JPH07129703A - Cassette auto-changer and bar code read method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely read a bar code in a short time by reading the bar code provided on each cassette based on the scanning result obtained by scanning the bar code provided in a prescribed position. CONSTITUTION:In a cassette auto-changer 1, a bar code 11 ref a cassette 2B stored in the left end of the highest stage is read as the bar code of the first cassette. When the bar code 11 ref of the first cassette is read, upper and lower edges of the bar code 11 ref are detected, and the absolute position of the center of the bar code is calculated based on the detection result and is stored in a memory. When bar codes of second and following cassettes are read, the scanning reference position obtained by the bar code 11 ref of the first cassette is taken as the scanning position. If the bar code 11 cannot be read in this position, the bar code 11 is scanned in position 2mm above the scanning reference position and the position 2mm below the scanning reference position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be described in the following order. Field of Industrial Application Conventional Technology Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems (FIGS. 1 to 6, 8 and 9) Operation (FIGS. 1 to 6, 8 and 9) Implementation Example (1) Overall configuration (FIGS. 1 to 4) (2) Bar code reading (FIGS. 5 to 8) (3) Effects of the embodiments (FIGS. 1, 5, and 6) (4) Other implementations Example (FIGS. 1 and 9) Effect of the invention

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cassette auto-changing method and a bar code reading method, and is particularly suitable for reading a bar code provided on each of a plurality of cassettes stored in a storage rack. is there.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, in this type of cassette auto-chassis, a storage rack for storing a plurality of cassettes each having a built-in magnetic tape has been provided, and the cassettes stored in the storage rack are predetermined by a transfer device. There is a video tape recorder (VTR) which records or reproduces predetermined information (video signal or the like) on a magnetic tape by carrying and loading the same. In this kind of cassette auto-engineer, a recording format and a plurality of types of cassettes having different sizes can be mixedly mounted.

At a predetermined position (for example, the rear surface) of each cassette, a bar code is attached to which individual information such as the size of each cassette and the format of the magnetic tape in the cassette is recorded. As a result, in the cassette auto-engineer, the individual information of each cassette can be grasped by reading the bar code with a predetermined bar code reader.

This bar code reading device is generally provided in a carrying device for carrying the cassette between the cassette storage rack and the VTR. For example, in the case of a cassette auto carrier that uses a single or a plurality of shelves as a carrier and once the cassette is loaded into the cassette to transfer the cassette between the cassette storage shelf and the VTR, a bar code reader is installed in the shelf of the carrier. It is proposed that the bar code is read when the cassette is taken into the shelf and / or when the cassette is returned to the storage shelf (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-1).
82550 bulletin).

On the other hand, the cassette bar code stored with the bar code sticking surface facing the conveying device is
There has been proposed a cassette auto-reader which sequentially reads by a bar code reading device provided in a cassette carrying device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-144147). In this cassette auto-engineer, the bar code can be sequentially and continuously read while the cassette is stored in the storage rack, so that the time required for reading the bar code can be shortened.

[0007]

However, in these cassette auto-engines, if there is a mounting error in the bar code reading device, or the bar code label is not accurately attached to the predetermined position of the cassette. In this case, there is a problem that the barcode cannot be read.

That is, in the cassette auto-engineer in which the bar code reading device is provided in the shelf of the above-mentioned conveying device, the bar code label sticking position is deviated because the bar code passes in the vicinity of the reading device. In this case, there is a problem that the barcode cannot be read because the barcode reading device cannot follow this. Further, in this kind of cassette auto-engineer, since it is necessary to pull the cassette into the shelf of the carrier every time the barcode is read, there is a problem that it takes a considerable time to finish reading the barcodes of all cassettes. .

Further, in a cassette auto-engineer which continuously reads a bar code with the cassette stored in the storage shelf, the bar code reading device and the bar code to be read are separated from each other, so that the bar code label Although it is easy to follow the deviation of the sticking position, an error in mounting the bar code reading device on the conveying device greatly affects the scanning position when reading the bar code, and as a result, there is a problem that a bar code reading error is likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose a cassette auto-engineer capable of surely reading a barcode of a cassette in a short time.

