JPH10187864A - Optical information reader and image sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fast output the image data and to prevent deterioration of the reading operability by synthesizing the image data stored in an image sensor after outputting them in every divided block. SOLUTION: The data of a photosensor 41 are sent in sequence to the horizontal part registers 43a and 43b via the vertical part registers 42a and 42b. The registers 43a and 43b output the received data to the video signal output terminals 46a and 46b for each element string and in a right-left divided form. At the same time, the outputted video signals of blocks are converted into the digital signals by the A/D converters 51a and 51b and then stored in the image memories 52a and 52b. A microprocessor 53 synthesizes the image data of both memories 52a and 52b and reads the bar code information. In such a constitution, the stored image data can be outputted in a half time in comparison with the conventional system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an optical information reading apparatus for reading optical information printed on a recording medium such as a label, and an image sensor used in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Below, a bar code is used as optical information.
Also, a barcode reader is used as an optical information reading device,
Each will be described in mind.

[0005] Goods handled at convenience stores and clothing stores use a product distribution code (JAN code) as shown in FIG. This commodity distribution code is a one-dimensional barcode in which information is recorded in the horizontal direction (vertical direction) with respect to the bar. In recent years, the amount of information input to a computer for use in logistics or factory production management has been increased. There is a demand for information, and the combination of white and black squares as shown in FIG.
Two-dimensional codes recorded in a horizontal matrix are becoming widespread.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a configuration of a conventional two-dimensional code reader for reading a two-dimensional code and a decoding circuit of the two-dimensional code reader. In Figure (a), 1
Is a bar code label, which is a two-dimensional code label in which information is recorded in a vertical and horizontal matrix. Reference numeral 2 denotes an illumination unit that illuminates the two-dimensional code label 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a lens that forms the two-dimensional code label 1 on an image sensor 4, reference numeral 4 denotes an image sensor that converts an image of the two-dimensional code label 1 into an electric signal, A decoding unit for processing the output of the image sensor 4 and reading the information of the two-dimensional code label 1;

As shown in FIG. 6B, the decoding unit 5
Is an A / D converter 51 for converting an output signal of the image sensor 4 into a digital signal, an image memory 52 for storing an output of the A / D converter 51, and processing of information in the image memory 52 to read a two-dimensional code. Microprocessor 53, image sensor 4, and A / D converter 5
1 and a timing generation circuit 54 for generating an operation timing clock for the image memory 52, and a microprocessor 53.
And a bus control circuit 55 for switching the bus between the image memory 52 and the A / D converter 51.
Reference numeral 56 denotes a communication I for communicating a read result to an external device.
/ F.

As the image sensor 4 for converting the image of the two-dimensional code label 1 into an electric signal, a CCD image sensor having 250,000 to 400,000 pixels is used. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional CCD image sensor. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a photosensor which is a light receiving sensor unit arranged in a vertical / horizontal matrix, reference numeral 42 denotes a vertical register for transferring the output of the vertical photosensor 41, and reference numeral 43 denotes an output of the vertical register 42. A horizontal portion register which is a video signal for each line in the horizontal direction, 44 is a vertical portion register 42
, 45 is a transfer clock input of the horizontal register 43, and 46 is a video signal output.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image data stored in the photo sensor 41 is output from a video signal output 46 via a vertical register 42 and a horizontal register 43. For example, when a CCD image sensor of 500,000 pixels in the vertical direction and 500 pixels in the horizontal direction is used, the time required to output image data is about 60 microseconds for outputting one line in the horizontal direction, and 500 pixels for all pixels. About 3 to the line output of
0 ms.

On the other hand, with respect to the print size of the two-dimensional code, in order to increase the amount of information to be printed, the minimum unit (cell) forming the code is made small, and there are many examples of printing at high density. In order to read such a high-density two-dimensional code, an image sensor having a larger number of pixels than before, for example, 500,000 to 1,000,000 pixels is required. When an image sensor having a large number of pixels is used, if the image data stored in the photo sensor 41 is to be output in the same time as the conventional image sensor 4, the transfer clocks 44 and 45 for the vertical portion and the horizontal portion are not output. Need to increase speed. However, the speed of the transfer clocks 44 and 45 cannot be easily increased due to the operating speed of the image sensor 4 and the speed of writing to the image memory 52.

