JP4951745B2 - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a barcode reader that reads a barcode from a barcode label that is printed or pasted on a product or the like, and more particularly to a barcode reader that can read a barcode to which an add-on barcode is added.

For example, barcode recognition technology is used for various purposes such as retail store checkout operations, inventory management, and production line process management. Normally, WPC (World Product Code) bar codes such as EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E are often applied to products sold at retail stores. These WPC bar codes may have a bar code with an add-on bar code added to the right side of the main bar code. In order to decode such a barcode with an add-on barcode, a function for decoding an add-on barcode is required in addition to a function for decoding a normal barcode.
JP 2003-22416 A

WPC barcodes always have the same barcode structure regardless of whether or not add-on barcodes are added according to the standard, so add-on barcodes are added only by decoding the barcode on the main side. It cannot be determined whether or not there is. Therefore, in the conventional barcode reader, after the barcode on the main side is decoded, the barcode on the add-on side is always detected for a certain time. However, the method that always detects add-on barcodes for a certain period of time after decoding the main-side barcode detects unnecessary add-on barcodes even when no add-on barcodes are added. Therefore, the reading process takes time.

For this reason, in Patent Document 1, when a part of an add-on bar code is imaged together with the main bar code when the main bar code can be decoded, it is possible to wait until the add-on bar code can be read. The applicant of the present invention has proposed a barcode reader that eliminates the reading-out of an add-on barcode and can immediately output a barcode without an add-on barcode.

Here, the barcode reading apparatus has a wide reading range (distance from the reading port to the barcode) due to the improvement of the optical system parts, and the barcode can be read even from a remote position. For this reason, in the barcode reader of Patent Document 1, when the main barcode is decoded before a part of the add-on barcode is applied to the light receiving element during the operation of bringing the reading port close to the barcode, Code skipping may occur. Similarly, even if a user who is not familiar with barcodes with add-on barcodes performs scanning while shifting the reading port of the barcode reader horizontally from the main barcode side to the add-on barcode side, The main barcode can be decoded before a part of the add-on barcode is applied to the element, and the add-on barcode may be read over.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to read an add-on barcode without reducing the reading processing speed of a barcode to which no add-on barcode is added. An object of the present invention is to provide a bar code reader that does not drop.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a bar code reader for reading a main bar code and an add-on bar code added to the main bar code,
Add-on barcode determination means (S64) for determining whether an add-on barcode is added to the main barcode from an image obtained by reading the main barcode;
When it is determined by the add-on barcode determining means that an add-on barcode is added (S64: Yes), the main add-on barcode decoding means (S16, S68) for reading the main barcode and the add-on barcode When,
When it is determined by the add-on barcode determination means that no add-on barcode is added (S64: No), an operation is performed to bring the barcode reader closer to the barcode from a plurality of read images. Proximity direction operation determination means (S110) for determining whether or not there is,
Main bar code decoding means (S16, S86) for reading only the main bar code when it is determined by the approaching direction operation judging means that the operation for moving the bar code reader is not performed (S110: Yes). ,
When it is determined by the approach direction operation determining means that an operation to bring the barcode reader closer is performed (S110: No), it is determined again whether the add-on barcode is added by the add-on barcode determining means. And a re-determination means (S120).

In the barcode reader of claim 1, it is determined whether an add-on barcode is added to the main barcode, and when the add-on barcode is added, the main barcode and the add-on barcode are read. On the other hand, when an add-on barcode is not added to the read image, it is determined whether or not an operation for bringing the barcode reader close to the barcode is performed, and an operation for bringing the barcode reader closer is performed. If not, only the main bar code is read. Then, as long as the operation of bringing the barcode reader closer is performed, the determination as to whether the add-on barcode is added is continued. For this reason, even when the barcode reader is close to the barcode and the barcode is added to the barcode with the add-on barcode added, the main barcode only image is captured. You can wait until the bar code can be read, and there is no need to skip the add-on bar code. On the other hand, if the reading port of the bar code reader is not close to the bar code, it is determined that no add-on bar code is added, so there is no waiting time until the add-on bar code can be read. The main bar code decoding result can be output immediately.

In the barcode reading device according to claim 2, when an add-on barcode is not added to the image obtained by reading the main barcode, it is determined whether or not an operation of bringing the barcode reading device closer to the barcode is performed. If the operation of moving the barcode reader close is not performed, it is further determined whether or not the operation of moving the barcode reader horizontally with respect to the barcode is performed. Then, when the operation of moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction is not performed, only the main barcode is read. On the other hand, as long as an operation for moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction is performed, it is determined whether an add-on barcode is added. For this reason, while moving the reading port of the barcode reading device in the horizontal direction so as to face the barcode, an image of only the main barcode is captured with respect to the barcode to which the add-on barcode is added. In this case, it is possible to wait until the add-on barcode can be read, and the add-on barcode is not skipped. On the other hand, if the reading port of the barcode reader is not moved horizontally, it is determined that the add-on barcode is not added, so there is no waiting time until the add-on barcode can be read, and immediately The decoding result of the main barcode can be output.

