JP5297988B2 - Print information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always read print information with high accuracy without being affected by a camera-shake or the like. <P>SOLUTION: An upper face part and a bottom face part of a point side of a case 17a of a remote controller 1A are provided with first and second windows 18a and 19a, respectively, and an optical system 30 composed of prisms 31a and 32a is arranged between the windows 18a and 19a. Illumination light OL1 made incident from the first window 18a and transmitting the prisms 32a and 31a is emitted to a print sheet 20 through the second window 19a, and an optical image of a two-dimensional code 21 being the reflected light thereof is sequentially subjected to total reflection on a top face and a bottom face in the prism 31a to be derived from a side face after being introduced to the prism 31a from the second window 19a to thereby form an image on a camera 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print information reading apparatus that reads print information such as a two-dimensional code using a camera.

  In recent years, information search services and provision services using two-dimensional codes have become widespread. In this type of service, for example, a two-dimensional code represented by a QR code displayed on a printed matter such as a newspaper or a magazine is captured by a camera, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) included in the two-dimensional code is obtained from the image data. Recognize Then, by accessing the Internet based on this URL, search information and commercial information are acquired from the corresponding Web server. Using this type of service is very convenient because the user does not need to input a URL by key operation and can reduce erroneous access.

  However, when reading a two-dimensional code, a user generally picks up a two-dimensional code by grasping a reading device with a built-in camera by hand. For this reason, the entire two-dimensional code may not be within the imaging range (frame) of the camera, and as a result, the two-dimensional code may not be read correctly.

  Therefore, conventionally, a device having a display such as a mobile phone is used, and a two-dimensional code image captured by a camera prior to reading is displayed on the display so that the two-dimensional code to be read is within the imaging range. It can be confirmed whether or not it is within the range (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-277445 A

  However, in such a conventional reading apparatus, since the user captures a two-dimensional code while holding the apparatus with his / her hand, the reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code is likely to deteriorate due to the influence of camera shake or the like. Further, it is necessary to provide a display and its display drive circuit. For this reason, for example, when a remote controller such as a television receiver or a video recording / reproducing device is used as a reading device, the remote controller must be provided with not only a camera but also a display and its display driving circuit. And cost increase.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print information reading apparatus that can always read print information with high accuracy without being affected by camera shake or the like. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a print information reading apparatus that reads print information printed on a medium. First and second portions are respectively provided on a top surface portion and a bottom surface portion of a casing of the device. And an optical system is disposed between the first window and the second window in the housing so that the second window includes a range in which print information on the medium is printed. In the disposed state, the optical system transmits the illumination light incident in the range of the first incident angle through the first window, and the print information of the medium is transmitted through the second window. In addition to irradiating, an optical image of the print information generated by the irradiation is introduced through the second window, then totally reflected, led out into the housing, and imaged on the camera. is there.
Further, the optical system has a first surface facing the first window, a second surface facing the second window, and a third surface facing the camera, and the first surface A first prism having a wedge shape in which an angle between the surface and the second surface is set to the first angle; Then, the illumination light incident through the first window in the range of the first incident angle is introduced from the first surface into the first prism and is derived from the second surface, whereby the print information is obtained. After illuminating and introducing the optical image of the print information by this illumination from the second surface into the first prism, the first prism and the second surface are sequentially totally reflected by the first surface and the third surface. The image is formed on the camera by being derived from the above-mentioned plane.

Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, when the bottom surface portion of the housing is arranged so that the second window includes a range where the print information on the medium is printed, the first surface of the housing top surface portion is arranged. Illumination light incident within the first incident angle range from the window is irradiated to the print medium through the optical system to illuminate the print information, and the optical image of the print information is totally reflected by the optical system to the camera in the housing. Imaged. For this reason, since the print information is imaged in a state where the bottom surface portion of the housing is placed on the print medium, high-precision reading processing can be performed without being affected by camera shake or the like.
In addition, a single prism can exhibit both the function of illuminating print information by introducing illumination light and the function of totally reflecting the optical image of the print information to form an image on the camera in the housing. Thus, printing information can be read with only a small number of optical system components. Also, since the optical image of the print information is totally reflected by the first surface and the second surface, respectively, that is, is totally reflected twice and formed on the camera, an upright image of the print information is captured by the camera. Is possible. For this reason, it is not necessary to invert the image data after the image is received by the camera, and the processing load on the reading circuit unit can be reduced.

