JPH1063766A - Code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a code reader capable of obtaining fine assembling easiness and effective irradiation with illuminating light. SOLUTION: At a mirror frame 22 holding an optical system, a flange part 34 is circumprovided on its outside, and an illumination board 24 is disposed on the front side of the flange part 34 of this mirror frame 22 in the optical axis direction. Then, a CCD 16 disposed at the prescribed image forming position backward the mirror frame 22 is held from the backward by a fixed frame 36 having a U-shaped cross-section, and clipped and held between a buffer material (e.g. rubber) 40 and the illumination board 24 via the flange part 34, and the fixed frame 36 is retained at a prescribed part of the illumination board 24 by a holding ring (e.g. a spring) 38.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a so-called so-called audio information including, for example, audio information such as voice and music, video information obtained from a camera or a video device, and digital code data obtained from a personal computer or a word processor. A dot code reader for optically reading the dot code from an information recording medium such as paper on which multimedia information is recorded as a dot code consisting of a two-dimensional code image pattern that can be optically read, and a bar code for reading a bar code. The present invention relates to a code reader such as a bar code reader.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various media such as magnetic tapes and optical disks have been known as media for recording voice, music and the like. However, even if these media are made in large quantities, the unit price is somewhat expensive, and a large space is required for storage. Furthermore, if it is necessary to hand over the recorded audio medium to another person at a remote location, it takes time and effort to mail it or take it directly. There was also. Also, other than audio information, video information obtained from cameras, video equipment, etc., and digital code data obtained from personal computers, word processors, etc.
The same applies to the so-called multimedia information as a whole including the above.

To cope with such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-231466 discloses at least one of audio information, video information, and digital code data.
A plurality of dots are two-dimensionally arranged as image information, that is, image information that can be transmitted by facsimile and can be copied in large quantities at low cost.
A system for recording on an information recording medium such as paper in the form of a dimensional code image pattern and a system for reproducing the same are disclosed.

The information reproducing apparatus disclosed in this publication employs a pen-type code reader as a reading unit for optically reading a dot code on a recording medium, and holds such a code reader by hand. By manually scanning the recording medium along the recorded dot code,
Read the code.

[0005]

By the way, as the structure of the pen-type code reader as described above, for example, the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 6-59940 is applicable. However, the code reader disclosed in the above publication has a configuration in which the reading portion is separated into a CCD section, a lens section, and an illumination section, and assembling them is very complicated. Furthermore, the code reader disclosed in this publication does not have a mechanism for efficiently guiding the light from the illumination unit to the code pattern to be read, that is, the subject, for example, a reflection plate or the like. Therefore, a strong light source is required. Was.

The applicant of the present invention has proposed a code reader which is small, portable, and easy to hold.
No. 1 has been filed. That is, in the code reader of this application, as shown in FIG. 8A, the code reader housing has a main body 10 of the barrel as a grip portion held by an operator.
And a shaft barrel tip 12 provided at the tip of the barrel body 10 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the axial direction.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1B, an optical system (lens) 14 and an image formed by the optical system 14 are converted into an electric signal and output to the shaft tube tip 12. An area sensor (CCD) 16 and an illumination LED 18 for irradiating a code pattern are provided. Here, the area sensor 16 is mounted on a CCD substrate 20, and the optical system 14 is supported by a mirror frame 22 similarly mounted on the substrate 20. The illumination LEDs 18 are arranged on the same circle at a predetermined interval on a ring-shaped illumination substrate 24 attached to the lens frame 22. An illumination diffusion plate 26 is attached to the front surface of the illumination LED of the lens frame 22. A sliding contact portion 30 that is in sliding contact with the recording medium surface 28 is attached to the tip of the shaft tube tip portion 12, and a reflecting plate 32 is disposed in the sliding contact portion 30.

With the code reader having such a configuration, better assemblability and efficient irradiation of illumination light can be realized as compared with the code reader disclosed in the above publication. However, there is a need for a code reader that allows for better assemblability and efficient illumination of illumination light. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a code reader that enables good assemblability and efficient irradiation of illumination light.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a code reader according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an area sensor that converts an image formed by an optical system into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. A code pattern printed so as to be optically readable by an illuminating light from an illuminating unit to read the reflected light of the code pattern. A lens barrel provided with a peripheral portion, an illumination board provided with the illumination section disposed on the front side in the optical axis direction of a flange portion of the lens barrel, and a predetermined imaging position behind the lens barrel. A fixing frame for holding and holding the area sensor from behind, the area sensor being sandwiched and fixed between the illumination substrate via the flange, and the fixing frame. Locking to lock on predetermined part of lighting board Characterized by comprising a stage, a.

