JPH0612508A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily read multistage bar codes and to constitute the bar code reader at low cost by respectively converting electric signals, which are outputted from respective photosensors corresponding to the bar codes on respective stages, to digital data. CONSTITUTION:A rectangular groove 2 is formed at a scanner part 1 and on one of internal planes faced each other in this rectangular groove 2, respective light receiving parts 1a, 1b, 1c,... of plural optical transmissive sensors are embedded in one line and provided. A circuit part 3 is connected to this scanner part 1 so as to process the electric signals obtained by reading the bar codes with this scanner part 1. Then, the bar code on the first stage is irradiated with the light from a light emitting part faced to the light receiving part 1a through a slit, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving part 1b. Further, the bar code on the second stage is irradiated with light from the light emitting part faced to the light receiving part 1b through the slit, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving part 1b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reader for reading bar code information from a bar code storage medium in which bar codes are stored in a plurality of stages.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional bar code reader, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, for a multi-step bar code in which bar codes are printed in a plurality of steps, the bar code of each step is read one step at a time. Are known. In addition, it is known that a two-dimensional area sensor is provided to read a multi-stage bar code at once.

[0003]

The former bar code reader has a problem that it is troublesome to read the bar code of each step one step at a time.

In the latter bar code reader, the two-dimensional area sensor uses a large number of optical sensors in order to obtain a uniform reading density over the entire area. The number of optical sensors is excessive. Therefore, since there is an excessive number of the large number of optical sensors, and a circuit for two-dimensionally analyzing the read data obtained from the detection signal from each optical sensor is required, a two-dimensional area sensor is provided. There was a problem that things were expensive.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bar code reader which can easily read a multi-stage bar code and can be constructed at low cost.

[0006]

The present invention comprises a light emitting section and a light receiving section, irradiates light from the light emitting section onto a bar code storage medium, and receives reflected light or transmitted light thereof by the light receiving section. It consists of an optical sensor that outputs an electric signal according to the amount of received light, and the plurality of optical sensors are arranged in one row corresponding to each storage position of a plurality of barcodes stored in a barcode storage medium. The reading means and the signal processing means for converting the electric signals output from the respective optical sensors of the reading means into digital data are provided.

[0007]

In the present invention having such a configuration, each optical sensor constituting the reading means irradiates the bar code in each stage of the bar code storage medium with the light from the light emitting portion and reflects or transmits the reflected light. Are received by the light receiving portions, and electric signals are respectively output according to the amount of received light.

The electric signal output from each optical sensor corresponding to the bar code of each stage is converted into digital data by the signal processing means.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a bar code reader provided with an optical transmission type sensor, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of this bar code reader. Reference numeral 1 denotes a scanner unit as a reading unit, and a square groove 2 is formed in the scanner unit 1, and one of the inner surfaces of the square groove 2 facing each other (the lower surface shown in the drawing) is formed. , Light receiving portions 1a, 1b, 1c, ... Of a plurality of optical transmission type sensors are embedded and provided in one row. The other of the inner surfaces of the square groove 2 that face each other (upper surface not shown in the drawing) faces each of the light receiving portions 1a, 1b, 1c, ... And each light emission of the plurality of optical transmission sensors. Part ... 1p (see FIG. 2),
Are embedded in one row.

The scanner unit 1 includes the scanner unit 1
The circuit unit 3 for processing the electric signal obtained by reading the bar code is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of these optical transmission type sensors comprises a light emitting portion 1p, a slit 1z and a light receiving portion 1c, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion 1p is
The barcode card passing through the square groove 2 is irradiated with the light through the slit 1z. The barcode card is a transparent plastic sheet with a barcode printed in black ink, and the light emitted through the slit 1z is
The black bar portion printed with black ink does not transmit, but the non-printed portion transmits. The transmitted light is received by the light receiving section 1c.