One aspect of the present invention is also characterized by comprising the following aspects.
In the first aspect, the optical system transmits the illumination light incident in the second incident angle range through the first window, and then prints information on the medium through the second window. And a function of introducing an optical image of the print information generated by the irradiation through the second window and transmitting the optical image from the first window to the outside of the casing. is there.
With this configuration, at the time of reading, the user can check whether or not the housing is arranged at an appropriate position on the medium through the first window, thereby enabling more accurate reading. It becomes possible. In addition, a display for displaying an image of print information and a display driving circuit thereof are not required, and thus the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.

In a second aspect, the optical system is disposed between the first window and the first surface of the first prism, and the first surface closes the first window; And a third prism having a second surface facing the first surface of the first prism in a state having a gap. The first surface of the first of said illumination light entering through the window is introduced from the first surface to the third in the prism from the second face through the gap first prism It is comprised so that it may inject into.

In a third aspect, the second window is closed by the first prism to form a bottom surface and a flat surface of the casing, and the print information on the medium is printed by the flat surface. The range is configured to be in contact with the surface and flattened.
If comprised in this way, when reading print information, the site | part in which the print information on the medium was printed can be planarized. For this reason, even if the print medium has wrinkles or warpage, the print information can be read and corrected in a flat state, thereby enabling reading with higher accuracy.

According to a fifth aspect, the first or second prism closes the second window to form a bottom surface and a flat surface of the casing, and the flat surface prints the print information on the medium. It is configured so as to abut on the formed range and flatten the range.
If comprised in this way, when reading print information, the site | part in which the print information on the medium was printed can be planarized. For this reason, even if the print medium has wrinkles or warpage, the print information can be read and corrected in a flat state, thereby enabling reading with higher accuracy.

  That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a print information reading apparatus that can perform high-precision reading processing without being affected by camera shake or the like.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a print information reading apparatus according to the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the printing information reading apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure used for the structure of the optical system which is the principal part of the printing information reading apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and its operation | movement description. It is an enlarged view of the boundary part of the optical system shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a print information reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the printing information reading apparatus concerning this invention.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a print information reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.
The print information reading apparatus according to the first embodiment reads a two-dimensional code (QR code) as print information, and is provided in a remote controller used in a television receiver or a video recording / reproducing apparatus.

  The remote controller 1A includes a stick-shaped housing 17a having a rectangular shape, and a numeric keypad 9 and a plurality of function key buttons are disposed on the upper surface of the housing 17a. The function key buttons include a reading button 11 for inputting a reading instruction for a two-dimensional code and a transmission button 12 for inputting a transmission instruction for decoding data of the read two-dimensional code.

  On the other hand, a circuit unit (not shown) necessary for operating the camera 10 and the remote controller 1A is built in the housing 17a. The camera 10 uses a solid-state image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) as an image sensor.

  Further, a communication window (not shown) is provided at the tip of the housing 17a, and the communication unit 13 is attached to the communication window. The communication unit 13 includes, for example, a signal transmitter using infrared rays and a transmission control circuit thereof. The communication unit 13 decodes a remote operation signal and a read two-dimensional code toward a television receiver or a video recording / reproducing apparatus (not shown). Used to send data.

  By the way, a transparent first window 18a made of acrylic resin is provided on the upper surface of the housing 17a, and a transparent second window 19a also made of acrylic resin is provided on the bottom. The surface position of the second window 19a is set to coincide with the surface position of the bottom surface of the housing 17a.

