JPS62231387A - Bar code scanner and pos terminal equipment incorporating same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a bar code scanner possible to be handled with one hand, by using two image sensors intersecting orthogonally with each other. CONSTITUTION:On a bar code scanner 21, a light source 24 which irradiates a bar code 2 attached on an article, a pair of image sensors 23a and 23b arranged so that the center axes of their photodetecting planes intersect orthogonally with each other, and a pair of lenses 26a, and 26b which make image-form reflected light from the bar code irradiated by the light source on the photodetecting planes of the image sensors respectively, are provided. In this way, at the time of the left half of the data and the right half of the data of the bar code 2 are obtained separately by respective image sensor, the whole of the data of the bar code is synthesized by each half data. Therefore, the scanner 21 is placed on a board, and an operation only with one hand by which the article is held can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a barcode scanner that reads barcodes attached to products, and a POS terminal incorporating this barcode scanner.

[Prior Art] In department stores, supermarkets, etc., barcode scanners read the 8-digit or 13-digit parcodes attached to each product sold, and the unit price information or product code contained in the read barcodes are read. A PO3 (point-of-sale) system is adopted that conducts sales registration operations for sales products based on information.

Three types of barcode scanners are generally used, as shown in FIG. 11, to be connected to each PoS terminal formed by an electronic cash register or the like that constitutes this PoS system. FIG. 11(a) shows a pen-type barcode scanner 1. As shown in FIG. In this case, barcode 2
A cashier (operator) holds a product 3 marked with a mark in one hand, a pen-type scanner 1 in the other hand, and slides a barcode 2 in a fixed direction with the pen-type scanner 1.

Figure (b) shows a fixed scanner 4 that uses laser beams.
It is. In this fixed scanner 4, a laser beam 6 is outputted from a reading window 5 formed in the center while being scanned in all directions within a fixed angular area above. Therefore, the cashier only has to hold the product 3 with one hand with the side with the barcode 2 facing downward and move it into the irradiation range of the laser beam 6.

FIG. 1C shows an image sensor type barcode scanner 7 called "Wondo" incorporating an image sensor. In this image sensor type barcode scanner 7, as shown in FIG. 3, and the reflected light from the barcode 2 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 11 via the imaging lens 10. The data obtained by the image sensor 11 is then sent out via the interface 12.

Therefore, the cashier only has to hold the product 3 with one hand and press the image sensor type barcode scanner 7 against the barcode 2 in a predetermined direction with the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11(C).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, each of the above-mentioned barcode scanners 1.4.
7 had the following problems. That is, the pen-type barcode scanner 1 shown in FIG. 11(a) has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs, but requires the use of both hands for operation. Also, it is difficult to read barcodes printed on bags.

In the case of the fixed scanner 4 shown in FIG. 11(b), it can be operated with only one hand holding the item 3, but not only does the entire device become larger, but the manufacturing cost also increases. .

Furthermore, although the image sensor type barcode scanner 7 shown in FIG. 11(c) is small and has low manufacturing costs, it requires the use of both hands for operation, which reduces the work efficiency of the entire sales registration process. descend. That is, it is necessary to press the image sensor type barcode scanner 7 against the barcode 2 so that the arrangement direction of each bar of the barcode 2 and the longitudinal direction of the image sensor 11 are always aligned. Therefore, it is extremely troublesome to read the barcode 2 with either the product 3 or the image sensor type barcode scanner 7 placed on the desk.

The present invention was made based on these circumstances, and its purpose is to use two image sensors that are orthogonal to each other, so that it can be made small, at low manufacturing cost, and can be operated with one hand. Our goal is to provide barcode scanners.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the entire device by incorporating the above barcode scanner.

The object of the present invention is to provide a POS terminal that can reduce manufacturing costs and improve the efficiency of the entire sales registration process.

[Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG. 1, the barcode scanner of the present invention includes a light source 24 that illuminates the barcode 2 attached to the article;
A pair of image sensors 23a are arranged such that the central axes of their light receiving surfaces are orthogonal to each other.

23b, and a pair of lenses 26a and 26b that image the reflected light from the barcode irradiated by the light source on the light receiving surface of each image sensor. is obtained separately from each image sensor, and the entire barcode data is synthesized from each half of the data.

