JPH02264383A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability by providing an image sensor and a photosensor which detect a bar code, and selectively reading the bar code by means of the image sensor or the photosensor based on an external signal. CONSTITUTION:In the case of a bar code reader 9 obtained by integrally incorporating a photosensor 7 into an image sensor 5, a mode to be read by means of the photosensor 7 is set by the switch of a case or a communication signal from a host, and by operating a bar code reader 9, a bar code 1 can be read by the image sensor 5 or the photosensor 7. Thus even the long code 1 having digits and a code which is attached to a bag or a can and whose read is difficult can be read by a single bar code reader 9, and the operability can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a barcode reader used in POS and the like.

Conventional technology barcodes include JAN, RAN, and UPC codes that have a fixed number of digits as codes for products and miscellaneous goods, as well as ymu, logistics, and 0.
The number of constituent digits is undefined as a code for a program (jODX39
, CODIC128, NW7. There are such things as ITF. Conventionally, when reading the former type of code, a pen-type barcode reader using an image sensor was often used.

In other words, codes for merchandise and miscellaneous goods do not necessarily have barcodes with a hard, flat surface, such as those on bags or borrowed items, so the operator must touch the barcode with the reader and read it at a constant speed, as in a pen-type system. Even if it is not possible, an image sensor type is preferred, which has a reading depth of 10-odd n and can read the bar code by self-scanning by simply keeping the reading port stationary over the bar code.

On the other hand, in the case of the code for Fm, logistics, and 0m, C0D13
9, C0D1E128, NW7, ITF is a bar code with an indefinite length of constituent digits, attached to a hard and flat surface, and its length in the reading digit direction is 1.
6 ('II), some barcode readers reach 20 cWI, and the image sensor type requires an extremely wide reading margin, which causes problems in reading accuracy and operability, so pen-type barcode readers have been used.

Problems that the invention aims to solve In recent years, with the advancement of barcode systems, retail.

1mu, 0mu, JAN, JEAN given to soft-surfaced items like bags in logistics applications.

U P O/<-:=r -F and C0DK39, C0
Barcodes such as DIE128°NWy and ITF, which have an undefined number of digits, are now being used together.

In order to accommodate this, it is necessary to prepare two types of barcode readers, a pen type and an image sensor type, which makes it complicated to use the correct one, and there are problems with connection to the host and the cost of having two types of readers. This was a major obstacle to the development of the Ashi system.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the problems, the barcode reader of the present invention is provided with an image sensor and a sensor for detecting barcodes, and the barcode is read by the image sensor or the barcode is read by the image sensor according to an external signal. It is an L7'c barcode reader that allows you to choose whether to read it with a photo sensor.

The functions of a pen-type barcode reader are integrated into an image sensor-type barcode reader, and you can select which sensor to use for reading using a switch installed in the case or a communication signal from the outside, so you can use just one device. It is compatible with reading various barcodes and has extremely good operability.

Example FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, 1 is a barcode, 2 is a light source that illuminates the barcode 1, and two IaKDIs having a wavelength of eaonm are arranged on a line. 3 is a mirror that collects the reflected light from the barcode 1 and guides it to /Z4. Condenser lens 4 has a focal length of 30ff
It is a Tessa type lens. 6 is CO of 2048 pin cells
In the D image sensor, the -scanning period is em5ea. 6 is a sensor section of this image sensor 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a photosensor (photodiode) disposed within one chip of this image sensor 6, and its sensitivity characteristics are almost the same as those of image sensor #1. 8 is this image sensor 6
and processing means for processing signals from the photosensor 7, a specific example of which is shown in FIG. 2 and described later.

9 is a hand-held barcode league, 1o is a cable that connects this barcode reader 9 with a host such as a POS or a computer, and is used to transmit data read by the barcode reader 9 and specify reading operations to the barcode reader 9. , supplies power. Furthermore, 11.12 is the photo sensor 7.
An example is shown in which the image is read and placed at the edge or center of the white. In FIG. 2, 13 is an amplifier circuit composed of operational amplifiers, 14 is a filter circuit also composed of operational amplifiers, 15 is an amplifier circuit composed of operational amplifiers, etc., and 16 is the output of the filter circuit 14 and the output of the amplifier circuit 16. This is an analog switch that selects the
(according to the command of B). 17 is a binarization circuit, and here a floating binarization circuit composed of an operational amplifier and the like is adopted. Reference numeral 18 denotes a one-chip microcomputer, which includes 1 eK bytes of ROM and 512 bytes of RAM, and performs bar code input/detection processing, decoding processing, and communication processing with the outside based on the output data of the binarization circuit 17. 19 is a communication processing circuit for communicating with the outside. Now, photosensor 7
The selection of whether to input the barcode using the image sensor 6 or the image sensor 6 can also be made by a communication signal (command) from a host such as a POS.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the barcode reader of this embodiment is used to read a barcode having a number of digits greater than the width of the reading port. In other words, in the case of a barcode reader in which the photosensor 7 is integrated into the image sensor 5, first switch 2o on the case to the mode where the photosensor 7 reads.
The bar code can be read by operating the bar code reader 9 as shown in FIG. 3B, or by operating the bar code reader 9 as shown in FIG. 3B.

Note that in FIG. 2, signals from the image sensor 5 and the photosensor 7 are switched by the analog switch 1e, but this is just an example; for example, the output of the photosensor 7 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 15, It is also possible to provide a binarization circuit 17, input both signals to the microcomputer 18, and select and process them by the microcomputer 18. In addition, in this FIG. 2, the control of the LICD for illumination and the buzzer element when reading is completed is omitted.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which a photo sensor was attached to an image sensor type barcode reader, but laser or I4D
It is also effective to attach this photosensor to a reader that scans light and reads barcodes without contact, such as when reading barcodes with a large number of digits beyond the range of non-contact reading. Regarding the barcode import and decoding processes of the microcomputer, the barcode width data input from the image sensor and the barcode width data input by manual scanning are different, so a program to count the barcode width and a barcode decoder are required. Some of the programs you want to use can be automatically selected according to these settings.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, by combining an image sensor and a photo sensor, a single device can read long codes with many digits, as well as codes that are difficult to read with a pen attached to bags or borrowed cans. It can be read with a barcode reader, which improves operability and has tremendous economic effects, and has great industrial value.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a transparent perspective view of a barcode reader showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram of the same barcode reader,
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing how the barcode reader is used. 1...Barcode, 2...llCD,
5... Image sensor, 7... Photo sensor, 8... Control circuit section, 9... Barcode reader, 11.12...・Photo sensor, 16... Analog switch, 18...
・Microcomputer, 19...Communication circuit, 20...
··switch. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and 1 other person (A) (β)

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) In a barcode reader that reads barcodes using an image sensor, a photosensor that detects the barcode is provided, and it is possible to select whether to read the barcode with the image sensor or the photosensor based on an external signal. barcode reader. (2) The barcode reader according to claim 1, wherein the photo sensor is arranged integrally within the image sensor. (3) The barcode reader according to claim 1, wherein the photo sensor is arranged near the reading port. (4) The barcode reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an external signal setting means provided in the case allows selection of whether the barcode is read by an image sensor or a photo sensor. (5) The barcode reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is possible to select whether to read the barcode using an image sensor or a photo sensor based on a communication signal from the outside.