JPH06333068A - Data symbol reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and exactly read a two-dimensional data symbol by a simple constitution by adjusting an exposure, based on exposure adjustment data stored in a nonvolatile memory. CONSTITUTION:By a CCD 43, a two-dimensional data symbol is read, and an image processing is amplified by an amplifier circuit 8, and thereafter, inputted to an A/D converter 9. A VCA (a first exposure adjustment means) 82 of the amplifier circuit 8 changes an amplification factor. A CCD driving circuit (a second exposure adjustment means) 6 changes a shutter speed by the CCD. In this case, a control means 15 controls the VCA 82 and the CCD driving circuit 6, based on exposure adjustment data stored in a nonvolatile memory 23. In such a way, a two-dimensional data symbol can be read easily and exactly by a device of a simple constitution. Especially, in accordance with a read condition and a variation of the environment, an exposure and an input/output characteristic can be adjusted freely and quickly, that which is suitable for readjustment of an actual machine state can be obtained, and also, threshold data can generated easily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data symbol reading device for reading a two-dimensional data symbol.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, a method and apparatus for converting product information into a bar code and reading the bar code with a bar code reader are widely used for application to, for example, a POS system. However, the bar code is one-dimensionally read by scanning with a laser beam in the array direction of the bar, and has a limited amount of information.

Therefore, in recent years, as a device capable of carrying more information, for example, a two-dimensional data symbol in which a black and white mosaic pattern is two-dimensionally arranged has been developed. An apparatus for reading this two-dimensional data symbol. In particular, there are almost no devices that use area sensors, and therefore development of such a data symbol reading device is desired.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a data symbol reading device which can easily and accurately read a two-dimensional data symbol with a simple structure.

[0005]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (14) below.

(1) In a data symbol reading device for reading a two-dimensional data symbol, a reading unit for receiving and photoelectrically converting incident light from the reading region of the data symbol, and an image signal from the reading unit. A signal processing circuit for processing, an exposure adjusting unit for adjusting the exposure, and a non-volatile memory for storing the exposure adjusting data, and based on the exposure adjusting data stored in the non-volatile memory when reading the data symbol. The data symbol reading device is characterized in that the exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure.

(2) The data symbol reading device according to (1), wherein the exposure setting is changed by rewriting the exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory.

(3) The non-volatile memory stores a plurality of exposure adjustment data for obtaining different exposures, and the exposure setting is changed by selectively reading the exposure adjustment data, and the data symbol reading apparatus according to the above (1).

(4) The data symbol reading device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the exposure adjustment data relates to a shutter speed in the reading unit.

(5) The data symbol reader according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the exposure adjustment data relates to an aperture value in the reading section.

(6) The data symbol reader according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the exposure adjustment data relates to reading sensitivity.

(7) A data symbol reading device for reading a two-dimensional data symbol, wherein a reading unit for receiving and photoelectrically converting incident light from the reading region of the data symbol and an image signal from the reading unit are provided. A signal processing circuit for processing, an input / output characteristic adjusting means for adjusting input / output characteristics, and a non-volatile memory for storing input / output characteristic adjusting data, which are stored in the non-volatile memory when reading the data symbol. A data symbol reading device, wherein the input / output characteristic adjusting means adjusts the input / output characteristics based on the input / output characteristic adjusting data.

(8) The data symbol reading device as described in (7) above, wherein the setting of the input / output characteristic is changed by rewriting the input / output characteristic adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory.

(9) A plurality of input / output characteristic adjustment data for obtaining different input / output characteristics are stored in the non-volatile memory, and the setting of the input / output characteristics is changed by selectively reading these data. Data symbol reader.

(10) The input / output characteristic adjustment data is
The above (7) to (9) relating to the gamma value in the relationship between the input level and the output level of the image signal.
The data symbol reader according to any one of 1.

(11) The input / output characteristic adjustment data is
The knee characteristics relating to the relationship between the input level and the output level of the image signal are the above-mentioned (7) to (9).
The data symbol reader according to any one of 1.

(12) The data symbol reader according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the reading unit and the signal processing circuit are integrated.

(13) The data symbol according to any one of the above (1) to (12), which has a light projecting section for projecting light onto the reading area, and the light projecting section is integrated with the reading section. Reader.

(14) The signal processing circuit has a function of binarizing the image signal and decoding the binarized data to output the binarized data. The described data symbol reader.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the data symbol reading device 1 of the present invention
Has a casing 2 in which a light projecting section 40 and a reading section 4 for reading the data symbol 38 are installed in an integrated state.

The light projecting section 40 is composed of a pair of light sources 41 and a light source drive circuit 42 for turning on the both light sources 41.
As the light source 41, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED, a halogen lamp, a semiconductor laser, or the like can be used. The present invention is not limited to the pair of light sources 41, and a single light source may be used.

Between both light sources 41, a CCD (charge coupled device) 43 which is an area sensor and this CC
A reading unit 4 including an optical system 44 that guides reflected light in a symbol reading area 36 described below to form an image is installed at D43. In the CCD 43, a large number of pixels are arranged in rows and columns, and each pixel is configured to accumulate an electric charge according to the amount of light received and to sequentially transfer the electric charge at a predetermined time. This transferred charge is
It constitutes the image signal of the read image.

In this embodiment, the CCD 43
Is only required to be able to detect the brightness (luminance) of each part of the data symbol 38, but a CCD 43 for a color image can also be used depending on the configuration of the data symbol to be read.

The optical system 44 is constructed by combining various optical components such as various lenses, prisms, filters and mirrors as desired.

The light projecting section 40 and the reading section 4 as described above.
In the above, both light sources 41 are turned on by the light source drive circuit 42, the light emitted from both light sources 41 is applied to the symbol reading area 36, and the reflected light thereof is CC through the optical system.
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of D43, and an image signal (analog signal) corresponding to the received light amount is output.

The reading unit 4 is not limited to the one shown in the drawing in which the reflected light from the symbol reading region 36 is received by the CCD 43, and in addition to this, a light source (projecting unit).
The symbol reading area is located between the CCD and the CCD, and the light emitted from the light source is applied to the symbol reading area.
The configuration may be such that the transmitted light forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD.

Further, in the present invention, the light projecting section 40 as described above may not be provided.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the symbol reading area. As shown in the figure, the symbol reading area (indicated by the one-dot chain line in the figure) 36 is irradiated with light by the light projecting section 40 on the reference surface (the surface on which the data symbol 38 is located) 37, and its reflection This is an area where light can be received by the reading unit 4 and data can be read.

In the illustrated structure, the data symbols (symbol codes) 38 are composed of black or white (or transparent) mosaics arranged in x rows × y columns (x and y are integers of 2 or more). . The black or white color of this mosaic represents, for example, 0 or 1 in the binary system, and this combination specifies desired information. The data symbol 38 is not limited to the one having the illustrated configuration.

In the casing 2, the reading unit 4
There is provided a signal processing circuit 5 for processing the image signal from. The signal processing circuit 5 includes a CCD drive circuit 6, a synchronization signal generation circuit 7, an amplification circuit 8, an A / D converter 9, a binarization circuit (comparator) 10, a serial / parallel conversion circuit 11, and a main circuit shown in FIG. A memory 12, a non-volatile memory (E ² PROM) 13, a memory control circuit 14, a control means (CPU) 15, a communication driver 16 and a connection line for these.

A grip portion 2a is formed on the casing 2 for gripping with a hand, and a trigger switch 3 is installed at the lower portion of the grip portion 2a in FIG. While the main switch (power switch) (not shown) is on,
When the grip portion 2a is gripped by a hand and the trigger switch 3 is turned on by operating the index finger or the like of the hand, the reading of the data symbol 38 in the symbol reading area 36 is started.

The signal processed by the signal processing circuit 5 is decoded into necessary data, and then the communication driver 16
Is output to the external interface adapter 29, and is further input to the computer 32 such as a personal computer or a workstation via the interface adapter 29. In such a computer 32, input data is stored and totaled.