In another invention, as shown in FIG.
It was designed to be incorporated into.

[Function] If the barcode scanner is configured like this,
Since barcodes are read using two image sensors that are orthogonal to each other, the relative angle between the barcoded item and the barcode scanner is different from the direction in which each bar of a conventional barcode is arranged. It is also possible to take the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Furthermore, when the left half data and right half data of a barcode are read by separate image sensors, the whole data is synthesized from these half data, so the permissible range of the "-Kishu diagonal angle" becomes larger.

Therefore, it is possible to place this barcode scanner on a table and operate it with only one hand holding the article.

Furthermore, another advantage of the invention is that the barcode scanner having the above-mentioned function is incorporated into the POS terminal body, so the cashier can operate the barcode scanner with one hand and operate the POS terminal body with the other hand. Can be operated.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a barcode scanner 21 according to an embodiment. That is, the reference numeral 22 in the figure is a casing formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, which is supported by the bottom wall and side walls of the casing 22, and houses the first and second image sensors 23a, 2.
3b is arranged. Each image sensor 23a, 23
b has a rectangular light-receiving surface, and the center axes of the respective light-receiving surfaces in the longitudinal direction are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, a plurality of light sources 24 made of light emitting diodes are arranged on four side walls within the housing 22. The light output from each of these light sources 24 is irradiated upwardly from the housing 22 through a square reading window 25 formed on the upper wall of the housing 22 . If a barcode 2 attached to a product exists in the direction of irradiation of this light, this barcode 2 is irradiated with the light. The reflected light of this barcode 2 is inputted to the first and second image sensors 23a and 23b via a pair of lenses 26a and 26b installed in the reading window 25. Each lens 2 above
6a and 26b each image sensor 2
It has a function of forming an image on the light receiving surfaces 3a and 23b. 1st
The pattern data of the barcode 2 formed on the light receiving surface of the second image sensor 3a, 23b is transmitted via the interface 27 to the data analysis section shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the first case when the housing 22 is viewed from directly above.
and a second image sensor 23a.

It is a figure which shows each light receiving range 28a, 28b which can receive light in 23b. First and second image sensors 23a, 2
3b are arranged orthogonal to each other, so the light reception of each image sensor 23a, 23b -9=range 28a, 28b are orthogonal to each other. That is, when the barcode 2 enters each light receiving range 28a, 28b, the image of the barcode 2 is transmitted to each image sensor 23a, 28b.
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of 23b, and the barcode is read.

Figure 3 shows the center line 2C in the arrangement direction of each bar of barcode 2.
and the light receiving range 28a of each image sensor 23a, 23b,
It is a figure which shows the relationship between the angle (alpha) between the longitudinal centerline 28c of 28b, and the readable range. That is, when the angle α is within α1, all the bars constituting the barcode 2 are included in one light receiving range 28a, 28b, so it is possible to read the barcode 2 with either one of the image sensors 23a, 23b. It is. On the other hand, the angle α is from α1 to α2
In the case of the range of , one image sensor 23a, 23b
More than half of the bars making up barcode 2 are read. If the angle exceeds α2, the image sensor 23a,
Since more than half of the bars are not read in 23b, an error process occurs. Note that each of the above angles α1. α2 is determined by the length of each bar constituting the barcode 2, the shape of each light receiving range 28a, 28b, etc.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the data analysis section. C
The PU (Central Processing Unit) 29 incorporates various arithmetic circuits and also runs a control program, etc. that converts the read barcode pattern into code data such as numbers via a path line 30 consisting of an address bus, a data bus, etc. ROM 31 for storing; RAM 32 for temporarily storing variable data such as data read by each image sensor 23a, 23b;
．． The interface 27 to which data from the first image sensor 23a and the second image sensor 23b are input. It controls the transmission circuit 33 etc. that transmits the data of the read barcode 2 to the POS terminal main body.

