JPH0620086A - Bar code reader and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To minimize the power consumption by lighting an illuminating means and operating a decoding means only during actual bar code operation. CONSTITUTION:When depression of a read start indicating switch 14 is detected, a read start indicating circuit 10 is set to the stop state after outputting a read start indication signal 18 to a contact detecting circuit 4 and a timer circuit 7. The contact detecting circuit 4 is started from the stop state by this signal and is set to the standby state in which the circuit 4 checks whether a bar code reader is brought into contact with a bar code medium 15 or not. If the bar code can be read, a contact detection signal 17 is generated to start an illuminating circuit 3, a light receiving circuit 2, a decoder circuit 5, and a retry counter 6. Then, reflected light proportional to white and black bars of the bar code printed on the bar code medium 15 is inputted to the light receiving circuit 2 and is converted to a bar code signal 16 corresponding to the bar code scan time and is inputted to the decoder circuit 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input means of an information processing apparatus for reading information printed by a bar code or the like and converting the information into an electric signal or code information, and more particularly to a portable type device operated by a battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional portable bar code reader has a structure as shown in FIG. First, the operator operates the reading start instruction switch 14 of the barcode reader device 1 to read the barcode medium 15. When the reading start instruction circuit 10 detects that this switch has been pressed, it outputs a reading start instruction signal 18 to the illumination circuit 3, the light receiving circuit 2, the decoder circuit 5, and the timer circuit 7. As a result, the illumination circuit 3 illuminates the barcode medium 15, reflected light proportional to the black and white bars of the printed barcode enters the light receiving circuit 2, and the barcode signal 16 corresponding to the time for scanning the barcode is obtained. Is converted into the signal and enters the decoder circuit 5. The decoder circuit 5 analyzes the electric signal corresponding to the black and white of the bar code and converts it into a signal in the form of a code of numbers or characters defined in various standards, and sends it as a code signal 23 to the interface circuit 8 to generate an instruction signal generation circuit. 9 generates the instruction signal generation request signal 24 to generate the sound of the speaker 12 and the LED
An indicator signal for informing the operator that the bar code has been normally read is generated by the indicator 13 such as the lamp or LCD (liquid crystal). Then, the interface circuit 8 can output the read bar code to the external device through the interface terminal 11. In this way, the decoder circuit 5 generates the operation control signal 22 and stops the operation of all circuits.

Further, the decoder circuit 5 uses the bar code signal 16
Is not normally converted, a reading abnormal indication signal is generated. Further, when the bar code is not read for a predetermined time after the reading start instruction switch 14 is operated, the timer circuit 7 generates a time-out signal, and the decoder circuit 5 generates the operation control signal 22. Stop the operation of the circuit. That is, the conventional portable bar code reader turns on the light source that illuminates the bar code to be read by the operator giving an instruction, and decodes the bar code pattern from the intensity of the reflected light of the bar code, Start the operation of decoding to letters and numbers. This is because it is a portable type and operates on a battery, so there is a limitation on power, and the device is operated only during the time when the barcode reader device is used as much as possible.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional portable bar code reader, it may take some time before the bar code is actually operated after the operator gives an instruction to start reading. The illumination light source and the decoder circuit consume power for an unnecessary time. This is especially true for bar code readers that use only small batteries. Further, in order for the operator to read the bar code, the bar code reader is instructed to start reading with a switch, etc., and the operator carelessly points the bar code reader to a light source such as a fluorescent lamp while the decoder circuit is operating. If so, the decoding circuit may operate due to the pulsed light. The input pattern operated by such an unnecessary light source does not become a pattern in which the bar code is defined, so that the bar code reader causes an input error.

In many cases, portable bar code readers are designed to turn off the illumination light source and stop the operation of the decoder circuit at the time of ending the operation or the time of input error in order to reduce power consumption. Therefore, due to an error contrary to the operator's intention, the bar code reader must be instructed to start reading again, which is inconvenient in handling. In addition, in the device that prioritizes operability and enables the reading by operating the barcode even if a reading error occurs, the time for the operator to notice the reading error and operate the barcode again is wasted. Power will be consumed.

