JPS63133280A - Method and device for reading bar code - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simply input a computer program or data, etc. with use of bar codes by reading information on the positions of plural bar codes set approximate to each other synchronously with each other. CONSTITUTION:The bar codes 1 and 2 are read by scanning the centers of both codes 1 and 2 in a direction A by a unified scan pen 10. A scan pen 3 detects 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4; while a pen 4 detects 5, 2, 4, 1 and 3 respectively. Synthesized signals are detected at the bar code positions as (0. 5), (1, 2)...(4, 3) since both pens 3 and 4 are unified and scanned simultaneously. Here the signal (0, 5) is allowed to respond to alphabet letter B, for example, together with signals (1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 1) and (4, 3) allowed to respond to (a), (s), (i) and (c) respectively. Thus a word 'Basic' is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reading information using barcodes.

(Prior Art and Related Points) Conventionally, a barcode is attached to a product in the form of a label as shown in FIG. 6 and is used as an identification mark. Manual scanning with a scanning pen or a stationary scanner is used to read this barcode. A fixed scanner uses a tungsten lamp, etc. to illuminate the barcode with light, reads the information image from the reflected light, and sends it to the sensor (
This is a barcode reading device that forms an image on the surface of an image sensor (image sensor) and converts the image into an electronic signal by reading the image using an electronic sensor.

However, since conventional barcodes only convert numbers from 0 to 9 into line information, only extremely small numbers such as product code numbers can be used. The information expressed by the code is only 10 pieces: 0, 1, 2, . . . , 8, 9, and this code cannot represent complex information such as computer programs.

In addition, a method has been proposed in which each line of a barcode is color-coded and the color is detected, thereby converting the information that can be expressed into multiple values and reading computer data. There is a problem in that a sensor and a processing circuit are required, making the device expensive.

On the other hand, with the spread of personal computers in recent years, many magazines have been published that publish various computer programs.In this case, the programs published in the paper must be input into the computer by the reader himself if he wants to use them. In addition, it was expensive to buy two disks containing the program, and it was difficult to judge whether the program was what the reader needed.
If possible, it would be convenient if there were a method and device that could easily input programs published in magazines into a computer so that readers could input the programs published in magazines based on their own judgment.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In response to the above-mentioned needs, the present invention provides a method and device for easily inputting computer programs or data, sentences in word processors, kanji, etc. using barcodes. It is in.

In order to achieve the above objects, the first invention provides a method for reading a plurality of barcodes arranged close to each other at each position of each barcode by means of barcode reading means corresponding to each of the barcodes. To provide a barcode reading method characterized by reading information in synchronization with each other.

Next, as a second invention, there is provided barcode reading means for reading information corresponding to each position of a plurality of barcodes arranged in close proximity to each other in synchronization with each other, and a signal read from the barcode reading means to be read as a predetermined code. Provided is a barcode reading device characterized by having a converter for converting the barcode into a signal.

The above objects are achieved by the above two inventions.

(Function) According to the barcode reading method and device as described above, (1) By combining a plurality of barcodes, for example, by combining two columns of barcodes in parallel, 10×10=100 types of information can be expressed. In addition, by combining three rows of barcodes, 1,000 types of information can be generated. This is the computer's Ba5ic, Fo
This number is sufficient to support high-level languages such as rtran.

■If each person purchases the barcode reading W VZ according to the present invention, and if 10 grams are printed and published in a magazine using the barcode of the present invention, each person can download the necessary program by cutting off the barcode of the present invention by 4 mm. ;Z You can easily input it into your own computer by selecting it.

(2) Various types of barcode reading means can be used, including a pen-shaped manual type and a fixed type using an image sensor.

It has the following advantages.

(Example) Hereinafter, the barcode reading method and device according to the present invention will be described based on specific examples.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a barcode of the barcode reading system of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an upper barcode row, and 2 is a lower barcode row. The numbers displayed in each barcode column are 0.1, 2, 3.4, etc. for barcode 1.

Assume that barcode 2 is 5.2, 4.1.3, etc.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the manual scanning pen for reading the bar code shown in FIG. In the figure, numerals 3 and 4 are pens for reading barcodes, and numerals 5 and 6 are pen tips for reading, respectively, and correspond to 5 and 6 in FIG. The barcode is read by scanning the integral scanning ben 10 in the direction toward the approximate center of each of the barcodes 1, 2, and 3.
3°4 is detected, and the scanning pen 4 detects 5,2,4,1.3. Since the scanning pen 3 and the scanning pen 4 are integrated and both are scanned at the same time, the composite signal at the barcode position is (0,5>, (1,2)).

(2,4), (3,1), (4,3), etc. will be detected. Here, for example, (0,5
) is the English letter B, <1.2) is the letter a.

If (2, 8) corresponds to s, (3, 1) corresponds to i, and (4, 3> corresponds to C), (in other words, an arithmetic processing device that converts the above signals into corresponding English characters, etc.) ) can detect the characters Basic.

