JPH07334596A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an information processor capable of processing various kinds of information. CONSTITUTION:A mainbody device 1 is provided with a PC card connector 5 which is connected by inserting a PC card 4a or the PC card 4b, a first reading part 2a is connected to the first PC card 4a by a data bus 3a and the second reading part 2b is connected to the second PC card 4b by the data bus 3b. At the time of reading first picture information, the PC card 4a is inserted into the PC card connector 5 so as to be connected to the mainbody device 1 and, at the time of reading second picture information, the PC card 4b is inserted into the PC card connector 5 so as to be connected to the mainbody device 1. The respective PC cards convert picture information into code information and transmit code information to the mainbody device 1 with the standard specification interface of the PC card. The PC card corresponding to the kinds and the state of picture information is prepared so as to selectively use the PC card corresponding to the respective cases.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a configuration of an information processing apparatus capable of handling a wide variety of image reading processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information processing apparatuses that read images such as characters, bar codes, and photographs and process the read image information as code information are widely used. The problem is the range of signals that can be processed by one information processing device. Also, when signals are transmitted and received by infrared transmission, there are many types of transmission and reception signals, and the range of processing becomes an issue.

A conventional information processing apparatus will be described below by taking image reading as an example. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional information processing apparatus. In FIG. 7, A is a main body device of an information processing device capable of image processing, B is an image information reading device, and C is a data bus for transmitting the read image information to the main body device A. The main body apparatus A processes the image information after converting it into code information that can be processed by an internal interface.

[0004]

However, it is difficult for such a conventional information processing apparatus to handle all of a wide variety of images. For example, if the image read by the reading device B is extremely thin, an information processing device having a reading device with higher reading sensitivity is required. When the image is a bar code, the bar code standards include JAN, NW-7, NW-7HEX, and CODE-3.
There are many types such as 9, 20F5, etc., which are selected and used according to the purpose, and even if the code of the same standard has different meanings, each code has an interface suitable for each. An information processing device is required. Also, if the built-in interface converts characters and symbols, it cannot support images such as photographs, and another information processing device having an interface suitable for reading images such as photographs is required. As described above, it is difficult for one information processing device to handle a wide variety of images. Similar problems occur in the processing of transmission signals by infrared rays.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of handling a wide variety of information.

[0006]

The present invention according to claim 1 provides an image reading means for reading an image and outputting image information, and a PC card for inputting the image information, converting it into code information and outputting it. , A main body device for inputting and processing the code information, wherein the PC card refers to a storage unit that stores the code information corresponding to the image information in advance, and the code information stored in the storage unit. And a conversion means for converting the image information into code information, and a control means for controlling transmission of the code information, and the main body device is provided between a central control unit for controlling the operation of the entire device and the PC card. The PC card can be detachably connected to the main body by a PC card connector, and a PC card suitable for image information can be selected. The present invention according to claim 5 is a receiving / sending means for receiving and sending infrared information, and infrared information received by the receiving / sending means is converted into code information. And a demodulating means, a modulating means for converting code information into infrared information to be transmitted from the receiving / transmitting means, and a PC card provided with a control means for controlling the operations of the demodulating means, the modulating means and the receiving / transmitting means. , A main body device for inputting and processing the code information, the main body device inserting a PC card into the PC card connector for connection,
An interface for exchanging information with the C card and a central control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are provided, and the PC card can be detachably connected to the main body apparatus by the PC card connector, so that infrared information to be transmitted and received can be obtained. This is an information processing apparatus that enables selective use of an adapted PC card.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, various image processing can be performed by selectively using a PC card having a processing capability corresponding to the image information to be read by the information processing apparatus. To do. Further, in the present invention according to claim 5, for each infrared information transmitted and received,
By selecting and using a PC card having a processing capability corresponding to the infrared information, a wide variety of infrared information processing is supported.

[0008]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a main unit having an interface for connecting a PC card, 2a is a first reading means capable of reading the first barcode information, and 2b is a first type of barcode different from the first barcode. Second reading means capable of reading the barcode information of 2 and 3a is reading means 2
data bus for connecting a to the first PC card 4a, 3b
Is a data bus connecting the reading means 2b and the second PC card 4b, 4a is a first PC card that converts the first bar code information into code information and outputs the code information, and 4b is a second bar code code Second P that is converted to information and output
C card and 5 are PC card connectors provided in the apparatus main body 1. The shape specifications and signal formats of the first PC card 4a, the second PC card 4b, and the PC card connector 5 are specifically standardized and determined by standards such as JEIDA or PCMCIA.

