed with its light receiving surface facing the window 64 having translucency. The infrared light emitting element 61 and the infrared light receiving element 62 It is driven by a circuit 56 and a reception drive circuit 57 based on commands from the microcomputer 51, respectively. In addition, a semicircular convex wall 16 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the through hole 15, and the convex wall 16 serves as a stopper when the protrusion 65 is rotated in the left-right direction. By providing the convex wall 16, even if the container 63 is rotated in the left-right direction, a connection line for connecting the infrared light emitting element 61 and the infrared light receiving element 62 disposed in the container 63 to the substrate 58. 69 can be prevented from being twisted.
[0014]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program showing a processing operation of the microcomputer 51. This program is previously stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 51. Next, the operation of the barcode reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG.
[0015]
When the trigger switch 40 of the barcode reader 1 is turned on and the microcomputer 51 is driven, the microcomputer 51 starts a processing program in step 100. Next, in step 101, the microcomputer 51 sends an illumination drive command to the illumination drive circuit 55, causes the illumination 20 to emit light for a predetermined time, and emits red light onto the barcode label Bc. At the same time, the microcomputer 51 sends a sensor drive command to the sensor drive circuit 54, and puts each light receiving element (CCD sensor element) of the optical sensor 30 into a driving state. Then, the process proceeds to step 102, where barcode reading is started.
[0016]
When red light is emitted from the illumination 20 toward the barcode of the barcode label Bc, the reflected light from the barcode label Bc reaches the imaging lens 13 while being diffused. The reflected light that has reached the imaging lens 13 passes through the imaging lens 13 and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the optical sensor 30. When the reflected light forms an image on the light receiving surface of the optical sensor 30, the reflected light is output from the optical sensor 30 as an electric signal sequence corresponding to the light intensity received by each light receiving element of the optical sensor 30. That is, as is well known, the bar code on the bar code label Bc is formed of a bar portion and a space portion, and the reflectance of the irradiated light is different between the bar portion and the space portion. The light reception intensity is low, and the light reception intensity is high in the space. Therefore, the light is output from the optical sensor 30 as an electric signal sequence corresponding to the light intensity received by each light receiving element of the optical sensor 30.
[0017]
The electric signal output from the optical sensor 30 is input to the waveform shaping unit 53 of the control device 50. In the waveform shaping section 53, after noise generated in the electric signal including the barcode information output from the optical sensor 30 is removed to shape the waveform, the waveform-shaped signal is amplified. The analog signal containing the amplified bar code information is converted into a digital signal. After converting the analog signal into a digital signal in the waveform shaping section 53 in this manner, the digital signal is input to the microcomputer 51. Then, the process proceeds to step 103, where the microcomputer 51 performs arithmetic processing on the input digital signal and decodes (decodes) it as bar code data.
[0018]
Then, the process proceeds to a step 104, wherein it is determined whether or not the decoding of the barcode data is successful. If "YES" is determined in this step 104, the decoded barcode data is output to the memory 52 to store the barcode data, and the microcomputer 51 transmits a barcode data decoding success command. Then, the driving of the illumination driving circuit 55 and the sensor driving circuit 54 is stopped, and the process proceeds to the next step 105. If “NO” is determined in step 104, the process proceeds to step 110, where the reading is determined to have failed, and the operator of the barcode reading device 1 repeats the reading operation again.
[0019]
In step 105, the microcomputer 51 converts the barcode data stored in the memory 52 into code data for transmission, and sends a drive command to the transmission drive circuit 56 so that the optical communication unit 60 emits infrared light. The element 61 emits light, and transmits a transmission code data signal to the reception unit of the communication unit 91 of the register 90. Then, the process proceeds to a step 106, where the microcomputer 51 starts a built-in timer.
Next, proceeding to step 107, the microcomputer 51 sends a drive command to the reception drive circuit 57 to drive the infrared light receiving element 62 of the optical communication unit 60 and transmit it from the transmission unit of the communication unit 91 of the register 90. A signal (information confirmation signal) corresponding to the transmission data signal transmitted at 105 is received, and the received optical data signal is photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 62 and input to the microcomputer 51.
[0020]
Then, proceeding to step 108, it is determined whether or not the data signal received at step 107 is a signal corresponding to the transmission data signal transmitted at step 105. If the data signal received in step 107 is a signal corresponding to the bar code data signal transmitted in step 105, “YES” is determined in step 108, and the process proceeds to the next step 112, where the communication of the register 90 is performed. Assuming that the bidirectional communication with the unit 91 has been completed, the first color of the two-color light emitting LED (not shown) is emitted, and the first tone of the buzzer 80 that emits two tones is emitted. The operator of the code reading device 1 is notified of the completion of the two-way communication, and the barcode data reading process ends.