[0011]

In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, a plurality of cassettes 2B-5B stored in the cassette storage portions 2A-5A are selectively taken out,
In the cassette auto-engineer 1 to be loaded in the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 6 to 8, the barcode 11 provided at the predetermined position of each cassette 2B to 5B and the information of the barcode 11 by scanning the barcode 11 are displayed. Bar code reading means 12 for reading, and bar code reading means 12
A bar code 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position, which is provided with moving means 9 and 25 for moving in a predetermined direction a or b.
Bar code 1 based on the scanning result obtained by scanning
The scanning reference position for reading 1 is calculated, and the bar code 11 provided on each cassette 2B to 5B is read with this scanning reference position as a reference.

In the present invention, the bar code 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position is the cassette 2B to 5B.
It should be the barcode 11 _ref provided on B.

Further, in the present invention, the bar code 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position is an ideal bar code 30 provided on the main body of the apparatus.

Further, in the present invention, the scanning reference position is
Is the center position of the bar code 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position, based on the center position, the detection result obtained by detecting the upper and lower edge portions of the bar code 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position To detect it.

Further, in the present invention, the cassette storage section 2
In the barcode reading method for reading the barcode 11 provided on each of the plurality of cassettes 2B to 5B stored in A to 5A, the barcode 11 provided at a predetermined position
Based on the scan result obtained by scanning _ref or 30
Calculate the scanning reference position when reading the barcode 11,
The bar code 11 provided on each of the cassettes 2B to 5B is read based on this scanning reference position.

Further, in the present invention, the scanning reference position is the bar code 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position.
The center position of the bar code 11 _ref or 30 is calculated based on the detection result obtained by detecting the upper and lower edge portions of the barcode 11 _ref or 30 provided at the predetermined position.

[0017]

The scanning reference position for reading the barcode 11 is calculated based on the scanning result obtained by scanning the barcode 11 _ref or 30 provided at a predetermined position, and each cassette is set with this scanning reference position as a reference. By reading the bar code 11 provided on 2B to 5B, when the first bar code 11 _ref or 30 is read, it is possible to correct the mounting error of the bar code reading means 12 and the like. 11 can be read reliably and in a short time.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Structure In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a cassette auto-chassis as a whole, which is provided in each of the storage shelves 2A-5A of a plurality of storage shelving units 2-5 arranged in the vertical direction as indicated by an arrow a. A plurality of cassettes 2B to 5B are stored. In addition, a plurality of video tape recorders (VT) are provided below the storage shelving units 2 to 5.
R) 6 to 8 are provided, whereby in the cassette autochanger 1, the transport device 9 is moved in the vertical direction and the hand portion 10 is moved in the left-right direction indicated by the arrow b with respect to the transport device body 9B. Rather than sliding
The cassettes 2B to 5B stored in the storage shelves 2A to 5A are selectively extracted from the storage shelves 2A to 5A, and the extracted cassettes 2B to 5B are loaded into desired VTRs 6 to 8 through the cassette insertion ports 6A to 8A. It is done like this. Similarly, in the cassette auto-engineer 1, the cassettes 2B to 5B loaded in the VTRs 6 to 8 are returned to the original storage shelves 2A to 5A by the transport device 9.

8 mm cassette 2B, S size (small size), M size (medium size) in each of the storage units 2-5.
And 3 types of L size (large) digital cassette 3
B, 4B, and 5B are stored, and a barcode 11 on which the individual information of each cassette 2B-5B is recorded is attached to the back surface of each cassette 2B-5B.

In addition to this, a bar code reading device 12 is provided on the side surface of the hand portion 10, so that in the cassette autochanger 1, the entire conveying device 9 is moved in the vertical direction and the hand portion 10 is moved. By moving in the left-right direction with respect to the main body 9B of the transport device, the barcodes sequentially attached to the cassettes 2B to 5B by the barcode reading device 12 as shown by arrows a and b in FIGS. 2 and 3. 11 is scanned. As a result, in the cassette auto-engineer 1, with a plurality of cassettes 2B to 5B stored in the storage shelves 3A to 5A,
Since all the barcodes 11 can be continuously read, the barcodes 11 of all the cassettes 2B to 5B can be read in a short time.

