JPH11328299A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar code reader which is used not only as a fixed type scanner that can read many products but also reads bar codes by a hand-held operation with high operability. SOLUTION: This bar code reader has a window 5 in the front to which scanning lines are emitted from a bar code reading part and a grip part at the back that can be grabbed from above in such a manner that the main body is fixed to a stand part 25 in an attachable and detachable way and that is selectively used between a 1st reading mode where a bar code 54 is read within a read range with the body fixed to the part 25 and a 2nd reading mode where the device is removed from the part 25 and a bar code is read by the hand-held operation. The hand-held operation in the 2nd reading mode accompanies an operation in which the grip part is grabbed from above and the device is turned over in the direction of pushing the device down to this side so that the window 5 faces to the direction of a bar code 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reader.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example,
One bar code reading unit is arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions to form a vertical scanner and a horizontal scanner, and a scan line is projected from the two scanners in multiple directions to read a bar code given to a product. 2. Description of the Related Art A POS system including a fixed barcode reader (hereinafter, referred to as a fixed scanner) is known.
According to such a fixed scanner, compared to a case where a single barcode reading unit reads a barcode,
It is easy to hit a scan line on a barcode of a product placed in multiple directions, and the barcode reading operation can be greatly improved.

FIG. 14A is a view showing a so-called POS counter in which a bar code given to a product 103 is read by a multi-scan type fixed scanner 101 installed on the counter 100. 1
Reference numeral 02 denotes an operator, and reference numeral 105 denotes a customer 105 standing on a passage 106 to purchase the product 103.

[0004] If the product to be purchased is large enough to pass through the counter 100, reading is performed on the counter 100. If the product is too large to pass over the counter 100, reading is performed on a stand 107 provided on the counter 100. As shown in FIG. 14B, the handheld scanner 104 projects a scan line toward the barcode 108 given to the product 110 placed in the product basket 109 in the passage 106, as shown in FIG. Reading is performed.

[0005] Further, even if the size of the product is such that it can pass over the counter 100, depending on the shape of the product, it may be better to read the barcode using a handheld scanner rather than a fixed scanner. There are also many POS counters in which a fixed scanner and a handheld scanner are juxtaposed.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-254041 discloses that
In order to facilitate POS work in a very small space, the barcode can be read while being fixed to the fixed portion, and the barcode can be read by handheld operation after detaching from the fixed portion. A small omni scanner is disclosed.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining an operation of performing reading by a handheld operation using such an omni scanner. As shown in FIG. 15, the omni-scanner 200 is placed on the counter 203 so that the window 204 from which the scan line for reading the barcode is emitted faces the operator 202 (FIG. 15).
(A)). When reading a barcode, the operator 202
Turns his hand 202-1 toward the rear of the omni scanner 200, grasps the omni scanner 200 (FIG. 15B),
This is rotated clockwise in the horizontal direction, and the window 204 from which the scan line is emitted is projected forward on a bar code (not shown) (FIG. 15C).

[0008]

However, the bar code reading apparatus in which the fixed scanner and the hand-held scanner described above are arranged side by side requires a large investment for the user, and requires a small space such as a counter. Finding the right place for you can be difficult.

A small omni-scanner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-254041 is a so-called projection type barcode reading device that reads a barcode given to a product by applying a reading unit to the barcode reader. It is not always suitable for use in environments where barcodes of large quantities of goods are required to be read, such as supermarkets. The operability at the time of reading a barcode due to twisting was not good.

The bar code reader of the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and its purpose is not only to use as a fixed scanner capable of reading a large number of commodities, but also to It is an object of the present invention to provide a barcode reading device capable of performing barcode reading by handheld operation with good operability.

[0011]

To achieve the above object, a bar code reader according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a window section from which a scan line from a bar code reading section for reading a bar code is emitted. A bar code reader having a grip portion on the back surface, which can be gripped from above while being detachably fixed to a predetermined holding portion for positioning the main body, wherein the main body has the holding portion. A bar code reading device that reads a bar code within a reading range of the bar code reading device in a state where the bar code is fixed to
And a second reading mode in which the barcode reading device is detached from the holding portion and a barcode is read by a handheld operation, and is selectively used between the reading mode and the second reading mode. For handheld operation, grasp the grip section from above,
This involves inverting the barcode reading device in the direction in which the barcode reading device is pushed down toward the user and turning the window unit in a direction in which the barcode is located.

