JPH09326006A - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an operability of reading operation even when the size of a read object is smaller than a readable range for code information by irradiating the lengthwise opening edge of the read hole of a case with marker light indicating the read position of the code information at right angles. SOLUTION: A bar code 33a is irradiated with the illumination light from a light emitting diode 29 for illumination. The reflected light reflected by the bar code 33a is imaged on a sensor 26 by an image forming lens 28. Marker lights from light emitting decides 38 and 39 for markers irradiate the lengthwise opening edge 31b of the read hole 31 at right angles. The light emitting diodes 38 and 39 are provided on a printed wiring board 25 so that the specific interval (m) between the optical paths of the marker lights is smaller than the length of the read object 32 or bar code label 33. Consequently, the markers are formed on the right and left end part sides of the bar code 33a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical information reader for optically reading code information such as a bar code written on an object to be read.

[0002]

As a conventional optical information reading device of this type, a bar code reader of the neck-bending type as shown in FIG. 11 has been provided. This one is a case 1 including a head portion 1a and a holding portion 1b.
An illumination light source 4 for irradiating the barcode 3a described on the barcode label 3 of the reading target 2 with illumination light inside
And an imaging lens 7 that focuses reflected light from the barcode 3a via the mirror 5 and the diaphragm 6 to form an image of the barcode 3a, and a barcode imaged by the imaging lens 7. A line sensor 8 for converting an image of 3a into an electric signal, a printed wiring board 9 on which an electronic component for processing the electric signal is mounted, and markers A and B formed of light spots to show a reading line of the barcode 3a. It is provided with two marker light-emitting diodes 10 and 11 for irradiating the left and right end sides of the barcode 3a with the marker light forming the.

In the above bar code reader, the front end of the head portion 1a is opened as a reading port 12, and the illumination light and the marker light are radiated through the reading port 12 and the bar code 3a. The reflected light of is incident.

Although not shown on the upper surface of the case 1, a display panel for displaying the reading result of the bar code 3a, a warning lamp for notifying the user of various warnings, and a warning buzzer are shown. Is provided,
A trigger switch for inputting a read command is provided on the side surface.

According to this, when the user operates the trigger switch, the bar code reader causes the bar code 3a to move.
Bar code 3 from standby mode waiting to read
The reading mode in which a can be read is set, that is, the illumination light source 4 is intermittently turned on. Then, when the opening surface of the reading port 12 is made to face the barcode 3a of the reading target 2, the illumination light from the illumination light source 4 is applied to the barcode 3a through the reading port 12, and the reflected light from the barcode 3a is emitted. The light enters through the reading port 12.

Then, the reflected light is focused on the image forming lens 7 via the mirror 5 and the diaphragm 6 to form an image of the bar code 3a, and the image is formed by the line sensor 8.
Is converted into an electric signal. Thereby, the barcode 3a of the reading target 2 can be read.

At this time, the marker light emitting diode 10,
Since the marker light from 11 is irradiated so as to form the markers A and B on the left and right ends of the barcode 3a so as to show the reading line of the barcode 3a, the user uses the barcode reader. By performing operations according to the reading lines indicated by the markers A and B, the reading operation can be performed quickly. This is particularly effective when the depth (the distance from the opening surface of the reading port 12 to the barcode 3a) is large, because the markers A and B have high brightness.

However, as shown in FIG. 12, the range in which the reflected light incident on the reading port 12 can enter (indicated by a broken line P in FIGS. 11 and 12), that is, the bar code 3
When the size of the reading object 2 is smaller than the readable range of a, specifically, when the left and right ends of the barcode 3a do not have sufficient space for irradiating the marker light, The reading line formed by the markers A and B is no longer formed, and in this case, the user uses the barcode reader and the opening surface of the reading port 12 is the barcode 3a.
There is a problem that it takes a lot of time to operate so as to face the.

[0009] In particular, POS in supermarkets, etc.
In the (Point Of Sales) system, since the product sizes are different, the above-mentioned problems are likely to occur. Further, in the case where the reading port 12 is to be read by a so-called untouched type in which the barcode 3a is read away from the reading object 2, the optical path of the marker light (indicated by a chain line Q in the figure is shown as the depth increases. ) Since the space between them is widened, the above-mentioned problems are likely to occur.