In other words, according to the code reader of the first aspect of the present invention, the area sensor and the lighting board can be easily attached to the lens barrel by the clamping action between the fixing frame and the lighting board. Simplification in assembly and further cost reduction can be realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a code reader including an area sensor for converting an image forming light from an optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and for forming a code pattern optically readable on a medium. A code reader configured to read reflected light of the code pattern by irradiating with illumination light from an illumination unit, the lens barrel holding the optical system, and having a flange provided around the outside thereof, and the lens A ring-shaped illumination board on which the illumination unit is mounted to be inserted and disposed on the optical axis direction front side of the flange of the lens barrel, wherein the lens barrel is provided with the illumination board outside thereof. There is a bulge corresponding to a position to be laid, and the illumination board is press-fitted and fixed by the bulge.

That is, according to the code reader of the second aspect of the present invention, the illumination board disposed around the lens barrel can be securely fixed at a predetermined position with a simple configuration without accidentally rotating.

Further, the code reader according to the third aspect of the present invention includes an area sensor for converting the image-forming light from the optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and the code pattern printed on the medium in an optically readable manner. A code reader configured to read reflected light of the code pattern by irradiating with illumination light from an illumination unit, wherein the code reader is provided with a lens barrel holding the optical system and being fitted into the lens barrel. A ring-shaped illumination substrate on which the illumination unit is mounted, and a cylindrical illumination substrate arranged to cover the illumination substrate so as to reflect the ring-shaped illumination light emitted from the illumination unit toward the code pattern. A reflective member, and the reading-side opening of the tubular reflective member is formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to a reading field of the code pattern.

That is, according to the code reader of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently concentrate the light emitted from the illuminating section on the target imaging range, and to read the code with a small amount of light without waste. Can be.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the code reader in the following embodiment is configured to read the code pattern via the optical system by manually scanning a code pattern recorded optically readable on a recording medium (not shown). The present invention relates to the structure of a pen-type dot code reader described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-231466 and a dot code disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-313698 by the applicant of the present invention. Although it is a particularly preferable mode for reading such a dot code, for example, a bar code for reading a two-dimensional bar code recorded in a small amount in the first direction and many in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to the structure of a reader or a character reader which reads characters by scanning characters of a book or newspaper line by line.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an assembly view of an assembly inside a barrel end of a code reader according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a three-view drawing of the assembled assembly. is there.

The code reader according to the present embodiment uses a CCD 16 as an area sensor that converts image-forming light from an optical system into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal, and prints it optically readable on a recording medium (not shown). The obtained code image pattern is illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination LED 18 mounted on the illumination board 24, and the reflected light of the code image pattern is read.

In this embodiment, the lens frame 22 as a lens barrel for holding the optical system is provided with a flange 34 on the outside thereof, and the illumination board 24 is mounted on the lens frame 22. Is disposed on the front side in the optical axis direction of the flange portion 34. A C-shaped fixing frame 36, which has a U-shaped cross section as a fixing frame, is provided at a predetermined imaging position behind the lens frame 22.
While holding the CD 16 from behind, the CCD 16 is sandwiched between the illumination substrate 24 via the flange 34 and the fixing frame 36 (eg, a spring) 38 as a locking member. Is locked to a predetermined portion of the illumination board 24. Note that a cushioning material (for example, rubber) 40 is inserted between the lens frame 22 and the CCD 16. However, it is also possible for the flange portion 34 of the lens frame 22 to have a function of a cushioning material. In this case, the cushioning material 40 becomes unnecessary.

That is, in the present embodiment, first, the lens frame 2
2. Insert the illumination board 24 from the object side, and on the opposite side,
The CCD 16 is placed with the buffer material 40 interposed therebetween. Then, the fixing frame 36 is put on them, and the retaining ring 38 is fitted so that the elastic direction thereof is in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. At this time, the position of the holding ring 36 is fixed by the swelling portion 38A of the holding ring 38 entering the holes 36A provided on both legs of the fixed frame 36.