As described above, in the conventional portable bar code reader, after the operator gives a reading start instruction, the intended bar code is promptly read to suppress unnecessary power consumption. It was necessary to be careful not to point the bar code reader at the light source after giving the reading start instruction. For this reason, there are drawbacks that the bar code reader is difficult to use, the power consumption is large, and the number of times the bar code is read is reduced. Further, it is difficult to achieve both operability and low power consumption when rescanning the barcode in the processing in which the reading error occurs. . It is an object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader which has a long battery life with low power consumption and is easy to operate and suitable for carrying.

[0007]

A bar code reader device according to the present invention is a bar code reader device for optically reading a bar code printed on a medium and converting it into character or numeral information. Means for illuminating the medium, light receiving means for converting the light reflected from the bar code medium into an electric signal, decoder means for converting the electric signal of the light receiving means into a code, and instructing the operator the operating state of the bar code reader device. Instruction signal generating means, contact detection means for detecting that the barcode medium is ready to be read, reading start instruction means for the operator to instruct the barcode reader device to start reading the barcode medium, and external device And interface means for sending the read code to.

[0008]

According to the present invention, with the above-described configuration, the power for lighting and decoding means is kept to the minimum required power until the bar code reader actually contacts or approaches the printed bar code. It will be suppressed. Furthermore, if the scanning and decoding of the bar code is completed and a reading error occurs, or the scanning starts after the scanning of the reading start switch, the operator does not need to perform any operation in order to continue the reading operation. Therefore, the operability can be improved. Furthermore, since the decoding means is activated in the state of touching or approaching the barcode, the possibility of being affected by the light source such as a fluorescent lamp is reduced,
Even if the bar code reader is pointed at the light source after the reading start instruction switch is operated, no error occurs. This also increases the degree of freedom in handling and improves operability.

If this contact detecting means detects a contact state by a mechanical method, for example, a mechanical switch, and the contact detecting circuit uses a CMOS logic element, it can be operated with extremely low power consumption. Until the barcode reader device touches the barcode medium,
Since the light receiving means and the decoder means are not operating, the code conversion error does not occur even with the light of a light source that repeatedly flashes like a fluorescent lamp. If the capacity of the battery is large enough, it is possible to omit even the power switch. The low output state of the above-mentioned illumination means that if the approach of the barcode medium is detected by operating the illumination means and the light receiving means in a pulsed manner and checking the amount of reflected light, the power consumption will be slightly higher than in the case of a mechanical switch. Although there is a drawback, there is an advantage that the contact detection means can be realized while suppressing an increase in circuit components. When the amount of reflection obtained in a pulsed manner by this method becomes sufficiently large, it means that the reflector is close to the bar code reader device. At this time, if the contact detection means is set so as to generate the contact detection signal after confirming the level a plurality of times in succession, the light of the light source that repeatedly flashes like a fluorescent lamp and the light source of the illumination means. Since the reflected light can be discriminated, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error in a light source such as a fluorescent lamp as in the contact detection unit using a mechanical switch.

According to the above method, since the lighting means is turned on and the decoding means is operated only while the bar code is actually operated, it is possible to operate with the minimum necessary power consumption. Moreover, since it is not necessary to perform the operation of reading the reading start instruction switch as soon as possible after pressing the reading start instruction switch, there is an advantage that the psychological burden on the operator can be eliminated. That is, according to the portable barcode reader device of the present invention, it is possible to operate with a small amount of power consumption, and even if a reading error occurs, even if the reading instruction is not given again, the scanning of the barcode is simply performed. Since it can be repeated, it has excellent operability and has the advantage that it does not malfunction due to a light source such as a fluorescent lamp.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a bar code reader device, 2 is a light receiving circuit, 3
Is an illumination circuit, 4 is a contact detection circuit, 5 is a decoder circuit, 6
Is a retry counter, 7 is a timer circuit, 8 is an interface circuit, 9 is an instruction signal generation circuit, 10 is a reading start instruction circuit, 11 is an interface terminal, 12 is a speaker, 1
3 is a display, 14 is a reading start instruction switch, 15 is a bar code medium, 16 is a bar code signal, 17 is a contact detection signal, 18 is a reading start instruction signal, 19 is a retry pulse signal, and 20 is a retry count signal. , 21 is a timeout signal,
Reference numeral 22 is an operation control signal, 23 is a code signal, and 24 is an instruction signal generation request signal.