  A reading optical system 30 is installed between the first and second windows 18a and 19a in the housing 17a. The reading optical system 30 includes a reading prism 31a disposed on the second window 19a side, and a reinforcing prism 32a disposed on the first window 18a side. Each of these prisms 31a and 32a is formed by forming an acrylic resin into a wedge shape, and the angle of the tip is set to 20 degrees. The prism 31a is installed with its lower surface in close contact with the second window 19a, and the prism 32a is installed with its upper surface in close contact with the first window 18a. With this installation structure, light is not reflected or refracted at the boundary surface between the prism 32a and the first window 18a and at the boundary surface between the prism 31a and the second window 19a.

The prisms 31a and 32a are installed such that a thin air layer 33a is interposed between the upper surface of the prism 31a and the lower surface of the prism 32a. This is because the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 to be described later is totally reflected on the upper surface of the prism 31a.
In addition, the inner wall surface of the site | part in which the said prisms 31a and 32a in the housing | casing 17a are accommodated is formed in the taper shape so that it may open toward upper direction. The shade of the illumination light by the wall surface is made as little as possible.

By the way, the prism 31a has a first function for forming an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 on the camera 10 and a second function for allowing the user to visually recognize the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first function is that the illumination light OL1 incident in the first incident angle range from the first window 18a of the housing 17a and transmitted through the prisms 32a and 31a is converted into the second function. The printed sheet 20 is irradiated through the window 19a. Then, an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21, which is a reflection image thereof, is introduced into the prism 31a from the second window 19a, and then is totally totally reflected by the upper surface and the lower surface in the prism 31a and derived from the side surface. The image is formed on the camera 10.

  The second function is to irradiate the print sheet 20 with illumination light that is incident from the first window 18a within the second incident angle range and is transmitted through the prisms 32a and 31a via the second window 19a. . Then, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21, which is the reflected light, is introduced into the prism 31a and transmitted therethrough, and further transmitted through the prism 32a to form the optical image OL2 for visually recognizing the two-dimensional code from the first window 18a. Derived above.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the first and second functions. In the figure, the incident angle and the outgoing angle of light on each surface of the prisms 31a and 32a are both shown as angles with respect to the perpendicular of the prism surface.

First, in (2) in the figure, the illumination light OL1 incident through the first window 18a is transmitted through the prisms 32a and 31a and irradiated onto the two-dimensional code 21, and an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 is obtained. This is an example of one of light paths when an image is formed on the camera 10 by sequentially total reflection on the bd surface and the cd surface in the prism 31a.
Now, assuming that the angle of the tip of the prism 31a is set to 20 degrees, the refractive index of the acrylic resin is “1.49”. The minimum exit angle when the image is totally reflected is 42.2 degrees as shown in FIG. Under this condition, the angle of the optical image emitted from the bc plane of the prism 31a with respect to the horizontal plane is 31.67 degrees. Therefore, if the camera 10 is disposed within an angle of 31.67 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane, an optical image of a two-dimensional code can be formed on the camera 10.

Next, (3) in the figure shows that the illumination light incident through the first window 18a passes through the prisms 32a and 31a and is irradiated onto the two-dimensional code 21, and an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 is obtained. This is an example of one of light paths when the light passes through the prisms 31a and 32a and is emitted from the first window 18a as the optical image OL2 for viewing.
Similarly to the prism 31a, when an acrylic resin having a tip portion angle of 20 degrees and a refractive index of “1.49” is used for the prism 32a, for example, as shown in (1) in FIG. When the incident angle of the illumination light with respect to the bd surface in 32a becomes 42.2 degrees or more, the illumination light is totally reflected without passing through the bd surface. At this time, the exit angle of the totally reflected illumination light from the ab plane is 55.4 degrees. Therefore, the user can view the two-dimensional code 21 by viewing the first window 18a with the line of sight in the range of angles larger than 55.4 degrees.

  As described above, the air layer 33a is interposed between the prism 32a and the prism 31a. However, since the space between the air layers 33a is set to be extremely small, the refraction generated when passing through the surfaces of the prisms 32a and 31a can be made extremely small. This is shown in FIG.