An image signal output from the CCD 43 and passed through the signal processing circuit 5 is output to an external interface adapter 29, and further converted into a signal of a desired form by the interface adapter 29, and then a monitor device ( CRT) 33. As a result, the image read by the reading unit 4 can be monitored.

In FIG. 1, a handy type data symbol reading device 1 is shown.
The present invention is not limited to such a form, for example,
It may be a stationary type (fixed type).

Next, the circuit configuration of the data symbol reading device 1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the data symbol reading device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the data symbol reader 1 includes a CCD drive circuit 6, a synchronization signal generation circuit 7, an amplification circuit 8, and an A / D.
A binarization circuit 10 including a converter 9 and a comparator
A serial / parallel conversion circuit 11, a main memory 12, a non-volatile memory 13, a memory control circuit 14, a control means 15 including a CPU (central processing unit), and a communication driver 16. ,
These are connected as desired. Further, the control means 15 includes a light source drive circuit 42, a switch circuit 19, and an LCD.
A display unit 20 such as a (liquid crystal display) is connected.

The switch circuit 19 includes, in addition to the trigger switch 3, a main switch (power switch), a mode switch described later, a monitor switch (mute switch), an exposure and input / output characteristic adjustment switch, a field / frame selection switch, and the like. Any of these are connected as needed.

Among these, the mode changeover switch is a switch for selecting a reading mode in which the reading unit 4 actually reads and a test mode in which a test is performed by a reference image signal described later.

The monitor switch is a switch for selecting, in the monitor device 33, a monitor through output mode for outputting a monitor image and a monitor cut mode for not outputting a monitor image.

The exposure and input / output characteristic adjusting switch has an exposure adjusting means, an input / output characteristic adjusting means, etc., which the data symbol reading apparatus 1 will be described later, and manually changes the setting of the exposure and input / output characteristics from outside the apparatus 1. This is a switch for changing the setting in the case of a possible configuration.

The field / frame selection switch is a switch for selecting a field image and a frame image as the image form.

The light source drive circuit 42 is a circuit for supplying electric power to the light source 41 to turn it on, and is controlled by the control means 15. A signal indicating that the main switch (or trigger switch 3) is turned on is output from the switch circuit 19 to the control means 1.
5 is input to the light source drive circuit 42.
The light source 41 is turned on. here,
The lighting time of the light source 41 is set as desired by the light source drive circuit 42 or the control means 15.

The switch circuit 19 may be controlled by the computer 32 through a serial communication line or the like.

When a signal indicating that the main switch (or trigger switch 3) is on is input from the switch circuit 19 to the control means 15, the control means 15 causes the CC
The D drive circuit 6 is operated.

The CCD drive circuit 6 has a crystal oscillator 62 which emits a clock signal having a frequency of 2 · f _{CK, and} a clock signal having a frequency f _CK obtained by frequency division from this clock signal is A A to obtain the timing of D / D conversion
It is input to the / D converter 9 and also input to the synchronization signal generation circuit 7. The sync signal generation circuit 7 generates a horizontal sync signal (HD) and a vertical sync signal (VD) that are synchronized with this clock signal, and these sync signals are the CCD.
It is input to the drive circuit 6.

From the CCD drive circuit 6 to the CCD 43, the CCD horizontal drive pulse generated based on the clock signal (f _CK ) and the CCD generated based on the horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) and the vertical synchronizing signal (VD). A vertical drive pulse is output, and charge accumulation and transfer in the CCD 43 are controlled.

In the CCD drive circuit 6, the frequency is 2
A signal obtained by _dividing the clock signal of f _CK to generate a clock signal having a frequency of f _CK / 8, and further combining this signal with a horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) and a vertical synchronizing signal (VD) (hereinafter, composite clock The signal (f _CL ) is sent to the memory control circuit 14 and the control means 15, respectively.

The memory control circuit 14 has an address counter, and this address counter determines addresses when writing and reading data, which will be described later, in the main memory 12. In this case, as will be described later, writing to the main memory 12 is performed based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ).

The control means 15 has an address counter, and this address counter writes threshold value data, which will be described later, into the nonvolatile memory 13 and reads it out based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ). Determine the address of. The address counter can also determine the address for the main memory 12 as needed.

Further, in the synchronizing signal generating circuit 7, the synchronizing signal (SYNC) for monitoring the image read by the reading unit 4 by the monitor device 33 based on the clock signal (f _CK ) from the CCD driving circuit 6. (For example, a composite signal of a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal) is generated and output to the output terminal 21.

In the above-mentioned reading mode, the image signals (analog signals) sequentially output from the CCD 43 of the reading section 4 are amplified by the amplifier circuit 8, and C
It is converted into a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as a digital image signal) by an A / D converter 9 which operates based on a clock signal (f _CK ) output from the CD drive circuit 6. This digital image signal has m bits (m is an integer of 2 or more)
Is a digital signal. In the present embodiment, it is an 8-bit signal, and the data has 256 levels of gradation.

The image signal (analog signal) output from the CCD 43 and amplified by the amplifier circuit 8 is also output to the external output terminal 21 as a monitor signal.

The digital image signal output from the A / D converter 9 is input to the binarization circuit 10. On the other hand, the non-volatile memory 13 stores threshold value data, which will be described later, prior to reading the data symbol 38.
This threshold value data is read from the non-volatile memory 13 and input to the binarization circuit 10 via the data bus 17 and the control means 15. Then, in the binarization circuit 10,
The digital image signal is compared with the threshold data and binarized. In this case, for reasons of ease of comparison and accuracy,
The threshold data is preferably m-bit digital data.

As described above, since the m-bit digital image signal converted by the A / D converter 9 is binarized by the binarizing circuit 10, it is directly converted into a 1-bit digital image signal by the A / D converter. More accurate binarized data (1 bit) compared to the case of converting and using this as binarized data
Is obtained.

In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 1
As ^{3, E 2 PROM (Electrically Erasable} Prog
In the present invention, a non-volatile memory is a storage or recording medium that does not lose its stored contents even when the power (main switch etc.) is turned off. Are non-volatile, and those in which a memory element (particularly of low power consumption type) is backed up by a battery are included. The non-volatile memory also includes recording media such as magnetic recording media, optical recording media, and magneto-optical recording media. In this case, when reading the data symbol 38, in order to increase the reading speed of the threshold data, the threshold data is temporarily read from these recording media into a normal memory (not shown) and then read from this memory. The threshold value data may be sent to the binarization circuit 10.

The binarized data (1 bit) output from the binarization circuit 10 is input to the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11. In the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11, n
A number (however, n is an integer of 2 or more) of binarized data (serial data) is collected and converted into n-bit data (parallel data). In this case, n is the control means (C
This corresponds to the word length (bit length) of the PU) 15, and in this embodiment, n = 8. In the present embodiment, n and m are equal and n = 8, but n and m may be different.

The main memory 12 is a memory (for example, 8 bits × 32) configured to store n-bit data.
K), and the n-bit data converted by the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11 is transmitted via the data bus 17.
The data is written at a predetermined address determined by an address counter built in the memory control circuit 14.

In the present invention, the binarized data of the image signal for one screen is stored in one area on the main memory 12 (field image) or divided into a plurality of areas (frame image). ) Either.

In the latter case, as shown in FIG. 12, data for one screen is composed of one frame (two fields), and different fields 12 of the main memory 12 are arranged for each field.
a, 12b. In this case, for the data of the first field and the second field, for example, the same image is captured twice, and these are used as the data of the first field and the second field, respectively, and one scanning line for two rows of pixels on the CCD 43. Minute data, and in the first field and the second field, the pixels are shifted by one row.

As described above, when the frame image is stored in the main memory 12, the resolution in the vertical direction can be increased.