[0021]
If the data signal received in step 107 is not a signal corresponding to the transmission data signal transmitted in step 105, but is determined to be “NO” in step 108, the process proceeds to step 109 and proceeds to step 106. Then, it is determined whether or not the timer started up has passed a predetermined time set in advance. If “NO” is determined in this step 109, since the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to the step 107, and the above processing is repeated. If the timer started in step 106 has passed a predetermined time, it is determined as “YES” in step 109, and the process proceeds to step 111, where the two-way communication with the communication unit 91 of the register 90 fails. In this case, the second color of the two-color light emitting LED (not shown) is emitted, and the second tone of the buzzer 80 that emits two tones is emitted to notify the operator of the bar code reading device 1. I do.
[0022]
Here, the operator of the barcode reading apparatus 1 determines that the two-way communication has failed by emitting a second color light of a two-color LED (not shown) (not shown) and generating a second tone of a buzzer 80 that emits two tones. Upon confirmation, the operator of the barcode reading device 1 rotates the communication unit 60 by hand as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, thereby opening the light-transmitting window 64 of the communication unit 60. The direction is directed to the communication section 91 of the register 90, and the reading process is repeated again.
[0023]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 60 for communicating with the information processing device 90 for processing the information content of the read barcode Bc is provided, and the communication direction of the communication unit 60 is formed to be adjustable. Therefore, the operator using the barcode reading apparatus 1 does not change the current reading posture, but only rotates the communication unit 60 in the direction of the information processing apparatus 90. Data transfer to the information processing device 90 can be performed, communication inability based on the positional relationship with the information processing device 90 can be reduced, and the readability of optical information can be significantly improved.
Further, since the barcode reading device 1 can perform two-way communication with the information processing device 90, by receiving the information confirmation signal transmitted from the information processing device 90, the barcode reading device 1 easily emits an LED or emits a buzzer 80 to emit light. , And the operator of the barcode reading device 1 can easily confirm that the information content transmitted from the barcode reading device 1 is correctly received by the information processing device 90.
[0024]
Modified Example In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the transmitting infrared light emitting element 61 and the receiving infrared receiving element 62 are disposed in the container 63 of the communication unit 60. Alternatively, the receiving infrared receiving element 62 may be provided below the through hole 15 of the housing 10 on the substrate 58. In this case, there is no need to extend the connection line to the inside of the container, and the connection line will not be cut no matter how the container is rotated.
[0025]
Next, this modified example will be described with reference to the drawings. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the present modification. FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a top view, and FIG. 7C is a line BB in FIG. 7B. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. The communication unit 60 according to the present modification has a transmitting infrared light emitting element 61 and a receiving infrared receiving element 62 arranged and mounted on a substrate 58 below the through hole 15 of the housing 10. The infrared light emitting element 61 and the infrared light receiving element 62 are driven by the transmission drive circuit 56 and the reception drive circuit 57 of the control device 50 based on instructions from the microcomputer 51, respectively.
[0026]
A container 120 provided with a protruding portion 121 protruding into the housing 10 is fitted and attached to the through hole 15 provided on the upper surface of the housing 10. The container 120 is formed of a synthetic resin that transmits infrared light, and the projecting portions 121 are provided at a plurality of locations (three locations in this modification example) so as to project into the housing 10 from the container 120. Provided at appropriate locations as needed). A tapered surface 122 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion 121 so as to be easily inserted into the through hole 15 and to be inclined inward of the through hole 15 so as to be engaged with an edge of the through hole 15. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 127 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole 15 are provided around the lower outer periphery of the container 120 (three in this modification, but if necessary, they may be provided at appropriate places as needed). Good).
[0027]
Therefore, when the container 120 is inserted into the through hole 15, the tapered surface 122 is pressed into the through hole 15 by the edge of the through hole 15 and is inserted into the housing 10 along the edge of the through hole 15. When the end 123 of the tapered surface 122 is inserted into the position of the edge of the through hole 15, the end 123 of the tapered surface 122 is pushed out of the through hole 15 due to the elasticity of the synthetic resin material. The container 120 is locked without dropping into the housing 10 by the protrusion 127 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole 15. In this state, the container 120 is free with respect to the through hole 15. It can rotate.
[0028]
Further, inside the container 120, a rib 124 having an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, preferably 45 degrees) on one end surface thereof, and a mirror 125 fixed to the inclined surface of the rib 124 are arranged. Has been established. Then, by rotating the container 120, the mirror 125 also rotates. In addition, a mark 126 indicating the communication direction that matches the reflection direction of the mirror 125 is provided on the upper surface of the container 120.
