JP5115132B2 - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reader.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical information reader such as a barcode reader has been provided with a marker light irradiating unit that irradiates marker light to a reading target. In this type of optical information reader, the marker light display position by the marker light irradiation means is configured to serve as a mark for aligning the optical information reader and the information code attached to the reading target. ing.
JP 2007-34388 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the display pattern of marker light is changed according to the type of information code as an example of display using marker light irradiation means. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to display an appropriate pattern according to the type of information code, but on the other hand, a large number of light sources and lenses for irradiating the marker light are required. There are concerns about the increase in the size and cost of the apparatus configuration.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily realize a configuration capable of switching a display pattern by marker light while suppressing the number of light sources.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an optical information reading device for reading an information code attached to an article, wherein the light receiving means receives light reflected from the information code, and the light receiving means. Reading means for reading the information code based on the reflected light received
Marker light irradiating means for irradiating marker light, lens means for condensing the marker light irradiated by the marker light irradiating means, and displaying a pattern serving as a mark of a reading position on the article surface, and the marker light Changing the incident state of the marker light incident on the lens means by displacing at least one of the irradiation means, the lens means, and the optical component interposed between the marker light irradiation means and the lens means An apparatus, mode switching means for switching a reading mode of the information code between a first mode for reading a one-dimensional code and a second mode for reading a two-dimensional code, and the reading mode is changed to the first mode by the mode switching means. The change device is controlled so that the pattern becomes the first pattern corresponding to the first mode when And a control means for controlling the changing device such that the pattern is a second pattern corresponding to the second mode when the reading mode is switched to the second mode, the marker light by the changing device When the incident state is changed, the pattern displayed on the surface of the article is switched through the lens means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the first aspect, the changing device is incident on the lens unit by changing a distance between the marker light irradiation unit and the lens unit. The incident state of the marker light is changed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first mode, the changing unit configures the first pattern by one or a plurality of lines corresponding to an orientation and a position where the one-dimensional code is to be arranged. And in the second mode, the changing device is controlled so that the second pattern is constituted by at least two lines corresponding to a region where the two-dimensional code is to be arranged.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lens means includes at least two lenses that form a linear line, and at least two parallel lines are displayed as the pattern. The line interval between the two lines is changed by changing the incident state of the marker light to the two lenses.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the lens means includes a plurality of lenses that form a linear line, and the changing device selectively causes the marker light to enter one of the lenses in the first mode. The incident state of the marker light is set so as to display a single line on the article surface, and in the second mode, the marker light is incident on a plurality of the lenses, and a plurality of lines are incident on the article surface. The marker light incident state is set so as to display.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first mode, the changing unit configures the first pattern by a plurality of local marks corresponding to directions and positions where the one-dimensional code should be arranged. In the second mode, the display area of the plurality of local marks configured in the first mode is enlarged to a size corresponding to the area where the two-dimensional code is to be arranged. The changing device is controlled to form a pattern.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the light receiving sensor comprises an area sensor, and the reading means reads the information code based on a light receiving result of a partial region of the area sensor in the first mode. And

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the changing device includes an electromagnetic actuator that drives the marker light irradiation unit, the lens unit, or the optical component based on electromagnetic force, and the control unit includes the electromagnetic actuator. It has a drive control means for controlling the drive.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pattern represented on the surface of the article is changed by displacing at least one of the marker light irradiation means, the lens means, and the optical component and changing the incident state of the marker light incident on the lens means. Switching. In this way, a configuration capable of switching the display pattern by the marker light can be easily realized by reducing the number of light sources. In addition, a first pattern corresponding to the first mode can be generated in the first mode for reading the one-dimensional code, and a second pattern corresponding to the second mode can be generated in the second mode for reading the two-dimensional code. it can. That is, an appropriate pattern according to the mode can be generated. In addition, a configuration in which the pattern can be changed in accordance with the mode change can be easily realized by reducing the number of light sources.

  In the invention of claim 2, the incident state of the marker light incident on the lens means is changed by changing the distance between the marker light irradiation means and the lens means. If it does in this way, the incident state of the marker light which injects into a lens means can be changed only by a position movement of either or both of a marker light irradiation means and a lens means. In other words, a configuration that can change the incident state of the marker light can be satisfactorily realized without using a complicated configuration or a large-scale configuration.

According to the invention of claim 3 , in the first mode, the user can easily grasp the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged, and in the second mode, the user can easily determine the area where the two-dimensional code should be arranged. Therefore, the configuration is extremely convenient.

In the invention of claim 4 , the line interval between the two lines displayed on the article surface is changed by changing the incident state of the marker light to the two lenses. In this way, in the first mode, the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged can be well indicated by the two lines displayed at the first line interval. In the second mode, the two-dimensional The area where the code is to be placed can be well indicated by two lines displayed at the second line interval.