The distances between the light receiving portions and between the light emitting portions are
It is provided corresponding to the printing position of the bar code on each level of the bar code card on which the multi-level bar code is printed. That is, the light from the light emitting portion facing the light receiving portion 1a is applied to the first-stage bar code through the slit, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving portion 1a, and the light receiving portion 1b receives the light. The light emitted from the opposite light-emitting portion is transmitted through the slit to the second
The bar code of the step is irradiated, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving section 1b.
It is designed to be received by. Similarly, the light from the light emitting portion facing the other light receiving portion is applied to the bar code of the corresponding stage through each slit, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit unit 3 includes a CPU (central processing unit) which constitutes the main body of the control unit.
31, a ROM (read only memory) 32 in which program data for processing performed by the CPU 31 is stored, the CP
A RAM (random access memory) 33 in which areas of various memories used when the U 31 performs processing is formed, a timer 34 for measuring time, and electric signals for the number of optical transmission type sensors from the scanner unit 1 are stored. It is composed of an I / O (input / output) port 35 which receives the time and outputs the time data to the timer 34. Note that the CPU 31 uses the system bus 36 to transfer the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the timer 3 to each other.
4, connected to the I / O port 35.

The I / O port 35 is the scanner unit 1
When a change in the level of a plurality of electric signals input from is detected, an interrupt signal corresponding to the optical transmission sensor is output to the CPU 31.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of the timer value reading process performed by the CPU 31.

First, time data (timer value) is read from the timer 34, and the read time data is stored in the RAM 33 as an initial value.

Next, as the processing of step 1 (ST1),
Determine whether there is an interrupt signal.

If there is no interrupt signal, it is judged whether or not 1 second has elapsed in the state where the interrupt signal is not input, and if it is not judged that 1 second has elapsed, that is, the elapsed time in the state where the interrupt signal is not input. If is less than 1 second, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 1 again. Further, if it is judged that one second has elapsed in the state where the interrupt signal is not input, this timer value reading process is ended.

When the timer reading process is completed,
A bar width determination process, which will be described later, is performed.

When it is determined that there is an interrupt signal in the process of step 1 described above, the time data is read from the timer 34 and the read time data is stored in the RAM 33. The difference between the read time data and the time data read by the same interrupt signal last time, that is, the interrupt signal corresponding to the same optical transmission type sensor is calculated, and the calculated difference data is stored in the RAM 33 in the optical transmission type. Memorize corresponding to the sensor.

RAM 3 corresponding to each optical transmission type sensor
When the difference data is stored in the RAM 3, the RAM 33 stores the difference data corresponding to the optical transmission sensor of the RAM 33.
The write pointer is incremented (+1 is added), and the process returns to step 1 described above.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of the bar width determination process performed by the CPU 31.

First, the counter n formed in the RAM 33
Set to 1.

Next, as the processing of step 2 (ST2), No. RAM3 corresponding to n optical transmission type sensor
Read the difference data stored in 3.

Whether or not the read difference data is the first difference data is judged, and if the difference data is the first difference data, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 2 again. If the difference data is not the first difference data,
It is determined whether the difference data is the second difference data.

If the difference data is the second difference data,
The difference data is divided by 2, the data of the calculation result is stored in the RAM 33 as one module value, and this difference data is set as the bar width data 2. If the difference data is not the second difference data, the difference data is RA
It divides by one module value stored in M33, and the calculation result is set as an integer value as bar width data and set.

The set bar width data is stored in the RAM 33.
And the write pointer of the RAM 33 is incremented.

Next, it is judged whether or not the storage of the bar width data is completed with respect to the difference data of the one-stage bar code. 1
If the storage of the bar width data for the bar code of one row is not completed, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 2 again, and if the storage of the bar width data for the bar code of one row is completed. +1 for counter n
Then, it is determined whether or not the processing for calculating the bar width data has been completed for all the difference data stored in the RAM 33.