[0029]
In the present modified example, when the communication unit 60 performs bidirectional optical communication with the communication unit 91 of the register 90, first, the container 120 is rotated so that the mark 126 faces the direction of the communication unit 91 of the register 90. I do. Then, when the transmission infrared light emitting element 61 emits light by driving the transmission drive circuit 56, the light passes through the through hole 15 of the housing 10 and is reflected by the mirror 125. The light reflected by the mirror 125 passes through the container 120 and reaches the communication unit 91 of the register 90. On the other hand, light transmitted from the communication unit 91 of the register 90 passes through the container 120 and is reflected by the mirror 125. The light reflected by the mirror 125 passes through the through hole 15 of the housing 10 and is received by the receiving infrared receiving element 62 driven by the receiving drive circuit 57.
[0030]
In the present modified example configured as described above, since the transmitting infrared light emitting element 61 and the receiving infrared receiving element 62 are not disposed in the container 120, the transmitting infrared light emitting element 61 and the receiving infrared receiving element 61 are not provided. It is not necessary to provide the element 62 with the connecting line extending into the container, and the connecting line is not broken no matter how the container is rotated.
[0031]
In the above-described embodiment and its modified example, the communication unit 60 of the barcode reading device 1 is provided with the infrared light emitting element 61 for transmission and the infrared light receiving element 62 for reception. Has been described in which both the driving circuit of the transmission driving circuit 56 and the driving circuit of the receiving driving circuit 57 are provided. However, the register 90 serving as the information processing device notifies the reception of the data transmitted from the communication unit 60 of the barcode reading device 1. It is obvious that it is not necessary to provide the infrared light receiving element 62 for reception in the communication unit 60 of the bar code reading device 1 and the reception drive circuit 57 in the control device 50 if the control unit 50 is provided.
[0032]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the imaging lens 13 is provided between the barcode label Bc and the optical sensor 30 has been described, but the optical sensor 30 is provided with an imaging member. If so, there is no need to provide the imaging lens 13.
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a CCD sensor is used as the optical sensor 30 has been described. In addition to the CCD sensor, any sensor element such as a photodiode that can detect light intensity can be used. May be used.
[0033]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a light emitting diode is used as the illumination 20 for irradiating the bar code label Bc with light, but any type of light emitting device such as a laser diode or a lamp may be used. Lighting may be used.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example of the bar code reader is described as the information symbol reader, but the present invention can be applied to any information symbol reader other than the bar code reader.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of a barcode reading device and a register according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a barcode reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the barcode reading device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting structure of a communication unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the barcode reading device of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of use of the barcode reading device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a modification of the mounting structure of the communication unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bar code reading device, 10 ... Housing, 20 ... Light emitting diode, 30 ... Optical sensor, 50 ... Control device, 51 ... Microcomputer, 60 ... Communication part of bar code reading device, Bc ... Bar code, 90 ... Register (Information processing device), 91 ... communication unit of register (information processing device)

Claims (2)

Illuminating means for irradiating optically readable information symbols with light; imaging means for imaging reflected light generated by reflecting the illuminated light on the information symbols at a predetermined position; and reflected image light And a control means for decoding the converted electric signal into a signal corresponding to the information symbol and performing various arithmetic control processes. On the outer surface,
A transmitting unit of transmitting means for transmitting the decrypted signal to an information processing apparatus which is located for a required period of time and transmitted from the information processing apparatus based on the reception of the transmitted signal; A receiving unit of a receiving unit that receives an information confirmation signal and performs a receiving process is rotatably disposed,
A container to be inserted into the through hole provided on the upper surface of the housing is provided, and a cylindrical portion having the same outer diameter as the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is formed at a lower portion of the container so as to extend below the upper surface of the housing. Along with
A large-diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than the cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion, and a protruding portion projecting from a part of the large-diameter portion are formed.
The optical information reading device, wherein the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are disposed toward a light-transmitting window formed on one side surface of the upper part of the container . Illuminating means for irradiating optically readable information symbols with light; imaging means for imaging reflected light generated by reflecting the illuminated light on the information symbols at a predetermined position; and reflected image light Receiving means for receiving the received light and converting the received reflected light into an electric signal; control means for decoding the converted electric signal into a signal corresponding to the information symbol and performing various arithmetic control processes; and A transmitting unit of a transmitting unit that transmits a signal and transmits the information to an information processing apparatus that is located for a required time, and an information confirmation signal transmitted from the information processing apparatus based on reception of the signal subjected to the transmission processing. A housing having a built-in receiving section for receiving means for receiving and performing receiving processing;
A through-hole is provided in the upper surface of the housing corresponding to the position of the transmitting unit of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit of the receiving unit, and a container rotatably inserted into the through-hole is provided,
Light Science information reading apparatus in which the transmission portion therein is characterized in that a light path changing means for changing the direction of the light received by the light and the receiving unit for transmitting of the container.

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