The mutual relationship and operation of the above components will be described. When the first bar code information is read by the apparatus main body 1, the first PC card 4a is inserted into the PC card connector 5 and connected to the apparatus main body 1, and the bar code is read by the first reading means 2a. The read information is transmitted to the first PC card 4a via the data bus 3a, converted into code information by the first PC card 4a, and then converted into code information. Then, the interface specifications of the PC card, for example, JEIDA or PCMCIA standard. It is transmitted to the apparatus main body 1 according to the standard.

When the second bar code information different from the first bar code is read into the apparatus main body 1, the second PC card 4B is inserted into the PC card connector 5 and connected to the apparatus main body 1. The bar code is read by the second reading means 2b. The read information is transmitted to the second PC card 4b via the data bus 3b, converted into code information by the second PC card 4b, and then converted into P information.
It is transmitted to the apparatus main body 1 in accordance with the interface specifications of the C card, for example, JEIDA or PCMCIA standards.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. In the figure, a device main body 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) 11 that controls the operation of the entire device.
And a read-only memory (hereinafter, referred to as ROM) 12 that stores a control program for controlling the operation
, A random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 13 for temporarily storing data and programs, and a sub power supply 1
4, a static random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as SRAM) 15 that holds the stored contents, a PC card interface (hereinafter, referred to as PC card I / F) 17 that exchanges information with the PC card 4, and data. An interface (hereinafter, referred to as a display I) for exchanging information with a display unit (not shown) that visually displays
/ F) 18, a keyboard interface (hereinafter referred to as KBI / F) 19 for exchanging information between a keyboard unit (not shown) for inputting data manually by an operator, and a bus interface ( Below, BUSI / F
20) and a printer (not shown) for exchanging information with each other (hereinafter referred to as printer I / P).
An F232), an RS232C interface (hereinafter referred to as an RS232CI / F) 22, and a main power supply 23 that supplies electric power to each unit.

The PC card 4 converts the bar code information read by the reading means 2 and input via the data bus 3 into code information, and the control means 26 for controlling the operation of the PC card 4. It has and. The barcode information read by the reading means 2 is sent to the converting means 25 via the data bus 3. Conversion means 25
Converts barcode information into code information. The control means 26 converts the code information converted by the conversion means 25 into P on the main body side according to the specifications of the PC card interface.
It is sent to the CPU 11 via the C card I / F 17 and processed.

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of this embodiment, the reader and the PC card can be exchanged according to the type of code, and the apparatus body inputs the code information according to a predetermined standard. By doing so, it is possible to read different types of barcodes by the same device body by a simple operation.

In the above embodiment, the case where the types of barcodes are different has been described. However, when the barcodes of the same type have different shades, a PC card equipped with a reading device having different reading sensitivity is used. It goes without saying that you may choose.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the PC card 4
Is provided with a storage means 27, code information corresponding to the bar code information is stored in advance in the storage means 27, and the conversion means 25 performs code conversion by referring to the bar code information with the code information stored in the storage means 27. It goes without saying that you can do so.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the reading means 2 is connected to the first PC card 4a or the second PC card 4b.
Needless to say, even if the bar code is different, the reading means 2 may be commonly used and only the PC card may be changed to convert different bar code information.

Needless to say, the PC card connector 5 may be provided with a PC card I / F.

(Embodiment 2) An embodiment of the present invention according to claim 5 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of this embodiment. In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body device having an interface for connecting a PC card, which has a PC card connector 5. Reference numeral 31a denotes a first PC card having a receiving / sending unit 32a for reading and sending the first infrared information, and 31b denotes a receiving / sending unit 32b for reading and sending the second infrared information. It is a second PC card provided. Further, in FIG. 5B, reference numeral 33 is an information device for transmitting code information by infrared rays. A first PC card 31a is inserted into the PC card connector 5 and connected to the main body device 1.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the first infrared information sent from the information device 33 is read by the main body device 1, the first PC card 31a is inserted into the PC card connector 5 of the main body device 1 and connected, and
The infrared information of (3) is received by the receiving / transmitting means 32a.
The received infrared information is processed in the first PC card 31a and then transmitted to the main body device 1 according to the interface specifications of the PC card, for example, JEIDA or PCMCIA standard use. When the second infrared information is read by the main body device 1, the second PC card 31b is inserted into the PC card connector 5 of the main body device 1 and connected,
The second infrared information is received by the receiving / transmitting means 32b. The received infrared information is processed in the second PC card 31b and then transmitted to the main unit 1 according to the interface specifications of the PC card, for example, JEIDA or PCMCIA standard use.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. The configuration of the main body device is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 6, the PC card 4 includes a receiving / sending unit 42 for receiving and transmitting infrared information, a demodulating unit 39 for converting the received infrared information into code information, and a modulating unit 40 for converting the code information into infrared information. And a control means 41 for controlling the operation of the PC card 4.