The bar code reader according to a second aspect of the present invention is the bar code reader according to the first aspect, wherein the bar code reader has a predetermined positional relationship with the bar code reader when the main body is fixed to the fixing part. A second barcode reading unit that is provided separately from the barcode reading device.

The bar code reader according to a third aspect of the present invention is the bar code reader according to the first aspect, wherein the bar code reader reads a bar code in the first reading mode. When a bar code is read in the second reading mode by projecting a scan line having a pattern extending in the horizontal and vertical directions, control is performed such that only a scan line in a specific direction is projected.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. A multi-scan type in which two bar code reading units are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions to form a vertical scanner and a horizontal scanner, and the two scanners project a scan line in multiple directions to read a bar code given to a product. In order to accurately and quickly read a barcode given to a large number of commodities, the fixed scanner of the present invention must have the following requirements. (1) In order to cope with a barcode attached in any direction on a certain surface of a product, there are scanlines in many directions, and (2) To cover as much as possible the range in which a certain surface of the product can face. Projecting scan lines in many directions, (3) accurate reading even if the product is moved at a high speed, (4) reading in a wide range, (5) low quality And the ability to read even a barcode of the same type is high.

FIG. 1A shows a handy scanner according to this embodiment which can be used not only as a vertical scanner of the above-described multi-scan type fixed scanner but also as a handheld scanner for reading a barcode by a handheld operation. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the scanner 16. FIG. 1A shows a state when the handy scanner 16 is viewed from the back and side surfaces. On the back of the main body, there is provided a grip portion 6 which can be grasped by an operator by hand. A trigger switch 23 is provided at the tip of the grip 6. 24 is a bottom part. In addition, a window 5 for emitting a scan line 4 from a bar code reading unit disposed inside the main body to the outside is provided on the front of the main body. The specific shape of the window 5 is shown in FIG. 2 below. FIG. 1B shows a configuration in which the trigger switch 23 is not provided.

When such a handy scanner 16 is used as a fixed type scanner, as shown in FIG. 2, its bottom 24 is mounted on a stand 25 from above and used as a vertical scanner. The bottom 2 of the handy scanner 16
By mounting the scanner 4 on the stand 25, the main body of the handy scanner 16 is positioned. Counter 12
A horizontal scanner (not shown) is arranged below the plate 12-1. In addition, a cord attachment portion 28 is provided on the upper side surface of the handy scanner 16, and a cord 27 is connected from the cord attachment portion 28 to the stand portion 25 to enable electrical communication between the handy scanner 16 and the counter 12. .

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the procedure of a handheld operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the product is large enough to pass through the counter 12, the handy scanner 16 reads the bar code 54 attached to the product 51 placed on the counter 12 while being fixed to the stand 25, If it is too large to pass above, it is necessary to read the barcode 32 while keeping the product 31 in the product basket 53 placed in the passage 52.

In this case, the operator 50 uses his own hand 50
At -1, the grip portion 6 provided on the back surface of the handy scanner 16 is grasped from above, and the handy scanner 16 is turned in the direction of pushing down and the window 5 is turned in the direction of the barcode 32. By this operation, the bottom portion 24 of the handy scanner 16 moves to the head position of the main body. Then, when the trigger switch 23 provided on the back is pressed, a scan line is projected from the window 5 onto the barcode 32. In the case of the handy scanner 16 having no trigger switch, a scan line is projected when detecting that the handy scanner 16 has been detached from the stand unit 25 by a method described later.

According to such a method, the operator 50
The bar code 32 in the front can be read by a simple operation without putting a load on the user's hand 50-1, so that the operability at the time of the handheld operation can be improved.