According to the invention of claim 5 , the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged in the first mode can be well indicated by a single line, and the area where the two-dimensional code is arranged in the second mode. It can be shown well by multiple lines.

According to the invention of claim 6 , the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged in the first mode can be satisfactorily indicated by the first pattern composed of a plurality of local marks, and the two-dimensional code in the second mode. Can be better indicated by the second pattern in which the display area of the plurality of local marks is enlarged than the first pattern.

In the invention of claim 7 , the information code is read based on the light reception result of the partial area of the area sensor in the first mode. In this way, it is possible to omit the processing of the light reception results other than the partial area, and thus the reading speed can be effectively improved.

According to invention of Claim 8, the structure which can drive a marker light irradiation means or a lens means, or an optical component, and can control the drive is suitably realizable.

[First embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an optical information reading device of the invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the optical information reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a marker light irradiation unit of the optical information reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a side view of the lens means, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining the lens using a configuration cut at the AA position of 3A. . FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the drive unit and the like in the first mode, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the drive unit and the like in the second mode. is there. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a pattern displayed on the article surface in the first mode, and FIG. 5B illustrates a pattern displayed on the article surface in the second mode. It is explanatory drawing to do. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the mode switching process. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of the light receiving elements in the light receiving sensor.

  An optical information reading device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that reads an information code attached to an article, and uses either a one-dimensional code (such as a barcode) or a two-dimensional code (such as a QR code (trade name)). It has a readable configuration. The optical information reading apparatus 10 includes a circuit unit 20 housed in a case (not shown). The circuit unit 20 mainly includes an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 28, an imaging lens 27, and the like. And a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system such as a memory 35, a control circuit 40, and a trigger switch 42.

  The optical system is divided into a light projecting optical system and a light receiving optical system. The illumination light source 21 constituting the light projecting optical system functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting the illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a lens provided on the emission side of the LED. In addition, in FIG. 1, the example which irradiates the illumination light Lf toward the reading target R to which the information code C was attached | subjected is shown notionally.

  The light receiving optical system includes a light receiving sensor 28, an imaging lens 27, a reflecting mirror (not shown), and the like. The light receiving sensor 28 is configured to be able to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected on the reading object R or the bar information code C. The light receiving sensor 28 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so as to be able to receive incident light incident through the imaging lens 27. The light receiving sensor 28 corresponds to an example of a “light receiving unit” that receives reflected light from the information code C.

  The imaging lens 27 functions as an imaging optical system capable of condensing incident light incident from the outside via a reading port (not shown) and forming an image on the light receiving surface 28a of the light receiving sensor 28. . In the present embodiment, the illumination light Lf emitted from the illumination light source 21 is reflected by the information code C, and then the reflected light Lr is collected by the imaging lens 27 and the code image is formed on the light receiving surface 28 a of the light receiving sensor 28. Is imaged.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control circuit 40, a trigger switch 42, a buzzer 44, a display LED (hereinafter also simply referred to as an LED). 45, a liquid crystal display 46, a communication interface 48, and the like.

  The image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 28 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. When the digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to the memory 35, it is stored in a predetermined code image image information storage area. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 28 and the address generation circuit 36, and the address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. Thus, the storage address of the image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer that can control the entire bar code reader 10 and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 decodes image data stored in the memory 35 (that is, image data of an information code obtained based on reflected light received by the light receiving sensor 28) by a known decoding process. The control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “reading unit”. The control circuit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input / output devices via a built-in input / output interface. In the case of this embodiment, the trigger switch 42, the buzzer 44, the LED 45, the liquid crystal display 46, A communication interface 48 or the like is connected. Thereby, for example, monitoring and management of the trigger switch 42, turning on / off of the buzzer 44 capable of generating a beep sound and an alarm sound, lighting of the LED 45, non-lighting, display control of the liquid crystal display 46, control of the communication interface 48, etc. Is possible.

Next, the marker light irradiation unit 50 will be described.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the marker light irradiation unit 50 has a configuration including a laser diode 51, a lens unit 52, and a drive unit 53. Hereinafter, specific configurations thereof will be described. explain.

  The laser diode 51 corresponds to an example of “marker light irradiating means”, and is configured to irradiate the marker light M1 toward the article surface as shown in FIG. The laser diode 51 is driven in accordance with a signal from the control circuit 40 shown in FIG. 1, and emits marker light M1 composed of laser light. A driving circuit (known laser diode driving circuit) that drives the laser diode 51 in response to a command from the control circuit 40 is not shown.

  The lens unit 52 functions to collect the marker light M1 irradiated by the laser diode 51 and display a pattern that serves as a mark of the reading position on the article surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it is composed of two lenses 52a and 52b that form a linear line. With these lenses 52a and 52b, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. The marker light M1 from the laser diode 51 is divided into two marker lights M2 and M3, and a pattern composed of two parallel lines L1 and L2 is displayed on the article surface as shown in FIG.

