JPH096886A - Code information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prolong the life of a light emitting element and conduct a read test while moving a work along a production line etc., since no read operation is performed unless the work is in front of a code information detecting device. CONSTITUTION: When a test mode is set by a mode setting means 15, an external photoelectric switch 38 detects the work 36 and sends an external timing signal TIM and then a test start signal output means 16 outputs a test start signal TES to a bar code detecting means 17. Once the test start signal TES is received, the bar code detecting means 17 drives a laser illumination means 12 to perform read operation as many times as specified, and how many times the read is successful or the success rate is found.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a code information reading device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a code information reading device having a test mode for reading and testing code information such as a barcode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A stationary bar code reader having a test mode for testing the bar code reading state has been known.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a bar code reading apparatus 1 having such a test mode. Reference numeral 2 is a laser lighting means for emitting laser light, and 3 is a motor or the like having a polygonal mirror called a polygon mirror attached to its rotation axis. The bar code to be read is the laser light emitted from the laser lighting means 2. The scanning means 4 for scanning on 10 is a light receiving element for generating an electrical signal by receiving the laser light reflected by the barcode 10. 5 is a mode setting means for generating a test start signal, and 6 is a timing signal generating means for continuously generating an internal timing signal TIMI based on the test start signal TES from the mode setting means 5. Reference numeral 7 is a bar code detecting means for lighting the laser lighting means 2 based on an internal timing signal TIMI from the timing signal generating means 6 or an external timing signal TIMO inputted from the outside to decode the bar code data obtained from the light receiving element 4. , 8
Is a discriminating means for discriminating how many times the bar code data has been read out during a predetermined number of times in the test mode (reading success rate or the like). Reference numeral 9 is an output means for displaying the bar code reading result, the reading success rate in the test mode, etc. on the display unit or outputting it to the outside.

However, during a normal bar code reading operation, an external timing signal (object detection) generated by a photoelectric switch (not shown) installed upstream of the flow of a work in a production line or the like detects the work. signal)
When TIMO is input to the barcode detecting means 7, the barcode detecting means 7 starts the barcode reading operation. That is, laser light is emitted from the laser lighting means 2, the scanning means 3 scans the bar code 10, the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 4, and the data of the bar code 10 is decoded by the bar code detecting means 7. ing.

Further, during the above-mentioned normal operation, it is only possible to judge whether or not the bar code can be read in one scanning, and it cannot be judged how surely the bar code can be read. Therefore, a test mode is provided in which laser light is continuously emitted to perform repeated scanning, a barcode reading operation is performed a predetermined number of times, and the number of successful readings of the predetermined number of times is output.

[0006]

In the test mode of the conventional bar code reading apparatus 1, when the mode setting means 5 sets the test mode (for example, the test mode switch is pressed to set), the mode setting means 5 tests. The start signal TES is output. When the test start signal TES is output from the mode setting means 5 to the timing signal generating means 6, the bar code reading test is started, and the timing signal generating means 6 continuously outputs the internal timing signal TIMI to the bar code detecting means 7. To do. As a result, the laser light is automatically emitted continuously and repeatedly scanned, the reading operation is performed a predetermined number of times continuously, and the number of successful readings is detected during the predetermined number of reading operations and output to the display unit or the outside. It was supposed to do.

However, in the bar code reader 1 of the test mode type as described above, the mode setting means 5 is used.
When the test mode is set in and the test start signal TES is output, the internal timing signal TIMI is output from the timing signal generating means 6 regardless of the presence or absence of the work, and the test operation including the bar code reading operation a predetermined number of times is performed. Was repeated (until the test mode was released).

Therefore, while the test mode is set, the laser lighting means 2 continues to emit laser light, which has a drawback that the life of the light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser diode is shortened.