In the vertical scanner, in particular,
When used as a multi-scan type scanner in combination with the horizontal scanner, the bar code surface is projected upward and the scan line is directed downward so that the operator 50 can read while visually confirming. It is necessary to. Also in the present embodiment, since the scan line 55 is substantially downward as shown in FIG. 3A, the front bar code 32 can be read by rotation of an angle smaller than 180 degrees.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting that the operator 50 has detached the handy scanner 16 from the stand 25. In FIG. 4, magnet 2
Reference numeral 6-1 is provided on the stand 25, and a magnetic detection element 26-2 such as a Hall element is provided on the handy scanner 16. When the handy scanner 16 is fixed, the magnetic sensing element 26-2 is connected to the magnet 26-1.
And the magnetic force of the magnet 26-1 is detected. However, when the operator 50 removes the handy scanner 16 from the stand 25, the magnetic detection element 2 is detected.
6-2 does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet 26-1. Therefore, by comparing the electric signal when the magnetic force of the magnet 26-1 is detected with the electric signal when the magnetic force is not detected, it can be seen that the handy scanner 16 has been removed. Instead of the magnetic sensing element, a magnetic sensing switch such as a reed relay or a reed switch may be used. Further, a limit switch, a microswitch, a photoreflector, a photointerrupter, a pressure switch, and an interlock switch unit configured therewith may be used. In this embodiment, when the removal of the handy scanner 16 is detected, not only the light emission of the LD of the horizontal scanner but also the light emission of the LD of the horizontal scanner is stopped as described later. To do. Even if a scan line is output while the LD of the horizontal scanner is turned on, the scan line is not recognized as a normal scan line.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are diagrams for explaining the barcode reading operation when the above-described handy scanner 16 is mounted on the stand 25 and used as a fixed scanner. FIG. 5 mainly shows the handy scanner 1.
6 shows an internal optical system. FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view showing the arrangement of a plurality of pattern mirrors, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

The laser light from the LD (laser diode) 1 strikes a center mirror (plane mirror) 2-1 provided at the center of a condenser mirror 2 as a concave mirror, and is guided to a polygon 3 rotated by a motor (not shown). I will The laser light reflected by the polygon 3 is guided as scanning light to the pattern mirrors A (4-1) and B (4-2). The scanning light is applied to the pattern mirrors A (4-1) and B (4-
Due to the angle 2), the product 8 is emitted to the outside of the handy scanner 16 through the window 5 as a projection pattern in a substantially horizontal direction and a substantially vertical direction.
It is projected on the barcodes 7 and 9 assigned to the reference numeral 10.

The light projected on the barcodes 7 and 9 of the products 8 and 10 is diffusely reflected, and scattered light having high and low levels according to the reflectance of the white and black portions of the black and white pattern of the barcodes 7 and 9. Become. Part of the scattered light reaches the converging mirror 2 by following the same optical path as the optical path that has been emitted from the LD 1 and has reached the barcodes 7 and 9. The light that has reached the condenser mirror 2 is condensed, is incident on a PD (photodiode) 11 arranged at a predetermined distance from the LD 1, and is photoelectrically converted. In this way, the bar code pattern is converted into an electric signal, and then processed and decoded.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the polygon 3 (FIG. 8).
(A)) and a side view (FIGS. 8 (B) and (C)). As shown in FIG. 8, the polygon 3 has four surfaces having different inclination angles α1, α2, α3, and α4 with respect to the rotation axis 27. When hit, light in four directions having different projection angles is emitted. For example, the projection patterns reflected by the pattern mirror B (4-2) and output from the window 5 to the outside of the handy scanner 16 have different directions. There are four types of scan lines.

FIG. 9 is a view of the projection pattern at this time as viewed from above. Here, only the scan lines B1 and B2 are shown, and the scan lines B2 and B3 having an angle therebetween are not shown. It can be seen that the projection pattern projected from the pattern mirror B (4-2) exists from a scan line B4 substantially perpendicular to the window 5 to a scan line B1 having an angle substantially horizontal to the window 5. . The horizontal scan line B1 is a bar code 20, 2 provided on the side of the product.
Required to read 2. On the other hand, the scan line B4 substantially perpendicular to the window 5 is suitable for reading the barcode 21 provided on the surface directly facing the window 5. A scan line such as B4 is particularly used in a so-called projection type scanner in which a product is read from a distance while approaching the window 5 from a distance.