Therefore, since the CCD 16 and the illumination board 24 can be easily attached to the mirror frame 22 by the clamping action between the fixed frame 36 and the illumination board 24, miniaturization, simplification in assembly, and cost reduction can be achieved. realizable.

Further, since the retaining ring 38, that is, an elastic member, attached to the fixed frame 36 is used as the locking member, for example, it is more frequently used during the assembly inspection than when the fixed frame itself is elasticized. Deterioration of the locking portion of the fixed frame can be avoided as much as possible with respect to the attaching and detaching operation.

By bending both legs of the fixed frame 36 further inward, it is possible to lock without using the holding ring 38 by the urging force. In this case, it is also possible to realize an assembling method in which the fixing frame 36 is inserted and locked not in the optical axis direction but in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration.
In the present embodiment, the holding ring 38 is shaped so that elastic force is also generated in the optical axis direction.

As a result, the illumination substrate 24 is urged in the direction of the CCD 16 by the press ring 38, so that the CCD 16 can be fixed in the optical axis direction without any particular arrangement of a cushioning material between the CCD 16 and the lens frame 22. Accuracy is easily obtained.

[Third Embodiment] Next, FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention, in which the lighting substrate can be easily fixed, will be described with reference to FIGS.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the diameter of the illumination substrate 24 is smaller than the inner diameter of the illumination substrate 24 corresponding to the position where the illumination substrate 24 is to be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the lens frame 22 made of resin. A projection 42 is provided as a large bulge. Here, the projections 42 are provided at positions corresponding to parting lines 44 generated by resin molding. Thus, burrs 46 are formed on the protrusions 42 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the illumination board 24 is provided with a projection receiving recess 48 as a notch for receiving the projection 42 as shown in FIG. Thus,
By press-fitting such an illumination board 24 into the lens frame 22 having the projections 42 as described above, the illumination board 24 disposed around the lens frame 22 is not inadvertently rotated and is positioned at a predetermined position. It can be fixed securely with a simple configuration.

In this case, the projection receiving recess 48 corresponding to the projection 42 is provided inside the illumination board 24, and the projection 42 is provided at a position corresponding to a parting line generated by resin molding of the lens frame 22. When the lighting board 24 is to be pressed in, the burr 46 is obstructed to prevent the lighting board 24 from being inserted. However, when the lighting board 24 is forcibly pushed, the burr 46 is deformed. As shown in FIG. 3D, the deformed portion of the burr 46 is pushed between the lens frame 22 and the recess 48 for receiving a projection. Therefore, it is possible to completely absorb the mounting play of the lighting board with a simple configuration without particularly requiring an elastic member such as a spring and affecting the assembling property.

That is, the projections 42 serve to prevent the rotation of the lighting board 24, and the burrs 46 on the parting lines 44 serve as press-fitting allowances. As described above, by effectively using the burr 46 which is usually cut off as it is, cost reduction and ease of assembly can be realized.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In general, when illuminating a cylindrical lens frame from the surroundings, a light emitting element is mounted on a substrate having a circular die cut on the outside of a circular shape, and the light emitting element is positioned on the outer periphery of the cylindrical lens frame. In this case, the outer shape of the lighting is circular,
The surrounding reflectors are cylindrical. The reflector is positioned so as to cover substantially the outer periphery up to the subject in front of the lens frame.

In this case, since the light receiving surface of the CCD is rectangular, as shown in FIG.
Is a rectangle. On the other hand, the illumination light from the cylindrical reflector 52 has a circumscribed outer shape with respect to the rectangle of the effective object surface 50, and the illumination waste surface 5 other than the effective object surface 50.
4 occurs. Illumination on the illumination waste surface 54 is completely wasted light. Therefore, in the case of such a reflector shape, unless the light source emits a considerably intense light, the effective light amount on the object effective surface 50 will be reduced. Can not get. Therefore, it is important to omit the illumination waste surface 54.

Therefore, in this embodiment, (B) of FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A circular-to-pyramidal reflector 58 having a rectangular cross section 56 corresponding to. That is, the shape of the reflector is gradually and continuously deformed from a circle to a rectangle on the subject side. In addition, the above-mentioned circle → pyramid reflector 58 is
At least the inner surface can be formed by bending or drawing a metal having light reflectivity.