First, when power is supplied to this circuit, each circuit is initialized and then the operation is stopped, and the read start instruction circuit 10 is in an initial state in which the state of the read start instruction switch 14 is simply checked. And consumes very little power.

When it is detected that the reading start instruction switch 14 has been pressed, the reading start instruction circuit 10 outputs a reading start instruction signal 18 to the contact detection circuit 4 and the timer circuit 7, and then enters the stopped state. The contact detection circuit 4 is started from the stopped state by this signal, and enters the standby state for checking whether the barcode reader device is in contact with the barcode medium 15. If the barcode can be read, the contact detection signal 17 is generated and the illumination circuit 3, the light receiving circuit 2, the decoder circuit 5 and the retry counter 6 are activated. As a result, the reflected light proportional to the white and black bars of the bar code printed on the bar code medium 15 enters the light receiving circuit 2 and the bar code signal 16 corresponding to the time for scanning the bar code.
Is converted into the signal and enters the decoder circuit 5.

The decoder circuit 5 analyzes the electric signal corresponding to the black and white of the bar code and converts it into a code format of numbers and characters defined by various standards, and sends it as a code signal 23 to the interface circuit 8 to generate an instruction signal generation circuit. An instruction signal generation request signal 24 is output to 9 to inform the operator that the bar code is normally read by the sound of the speaker 12 or the indicator 13 such as an LED lamp or LCD (liquid crystal). Generate. Then, the interface circuit 8 sends the read bar code to the interface terminal 1
1 to an external device. Then, after that, the decoder circuit 5 generates an operation control signal 22 in each circuit to activate the read start instruction circuit 10 and stops the operation of the other circuits, and then enters the stopped state.

The above is the operation sequence of each circuit when the bar code is normally read.

In the above operation sequence, if the read bar code signal 16 cannot be converted into the specified code for some reason, the instruction signal generating circuit 9 is notified to the operator in order to notify the operator of the abnormality. The instruction signal generation request signal 24 is output to give an instruction with a different sound or display. After that, the decoder means 5 outputs the operation control signal 22 to activate the contact detection circuit 4, the illumination circuit 3, and the light receiving circuit 2, and controls the other circuits to be in the standby state. The operator can then retry by simply rescanning the bar code. Then, if the barcode reading is not successful even after a large number of retries, the retry counter 6 is initialized by the contact detection signal 17 and then by the retry pulse signal 19 every time a reading error occurs. Increment and count the number of retries. This management is performed by the decoder circuit 5, and if the value of the retry number signal 20 exceeds a predetermined number of times, the instruction signal generation request signal 24 is output to the instruction signal generation circuit 9 and the instruction signal generation circuit 9 notifies the operator. After the bar code reader device generates an instruction signal to stop reading,
Control to return to the initial state.

Further, when the apparatus is left in the standby state for a long time, the timer circuit 7 is activated by the reading start instruction signal 18.
Is activated, the time-out signal 21 is output to activate the decoder circuit 5 after a predetermined time elapses, and the instruction signal generation request signal 24 is sent to the instruction signal generation circuit 9 so that the bar code reader device can read the operator. After generating an instruction signal to terminate the, the control is performed so as to return to the initial state.

