JPH02275597A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simply read out a bar code from a remote place by irradiating a bar code consisting of light recursive reflector with a laser beam projected from a cylindrical body and collecting the effective reflected light by a condensing means arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body. CONSTITUTION:When the bar code of a commodity is targeted by a pistol type bar code reader 4 from a remote place and an operation means 34 is operated, a laser beam projected from a He-Ne gas laser tube 5 is projected through an optical system barrel 24 and a laser irradiation hole 27 and made incident upon the bar code consisting of the light recursive reflector. The effective reflected light from the reflector is made incident upon a photoelectric conversion means 38 through a Fresnel lens 28, converted into an electric signal and supplied to a decoder circuit through a preamplifier 37 and the code. Since the power of the effective reflected light inputted to the photoelectric conversion means in the bar code reader is high, the bar code can be easily read out from a remote place.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a hand belt type barcode league.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention relates to a hand belt type barcode league, which includes a cylindrical body configured to house a focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus of a laser beam and an optical system for barcode irradiation, and to emit a laser beam from one end thereof. and,
A focusing means disposed on the outer periphery of the cylinder for irradiating a laser beam emitted from the cylinder onto a barcode made of a light recursive reflector and condensing the effective reflected light, and a part of the cylinder. a photoelectric conversion means housing part provided continuously to the cylinder body and housing a photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting light from the condensing means; and a handle part provided continuously to the cylinder body on the other end side of the cylinder body. The barcode league is provided with an operating means for controlling the emission of a laser beam, which is provided on the handle, so that barcodes can be easily read from a distance.

(Conventional technology) Barcode readers have traditionally been used as logistics management systems.

Warehouse management is done through POS (Point of 5ale)
) It is used as an identification mark for the target item in systems, etc. An example of a conventional physical distribution management system using barcodes is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, a product (2) is placed on a conveyor (1) moving at a constant speed, and a bar code (3) is attached to the top surface of the product (2).

The barcode (3) code is generally as shown in Figure 7.
It consists of a black part bar (3a) that absorbs the light printed on the label and a white part bar (3b) that diffusely reflects the light.

In the barcode reader (4), (5) is a laser tube that generates a laser beam (6) for reading the barcode (3), and (7) is for adjusting the beam diameter of the laser beam (6). It is a focusing lens. Laser beam (
6) is incident on a polygon mirror (10) whose direction is changed by a prism (8) and a fixed reflector (9) so that the angle of the reflecting surface alternately changes, and the polygon mirror (10) is connected to a motor (11). ), a scanning light beam (12) is generated. Scanning light beam (
12) is sequentially reflected by three fixed reflecting mirrors (13), (14) and (15) and scans the barcode (3) in three directions. Reflected light from barcode (3) (1
In step 6), the light returning near the incident direction of the scanning light beam (12), that is, the effective reflected light (17), is reflected by the focusing mirror (18) and enters the photoelectric converter (19). A through hole (18a) through which the laser beam (6) can pass is bored in the center of the focusing reflection tU (18). Further, the photoelectric converter (19) outputs an electric signal corresponding to the strength of the effective reflected light (17), and the electric signal is sent to the video amplifier (20).
is amplified. Although the subsequent processing circuit is omitted, for example, the video signal output from the video amplifier (20) is binarized with an appropriate darkness value, and then the code is decoded.

When reading barcodes printed on labels, etc. with such a barcode reader, the effective reflected light is extremely weak, and a highly sensitive detector such as a photomultiplier tube is required as a photoelectric converter (19). In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present applicant previously proposed a barcode (21a) using a light recursive reflector (23) that reflects the incident light beam to the barcode substantially in the direction of incidence, as shown in FIG. Proposed.

Figure 8 shows a positive type bead-shaped barcode (21a)
First, a light recursive reflector (23) is placed on the bright area (22a) on the substrate (22) such as cardboard, where the incident light should be reflected.
The dark area (22b) that does not reflect incident light is left as the bare surface of the substrate (22). The dark area (22b) that does not reflect the incident light may be printed with light-absorbing black, etc., and the light-returning reflector (23) reflects light with a large number of tiny glass beads (23a) without any gaps. Mount (2)
3b) and has the function of returning reflected light (16) substantially in the direction of incidence when the scanning light beam (12) is incident thereon. Therefore, if the scanning light beam is shown by the arrow (12')
When the reflected light (16') is incident from the direction indicated by the arrow (12'), most of the power of the reflected light (16') is concentrated in the direction of the arrow (12').