In the present embodiment, a case in which a frame image is selected by the above-mentioned field / frame selection switch and data of 2 fields is fetched and image processing, decoding processing, etc. are representatively described. When the field image is selected by the field / frame selection switch, the processing is performed using only the signal corresponding to one of the fields, so that the speed of the decoding processing can be increased.

From the main memory 12 in which data for one screen (one field or one frame) is stored,
Data is sequentially read according to the address designated by the address counter, and input to the control means 15 via the data bus 17. Then, the data of this one screen is subjected to image processing such as contour detection (extraction of only information about the data symbol 38), dropout correction, rotation, etc. in the arithmetic unit of the control means 15, and further the control means 15 A decoder built in the decoder decodes the data according to the system of the data symbol 38. The decoded data is output to the output terminal 21 via the communication driver 16. As the communication driver 16, for example, a driver based on the RS-232C system can be used.

When a signal corresponding to the mode of the monitor switch (not shown) is input from the switch circuit 19 to the control means 15, the mute signal generating circuit built in the control means 15 causes the reading area of the monitor device 33 to change. Mute signal (Hi or L) that affects monitor availability
ow level) is output to the output terminal 21.

The display unit 20 is driven by the control means 15
Are controlled by, for example, read data (after decoding), NG / OK (confirmation of detection of data symbol 38 described later), date and time, power on / off, exposure information such as shutter speed, and various types of reading. Information is displayed as needed. Note that all or part of the information displayed on the display unit 20 may be displayed on the monitor device 33.

When the trigger switch 3 is off, the display section 20 displays, for example, the date and time, power on / off, and the number of readings.

The output terminal 21 of the data symbol reader 1 is the input terminal 30 of the interface adapter 29.
The monitor signal, the synchronization signal (SYNC), and the mute signal output from the output terminal 21 are input to the encoder 31 incorporated in the interface adapter 29 via the cable 34 and the input terminal 30. To be done.

The encoder 31 generates a signal reproducible by the monitor device 33, for example, an NTSC video signal from the input monitor signal and the synchronizing signal (SYNC), and the video signal is generated based on the mute signal. Output to the monitor device 33. For example, when the mute signal is at the low level, the video signal is output to the monitor device 33, the monitor image of the symbol reading area 36 is displayed on the monitor device 33, and the mute signal is H level.
In the case of the i level, the video signal of the monitor signal is not output to the monitor device 33, and the monitor image is not captured.

The decoded data output from the output terminal 21 is input to the interface adapter 29 via the cable 34, and the cable 3 connecting the interface adapter 29 and the computer 32 is further connected.
It is input to the computer 32 via 5.

Next, the control operation of the control means 15 when reading the data symbol 38 will be described.

4, 5, 6 and 7 are flow charts showing the operation at the time of reading the data symbol 38 (frame unit). In this case, FIGS.
Is the main program, Figures 6 and 7 are Figures 4 and 5.
It is a subroutine program corresponding to step 109 in the main program shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a timing chart at the time of reading the data symbol 38 (frame unit). Each flowchart will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the main program, when the main switch of the data symbol reader 1 is turned on, the mode relating to the external output of the monitor signal changes the monitor signal to the external monitor device 33. It is determined whether the output mode, that is, the monitor through output mode described above, is set (step 100).

In step 100, when the monitor through output mode is set, a mute signal of low level is sent from the mute signal generating circuit to the encoder 31 in the interface adapter 29, and the mute O
The FF state is set (step 101).

Then, the light source 41 is turned on and the CCD 43 is driven (step 102). Then, the monitor signal (video signal) is output to the monitor device 33 (step 103). As a result, the monitor image of the symbol reading area 36 appears on the monitor device 33.

Next, it is judged whether or not the trigger switch 3 of the data symbol reading device 1 is turned on (step 104).

When it is determined in step 104 that the trigger switch 3 is on, the reading process is executed (step 109).

If it is determined in step 104 that the trigger switch 3 is off, step 1 is performed again.
Return to 00.

In step 100, when the monitor through output mode is not set (in the monitor cut mode described above), a mute signal of Hi level is output from the mute signal generation circuit (for example, a monochrome image is displayed on the monitor). The signal) is sent to the encoder 31 in the interface adapter 29 to turn on the mute (step 105), and the mute signal is output to the monitor device 33 (step 106). As a result, a predetermined mute image appears on the monitor device 33 (the monitor image does not appear).

Next, it is judged whether or not the trigger switch 3 of the data symbol reading device 1 is turned on (step 107).

If it is determined in step 107 that the trigger switch 3 is on, the light source 41 is turned on and C
The CD 43 is driven (step 102) and the reading process is executed (step 109).

If it is determined in step 107 that the trigger switch 3 is off, step 1 is performed again.
Return to 00.

6 and 7 show the details of the reading process. In this subroutine program, first, the charge of the first field is stored in the CCD 43 according to the image pattern of the symbol reading area 36 ( Step 200).

Then, it is judged whether or not the vertical synchronizing signal (VD) is output (step 201). When VD is output, the charge of the first field is read from the CCD 43 and the symbol is read by the CCD 43. The charge of the second field is accumulated according to the image pattern of the area 36. Then, the charge (image signal) of the first field read from the CCD 43 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 8,
A / D conversion is performed by the A / D converter 9 (step 20)
2).

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, in the CCD 43, charge accumulation and readout are alternately performed in the pixel corresponding to the first field and the pixel corresponding to the second field. In this case, 1 field is 1/6
It is 0 seconds, and when one field is accumulating,
The reading of the other field is performed. For example, second
At the time of charge accumulation in the field (B), charge reading of the first field (A) is simultaneously performed.

In the above case, for example, when the exposure time (charge storage time) Tv is 1/60 second, the timing of the vertical synchronizing signal (VD) is controlled as the charge storage start timing. That is, at the timing of the output of the transfer gate pulse (TG) synchronized with VD, the charge accumulated up to that point is transferred and the charge accumulation is started.

Further, for example, when the exposure time Tv <1/60 seconds, the VD timing cannot be used, so another control pulse signal, for example, an electronic shutter pulse is used, and the output timing of this electronic shutter pulse is set. It is controlled as the timing of starting charge accumulation. In this case, the electronic shutter pulse is input to the VSUB driver 64, which will be described later, to set the VSUB signal to the Hi level, reset the unnecessary charges accumulated up to that point, and newly start charge accumulation.

The charge reading is performed in synchronization with the VD timing in both cases of Tv <1/60 seconds and Tv = 1/60 seconds.

The grasping of the first field and the second field is performed based on the field index signal (FI) generated by the synchronizing signal generating circuit 7 and input to the control means 15.

The charges (image signals) in the first field and the second field read from the CCD 43 are
Each of them is amplified by the amplifier circuit 8 and then, independently of the decoding process (without passing through the A / D converter 9), is output to the encoder 31 as a monitor signal. In the monitor through output mode, this monitor signal is input from the encoder 31 to the monitor device 33 as a video signal, whereby the captured image can be monitored in real time.

After step 202, the A / D converted image signal is binarized by comparing it with threshold value data in the binarization circuit 10, and serial / parallel conversion is performed in the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11. (Step 203).

Next, the serial / parallel converted image data is stored in a predetermined address of the main memory 12 (step 204).

Actually, amplification in the amplifier circuit 8, A / D conversion in the A / D converter 9, comparison with threshold data in the binarization circuit 10, binarization, serial / parallel conversion. The serial / parallel conversion in the circuit 11 and the storage operation in the main memory 12 are performed for each pixel.

Next, it is judged whether or not the storage of the data for the first field in the main memory 12 is completed (step 205). If it is completed, it is judged whether or not VD is output (step 205). Step 206).

When VD is output, the charge of the second field is read from the CCD 43, the charge (image signal) of the second field is amplified by the amplifier circuit 8, and the A / D
A / D conversion is performed by the converter 9 (step 207).

Next, the binarization circuit 10 compares the threshold value data and binarizes it, and the serial / parallel conversion circuit 1
Serial / parallel conversion is performed in step 1 (step 20).
8).