  The two lenses 52a and 52b constituting the lens means 52 have the same shape. As shown in FIG. 3A, the lens 52a has a surface F1 on the exit side in the lens thickness direction (FIG. 3A). ) In the direction of arrow H1), and the outer shape as a whole is formed in a bowl shape as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the incident-side surface F2 of the lens 52a is configured as a curved surface that is concavely curved in the lens width direction (the direction of the arrow H2 in FIG. 3B). . These lenses 52a and 52b are configured to cause the marker light M1 (laser light) emitted from the laser diode 51 to converge in the lens thickness direction and diffuse in the lens width direction. As shown in FIG. 4A or 4B, the laser beams from the lenses 52a and 52b converge in the lens thickness direction and diffuse in the lens width direction to form substantially planar marker beams M2 and M3. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an irradiation pattern composed of lines L1 and L2 is formed by the marker lights M2 and M3. In the present embodiment, the lines L1 and L2 displayed on the surface of the article by the marker lights M2 and M3 are approximately the same as the horizontal length of the reading area A (an area in which an image is acquired by the light receiving sensor 28). The lenses 52a and 52b are configured to be diffused in the width direction so as to be slightly shorter than the lateral length of A.

  The drive unit 53 corresponds to an example of a “changing device”, and the marker light M1 incident on the lens unit 52 is displaced by displacing the laser diode 51 and changing the distance between the laser diode 51 and the lens unit 52. It has a function to change the incident state. In the optical information reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the incident state of the marker light M1 is changed by the driving unit 53, the pattern represented on the surface of the article via the lens unit 52 is shown in FIGS. ).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive unit 53 includes a pair of electromagnets 56a and 56b, a metal member 55 made of iron or the like, a slide mechanism (not shown) that slidably holds the metal member 55, and each electromagnet 56a. , 56b are provided with energization circuits 58a, 58b. The electromagnets 56a and 56b constitute part of the “electromagnetic actuator” and have a function of driving (specifically, moving linearly) the laser diode 51 based on the electromagnetic force.

  The laser diode 51 is held on the substrate 54, and the metal member 55 is fixed to the substrate 54, so that the laser diode 51 and the metal member 55 are integrated. When either of the electromagnets 56a and 56b is energized in response to the energization signal being output from the control circuit 40 to either of the energization circuits 58a and 58b, the metal member 55 is placed on one side ( That is, the laser diode 51 is displaced by being drawn toward the energized side.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, the laser diode 51 has a position when the metal member 55 is drawn toward the electromagnet 56b (that is, a first position away from the lens means 52), and FIG. ) And the position when the metal member 55 is drawn toward the electromagnet 56a (ie, the second position close to the lens means 52). The integrated unit composed of the laser diode 51, the substrate 54, and the metal member 55 is slidably held by a slide mechanism (not shown) (for example, a slide mechanism using a linear guide rail or the like). It reciprocates by the energization switching control which switches energization of 56a, 56b.
In the present embodiment, the metal member 55 and the electromagnets 56a and 56b constitute an “electromagnetic actuator”, and the control circuit 40 constitutes a “drive control unit” and a “control unit”.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the marker light M1 (laser) in each of the lenses 52a and 52b is obtained when the laser diode 51 is moved away from the lens means 52 and when the laser diode 51 is moved closer as shown in FIG. The position and the region where the light is incident are different, and the emission directions of the marker lights M2 and M3 are thereby changed. More specifically, when the laser diode 51 is moved away from the lens means 52 as shown in FIG. 4A, the angle formed between the marker light M2 and the marker light M3 each having a planar configuration is small. When the laser diode 51 is close to the lens means 52 as shown in FIG. 4B, the angle formed by the marker light M2 and the marker light M3 is larger than that in the state shown in FIG. . Accordingly, when the distance from the lens means 52 to the article surface is the same, the lines L1 and L2 displayed on the article surface when the laser diode 51 is away from the lens means 52 as shown in FIG. Is narrow (see FIG. 5A), and when the laser diode 51 is close to the lens means 52 as shown in FIG. 4B, the distance between the lines L1 and L2 displayed on the article surface is large. (See FIG. 5B). As described above, the drive unit 53 changes the incident state of the marker light M1 with respect to the two lenses 52a and 52b, changes the emission direction of the marker lights M2 and M3, and changes the line interval between the two lines L1 and L2. It has the function to do.