In the above bar code reader,
Illumination light from the illumination light source 4, the marker light emitting diode 1
Electronic parts that obstruct the optical paths of the marker light from 0 and 11 and the reflected light from the barcode 3a (for example, tall electronic parts such as a warning buzzer and an electrolytic capacitor). There is a circumstance that it cannot be implemented. It is possible to mount these electronic components on the end side of the holding portion 1b, but this would increase the total length of the barcode reader, and for this reason, in practice, the electronic component may be placed near the imaging lens 7. Electronic components are mounted.

On the other hand, the bar code reader is required to have a good fit when the user holds it in the hand, that is, the part to be gripped by the hand is required to have a narrowed shape. . However, as described above, from the viewpoint of the optical design that the respective optical paths of the illumination light, the marker light and the reflected light cannot be obstructed,
There is a circumstance that the shape cannot be narrowed down as a grip unless it is near the imaging lens 7. Therefore, from the above fact, the mounting density of electronic components is high near the imaging lens 7.

By the way, the marker light-emitting diode 10,
Reference numeral 11 needs to be provided in the vicinity of the imaging lens 7 in order to minimize the deviation between the readable range of the barcode 3a and the optical path of the marker light emitted from the barcode 3a.
This is because if the deviation is large, the markers A and B formed by the marker light will no longer fulfill their roles. However, as described above, the imaging lens 7
Since the mounting density of electronic parts is high in the vicinity of, the mounting density of the marker light-emitting diodes 10 and 11 in the vicinity of the imaging lens 7 further increases the mounting density.

When the trigger switch is operated to enter the reading mode, the illumination light source 4 and the marker light emitting diodes 10 and 11 are turned on and off. The illumination light source 4 and the marker light emitting diode 10 are controlled. , 11 are alternately turned on, that is, the marker light emitting diodes 10 and 11 are turned off when the illumination light source 4 is turned on, and the illumination light source 4 is turned on.
The marker light emitting diodes 10 and 11 are turned on when the light is turned off to reduce the power consumption. However, this still has a problem that the power consumption is large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A first object of the present invention is to provide code information even if the size of the read object is smaller than the readable range of the code information. By clearly indicating the reading position, it is possible to improve the operability of the reading operation, the second purpose is to reduce the mounting density, and the third purpose is to reduce the power consumption. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical information reading device capable of achieving the above.

[0015]

According to the invention of claim 1, the illumination information irradiates the code information through the reading opening of the case, and the imaging lens produces the reflected light reflected from the code information portion. An information image, which is condensed and represents the code information, is formed at a predetermined image receiving position, and the information image is converted into an electric signal by the imaging means. Thereby, the code information described in the reading target can be read.

At this time, since the marker light indicating the reading position of the code information is emitted from the marker means so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal opening edge of the reading port of the case, the code information can be read. Even when the size of the reading target is smaller than the range, the reading target is irradiated with the marker light, thereby clearly indicating the reading position and improving the operability of the reading operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the illumination information illuminates the code information through the reading opening of the case, and the imaging lens collects the reflected light reflected from the code information portion to collect the code information. An information image showing information is formed at a predetermined image receiving position, and the information image is converted into an electric signal by the image pickup means. Thereby, the code information described in the reading target can be read.

At this time, the marker light representing the code information read line from the two marker means is positioned at a distance of approximately ½ or more of the readable depth of the code information with respect to the object to be read. The marker light is emitted to the reading target even when the size of the reading target is small compared to the readable range of the code information. Is clearly indicated, and the operability of the read operation can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 3, the marker means comprises:
Since it is provided closer to the reading port side than the imaging lens, it is possible to reduce the mounting density of electronic components in the vicinity of the imaging lens.

According to the invention of claim 4, the marker means comprises:
When the lighting means is turned off, the lighting means blinks, so that power consumption can be reduced.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a straight type bar code reader will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 2 showing the vertical side surface of the entire bar code reader, a case 21 of the bar code reader is constructed by screwing an upper case 22 and a lower case 23 with screws 24. In the case 21, a printed wiring board 25 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between an upper case 22 and a lower case 23, and the printed wiring board 25 is penetrated so as to penetrate the printed wiring board 25.
A sensor board 27 on which a sensor 26 as an image pickup means is mounted
Are also sandwiched between the upper case 22 and the lower case 23. The sensor 26 is a one-dimensional black-and-white image sensor configured by arranging a plurality of photodiodes having a spectral sensitivity in the vicinity of an emission spectrum of an illumination light emitting diode 29 described later in a line.

In the case 21, the case 21
An imaging lens 28 is sandwiched between the upper case 22 and the lower case 23 at a substantially central portion along the longitudinal direction. The image forming lens 28 collects the reflected light from the bar code 33a as code information described later and forms an information image representing the bar code 33a on the sensor 26 (built-in diaphragm, FIG. (Not shown).