Figure 3 shows how the present invention is applied to a scanner using an image sensor (
FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a case where the present invention is applied to a stationary scanner.

In the figure, 30 is a high-intensity red light diode used as a light source. Reference numeral 31 denotes an illumination lens which functions to condense the light from the diode 30 and make the amount of light uniform over a predetermined range. Reference numeral 32 denotes a barcode according to the present invention, which is composed of a barcode row 1 and a barcode row 2. Reference numeral 33 denotes a flat reflecting mirror that reflects the light reflected from the barcode 32) and changes its direction. A sensor lens 34 collects reflected light from the barcode 32 and forms an image of the barcode at a predetermined position via an aperture member 35.

Reference numeral 36 denotes an image sensor as a reading sensor, which has a surface that can simultaneously form images of the barcode row of the barcode 32 and the image of the barcode row 2.

Reference numeral 37 is a hand-held cage connected to a data processing device (not shown) via a signal cable 38 for transmitting and receiving various electrical signals between the inside and the outside.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained.

When reading a barcode, first, the light emitting diode 30 is turned on to emit light. Then, the irradiation light passes through the illumination lens 31 and is irradiated onto the barcode 32. Due to this irradiation light, the intensity distribution of the light of barcode 1 and barcode 2 is reflected on the image sensor 36 through the optical system of the sensor lens 34 and the aperture member 35 due to the difference in reflectance according to the white bar and black bar of the barcode 32. imaged. Therefore, by the electronic scanning reading operation by the electronic control circuit of the image sensor 36, barcode 1 and barcode 2 are read.
can be read out synchronously and the image of the barcode 32 can be converted into an electrical signal. In this case, the amount of reading of the barcode string is determined by the width of the reading port in the device shown in FIG. It will be read out from time to time. Note that the length of the reading aperture can be increased to a certain extent depending on the precision of the optical system and the ability of the image sensor 36, and in that case, the appearance of the device becomes T-shaped. '' Figure 4 shows multiple devices as shown in Figure 3, barcode 32.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment provided in the arrangement direction of the third
Components that function in substantially the same way as in the figures are given the same numbers.

In FIG. 4, reference numerals 39a, 39b, 39c, and 39d are reading devices that read the corresponding barcode strings, and the light emitting diodes 30 are made to emit light in sequence 39a, 39b, . It becomes possible to read the code string.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire system of the manual barcode reading device of the present invention.

In the figure, 40 is a barcode according to the present invention, 41 is a barcode reading device according to the present invention, 42 is a guide means for scanning the barcode 40 without deviation (tilt),
43 is a positioning mark written on the printed matter 44 for positioning the guide means and the printed matter 44 on which the bar code 40 is printed; 45 is a positioning mark provided on the guide means 42. 46 is a read data processing device that converts the signal from the barcode reading device into a signal (predetermined corresponding signal) that can be input to the computer 47.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of manual scanning, guide means 42 and 43 may be used together so that scanning can be performed without inclination. Note that the guide means 42 and 43 may not only have a linear shape as shown in the figure. Various shapes are possible, and any shape may be used as long as it serves as a guide for reading and scanning.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the barcode reading method and barcode reading device of the present invention, computer programs, data, Chinese characters, sentences, etc. can be read with an extremely simple device.

Further, by printing the barcode of the present invention on a magazine or the like, a reader can select and obtain a desired program, thereby providing a system that can be widely applied.

・Brief explanation of page 1121 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a barcode of the barcode reading system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the manual scanning pen for reading the bar code shown in FIG.

Figure 3 shows how the present invention is applied to a scanner using an image sensor (
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the present invention is applied to a fixed scanner.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the barcode reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire system of the manual barcode reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a barcode used for conventional products.

1.2: Barcode row 3.4: Scanning pen 5.6: Reading pen tip 10 integral scanning pen 30: Light source 31: Illumination lens 32. 40: Barcode row 33 according to the present invention Flat reflecting mirror 34: Sensor lens 35: Aperture member 36: Image sensor 37: Handheld case 38: Signal cable 42 guide means 43.45: Positioning mark 46: Read data processing device 47: Computer

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A barcode characterized in that information at each position of each barcode is read in synchronization with a plurality of barcodes arranged close to each other by barcode reading means corresponding to each barcode. How to read. (2) The barcode reading method according to claim 1, wherein the barcode reading means is of a manual scanning type. (3) The barcode reading means is characterized by being of a type that illuminates the barcode with irradiation light, forms an information image by the reflected light on the reading sensor, and reads the image by electronic scanning. A barcode reading method according to claim 1. (4) Barcode reading means that synchronizes and reads information corresponding to each position of a plurality of barcodes arranged in close proximity, and conversion that converts the signal read from the barcode reading means into a predetermined code signal. A barcode reading device characterized by having a container.