Next, the serial / parallel converted image data is stored in a predetermined address of the main memory 12 (step 209).

Next, it is judged whether or not the storage of the data for the second field in the main memory 12 is completed (step 210), and if it is completed, the data is read from the main memory 12 (step 211). .

Then, contour detection, dropout correction,
Predetermined image processing such as rotation is performed (step 212).

Next, the image-processed data is decoded as desired (step 213).

Then, as confirmation of the detection of the data symbol, it is determined whether the decoded data in step 213 is OK, that is, whether the proper decoded data is obtained (step 214).

In step 214, if the decoded data is OK, the decoding error flag is not set (decoding error flag = 0), and the decoded data is sent to the external interface adapter 29 via the communication driver 16. (Step 215).

In step 214, if the decoded data is not OK, that is, if the desired data cannot be decoded, a decoding error flag is set (decoding error flag = 1). In this case, the data is not sent to the interface adapter 29 (step 2
16).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, after the above-mentioned reading process is completed, it is judged whether or not the decode error flag = 1 (step 110).

When it is judged in step 110 that the decoding error flag = 0, the timer built in the control means 15 is started and the image of the monitor device 33 is judged to be proper as a result of the confirmation of the detection of the data symbol. It is changed to an OK display indicating that the decoded data is obtained (step 111).

If it is determined in step 110 that the decoding error flag = 1, the timer built in the control means 15 is started and the image of the monitor device 33 cannot be decoded properly. Is changed to the NG display (step 112).

Then, it is judged whether or not the count of the timer is completed (whether or not the timer is up) (step 113).
The K display and the NG display are canceled and the original screen is displayed (step 114).

As a result, in the monitor through output mode, the symbol reading area 3 is displayed on the monitor device 33.
In the monitor cut mode, the monitor image of No. 6 appears, and the mute image appears on the monitor device 33.

Then, the decoding error flag = 0 is set (step 115). Next, it is determined whether or not the main switch is off (step 116). If the main switch is on, the process returns to step 100 again, and step 1
00 to 116 are repeatedly executed. And step 1
If the main switch is turned off at 16, this program ends.

Here, the method of displaying OK in step 111 and NG in step 112 will be specifically described as follows.

The notification signal used for OK display and NG display is basically the same as the mute signal.
It is a video signal that defines a predetermined display pattern (for example, characters or figures such as “OK” and “NG”) or brightness and color for notification.

The video signal is stored in a memory (not shown) built in the control means 15, is read from the memory at the time of OK display and NG display, and is read by the monitor device 33 using the mute signal line. Is displayed.

In this case, in the monitor through output mode, the notification signal is superimposed and output as the monitor signal, and in the monitor cut mode, the mute signal is replaced with the video corresponding to the display content. It is configured to output a signal.

The method of OK display and NG display on the monitor device 33 is not limited to this. In addition to this, for example, when the monitor device 33 is capable of outputting sound, presence or absence of sound (for example, A warning sound is emitted only in the case of NG display), a method of indicating the content of the sound (for example, notifying OK or NG by sound), and the like. In addition,
It is also possible to combine any two or more of these methods.

Further, in the present invention, the light source 4 is used to save power.
The intensity of the illuminating light of No. 1 can be adjusted in two steps (“strong” or “weak”), and “strong” from when the trigger switch 3 is turned on until charge accumulation in the second field is completed. In other cases, it may be configured to switch to "weak".

As described above, since the data symbol reading device 1 has the function of monitoring the read image, the reading error is reduced, and even when the reading error occurs, it can be easily found. Can easily be modified and re-read for proper reading.

It goes without saying that the present invention may not have the monitor function as described above.

Next, a preferred example of a method of binarizing the digital image signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 9 by the binarization circuit 10 will be described. Binarization of the digital image signal is performed by comparing the threshold value data stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 13 with the digital image signal. The method of creating this threshold data is as follows.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart when the threshold data is created. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this timing chart.

The threshold value data is read with an exposure amount which is about half that of the data symbol 38 when reading a test chart having the same lightness as the maximum lightness of the data symbol 38, that is, a white test chart in this embodiment. It is obtained by performing. For example, as described below, when the data symbol 38 is read with the shutter speed (CCD storage time) of the CCD 43 set to 1/60 second, the shutter speed of the CCD 43 is set to 1/125 second and a uniform white color is obtained. Read the test chart.

The number of bits of the A / D converted digital image signal is not particularly limited.
As shown in 0, the image signal (analog signal) from the CCD 43 is converted into an 8-bit digital image signal by the A / D converter 9, and the minimum value of the digital image signal is 0 (decimal) for each pixel. ), The maximum value is set to 255 (decimal).

In order to create the threshold data in such a setting, first, the shutter speed is set to 1/60 seconds (shutter speed at the time of reading the data symbol 38).
From 1 to 125 seconds, a uniform white test chart is read under the same conditions as when reading the data symbol 38. As a result, the image signal (analog signal) shown in FIG. 9 is obtained.

This analog signal is A / D converted for each pixel based on the clock signal (f _CK ). In this case, the vertical sync signal (VD) and the horizontal sync signal (H
D) are each synchronized with the clock signal (f _CK ) (in this case, the edges of the signals are substantially coincident with each other).
As a result, an 8-bit digital image signal shown in the enlarged view on the lower side of FIG. 9 is obtained. This digital image signal is shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, it is a signal in the vicinity of 127 (decimal), that is, a signal corresponding to a uniform gray color (intermediate brightness from white to black) at a shutter speed of 1/60 seconds.

As a method for making the exposure amount at the time of creating the threshold value data almost half of that at the time of reading the data symbol 38, as described above, the shutter speed of the CCD 43 is almost twice that at the time of reading the data symbol 38. However, the CCD 4 may be adjusted by adjusting the aperture value using an aperture mechanism, which will be described later, or by using an optical filter.
Examples of the method include a method of reducing the amount of received light at 3 to about half that at the time of reading the data symbol 38, a method of combining these, and the like.

Then, as shown in the enlarged view of the lower side of FIG. 9, the digital image signal is sequentially extracted for every 8 pixels based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ) and used as threshold data. In this case, the threshold data is common to 8 pixels between two adjacent composite clock signal (f _CL), the representative value of the digital image signals between two adjacent composite clock signal (f _CL) That is, in the illustrated case, the digital image signal value corresponds to the first composite clock signal (f _CL ). The threshold data created as above is
It is stored in the non-volatile memory 13 via the data bus 17. In this case, nonvolatile memory for threshold data 1
The address to be written in 3 is determined by the address counter built in the control means 15.

Here, the pre-blanking (PB in FIG. 9
The LK) signal is generated by combining a horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) and a vertical synchronizing signal (VD), and the composite clock signal (f _CL ) is generated as a horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) and a vertical synchronizing signal (VD). ) Is used to synchronize with each. In this case, the PBLK has a predetermined phase difference with respect to the horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) in order to sample the signal of the optical black portion of the CCD 43 for convenience of image processing. It may have the same phase as the signal (HD). The phase difference of the PBLK with respect to the horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) can be set arbitrarily within a range that does not affect the effective pixel area of the CCD 43.

[0126] More specifically describing an application of PBLK, period PBLK in FIG. 9 of "L", the clock signal f _CK is erased (blanking), the clock signal only during the period of PBLK is "H" f _CK Is divided, whereby a composite clock signal (f _CL ) synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) and the vertical synchronizing signal (VD) is generated. For example, for the horizontal synchronizing signal (HD), the clock signal f
The 0th signal of _CK is erased and only the 1st to 8th signals of the clock signal _fCK are divided, whereby the composite clock signal (f _CL ) synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal (HD).
Is obtained. The same applies to the vertical sync signal (VD).