Incidentally, this bar code reading operation is carried out immediately after the power supply of the cassette auto-engineer 1 is turned on. As a result, in the cassette auto-engineer 1, the carrying device 9 is used.
The individual information of all the cassettes 2B to 5B is grasped in advance before the carrying operation of each of the cassettes 2B to 5B.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette autochanger 1 is composed of an autochanger main body 20, a switcher 21, and an external control device 22.
The main body 20 of the automatic engineer sends the control signal S1 output from the control unit 22A of the external control device 22 to the internal control device 23.
To the transfer device 9, V based on the control signal S1.
Control TR6-8 and switcher 21. The external control device 22 transmits the operation signal obtained from the mouse 22B to the control unit 22A.
Is output as a control signal S1 to the cassette auto body 20 via the
By sending the signal from the monitor 22C to the monitor 22C via the control unit 22A, the operating state of the auto-engineer main body 20 and the like can be displayed on the monitor 22C.

When the internal control device 23 is instructed to control the VTRs 6 to 8 by the control signal S1 from the external control device 22, the internal control device 23 sends the VTR control signal S2 to the corresponding VTRs 6 to 8 so that the VTRs 6 to 8 are controlled. 8 recording, playback,
Controls various operating states such as fast forward and rewind. Each VT
The reproduction signal S3 obtained by R6 to 8 is the switch 21.
Entered in. The switch 21 is the input reproduction signal S3.
Is externally output as an external output signal S _OUT based on a control signal S4 from the internal control device 23, and selectively sent to each VTR 6-7. As a result, in the cassette auto-engine 1, for example, the reproduction signal S3 from the VTR 6 can be output to the outside and at the same time, the reproduction signal S3 can be recorded by another VTR 7 or 8.

Further, in each of the storage shelves 2A to 5A (FIG. 1),
Cassette sensor _{2C 1, 2C 2, ......,} 5C N are provided, the cassette sensor 2C _1, 2C _2, ......,
The detection signal S7 obtained from 5C _N is input to the internal control device 23. As a result, in the cassette auto-engine 1, the storage shelves 2A to 5A based on the detection signal S7.
It is possible to detect the presence / absence of a cassette inside, the size of the cassette stored, and the like.

The carrying device 9 includes a vertical drive motor 24 for driving the whole carrying device 9 in the vertical direction and a hand portion 10.
A horizontal drive motor 25 that slides (FIG. 1) in the horizontal direction, an input / output direction drive motor 26 that moves the hand portion 10 in the cassette input / output direction, and a hand 13 (FIG. 2).
Drive motor 2 for moving the tool in the thickness direction of the cassette
7 and each drive motor 24-27 has an internal controller 23.
It is controlled based on the control signal S6 sent from Further, the internal control device 23 inputs the pulse signal S6 representing the rotational position information of the motors 23 and 24 from the vertical drive motor 24 and the horizontal drive motor 25,
The vertical position of the transport device 9 and the horizontal position of the hand unit 10 are detected.

Further, the internal control device 23 controls the bar code reading operation of the bar code reading device 12 by sending a control signal S8 to the bar code reading device 12, and at the same time outputs the read signal S9 obtained by the bar code reading device 12. The individual information of each cassette 2B to 5B recorded by inputting the barcode 11 is adapted to be obtained. At this time, in the cassette auto-engine 1, the entire conveying device 9 is moved to a predetermined vertical scanning position based on the position information stored in the memory 28 in advance, and the hand unit 10 is slid horizontally in this position. By doing so, each bar code 11 is scanned.

(2) Bar Code Reading In addition to this, in the cassette auto-engine 1, for example, the bar code reading device 12 for the hand unit 10 is used.
If there is an error in the attachment of the barcode, or if there is an error in attaching the barcode 11 to the cassette 2B to 5B,
By correcting the scanning position in the vertical direction with respect to the scanning position stored in the memory 28 in advance, the barcode 1 is surely obtained.
1 can be read.

Here, in the cassette autochanger 1, the barcode 11 _ref (FIG. 1) of the cassette 2B stored at the left end of the uppermost row is read as the first barcode. The cassette auto-engineer 1 detects the upper and lower edges of the barcode 11 _ref when reading the first barcode 11 _ref , and calculates the absolute position of the center of the barcode based on the detection result. By storing this position in the memory 28, the barcodes 11 on the second and subsequent sheets are scanned with this center position as a reference.