As described above, when the handy scanner 16 is used as a fixed scanner, in order to read a plurality of products placed in arbitrary different directions on the counter 12 over a wide range, scanning at many angles is performed. A projection pattern composed of lines is projected.

FIG. 10 shows a product 1 which is detached from the stand portion 18 of the handy scanner 16 according to the present embodiment and is located on the counter 12 at a distant distance from the counter 12 by handheld operation.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a projection pattern emitted from a window 5 when reading a barcode 132 given to 31. When the handy scanner 16 is used to read a bar code of a product located at a distance, a wide projection pattern as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that a bar code may be read. Therefore, when reading a bar code of a product at a distant distance, the light emission of the LD is controlled to blink in synchronization with the rotation of the polygon 3 as shown in FIG. Only the scan line B4 shown by a solid line and substantially perpendicular to the window 5 is emitted, and other scan lines (dotted scan lines B1, B2, and B3) are not emitted.

FIG. 11 shows the LD of the horizontal scanner at this time.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for comparing and explaining the light emission timing and the LD light emission timing of the vertical scanner (handy scanner 16). When the power is turned on, light emission of the LD of the horizontal scanner and the LD of the handy scanner 16 is started (A
1). The handy scanner 16 outputs all scan lines. Here, if the operator removes the handy scanner 16 from the stand unit 25 in order to scan a barcode of a distant product, this is detected by the above-described method, and the LD of the horizontal scanner and the LD of the handy scanner 16 are detected. Light emission is stopped (A2). Thereafter, when the operator presses the trigger switch 23 to turn on the trigger (A3), the LD of the handy scanner 16 is turned on.
Controls the output and timing of the LD so as to emit light only for one scan line. When the reading is completed at the timing of A4, the light emission of the LD of the handy scanner 16 is stopped. After this, the operator sets the trigger switch 2
Release of 3 turns off the trigger (A5). After the reading of the distant product is completed, when the handy scanner 16 is attached to the stand 25 again, this is detected, and the light emission of the LD of the horizontal scanner and the LD of the handy scanner 16 is restarted (A6).

As described above, when reading the bar code of a product located at a distance from the hand-held scanner 16, the light emission of the LD is controlled so that the number of scan lines is one, so that the bar code is present around the product. It is possible to prevent a bar code of a product that is likely to be read from being carelessly read.

FIG. 12A shows that the magnetic detecting element 126-1 is provided on the handy scanner 16 side and the magnet 126-1 is provided.
It is a figure showing the example which provided in plate 12-1. According to such a configuration, the plate 12-1 is formed in the same manner as when the handy scanner 16 is removed.
Can be detected.

Since the plate 12-1 is a portion through which a product passes to read a bar code, a window provided at the center thereof is easily stained. Therefore, plate 12-
1 can be removed for cleaning, but if the plate 12-1 is removed, there is a danger that light emitted from the LD may hit the operator's eyes and cause damage. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light emission of the LD is stopped when the removal of the plate 12-1 is detected. After the cleaning, when the plate 12-1 is attached again, the light emission of the LD is restarted. FIG. 12B shows the LD at this time.
The timing of light emission and stop is shown.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example in which the EAS antenna 30 is provided in the handy scanner 16 according to the present embodiment. According to such a configuration, when reading the barcode 132 given to the product 31 by the handy scanner 16 at the counter, the tag 132 ′ attached to the barcode 132 is burned off by radio waves from the EAS antenna 30. This proves that the product whose tag 132 ′ has been burnt out has been purchased by a regular method.
On the other hand, a product which is to be taken out of the store without passing through the counter emits an alarm sound because the tag 132 'is not burnt out. In this way, the handy scanner 16
By providing the AS antenna 30, a function as a security system can be provided.