[0127] Here, the state in which the composite clock signal (f _CL) is synchronized with the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals, the composite clock signal (f _CL) is, the edge portion and the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals each edge portion And are output with a predetermined fixed phase difference (including the case where the phase difference is 0, that is, the same phase).

In this embodiment, it is not necessary to compare all the pixels in practical use.
A signal for writing and reading threshold data to and from a composite clock signal (f _CL ) having a frequency of f _CK / 8 and synchronized with vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals.
I am trying. As a result, the threshold value data to be written in the non-volatile memory 13 is extracted from the digital image signal every 8 pixels, so that the capacity of the memory can be saved and the efficiency of memory access can be improved.

In the present invention, the nonvolatile memory 13
The frequency of the composite clock signal for writing and reading the threshold data to and from is not limited to this. For example, if the capacity of the non-volatile memory 13 is such that threshold data for all pixels can be stored, the frequency of the composite clock signal is set to the same frequency as the sampling frequency f _CK of the A / D converter 9. The threshold data for all the pixels may be stored based on the composite clock signal.

Here, the method of reading the data symbol 38 at an exposure different from that at the time of reading to create the threshold data is not limited to the above-described method of halving the exposure amount, and other than this, for example, a shutter is used. A method of performing processing (correction) of the read image signal, such as changing any of the exposure adjustment items described below other than the speed and the aperture, may be used. As a specific example, there is a method of reading with the amplification ratio (gain) of the voltage control amplifier 82 being almost halved.

Further, regardless of the exposure adjustment and the signal processing (correction) as described above, for example, a threshold value data is obtained by using a test chart of uniform gray color (intermediate lightness from white to black). May be created.

Next, when actually reading the data symbol, the A / D-converted digital image signal is compared with the threshold data created as described above in the binarization circuit 10. It is converted to binary data (serial data), and further, by the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11,
For example, it is 8-bit data (parallel data).
The method of obtaining this parallel data is as follows.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart for obtaining parallel data. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this timing chart.

First, the 8-bit threshold data read from the nonvolatile memory 13 and the A / D converted 8
A bit digital image signal is compared for each pixel. In this case, when the digital image signal is above the threshold data, a Hi level signal (voltage of 5V) is output, and when the digital image signal is below the threshold data, Lo is output.
A w-level signal (voltage of 0V) is output. In this way, the 8-bit digital image signal for each pixel is converted (binarized) into a 1-bit signal, and the rectangular 2
A binarized waveform, that is, binarized data (serial data) is obtained.

Here, the reading of the threshold data from the non-volatile memory 13 is performed based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ) of the frequency f _CK / 8 similarly to the writing rate, but the A / D conversion is performed. The comparison between the digital image signal from the container 9 and the threshold data and the binarization operation are performed based on the clock signal (f _CK ), respectively. That is, the control means 15 has a memory for temporarily storing the threshold value data, and the threshold value corresponding to one pixel read from the non-volatile memory 13 based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ). The value data is once stored in the memory in the control means 15, and then the threshold value data corresponding to one pixel read based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ) is stored in the memory in the control means 15. The same threshold value data is sent to the binarization circuit 10 eight times based on the clock signal (f _CK ) until it is updated. As a result, the threshold value data and the digital image signal can be compared without shifting the compared pixel.

Further, the control means 15 has a function of grasping the timing of horizontal synchronization and vertical synchronization by counting the number of composite clock signals (f _CL ) per unit time. For horizontal synchronization, for example, when the number of pixels per horizontal row is 512, 64 composite clock signals (f _CL ) are detected in the 1H period. As for the vertical synchronization, the blank period is much longer than the horizontal synchronization interval, and therefore the vertical synchronization timing can be grasped from the relationship between the presence or absence of the composite clock signal (f _CL ) and the horizontal synchronization timing.

As a result, the control means 15 can control the address of each memory in accordance with the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals of the reading section 4. For example,
The control means 15 can send a command such as writing and reading start to the memory control circuit 14 in correspondence with a vertical or horizontal synchronizing signal, and thus, in combination with the format format of the main memory 12, perform a series of sequence operations efficiently. Is possible.

The control means 15 also grasps the address currently accessed via the memory control circuit 14.

Next, this binarized data is converted into one data in which the data for 8 pixels are put together, that is, parallel data in units of 8 bits, and stored in each predetermined address of the main memory 12. That is, 1 in FIG.
Hexadecimal F1 is stored in the address number 0, FC is stored in the address number 1, and 3C is stored in the address number 2 as 8-bit data.

Since the image data is stored in the main memory 12 as n-bit data as described above, the image data can be written and read at a higher speed.

Next, preferred examples of a method of writing n-bit data in the main memory 12 and a method of reading n-bit data from the main memory 12 will be described.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a memory map of the main memory 12. As shown in the figure, the main memory 12 stores the first area 12a for storing the data corresponding to the first field and the data corresponding to the second field so as to correspond to the frame image described above. Second region 12b.

In addition, the first area 12a and the second area 12b
Respectively have image data storage areas 121a and 121b in which image data is stored, and blank areas 123a and 123b (hatched portions in the figure) in which data corresponding to a blanking period and the like are stored. There is. In this case, the blank area 123a is located on the right side and the lower side of the first area 12a in FIG. 12, and the blank area 123b is
The second region 12b is located on the right side and the lower side in FIG.

The number of addresses in the main memory 12 is not particularly limited, but for convenience of description, the illustrated main memory 12 has, for example, 100 rows × 100 columns of addresses (A00001), (A00002) ... (A099).
99) and (A10000). In this case, one row on the main memory 12 is almost equal to 1H worth of data.

In the main memory 12 having such a configuration, n
When writing bit data, the memory control circuit 1
Reference numeral 4 designates the main memory 12 based on the command from the control means 15 and the input composite clock signal (f _CL ).
Address control of. That is, regarding addressing, the update of the address in the row direction (horizontal direction) is performed based on the input composite clock signal (f _CL ), and the start timing of the write operation in the row direction,
The shift operation to the head address of the next row address, which will be described later, the address change operation associated with the field change (vertical synchronization), and the like are performed based on commands from the control means 15, respectively.

For example, when writing n-bit data to the main memory 12, the address counter of the memory control circuit 14 sequentially designates addresses based on the composite clock signal (f _CL ) having the frequency f _CK / 8. To go. In this case, the control means 15 knows the timing of the horizontal synchronization and the vertical synchronization as described above, and the control means 15
Sends a command to the memory control circuit 14 based on the timing of the vertical synchronization signal (VD), and the memory control circuit 14 receives the command and causes the memory control circuit 14 to store the first data. ) Is specified. In this way, the data of the first row of the first field is sequentially transferred to the address (A of the first row of the first area 12a).
00001) to (A00100).

Here, as a result of writing all the data of the first line of the first field, the addresses of the first line are left over, or the addresses of the first line are not enough and the second line is not sufficient. Even if it has been used up to the middle of the address, the control means 15 sends a command to the memory control circuit 14 based on the timing of the next horizontal synchronizing signal (HD), and the memory control circuit 14 receives this command. As an address for storing the next data, the first area 12a
The address (A00101) at the left end of the second line of is specified. Then, the data in the second line of the first field is
It is written from the address (A00101), and the first
Data is written to the address of the second row in the area 12a.
In the same manner, the data corresponding to the first field is sequentially written to the predetermined address of the first area 12a of the main memory 12.

In this case, as a result of writing all the data corresponding to the first field, the address of the first area 12a is left over (for example, when several lines are left over), or the address of the first area 12a is left over. Even when the address of the second area 12b is used halfway (for example, when it is used for several lines), the control means 15 determines the timing based on the next vertical synchronization signal (VD). To send a command to the memory control circuit 14, and the command causes the memory control circuit 14 to store the next data, that is, the first data of the second field, as an address for storing the first data in the first row of the second area 12b. The address (A05001) at the left end is designated. Then, the data of the first row of the second field is sequentially transferred to the addresses (A05001) to (A05100) of the first row of the second area 12b.
Will be written in.