In the test mode, the bar code reading apparatus 1 emits and scans a laser beam to perform a reading operation with or without a work in front of it. Code reader 1
Is installed in a production line or the like through which the work flows, the production line must be stopped and the work must be placed in front of the barcode reading apparatus 1. For example, if you read the test mode while moving the work on the production line, you can determine whether the output is when there is no barcode or when the barcode is being read. Because I can't
It is necessary to make the work stationary in front of the barcode reading apparatus 1. For this reason, at the installation site of the bar code reader 1 which is difficult to approach due to the obstacles such as the installed machine, it is often difficult to perform a test.

Further, since various reading conditions are different between the case where the bar code is read while the work is stationary and the case where the bar code is read while the work is moving, only the test in the stationary state is performed. Then, it was difficult to accurately grasp the reading situation when the work was actually moving on the production line.

Further, even if the reading test is performed and the reading success rate is output, the reading test is repeated many times by scanning the laser beam, which is unreasonable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional examples, and an object thereof is to detect the presence or absence of a work to be read even in the test mode.
It is to provide a code information reading device that performs a reading test only when a work is detected.

[0013]

The code information reading device of the present invention comprises a laser lighting means for emitting a laser beam,
A scanning means for scanning the laser light emitted from the laser lighting means, a light receiving element for receiving the laser light reflected by the code information to generate an electric signal, and a test mode for performing a read test of the code information are set. And a mode setting means for performing the code information reading operation according to the object detection signal output on condition that the object with the code information is detected, when the mode setting means is set to the test mode. A test start signal outputting means for generating a test start signal, and a code information reading operation according to an object detection signal output under the condition of detection of an object to which the code information is added during normal operation to detect the code information, On the other hand, in the test mode, whether the code information reading operation is performed a predetermined number of times according to the test start signal output from the test start signal output unit. It is characterized by further comprising a code information detecting means for performing a predetermined number of tests to detect code information, and a determining means for determining how many times the code information has been read out of the predetermined number of reading operations in the test mode. There is.

[0014]

In this code information reading device, during normal operation, an object with code information is detected by, for example, a photoelectric switch or the like provided outside the device, and an object detection signal is input to the code information detecting means. Then, the code information reading operation is performed to decode the code information.

On the other hand, in the test mode, even if the mode setting means is set to the test mode, the test start signal is not immediately output from the test start signal output means to the code information detection means, and the code information reading operation is not performed. . In the test mode setting, for example, when an object detection signal is input from the photoelectric switch or the like to the test start signal output means, the test start signal output means outputs the test start signal to the code information detection means to read the code information a predetermined number of times. A code information reading test consisting of operations is performed. Further, this code information reading test ends when it is executed a predetermined number of times (usually once).

Therefore, in the code information reading apparatus of the present invention, even in the test mode, the reading operation can be performed only when the object with the code information is detected, and when the object is not detected. The reading operation can be stopped.

[0017]

According to the code information reading apparatus of the present invention, the presence or absence of an object to which code information is attached is detected even in the test mode, and the reading test is performed only when the object is detected. Since the laser lighting means does not continuously emit light in the test mode, the life of the light emitting element such as the semiconductor laser diode can be prolonged.

Further, since the reading test can be performed only when the object is present in front of the code information reading device, the reading test can be carried out while the object having the code information is conveyed by the production line or the like. Therefore, the reading test can be easily performed without stopping the production line or the like. Further, even when the code information reading device is installed at a position where it is difficult to approach due to being obstructed by the installed machine or the like, the reading test can be easily performed.

Moreover, since it is not necessary to make the object stand still in order to carry out the reading test, the reading test can be carried out while moving the object on the production line or the like, and the test is performed in the same reading condition as in the actual operation. It is possible to grasp the reading situation accurately.

Furthermore, if the reading test is executed a predetermined number of times, the test is completed, so there is no need to set or cancel the test mode, and the test method can be rationalized.