As a result, the cassette auto-engineer 1 can read the second and subsequent bar codes 11 with a small number of scans. That is, scanning the second and subsequent barcodes 11 based on the center position of the first barcode 11 _ref means in other words, when the first barcode 11 _ref is read, the storage shelf 2A is read. ~ 5A and bar code reader 12
This means that the mounting error of (1) is absorbed and the scanning positions of the second and subsequent barcodes 11 are corrected based on the reading result of the first barcode 11 _ref .

FIG. 5 shows a method of detecting the center position of the first bar code 11 _ref . The cassette auto chain 1 is the height of the storage shelves 2A to 5A and the bar code 1.
In consideration of the height of 1 and the like, the range in which the bar code 11 is considered to be present is set in advance between 0 and 25 [mm], and the bar code 11 is detected within this range. As shown in Fig. 5, the cassette cassette 1 is 15 m from the bottom of the range where the barcode 11 _ref is supposed to be.
If a bar code 11 _ref with a height of 10 [mm] such that there is an upper edge at the [m] position is pasted, the top 25
From the [mm] position, lower the reading position with a 2 [mm] pitch, and when the bar code 11 _ref can be read, raise the reading position with a 1 [mm] pitch. As a result, the cassette player 1 judges that there is an upper edge of the barcode 11 _ref between the unreadable position and the last readable position. In Figure 5, you can read at 13 [mm] and 14 [mm], and
Since it was unreadable in [mm], the upper edge is 14 [mm] and 15
It is judged to be between [mm].

Next, considering the height of the bar code 11 _ref
Scan the bar code 11 _ref at a position of 5.5 [mm], which is 9.5 [mm] below 15 [mm]. When reading at this position, lower the scanning position by 1 [mm]. Here, the cassette player 1 determines that there is a lower edge of the barcode 11 _ref between the unreadable position and the last readable position. As a result, the cassette auto-engineer 1
When the first bar code 11 _ref is attached at the position shown in FIG. 5, the middle point of 5.5 [mm] and 14 [mm] is 9.75.
Judge that the [mm] position is the center of the barcode 11 _ref ,
By storing this position in the memory 28, the second and subsequent barcodes 11 are scanned with this position as a reference.

Here, in FIG. 6, a case where the bar code 11 _ref is provided at the same position as in FIG. 5 but the detection positions of the upper and lower edges are different will be considered. That is, in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the barcode can be read at the position of 15 [mm]. In this case, the upper edge is between 15 [mm] and 16 [mm], and as a result, the center is 5.5 [mm] and 15 [mm].
The midpoint of the [mm] is 10.25 [mm]. In this way, the center of the barcode 11 _ref can be calculated with some error.

Next, consider a case where the bar code 11 _ref is provided at the same position as in FIGS. 5 and 6 in FIG. 7, but the upper half is dirty and unreadable. When reading in the same manner as in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper half cannot be read, so that the bar code 11 _ref can be read only at the scanning position of 9 [mm]. Therefore, cassette cassette 1 is 1 [mm] from this scanning position.
As I read them, I found that there was an upper edge between 9 [mm] and 10 [mm]. Next, considering the height of the bar code 11 _ref , 0.5 mm down from 10 mm to 9.5 mm.
I read it at the scanning position of [mm], but I can't read the barcode 11 _ref here. At this time, the cassette player 1 judges that this bar code 11 _ref is not suitable as a reference bar code, and the bar code 11 _{ref
In ref} , the center position is not calculated, but the bar code 11 is used.

That is, if the center is calculated with this bar code 11 _ref , the upper edge is 9 [mm] and the lower edge is 5.5.
Center position of barcode 11 _ref is 7.25 due to [mm]
This is because the value becomes [mm], and this position becomes a value that is completely different from the actual center 10 [mm]. In this manner, the center is not calculated from the bar code 11 _ref having a short height, but the bar code 11 is calculated.

When reading the second and subsequent barcodes 11 with the center position thus obtained as a reference, it is sufficient to consider only the variations in the barcode label attachment positions for the cassettes 2B to 5B. In practice, the cassette auto-engineer 1 considers reading two types of bar code labels, and according to the bar code 11 to be read, the scanning reference position determined by the first bar code 11 _ref Bar code 1 at a position with a predetermined offset
It is designed to read 1.