According to another aspect of the barcode reading apparatus of the present invention, data on the distance from the barcode reading apparatus to the main barcode corresponding to the width of the predetermined portion of the main barcode is held. Then, the width of a predetermined part of the main barcode in the read image is measured, and the distance from the barcode reader to the main barcode is obtained from the measured width and the stored distance data. If the difference between the distance from the read image to the main barcode and the distance from the currently read image to the main barcode is greater than the stored threshold, the barcode reader is It is determined that an operation for bringing them closer is performed. For this reason, it is possible to accurately detect that the barcode reader is close to the barcode.

In the barcode reading apparatus according to claim 4, the difference between the position of the specific part of the main barcode obtained from the previously read image and the position of the specific part of the main barcode obtained from the image read this time is stored. If it is greater than the threshold value, it is determined that an operation for moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction with respect to the barcode is being performed. For this reason, it is possible to accurately detect that the barcode reader is moved in the horizontal direction with respect to the barcode.

In the barcode reading device according to the fifth aspect, since a threshold value for determining whether the barcode reading device is moving can be registered, various threshold values can be set by setting a threshold value corresponding to the type of barcode. Bar codes can be read quickly.

In the barcode reading device according to claim 5, when it is determined that an operation to bring the barcode reading device closer is performed, the operation is informed to notify that the add-on barcode can be decoded. Can be made known to the operator.

According to another aspect of the barcode reading apparatus of the present invention, when it is determined that an operation for moving the barcode reading apparatus in the horizontal direction is performed, the operation is informed to wait until the add-on barcode can be decoded. It is possible to let the operator know that it is in a state.

[First embodiment]
The configuration of the barcode reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the barcode reader 10. The bar code reader 10 includes an operation unit 12 that also serves as a grip, for example, a display unit 14 made of liquid crystal. For example, the operation unit 12 is provided with a plurality of key switches 16, and the operation contents are instructed by these key switches 16. In addition to the key switch 16, the operation unit 12 is provided with a trigger switch 18 for instructing the start of reading.

A printed wiring board 20 is fixed in a housing 60 of the barcode reader 10, and key switches 16 are mounted in a matrix on one surface of the printed wiring board 20. In addition, a line sensor 32 in which CCDs serving as light receiving elements are linearly arranged is erected and mounted on the other surface of the printed wiring board 20.

The optical system unit 30 is disposed in an opening (reading port) 62 formed at the front end of the housing 60, and the reflecting mirror 34 is located at a position on the optical axis of the optical system unit 30 in the housing 60. The line sensor 32 is located on the optical axis that is disposed and bent by the reflecting mirror 34. The detection target is imaged on the line sensor 32 via the optical system unit 30 and the reflecting mirror 34.

A hole 22a is formed in the center of the printed wiring board 22 in the vicinity of the reading port 62, and a plurality of illumination LEDs 38 are mounted around the hole 22a. A lens unit 36 is mounted in the hole 22 a formed in the printed wiring board 22. This lens unit 36 is formed integrally with an imaging lens 36a for condensing the reflected light from the object to be detected and a condensing lens 36b for projecting the light from the illumination LED 38 to the front. .

Next, the circuit configuration of the barcode reader according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
The bar code reader 10 accommodates a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system such as a memory 35, a control circuit 40, a key switch 16, a trigger switch 18, and a liquid crystal display 14.

The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, a control circuit 40, a key switch 16, a trigger switch 18, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display 14, a communication interface 48, and the like. As the name suggests, this microcomputer system is composed mainly of a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing device). The image signal captured by the optical system is hardware and software-like. It is possible to perform signal processing. The control circuit 40 also performs control related to the entire system of the barcode reader 10.

The image signal (analog signal) output from the line sensor 32 of the optical system is amplified by a predetermined gain by being input to the amplifier circuit 31, and then input from the analog signal when input to the A / D conversion circuit 33. Converted into a digital signal. Then, the digitized image signal, that is, image data is input to the control circuit 40.

The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire barcode reader 10 and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like. The control circuit 40 can constitute an information processing apparatus together with the memory 35 and has an information processing function. The control circuit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input / output devices (peripheral devices) via a built-in input / output interface. In this embodiment, the key switch 16, the trigger switch 18, the LED 43, A buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display 14, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected. The control circuit 40 is configured to output the result of reading the barcode to the host device (for example, a computer) (not shown) via the communication interface 48.

Next, the configuration of a barcode that is a reading target in the first embodiment will be described. An example of a WPC bar code to which an add-on bar code is added is shown in FIG. In the figure, the barcode a on the right side is called a main barcode, and the barcode added to the right side is called an add-on barcode b. Among these, guide patterns exist on both the left and right sides of the main barcode, and the add-on barcode has a guide bar pattern only on the left side.

