JP4038913B2 - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical information reading device that reads optical information such as a bar code and a two-dimensional code, and more particularly to a device that has a function of displaying the contents of the read optical information or information that needs to be notified to a user during a reading operation. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, devices for reading optical information such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes are known, and further, the contents of the read optical information (for example, characters represented by barcodes) or the user at the time of reading work It is also considered to display information that needs to be notified to the user (for example, various guidance such as the next operation instruction to be notified to the user in order to smoothly proceed with the reading operation).
[0003]
For example, when displaying in Japanese, the font pattern data is read using the shift JIS code of the character desired to be displayed and displayed on the display means. That is, when reading desired data from the font pattern data stored in the memory, the character code corresponding to the designated character is determined, the allocation address of the font pattern data corresponding to the character code is calculated, The desired font pattern data is read out from the calculated address.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to apply such an optical information reading apparatus to an area where a language other than Japanese is used, since the character code system is different, the allocation address cannot be calculated by the above-mentioned shift JIS code. That is, for example, even when the same Chinese character “Chinese” is to be displayed, the assigned address can be obtained with the character code “8ABF” in the shift JIS code for Japanese. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain font pattern data of the same character with the same character code.
[0005]
Therefore, the system program itself for executing display control must be changed as well as changing the font pattern data itself for other languages, which is problematic in terms of program management. Actually, the only difference in the character code system is that the assigned address corresponding to the specified character code is obtained. Even if there are many other common processes, multiple types of system programs must be prepared. It is irrational to not be.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to generalize a basic system program that executes display control while realizing character display based on different character code systems, and to realize improvement in convenience and rationalization in terms of program management. With the goal.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
According to the optical information reader of claim 1 made to achieve the above object, it is necessary to read the optical information by the reading means and notify the user of the contents of the read optical information or the reading operation. Information can be displayed on the display means. The “contents of the read optical information” are, for example, characters (concepts including English letters, kanji, numbers, etc.) represented by barcodes, etc. “Need to inform the user during reading work” The “information with” is various kinds of guidance such as instructing the user of the next operation in order to smoothly perform the reading operation.
[0008]
And this optical information reading apparatus is an address calculation function for calculating font pattern data for each character for displaying characters on the display means, and an address to which font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code is allocated. The display control means reads font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code from the font file and displays it on the display means. In this display control, the display control means reads font pattern data in the following procedure. That is, execution of calculation using the address calculation function in the font file is instructed with the designated character code as an argument. The corresponding font pattern data is read out from the font file based on the font pattern data address calculated by the execution instruction.
[0009]
As a result of reading the font pattern data in this way, the display control means can execute control based on the same system program even when it is applied to different character code systems. In other words, the font pattern data and the function for calculating the assigned address are paired as a font file, and for display control, the font pattern corresponding to the specified character code using the address calculation function in the font file. Since the address of the data is calculated, the system program in the display control means is generalized.
[0010]
Therefore, according to the present invention, conventionally, when used in a plurality of countries having different character code systems as described above, the system program itself for display control must be modified. Only the font file needs to be changed for the character code system. In other words, the basic system program that executes display control while realizing character display based on different character code systems can be generalized, so that convenience and rationalization in terms of program management can be realized.
[0011]
In addition, regarding the configuration of the font file, for example, if it is fixed at which position the address calculation function is arranged in consideration of the beginning of the font file, if the arrangement location is fixedly stored, the device side There is no problem, but in practice it is often not fixed. Therefore, as shown in claim 1, at least the header information indicating the relative allocation address of the address calculation function is arranged at the head of the font file, and the absolute allocation of the address calculation function is based on the header information. It is conceivable that the address is specified and stored in the apparatus. In this way, the header information placed at the beginning of the font file is read first, and the relative allocation address of the address calculation function, that is, the offset value from the beginning of the font file to the part where the address calculation function is placed And an absolute allocation address of the address calculation function in the memory in which the font file is stored can be obtained based on the offset value.