As a result, the area of the illumination waste surface 54 can be made very small, and the light emitted from the illumination unit can be efficiently concentrated on the target imaging range. Be able to read the code.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In general, a metal reflector causes specular reflection on the subject side because direct light enters,
When this is received on the CCD side, a signal corresponding to an accurate subject image cannot be obtained. Therefore, conventionally, a diffuser plate is used to irradiate the diffused light to the subject in order to make the light not to cause regular reflection on the subject.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the fourth
In the circle → pyramidal reflector 58 of the embodiment, the material and the surface of the reflector are made to be diffusion surfaces, so that the reflector and the diffuser have two functions.

That is, instead of using a diffusion plate, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the above-mentioned configuration is formed by using a transparent resin 60 as a base material, and a diffusion layer having an uneven surface is formed on the front and back surfaces of the transparent resin 60. The reflection plate 58 is formed by forming the reflection layer 62 and further forming the reflection layer 64 on the outside by, for example, vapor deposition.

With such a configuration, the illumination substrate 2
Since the light from 4 passes through the two diffusion layers 62 (and the inner diffusion layer passes twice), it becomes light having a very strong diffusivity.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the function of the diffusion plate is incorporated in the reflection plate.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in the circular-to-pyramidal reflector 58 of the fourth embodiment, the transmission layer made of PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), or the like as a base material. Diffusivity is obtained by adding a milky white pigment to 66, and a reflective layer 64 is formed on the outside thereof by, for example, aluminum evaporation.

[0040] Even in this case, a reflection surface having good diffusibility without light being carelessly absorbed can be easily obtained.
Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Here, the summary of the present invention is as follows.

(1) An area sensor is provided for converting the image forming light from the optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and irradiates a code pattern printed on a medium in an optically readable manner with illumination light from an illumination unit. A code reader configured to read reflected light of the code pattern, the lens reader holding the optical system, and having a flange provided on the outer side, and a front surface in the optical axis direction of the flange of the lens barrel. Disposed on the side, an illumination board on which the illumination unit is mounted, and holding the area sensor disposed at a predetermined imaging position behind the lens barrel from behind, and A fixing frame for holding and fixing the lighting substrate via the flange portion; and a locking means for locking the fixing frame to a predetermined portion of the lighting substrate. And a code reader.

That is, since the mounting of the area sensor and the illumination board to the lens barrel can be easily performed by the clamping action between the fixing frame and the illumination board, miniaturization and simplification in assembly can be achieved.
Further, cost reduction can be realized.

(2) The locking means locks the fixing frame to a predetermined portion of the lighting board via an elastic member mounted on the fixing frame. The code reader according to (1).

That is, since the elastic member is separately used, for example, as compared with the case where elasticity is given to the fixing frame itself, for example,
Deterioration of the locking portion of the fixing frame can be avoided as much as possible even with repeated mounting and dismounting operations during assembly inspection.

(3) The elastic member according to (1), wherein the elastic direction of the elastic member is provided in both the optical axis direction of the optical system and a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. Code reader.

That is, even if a buffer member is not particularly arranged between the area sensor and the lens barrel, a fixed mounting accuracy of the area sensor in the optical axis direction can be easily obtained. (4) An area sensor for converting the image forming light from the optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and irradiating the code pattern printed on the medium in an optically readable manner with the illumination light from the illumination unit. A code reader configured to read reflected light of a pattern, holding the optical system,
A lens barrel provided with a flange on the outer side thereof, and a ring-shaped illumination board on which the above-described illumination unit is mounted by being fitted on the front side of the flange of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction. A code reader, wherein the lens barrel has, on its outer side, a bulge corresponding to a position where the illumination board is to be provided, and the illumination board is press-fitted and fixed by the bulge. .

That is, the illumination board provided around the lens barrel can be securely fixed at a predetermined position with a simple configuration without rotating carelessly. (5) The illumination board has a cutout portion corresponding to the bulging portion inside thereof, and the bulging portion is provided at a position corresponding to a parting line generated by resin molding of the lens barrel. The code reader according to (4), wherein

That is, it is possible to completely absorb the mounting play of the lighting board with a simple structure without particularly requiring an elastic member such as a spring and affecting the assembling property. (6) An area sensor for converting the image light formed by the optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and irradiating a code pattern printed on a medium so as to be optically readable with illumination light from an illumination unit, to the code. A code reader configured to read the reflected light of the pattern, a lens barrel holding the optical system, and a ring-shaped lighting board mounted with the lighting unit disposed to be inserted into the lens barrel. A cylindrical reflecting member disposed so as to cover the illumination substrate so as to reflect the ring-shaped illumination light emitted from the illuminating section toward the code pattern; and Wherein the shape of the opening on the reading side is a rectangular shape corresponding to the field of view of the code pattern.

