JPS6385992A - Code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To read a bar code and the two-dimensional picture information of a character, to reduce the burden of an operator and to improve an operation efficiency by providing a two-dimensional optical reading sensor, a bar code decoding circuit and an OCR circuit. CONSTITUTION:When the bar code is added to a goods, a change over switch 14 attached to a wand part 11 is turned to a change over contact (a) side. The two-dimensional picture information of the bar code is read by the two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 and thereafter stored in a picture data memory 25. A correct line data signal outputted from an X axis and Y axis correction circuits 27, 28 is converted into correct code data in the bar code decoder circuit 29. When a goods code is applied to the character, the change over switch 14 is turned to a change over contact (b), the two-dimensional picture information corresponding to the character is read by the two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 and stored in the picture data memory 25. The stored-two dimensional picture information is inputted to an OCR decoder circuit 33 through the change over switch 14 as the line data signal and converted into the code data corresponding to the character.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a code reading device that can read both product codes displayed as bar codes and product codes displayed as characters.

[Prior art] For example, it is connected to an electronic cash register and is held and handled by an operator with one hand as one of the barcode reading devices that read the barcode attached to each sales product and convert it into code data such as a product code. There are barcode reading devices equipped with wands that can be used to read barcodes.

As is well known, this hand-held barcode reading device is equipped with a light source and a linear photosensor in which a plurality of light-receiving elements are arranged one-dimensionally in the wand, and the light output from the light source is output from the reading window of the wand. The light is reflected on the surface of the barcode located close to the outside of the reading window, and this reflected light is input to the linear photosensor as image information of the barcode. in this case,
The reading window is pressed against the barcode attached to the product so that the arrangement direction of the linear photosensors matches the arrangement direction of each bar of the barcode. Therefore, a bright and dark striped pattern corresponding to the arrangement of each bar of the barcode is projected onto the linear photosensor. As a result, this linear photosensor outputs an analog line data signal whose signal level changes depending on the installation position of each light receiving element constituting the linear photosensor. This analog line data signal is converted into a binary signal of H level or L level by a quantization circuit and converted into digital line data. Then, a barcode decoder circuit converts this line data into code data consisting of numbers or symbols such as a product code corresponding to the barcode.

On the other hand, for some products, the product code is not displayed as a bar code, but instead is displayed as a multi-digit number or characters such as alphabets. When reading such a product code, it is necessary to install an OCR (optical character reading) device exclusively for reading characters. For example, a two-dimensional optical reading sensor that reads two-dimensional image information such as characters input into a reading window is installed in the wand part of a hand-held OCR device, and the two-dimensional optical reading sensor is equipped with an OCR decoder circuit. The character information included in the two-dimensional image information read in is converted into code data corresponding to the character.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the barcode reading device and OCR device configured as described above also have the following problems. In other words, there are many different types of products handled in department stores and supermarkets, and when displaying product codes, some products have only barcodes, some have numbers or letters, or both. There is a product with this. These various miscellaneous products are often mixed together in one sales floor. An electronic cash register installed in such a sales floor needs to be equipped with a barcode reader that exclusively reads barcodes and an OCR device that exclusively reads characters.

However, the above-mentioned barcode reading device and OCR device are very expensive, so if both devices are installed in one electronic cash register, the equipment cost of the entire sales registration device including the electronic cash register will increase. there were.

Furthermore, for the operator who actually carries out the sales registration work at the electronic cash register, the operation becomes complicated as it is necessary to change the barcode reading device and the OCR device each time a different type of product is registered. The burden on the operator increases. Additionally, there is a problem that the efficiency of the entire sales registration process is reduced.

The present invention provides a two-dimensional optical reading sensor, and uses the two-dimensional optical reading sensor to read two-dimensional image information of barcodes in addition to two-dimensional image information of characters. It is an object of the present invention to provide a code reading device that can have both functions, reduce the equipment cost of the entire device, reduce the burden on the operator, and improve the overall work efficiency.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the code reading device of the present invention, as shown in FIG. A plurality of two-dimensional optical reading sensors 3 are arranged in a perpendicular direction and read two-dimensional image information inputted from the reading window 2 of the wand part, and each linear photosensor 1 of this two-dimensional optical reading sensor 3 reads the information. a quantization circuit 4 for binary encoding each line data, an image data memory 5 for storing each line data binary encoded by the quantization circuit 4, and an image data memory 5 for storing each line data outputted from the image data memory 5. A barcode decoder circuit 6 converts line data into code data corresponding to a barcode, and a barcode decoder circuit 6 converts line data into code data corresponding to a barcode, and character information included in two-dimensional image information consisting of each line data output from an image data memory 5 is converted into code data corresponding to the character. An OCR decoder circuit 7 for converting the image data into a bar code decoder circuit 6 or an OCR decoder circuit 7 is provided, and a changeover switch 8 is used to selectively switch the destination of the line data output from the image data memory 5 to the bar code decoder circuit 6 or the OCR decoder circuit 7. .

Further, in another invention, the changeover switch 8 of the above invention
Instead, a determination circuit 9 is provided which determines whether the two-dimensional image information consisting of each line data stored in the image data memory 5 indicates barcode information or character information, and the determination circuit 9 determines whether the barcode information or character information is indicated. When code information is determined, the barcode decoder circuit 6 converts each line data output from the image data memory 5 into code data corresponding to the barcode, and when the determination circuit 9 determines character information, the OCR decoder circuit 7 converts the character information included in the two-dimensional image information consisting of each line data output from the image data memory 5 into code data corresponding to the character.