In the example of FIG. 10, the guide bar pattern exists on both the left and right sides of the main bar code a, and is sandwiched between two black bars (hereinafter referred to as black bars) that protrude long downward on the left and right sides. The guard bar is composed of a total of three bars, one white bar (hereinafter, white bar). For the add-on barcode b, the guide bar pattern exists only on the left side, and the guide bar is composed of a total of three bars: the two black bars on the left side and the three white bars sandwiched between them. ing. In the first embodiment, a blank portion between black bars is regarded as a white bar and counted as one bar.

In the main bar code a, the last character including the white bar adjacent to the right guard bar pattern and the fourth black bar from the white bar to the left is the final character. In the add-on bar code b, the left guard bar pattern From the white bar to the fourth black bar to the right, including the white bar adjacent to the first character, is the first character.

In the first embodiment, after decoding the barcode on the main side, the width of a certain number of bars is obtained from the right end of the barcode on the main side to the left, and the reference value is calculated by a preset formula. When the add-on side barcode is calculated from a predetermined number of bar widths from the left end to the right, a comparison value is calculated, and the comparison value is within a predetermined range with respect to the reference value. It is determined that an add-on barcode is added to the main barcode. For this reason, if there is a striped pattern similar to the final character of the main-side barcode at a position where the first character of the add-on barcode is accidentally present, the probability of determining this as an add-on barcode is extremely high. Therefore, when the add-on bar code does not exist, the time required to transfer the decoded data can be shortened.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the number of bars determined for obtaining the reference value and the number of bars determined for obtaining the comparison value are determined based on the arrangement of the main barcode and the add-on barcode. Number of bars where the difference between the reference value obtained by applying the width of a certain number of bars to the equation and the comparison value obtained by applying the width of a certain number of bars on the add-on side to the equation is less than the width of the minimum bar It is stipulated in. The fixed number of bars for obtaining the reference value and the comparison value will be specifically described below.

A. EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, the guard bar pattern is composed of three bars of black, white and black
(1) Add-on barcode with 2 digits
(i) Both the main bar code and add-on bar code up to the third (border between the guard bar and the character)
(ii) Both the main bar code and add-on bar code up to the 7th (between 1 character and 2 characters) (2) In case of 5 digits add-on bar code
(i) Both the main bar code and add-on bar code up to the third (the boundary between the guard bar and the character)
(ii) Both the main bar code and add-on bar code up to the 7th (between 1 character and 2 characters)
(iii) Up to 19 main barcodes and 21 add-on barcodes

B. The UPC-E is a guard bar pattern consisting of six bars of black, white, black, white, black and white
(1) Add-on barcode with 2 digits
(i) Up to 3rd to 5th main bar code and 3rd add-on bar code (between guard bar and 1 character). In particular, if the main barcode is up to the fourth, the total width on the standard will be the same as the add-on barcode.
(ii) Up to 9 main barcodes and 7 add-on barcodes (boundary between the first and second characters) (2) 5-digit add-on barcodes
(i) Up to 3rd to 5th main bar code and 3rd add-on bar code (between guard bar and 1 character)
(ii) Up to 9th main barcode and 7th add-on barcode (boundary between 1st character and 2nd character)
(iii) Both the main bar code and add-on bar code up to the 13th bar (between the guard bar and the character)
(iv) Up to 17 main barcodes and 15 add-on barcodes, except for the 15th add-on barcode.

If the number of bars for obtaining the reference value and the comparison value is set in this way, the reference value obtained from the main barcode side and the comparison value obtained from the add-on barcode side are the minimum bar width (one module). Since they are almost the same in the following differences, a highly accurate comparison position can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, when the value obtained by adding the widths of bars less than a certain number from the left end of the add-on barcode to the right exceeds the reference range, the add-on barcode is Judge that it is not added. According to this configuration, when only a part of the barcode (similar to) on the add-on side is in the reading port of the barcode reader, there is an abnormally wide bar (similar to the part) in that part. In such a case, since it is determined that the barcode is not an add-on barcode, it is possible to quickly determine that the barcode is not an add-on barcode.

Further, in the first embodiment, even when it is determined that there is no add-on barcode, it is further determined whether or not the add-on barcode has been missed. That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, during the operation of moving the reading port 62 of the barcode reading apparatus 10 closer to the barcode from a distant position, only the barcode main barcode a is displayed. There is a case where the add-on barcode b is not applied to the image obtained by capturing the main barcode a at this time. In such a case, the add-on barcode b is missed only by the processing described above. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 12B, an operator unfamiliar with the operation of the bar code reader reads the bar code while moving the reading port 62 in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to the bar) along the bar code. Is attempted, only the main bar code a enters the reading port 62, and the add-on bar code b is missed. In order to prevent such add-on barcodes from being missed, even if it is determined that there is no add-on barcode from the decoded image of the main barcode, the add-on barcode is further controlled by operating the barcode reader in the proximity direction and horizontal direction. Determine if the code has been missed.

Next, the operation of the control circuit 40 when reading a barcode will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, it is assumed that the main-side bar codes to be read are WPC bar codes and are four types of EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, and UPC-E.