[0021]

2 is a conceptual block diagram of a stationary bar code reader 11 with a test mode according to the present invention. The bar code reading device 11 includes a laser lighting means 12 for emitting a laser light and a scanning means 1 for scanning the laser light emitted from the laser lighting means 12.
3 and a light receiving element 14 that receives the laser light reflected by the barcode (code information) 10 and generates an electric signal. In addition, mode setting means 15 for setting a test mode for testing the reading state of the barcode 10.
And a test start signal output means 16 for generating a test start signal TES for performing a bar code reading operation. The mode setting means 15 outputs a setting signal SET when set in the test mode and outputs a test start signal. In the test mode, the means 16 outputs the test start signal TES when it receives the external timing signal (object detection signal) TIM output on condition that the object with the barcode 10 is detected. The bar code detecting means 17 performs bar code reading operation based on the external timing signal TIM (during normal operation) or the test start signal TES (during test mode) to detect bar code data. That is, in the normal operation, the bar code reading operation is performed according to the external timing signal TIM to detect the bar code data. On the other hand, in the test mode, the bar code data is detected a predetermined number of times according to the test start signal TES output from the test start signal output means 16. The bar code data is detected by performing a predetermined number of tests including the bar code reading operation. The discriminating unit 18 discriminates how many times the bar code 10 has been read out of the predetermined number of reading operations in the test mode.

FIG. 3 shows a bar code reader 1 of the present invention.
It is a schematic plan view which shows the example of installation of 1. In this example, the barcode reading device 11 is installed beside one side of a conveyor 37 of a production line on which the work 36 with the barcode 10 is conveyed. Further, on the upstream side of the conveyor 37, the light projecting section 38 b and the light receiving section 38 of the photoelectric switch 38 are provided.
a (including a signal processing unit) is installed. And
When the photoelectric switch 38 detects the work 36 conveyed by the conveyor 37, the photoelectric switch 38 outputs an external timing signal TIM (object detection signal) to the barcode reading device 11. Bar code reader 11
When receiving the external timing signal TIM from the photoelectric switch 38, starts the barcode reading operation as described later.

FIG. 4 shows a bar code reader 1 of the present invention.
It is a front view which shows another installation example of 1. The reflective photoelectric switch 38 serves as the casing 3 of the bar code reading device 11.
9 and the photoelectric switch 38 is integrally housed in the window 9.
Is emitted, and the laser light of the barcode reading device 11 is scanned through the scanning window 40b. Then, when the photoelectric switch 38 detects the work 36, it outputs the external timing signal TIM to the barcode reading device 11 without passing through the external wiring.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the bar code reader 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The laser lighting means 12 comprises a light emitting element 23 such as a semiconductor laser diode and a laser lighting circuit 22 for driving the light emitting element 23. The scanning means 13 is, for example, a polygonal polygon mirror having a reflecting mirror formed on its outer peripheral surface and is rotated by a motor.
The laser light output from 3 is reflected by the reflecting mirror of the polygon mirror to scan the laser light on the target bar code 10. The light receiving element 14 is composed of a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode, and an output signal of the light receiving element 14 is converted into a pulse signal corresponding to each bar code data via a light receiving circuit 24 including an amplifier circuit and a comparator 25. It Furthermore, the comparator 25
Decoding circuit 26 based on the pulse signal output from
Decodes the bar code data.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a reading control unit, which is outside the bar code reading device 21 (that is,
External timing signal input from photoelectric switch 38)
In response to TIM, a start signal for driving the laser lighting circuit 22 is generated, and the bar code data decoded by the decoding circuit 26 is output to the output means 19.
Here, the bar code detecting means 17 is composed of a light receiving circuit 24, a comparator 25, a decoding circuit 26 and a reading control section 28.

The output means 19 is a light emitting diode (LE).
D), a display unit 29 such as a liquid crystal display panel, and an output unit 30 having a drive circuit for the display unit 29 and an output circuit such as a communication interface such as RS-232C.