Note that even if the calculation using the address calculation function in the font file is executed with the character code designated for display as an argument, there is a case where the corresponding address does not exist. Thus, it is conceivable that the display control means executes a predetermined error handling display. In this case, since it is only necessary to know that an error has occurred, it is not necessary to display with characters, and for example, a graphical display may be used.
[0012]
By the way, in executing the calculation using the address calculation function in the font file with the character code as an argument, it is necessary to give a predetermined consideration in the following situation. That is, a plurality of font files are provided, and font pattern data in these font files have the same character code system but different font attributes in at least one of character size and font. For example, even when the same shift JIS code is used, font files corresponding to sizes of 12 dots and 16 dots are prepared. In this case, since the display result varies depending on which font file is used, as shown in claim 3, the display control means uses the font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code for the designated font attribute. Can be read from the font file and displayed.
[0014]
As described in claim 4 , it is conceivable that the header information stores data indicating at least one of version information about font pattern data and a language type.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and it goes without saying that various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an optical information reader 1 as an embodiment. The optical information reading apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured as a so-called bar code handy terminal, and includes a CPU 10, an illumination light emitting diode (illumination LED) 11, a CCD sensor 12, an amplifier circuit 13, and a binarization circuit 14. And the counter 15, the clock pulse generation circuit 16, the RAM 20, the flash ROM 21, the reading switch 30, the keyboard 31, the liquid crystal display 32, and the communication I / F circuit 33. .
[0017]
The illumination LED 11 irradiates the barcode to be read with red light for illumination.
The CCD sensor 12 has a plurality of charge coupled devices (CCD) arranged one-dimensionally, and outputs light reflected from a surface on which optical information such as a barcode is recorded as an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion. . This output signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 13 and output to the binarization circuit 14.
[0018]
The amplifier circuit 13 amplifies the electric signal output from the CCD sensor 12 at a predetermined amplification factor. It is also possible to variably configure the amplification factor corresponding to the gain control voltage input from the CPU 10.
The binarization circuit 14 binarizes the electric signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 13 and outputs the binarized signal to the counter 15. Since the output from the CCD sensor 12 is an analog signal corresponding to the intensity of reflected light, when the binarization circuit 14 converts the signal into a binarized signal, the binarized signal has a pattern corresponding to either light or dark. Will be formed. In the present invention, the dark pattern is a black bar of the barcode, and the bright pattern is a white bar of the barcode. Therefore, the counter 15 counts the binarized signal input from the binarization circuit 14 from the clock pulse generation circuit 16 in units of clock pulses, and outputs the count value to the RAM 20. This count value corresponds to the bar width.
[0019]
The reading switch 30 is a switch for the user to instruct the start of reading processing, and the keyboard 31 includes a numeric keypad or various function keys, and is used for inputting information.
The liquid crystal display 32 is configured, for example, as a two-gradation display LCD, and it is necessary to notify the user of the contents of the read optical information (for example, characters represented by a barcode) or the reading operation. It is used for displaying information (for example, various guidance such as next operation instruction notified to the user in order to smoothly proceed with the reading operation).
[0020]
The communication I / F circuit 33 communicates with an external device (not shown), and transmits data to an external device via a communication light emitting element (not shown) or via a communication light receiving element (not shown). A signal from an external device (for example, a program for operating the system or a command for waiting for transmission) is received.
[0021]
The CPU 10 executes reading processing, display processing, and the like according to a program stored in the flash ROM 21 and controls each component of the optical information reading device 1.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the flash ROM 21 stores system programs, font files, and the like, and the RAM 20 stores application programs, data files, and the like. The application program and data file can be stored in the flash ROM 21.
[0022]
The processing contents performed by the CPU 10 based on the system program include control of hardware and the like based on interpretation and execution of an application program. For example, when an application program related to barcode reading is executed, input from the reading switch 30 or the keyboard 31 is accepted, the illumination LED 11, the CCD sensor 12, the clock pulse generation circuit 16 are controlled, and the liquid crystal display 32 is further controlled. Perform display control.
[0023]
With regard to this display control, when displaying a character, the font pattern data in the font file is read and output to the liquid crystal display 32 to display the character. Therefore, as described above, for example, characters (including alphabetic characters, kanji, numbers, etc.) represented by barcodes and the next operation instructions are displayed in characters to the user in order to facilitate the reading operation. Can do.