Thereafter, similarly to the case of the first area 12a, the data corresponding to the second feed is sequentially written into the predetermined address of the second area 12b of the main memory 12. In this way, the data for one frame is written to the predetermined address of the main memory 12.

In this embodiment, when n-bit data is written in the main memory 12, the memory control circuit 1
Reference numeral 4 designates the main memory 12 based on the command from the control means 15 and the input composite clock signal (f _CL ).
In addition to this, for example, the memory control circuit 14 is configured to execute the address control of
As in the case of 5, the configuration may have a function of grasping or detecting the timing of horizontal synchronization and vertical synchronization.

Next, when reading out n-bit data from the main memory 12, the control means 15 uses, for example,
Reading is performed at an original rate (rate for image processing). In this case, the control means 15 is the memory control circuit 1
It is possible to read by designating an address directly via 4 or by itself. It is also possible to read at the same rate of the composite clock signal (f _CL ) as that at the time of writing.

Hereinafter, the control means 15 controls the main memory 12
Control for reading data from the memory will be described with reference to FIG.

The control means 15 sends a command to the memory control circuit 14 based on a predetermined clock signal, and the memory control circuit 14 uses this command to read the first data from its address counter. The end address (A00001) is designated. After this,
The data of the first row of the first field are sequentially transferred to the addresses (A00001) to (A0 of the first row of the first area 12a).
0100).

Then, the control means 15 sends a command to the memory control circuit 14 based on a predetermined clock signal,
In response to this command, the memory control circuit 14 uses the first area of the second area 12b as an address for reading the next data.
The address (A05001) at the left end of the line is designated.

After that, the data of the first row of the second field is sequentially transferred to the address (A of the first row of the second area 12b).
05001) to (A05100). Similarly, the data corresponding to the first field and the data corresponding to the second field are alternately read from the main memory 12 at a predetermined address in units of rows.

As described above, when writing data into the main memory 12, the start end of the line unit of the image data in the main memory 12 is unified to the left end in FIG. The light receiving area on the CCD 43 directly corresponds to the image data recording areas 121a and 121b on the main memory 12.
This simplifies the processing and control for aligning or extracting the image data when or after reading the data from the main memory 12, and simplifies the circuit configuration and speeds up the processing.

Data symbol reading apparatus 1 of the present invention
Has an exposure adjusting means for adjusting exposure during reading and an input / output characteristic adjusting means for adjusting input / output characteristics.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the CCD drive circuit 6 and the amplification circuit 8 having the exposure adjusting means and the input / output characteristic adjusting means. As shown in the figure, C
The CD drive circuit 6 includes a CCD drive pulse generation circuit 61,
It is composed of a CCD driver 63 and a VSUB driver 64, and the CCD drive pulse generation circuit 61 has the above-mentioned crystal oscillator 62.

The CCD drive pulse generation circuit 61 is a CCD
A CCD horizontal drive pulse for activating 43 and a CCD vertical drive pulse are generated, and these pulses are input to desired terminals on the CCD 43 via the CCD driver 63.

Further, the CCD drive pulse generation circuit 61 is
A VSUB signal for controlling the substrate voltage of the CCD 43 is generated and, for example, VSUB is generated via the VSUB driver 64.
If the signal is a low level signal, the substrate voltage of the CCD 43 is usually controlled to about 10 V to suppress blooming,
If the VSUB signal is a high level signal, the CCD 4
The substrate voltage of 3 is usually controlled to around 20 to 30 V and the CCD
All the charges of the 43 pixels are reset. In this case VS
By outputting the Hi level signal of the UB signal in a pulse form and adjusting the interval between this Hi level signal and the timing of transfer from the pixel to the vertical transfer CCD, the CCD
The charge accumulation time at 43 changes and the shutter speed is adjusted. The timing of transfer from the pixels to the vertical transfer CCD is performed during the vertical blanking period of TV scanning.

Such a CCD drive pulse generation circuit 61
Are control signals P ₁ and P ₂ output from the control means 15.
The drive is controlled by (each 1-bit digital signal). That is, in this embodiment, as shown in Table 1 below, depending on the input pattern of the control signals P ₁ and P ₂ , 1/60 seconds, 1/125 seconds, 1/250 seconds and 1
Four shutter speeds of / 500 seconds are selected.

On the other hand, the amplifier circuit 8 includes a sample / hold circuit 81 and a voltage control amplifier (hereinafter referred to as V
CA) 82, a gamma correction circuit 83, and a knee circuit 86, which are connected in series in this order from the CCD 43 side. The image signal (analog signal) output from the CCD 43 is temporarily stored in the sample / hold circuit 81, amplified by the VCA 82 with a desired amplification factor, and passed through the gamma correction circuit 83 and the knee circuit 86, and then the A / D converter. At 9, the digital image signal is obtained.

In the VCA 82, the amplification factor of the image signal, that is, the sensitivity is adjusted by the control signal (analog voltage) A ₁ input to the VCA 82. In this case, the control signal A ₁ is always input to the VCA 82.

The gamma correction circuit 83 corresponds to a difference in gamma characteristics (degree of inclination of curve) as shown in FIG. 17, for example. Gamma correction circuit 83 in this embodiment
Has _two correction circuits connected in parallel so that two kinds of gamma correction values γ ₁ and γ ₂ can be obtained, and a changeover switch 84 is connected to these. The two correction circuits are provided with terminals 85a and 85b respectively, and one of these terminals 85a and 85b is connected to the switching terminal of the changeover switch 84 to select the gamma correction values γ ₁ and γ _2. .

Note that the gamma characteristic shown in FIG. 17 and FIG.
In the knee characteristics described later shown in FIG. 8, the output level “S ′” at the input level “S” is configured to be the reference white level.

The changeover of the changeover switch 84 is controlled by the control signal P ₃ (1-bit digital signal) output from the control means 15 (see Table 1 below).

The knee circuit 86 determines, for example, the knee characteristic as shown in FIG. 18, that is, the degree of compression of the output level (movement of the bending point near the saturation level) in the region of large light quantity (input level S or more). Is. In this embodiment, the knee characteristic is adjusted stepwise by the control signal (analog voltage) A ₂ input to the knee circuit 86. The control signal A ₂ is always
It is input to the knee circuit 86.

Each of the control signals A ₁ and A ₂ is an analog voltage signal, and this analog voltage signal is obtained by converting the digital signal output from the control means 15 by the D / A converter 22. It is a signal. In this embodiment, the analog voltage signal output from the D / A converter 22 has 16 different voltage values in the range of 0V to 5V, as shown in Table 2 below.

[0169]

[Table 1]

[0170]

[Table 2]

The D / A converter 22 shown in FIG. 13 is a 2-channel D / A converter capable of outputting two analog voltage signals A ₁ and A ₂ .

The signals input from the control means 15 to the D / A converter 22 are clock signals and serial data signals (1
Bit digital signal) and load signal. FIG. 15 is a timing chart of these three types of signals. As shown in the figure, the serial data signal and the load signal are output in synchronization with the clock signal. After the load signal L ₁ is input, the five serial data signals D ₀ , D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ and D are synchronized with the clock signal.
₄ are sequentially input to the D / A converter 22, and when the next load signal L ₂ is input, these serial data signals are D
In the / A converter 22, it is converted into a 5-bit parallel data signal, and this parallel data signal is further converted into an analog voltage signal.

In this case, in this embodiment, as shown in Table 2, which of the analog voltage signals A ₁ and A ₂ is to be output depending on the value of D ₀ , that is, the sensitivity adjustment of the VCA 82 and the knee circuit 86 need to be adjusted. A selection is made as to which of the characteristics is set. Then, the voltage value of the output analog voltage signal A ₁ or A ₂ is determined by the combination of the values of D _{1 to} D ₄ .