Next, the mode switching process in the optical information reading apparatus 10 will be described.
This mode switching process is performed, for example, according to a predetermined operation by the user. When the process is started, a state detection process is first performed (S1). This state detection process is a process for detecting a state that serves as an index for determining which mode should be the first mode or the second mode. For example, when the reading mode is switched according to the user's operation, the state of the operation unit to be an index is detected, and it is detected which of the first mode and the second mode is instructed by the user. In the present embodiment, the mode for reading a one-dimensional code as shown in FIG. 5A (bar code B is illustrated in FIG. 5A) corresponds to the first mode, as shown in FIG. 5B. A mode for reading a two-dimensional code (QR code (trademark) Q in FIG. 5B) corresponds to the second mode.

  Next, a process for determining which mode to set is performed (S2). When the first mode is instructed by the user, the process proceeds to Yes in S2, and the optical information reading apparatus 10 is set to the first mode (S3). Specifically, information indicating that the optical information reading apparatus 10 is set to the first mode is stored in the memory 35. Then, the process which moves the laser diode 10 to the 1st position shown to Fig.4 (a) is performed (S4). That is, an energization signal is output from the control circuit 40 to the energization circuit 58b so as to energize the electromagnet 56b.

  If the second mode is instructed by the user, the process proceeds to No in S2, and the optical information reading apparatus 10 is set to the second mode (S5). Specifically, information indicating that the optical information reading apparatus 10 is set to the second mode is stored in the memory 35. Then, the process which moves the laser diode 10 to the 2nd position shown in FIG.4 (b) is performed (S6). That is, an energization signal is output from the control circuit 40 to the energization circuit 58a so as to energize the electromagnet 56a.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the information code reading mode is switched between the first mode for reading a one-dimensional code and the second mode for reading a two-dimensional code. The control circuit 40 and the program shown in FIG. 6 correspond to an example of “mode switching means”.

  Furthermore, when the reading mode is switched to the first mode, the drive unit 53 is controlled so that the pattern displayed on the article surface is the first pattern corresponding to the first mode as shown in FIG. When the reading mode is switched to the second mode, the drive unit 53 is controlled so that the pattern displayed on the article surface becomes the second pattern corresponding to the second mode as shown in FIG. 5B. Specifically, in the first mode, the drive unit 53 is controlled to configure the first pattern by a plurality of lines corresponding to the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged, and in the second mode, the two-dimensional code The drive unit 53 is controlled so that the second pattern is configured by two lines corresponding to the region where the pattern is to be arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the light receiving sensor 28 of the present embodiment is constituted by an area sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged. For example, 960 light receiving elements are arranged in the vertical direction and 1280 light receiving elements are arranged in the horizontal direction. In the first mode, the control circuit 40 is configured to read the information code based on the light reception result of a partial region of the light receiving sensor 28 (area sensor). More specifically, in the first mode, the lines L1 and L2 are displayed at fixed positions in the readable area on the article surface (that is, the area that can be read by the light receiving sensor 28). If the barcode B is arranged so as to straddle the lines L1 and L2 as shown in FIG. 5A, the barcode B is converted based on the light reception results of one or more light receiving element arrays corresponding to the lines L1 and L2. It can be decoded.

  For example, in FIG. 7, the positions at which the images of the lines L1 and L2 in the light receiving sensor 28 are received are indicated by symbols L1 ′ and L2 ′, but as shown in FIG. When the barcode B is arranged, a sufficient image for decoding the barcode B can be obtained by the light receiving element array between the lines indicated by the symbols L1 ′ and L2 ′. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily decode the barcode B based on the light reception result of only a partial region of the light receiving sensor 28 (light receiving element array between lines indicated by reference characters L1′L2 ′).

  In the second mode, if the QR code Q is arranged so as to fit between the lines L1 and L2 as shown in FIG. 5B, the light reception result of the entire light receiving sensor 28 (the entire image obtained by the light receiving sensor 28). QR code Q can be decoded based on In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the positions where the images of the lines L1 and L2 in the second mode are received are the upper end and lower end of the light receiving sensor 28 (that is, the signs L3 ′ and L4 ′ in FIG. 7). Therefore, if the QR code Q is arranged so as to fit between the lines L1 and L2, an image of the entire QR code Q can be generated based on the light reception result of the light receiving sensor 28, and based on this image Thus, the QR code Q can be satisfactorily decoded.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the laser diode 51 is displaced, and the pattern of the marker surface incident on the lens means 52 is changed to switch the pattern represented on the article surface. In this way, a configuration capable of switching the display pattern can be easily realized by reducing the number of light sources. Further, the incident state of the marker light incident on the lens means 52 can be changed only by moving the position of the laser diode 51. In other words, a configuration that can change the incident state of the marker light M1 can be satisfactorily realized without using a complicated configuration or a large-scale configuration.

  In addition, a first pattern corresponding to the first mode can be generated in the first mode for reading the one-dimensional code, and a second pattern corresponding to the second mode can be generated in the second mode for reading the two-dimensional code. it can. That is, an appropriate pattern according to the mode can be generated. In addition, a configuration in which the pattern can be changed in accordance with the mode change can be easily realized by reducing the number of light sources.