Regarding the method of contact detection, the contact detection signal 17 is generated by a mechanical switch or the like which generates an electrical signal when the barcode reader 15 is brought into contact with the barcode medium 15, or as described above. If the contact detection circuit 4 is configured so that the contact detection signal 17 is generated only when the reflected light synchronized with this cycle is obtained more than once, the contact detection circuit 4 can be processed without using mechanical parts. Since it can be realized by adding a circuit, it is advantageous in terms of cost if it is integrated into an IC. For these, an appropriate method can be selected when the bar code reader device is designed.

When each logic circuit block does not operate in the standby state, the power consumption can be reduced by turning off the power supply or reducing the cycle of the operation clock.

Each circuit constituting this embodiment can be constituted by a logic circuit except the illumination circuit 3 and the light receiving circuit 2, which is a so-called one-chip having a ROM, a RAM and an input / output terminal. It may be configured by software using a microprocessor of. In this case, the above-mentioned functional blocks correspond to subroutines with the same function,
Each signal corresponds to a control flow.

The processing method in this case is shown in the flow charts of FIGS. Here, in order to make the circuit simplest, the contact of the barcode medium 15 is detected by the above-described optical contact detection routine, and the instruction signal generation circuit 9 uses the output interface of the one-chip microprocessor to make the speaker 12 Or operate the indicator 13,
Further, the read start instruction circuit 10 will be described as one embodiment of a method for detecting the state of the read start instruction switch 14 using the input interface.

In step 201, after the power of the bar code reader device 1 is turned on, the memory and the registers used as a work area by the microprocessor for performing this processing are initialized, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The operation for preparing the environment for executing the program of the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 202, the illumination circuit 3 and the light receiving circuit 2 are set in the non-operating state. Next, in step 203, the reading start instruction circuit 10 or the input interface is activated so that the reading start instruction switch 14 can be read, and in step 204, the input of the reading start instruction switch 14 is awaited.

In step 205, the reading start instruction circuit 10 is deactivated in order to reduce power consumption, and in step 206, the operation of the timer is started. This is for canceling the operation at a predetermined time and returning to the standby state when the reading start instruction switch 14 is pressed and then left without reading the barcode.

In step 207, the retry counter is set to zero as an initial value in order to count the number of reading retries of the bar code medium. If this retry counter is configured by software, it can be processed only by a microprocessor without using hardware, so that the circuit becomes simple. In this way, the process proceeds to the next step and the standby state is set.

Step 208 is a processing routine for detecting whether or not the barcode reader device 1 has come into contact with the barcode medium 15. In step 209, it is determined whether or not the contact has been made. If not, the process proceeds to step 210 to determine whether or not the timer time has exceeded a predetermined timeout time. If the time-out period has not elapsed yet, the process returns to step 208 and the contact is determined again. If the time-out period has passed, a third instruction signal is generated in step 211 to notify the operator that the reading has been aborted and the initial state is restored.

In step 209, the bar code medium 1 is also used.
If it is detected that the contact with 5 is detected, step 301
The illumination circuit 3 is activated by illuminating the bar code medium 15 with, the light receiving means 2 is activated by step 302 to convert the reflected light from the bar code medium 15 into an electric signal, and further with the decoder routine of step 303. The input electric signal is converted into a corresponding code.

It is determined in step 304 that this conversion is normally performed, and if it can be normally converted into a code, the code converted from the interface circuit 8 is output in step 305. If the code cannot be converted, the value of the retry counter is incremented in step 307. If it is determined in step 308 that the number of times exceeds the predetermined number of times, the third number is determined in step 312.
Is issued to notify the operator of the termination of reading.

If it is determined that the number of retries in step 308 has not reached the predetermined number, a second instruction signal for notifying the operator that a reading error has occurred is generated in step 309, In step 310, the illumination circuit 3 is stopped, and in step 311, the light receiving circuit 2 is stopped, and then the standby state is restored, so that the barcode medium 15 can be scanned again.

The above is the description of the routine for processing by software.

It should be noted that the method according to the present patent can be similarly operated even if a medium other than the bar code medium, for example, the recording medium is recorded by a magnetic method.