If the process for calculating the bar width data for all the difference data has not been completed, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 2 again, and the process for calculating the bar width data for all the difference data is performed. If completed, the bar width determination process is completed. (Signal Processing Unit) When the bar width determination process is completed, the CPU 31 uses a bar code table (not shown) stored in the RAM 33 to store the bar code corresponding to each optical transmission sensor. A process for reading a barcode from the obtained bar width data is performed.

In this embodiment having such a structure, a bar code card in which a multi-stage bar code as shown in FIG. 6 is printed on a transparent plastic sheet is inserted into the square groove 2 formed in the scanner section 1. By passing in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the light emitted from each light emitting portion is passed through each slit by each optical transmission type sensor provided in one row on the inner surface of the square groove 2 of the scanner unit 1. The bar code on each stage of the bar code card is irradiated, each transmitted light thereof is received by each light receiving section, and an electric signal is output according to each received light amount.

The width of the black bar portion and the non-printed portion of the bar code of each stage is calculated as the detection time data by the timer 34 for each electric signal corresponding to the bar code of each stage output in this way. The respective detection time data are stored in the RAM 33 in correspondence with the respective optical transmission type sensors (barcodes in each stage). This RAM3
The detection time data stored in No. 3 are stored in the counter n by the optical transmission type sensor No. Each time, that is, for each bar code of each stage, the data of the width of the first bar in the read detection time data (second difference data.
Note that the first difference data is the detection time from the edge of the barcode card to the first bar of the barcode on each row.)
Is set as two modules, the detection time data of one module is obtained, and the widths of the black bar portion and the non-printed portion thereafter are obtained as integer value data in module units by the detection time data of this one module.

The bar code information is read for each bar code of each row from the integer value data of the width of each bar obtained for each bar code of each row as described above.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the scanner section 1 in which a plurality of optical transmission type sensors are arranged in one row corresponding to the arrangement positions of the bar codes of each stage of the multi-stage bar code is provided, and each of the scanner units 1 is provided. The width of the black bar portion and the non-printed portion of the bar code at each stage is obtained as detection time data by the timer 34 from the electric signals output from the optical transmission type sensors, and each detection time data is converted into integer value data. By doing so, the barcode information of the barcode of each stage can be obtained from the integer value data obtained corresponding to the barcode of each stage.

Therefore, the barcode of each stage can be read at once by simply passing the barcode card on which the multi-stage barcode is printed once through the square groove 2 of the scanner section 1. Therefore, the barcode can be easily read. You can read the code.

Moreover, unlike the two-dimensional area sensor in which a large number of optical sensors are provided at high density and the signals of each optical sensor are processed in a complicated manner, the arrangement position of the bar code in each stage of the multi-step bar code is different. It is sufficient to arrange the optical transmission type sensors for the number of stages in one row corresponding to the above, and since the signals from each optical transmission type sensor can be processed independently, there is an effect that the configuration can be inexpensive. .

In this embodiment, the stationary type scanner is explained by using the optical transmission type sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of optical reflection sensors are arranged in one line. It can also be applied to a handy scanner or the like arranged at.

[0037]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a bar code reader which can easily read a multi-stage bar code and can be configured at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optical transmission sensor of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a timer value reading process of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of bar width determination processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-step barcode.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner section, 1a, 1b, 1c, ... Optical transmissive sensor light receiving section, 1p ... Optical transmissive sensor light emitting section, 1
z ... slit, 31 ... CPU, 34 ... timer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, wherein light from the light emitting unit is applied to a bar code storage medium, and reflected light or transmitted light thereof is received by the light receiving unit, and according to the amount of received light. A reading means comprising an optical sensor for outputting an electric signal, wherein the plurality of optical sensors are arranged in a row corresponding to respective storage positions of a plurality of barcodes stored in a barcode storage medium, A bar code reader comprising: a signal processing unit that converts an electric signal output from each optical sensor of the reading unit into digital data.