  In the first mode, the first mode is determined by two lines corresponding to the direction and position where the one-dimensional code is to be arranged (specifically, the line corresponding to the reading position and reading direction of the one-dimensional code in the light receiving sensor 28). The drive unit 53 is controlled to form a pattern, and in the second mode, two lines corresponding to the area where the two-dimensional code is to be arranged (specifically, a line corresponding to an image acquisition area by the light receiving sensor 28). The drive unit 53 is controlled so as to configure the second pattern. In this way, in the first mode, the user can easily grasp the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged, and in the second mode, the user can easily grasp the area where the two-dimensional code should be arranged. Therefore, the configuration is extremely convenient.

  In addition, the line interval between the two lines L1 and L2 displayed on the article surface is changed by changing the incident state of the marker light M1 with respect to the two lenses. In this way, in the first mode, the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged can be well indicated by the two lines displayed at the first line interval. In the second mode, the two-dimensional The area where the code is to be placed can be well indicated by two lines displayed at the second line interval.

  In the first mode, the information code C is read based on the light reception result of a partial region of the light receiving sensor 28 (area sensor). In this way, it is possible to omit the processing of the light reception results other than the partial area, and thus the reading speed can be effectively improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a marker light irradiation unit used in the optical information reading apparatus of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B illustrates a laser from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the diode moved. FIG. 9A is an explanatory view illustrating a pattern displayed on the article surface in the first mode in the optical information reading apparatus of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a second mode. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the pattern displayed on the article | item surface at the time of. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a light receiving position and the like by the light receiving sensor.

  The marker light irradiation unit 150 of the present embodiment is different from the lens unit 52 of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the lens unit 152, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, the electrical configuration of the optical information reading apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of the drive unit for driving the laser diode 51 is also the drive unit 53 of the first embodiment (FIG. Same as 2). Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The lens unit 152 of the present embodiment includes three lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c that form a linear line. The shape of each of the lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c is the same as the lens 52a shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the marker light M1 irradiated by the laser diode 51 is condensed and the reading position on the surface of the article is collected. It functions to display a pattern that serves as a landmark. These lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c are configured to converge the marker light M1 (laser light) emitted from the laser diode 51 in the lens thickness direction and diffuse it in the lens width direction. The lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c are arranged so that the width direction is aligned, and in FIG. 8, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of the lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c is the width direction.

  In the first mode for reading the one-dimensional code, the driving unit 53 (changing device) of the present embodiment brings the laser diode 51 close to the lens unit 152 as shown in FIG. 8A and selectively selects the marker on the central lens 152b. The incident state of the marker light M1 is set so that the light M1 is incident. Thus, in the first mode, a single line is displayed on the article surface as shown in FIG. Further, in the second mode for reading the two-dimensional code, the driving unit 53 moves the laser diode 51 away from the lens unit 152 as shown in FIG. 8B, and causes the marker light M1 to enter all three lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c. Thus, the incident state of the marker light M1 is set. Thus, in the second mode, three lines are displayed on the article surface as shown in FIG.

  When the marker light M1 is incident on the central lens 152b as shown in FIG. 8A, the marker light M1 converges in the lens thickness direction and diffuses in the lens width direction in the lens 152b. Toward the surface of the article as marker light M4. When the marker light M1 is incident on all three lenses as shown in FIG. 8B, the marker light M1 is divided into three marker lights M5, M6, and M7 by the three lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c. It is done. These marker lights M5, M6, and M7 are light converted by the lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c (specifically, the light converges in the lens thickness direction and diffuses in the lens width direction in the lenses 152a, 152b, and 152c). The light is converted so as to be directed to the surface of the article as substantially planar light. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, a pattern composed of three lines L5, L6, L7 parallel to the article surface is displayed.

  Also in the present embodiment, the information code reading mode is switched between the first mode for reading a one-dimensional code and the second mode for reading a two-dimensional code by a mode switching process similar to FIG. In FIG. 6, the laser diode 51 is moved away from the lens means (first position) in the first mode (S4), and the laser diode 51 is moved closer to the lens means in the second mode (second position). (S6), the configuration of the present embodiment can be satisfactorily realized by reversing the processing of S4 and S6. That is, when the first mode is set in S3, the laser diode 51 is moved to the position close to the lens means (second position) as shown in FIG. 8A, and the second mode is set in S5. When set, the laser diode 51 may be moved to a position (first position) close to the lens means as shown in FIG. Also in this embodiment, the control circuit 40 and the program shown in FIG. 6 correspond to an example of “mode switching means”.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the reading mode is switched to the first mode, the pattern displayed on the article surface as shown in FIG. 9A becomes the first pattern corresponding to the first mode. When the drive unit 53 is controlled and the reading mode is switched to the second mode, the pattern displayed on the surface of the article becomes a second pattern corresponding to the second mode as shown in FIG. 9B. The drive unit 53 is controlled. More specifically, in the first mode, the drive unit 53 is controlled so as to form the first pattern by a single line corresponding to the direction and position where the barcode (one-dimensional code) should be arranged, and the second mode In the mode, the drive unit 53 is controlled so that the second pattern is configured by three lines corresponding to the region where the two-dimensional code is to be arranged.