In the RAM 32, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a data buffer R1 that stores all data constituting one barcode to be transmitted to the POS terminal body, and a data buffer R1 corresponding to each bar on the left half of the barcode 2. Left data buffer R2 that stores left half data Right data buffer R stores right half data corresponding to each bar on the right half of barcode 2
3. A composite data buffer R4 is formed to store complete data of all digits constituting one barcode obtained by combining the left half data and the right half data.

The CPU 29 of the data analysis section is programmed to perform data processing on the data read by each image sensor 23a, 23b according to the flowchart in FIG. That is, once the flowchart is started,
The barcode pattern imaged on the light receiving surface of the first image sensor 23a at Pl is converted into read data.

If the data converted at P2 is data of all digits forming barcode 2, it is determined that all data of, for example, 13 digits of barcode 2 has been read by this first image sensor 23a, At P3, the data stored in the data buffer R1 of the RAM 32 is compared with the data read in the previous cycle. And if the data match,
It is determined that the same barcode 2 has been read twice in a row,
It returns to Pl and reads the data of the first image sensor 23a again. If the data do not match, it is determined that the barcode 2 is for a new product, and the read data is transmitted to the POS terminal main body via the transmission circuit 33. Then, the contents of the data buffer R1 are rewritten with the newly read data.

If the data read by the first image sensor 23a at P2 is not, for example, all 13 digits, it is determined at P4 whether half or more of the digits from the right side or the left side of barcode 2 have been read. investigate. If data of two digits is read, the data synthesis process shown in FIG. 7 is executed at P5.

When the data synthesis process shown in FIG. 7 is started, it is determined in P6 whether the half-digit or more data read by the image sensor 23a or 23b is the left half data or the right half data of the barcode 2. This determination can be easily carried out because, for example, the 13-digit numbers that make up the product code are arranged according to a certain rule. If the result of the determination is the left half data, it is checked whether the right half data is already stored in the right data buffer R3 of the RAM 32. If the right half data has not yet been stored, the read left half data is stored in the left data buffer R2 of the RAM 32, and then the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

If the right half data has already been stored in the right data buffer R3, the right half data and the read left half data are combined into one continuous data in P7 and stored in the RAM3.
2 is stored in the combined data buffer R4. Then, the stored contents of the left data buffer R2 and the right data buffer R3 are cleared, and the process returns to the comparison process with the previously read data of P3 in the flowchart of FIG.

If the data read at P6 is right half data, P8
It is checked whether the left half data is already stored in the left data buffer R2. If the data has not been stored yet, the read right half data is stored in the right data buffer R3, and then the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

In the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the data synthesis process of P5 is completed or the data read by the first image sensor 23a at P4 is less than half the number of digits of the total number of digits constituting barcode 2. If so, the pattern of the barcode 2 imaged on the second image sensor 23b is read in P9 and converted into data of each bar making up the barcode 2 in the same manner as described above. If the data read by the PIO includes all digits of barcode 2, the process advances to P3 and the newly read data is compared with the data read previously and stored in the data buffer R1.

If the data read by PIO does not have the total number of digits, it is checked whether the data read by pH contains more than half of the total number of digits. If it contains more than half the number of digits, Pl
2, the data synthesis process shown in FIG. 7 described above is executed.

When the data synthesis process of P12 is completed, or when the data read at pH is less than half of the total number of digits, return to the first P1 of the flowchart and read the data of the first image sensor 23a again. .

With the barcode scanner 21 configured in this way, the light receiving ranges 28a and 28b of the first and second image sensors 23a and 23b are perpendicular to each other as shown in FIG. If the product labeled with the symbol is rotated by a maximum of 45 degrees, the central axis 2C of the barcode 2 and the central axis 28c of each of the light receiving ranges 28a and 28b will definitely coincide. The adjustment angle of this product is shown in Figure 11 (c
), and even if the barcode scanner 21 is placed on the table and the product is held in one hand and the angle is adjusted, the adjustment angle range is 4 as mentioned above.
Since it is small at less than 5 degrees, I do not feel that there is much inconvenience from an ergonomic point of view. Therefore, the cashier can hold the product with one hand and read the barcode with the barcode scanner 21, and operate the POS terminal or other equipment with the other hand, thereby improving the efficiency of the entire sales registration process.

Moreover, even if there is only one image sensor 23a.