The mode setting means 15 is composed of a test mode switch, and a setting signal is generated by, for example, pressing the switch.
SET is generated and the setting signal S is sent to the test start signal output means 16.
Output ET. The test start signal output means 16 comprises a timing signal generation means 32 and a prohibition means 33. When the timing signal generating means 32 receives the setting signal SET from the mode setting means 15, the timing signal generating means 32 outputs a test start signal (internal timing signal) TES. The prohibiting means 33 uses the test start signal TES generated by the timing signal generating means 32.
Is blocked so as not to be transmitted to the reading control unit 28 (or, the test start signal TES is transmitted to the reading control unit 28).
However, the prohibition is released when the external timing signal TIM is received from the outside of the barcode reading device 21 (that is, the photoelectric switch 38). Therefore, the test start signal output means 16 is the mode setting means 1
When the external timing signal TIM is received while the test mode 5 is set, the test signal TES is transmitted from the timing signal generating means 32 to the reading control unit 28.

Further, when the reading control section 28 receives the setting signal SET from the mode setting means 15, it switches to the operation in the test mode. That is, the reading control unit 28
In the test mode, when the test start signal TES is received from the timing signal generating means 32, the laser lighting circuit 22 is driven to scan the laser light, and the reading operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). Do it. The reading control unit 28 continuously performs a reading test a predetermined number of times, determines whether the reading in the decoding circuit 26 is successful or not, and stores the determination result in the memory 27. Then, when the reading test for a predetermined number of times is completed, the reading control unit 28 stores the number of successful readings stored in the memory 27 (for example, 65 out of 100 times).
Times) or read success rate (eg 6
5%) is calculated, and the test result is transferred to the output means 19 to be output from the output terminal 31 to the outside and the display unit 29.
To be displayed.

As described above, the discriminating means 18 includes the memory 27.
And a read control unit 28. Also,
The read control unit 28 outputs an end signal to the prohibition unit 33 on condition that the test operation has been completed a predetermined number of times.
When receiving the end signal, the prohibiting means 33 returns to the state of interrupting the test start signal TES again, and continues to interrupt until the next external timing signal TIM is received. During this time, the display unit 2
9 continues to display the test result as it is.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the normal operation of the bar code reading device 21 shown in FIG. The normal operation of the barcode reading device 21 will be described with reference to FIG. During normal operation, for example, the photoelectric switch 38 installed on the upstream side of the flow of the work 36 in the production line waits in the OFF state until the external timing signal TIM generated upon detection of the work 36 is input (S41), and the work 36.
Is detected and the external timing signal TIM is input to the reading control unit 28, the laser lighting circuit 22 is driven (S42). The laser light emitted from the light emitting element 23 is scanned on the barcode 10 by the scanning means 13, and the barcode data is taken into the decoding circuit 26 through the light receiving element 14 (S43). The capture of the barcode data is performed until the external timing signal TIM is not received or the barcode data for 10 scans is captured within a range that does not exceed the capacity of the memory 27. Next, the read control unit 28 causes the decoding circuit 2
It is judged whether or not the decoding of the barcode data in 6 is successful (S44). This judgment can be made by comparing with a preset value, for example, or the data obtained by scanning the same barcode 10 a plurality of times may be compared.

If the bar code 10 cannot be decoded in step S44, it is judged whether or not the work 36 is still detected (S47). If the work 36 is detected, the bar code 10 is read again and the bar code 10 is read. The code data is decoded (S43-). If the work 36 is not already detected, "NG" is output to the output means 19 (S48),
The laser lighting circuit 22 is turned off (S46).