  The circuit unit of the remote controller 1A is configured as follows. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration. That is, the circuit unit includes a communication unit 13, an information reading unit 14, a data storage unit 15, a sound effect output unit 16, and a power supply circuit unit (not shown) including a battery.

  When the operation of the reading button 11 is detected, the information reading unit 14 activates the camera 10 to read the image signal of the two-dimensional code 21 from the camera 10 and decodes the two-dimensional code 21 from the read image signal. Then, it is determined whether or not the decryption has been correctly performed. If the decryption has been performed correctly, a sounding signal to that effect is output to the sound effect output unit 16 and data representing the decryption result is transmitted to the data storage unit 15. Output. Even when the decoding is not performed correctly, a sounding signal to that effect is output to the sound effect output unit 16. The function of the information reading unit 14 is realized by causing a central processing unit (CPU) to execute an application program.

The data storage unit 15 uses, for example, an EEPROM or RAM as a storage medium, and stores data representing the result of decoding the two-dimensional code output from the information reading unit 14 in a predetermined area.
The sound effect output unit 16 includes, for example, a sounder or a speaker, and generates a sound corresponding to the sound signal supplied from the information reading unit 14.
When the transmission button 12 is pressed, the communication unit 13 reads data representing the result of decoding the two-dimensional code 21 from the data storage unit 15 by the transmission control circuit, and transmits the read data to the infrared signal from the signal transmitter. Send as. Note that the communication unit 13 is not limited to using infrared rays, and a wireless interface using specific low power such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) can also be used.

Next, the reading operation of the two-dimensional code 21 by the apparatus configured as described above will be described.
In order to read the two-dimensional code 21, the user first places the bottom surface of the remote controller 1A on the print sheet 20. In this state, the illumination light incident through the first window 18a is transmitted through the prisms 32a and 31a to be applied to the print sheet 20, and the optical image of the print sheet 20 is transmitted through the prisms 31a and 32a. Then, it is emitted from the first window 18a as a visual optical image OL2. An example of the light path of the optical image OL2 for visual recognition at this time is shown in FIG.

  In this state, the user adjusts his / her line-of-sight direction to an angle range larger than 55.4 degrees with respect to the upper surface of the prism 32a, that is, the upper surface of the first window 18a as shown in FIG. Then, the user can visually recognize the description information on the print sheet 20 through the first window 18a. By moving the remote controller 1A in this state, the two-dimensional code 21 of the print sheet 20 as shown in FIG. Can be positioned so that the printed area is accommodated in the second window 19a.

  When the reading position is determined, the illumination light OL1 transmitted through the first window 18a, the prisms 32a and 31a, and the second window 19a is applied to the two-dimensional code 21 of the printing sheet 20. Then, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21, which is a reflection image of the illumination, is incident on the prism 31a through the second window 19a, and then totally reflected by the upper surface and the lower surface in the prism 31a, and the prism 31a. And imaged on the camera 10. An example of the light path of the illumination light OL1 and the optical image of the two-dimensional code at this time is shown in FIG.

  When the user presses the reading button 11 of the remote controller 1A in this state, the information reading unit 14 activates the camera 10. As a result, an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 formed by the prism 31 a is picked up by the camera 10, and the image signal is taken into the information reading unit 14. The information reading unit 14 performs a decoding process of the two-dimensional code 21 on the captured image signal of the two-dimensional code 21, and determines whether or not the decoding is correctly performed. If the decoding is correctly performed, the sound output to the effect is output from the sound effect output unit 16, and the data representing the decoding result is output to a predetermined area in the data storage unit 15. Remember. If the decoding is not performed correctly, the sound effect output unit 16 outputs a sound to that effect.

  It is assumed that the user confirms that decoding has been performed correctly by the above sound and presses the send button 12. Then, the transmission control circuit in the communication unit 13 reads data representing the result of decoding the two-dimensional code 21 from the data storage unit 15 and transmits an infrared signal corresponding to the read data from the transmitter to a television receiver (not shown). Alternatively, it is transmitted to the video recording / reproducing apparatus.