Even if the barcode 23b cannot read all the digits of the barcode 2 by itself, the image sensor 23a separates the right half data and the left half data.

23b and combine them into one data, so as shown in FIG.
Since the permissible angle α2 between the center line 28c and the center line 28b is larger than the permissible angle α1 when reading alone, the range of manual adjustment of the angle can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, operability can be further improved.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the case where the barcode 2 is read by the first and second image sensors 23a and 23b. In this example, the center line 2C of the barcode 2 is shifted by 45 degrees from the center line 28C of each light receiving range 28a, 28b, but the left half data constituting each barcode 2 is transferred to the first image sensor 23a. This indicates that the right half data is read by the second image sensor 23b.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 34 in the figure is a POS terminal main body, and the barcode scanner 21 shown in FIG. 1 is embedded in the upper surface of a housing 35 of this POS terminal main body 34.

A reading window 25 of the barcode scanner 21 is exposed on the upper surface of the housing 35. It should be noted that a keyboard 36 and a display section 37 for displaying the product name, price, etc. are provided on the front surface of the housing 35. Further, a drawer 38 for storing cash is formed in the lower part of the housing 35.

In such a POS terminal, the barcode scanner 21 is built into the POS terminal main body 34, so the entire device is small and inexpensive.

In addition, for the cashier, the product is registered on the POS terminal by simply holding the product in one hand and moving the upper position of the reading window 25 of the barcode scanner 21 laterally, which greatly improves the efficiency of sales registration work. be done.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing a POS terminal according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, a barcode scanner 39 is rotatably embedded in two sides of the housing 35. Therefore, by rotating the exposed reading window 25, each of the incorporated image sensors 23a,
The center axis 28c of the light receiving range 28a, 28b of 23b and po
The angle formed between the S terminal main body 34 and the side of the housing 35 can be freely changed.

Therefore, depending on the cashier's body shape, operating position, etc., the relative angle between the barcode 2 and the center line 28C when the product is brought onto the bar scanner 39 can be adjusted to the angle that is easiest to read, further improving operability. I can do two.

[Effect of the invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, two orthogonal
By using multiple image sensors, we were able to provide a barcode scanner that is small, inexpensive to manufacture, and can be operated with one hand.

Further, by incorporating a barcode scanner having the above-mentioned advantages into a POS terminal, the entire POS terminal can be made smaller and its manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire sales registration process can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 8 show a barcode scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram;
2, 3, and 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation, FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the main memory of the storage section, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the operation. a flowchart showing the operation;
FIG. 9 is an external view showing a POS terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is an external view showing a POS terminal according to another embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing each conventional barcode scanner. 12 are schematic configuration diagrams of the conventional barcode scanner. 2... Barcode, 21.39... Barcode scanner, '22.35... Housing, 23a... First image sensor, 23b... Second image sensor,
24... Light source, 25... Reading window, 26a, 26b.
...Lens, 27...Interface, 29...
CPU. 32...RAM, 34...POS terminal body. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 9 Figure 10 (a) (c) Figure 11

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A light source that illuminates the barcode attached to the article;
a pair of image sensors arranged such that central axes of their light-receiving surfaces are orthogonal to each other; and a pair of image sensors that respectively form images of reflected light from the barcode irradiated by the light source on the light-receiving surfaces of the image sensors. lens, and data synthesis means for synthesizing the entire data of the barcode from at least the left half data and the right half data of the barcode obtained separately from each of the image sensors. A barcode scanner that features: (2) a light source that illuminates the barcode attached to the article;
a pair of image sensors arranged such that central axes of their light-receiving surfaces are orthogonal to each other; and a pair of image sensors that respectively form images of reflected light from the barcode irradiated by the light source on the light-receiving surfaces of the image sensors. lens, and data synthesis means for synthesizing the entire data of the barcode from at least the left half data and the right half data of the barcode obtained separately from each of the image sensors. A POS terminal comprising a barcode scanner and a POS terminal main body in which the barcode scanner is incorporated into a housing. (3) Claim No. 2, characterized in that the barcode scanner is rotatably incorporated into the housing.
) POS terminal.