JPH0512479A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the time for an operator to learn an optimum reading method at the bar code reader. CONSTITUTION:A bar code 22 is irradiated with laser beams 26 in a scan pattern differring the read rate at a central part and a peripheral part. A bar code recognizing circuit 23 recognizes bar code information from a photodetector 1 as numerical information and based on a laser beam scan timing signal from a timing pulse generator 2, it is detected which area reads the bar code. By informing this detected result of the operator, a learning function is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reading device, and more particularly to a bar code reading device connected to a POS terminal for reading a bar code attached to a product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional bar code reading apparatus reads a bar code, so that a laser beam 16
Of the area irradiated with the laser beam 16 has a reading area 17 where the barcode can be actually read, and the barcode 18 is passed through the reading area 17.

Further, since the reading area 17 does not have a uniform reading rate in all areas, the reading rate is lowered particularly at the edges of the reading area.

[0004]

With this conventional bar code reading apparatus, even if the bar code is read in an area with a low reading rate in the reading area, the operator is deciding whether the reading rate is low or not. It was difficult to determine if the area had a high rate.

Further, since it is difficult for the operator to make a judgment, it takes time for the operator to learn the operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bar code reading device which solves the above problems.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a bar code reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A light source that emits a laser beam, a laser beam from the light source is scanned, a refractor that irradiates the bar code with the laser beam, a reflected light at the bar code, and a light receiver that converts this into an electric signal, A timing pulse generator that generates a signal corresponding to the scanning timing of laser light by the refractor, and recognizes barcode information as numerical information based on the output of the light receiver, and scans the laser light from the timing pulse generator. It has a barcode recognition circuit for detecting where in the readable area the read barcode is read based on the timing signal, and means for notifying the operator of the detection result from the recognition circuit. .

The laser beam emitted from the refractor to the bar code has a scanning pattern set so that the reading rate at the central portion is high and the reading rate at the peripheral portion is low. is there.

[0009]

In the present invention, when the bar code is read at the optimum reading position, the operator is notified of that fact, and the learning function is provided.

[0010]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a mechanism for detecting a place where a bar code is read in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a waveform diagram.

In the figure, a light receiver 1 converts a laser beam 9 into an electric signal 4, and a timing pulse generator 2 generates a timing pulse synchronized with a motor 7 for rotating a polygon mirror 8. . Based on these two signals 4 and 5, a time difference waveform generator 3 produces a signal 6
make. The pulse width (t) 11 of this signal 6 is counted by the time counter 10.

FIG. 4 shows the overall construction of the bar code reading apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, the time difference waveform generator 3 and the time counter 10 constitute a bar code recognition circuit 23.

Further, the polygon mirror 8 and the reflecting glass 21 which are rotationally driven by the motor 7 constitute a refractor 24.

Reference numeral 25 is a POS device, and 28 is a signal to the POS device 25.

A laser beam 26 emitted from a light source 20 is reflected by a polygon mirror 8 rotated by a motor 7.
6 is scanned and the barcode 22 attached to the product is illuminated by the reflective glass 21.

The laser beam applied to the bar code 22 has a scanning pattern 19 as shown in FIG.

The scanning pattern 19 has a high reading rate in the central portion, but has a low reading rate in the peripheral portion. This difference in reading rate is detected by the pulse width 11 of the signal 6 shown in FIG.

That is, by determining the angle of the polygon mirror 8 rotated by the motor 7 on the basis of the time obtained by the pulse width 11 of the signal 6, the bar code 18 shown in FIG. Detects whether the reading was done with.

Based on the detection result, when the barcode 18 passes through the peripheral portion of the scanning pattern 19, the barcode data is recognized as different from that when the barcode 18 passes through the central portion of the scanning pattern 19. A read confirmation sound is emitted from the buzzer 29 shown in FIG. By distinguishing the different reading confirmation sounds by the operator, it becomes possible to judge whether or not the barcode of the read product is the optimum reading area in the reading area 17. This allows the operator to learn the optimum reading area.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operator can easily learn the optimum reading area of the scanner.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A is a block diagram showing a mechanism for reading a barcode in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a waveform diagram.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a prior art bar code reader.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a scanning pattern of laser light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the entire bar code reading apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 light receiver 2 Timing pulse generator 3 time difference waveform generator 10 hour difference counter 22 barcode 23 Bar code recognition circuit 24 Refractor 29 Buzzer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light source that emits a laser beam, a refractor that scans the laser beam from the light source and irradiates the laser beam to a bar code, and receives the reflected light from the bar code and converts it into an electrical signal. A light receiver, a timing pulse generator that generates a signal corresponding to the scanning timing of the laser light by the refractor, and barcode information that is recognized as numerical information based on the output of the light receiver. A bar code recognition circuit for detecting where in the readable area the read bar code is read, based on the laser light scanning timing signal from, and means for notifying the operator of the detection result from the recognition circuit. A bar code reading device comprising: 2. The scanning pattern is set so that the laser beam applied to the bar code from the refractor has a high reading rate in the central portion and a low reading rate in the peripheral portion. The bar code reader according to claim 1, wherein the bar code reader is a bar code reader.