In front of the printed wiring board 25, the light emitting diode 29 for illumination as illumination means is formed in the upper case 22 and the lower case 23 respectively, and the receiving portion 22 is formed.
It is disposed so as to be sandwiched between a and 23a. Further, in front of the light emitting diode 29 for illumination, an illumination lens 30 in which a light collecting portion 30a and a flat light transmitting portion 30b are integrally formed is held between the upper case 22 and the lower case 23. It is provided in a closed state.

The case 2 is in front of the illumination lens 30.
The front end portion of 1 is opened to serve as a reading port 31. In this case, the illuminating light from the illuminating light emitting diode 29 is condensed by the condensing unit 30a of the illuminating lens 30 on the opening surface 31a of the reading port 31, and the opening surface 31a.
The bar code 33a described on the bar code label 33 of the reading target 32 is irradiated with the light (the irradiation range of the illumination light is shown by the one-dot chain line X in FIG. 2).

A hole 34 is formed in the upper case 22, and a trigger switch 35 is attached to the hole 34. The trigger switch 35 includes an inelastic portion 35a and an elastic portion 35b.
b is sandwiched between the peripheral portion of the hole 34 and the printed wiring board 25, whereby the trigger switch 35 is elastically pressed. A movable contact (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the elastic portion 35b, and
A fixed contact (not shown) is provided at a portion of the printed wiring board 25 facing the movable contact, and when the movable contact comes into contact with the fixed contact when the trigger switch 35 is pressed, the trigger switch 35 is turned on. It is in a state.

Further, an interface cable 36 is connected to the rear end portion of the printed wiring board 25, and the bar code reader has the interface cable 36.
Is connected to an external device, for example, a personal computer (not shown) via the, and operating power is supplied.

In the above bar code reader, a state in which the operating power is supplied and the trigger switch 35 is turned off is a standby mode for waiting for the reading of the bar code 33a, and the operating power is supplied. When the trigger switch 35 is turned on, the bar code 33a
The reading mode is set to enable reading. In the reading mode, when the reading of the barcode 33a is completed, the standby mode is automatically set.

FIG. 1 is a bottom view with the lower case 23 removed, and as shown in FIG. 1, the case 21 has a longitudinal direction in order to improve the fit when the user holds it in his hand. The printed wiring board 25 has a substantially central portion along which the printed wiring board 25 is formed so as to have a narrowed shape.
Also has a shape in which a substantially central portion along the longitudinal direction is narrowed down. The imaging lens 28 is provided so as to correspond to the narrowed-down portion of the printed wiring board 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a resin holder 37 fixes the irradiation direction on the left and right end portions on the front end side of the lower surface (the surface opposite to the trigger switch 35) of the printed wiring board 25. In this state, the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 39 as the marker means are mounted so that the distance between the optical paths of the marker light emitted from them is a predetermined distance m (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for the optical path of the marker light. Middle, one-dot chain line Y
).

The marker light is applied to the reading port 31 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal opening edge 31b of the opening surface 31a. In the standby mode and the reading mode, the lighting LED 29 and the marker LEDs 38 and 39 are lit,
The control of the extinguishing operation will be described later.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the electrical construction of the bar code reader. In FIG. 4, the imaging lens 28 condenses the reflected light from the bar code 33a as described above. Then, an information image representing the barcode 33a is formed on the sensor 26. The sensor 26 is driven by being supplied with a shift pulse and a transfer clock from the CPU 40, and converts the information image supplied from the imaging lens 28 into an electric signal. The signal processing circuit 41 amplifies the electric signal given from the sensor 26, converts it into a binarized signal, and gives the binarized signal to the CPU 40.

The CPU 40 operates according to the program in the standby mode when the trigger switch 35 is in the off state, and operates according to the program in the read mode when the trigger switch 35 is in the on state.
In the reading mode, the CPU 40 decodes the bar code 33a based on the binarized signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 41, and outputs the decoding result to the personal computer, for example, through the interface circuit 42.