  The light receiving sensor 28 of the present embodiment also has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and is configured by an area sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged. In the first mode, the control circuit 40 is configured to read the information code based on the light reception result of a partial region of the light reception sensor 28 (area sensor). More specifically, in the first mode, the line L4 is displayed at a certain position of the readable area on the article surface (that is, the area that can be read by the light receiving sensor 28). If the barcode B is arranged so as to straddle the line L4 as in FIG. 9A, the barcode B can be decoded based on the light reception results of one or more light receiving element arrays in the horizontal direction corresponding to the line L4. become.

  For example, in FIG. 10, the position where the image of the line L4 portion in the light receiving sensor 28 is received is indicated by a symbol L4 ′, but the barcode B is disposed so as to straddle the line L4 as shown in FIG. In this case, the barcode B is decoded by a light receiving element array in the horizontal direction near the line position indicated by the symbol L4 ′ (for example, a plurality (several or several tens of light receiving element arrays) arranged near the position of the symbol L4 ′. Thus, a sufficient image can be obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to satisfactorily decode the barcode B based on the light reception result of only a partial region of the light receiving sensor 28 (light receiving element array near the line indicated by reference numeral L4 ′). In the present embodiment, the line L4 displayed on the surface of the article by the marker light M4 is approximately the same as the horizontal length of the reading area A (an area where an image is acquired by the light receiving sensor 28), and the horizontal direction of the reading area A The lens 152b is configured to be diffused in the width direction so as to be slightly shorter than the length.

  In the second mode, if the QR code Q is arranged so as to fit between the lines L5 and L7 as shown in FIG. 9B, the light reception result of the entire light receiving sensor 28 (the entire image obtained by the light receiving sensor 28). QR code Q can be decoded based on In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the positions where the images of the lines L5 and L7 in the second mode are received are the upper end and lower end of the light receiving sensor 28 (that is, the reference numerals L5 ′ and L7 ′ in FIG. 10). Therefore, if the QR code Q is arranged so as to fit between the lines L5 and L7, an image of the entire QR code Q can be generated based on the light reception result of the light receiving sensor 28, and based on this image Thus, the QR code Q can be satisfactorily decoded. In this embodiment, the lines L5 and L7 displayed on the surface of the article by the marker lights M5 and M7 are approximately the same as the horizontal length of the reading area A (an area where an image is acquired by the light receiving sensor 28). The lenses 152a and 152c are configured so as to be diffused in the width direction so as to be slightly shorter than the horizontal length.

  The optical information reader according to the present embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Further, in the first mode, the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged can be well indicated by a single line. In the second mode, the region where the two-dimensional code is to be arranged can be satisfactorily indicated by a plurality of lines.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a marker light irradiation unit used in the optical information reading apparatus of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11B illustrates a laser from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the diode moved. FIG. 12A is a side view of the lens means used in the optical information reading apparatus of the third embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a front view of the lens means of FIG. In FIG. 12A, the position of the marker light in the first mode is schematically shown by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 12B, the position of the marker light in the first mode is a point. Is shown schematically. FIG. 13A is an explanatory view illustrating a pattern displayed on the surface of the article in the first mode in the optical information reading device of the third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a second mode. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the pattern displayed on the article | item surface at the time of. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a light receiving position and the like by the light receiving sensor.

  The marker light irradiation unit 250 of the present embodiment is different from the lens unit 52 of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the lens unit 252, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, the electrical configuration of the optical information reading apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of the drive unit for driving the laser diode 51 is also the drive unit 53 of the first embodiment (FIG. Same as 2). Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The lens means 252 of the present embodiment functions to collect the marker light M1 irradiated by the laser diode 51 and display a pattern serving as a mark of the reading position on the article surface. As shown in FIG. 12, four lenses 252a, 252b, 252c and 252d for converging the laser beam are provided. Each lens 252a, 252b, 252c, 252d is arranged to divide the marker light M1 (laser light) emitted from the laser diode 51 into four marker lights M8, M9, M10, M11, and each marker light M8. , M9, M10, and M11 on the path. The four marker lights M8, M9, M10, and M11 converged by the four lenses 252a, 252b, 252c, and 252d display dot-like local marks P8, P9, P10, and P11 on the article surface. ing.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the driving unit 53 (changing device) of the present embodiment also changes the distance between the laser diode 51 and the lens unit 252 by displacing the laser diode 51 and enters the lens unit 252. The incident state of the marker light M1 to be changed is changed. Then, by changing the incident state of the marker light M1 by the drive unit 53 (changing device) in this way, the pattern represented on the article surface via the lens unit 252 is changed to the first pattern as shown in FIG. And a second pattern (a pattern in which the marks P8, P9, P10, and P11 are separated from each other) as shown in FIG. 13B. .