The reading port 62 is applied to the bar code to be read and the reading operation is started by the trigger switch 18. Then, the illumination LED 38 is turned on to illuminate the barcode (label), and the reflected light is imaged on the CCD line sensor 32 by the imaging lens 36a (S12 shown in FIG. 3). Then, the control circuit 40 binarizes the bar code image received by the CCD line sensor 32 and stores it in the RAM of the memory 35 (S14), and then the bar code located on the main side based on the binarized data. Is decoded and stored in the RAM in the memory 35 (S16).

Next, the control circuit 40 determines the type of the decoded main-side barcode (S18), and when the number of guard bars is 2, that is, UPC-A, EAN-8, or EAN-13. Obtains the widths B1 to B7 of each bar from the right end to the seventh bar, and obtains the reference value X by the following equation (1) (S20). When the number of guard bars is 6, that is, UPC-E, the widths B1 to B10 of each bar from the right end to the tenth bar are obtained, and the reference value X is determined by the following (2 ) (S22).

X = B7 + B6 + B5 + B4 + B3 + B2 + B2 + B1 (1)
X = B10 + B9 + B8 + B7 + B6 + B5 + B4 + B3 + B2-B1 (2)
In the above formulas (1) and (2), the subscript numbers attached to B indicate the order of arrangement from the right end, 1 is the right end bar, 2, 3, 3,... The third, third, ... bars are shown.

The meanings of these formulas (1) and (2) are as follows. First, in this embodiment, whether or not an add-on barcode is added is determined by obtaining the width of a certain number of bars of the main-side barcode and applying this to a preset equation to set the reference value X. In addition to calculating, the width of a certain number of bar codes on the add-on side is calculated and applied to a preset equation to calculate the comparison value Z. The comparison value Z is within a certain range with respect to the reference value X. For example, it is configured so as to be performed depending on whether it is within a range of 80% to 120% of the reference value X.

In the barcode, a plurality of types of bars having different widths are used, and the minimum width among them is called one module. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the add-on barcode b, the total value of the bar widths from the left end to the seventh (guide bar portion and first character portion) from the left end to the right is set to 11 modules. .

On the other hand, in UPC-A, EAN-8, and EAN-13 in which the guard bar pattern is composed of three bars in the main bar code a, as shown in FIG. 8, there are a total of seven guide bar patterns and final characters. The total width of the seven bars is determined to be 10 modules, and the width of each bar of the guard bar pattern is determined to be 1 module. 11 bars can be obtained by adding the width of one guide bar (for example, the second bar from the right end) which is one module width.

Further, in UPC-E with six guard bar patterns, the guide bar pattern and the final character are composed of a total of 10 bars as shown in FIG. 9, and the total width of the 10 bars is 13 modules. And the width of each bar is determined to be one module. Therefore, as shown in the above equation (2), the widths of the ten bars are summed up so that one guide has a width of one module. The width of 11 modules can be obtained by adding the width of the bars (eg, the rightmost bar). From the above, it is possible to determine whether or not an add-on barcode is added by comparing the added value Y of the width of the seventh bar from the left end of the barcode on the add-on side with the reference value X.

After calculating the value of X, the control circuit 40 obtains a gap width G existing between the barcode on the main side and the barcode on the add-on side (S24), and compares the gap width G with the reference value X. Then, it is determined whether or not G falls within an allowable range determined to be within 120% (approximately 13.2 modules) of X (S26).

When the add-on bar code is not added, the CCD line sensor 32 reads the right side of the main side bar code as white, so that the control circuit 40 reads the wide white portion on the right side of the main side bar code (of the reading port 62). (Up to the right end) is determined as a gap and the width is calculated.

If the gap width G is out of the allowable range, the control circuit 40 determines S26: No, determines that no add-on barcode is added (S76 shown in FIG. 5), and S76 described later. After determining whether or not the bar code reader in S82 is in operation, the main-side decoded data is transferred to the host device (S86), and the process ends.

When the gap width G is within the allowable range, the control circuit 40 determines S26: Yes, and then determines whether or not the first bar exists on the add-on side (S32). When the first bar does not exist, the control circuit 40 becomes S32: No, and executes the above-described S76 to S86 in order and ends.

If the first bar exists, the control circuit 40 sets S32: Yes, sets the add-on side bar width addition value Y to 0 (S34), and adds Y to the first bar width b1. (S36). Next, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the second bar exists on the add-on side (S38 shown in FIG. 4), and if it exists, the width of the second bar is added to the bar width addition value Y. b2 is added (S40). Thereafter, the presence of the third and subsequent bars up to the seventh bar is sequentially judged (S42, 46, 52, 56, 60). If any bar exists, the width of the bars is sequentially accumulated (S44, 50). , 54, 58, 62), and the added value Y (comparison value Z) of the width of the bars up to the seventh bar is compared with the reference value X, and the allowable range where Y is defined as 80% to 120% of X Is determined (S64 shown in FIG. 5).