That is, the light emitted from the illumination unit can be efficiently concentrated on the target imaging range, and the code can be read with a small amount of light without waste. (7) The code reader according to (6), wherein at least the inner surface of the cylindrical reflecting member is formed by bending or drawing a metal having light reflectivity.

That is, together with the effect (6), a highly efficient reflecting surface can be easily obtained. (8) The code reader according to (6), wherein the cylindrical reflecting member is made of a material having a light diffusing property.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (6), a reflection surface having good light diffusibility can be easily obtained. (9) The code reader according to (6), wherein the cylindrical reflecting member is made of a transparent resin material having a light diffusing property, and has a reflective layer formed on an outer surface thereof.
That is, in addition to the effect of the above (6), it is possible to easily obtain a reflection surface having good diffusibility without light being carelessly absorbed.

[0052]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a code reader that enables good assemblability and efficient irradiation of illumination light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an assembly view of a characteristic portion of a code reader according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a three-view drawing of a characteristic portion of the code reader according to the first embodiment after assembly.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state after assembling a characteristic portion of a code reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a characteristic portion of a code reader according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a perspective view of a lens barrel, and (B) is a diagram.
Is a cross-sectional view of the projection of the lens frame, (C) is a perspective view of the illumination substrate, and (D) is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the illumination substrate is pressed into the lens frame.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a general reflecting plate,
(B) is a perspective view showing a reflector in a code reader according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a reflector in a code reader according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a reflector in a code reader according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

8A is a diagram showing an operation state of a conventional code reader, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a shaft end of the code reader shown in FIG. 8A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 16 CCD 18 LED for illumination 22 Mirror frame 24 Illumination board 34 Flange 36 Fixed frame 36A Hole 38 Pressing ring 38A Bulging portion 40 Buffer material 42 Projection 44 Parting line 46 Burr 48 Projection receiving recess 50 Effective subject surface 54 Illuminated waste surface 56 Rectangular cross section 58 Yen → pyramidal reflector 60 Transparent resin 62 Diffusion layer 64 Reflection layer 66 Transmission layer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an area sensor for converting image light formed by an optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal; and irradiating a code pattern optically readable on a medium with illumination light from an illumination unit. A code reader configured to read reflected light of the code pattern, comprising: a lens barrel holding the optical system and having a flange formed around the outside; and a front side of the flange of the lens barrel in an optical axis direction. An illumination board mounted with the illumination unit, and the area sensor arranged at a predetermined imaging position behind the lens barrel from behind, and the area sensor is
A fixing frame for clamping and fixing between the lighting substrate via the flange portion, and a locking means for locking the fixing frame to a predetermined portion of the lighting substrate. Characterized code reader. 2. An image sensor, comprising: an area sensor for converting image-forming light from an optical system into an electric signal and outputting the signal; and irradiating a code pattern optically readable on a medium with illumination light from an illumination unit. What is claimed is: 1. A code reader configured to read reflected light of a code pattern, comprising: a lens barrel holding the optical system and having a flange formed around the outside thereof; and a front surface in the optical axis direction of the flange of the lens barrel. A ring-shaped illumination board on which the illumination section is mounted so as to be inserted into the side, and wherein the lens barrel is provided on the outside thereof in a bulging portion corresponding to a position where the illumination board is to be arranged. A code reader, wherein the illumination board is press-fitted and fixed by the bulging portion. 3. An area sensor for converting image light formed by an optical system into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, and irradiates a code pattern printed on a medium in an optically readable manner with illumination light from an illumination unit. What is claimed is: 1. A code reader configured to read reflected light of a code pattern, comprising: a lens barrel holding the optical system; and a ring-shaped illumination mounted with the illumination unit disposed to be inserted into the lens barrel. A substrate, and a tubular reflecting member disposed so as to cover the illumination substrate so as to reflect the ring-shaped illumination light emitted from the illumination unit toward the code pattern. A code reader, wherein the shape of the reading-side opening of the reflection member is a rectangular shape corresponding to the field of view of the code pattern.