  Specifically, when the reading mode is switched to the first mode, as shown in FIG. 13A, the pattern displayed on the surface of the article is changed to the first pattern corresponding to the first mode (more specifically, The driving unit 53 is controlled by the control circuit 40 so that the one-dimensional code is a pattern composed of a plurality of local marks corresponding to the direction and position where the one-dimensional code is to be arranged, and the reading mode is switched to the second mode. 13B, a pattern displayed on the article surface is a second pattern corresponding to a second mode different from the first pattern (more specifically, a plurality of patterns configured in the first mode). The drive unit 53 is controlled so that the local mark display area is a pattern enlarged to a size corresponding to the area where the two-dimensional code is to be placed.

  The light receiving sensor 28 of the present embodiment also has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and is configured by an area sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged. In the first mode, the control circuit 40 is configured to read the information code based on the light reception result of a partial region of the light reception sensor 28 (area sensor). More specifically, in the first mode, marks P8, P9, P10, and P11 are displayed at fixed positions in the readable area A (that is, the area that can be read by the light receiving sensor 28) on the article surface. In the first mode, if the barcode B is arranged between the marks P10 and P11 as shown in FIG. 13A, based on the light reception results of one or more light receiving element arrays in the horizontal direction corresponding to the marks P10 and P11. Thus, the barcode B can be decoded.

  For example, in FIG. 14, the position where the image of the marks P10 and P11 in the light receiving sensor 28 is received is indicated by symbol P10′P11 ′, but as shown in FIG. 13A, a bar code B is placed between the marks P10 and P11. Is arranged, a sufficient image for decoding the barcode B can be obtained by one or a plurality of light receiving element rows between the codes P10 ′ and P11 ′. In the present embodiment, light reception of a light receiving element array (in FIG. 14, the light receiving element array is schematically illustrated as a region C) including several rows or several dozen rows in the horizontal direction including the positions of the symbols P10 ′ and P11. The information code is read based on the result.

  In the second mode, if the QR code Q is arranged so as to fit between the expanded marks P8, P9, P10, and P11 as shown in FIG. The QR code Q can be decoded based on the entire image obtained by the sensor 28. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the positions where the images of the marks P8, P9, P10, and P11 in the second mode are received are the upper and lower ends and the left and right ends of the light receiving sensor 28 (that is, the reference numerals in FIG. The positions of the marks P12 ′, P13 ′, P14 ′, and P15 ′), and if the QR code Q is arranged so as to fit between the marks P8, P9, P10, and P11, the light reception result of the light receiving sensor 28 An image of the entire QR code Q can be generated based on the above, and the QR code Q can be favorably decoded based on this image.

  Also in the present embodiment, the information code reading mode is switched between the first mode for reading a one-dimensional code and the second mode for reading a two-dimensional code by a mode switching process similar to that in FIG. . Also in this embodiment, the control circuit 40 and the program shown in FIG. 6 correspond to an example of “mode switching means”.

  The optical information reading apparatus of this embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment. Further, the direction and position where the one-dimensional code should be arranged in the first mode can be satisfactorily indicated by the first pattern consisting of a plurality of local marks, and in the second mode, a plurality of areas where the two-dimensional code should be arranged The display area of the local mark can be satisfactorily shown by the second pattern that is larger than the first pattern.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the optical component is not interposed between the marker light irradiation means and the lens means, but the distance between the marker light irradiation means and the lens means is changed by displacing the marker light irradiation means. The distance may be changed by displacing the lens means. Further, in the laser light path from the marker light irradiation means to the lens means, by disposing an optical component such as a lens, a mirror, or a prism between the marker light irradiation means and the lens means, and displacing the optical component, You may make it change the incident state of the marker light which injects into a lens means.

  In the above embodiment, in the first mode, the information code is read based on the light reception result of a partial region of the light reception sensor (area sensor), but this need not be done. For example, even in the first mode, the information code may be read based on the light reception result of the entire area of the area sensor as in the second mode.

