JPH0276086A - Multi-bar code reader with automatic identification function for pre-processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a multi-bar code reader in which execution time is shortened and with a few amount of dispersion in a time according to a kind of code by segmenting only code information from a scan signal after binarization, next, identifying the kind of code of the information, and starting up a corresponding decoder based on the result of identification. CONSTITUTION:A margin detecting means 14 segments only a part related to a bar code by eliminating unrequired information from a digital signal from a binarization means 13. In other words, the unrequired information due to a printed matter, etc., mixed in the neighborhood of the bar code information can be eliminated by extracting only the information of a bar code part, and the amount of information to be processed can be reduced, thereby, the identification processing of the kind of code by an automatic identification means 15 and a decoding processing by a decoder means 16 can be performed smoothly. Also, by identifying the kind of code that is a target of scan before a processing is shifted to the decoding processing, it is not required to perform a waste decoding processing predicting the kind of code that is outside the target of scan, and reading can be completed rapidly in one time of decoding processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a multi-barcode reader that can quickly read multiple types of barcodes.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when trying to respond to requests for reading multiple types of barcodes with a single barcode reader,
It was necessary for the user to replace the ROM and change switch settings.

However, since this is inconvenient, barcode readers that can handle multiple types of barcodes without replacing the ROM or changing switch settings have recently been commercialized. All of these products execute decoding processing in tandem for each of multiple types of barcodes to be read, and if there is a code type that completes decoding processing without being rejected, the decoding processing is stopped at that point. This makes it possible to read multiple types of barcodes.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, if decoding processing is performed in tandem for each target barcode type, the reading completion time will vary greatly depending on the code type, and code types that are slower in the decoding processing queue will take longer to complete reading. Put it away.

Further, in the case of cascade processing within the decoding means, the processing path taken until the reading of the barcode to be scanned is completed becomes extremely complicated.

In addition, since the target code type identification process is performed on the entire barcode, the number of processing patterns that must be assumed becomes extremely large, and calculation of the allowable error for identification becomes complicated. Moreover, since the calculation is inseparable from the performance of each decoder, there is the inconvenience that if the processing program within the decoding means is changed, the calculation must be redone.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a margin detection means to first cut out only the barcode part from the binarized scanning signal.Next, this cut out signal is passed through automatic identification means. Identify the code type of the barcode to be scanned. Then, based on this identification result, a decoder corresponding to the identification code type in the decoding means is activated.

The apparatus configuration of the present invention for executing such processing is described in the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure. 11 in the figure is a barcode to be scanned. Further, 12 is a scanner, which generates an analog signal according to the light reflectance of the constituent bars of the bar code, the spaces between the bars, and the like.

13 is a binarization means, which converts the analog signal from the scanner 12 into a binary digital signal depending on whether it is larger or smaller than the threshold signal generated from the signal itself.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a margin detection means, which removes unnecessary information from the digital signal from the binarization means 13 and cuts out only the portion related to the barcode. Since the barcode information is between the front and rear margins in the scanning direction, this cutting is performed by detecting the front and rear margins in the scanning direction and extracting the signal between the margins.

15 is an automatic identification means. The identification means 15 identifies the code type of the barcode cut out by the margin detection means, using the unique characteristic portions found in each of the barcodes to be read as a determination material.

Decoding means 16 executes decoding processing for the code type based on the code identification result from the automatic identification means 15.

[Effect]

If the margin detection means 14 extracts only the information of the barcode part, the amount of information to be processed will be reduced because redundant information due to printed matter mixed before and after the barcode information will be removed. Code type identification processing and decoding processing by the decoding means 16 are facilitated.

Furthermore, if the automatic identification means 15 identifies the barcode type to be scanned before proceeding to the decoding process, there is no need to perform wasteful decoding process assuming code types that are not to be scanned. The decoding process is started by a compatible decoder, and reading can be quickly completed with a single decoding process.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a barcode reader that processes information signals from a scanner using a microprocessor. are using. Furthermore, the margin detection means 14 and the automatic identification means 15 in FIG.
, the three decoding means 16 are microprocessor 22
, ROM 23, and RAM 24 are shared. That is, according to the program and constants stored in the ROM 23,
The microprocessor 22 uses the RAM 24 to execute barcode information extraction processing by margin detection, automatic code type identification processing for the information, and decoding processing corresponding to the identification code type.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of margin detection by the microprocessor 22. First, the front margin is detected in step ■, and the rear margin is detected in step A margin is a margin that is captured first in time. In other words, when scanning in the forward direction (in the direction of the arrows in Figures 1 and 2), the front margin is the left margin, the rear margin captured later in time is the right margin, and when scanning in the reverse direction, the front and rear margins are the left margin. The left-right relationship is the opposite of the above.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the automatic code type identification process performed by the microprocessor 22. In this way, first,
In step (2), identification is performed using the rear guard bar and the message part in its vicinity, and if the code type of the barcode to be scanned is determined in this step (2), the identification ends; if not, the next step is performed. Move on to ■. Similarly, if the code type is found in step (2), the identification ends; if not, the process proceeds to step (2), and if the code type cannot be identified even in this step (2), the process proceeds to step (2). Step (3) is an identification process that goes into the inside of the message section, so by getting to this point, you can definitely know what type of code it is.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when the microprocessor 22 decodes the barcode information after the code type has been identified. In this decoding process, if the code type identification result obtained from the automatic identification means is, for example, a JAN code, a JAN code decoder is selected from among the decoders provided corresponding to each code type to be read. and is executed by starting this.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, only the barcode information is extracted from the scanned signal after binarization, the code type of the information is identified, and the corresponding decoder is activated based on this result. Since the code is activated, unnecessary information processing is eliminated, and a multi-barcode reader can be realized that has short overall execution time and less variation in time depending on the code type.

Further, since barcode information extraction and code type identification are performed separately from decoding processing, the permissible error for identification can be easily calculated regardless of the content of decoding processing.

Therefore, the ease of use, performance, and reliability of the multi-barcode reader can be improved, and the range of its use can be expanded, contributing to the further spread of information processing using barcodes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a multi-bar coder according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an integrated machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an example of margin detection processing performed by a microprocessor. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of automatic code type identification processing by a microprocessor, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of decoding processing by a microprocessor. 11... Barcode, 12... Scanner, 13... Binarization means, 14... Margin detection means, 15... Code Automatic species identification means, 16... Decoding means, 21... Binarization circuit, 22... Microprocessor, 23...
・ROM, 24...RAM.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A barcode reader that can read multiple types of barcodes, detects the margins before and after the barcode scanning direction from the binarized scanning signal and extracts only the signals related to the barcode. and automatic identification means for identifying the code type of the barcode to be scanned based on the extracted signal, and based on the identification result by the automatic identification means, the identification code type in the decoding means is provided. A multi-barcode reader with a preprocessing automatic identification function, characterized in that it is configured to activate a corresponding decoder.