When it is determined in step S44 that the barcode 10 can be decoded, the output means 19 displays "O".
Display the output of K "or barcode data (S4
5) The laser lighting circuit 22 is turned off (S46).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the bar code reader 21 shown in FIG. 5 in the test mode. The operation of the barcode reading device 21 in the test mode will be described with reference to FIG. When the test mode is set by the mode setting means 15 (S51), for example, the photoelectric switch 38 waits in an OFF state until an external timing signal TIM generated by detecting the work 36 is input (S5).
2), the work 36 is detected and the external timing signal TIM
When is input to the reading control unit 28, the laser lighting circuit 22 is driven (S53). The laser light emitted from the light emitting element 23 is scanned by the scanning means 13 and the barcode 1
0 is scanned and the decode circuit 2 is passed through the light receiving element 14.
The bar code data is taken into 6 (S54). Next, the reading control unit 28 determines whether or not the decoding of the bar code data in the decoding circuit 26 has succeeded (S55).

When it is judged in step S55 that the bar code 10 can be decoded, the number of successful readings Ns stored in the memory 27 is increased by 1 (Ns + 1 → Ns), and it is judged that the bar code 10 cannot be decoded. in case of,
The number Nf of reading failures in the memory 27 is incremented by 1 (Nf + 1 → Nf: S57, S58). Thus, until the sum Ns + Nf of the number Ns of successful readings and the number Nf of unsuccessful readings reaches a predetermined number (S59), it is determined whether the barcode 10 is captured and the decoding of the barcode 10 is successful or unsuccessful (S54 to S58).

Thus, when the sum Ns + Nf of the number Ns of successful readings and the number Nf of unsuccessful readings reaches a predetermined number (S5
9) The reading control unit 28 outputs the test result (the number of successes and the success rate) to the outside and causes the display unit 29 to display the output (S60), and turns off the laser lighting circuit 22 (S).
61).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a bar code reading apparatus 34 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The bar code reading device 34 of this embodiment is different from the bar code reading device 21 of FIG.
The configuration of 6 is different. That is, in the bar code reading device 34, the test start signal output means 1
Reference numeral 6 is composed of a timing signal generating means 32 and a timing generation control section 35. The timing generation control unit 35 enters the control operation state when the mode setting unit 15 is set to the test mode and the setting signal SET is output. When the external timing signal TIM is input at this time, the timing generation control unit 35 causes the timing signal generation unit 32 to operate. Operate once. The timing signal generating means 32 generates a test start signal TES for performing a predetermined number of read operations, and generates a test start signal (timing signal) TES for a predetermined number of read operations in one operation. It is configurable. Therefore, when the test start signal output means 16 receives the external timing signal TIM while the mode setting means 15 is set to the test mode, the test start signal output means 16 reads from the timing signal generating means 32 to the reading control section 28 the number of times set. The test start signal TES for performing the operation is sent, and when the test start signal TES for the predetermined number of times is exhausted, the operation is stopped. Then, it remains stopped until a new external timing signal TIM is input.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional barcode reading device.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual block diagram of a barcode reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an installation example of the above barcode reading device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing another example of installation of the above barcode reading device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a barcode reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a normal operation of the above barcode reading apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the above barcode reading apparatus in a test mode.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a barcode reading device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 laser lighting means 13 scanning means 14 light receiving element 15 mode setting means 16 test start signal output means 17 bar code detection means 18 discrimination means 19 output means 38 photoelectric switch SET setting signal TES test start signal TIM external timing signal

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A laser lighting means for emitting laser light, a scanning means for scanning the laser light emitted from the laser lighting means, and a light receiving element for receiving the laser light reflected by code information and generating an electric signal. A mode setting means for setting a test mode for performing a read test of the code information, and when the mode setting means is set to the test mode, it is output on condition that the object with the code information is detected. The test start signal output means for generating a test start signal for performing the code information reading operation according to the object detection signal, and the object detection signal output under the condition that the object with the code information is detected during the normal operation. Accordingly, the code information reading operation is performed to detect the code information.On the other hand, in the test mode, it is output from the test start signal output section. Code information detecting means for detecting code information by performing a predetermined number of tests consisting of a predetermined number of code information reading operations according to a test start signal, and how many times the code information can be read out of the predetermined number of reading operations in the test mode. And a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the code information reading device.