In the above structure, the infrared information received by the receiving / transmitting means 42 is converted into code information by the demodulating means 39, and the control means 41 follows the code information according to the interface specifications of the PC card to the PC card of the main unit. It is sent to the CPU 11 via the I / F 17. Also, from the CPU 11 of the main body device via the PC card I / F 17,
Control means 41 according to the interface specifications of the PC card
The code information sent to the device is converted into infrared information by the modulating means 40 and sent out by the receiving / sending means 42. When there are more types of infrared information to be transmitted / received, it suffices to provide the third, fourth, ... PC cards corresponding to them. Further, a PC card in which the sensitivity setting of the infrared receiving / transmitting unit is changed according to the strength of the infrared information may be provided.

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the infrared receiving / transmitting section for transmitting / receiving the infrared information to / from the PC card, the demodulating means for converting the infrared information into the code signal and the infrared information for the code information. Since a PC card according to the type and state of infrared information is inserted into and connected to the PC card connector of the main unit for use, a single information processing unit for a wide variety of infrared information is provided. The device can handle this.

[0023]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention according to claim 1 is an image reading means for reading an image and outputting image information, and the image information is input and converted into code information. A PC card for outputting and a main body device for inputting and processing the code information are provided, and the PC card stores the code information corresponding to the image information in advance, and stores the code information in the storage means. A conversion means for converting the image information into code information by referring to existing code information; and a control means for controlling transmission of the code information, wherein the main body device controls a whole operation of the device, and a central control unit, An interface for exchanging information with the PC card is provided, and the PC card can be detachably connected to the main unit by a PC card connector, and adapted to image information. Since the C card can be selectively used, the present invention according to claim 5 provides receiving / sending means for receiving and transmitting infrared information, and infrared information received by the receiving / sending means as code information. PC card provided with demodulating means for converting, modulating means for converting code information into infrared information to be transmitted from the receiving / transmitting means, and control means for controlling operations of the demodulating means, modulating means and receiving / transmitting means And a main body device for inputting and processing the code information, wherein the main body device inserts and connects the PC card with a PC card connector,
Infrared information to be transmitted and received is provided with an interface for exchanging information with the PC card and a central control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, the PC card being detachably connectable to the main body apparatus by the PC card connector. By making it possible to selectively use a PC card adapted to, it is possible to process a wide variety of information by one information processing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 5;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional information processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Unit of Information Processing Device 2a First Reading Means 2b Second Reading Means 3a, 3b Data Bus 4a First PC Card 4b Second PC Card 5 PC Card Connector

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading an image and outputting image information, a PC card for inputting the image information, converting it into code information and outputting the code information, and a main body device for inputting and processing the code information. The PC card includes storage means for storing code information corresponding to the image information in advance, and conversion means for converting the image information into code information with reference to the code information stored in the storage means. And a control means for controlling transmission of the code information, the main body device includes a central control unit for controlling the operation of the entire device, and an interface for exchanging information with the PC card. Is an information processing device that can be detachably connected to the main unit with a PC card connector, and a PC card suitable for image information can be selectively used. 2. The PC card is provided with a storage unit for storing code information corresponding to the image information in advance, and the conversion unit refers to the code information stored in the storage unit to convert the image information into the code information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to convert. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the PC card connector constitutes an interface. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is detachably connected to a PC card so that a combination of the reading device and the PC card can be selected. 5. Receiving / receiving infrared information
Sending means, demodulating means for converting the infrared information received by the receiving / sending means into code information, modulating means for converting the code information into infrared information transmitted from the receiving / sending means, the demodulating means, the modulating means And a PC card having control means for controlling the operation of the receiving / sending means, and a main body device for inputting and processing the code information, and the main body device is a PC for inserting and connecting the PC card.
A card connector, an interface for exchanging information with the PC card, and a central control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are provided, and the PC card can be detachably connected to the main body apparatus by the PC card connector. An information processing device capable of selectively using a PC card adapted to infrared information to be transmitted and received. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the PC card connector and the interface meet JEIDA or PCMCIA standard specifications. 7. The image reading device is a bar code reading device, and the image information is bar code information.
7. The information processing device according to claim 6.