  When the television receiver or the video recording / reproducing apparatus receives the data representing the result of decoding the two-dimensional code 21, the television receiver or video recording / reproducing apparatus performs, for example, a recording reservation registration process for the program based on the received data. Further, if the television receiver or the video recording / reproducing apparatus can be connected to a communication network such as the Internet, the data is transmitted to the Web server via the communication network, and the program related information and commercial distributed from the Web server are transmitted. Receive service information and display it on the screen.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the first and second windows 18a and 19a are provided on the top surface and bottom surface of the housing 17a of the remote controller 1A, respectively, and the space between these windows 18a and 19a is provided. An optical system 30 composed of prisms 31a and 32a is disposed on the surface. Then, the illumination light OL1 incident from the first window 18a and transmitted through the prisms 32a and 31a is applied to the print sheet 20 through the second window 19a, and the reflected light of the two-dimensional code 21 is reflected. An optical image is introduced from the second window 19a into the prism 31a, and then totally reflected by the upper surface and the lower surface in the prism 31a and led out from the side surface to form an image on the camera 10.

  At the same time, illumination light incident from the first window 18a and transmitted through the prisms 32a and 31a is applied to the print sheet 20 through the second window 19a, and the two-dimensional code 21 which is the reflected light is irradiated. These optical images are transmitted through the prisms 31a and 32a, respectively, and led out from the first window 18a to the upper side of the housing 17a as an optical image OL2 for two-dimensional code viewing.

  Therefore, when reading the two-dimensional code 21, the user printed the print sheet 20 by moving the housing 17a while visually recognizing the optical image OL2 for viewing the two-dimensional code through the first window 19a. The two-dimensional code 21 can be positioned so as to be accommodated within the range of the second window 19a. When this positioning is performed, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 is introduced into the prism 31a from the second window 19a, and then totally reflected by the upper surface and the lower surface in the prism 31a and derived from the side surface. And imaged on the camera 10. This eliminates the need for a display for confirming the imaging range of the two-dimensional code 21 and its display drive circuit, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and price of the remote controller 1A.

  In addition, since the two-dimensional code 21 is imaged in a state where the bottom surface of the housing 17a is placed on the print sheet 20, it is possible to eliminate the influence of camera shake. Moreover, since the surface position of the second window 19a coincides with the surface position of the bottom surface of the casing 17a, the two-dimensional code on the printing sheet 20 is placed when the bottom surface of the casing 17a is placed on the printing sheet 20. The portion on which 21 is printed can be flattened. For this reason, even if the two-dimensional code 21 has wrinkles or warpage, the two-dimensional code 21 can be read in a flat state by correcting the wrinkles and warpage, thereby enabling reading with higher accuracy.

  In this embodiment, since the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 is totally reflected twice in the prism 31a and formed on the camera 10, an upright image of the two-dimensional code 21 can be captured by the camera 10. As a result, it is not necessary to invert the image data after imaging, and the image processing can be simplified.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, only by using one prism 31a as a reading optical system, the illumination light OL1 is introduced to illuminate the two-dimensional code 21, and the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 is totally reflected. Thus, it is possible to exhibit both of the functions of forming an image on the camera 10 in the housing 17a, and thus there is an advantage that the reading of the two-dimensional code 21 can be realized only by using a small number of optical system components.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a reinforcing prism 32a is arranged between the first window 18a and the reading prism 31a. For this reason, the first window 18a of the housing 17a is closed by the prism 32a. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent dust from entering the housing 17a from the first window 18a. In addition, the casing 17a can be reinforced by arranging the prism 32a so as to contact both side surfaces of the casing 17a. Therefore, the structural reliability of the device can be enhanced by the prism 32a.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a prism having a tip angle set to 30 degrees is provided as a reading prism. Then, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 is totally reflected once by the prism and is led out of the casing and formed on the camera 10.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the print information reading apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, a transparent first window 18b made of acrylic resin is formed on the top surface of the remote controller 1B on the front end side of the housing 17b, and a transparent second window 19b made of acrylic resin is formed on the bottom surface. Each is provided. The surface position of the second window 19b is set to coincide with the surface position of the bottom surface of the housing 17b.