If the added value Y of the widths of the seven bars is within the allowable range (S64: Yes), the control circuit 40 determines that an add-on barcode exists (S66), and decodes the add-on barcode. Then, the data is stored in the RAM of the memory 35 (S68), and then the decoded data of the main bar code and the add-on bar code is transferred to the host device (computer) (S70) to be the end.

If the added value Y of the widths of the seven bars is out of the allowable range (S64: No), the control circuit 40 determines that it is not an add-on barcode (S76), and will be described later. After determining whether or not the barcode reader is being operated in S78 to S82, the decoded data of the barcode on the main side is transferred to the host device (S86), which is the end.

On the other hand, in the step of determining whether or not the second and subsequent bars are present, if it is determined that they do not exist (steps S38, S42, S46, S52, S56, and S60: No), the control circuit 40 The process proceeds to S72, where it is determined whether or not the added value Y is 120% or less of the reference value X. If it exceeds 120% of X (S72: No), the process proceeds to S76 described above. Then, after determining that it is not an add-on barcode, the barcode decoding data on the main side is transferred through the determination processing of whether or not the barcode reader is being operated in S78 to S82, which will be described later (S86). .

If the added value Y of the bar width is within 120% of the reference value X (S72: Yes), the control circuit 40 proceeds to S74, where the buzzer 44 is sounded.

Subsequently, after determining in S76 that there is no add-on barcode from the above-described image, only the main barcode is decoded while the reading port is brought close to the barcode as described above with reference to FIG. Judge whether it is not. For this determination, first, a bar width value of 1 mm of the reading field of view (operation line) of the line sensor 32 is calculated (S78).
Here, W is a measured value of the bar width constituting the main bar code shown in FIG. 13, D is a label width assumed to be 1.0 times the dimension, and is calculated by equation (3).
Bar width value of operation line 1mm = W / D (3)

Here, the dimension of 1.0 times means that the standard value is used without being reduced and enlarged, and when the standard value is reduced to 0.8 times, it is called the dimension of 0.8 times. For example, in the case of EAN-13 / UPC-A with a size of 1.0 times, the equation (4) is obtained at 34.1 mm. It is 22.1 mm for EAN-8 and 18.0 mm for UPC-E.
Bar width value of operation line 1mm = W / 34.1mm (4)

In the first embodiment, for example, the following correspondence relationship between the reading depth (distance from the reading port to the barcode) and the bar width value of the operation line of 1 mm is the depth data [depth-bar width relationship table]. W100_? ] Is held in the memory 35.
Distance 00 mm: Bar width of operation line 1 mm: 511 (value measured by sensor output waveform)
Distance 10 mm: Bar width of operation line 1 mm: 456 (value measured by sensor output waveform)
Distance 20 mm: Bar width of operation line 1 mm: 421 (value measured by sensor output waveform)

Subsequently, based on the calculated bar width value of the operation line of 1 mm, it is determined whether or not an operation for bringing the barcode reader close to the barcode is being performed (S100). The process in the determination process (1) during operation at the depth of S100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 showing a subroutine of the process.

First, from the 1 mm bar width value calculated in S78, the depth data of the bar width value and the taking depth of the operation line 1 mm held in the memory 35 [depth-bar width relationship table W100_? ] To depth [H? ] Is obtained (S102). Then, it is determined whether the operation has been started (first decoding of the main barcode) (S104). When the depth H is obtained only once (S104: Yes), it is impossible to determine whether the operation in the proximity direction is being performed. Therefore, the operation start is registered (S114), and the distance obtained in S102 above. [H? ] Is backed up as a distance [H_B] in the memory (S116), the current time and the number of times of decoding are initialized (S118), and the first decoding is in progress because it is unknown whether or not the operation is in progress. And determining that there is no add-on barcode in S76 of FIG. 5 (S120). Accordingly, the process returns to the start again, and the process from the execution of the optical reading operation in S12 is started again.

Here, in the case of the second and subsequent decoding (S104: No), it is determined whether a certain time (or a certain number of times of decoding) has elapsed since the previous comparison (S106). That is, since decoding is repeated in a short cycle, it is impossible to make an accurate determination by comparing the depth for each decoding. Therefore, until a predetermined time elapses (S106: No), the process proceeds to S120 and there is no add-on barcode. Disable the judgment. On the other hand, when a certain time has elapsed (or a certain number of times of decoding is repeated) from the decoding for which the depth has been calculated (S106: Yes), the current depth [H? ] Is subtracted from the previous depth [H_B] to obtain the moving distance (S108). Then, it is determined whether the moving distance (absolute value) is smaller than a predetermined threshold ZZ (S110). Here, the reason why the absolute value is used as the moving distance is to determine that the operation is being performed both when moving closer to the barcode and when moving away. Here, when the moving distance (absolute value) is larger than the predetermined threshold ZZ (S110: No), the process proceeds to S116 because the barcode reader is being operated toward the barcode or away. Through the processing of S116 and S118, the determination of no add-on barcode is invalidated (S120). On the other hand, if the moving distance (absolute value) is smaller than the predetermined threshold ZZ (S110: Yes), it is determined that the barcode reader is not being operated up and down (S112).