When reading the barcodes of the second and subsequent sheets, the cassette auto-engineer 1 reads the barcode 11 of the first sheet.
_The scanning reference position determined by _ref is used as the scanning position, and if the barcode 11 cannot be read at this position, the barcode is located at a position 2 [mm] above and 2 [mm] below the scanning reference position. Scan 11. As a result, the cassette auto-engineer 1 can reliably read the barcode 11 even when the barcode label attachment positions on the cassettes 2B to 5B vary. Therefore, cassette auto-engineer 1
Since the second and subsequent barcodes 11 can be read by scanning within three times, all the barcodes 11 can be read in a short time.

Incidentally, the cassette auto-engineer 1 can read the bar code 11 even if the scanning reference position and the vertical position of the scanning reference position are performed three times in total for one bar code 11 as described above. If the cassette 2B to 5B does not have the bar code 11 or the bar code 11 is unreadable due to dirt or the like, it is determined at this point that the bar code of the cassette 2B to 5B is unreadable. The reading operation is stopped and the next reading operation of the barcode 11 is started.

Here, the cassette auto-engineer 1 executes the bar code reading processing procedure shown in FIG. 8 in the internal control device 23 so that the first bar code 11 _ref and the second or subsequent bar code are scanned. The center position, which is the position, is detected. That is, when the internal control device 23 starts the bar code reading processing procedure at step SP0, it proceeds to step SP1 and step S1.
In P2, the range in which the bar code 11 _ref is supposed to exist is lowered by 2 pitches from the top, and the bar code 11 _ref is read every time the reading position is lowered by 2 [mm].

As a result, in the internal control device 23, steps SP1-SP2 are read until the bar code 11 _ref can be read.
Loop is repeated, and when a positive result is obtained in step SP2, the process proceeds to the following step SP3. Incidentally, when the internal control device 23 exceeds the range in which the bar code 11 _ref is considered to exist while repeating steps SP1 and SP2, it moves to the next bar code 11 and moves the center position from this bar code 11. Ask.

The internal control unit 23, in step SP3 and step SP4, read the bar code 11 _ref raised position read on aerodrome 1 mm in pitch over from the position barcode 11 _ref has been read, at step SP4 The loop of steps SP3 to SP4 is repeated until a negative result is obtained. When a negative result is obtained in step SP4, the internal control device 23 moves to step SP5 and then to step SP2.
It is determined that there is an edge on the barcode 11 _ref between the position where the barcode 11 _ref can be read and the position where the barcode 11 _ref cannot be read at step SP4, and this value is stored in the memory 28.

Next, the internal control unit 23 determines the step SP6.
Scan position at bar code 11 _refBelow the height of
Place it, and at the next step SP7, move it to this position.
-Code 11_refJudge whether or not was read. Internal control device
In step SP7, a negative result is obtained in step 23.
And this is this barcode 11_refFor example, dirt etc.
Is not suitable for finding the center position due to the presence of
Code 11_refAnd move to step SP12
Then, the processing procedure is finished.

On the other hand, if the internal controller 23 obtains a positive result in step SP7, it proceeds to step SP.
8. At step SP8 and step SP9, move downward from the position where the barcode 11 _ref can be read 1
The bar 11 _ref is read by lowering the reading position with the [mm] pitch, and the loop of steps SP8 to SP9 is repeated until a negative result is obtained at step SP9. Internal control device 2
When a negative result is obtained in step SP9, step 3 shifts to step SP10, judges that there is an edge under the barcode 11 _ref between the unreadable position and the last readable position, and stores this value in the memory 28. Remember.

Next, the internal control unit 23 determines the step SP11.
At, the midpoint between the upper edge value and the lower edge value is calculated, and this value is stored in the memory 28 as the center position of the barcode 11 _ref of the first sheet. finish. Thus, in the cassette auto-engine 1, the bar code reading device 12 is configured so that the center position of the first bar code 11 _ref thus obtained is set as the reading reference position for the second and subsequent bar codes 11. Even if there is a mounting error or the like, all the barcodes 11 can be read accurately and in a short time.