  A reading optical system is installed between the first and second windows 18a and 19a in the housing 17b. This optical system for reading includes a reading prism 31b disposed on the second window 19b side, and a reinforcing prism 32b disposed on the first window 18b side. Each of the prisms 31b and 32b is formed by forming an acrylic resin into a wedge shape, and the angle of the tip is set to 30 degrees.

  Further, the lower surface of the prism 31b and the upper surface of the prism 32b are installed in close contact with the second window 19b and the first window 18b, respectively, as in the first embodiment. With this structure, light is not reflected or refracted at the boundary surface between the prism 32b and the first window 18b and at the boundary surface between the prism 31b and the second window 19b.

Furthermore, the prisms 31b and 32b are disposed such that a thin air layer 33b is interposed between the upper surface of the prism 31b and the lower surface of the prism 32b. This is because the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 described later is totally reflected on the upper surface of the prism 31b.
In addition, the inner wall surface of the part in which the prisms 31b and 32b are accommodated in the housing 17b is formed in a tapered shape so as to open upward. The shade of the illumination light by the wall surface is made as little as possible.

By the way, as in the first embodiment, the prism 31b has a first function for forming an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 on the camera 10 and a second function for allowing the user to visually recognize the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21. It has.
As shown in FIG. 6, the first function is that the illumination light OL1 incident in the first incident angle range from the first window 18b of the housing 17b and transmitted through the prisms 32b and 31b is converted into the second function. The printed sheet 20 is irradiated through the window 19b. Then, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 that is the reflected image is introduced into the prism 31b from the second window 19b, and then is totally reflected once by the upper surface in the prism 31b and is derived from the side surface. An image is formed on the camera 10.

  The second function is to irradiate the print sheet 20 with illumination light that is incident from the first window 18b in the range of the second incident angle and transmitted through the prisms 32b and 31b via the second window 19b. . Then, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 that is the reflected light is introduced into the prism 31b and transmitted, and further transmitted through the prism 32b, and is transmitted through the first window 18b as an optical image for visually recognizing the two-dimensional code. Derived upward.

  Because of this configuration, when the user intends to read the two-dimensional code 21, the user first places the bottom surface of the remote controller 1B on the print sheet 20. In this state, the illumination light incident through the first window 18b is transmitted through the prisms 32b and 31b and irradiated onto the print sheet 20, and the optical image of the print sheet 20 is transmitted through the prisms 31b and 32b. Then, the light is emitted from the first window 18b as a visual optical image. Note that the visible range of the optical image for visual recognition is determined by the intrinsic refractive index (1.49) of the material of the prism 32b and the angle of the reflecting surface (30 degrees). Therefore, the user can visually recognize the description information on the print sheet 20 through the first window 18b by adjusting his / her line-of-sight direction to the above-described angle range that can be visually recognized. Then, by moving the remote controller 1B in this state, the two-dimensional code 21 of the print sheet 20 can be positioned so as to be accommodated in the second window 19a as shown in FIG.

  When the reading position is determined, the illumination light OL1 transmitted through the first window 18b, the prisms 32b and 31b, and the second window 19b is applied to the two-dimensional code 21 of the printing sheet 20. Then, the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21, which is a reflection image of the illumination, is incident on the prism 31b through the second window 19b, and then totally reflected by the upper surface in the prism 31b, and from the side surface of the prism 31b. The light is emitted and imaged on the camera 10. Note that the imageable range by the camera 10 at this time is also determined by the intrinsic refractive index (1.49) of the material of the prism 32b and the angle of the reflecting surface (30 degrees), as in the first embodiment.