The process in the determination process (1) during the operation at the depth will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
Here, the depth P1 indicates a position (depth) where the barcode reader 10 is brought close to the barcode and the main barcode is successfully decoded. The depth P2 indicates the position (depth) at which the main barcode was successfully decoded after the lapse of the predetermined time in S106 described above. Here, since the difference between the depth P1 and the depth P2 becomes larger than the predetermined threshold ZZ, the determination of no add-on barcode becomes invalid, and the decoding of the main barcode and the add-on barcode is successful at the depth P3. The decoding result output to the computer is put on standby.

After the determination process (1) during operation at the depth (proximity, separation direction) in S100, it is determined whether the operation is in S80 in FIG. Here, during operation in the depth direction (S80: Yes), the operator is informed by sounding the buzzer 44 and lighting the LED 43, and is waiting until the add-on barcode can be read. Let them know.

On the other hand, when the operation in the depth direction is not being performed (S80: No), it is determined whether the add-on barcode has not been read out by moving the reading port in the horizontal direction described above with reference to FIG. (Determination processing during operation at position (2): S200).

The process in the determination process (2) being operated at the position of S200 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 showing a subroutine of the process. First, from the 1 mm bar width value calculated in S78, the depth [H? Is calculated from the reading position (distance [W?] From the end of the reading operation line to the label (barcode) (S202). And whether the operation has just started (first decoding of the main barcode) (S204) If the distance [W?] Is obtained only once (S204: Yes), it is impossible to determine whether the operation in the horizontal direction is in progress, so registration of the operation start is registered. (S214), the distance [W?] Obtained in S202 is backed up as a distance [W_B] in the memory (S216), and the current time and the number of times of decoding are initialized (S218). Since it is unknown whether the operation is in progress or not, it is temporarily determined that the operation is in progress, and the determination of no add-on barcode in S76 of Fig. 5 is invalidated (S220). It starts processing from the optical reading operation performed in degrees S12.

Here, in the case of the second and subsequent decoding (S204: No), it is determined whether a certain time (or a certain number of times of decoding) has passed since the previous comparison (S206). That is, since the decoding is repeated with a short cycle, the moving distance [W? ], An accurate determination cannot be made. Therefore, until a predetermined time elapses (S206: No), the process proceeds to S220, and the determination of no add-on barcode is invalidated. On the other hand, when a certain time has elapsed (or a certain number of times of decoding is repeated) from the decoding for which the depth has been calculated (S206: Yes), the current distance [W? ] Is subtracted from the previous distance [W_B] to obtain the moving distance (S208). Then, it is determined whether the moving distance (absolute value) is smaller than a predetermined threshold YY (S210). Here, the absolute value is used as the movement distance in order to determine that the operation is in progress even when approaching from the left or right direction along the barcode. Here, when the moving distance (absolute value) is larger than the predetermined threshold YY (S210: No), since the barcode reader is being operated in the horizontal direction, the process proceeds to S216, and the processes of S216 and S218 are performed. The determination of no add-on barcode is invalidated (S220). On the other hand, when the moving distance (absolute value) is smaller than the predetermined threshold YY (S210: Yes), it is determined that the bar code reader is not operated left and right (S212).

After the determination process (2) during the operation at the position, it is determined whether or not the operation in the horizontal direction is further performed in S82 shown in FIG. 5, and during the operation in the horizontal direction (S82: Yes), the process proceeds to S84. The buzzer 44 sounds and the LED 43 lights up. On the other hand, if the operation is not in the horizontal direction (82: No), the determination that the barcode is not an add-on barcode in S76 is utilized, and the decoding result of the main barcode is output to the computer (S86).

Here, the process in the determination process (2) during the operation at the position will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
Here, a position P4 shown in FIG. 14 (A) represents a position where the main barcode is successfully decoded by moving the barcode reader 10 horizontally from the left direction to the barcode. A position P5 shown in FIG. 14B represents a position where the main barcode has been successfully decoded after the lapse of the predetermined time in S206 described above. Here, since the difference between the position P4 and the position P5 is larger than the predetermined threshold YY, the determination of no add-on barcode is invalid, and the main barcode and the add-on barcode are displayed at the position P6 shown in FIG. The decoding result is output to the computer until the decoding is successful.