As described above, the exposure adjusting means in this embodiment is the CCD drive pulse generating circuit 61 and the amplifying circuit 8.
The exposure adjustment is, for example, adjustment of the shutter speed (adjustment of CCD charge accumulation time) and VC.
Any one or both of the sensitivity adjustments of A82 (hereinafter, these are referred to as exposure adjustment items) are performed. Further, the input / output characteristic adjusting means in the present embodiment is included in the amplifier circuit 8, and the input / output characteristic is adjusted, for example, by selecting the gamma value of the gamma correction circuit 83 and setting the knee characteristic of the knee circuit 86. One or both of these (hereinafter, referred to as input / output characteristic adjustment items) are performed.

As an example, the signals P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , D ₀ , D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ and D ₄ output from the control means 15 are ₀ , ₀ , ₀ , ₀ , ₁ , respectively. 0, 0 and 1
If it is, the exposure speed and the input / output characteristics are adjusted with a shutter speed of 1/60 second and a gamma correction value γ ₁ .
A voltage of 3V is applied to the VCA 82 (see Tables 1 and 2).

As shown in FIG. 13, the control means 15 includes
A non-volatile memory 23 such as an E ² PROM is connected. The nonvolatile memory 23 stores exposure adjustment data and input / output characteristic adjustment data, and under the control of the control means 15, the exposure adjustment data and the input / output characteristic adjustment data are read from the nonvolatile memory 23 at a predetermined time. Then, from the control means 15 to C
The signals P ₁ and P output to the CD drive pulse generation circuit 61, the gamma correction circuit 83 and the D / A converter 22.
₂ , P ₃ , D ₀ , D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ and D ₄ are determined based on the exposure adjustment data and the input / output characteristic adjustment data read from the nonvolatile memory 23.

The exposure adjustment data stored in the nonvolatile memory 23 is at least one of the exposure adjustment items.
This is the data for determining one. The input / output characteristic adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory 23 is
This is data for determining at least one of the input / output characteristic adjustment items.

For example, the shutter speeds will be described representatively. The shutter speeds are 1/60 second and 1/125 second, respectively.
Second, 1/250 second and 1/500 second memory data (eg 00, 01, 02, 03)
(Hexadecimal) is stored in a predetermined address of the non-volatile memory 23, and the shutter speed is specified from the read memory data by calculation in the calculation unit of the control means 15. The same applies to exposure adjustment items and input / output characteristic adjustment items other than the shutter speed.

The exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory 23 is normally preset when the data symbol reader is shipped from the factory. In this case, even if the non-volatile memory 23 stores one memory data item (one exposure adjustment value) for one exposure adjustment item, a plurality of memory data items (a plurality of exposure adjustment items) for one exposure adjustment item are stored. The value) may be stored as a table, for example. In the former case, the non-volatile memory 23
You can change the exposure setting by rewriting the memory data of. In the latter case, the memory data corresponding to the exposure to be set is read at the time of reading according to the selection of the exposure and the input / output characteristic adjustment switch described above, and the exposure is determined by arithmetic processing. It can be configured. The same applies to the input / output characteristic adjustment data.

The types of the exposure adjustment data and the input / output characteristic adjustment data are not limited to the memory data. For example, set values or characteristics of each exposure adjustment item and each input / output characteristic adjustment item, or the gamma correction. A set value such as a value, a coefficient for determining a characteristic, a correction value, and the like, and further, an output pattern of the control signals P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , serial data signals D _{0 to} D _4, or parallel signals thereof. It may be data such as (see Table 1 and Table 2). Also for these, similarly to the above, one piece of the data (one adjustment value) may be stored, or a plurality of data (a plurality of adjustment values) may be stored in a table, for example.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in which a different exposure adjustment means is additionally provided. In the configuration shown in the figure, a diaphragm mechanism composed of a diaphragm 24 and a diaphragm drive circuit 25 is additionally provided as an exposure adjusting means.

The diaphragm 24 is provided on the light receiving surface side of the CCD 43 and adjusts the amount of light received by the CCD 43.
It is driven by the diaphragm drive circuit 25. Aperture drive circuit 2
5 is controlled by the control means 15 via the D / A converter 26. For example, the diaphragm 24 is composed of an iris stop and an iris motor that drives the diaphragm blades, and by adjusting the drive amount of the iris motor,
The amount of light transmission can be adjusted. The control means 15 controls the drive amount of the iris motor via the diaphragm drive circuit 25.

The D / A converter 26 includes A ₁ , A ₂ and A
_This is a 3-channel D / A converter capable of outputting three analog voltage signals of 3, and the other configuration is the same as that of the D / A converter 22.

In the D / A converter 26, as will be described later,
Based on the three kinds of digital signals output from the control means 15, the analog voltage signals A ₁ , A ₂ and A ₃ are output. Of these, the analog voltage signal A ₃ is input to the diaphragm drive circuit 25. The diaphragm driving circuit 25 controls the diaphragm value to be adjusted continuously or stepwise (16 steps in the case of Table 3 below) depending on the magnitude of the applied analog voltage. The analog voltage signals A ₁ , A ₂ and A ₃
Are always output from the D / A converter 26.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of the clock signal, serial data signal and load signal input to the D / A converter 26 in the configuration example having the diaphragm mechanism shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the load signal L ₁
After being input, six serial data signals D ₀ , D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ and D ₅ are synchronized with the clock signal.
Are sequentially input to the D / A converter 26, and the next load signal L
These _two serial data signals are D /
It is converted into a 6-bit parallel data signal in the A converter 26, and this parallel data signal is further converted into an analog signal.

In this case, as shown in Table 3 below, which _one of the analog voltage signals A ₁ , A ₂ and A ₃ is output depending on the combination of the values of D ₀ and D ₁ , that is, the sensitivity adjustment of the VCA 82. Then, the knee characteristic of the knee circuit 86 or the aperture value of the aperture 24 is selected. Note that "D ₀ , D ₁ " is "0, 0"
In the case of A _1, A ₂ in the case of "0" is "0,
In the case of "1", A ₃ is selected.

Then, depending on the combination of the values of D _{2 to} D ₅ , the output analog voltage signal A ₁ , A ₂ or A
The voltage value of ₃ is determined.

[0188]

[Table 3]

In the structure having the diaphragm mechanism as described above,
The exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory 23 is
Data related to the aperture value is added as an exposure adjustment item.

In addition, as the diaphragm mechanism, for example, a plurality of openings having different diameters are arranged in a turret shape, and the turret is appropriately rotated to select an opening to be positioned on the optical path. May be

In addition, like the diaphragm mechanism described above, CC
As a mechanism for adjusting the amount of light received at D43, the CCD43
A configuration that inserts / withdraws an optical filter on the light-receiving surface side of
Alternatively, a configuration in which an optical filter with variable transmittance may be installed may be adopted. In this case, the exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory 23 is added with data relating to the control of the optical filter as an exposure adjustment item.

The exposure adjusting means and the input / output characteristic adjusting means are not limited to those having the configurations described above, and, for example, the digital image signal converted by the A / D converter 9 is corrected. It may be a correction circuit (not shown).

Now, the data symbol reading device 1 is
Prior to the actual reading of the data symbol 38, it is preferable to have a structure in which it is possible to perform a test for whether each part of the circuit operates normally or not. The configuration example will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 19, the control means 15 has a memory (ROM) 27, and this memory 27 includes:
A reference image signal (reference signal) is stored.
The reference image signal is a modeled image signal for testing or demonstration, and examples thereof include a signal having a relatively simple waveform as shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 21 or FIG. Needless to say, the waveform of the reference image signal is not limited to these, and may be a signal having a more complicated waveform. Further, it is preferable that the reference image signal has desired information in the system of the data symbol 38 to be read.

As shown in FIG. 19, the A / D converter 9
The memory 27 and the memory 27 are connected to the input side of the binarization circuit 10 by a common line 28, and the digital image signal output from the A / D converter 9 and the reference image signal read from the memory 27 are It is configured to be selectively input to the binarization circuit 10.