When the CPU 40 completes the decoding of the bar code 33a, the buzzer driving circuit 43 receives a decoding completion command from the CPU 40 and sounds a buzzer (not shown) for notifying the completion of the decoding. The power supply circuit 44 is
Electric power supplied through the interface circuit 42, for example, via a personal computer is output to each circuit inside the barcode reader in a state where a predetermined operating voltage is applied.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Pr)
The grammable ROM) 45 is capable of erasing and writing the data stored therein, and stores data for controlling the lighting and extinguishing operations of the light emitting diode 29 for illumination and the light emitting diodes 38, 39 for markers. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in the standby mode, the light emitting diode 29 for illumination (shown by (a) in FIG. 5) is turned off and the light emitting diode 38 for marker ((in the same figure, b)) and 39 (indicated by (c) in the figure) are alternately turned on. In the reading mode, the light emitting diode 29 for illumination is blinked and the light emitting diodes 38 and 39 for markers are The lighting frequency of each is controlled to be half the extinguishing time of the light emitting diode 29 for illumination.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the user presses the trigger switch 35 to turn it on to read the bar code 33a of the object 32 to be read, the bar code reader is switched from the standby mode to the reading mode, that is, the illumination light emitting diode 29 blinks. To do. Then, when the user brings the bar code reader close to the reading object 32 and makes the opening surface 31a of the reading opening 31 face the bar code 33a, the lighting light emitting diode 2
In response to the blinking of 9
The illuminating light from is condensed on the opening surface 31a of the reading port 31 by the condensing unit 30a of the illuminating lens 30 and is applied to the barcode 33a.

The reflected light reflected by the bar code 33a enters the reading port 31 (the range in which the reflected light can enter is shown in FIG.
(Indicated by the alternate long and short dash line Z), the light is transmitted through the light transmitting portion 30b of the illuminating lens 30, and is focused on the imaging lens 28 to form an image. The information image of the barcode 33a formed by the image forming lens 28 is converted into an electric signal by the sensor 26, and the electric signal is amplified by the signal processing circuit 41 and converted into a binarized signal, which is given to the CPU 40. To be Then, the bar code 33a is decoded based on the binarized signal, and the decoding result is output to the personal computer, for example, through the interface circuit 42. Thereby, the barcode 33a can be read.

At this time, in the reading mode, as described above, the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 3 are used.
Marker light is emitted from 9. In this case, since the marker light is irradiated so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal opening edge 31b of the reading port 31, the distance between these optical paths remains the predetermined distance m regardless of the depth. Therefore, if the dimension of the reading target 32 or the bar code label 33 in the longitudinal direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined interval m, the reading target 32 or the bar code label 33 is read by the marker light emitting diodes 38 and 39 as shown in FIG. Bar code label 33 has markers 38a and 39b formed of light spots.
Are formed at a predetermined interval m.

In other words, the marker light emitting diode 3
8 and 39 are provided on the printed wiring board 25 such that the predetermined distance m between the optical paths of the marker light is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the reading target 32 or the barcode label 33, so that the left and right end portions of the barcode 33a. Marker 3 on the side
8a, 39a can be formed. As a result, at the time of the reading operation, the reading line L of the bar code 33a (shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6) shown between the markers 38a and 39a can be clearly specified, and the reading line L
Accordingly, the barcode reader can be easily operated, and the operability of the reading operation can be improved.

Particularly, when the dimension of the barcode 33a in the longitudinal direction is specified, the barcode m is set by setting a predetermined distance m between the optical paths of the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 39 in accordance with the dimension. Positioning of the reader is facilitated, and operability can be further improved.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the marker light from the marker light emitting diodes 38, 39 is irradiated so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal opening edge 31b of the reading port 31. Therefore, the predetermined distance m between the optical paths is set to the reading target 32 or the bar code label 3
By setting the size smaller than the dimension of 3 in the longitudinal direction, the reading line L of the bar code 33a can be clearly indicated by the markers 38a and 39a during the reading operation, and the operability of the reading operation can be improved. You can

In addition, the marker light emitting diodes 38, 39
Since it is not necessary to match the optical path of the marker light from the bar code 33a with the incident range of the reflected light from the barcode 33a, the marker light emitting diodes 38 and 39 are connected to the printed wiring board 25.
It is not necessary to provide it in the narrowed shape portion in (in this embodiment, it is provided at the left and right end portions on the front end side), and the mounting efficiency can be reduced.