  In the above embodiment, the electromagnetic actuator that drives the marker light irradiation unit based on the electromagnetic force and the drive control unit that controls the driving of the electromagnetic actuator are exemplified. However, the configuration for driving the marker light irradiation unit is limited to this. Absent. For example, the marker light irradiation means may be driven using a piezo actuator or the like. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which switches the distance of a marker light irradiation means and a lens means manually (for example, the structure which moves a marker light irradiation means manually etc.), without using an electromagnetic actuator.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the optical information reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the marker light irradiation unit. FIG. 3A is a side view of the lens means, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining the lens using a configuration cut at the AA position of 3A. . FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the laser diode and the like in the first mode, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the laser diode and the like in the second mode. is there. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a pattern displayed on the article surface in the first mode, and FIG. 5B illustrates a pattern displayed on the article surface in the second mode. It is explanatory drawing to do. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the mode switching process. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of the light receiving elements in the light receiving sensor. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a marker light irradiation unit used in the optical information reading apparatus of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B illustrates a laser from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the diode moved. FIG. 9A is an explanatory view illustrating a pattern displayed on the article surface in the first mode in the optical information reading apparatus of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a second mode. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the pattern displayed on the article | item surface at the time of. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a light receiving position and the like by the light receiving sensor of the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a marker light irradiation unit used in the optical information reading apparatus of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11B illustrates a laser from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the diode moved. FIG. 12A is a side view of the lens means used in the optical information reading apparatus of the third embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a front view of the lens means of FIG. FIG. 13A is an explanatory view illustrating a pattern displayed on the surface of the article in the first mode in the optical information reading device of the third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a second mode. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the pattern displayed on the article | item surface at the time of. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a light receiving position and the like by the light receiving sensor of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Optical information reader 28 ... Light receiving sensor (light receiving means)
51 ... Laser diode (marker light irradiation means)
52, 152, 252 ... lens means 53 ... drive unit (changing device)
55. Metal member (changing device, electromagnetic actuator)
56a, 56b ... Electromagnet (changing device, electromagnetic actuator)
58a, 58b ... energization circuit (changing device)
40. Control circuit (reading means, mode switching means, control means, drive control means)
C ... Information code

Claims (8)

An optical information reader for reading an information code attached to an article,
A light receiving means for receiving reflected light from the information code;
Reading means for reading the information code based on the reflected light received by the light receiving means;
Marker light irradiation means for irradiating marker light;
Lens means for condensing the marker light irradiated by the marker light irradiation means and displaying a pattern serving as a mark of a reading position on the article surface;
At least one of the marker light irradiation means, the lens means, and an optical component interposed between the marker light irradiation means and the lens means is displaced, and the incident state of the marker light incident on the lens means is determined. A change device to change; and
Mode switching means for switching the reading mode of the information code between a first mode for reading a one-dimensional code and a second mode for reading a two-dimensional code;
When the reading mode is switched to the first mode by the mode switching means, the changing device is controlled so that the pattern becomes a first pattern corresponding to the first mode, and the reading mode is set to the first mode. Control means for controlling the changing device so that the pattern becomes a second pattern corresponding to the second mode when switched to two modes;
With
The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change state changes the incident state of the marker light so that the pattern displayed on the article surface is switched through the lens means.   The said change apparatus changes the incident state of the said marker light which injects into the said lens means by changing the distance of the said marker light irradiation means and the said lens means. Optical information reader. The control means includes
In the first mode, the change device is controlled to configure the first pattern by one or a plurality of lines corresponding to an orientation and a position where the one-dimensional code is to be arranged,
In the second mode, according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller controls the changer so as to form the second pattern by at least two lines corresponding to the region to be placing the two-dimensional code An optical information reading device described in 1. The lens means includes at least two lenses that form linear lines, and displays at least two parallel lines as the pattern.
The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the changing device changes a line interval between the two lines by changing an incident state of the marker light with respect to the two lenses. The lens means includes a plurality of lenses that form a linear line,
The changing device is:
It sets the incident state of the marker light to display selectively the marker light is incident the surface of the article of a single line to the lens or Re not been placed in the first mode,
In the second mode, by the incidence of the marker light into a plurality of the lens according to claim 3, characterized in that to set the incident state of the marker light to display a plurality of lines on the article surface Optical information reader. The control means includes
In the first mode, the change device is controlled to configure the first pattern by a plurality of local marks corresponding to directions and positions where the one-dimensional code should be arranged,
In the second mode, the second pattern is configured by expanding the display area of the plurality of local marks configured in the first mode to a size corresponding to the area where the two-dimensional code is to be arranged. The optical information reader according to claim 1 , wherein the changing device is controlled as described above. The light receiving sensor comprises an area sensor,
The reading means is in said first mode, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that reading of the information code based on the reception result of a part of the area sensor Optical information reader. The changing device includes an electromagnetic actuator that drives the marker light irradiation unit, the lens unit, or the optical component based on electromagnetic force,
The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a drive control unit that controls the drive of the electromagnetic actuator.

Images