  When the user presses the reading button 11 of the remote controller 1B in this state, the information reading unit 14 activates the camera 10, and the camera 10 captures an optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 formed by the prism 31b. The The subsequent operations from image signal capture to decoding data transmission are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the first and second windows 18b and 19b are provided on the top surface and the bottom surface of the front end side of the casing 17b of the remote controller 1B, respectively, and the space between these windows 18b and 19b. Are arranged with prisms 31a and 31b whose tip angle is set to 30 degrees. Then, the printing sheet 20 is irradiated with illumination light OL1 incident from the first window 18b and transmitted through the prisms 32b and 31b through the second window 19b, and the optical image of the two-dimensional code 21 which is a reflection image thereof. The image is totally reflected once by the prism 31b, led out into the housing 17b, and formed on the camera 10.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the range of the angle at which total reflection is possible on the upper surface of the prism 31b can be increased, so that the camera in the housing 17b can be enlarged. The degree of freedom of the ten arrangement positions can be further increased.

(Other embodiments)
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the print information reading device is provided in the remote controller of the television receiver or the video recording / reproducing device has been described as an example. However, in the personal computer, the cooking device, the car navigation device, etc. The present invention can also be applied to a remote controller to be used.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first windows 18a and 18b and the prisms 32a and 32b, and the second windows 19a and 19b and the prisms 31a and 31b are configured by separate parts. The first windows 18a and 18b may be configured by part of 32a and 32b, and the second windows 19a and 19b may be configured by part of the prisms 31a and 31b. In the first and second embodiments, the reinforcing prisms 32a and 32b are provided in addition to the reading prisms 31a and 31b. However, the reinforcing prisms 32a and 32b are not necessarily provided.

  In addition, the angle and installation position of the prism, the installation position of the camera in the housing, the shape of the housing, the type of print information, and the like can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in each embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B ... Print information reading apparatus (remote controller), 9 ... Numeric keypad button, 10 ... Camera, 11 ... Reading button, 12 ... Transmission button, 13 ... Communication part, 14 ... Information reading part, 15 ... Data storage part, 16 ... sound effect output unit, 30 ... reading optical system, 31a, 31b ... reading prism, 32a, 32b ... reinforcing prism, 33a ... air layer, 17a, 17b ... casing, 18a, 18b ... first window , 19a, 19b ... second window, 20 ... printed sheet, 21 ... two-dimensional code (QR code).

Claims (4)

In a print information reading device that reads print information printed on a medium,
A housing provided with a first window on the top surface and a second window on the bottom surface, the second window being arranged so as to include a range in which print information on the medium is printed at the time of reading;
The second light is disposed between the first window and the second window in the housing, and transmits the illumination light incident through the first window in the first incident angle range, and then the second light. Irradiating the print information of the medium through the window and introducing an optical image of the print information generated by the irradiation through the second window and then totally reflecting the optical information into the housing. The system,
A camera provided in the housing, receiving an optical image of the print information derived into the housing by the optical system, converting the received image into an image signal, and outputting the image signal ;
The optical system is
A first surface facing the first window; a second surface facing the second window; a third surface facing the camera; and the first surface and the second surface. A first prism having a wedge shape in which an angle between the first surface and the second surface is set to a first angle;
Illumination light is incident on the print information by introducing the illumination light incident in the range of the first incident angle through the first window into the first prism from the first surface and deriving from the second surface. Then, after introducing the optical image of the print information generated by the illumination from the second surface into the first prism, the first information is sequentially totally reflected by the first surface and the second surface in the first prism. A print information reading apparatus, wherein the image is formed on the camera by being derived from a third surface . The optical system is
The illumination light incident in the range of the second incident angle through the first window is transmitted, and then the print information of the medium is irradiated through the second window and generated by the irradiation. The print information according to claim 1, further comprising a function of introducing an optical image of the print information through the second window and then transmitting the optical image to the outside of the housing from the first window. Reader. The optical system is
A third prism disposed between the first window and the first surface of the first prism;
The third prism has a first surface for closing said first window, the second surface facing in a state with a gap relative to the first surface of the first prism, the second through the gap from the second surface by introducing be incident on the first surface of the first prism to the illumination light incident through the first window from the first plane the third prism The print information reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The first prism has a second surface that forms a bottom surface and a flat surface of the housing in the second window, thereby abutting a range where the print information on the medium is printed and The print information reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the print information reading apparatus has a function of flattening a range.

Images