In the barcode reader 10 of the first embodiment, it is determined whether an add-on barcode is added to the main barcode (S64). If an add-on barcode is added (S64: Yes), the main barcode is displayed. The code and the add-on barcode are read and output to the computer (S70). On the other hand, when the add-on barcode is not added to the read image (S64: No), it is determined whether or not an operation for bringing the barcode reader close to the barcode is performed (S110). When the operation of bringing the code reader closer is not performed (S110: Yes), only the main bar code is read and output to the computer (S86). Then, as long as the operation of bringing the barcode reader closer is performed (S110: No), the determination as to whether the add-on barcode is added is continued (S120). For this reason, even when the barcode reader is close to the barcode and the barcode is added to the barcode with the add-on barcode added, the main barcode only image is captured. You can wait until the bar code can be read, and there is no need to skip the add-on bar code. On the other hand, if the reading port of the bar code reader is not close to the bar code, it is determined that no add-on bar code is added, so there is no waiting time until the add-on bar code can be read. The main bar code decoding result can be output immediately.

In the barcode reader 10 according to the first embodiment, when an add-on barcode is not added to the image obtained by reading the main barcode (S64: No), an operation for bringing the barcode reader close to the barcode is performed. It is determined whether or not the operation is performed (S110), and when the operation for moving the barcode reader is not performed (S110: Yes), an operation for moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction with respect to the barcode is further performed. It is determined whether or not it is performed (S210). If the operation of moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction is not performed (S210: Yes), only the main barcode is read and output to the computer (S86). On the other hand, as long as the operation of moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction is performed (S210: No), it is determined whether an add-on barcode is added (S220). For this reason, while moving the reading port of the barcode reading device in the horizontal direction so as to face the barcode, an image of only the main barcode is captured with respect to the barcode to which the add-on barcode is added. In this case, it is possible to wait until the add-on barcode can be read, and the add-on barcode is not skipped. On the other hand, if the reading port of the barcode reader is not moved horizontally, it is determined that the add-on barcode is not added, so there is no waiting time until the add-on barcode can be read, and immediately The decoding result of the main barcode can be output.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, an add-on barcode is attached, but the add-on barcode is not completely in the reading port 62, and the bar on the right side is displayed. If the optical reading is not possible, any of S38, S42, S46, S52, S56, and S60 may be determined as No. Therefore, if the buzzer 44 is sounded as described above, the user understands the buzzer sound as a warning that the bar code is out of the reading port 62, and the main bar code and add-on are read in the reading port 62. The bar code reader 10 is moved so that the bar code is inserted, and the trigger switch 18 restarts the reading operation. As a result, the main barcode and the add-on barcode can be transferred to the host device (computer) as described above.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the added value Y (comparison value Z) of the widths of the seven bars on the add-on side is an allowable range based on the reference value X for 11 modules of the main-side barcode. Because it is determined whether or not an add-on barcode is attached depending on whether or not it is inside, it is not necessary to exchange operational rules to determine whether or not an add-on barcode is attached in advance, and based only on barcode information The presence or absence of an add-on barcode can be quickly determined. Compared to the case where the add-on barcode is not added and whether the decoding process is always performed on the add-on side without always determining whether the add-on barcode is added or not, especially when the add-on barcode is not added. The speed can be increased.

Further, the reference value X is obtained from the width of a certain number of bars including the guard bar pattern on the right side of the barcode on the main side and the final character, and the comparison value Z (added value Y) is obtained from the left guard bar pattern on the add-on side and the first Since it is obtained from the width of a certain number of bars including characters, X and Y are obtained from more bars closer to each other than those comparing the final character and the first character, Even if the part where the barcode label is applied is swollen and curved, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not an add-on barcode is added by minimizing the influence of the change in bar width due to the curvature of the barcode label. can do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the barcode on the add-on side has an extremely wide left end bar, and such a barcode is not an add-on barcode. However, in the conventional method of comparing the width of the last character of the main-side barcode and the width of the first character on the add-on side, the width of the widest bar at the left end is not taken into consideration. Will be mistaken for an add-on barcode.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the added value Y of the bar widths from the left end of the barcode on the add-on side to the seventh bar is compared with the reference value X, the stripe pattern on the right side of FIG. It can be determined that the barcode is not correct, and a lot of time can be prevented from being spent for useless decoding processing.

As shown in FIG. 11C, a large gap exists between the barcode on the main side and the barcode on the right side of the barcode, and the barcode having such a large gap exists. Is not an add-on barcode. In the first embodiment, when the gap width G between the barcode on the main side and the barcode on the add-on side is too wide as compared with X, it is determined that the barcode is not an add-on barcode. Can be prevented from spending a lot of time.

In relation to this, as shown in FIG. 11D, assuming that a bar code with an add-on bar code exists below one bar code, the reading port 62 is obliquely applied and L in FIG. In the case where the reading is optically performed along the indicated line, conventionally, it is decoded as an add-on barcode is added to the upper barcode, but in the first embodiment, the gap is too wide. It can be determined that it is not an add-on barcode.

In the first embodiment, the width of the add-on bar is sequentially accumulated from the first bar on the left side, and when the added value Y exceeds the allowable range in the middle of reaching the seventh bar, the add-on bar Since it is determined that it is not a code, it is possible to omit subsequent processing for determining the presence or absence of an add-on barcode.

Note that the above-described threshold values ZZ and YY can be registered and switched in the memory 35. By setting a threshold value corresponding to the type of barcode, various barcodes can be read quickly.