For example, as glass beads (23a), 1 inch 200
According to the experimental results when glass beads screened with a mesh sieve are used, that is, when the diameter d of the glass beads is about 0.1 mm, it is found that the light recursive reflector (23) of the scanning light beam (12)
) The diameter φ of the beam spot (12a) on
m, and when the distance from the beam spot (12a) is about 500 mm, the reflected light (16) has a diameter Φ of about 12 mm centered on the incident direction of the scanning light beam (12).
were distributed within a circle. Therefore, this reflected light (16)
becomes the effective reflected light (17), which is a component that almost directly enters the photoelectric converter (19).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the above barcode reader (4), a scanning mechanism such as a polygon mirror (10) is required, and the device becomes large, making it unsuitable for a hand belt type. was there. Of course, as a hand belt type barcode reader, a bent type barcode reader has been proposed, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-49964. However, since this Ben-type hand scanner is used by pressing the tip of the hand scanner against the barcode (3), it is troublesome for warehouse management and the like to have to walk around a large warehouse.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a handheld barcode reader that can read barcodes from a distance.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Examples of the barcode reader of the present invention are shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, a focus adjustment means (25) for adjusting the focus of the laser beam (6) and a barcode irradiation optical system (24) are arranged and housed, and the laser beam is emitted from one end. Cylindrical body (26)
The barcode (21a) (21
a') and a condensing means (28) disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body for condensing the effective emitted light (17);
A photoelectric conversion means storage part (29) is provided continuously in a part of the cylindrical body (26) and stores a photoelectric conversion means (38) that photoelectrically converts the light from the condensing means (28), and a handle portion (35) provided continuously on the cylindrical body (26) on the other end side;
The handle part (35) is provided with an operating means (34) for controlling the emission of the laser beam (6).

[Effect]

Since the barcode used in the barcode reader of the present invention uses a photoregressive reflector, most of the laser beam irradiated from the barcode league is reflected by the code and input into the photoelectric conversion means of the barcode league. Since it is an effective reflected light, barcodes can be easily read from a distance.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the barcode reader of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Note that parts corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 8 in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view of the barcode league of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the barcode league (4) is a synthetic resin container (39) molded into a substantially pistol shape so as to be of a hand belt type. That is, this pistol-shaped container (39) is cylindrical and has a laser irradiation hole (27) at the tip, and has a laser source (5) and an optical system barrel (24).
A cylindrical body (26) containing a photoelectric conversion means (38), a photoelectric conversion means storage part (2) containing a preamplifier (37), etc.
9) High-voltage electricity (35) that also drives the laser source (5)
It has a handle part (35) which is equipped with an operating means (34) for controlling the emission of the laser beam (6).

Laser irradiation hole (27) provided at the tip of the cylinder (26)
For example, a He--Ne gas laser tube of about 0.5 mm is housed on the opposite side. Of course, a semiconductor laser can also be used as the laser source. The high voltage that drives this 1ie-Ne gas laser tube is driven by a high voltage power source (36). This high voltage power supply (36) is housed within the handle (35). An operating means (34) for operating and controlling laser beam emission is slidably disposed on the handle (35), and when this operating means (34) is pressed, the high voltage power source (36) and 1le are connected.
- A switch (not shown) disposed between the He-Ne gas laser tube (5) is pressed and the He-Ne gas laser tube (5)
A laser beam is emitted from the An optical system barrel (24) is disposed at the front of the cylinder (26) in which the 1ie-Ne gas laser tube (5) is housed. This optical system barrel (
24) It has an optical system called an expander, which consists of an objective lens and an eye lens similar to a telescope.
The laser beam is expanded and irradiated onto the barcode through the laser irradiation hole (27). Pistol-shaped container (39)
There is a focus adjustment knob (25) on the outside of the cylinder body (26).
By finely adjusting this focus adjustment knob (25), a part of the optical system inside the optical system barrel (24) can be moved along the optical axis without changing the image point position. Since the focal length can be changed, it is used for both near and far vision.

Furthermore, a condensing lens such as a Fresnel lens as shown in Figure 3 (
28) is fitted on the outside of the cylinder (26). (37) is a through hole bored in the Fresnel lens for fitting into the cylindrical body (26), and is provided at a position offset from the center position of the Fresnel lens (28). A Fresnel lens is made up of several annular lenses to reduce its thickness.