[0024]
Here, the configuration of the font file will be briefly described. As schematically shown in FIG. 2A, the font file includes an address calculation function that calculates font pattern data for each character and an address to which the font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code is allocated. ing. For example, if the character code is a 2-byte (16 bit) code, it does not have 65536 (= 2 ¹⁶ ) font pattern data, but only the portion used in the font corresponding to each character code system. Has as font pattern data. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the address where the font pattern data is stored from the character code by calculation specific to each character code system. The address calculation function is for that purpose.
[0025]
Of course, it is not known in which part of the flash ROM 21 the font file itself is stored. Therefore, the allocation address calculated by the address calculation function is an address of font pattern data in the font file, that is, a relative allocation address.
[0026]
At that time, the font pattern data is read in the following procedure. In FIG. 2A, this procedure is shown as (a1) to (a6). Further, in the following description, the expression “application program is ...” indicating the operating subject actually means “according to the process executed based on the application program ...”, and for the sake of simplicity of description. It is written as such. Similarly, the expression “system program is ...” actually means “according to processing executed based on the system program ...”.
[0027]
(A1) First, the application program instructs the system program to display a designated character. As described above, for example, it is a character represented by a barcode or a character for indicating a next operation instruction to the user in order to smoothly perform a reading operation. For example, when there is an instruction to display the Chinese character “Kan” in the shift JIS code, an instruction to display the character code “8ABF” comes from the application program.
[0028]
(A2) Next, the system program that received the instruction instructs the address calculation function to calculate the address of the font pattern data corresponding to the designated character. In the case of the above-described Chinese character “Kan”, execution of calculation using the address calculation function is instructed with the character code “8ABF” as an argument.
[0029]
(A3) Then, as the return value, the head address where the font pattern data of the character “Kan” is stored is acquired. The address calculation function returns the address if there is a corresponding font, and returns an error code if there is no corresponding font.
[0030]
(A4) The system program that has obtained the return value as the calculation result by the address calculation function designates the address as the return value and instructs the reading of the font pattern data.
(A5) The corresponding font pattern data corresponding to the read instruction is read and sent to the system program side.
[0031]
(A6) The system program sends the sent font pattern data to the liquid crystal display (LCD) 32 for display. In (a3), when the return value as the calculation result by the address calculation function is an error code, it indicates that there is no font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code. As a countermeasure, for example, a predetermined error handling display may be displayed. In this case, since it is only necessary to know that an error has occurred, it is not necessary to display the characters, and for example, a frame-like figure may be displayed.
[0032]
In this embodiment, as a result of reading the font pattern data in this way, control can be executed based on the same system program even when applied to different character code systems. In other words, the font pattern data and the function for calculating the assigned address are paired as a font file, and for display control, the font pattern corresponding to the specified character code using the address calculation function in the font file. Since the address of the data is calculated, the system program is generalized.
[0033]
Therefore, conventionally, as described above, when used in a plurality of countries having different character code systems, the system program for display control itself must be modified. Only the font file needs to be changed for the character code system.
[0034]
Here, the procedure of display control in the conventional example for comparison shown in FIG. When the application program instructs the system program to display the designated character in (b1), the system program that receives the instruction calculates the address of the font pattern data corresponding to the designated character in (b2). That is, since the address calculation function in FIG. 2A is included in the system program, the address is calculated using the address calculation function. Therefore, when a display command for the character code “8ABF” is received from the application program, the address is read after calculating the address where the font pattern data of the 8ABF exists. In (b3), the corresponding font pattern data is read and sent to the system program side. In (b4), the system program sends the sent font pattern data to the LCD for display. .
[0035]
In order to realize character display based on a different character code system in the configuration of this conventional example, it is necessary to change not only the font pattern data but also the system program itself. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 2A, only the font file needs to be changed, and the basic system program need not be changed. This advantage becomes more remarkable as the number of types of character code systems to be applied increases. Since the system program can be generalized in this way, convenience and rationalization in terms of program management can be realized.