When the reading mode is selected by the mode selector switch, the reference image signal is not read from the memory 27, and the image signal from the CCD 43 passes through the amplifier circuit 8 and then the A / D converter 9 Then, it is converted into a digital image signal and input to the binarization circuit 10, and thereafter stored in the main memory 12 via the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11 as described above.

When one screen worth of data is stored in the main memory 12 as described above, the data is sequentially read from the main memory 12 and input to the control means 15 for image processing and decoding. It is output to the output terminal 21 by the communication driver 16.

On the other hand, when the test mode is selected by the mode selector switch, the memory 27
The reference image signal from is read out, input to the binarization circuit 10, and thereafter stored in the main memory 12 through the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11 similarly to the image signal. At this time, the control means 15 outputs an output enable signal for setting the A / D converter 9 to high impedance. As a result, the output of the digital image signal from the A / D converter 9 is stopped.

When the data corresponding to the reference image signal for one screen is stored in the main memory 12 as described above, the data is sequentially read from the main memory 12 and input to the control means 15 for image processing and The data is decoded and further output to the output terminal 21 by the communication driver 16.

With such a structure, it is possible to easily and accurately test whether the signal processing circuits such as the binarization circuit 10, the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11 and the main memory 12 are functioning normally. be able to. Such a test is preferably performed prior to reading the actual data symbol 38.

If the data symbol reading device does not have a mode changeover switch, the same test as described above can be performed based on the reference image signal when the data symbol reading device is shipped from the factory, for example.

In this embodiment, the memory 27 stores reference image signals of a plurality of different patterns,
A configuration may be adopted in which the reference image signal is read out by appropriately selecting from these and the subsequent signal processing is performed.

The memory for storing the reference image signal is not limited to the one built in the control means 15, but may be one installed separately from the control means 15, and this memory is rewritable. Anything (nonvolatile memory) may be used.

Further, the monitor device 33 may monitor the image composed of the reference image signal.

With the above-described structure, the data symbol reader itself can perform a test as to whether or not each part of the circuit operates normally. For example, the test can be easily performed without using a special inspection device.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the interface adapter 29 has been described as an external device of the data symbol reading device 1, but the data symbol reading device of the present invention corresponds to the interface adapter or its equivalent. May be built in. In this case, the signal output to the outside as the monitor signal is a video signal that constitutes the image signal of the connected monitor device.

The data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated configuration example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0208]

As described above, according to the data symbol reading device of the present invention, a two-dimensional data symbol can be easily and accurately read by a device having a simple structure.

In particular, the purpose of reading and the conditions for reading,
The exposure and the input / output characteristics can be freely and quickly adjusted according to changes in the environment, replacement of the reading unit, the light projecting unit, or components thereof, and the like, which enables easier and more accurate reading.

Further, for example, even when the optical parts constituting the reading section and the light projecting section are exchanged, the exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory and the exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory are read in order to perform reading under uniform conditions. By rewriting or appropriately selecting the input / output characteristic adjustment data, the exposure and input / output characteristics can be easily adjusted, and it is also suitable for readjustment in the actual machine state.

Further, by having the exposure adjusting means and the input / output characteristic adjusting means, the threshold data can be easily created.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a symbol reading area and a data symbol in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of reading a data symbol in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (subordinate to FIG. 4) showing an operation at the time of reading a data symbol in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of reading a data symbol in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart (subordinate to FIG. 6) showing an operation at the time of reading a data symbol in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart at the time of reading a data symbol in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart when threshold data is created in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing changes over time in the output of a digital image signal in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart for obtaining parallel data in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view schematically showing a memory map of a main memory in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a CCD drive circuit and an amplification circuit having an exposure adjustment unit and an input / output characteristic adjustment unit.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of a CCD drive circuit and an amplification circuit having an exposure adjustment unit and an input / output characteristic adjustment unit.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of signals input to a D / A converter.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of signals input to a D / A converter.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a gamma characteristic in the relationship between an input level and an output level.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing knee characteristics in the relationship between input level and output level.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a control means and a circuit configuration around the control means in the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing an example of a waveform of a reference image signal.

FIG. 21 is a graph showing an example of a waveform of a reference image signal.

FIG. 22 is a graph showing an example of a waveform of a reference image signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Data Symbol Reading Device 2 Casing 2a Gripping Part 3 Trigger Switch 4 Reading Part 40 Light Projecting Part 41 Light Source 42 Light Source Driving Circuit 43 CCD 44 Optical System 5 Signal Processing Circuit 6 CCD Driving Circuit 61 CCD Driving Pulse Generating Circuit 62 Crystal Oscillator 63 CCD Driver 64 VSUB driver 7 Synchronous signal generation circuit 8 Amplification circuit 81 Sample / hold circuit 82 Voltage control amplifier 83 Gamma correction circuit 84 Changeover switch 85a, 85b terminal 86 Knee circuit 9 A / D converter 10 Binarization circuit (comparator) 11 Serial / parallel conversion circuit 12 Main memory 12a First area 12b Second area 121a, 121b Image data storage area 123a, 123b Blank area 13 Non-volatile memory 14 Memory control Control circuit 15 Control means (CPU) 16 Communication driver 17 Data bus 18 Address bus 19 Switch circuit 20 Display section 21 Output terminal 22 D / A converter 23 Non-volatile memory 24 Aperture 25 Aperture drive circuit 26 D / A converter 27 Memory (ROM) 28 Line 29 Interface adapter 30 Input terminal 31 Encoder 32 Computer 33 Monitor device 34, 35 Cable 36 Symbol reading area 37 Reference plane 38 Data symbol 100-116 step 200-216 step

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A data symbol reading device for reading a two-dimensional data symbol, comprising: a reading unit that receives incident light from a reading region of the data symbol and photoelectrically converts the light; and an image signal from the reading unit. A signal processing circuit for adjusting the exposure, an exposure adjustment unit for adjusting the exposure, and a non-volatile memory for storing the exposure adjustment data. When reading the data symbol, based on the exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory. A data symbol reading device, wherein the exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure. 2. The data symbol reader according to claim 1, wherein the exposure setting is changed by rewriting the exposure adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory. 3. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of exposure adjustment data for obtaining different exposures are stored in the non-volatile memory, and the exposure setting is changed by selectively reading these. 4. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the exposure adjustment data relates to a shutter speed in the reading unit. 5. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the exposure adjustment data relates to an aperture value in the reading unit. 6. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the exposure adjustment data relates to reading sensitivity. 7. A data symbol reading device for reading a two-dimensional data symbol, the reading unit receiving incident light from the reading region of the data symbol and performing photoelectric conversion, and processing an image signal from the reading unit. A signal processing circuit, an input / output characteristic adjusting unit for adjusting input / output characteristics, and a non-volatile memory for storing input / output characteristic adjusting data, and stored in the non-volatile memory when reading the data symbol. Based on the input / output characteristic adjustment data,
A data symbol reading device characterized in that the input / output characteristic adjusting means adjusts the input / output characteristics. 8. The data symbol reading device according to claim 7, wherein the setting of the input / output characteristic is changed by rewriting the input / output characteristic adjustment data stored in the non-volatile memory. 9. The data according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of input / output characteristic adjustment data for obtaining different input / output characteristics are stored in the non-volatile memory, and the setting of the input / output characteristics is changed by selectively reading these. Symbol reader. 10. The data symbol reading device according to claim 7, wherein the input / output characteristic adjustment data relates to a gamma value in a relationship between an input level and an output level of the image signal. 11. The data symbol reading device according to claim 7, wherein the input / output characteristic adjustment data relates to a knee characteristic in a relationship between an input level and an output level of the image signal. 12. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the signal processing circuit are integrated. 13. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a light projecting unit that projects light onto the reading area, and the light projecting unit is integrated with the reading unit. 14. The data symbol according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit has a function of binarizing the image signal and further decoding and outputting the binarized data. Reader.