Photoelectric conversion means storage part (29) of pistol-shaped container (39)
) is provided with a photoelectric conversion means (38) and a preamplifier (37). The photoelectric conversion means (38) includes, for example, lenses (30) (32), a filter (31), and a photoelectric converter (33) such as a photodiode, and emits a laser beam from the laser irradiation hole (27) to the barcode (21a). The reflected effective reflected light (17) enters the photoelectric conversion means (38) via the Fresnel lens (28), is converted into an electrical signal by the photodiode (33), and is supplied to the preamplifier (37). After that, it is supplied to an externally provided decoder circuit or the like via a cord passing through the handle part (35). The decoder circuit converts the barcode signal into alphanumeric characters and the like. Accessory parts such as a decoder circuit can be placed away from the pistol-shaped container (39) to make it a nosed helmet.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of how to use the barcode league of the present invention, in which a barcode (21a') corresponding to the type of product is affixed to many products (2a) arranged in a warehouse or the like. This barcode (21a') will be explained with reference to FIG.

Figure 5 shows a light recursive reflector (2) similar to that explained in Figure 8.
3a), but a negative type bead-shaped barcode (
21a'), and this bead-shaped barcode (21a'
) is a glass piece (23a) stuck on a substrate (22).
) and a mount (23b).
The part corresponding to the bright part (22a) in FIG. 8 is cut out. In the case of a negative type, the light reflecting area is wide, so it is convenient to search for the location of the code.

As shown in Fig. 4, the barcode (21a') of the product (2a) with the barcode pasted thereon is aimed from a distance with a pistol-shaped barcode league (4) and the operating means (34)
), the laser beam (6) emitted from the He-Ne gas laser tube (5) will be emitted through the optical system barrel (24) and the laser irradiation hole (27), and will be directed to the light recursive reflector (2).
3), the effective reflected light (17) from the manual reflector (23) passes through the Fresnel lens (28), enters the photoelectric conversion means (38), and is converted into electricity. The signal is converted into a signal, supplied to a decoder circuit via a preamplifier (37) and a code, converted into alphanumeric characters corresponding to each barcode (21a'), and displayed on a display means or the like.

Here, since the bright part of the barcode (21a') has a light return property, the reflected light (16) at the bright part becomes almost effective reflected light (17). Specifically, reflected light (16)
The solid angle of
The output signal is approximately 1000 times larger than that of the conventional method. Therefore, there is no need to use an expensive device such as a photomultiplier tube as a photoelectric converter such as a photodiode, and the amplifier circuit is also greatly simplified.

In the above embodiment, the 1le-Ne gas laser is formed into a cylinder (26).
Although we have explained the case where the laser source is built into the container (
39), and the container (39) and the laser source may be connected by an optical fiber or the like. Also, high voltage power supply (36
) need not be placed inside the handle portion (35) and may be placed outside.

Incidentally, the barcode league of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and of course, changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the barcode used in the barcode league of the present invention is constructed using a light recursive reflector that reflects incident light substantially in the direction of incidence, effective reflected light to the barcode league is reduced. It is possible to obtain a hand belt-type barcode league which can have much higher power than the conventional one, can simplify the light receiving part, and can reduce cost because it does not have a scanning mechanism, and is convenient to carry.

Furthermore, since the power of the effective reflected light is large, the code can be reliably read even if the distance between the barcode and the barcode league is large.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the barcode league of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the barcode league of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front and side view of a Fresnel lens. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of how to use the barcode league of the present invention, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a barcode used in the present invention, and Figure 6 is a diagram of a conventional logistics management system using barcodes. A schematic diagram, FIG. 7 is a plan view of a conventional barcode, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional barcode. (4) is a barcode league, (6) is a laser beam, (
17) is an effective reflected light, (21a) (21a') is a bar code, (23) is a light recursive reflector, and (28) is a Fresnel lens. Agent Hidemori Matsukuma

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A cylindrical body configured to house a focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus of a laser beam and an optical system for irradiating a barcode, and to emit a laser beam from one end of the cylindrical body; a condensing means disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body for irradiating the emitted laser beam onto a barcode made of an optically recursive reflector and condensing the effective reflected light; a photoelectric conversion means housing part that is continuously provided and stores a photoelectric conversion means that photoelectrically converts light from the light condensing means; and a handle part that is provided on the other end side of the cylinder body and that is continuous with the cylinder body. A barcode reader comprising: and an operating means provided on the handle portion to operate and control emission of the laser beam.