In order to avoid the above problems, as a technique for reading a high-density label without using an image sensor having a large number of pixels, a plurality of image sensors as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-168354. A method using is proposed. Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-30186 discloses that an image sensor is provided with a plurality of columns of sensors and outputs for each column in order to perform a plurality of readings with one exposure.
A method of performing a reading process for each output has been proposed.

[0010]

However, when an image sensor having a large number of pixels is used to read a high-density label, the output time of image data increases, and as a result, the read operability decreases. Occurs.

When a plurality of image sensors as described in JP-A-6-168354 are used, an optical system for forming an image on the plurality of image sensors, such as a special mirror, is used. A new problem arises in that it is necessary and image processing of the boundary between adjacent image sensors is necessary.

Similarly, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-30186, two readings are provided substantially parallel to the bar arrangement direction in order to perform a plurality of readings with one exposure. The output is performed separately, and does not reduce the time for outputting the stored image data of one element array.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and even when an image sensor having a large number of pixels is used,
An object of the present invention is to output stored image data at a high speed to prevent a decrease in read operability.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, an optical information reader of the present invention comprises a light irradiating means for irradiating optical information with light, and the light reflected from the optical information. Image forming means for forming an image, and converting the optical information formed by the image forming means into an electric signal, dividing the formed optical information into a plurality of blocks, and outputting each block. And an image memory for storing the output from the image sensor for each block, and a calculation unit for synthesizing the information in the image memory and reading the optical information.

Further, the image sensor of the present invention includes a plurality of light receiving sensor portions arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, a plurality of vertical portion registers for acquiring data for each column of the light receiving sensor portion, and the plurality of vertical portions. The register includes a plurality of horizontal registers for dividing the register into a plurality of blocks and acquiring data of the vertical registers for each of the blocks, and an output unit for each of the horizontal registers.

[0016]

With this configuration, even when an image sensor having a large number of pixels is used, the accumulated image data in the image sensor is output for each divided block and then combined to output the data at high speed. And the read operability can be prevented from lowering.

Hereinafter, a two-dimensional code reader according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a CCD image sensor used in a two-dimensional code reader according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a decoding unit of the two-dimensional code reader, and FIG. The figure which shows the outline of the whole 2D code reader structure, and FIG. 4 is explanatory drawing which shows the output waveform of the CCD image sensor used for the same 2D code reader.

In FIG. 3, 1 is a bar code label, 2
Is an illuminating unit that illuminates the bar code label 1, and 3 is a lens that forms an image of the bar code label 1 on an image sensor 4. The image sensor 4 converts an image of the bar code label 1 into an electric signal.

A decoding unit 5 processes the output of the image sensor 4 and reads the information of the bar code label 1.

Next, the configuration of the image sensor 4 used in the two-dimensional code reader according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, 41 is a photo sensor, 42
Reference numerals a and 42b are vertical portion registers that transfer the output of the photo sensor 41 in the vertical direction, and reference numerals 43a and 43b are horizontal portion registers that receive the outputs of the vertical portion registers 42a and 42b and transfer the video signal for each line in the horizontal direction. . 44 is a transfer clock input of the vertical part registers 42a and 42b, 45 is a transfer clock input of the horizontal part registers 43a and 43b, 4
6a and 46b are video signal outputs for outputting signals transferred from the horizontal registers 43a and 43b.

As shown in FIG. 1, C used in the present embodiment
The CD image sensor 4 divides a plurality of photosensors 41 serving as a light receiving sensor unit into two blocks on the left and right from the center, and horizontal unit registers 43a and 43b are provided for each block.
And video signal outputs 46a and 46b.

Next, the structure of the decoding unit of the two-dimensional code reader according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 5 denotes a decoding unit which processes two video signal outputs 46a and 46b of the image sensor 4 and reads the information of the two-dimensional code label 1, and 51a and 51b digitally output the video output signals 46a and 46b of the image sensor 4. A / D converters for converting into signals, 52a and 52b are image memories for storing the outputs of the A / D converters 51a and 51b,
Reference numeral 53 is a microprocessor for processing information in the image memories 52a and 52b and reading a two-dimensional code. Reference numeral 54 is timing generation for generating operation timing clocks for the image sensor 4, A / D converters 51a and 51b, and image memories 52a and 52b. Circuits 55a and 55b are bus control circuits for switching buses between the microprocessor 53, the image memories 52a and 52b, and the A / D converters 51a and 51b. Reference numeral 56 denotes a communication I / F for communicating a read result to an external device.