[0045] (3) Advantages of Embodiment With the above configuration, calculates the center position of the bar code 11 _ref from the upper and lower edge of the bar code 11 _ref obtained by scanning the bar code 11 _ref of the first sheet By reading the barcodes 11 on the second and subsequent sheets with the center position as a reference, the barcode reader 12
Even if there is a mounting error in the storage rack 2A-5
It is possible to realize the cassette auto-engine 1 that can reliably and quickly read the barcodes 11 of the cassettes 2B to 5B stored in A.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiments, the case where the scanning position is corrected by moving the entire conveying device 9 in the vertical direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, The scanning position may be corrected by driving the optical system of the barcode reading device 12 in the vertical direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the center position of the first bar code 11 _ref is determined, first, 2 m
After moving the scanning position downward with the [m] pitch, 1 [mm]
The upper edge is detected by moving it upward with the pitch, and the lower edge is detected by moving the scanning position downward by the height of the bar code 11 _ref and then moving downward with the 1 [mm] pitch. Although the case of detection is described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various values can be applied to the scanning pitch when detecting the upper and lower edges of the first barcode 11 _ref .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bar code reading device 12 is provided on the carrying device 9 and the hand portion 1 is provided.
The case of scanning on the barcodes 11 _ref and 11 by attaching to 0 and moving the transport device 9 in the vertical direction and moving the hand unit 10 in the horizontal direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A moving means for moving the barcode reading device 12 in the vertical and horizontal directions may be provided separately from the carrying device 9, and various moving means for moving the barcode reading device 12 are applied. be able to.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the barcode 11 _ref at the uppermost left end is used as the barcode of the first sheet for obtaining the scanning reference position when reading the barcode 11 of the second and subsequent sheets is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 9, for example, an ideal bar code 3 without inclination or dirt is provided at the position of the apparatus main body above the storage shelf 2A.
If 0 is pasted accurately or the ideal barcode 30 is written by direct silk printing and the center position of this barcode 30 is first detected in the same manner as described above, one sheet is printed. Since the reliability of the bar code of the eye does not depend on the bar code, the second and subsequent bar codes 11 can be read more reliably and in a short time.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the maximum scanning reference position for reading a bar code is calculated based on the scanning result obtained by scanning the bar code provided at the predetermined position, and the scanning is performed. By reading the barcode provided on each cassette with reference to the reference position, all barcodes can be read reliably and in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a cassette auto-engineer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a reading order of barcodes by a barcode reading device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a reading order of barcodes by a barcode reading device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a cassette auto-engineer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram used for explaining a scanning position when detecting the upper and lower edges of a barcode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram used for explaining a scanning position when detecting the upper and lower edges of a barcode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a case where an unreadable bar code is scanned because the upper half is dirty.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the barcode reading operation of the first barcode of the cassette auto-engineer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an example of an ideal bar code installation position according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Cassette auto changer, 2A-5A ... storage rack, 2B-5B ... cassette, 6-8 ... VTR, 9 ...
… Conveyor device, 10 …… Hand part, 11 …… Bar code,
11 _ref : first bar code, 12: bar code reader, 30: ideal bar code.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cassette auto-engineer for selectively taking out a plurality of cassettes stored in a cassette storage section and loading the cassettes in a recording and / or reproducing apparatus, and a bar code provided at a predetermined position of each cassette, A bar code reading means for reading the information of the bar code by scanning the bar code and a moving means for moving the bar code reading means in a predetermined direction are provided, and the bar code provided at a predetermined position is scanned. A cassette auto-engineer which calculates a scanning reference position for reading the bar code based on the obtained scanning result and reads the bar code provided in each of the cassettes with the scanning reference position as a reference. 2. The bar code provided at the predetermined position is
2. The cassette auto-changer according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is a bar code provided on the cassette. 3. The bar code provided at the predetermined position,
The cassette auto-engineer according to claim 1, which is an ideal bar code provided on the main body of the apparatus. 4. The scanning reference position is a center position of a bar code provided at the predetermined position, and the center position is defined by:
2. The cassette autochanger according to claim 1, which is calculated based on a detection result obtained by detecting upper and lower edge portions of the bar code provided at the predetermined position. 5. A bar code reading method for reading a bar code provided on each of a plurality of cassettes accommodated in a cassette accommodating portion, based on a scanning result obtained by scanning a bar code provided at a predetermined position. A bar code reading method, wherein a scanning reference position for reading the bar code is calculated, and the bar code provided on each cassette is read with the scanning reference position as a reference. 6. The scanning reference position is a center position of a bar code provided at the predetermined position, and the center position is defined by:
The barcode reading method according to claim 5, wherein the barcode reading method is calculated based on a detection result obtained by detecting upper and lower edge portions of a barcode provided at the predetermined position.