[0036]
[Another example]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding, the font file stored in the flash ROM has been described as an image that is exchanged according to, for example, the language used. However, for example, an application that displays in both Japanese and Chinese at the same time can be considered. In that case, a font file for Japanese and a font file for Chinese with different character code systems are used. Two types of font files may be stored. Then, in the designated character display instruction (a1) from the application program of FIG. 2A, both the Japanese character code and the Chinese character code may be indicated.
[0037]
(2) Further, it is necessary to devise not only when the character code system itself is different but also when the character code system is the same or the following. That is, although a plurality of font files are provided, the font pattern data may have font attributes that have the same character code system but differ in at least one of character size and font. For example, even when the same shift JIS code is used, font files corresponding to sizes of 12 dots and 16 dots are prepared. In this case, since the display result differs depending on which font file is used, the system program reads the font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code from the font file for the designated font attribute, and reads it. Need to be displayed. Therefore, in that case, it is necessary to be able to distinguish the font attributes of the font pattern data in the font file.
[0038]
(3) On the other hand, regarding the configuration of the font file, the following points should be considered. That is, when a character code is specified for the address calculation function, it is necessary to know the address of the address calculation function itself in the font file. For example, if it is fixed at which position the address calculation function is arranged from the top of the font file, there is no problem for the apparatus 1 side if the arrangement location is stored in a fixed manner. Often not fixedly arranged. Therefore, although not shown in FIG. 2, header information indicating at least the relative allocation address of the address calculation function is arranged at the head of the font file, and the absolute address calculation function is based on the header information. It is also conceivable that the assigned address is specified and stored in the apparatus.
[0039]
In this way, the header information placed at the beginning of the font file is read first, and the relative allocation address of the address calculation function, that is, the offset value from the beginning of the font file to the part where the address calculation function is placed And an absolute allocation address of the address calculation function in the memory in which the font file is stored can be obtained based on the offset value.
[0040]
In this case, in addition to the relative assignment address of the address calculation function, it is possible to store data indicating at least one of the version information about the font pattern data and the language type.
(4) As for the optical information reading mechanism, the CCD sensor 12 is used as shown in FIG. 1 in the above embodiment, but a scanning type using a laser beam may be adopted. Furthermore, the reading target is not limited to a barcode, and may be a two-dimensional code.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical information reading apparatus as an embodiment.
FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a procedure related to display control according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a procedure related to display control according to a conventional example;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical information reader 10 ... CPU
11 ... Lighting LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... CCD sensor 13 ... Amplifier circuit 14 ... Binarization circuit 15 ... Counter 16 ... Clock pulse generation circuit 20 ... RAM
21 ... Flash ROM
30 ... Reading switch 31 ... Keyboard 32 ... Liquid crystal display 33 ... Communication I / F circuit

Claims (4)

Reading means for reading optical information;
Display means for displaying the contents of the optical information read by the reading means, or information that needs to be notified to the user during the reading operation;
Font file data for each character for displaying characters on the display means, and a font file having an address calculation function for calculating an address to which the font pattern data corresponding to a specified character code is assigned;
Display control means for reading out the font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code from the font file and displaying it on the display means;
An optical information reader comprising:
The display control means instructs execution of calculation using an address calculation function in the font file with a specified character code as an argument, and the corresponding font based on the address of the font pattern data calculated by the execution instruction Read pattern data ,
At the head of the font file, header information indicating at least a relative allocation address of the address calculation function is arranged, and an absolute allocation address of the address calculation function is specified based on the header information and stored. Keep it,
An optical information reader. The optical information reader according to claim 1.
The display control means, when there is no address as a calculation result using the address calculation function, to perform a predetermined error handling display;
An optical information reader. The optical information reader according to claim 1 or 2,
In addition to having multiple font files, the font pattern data in these font files have the same character code system but have different font attributes in at least one of the character size or font,
The display control means reads out font pattern data corresponding to the designated character code from the font file for the designated font attribute;
An optical information reader. In the optical information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The header information stores data indicating at least one of version information or language type related to the font pattern data ;
An optical information reader.

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