[0033]

According to the present invention, with the above-described structure, after the operator operates the reading start instruction switch 14, only the contact detection circuit 4 is operating and other circuits are non-operational. In the standby state, which is the operating state, and the bar code reader device 1 as a whole consumes only a small amount of electric power, so that the operator may pick up the bar code reader device 1 again,
Even if there is a lapse of time until the barcode medium 15 is scanned and the direction of the barcode medium 15 is corrected, the circuit for reading the barcode operates after the barcode medium 15 is touched. However, as soon as the operation is finished, the power consumption is reduced by returning to the initial state or the standby state, so that the reading can be performed by always using the minimum power regardless of the handling method of the operator.

Further, even if the bar code reader 1 is directed to a light source such as a fluorescent lamp after the reading start instruction switch 14 is operated, the light receiving circuit 2 and the decoder circuit 5 are not operating, so that a reading error does not occur. It is easy to handle.

In addition, when a reading error occurs due to scanning of the bar code, the bar code can be read within a predetermined number of times without operating the reading start instruction switch 14 again. Even if the medium is not good, the operation is easy, and the operator is notified that the barcode reader device 1 has terminated the reading operation, so that the state of the barcode reader can be easily grasped.

Further, if the bar code is not read after the reading start instruction switch 14 is operated, the initial state is automatically restored according to the time set in the timer circuit 7, which saves power.

As described above, according to the present invention, since it operates with low power consumption, it is possible to construct a bar code reader which can be used for a long time even in battery operation and is excellent in operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation state of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation state of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 bar code reader 2 light receiving circuit 3 lighting circuit 4 contact detection circuit 5 decoder circuit 6 retry counter 7 timer circuit 8 interface circuit 9 instruction signal generating circuit 10 reading start instruction circuit 11 interface terminal 12 speaker 13 indicator 14 reading start instruction Switch 15 Bar code medium 16 Bar code signal 17 Touch detection signal 18 Read start instruction signal 19 Retry pulse signal 20 Retry number signal 21 Timeout signal 22 Operation control signal 23 Code signal 24 Instruction signal generation request signal