The specific embodiments described above include inventions having the following configurations. (1) It has a window on the front side from which a scan line from a bar code reading unit for reading a bar code is emitted, and is gripped from above while being detachably fixed to a predetermined holding unit to position the main body. A bar code reader having a grip portion capable of reading a bar code in a reading range of the bar code reader in a state where the main body is fixed to the holding portion; The bar code reading device is detached from the holding unit, and selectively used between a second reading mode in which a bar code is read by a hand-held operation, and the hand-held operation in the second reading mode includes: Grasp the grip section from above and flip the barcode reader in the direction to push it down toward you. The operation involves orienting the window portion in the direction of the barcode. (2) When the bar code reading unit when the main body is fixed to the fixing unit is a vertical scanner, the bar code reading unit is disposed separately from the bar code reading device with a predetermined positional relationship with the vertical scanner. The barcode reading device according to (1), further including a second barcode reading unit serving as a horizontal side scanner. (3) When the barcode reading device is used in the second reading mode, a scan line from the second barcode reading unit is not recognized as emission light for reading ( The barcode reader according to 2). (4) When the bar code reading device is used in the second reading mode, the laser emission is stopped when the main body is removed from the holding unit, and the laser is turned off when the trigger switch is pressed. The barcode reader according to (1), wherein light emission is restarted. (5) A magnetic detection element or a magnetic detection switch detects that the main body of the bar code reading device has been removed from the holding section. (1)
The barcode reading device according to item 1. (6) The method according to (2), wherein the removal of the plate is detected by a magnetic detection element or a magnetic detection switch, and when the removal is detected, the laser emission of the horizontal scanner is stopped. Barcode reader. (7) A magnetic detecting element or a magnetic detecting switch is provided on the main body of the bar code reader, and a magnet is provided on the plate corresponding to the magnetic detecting element or the magnetic detecting switch to detect removal of the plate. (6) The bar code reader according to (6).

[0035]

According to the present invention, not only is it used as a fixed scanner capable of reading a large amount of goods, but also
It is possible to provide a barcode reading device capable of reading a barcode by a handheld operation with good operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a handy scanner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an external perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where the handy scanner 16 of the present embodiment is mounted on a stand unit 25 so as to be used as a fixed scanner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of a handheld operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting that the operator has detached the handy scanner 16 from the stand unit 25.

FIG. 5 is a diagram mainly showing an optical system inside the handy scanner 16;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the arrangement of a plurality of pattern mirrors.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view mainly showing an arrangement of a plurality of pattern mirrors.

8 is a top view (FIG. 8A) and a side view (FIGS. 8B and 8C) of the polygon 3. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a projection pattern emitted from a window 5 when the handy scanner 16 is used as a fixed scanner.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a projection pattern emitted from a window 5 when the handy scanner 16 is used as a handheld scanner.

FIG. 11 shows LD emission timing of the horizontal scanner,
FIG. 7 is a diagram for comparing and explaining the timing of LD light emission of a vertical scanner (handy scanner 16).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a magnet 26-1 is provided on a plate 12-1 to detect that the plate 12-1 has been removed.

FIG. 13 illustrates an EAS for the handy scanner 16 according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure showing the example of application provided with the antenna.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of using a handheld scanner in a conventional POS system.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation when reading is performed by a handheld operation using a conventional omni scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 scan line, 5 window, 6 grip, 12 counter, 16 handy scanner, 23 trigger switch, 24 bottom, 25 stand.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A front surface having a window portion from which a scan line from a bar code reading portion for reading a bar code is emitted, and which is detachably fixed to a predetermined holding portion for positioning a main body. A bar code reading device having a grip portion on the back surface that can be gripped from a first position, wherein a first reading device reads a bar code within a reading range of the bar code reading device with a main body fixed to the holding portion. A second reading mode in which the barcode reading device is detached from the holding unit and a barcode is read by a handheld operation. The handheld operation in the second reading mode is selectively used. Is turned in the direction to grab the grip part from above and push the barcode reader down. Bar code reader was characterized by involving the operation directing the window portion in a direction with a bar code. 2. A bar code reader having a predetermined positional relationship with the bar code reader when the main body is fixed to the fixing portion and arranged separately from the bar code reader. The bar code reader according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The bar code reading unit according to claim 1, wherein
When reading a barcode in the reading mode, the scan lines of the pattern spread in the horizontal and vertical directions are projected, and when reading the barcode in the second reading mode, only the scan lines in a specific direction are scanned. 2. The bar code reading device according to claim 1, wherein the bar code reading device controls the projection.