The operation of the two-dimensional code reader of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the barcode label 1 is a one-dimensional barcode to facilitate the description of the operation of the image sensor 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the reading operation of the barcode label 1 is performed, the image of the barcode label 1 shown in FIG. 4A is formed on the image sensor 4. In the figure, (b) is the video signal output on the line A of (a), (c) is the video output of the left block of the line A,
(D) is the video output of the right block of line A.

The image data formed on the image sensor 4 is divided into two blocks on the left and right as shown in (c) and (d) and is simultaneously output from the video signal outputs 46a and 46b. The output video signal of each block is A
After being converted into digital signals by the / D converters 51a and 51b, they are stored in the image memories 52a and 52b.

Here, when image data is output by the conventional method using the transfer clock having the same speed as in (c) and (d), the same video signal waveform as in (b) in the figure is obtained. That is,
As is clear from the figure, the two-dimensional code reader of the present invention can output the accumulated image data in half the time as compared with the conventional method. Therefore, in the two-dimensional code reader of the present invention, the output time of image data does not increase even if the number of pixels is doubled as compared with the conventional image sensor.

After outputting the image data, the two-dimensional code reader stores the image data in the image memories 52a and 52b.
The microprocessor 53 has image memories 52a and 52b.
The two image data of are combined and the barcode information is read.

In this embodiment, one bar code label 1
Although the dimensional barcode is used, the same applies when reading the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 5B. In this case, the data of the photosensors 41 arranged in the vertical / horizontal matrix are first sent to the horizontal register 43a, 43b by the vertical register 42a, 42b. The horizontal section registers 43a and 43b output the transmitted data to the video signal outputs 46a and 46b for each element row in the form of left and right divided element rows. Needless to say, one element row here corresponds to the bar code 1 described above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the block is provided by being divided into two parts on the left and right sides.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, the optical information reader and the image sensor of the present invention do not improve the driving clock speed of the image sensor even when the image sensor having a large number of pixels is used. It is possible to output the accumulated image data at high speed, and it is possible to prevent the read operability from lowering.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a CCD image sensor used in a two-dimensional code reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a decoding unit of the two-dimensional code reader.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the two-dimensional code reader.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an output waveform of a CCD image sensor used in the two-dimensional code reader.

5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a commodity distribution code. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional code.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional two-dimensional code reader, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a decoding circuit of the same two-dimensional code reader.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional CCD image sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Illumination section 3 Lens 4 Image sensor 5 Decoding section 41 Photosensor 42a, 42b Vertical section register 43a, 43b Horizontal section register 44 Vertical section transfer clock 45 Horizontal section transfer clock 46a, 46b Video signal output 51a, 51b A / D converter section 52a, 52b Image memory 53 Microprocessor 54 Timing generation circuit 55a, 55b Bus control circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masakazu Tsuruen 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Light irradiation means for irradiating optical information with light,
Image forming means for forming an image of the light reflected from the optical information; and a plurality of blocks for converting the optical information formed by the image forming means into an electric signal and converting the formed optical information into a plurality of blocks. An image sensor that divides the image sensor into blocks and outputs each block, an image memory that stores the output from the image sensor for each block, and an arithmetic unit that combines the information in the image memory and reads the optical information. An optical information reading device comprising: 2. The image sensor includes a plurality of light receiving sensor units arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, a plurality of vertical unit registers for acquiring data for each column of the light receiving sensor unit, and the plurality of vertical unit registers. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of horizontal section registers which are divided into a plurality of blocks and which obtain the data of the vertical section registers for each of the blocks, and an output section for each of the horizontal section registers. 3. A plurality of light receiving sensor portions arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, a plurality of vertical portion registers for acquiring data for each column of the light receiving sensor portion, and the plurality of vertical portion registers in a plurality of blocks. An image sensor comprising: a plurality of horizontal registers for dividing and obtaining data of the vertical registers for each of the blocks; and an output unit for each of the horizontal registers.