In the first embodiment, the distance (depth) is determined based on the entire length of the main bar code, but may be obtained based on a part of the main bar code, for example, the reference value X described above. Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the correspondence relationship between the depth and the bar width value of the operation line 1 mm is stored in the memory in advance, but the correspondence relationship is not retained, and for example, the size of the reference value X on the image. It is also possible to detect an operation in the proximity direction based on the change in.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the distance is obtained in advance and the change distance of the position is calculated. However, it is also possible to detect an operation in the horizontal direction from the amount of change on the line sensor image of the specific part of the main barcode. It is.

In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the configuration of the present invention is applied to a barcode reader dedicated to barcodes has been described. However, an optical information reader capable of reading a two-dimensional code together with a one-dimensional code such as a barcode is used. Needless to say, the configuration of the present invention is applicable.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the barcode reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the barcode reader of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the barcode reader of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the barcode reader of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the barcode reader of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine process in the judgment process (1) in operation by depth. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine process in the judgment process (2) in operation at a position. It is a figure which shows an example of a guard bar pattern. It is a figure which shows the other example of a guard bar pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of a barcode with an add-on barcode. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a state in which a part of the add-on barcode is removed from the reading port, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a state in which the leftmost bar of the barcode on the add-on barcode side is abnormally thick. FIG. 11C is a diagram showing a state where the main barcode and the add-on barcode are too far apart, and FIG. 11D is a diagram showing a state where the barcode is printed in two stages. is there. It is explanatory drawing of reading-out of the add-on barcode which may arise during operation of a barcode reader. It is explanatory drawing of the judgment process (1) in operation by depth. It is explanatory drawing of the judgment process (2) in operation by a position.

Explanation of symbols

10 Bar code reader 32 Line sensor 35 Memory 40 Control circuit 62 Reading port S14
S16, S68 Main / add-on barcode decoding means S16, S86 Main barcode decoding means S64 Add-on barcode determination means S110 Proximity direction operation determination means S120 Re-determination means S220 Re-determination means

Claims (7)

A barcode reader for reading a main barcode and an add-on barcode added to the main barcode,
Add-on barcode determination means for determining whether an add-on barcode is added to the main barcode from an image obtained by reading the main barcode;
A main add-on barcode decoding means for reading the main barcode and the add-on barcode when the add-on barcode determination means determines that an add-on barcode is added;
When the add-on barcode determination unit determines that no add-on barcode is added, it is determined whether or not an operation for bringing the barcode reader closer to the barcode is performed from a plurality of read images. A proximity direction operation determination means for
A main bar code decoding means for reading only the main bar code when it is determined by the proximity direction operation determining means that an operation for moving the bar code reader is not performed;
Re-determination means for determining again whether an add-on barcode is added by the add-on barcode determination means when it is determined by the proximity direction operation determination means that an operation of bringing the barcode reader close is performed; A bar code reader characterized by comprising: From a plurality of read images, there is provided horizontal operation determining means for determining whether or not an operation for moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction with respect to the barcode is performed, and the barcode is detected by the proximity direction operation determining means. If it is determined that the reader is not being moved closer:
The main bar code decoding unit reads only the main bar code when it is determined by the horizontal direction operation determining unit that the bar code reader is not moved in the horizontal direction;
When it is determined by the horizontal operation determination means that an operation to move the barcode reader in the horizontal direction is performed, the re-determination means adds the add-on barcode again by the add-on barcode determination means. 2. The barcode reader according to claim 1, wherein the barcode reader is judged. The proximity direction operation determination means includes
Width measuring means for measuring the width of a predetermined portion of the main barcode in the read image;
Storage means for holding data on the distance from the barcode reader corresponding to the width of the predetermined portion of the main barcode to the main barcode;
Distance measuring means for obtaining a distance from the barcode reader to the main barcode from the width measured by the width measuring means and the distance data held in the storage means;
If the difference between the distance from the previously read image to the main barcode obtained and the distance from the currently read image to the main barcode obtained is greater than the stored threshold, the barcode reader is The bar code reader according to claim 1, further comprising a proximity operation determining unit that determines that an operation of approaching is performed. The horizontal direction operation determining means includes
If the difference between the position of the specific part of the main barcode obtained from the previously read image and the position of the specific part of the main barcode obtained from the image read this time is larger than the stored threshold, 3. The bar code reader according to claim 2, further comprising horizontal operation determining means for determining that an operation for moving the apparatus in the horizontal direction with respect to the bar code is being performed. 5. The barcode reader according to claim 3, further comprising registration means for registering the threshold value. 4. The bar code according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that an operation is being performed when it is determined by the proximity direction operation determining unit that an operation for bringing the bar code reader closer is performed. Reader. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising notification means for notifying that an operation is being performed when it is determined by the horizontal operation determination means that an operation for moving the barcode reader in the horizontal direction is being performed. 4 Bar code reader.

Images