Further, the marker light emitting diodes 38, 3
In the reading mode 9, when the illumination light emitting diode 29 is turned off, the lighting frequency of each is controlled to be half the extinguishing time of the illumination light emitting diode 29, so that the power consumption is reduced. You can

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the marker light from the marker light emitting diodes 38, 39 is the barcode 33.
It intersects at a position at a distance of approximately ½ of the readable depth of a (readable distance, indicated by d in FIG. 7). In this case, within the readable depth of the barcode 33a, The distance between the optical paths of the marker light does not exceed the predetermined distance m. This allows
The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Incidentally, in this case, the readable depth d is actually the bar code 33 from the opening surface 31a of the reading port 31.
In the second embodiment, the distance from the marker light-emitting diodes 38, 39 to the opening surface 31a is increased, but this distance is larger than the actual readable depth. It is extremely small and negligible, and therefore, it is only necessary to intersect the marker light at a position at a distance of about ½ of the actual readable depth. In addition, the marker light can be read at a depth that is half that
You may cross at a position beyond.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and also regarding this, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, by providing a plurality of layout patterns on the printed wiring board 25, the distance between the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 39 can be changed (in FIG. 8, the predetermined distance between the optical paths is changed from m to m). (changed to n), the mounting positions of the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 39 can be adjusted according to the longitudinal dimension of the reading target 32 or the barcode label 33 to be read. As a result, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the operability can be further improved.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and also regarding this, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 39, the marker light-emitting diodes 46 and 47 are arranged on the printed wiring board 25 so that the distance between the optical paths is a predetermined distance n. Even if the longitudinal dimension of the reading object 32 or the bar code label 33 is smaller than the predetermined distance m, if it is larger than the predetermined distance n, the reading line L of the bar code 33a will be displayed and the visual confirmation You can improve your sex.
As a result, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the operability can be further improved.

FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and also regarding this, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, in the reading mode, the marker light-emitting diodes 38 and 39 are controlled so that the respective lighting frequencies are 1/3 of the extinction time of the illumination light-emitting diode 29. Specifically, when the lighting time of the illumination light emitting diode 29 and the marker light emitting diodes 38 and 39 in the reading mode is a and the extinction time of the illumination light emitting diode 29 is 2a,
While the light emitting diode 29 for illumination is extinguished three times (the total extinguishing time is 6a), each of the marker light emitting diodes 38 and 39 is turned on twice (each lighting time). Is 2a). Then, thereafter, the operation is controlled to be repeated. As a result, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. Instead of the straight shape type, it may be applied to a neck-break type bar code reader.

When the reading mode is set, the reading mode may be continued for a predetermined time.
Only one marker light-emitting diode may be provided so that the reading position is clearly indicated instead of the reading line, or it may blink in the reading mode.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lower case of the first embodiment of the present invention is removed.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a marker light emitting diode is mounted on a printed wiring board.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the overall electrical configuration.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing lighting and extinguishing operations of the light emitting diode for illumination and the light emitting diode for marker.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the barcode label side to be read.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of a conventional barcode reader with a part thereof cut away.

FIG. 12 is a view equivalent to FIG. 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 21 is a case, 26 is a sensor (imaging means), 2
8 is an imaging lens, 29 is a light emitting diode (illuminating means) for illumination, 31 is a reading port, 31b is an opening edge, 32 is an object to be read, 33a is a bar code (code information), and 38 is a light emitting diode for marker (marker means). ), 39 is a marker light emitting diode (marker means), 40 is a CPU (control means), 46 is a marker light emitting diode (marker means),
Reference numeral 47 is a marker light emitting diode (marker means).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A case having a reading port, an illuminating unit provided in the case for irradiating illumination light for illuminating code information written on an object to be read through the reading port, and provided in the case. Marker means for irradiating a marker light representing the reading position of the code information so as to be orthogonal to an opening edge in the longitudinal direction of the reading opening, and reflected light reflected from the code information portion and incident through the reading opening. An imaging lens for condensing the information image representing the code information at a predetermined image receiving position, and an image pickup unit arranged at the image receiving position for converting the information image into an electric signal. An optical information reader characterized by: 2. A case having a reading port, an illumination unit provided in the case for illuminating illumination light for illuminating code information written on an object to be read through the reading port, and provided in the case. Marker light representing a read line of the code information is read to the object to be read within a readable depth of the code information and is approximately 1/1 of the readable depth.
Two marker means that irradiate so as to intersect at a position of two or more distances, and the reflected light that is reflected from the code information portion and is incident through the reading port is condensed to form an information image representing the code information. An optical information reading device comprising: an image forming lens for forming an image at a predetermined image receiving position; and an image pickup means arranged at the image receiving position for converting the information image into an electric signal. 3. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the marker means is provided at a position closer to the reading port than the imaging lens. 4. The control means for controlling the marker means to be turned off when the lighting means is turned on and to be blinked when the lighting means is turned off. An optical information reader according to any one of the above.