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reader device for optically reading a bar code printed on a medium and converting the bar code into character and numeral information, and an illuminating means for illuminating the bar code printed medium and a bar code medium. A light receiving means for converting the reflected light into an electric signal, a decoder means for converting the electric signal of the light receiving means into a code, an instruction signal generating means for instructing an operating state to an operator, and a bar code medium can be read. A contact detection means for detecting that the bar code medium has been read, a reading start instruction means for instructing the operator to start reading the bar code medium, and an interface means for sending a code read to an external device, Until the reading start instructing means is operated, the initial state in which only the reading start instructing means operates is maintained, and the contact detection is performed by operating the reading start instructing means. The output means is activated, and the contact detection means detects that the contact detection means is in contact with or close to the medium of the bar code and generates a contact detection signal. A bar code, characterized in that the operation of converting the bar code signal corresponding to the reflected light from the bar code obtained from the light receiving means into the corresponding code is started while the bar code is illuminated. Reader device. 2. The bar code reader device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection means for detecting contact with the bar code medium comprises means for generating the contact detection signal in response to mechanical pressure. Bar code reader device. 3. The bar code reader device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection means for detecting that the bar code reader device approaches or contacts the bar code medium intermittently operates the illumination means and the light receiving means. The change in the reflected light amount for each operating state is checked, and when the reflected light amount obtained by the intermittent operation of a plurality of times is always a predetermined value or more, the approach or contact of the barcode medium is detected by generating the contact detection signal. A bar code reader device comprising: 4. The bar code reader device according to claim 1, wherein said instruction signal generating means comprises means for giving an instruction to an operator by sound. 5. The bar code reader device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction signal generating means includes means for giving an instruction to an operator by means of a display. 6. The bar code reader apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction signal generating means comprises means for giving an instruction to an operator by both sound and display. 7. The touch detection means is activated by holding the initial state in which only the read start instructing means operates until the read start instructing means is operated, and operating the read start instructing means. The contact detection means detects that the contact detection means comes into contact with or comes close to the medium of the barcode, and generates the contact detection signal. When the illumination is started, the decoder means starts the operation of converting the bar code signal corresponding to the reflected light from the bar code obtained from the light receiving means into the corresponding code, and the decoding means starts the bar code signal. When it is possible to convert from the code to the corresponding code, the converted code is sent to the interface means and On the other hand, a first instruction signal is generated to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by sound or display, the illumination means stops the illumination and enters the initial state, and the decoding means responds from the bar code signal. When it is impossible to convert into a code, a second instruction signal is generated for the operator to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by sound or display, and the illumination means stops the illumination. A bar code reader control method, comprising: activating the contact detection means to enter the standby state, and continuing the standby state until the standby state is released by the contact detection signal. 8. When the decoding means is capable of converting the bar code signal into a corresponding code, the converted code is sent to the interface means and a first instruction signal is sent to the operator. It is not possible to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by the generated sound or display, the illumination means stops the illumination to the initial state, and the decoding means does not convert the bar code signal into a corresponding code. When possible, a second instruction signal is generated for the operator to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by sound or display, and at the same time, the illumination means stops the illumination and activates the contact detection means. Becomes the standby state, and continues the standby state until released from the standby state by the contact detection signal,
8. The bar code reader control method according to claim 7, wherein when the contact detection unit does not generate the contact detection signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, the standby state is returned to the initial state. 9. If the contact detection means does not generate the contact detection signal after a lapse of a predetermined time, a third instruction signal is generated to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by sound or display. 8. The bar code reader control method according to claim 7, further comprising returning from the standby state to the initial state. 10. When the decoding means is capable of converting the bar code signal into a corresponding code,
The converted code is sent to the interface means, and a first instruction signal is generated for the operator to notify the operator of the state of the barcode reader device by sound or display, and the illumination means stops the illumination, It is in the initial state until the reading start instruction means is operated, and when the decoding means cannot convert the bar code signal into the corresponding code, it issues a second instruction signal to the operator. , The decoder means stops the illumination of the illuminating means, activates the contact detecting means to enter the standby state, is released from the standby state by a contact detection signal, and is read by one or more retries. When it is impossible for the decoder means to convert the bar code signal into a corresponding code, the lighting means stops the lighting. Barcode reader control method according to claim 7, characterized in that a serial initial state. 11. When the decoder means is still unable to convert the bar code signal into a corresponding code even after reading by one or more retries, a third instruction signal is generated to generate a sound or a sound. 8. The bar code reader control method according to claim 7, wherein the operator is informed of the state of the bar code reader device by a display, and the illumination means stops the illumination to enter the initial state. 12. When the decoding means is capable of converting the bar code signal into a corresponding code,
The converted code is sent to the interface means, and a first instruction signal is generated for the operator to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by sound or display, and the decoder means instructs the illuminating means. The illumination is stopped, the standby state is maintained until the reading start instruction means is operated, and when the decoding means cannot convert the bar code signal into the corresponding code, the operator is given a second An instruction signal is generated to notify the operator of the state of the barcode reader device by sound or display, the illumination means stops the illumination, the contact detection means is activated to enter the standby state, and the contact detection signal causes When the touch detection signal is not generated even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby state was released, Alternatively, the initial state may be restored by any one of the cases where the decoder means is still unable to convert the bar code signal into a corresponding code even after reading by one or more retries. The barcode reader control method according to claim 7. 13. When the contact detection signal is not generated even after a predetermined time has passed from the standby state, or when the reading is performed by one or a plurality of retries, the decoder means still outputs the barcode signal. If it is impossible to convert the code into the corresponding code, the third instruction signal is generated to notify the operator of the state of the bar code reader device by sound or display, and the illumination means turns on the illumination. The bar code reader control method according to claim 7, wherein the bar code reader is stopped to enter the initial state.