[Operation] With the code reading device configured in this way, the two-dimensional image information input from the reading window of the wand part is read by each linear photosensor constituting the two-dimensional optical reading sensor, and each line data is The image data is binary encoded and temporarily stored in the image data memory.

When a changeover switch is turned on to the barcode decoder circuit when reading a barcode, each line of data output from the image data memory is converted by the barcode decoder circuit into code data corresponding to the barcode. On the other hand, when reading characters, when the changeover switch is turned on to the OCR decoder circuit side, the character information contained in the two-dimensional image information consisting of each line data output from the image data memory is converted into code corresponding to that character by the OCR decoding circuit. is converted to

Another advantage of the present invention is that the determining circuit automatically determines whether the two-dimensional image information consisting of each line of data stored in the image data memory represents barcode information or character information. Based on the determination result, each line data stored in the image data memory is converted into code data corresponding to a bar code by a bar code decoder circuit, or into code data corresponding to characters by an OCR decoder circuit. Therefore, the operator does not need to judge whether the object to be read is a bar code or a character.

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

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the wand portion 11 held by the operator, which constitutes the code reading device of the embodiment. A reading window 13 is formed at the tip of the case 12.
A switch 14 for selecting whether the object to be read is a bar code or a character is provided on the top surface of the scanner 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, inside the case 12, a light source 15 made of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) that outputs a near-red light beam is disposed, and a light beam 16 output from this light source 15 is A two-dimensional image 17 of the barcode or characters attached to the product is output from the reading window 13 to the outside of the case 12.
It is diffusely reflected. Then, the diffusely reflected light beam 16 enters the case 12 through the reading window 13 again, and the reflecting mirror 1
8 and a condensing lens 19 to a two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 . i.e. barcode or character 2
The dimensional image information is imaged onto the two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20.

The light receiving surface of this two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 has a rectangular shape, and its X-axis direction and Y-axis direction correspond to the horizontal and vertical directions of the reading window 13. The two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 is a linear photosensor in which a large number of light-receiving elements are linearly arranged in the X-axis direction, which are arranged in a plurality of rows in the Y-axis direction. In the embodiment, one linear photosensor is formed of 120 light receiving elements, and these linear photosensors are arranged in 80 rows in the Y-axis direction.

That is, this two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 has 120
8O-98 (formed with 10 light receiving elements.

The two-dimensional image information of the barcode or characters imaged on the light-receiving surface of the two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20 is converted into an electrical signal by each light-receiving element. The converted electric signal is sequentially output as a serial line data signal for each light receiving element for each linear photosensor by an output control section (not shown).
After being amplified by an amplifier 21, the signal is input to a sample hold circuit 22 shown in FIG. 4 provided outside the case 12.

The line data signal input to the sample bold circuit 22 is separated by a reset signal for each light receiving element, and is intermittent for each light receiving element. Therefore, this sample bold circuit 22 removes the reset signal component and generates image information (pattern) of the two-dimensional image 17.
Converts to an electrical signal containing only the components. The sample and hold circuit 22 removes the reset signal component and sends the stepwise line data signal to the next low-pass filter 23.
Shape it smoothly. Then, the next stage quantization circuit 24
Binary encoding is performed to H level or L level.

The binary encoded line data signals of each linear photosensor are sequentially stored in the image data memory 25. This image data memory 25 has a memory element arranged in the same manner as each light receiving element of the two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20, and as shown in FIG.
) are given coordinate numbers. The H level or L level data corresponding to each light receiving element included in each line data signal is stored in each line data memory 26 whose X coordinate changes from 0 to N and whose Y coordinate value is common. In addition, in the example, it is N-199, and M-7
It is 9. Therefore, two-dimensional image information of barcodes or characters is stored in this image data memory 25.

The line data signal output from the image data memory 25 is input to the common terminal C of the changeover switch 14 provided in the wand section 11. Common terminal C of this changeover switch 14
The line data signal input to
The signal is input to the shaft phase correction circuit 27.

This X-axis phase correction circuit 27 uses each reference X-coordinate position, at which the signal level of the line data signals sequentially outputted from the image data memory 25 changes to H level due to the presence of the leading bar, as a reference for the line data signal. This circuit shifts and corrects all the X-coordinate positions of each line data signal so that they match the X-coordinate position, and sends each line data signal after the shift correction to the Y-axis correction circuit 28 at the next stage.

Further, this Y-axis correction circuit 28 is connected to the X-axis phase correction circuit 27.
, the respective data at the same -X coordinate position in each line data signal whose phase in the X-axis direction has been matched across all line data signals is added over all line data signals. Then, this added line data signal is binary encoded by a quantization circuit (not shown) and output as a new combined line data signal.

The line data signal outputted from the Y-axis correction circuit 28 is converted by a barcode decoder circuit 29 into code data corresponding to a barcode.

The converted code data is sent to the formatting circuit 30.
The interface circuit 31 is incorporated into the transmission message.
is input to the electronic cash register 32 via the electronic cash register 32.

On the other hand, when the changeover switch 14 is turned on to the changeover terminal side, each line data signal outputted from the image data memory 25 is inputted to the OCR decoder circuit 33.

The OCR decoder circuit 33 synthesizes the sequentially inputted line data signals into two-dimensional image information again, and converts character information included in this two-dimensional image information into code data corresponding to the characters. Then, the converted code data is sent to the formatting circuit 30.

The operation of the code reading device configured in this way will be explained using FIGS. 6 to 10. In other words, if a barcode is attached to the product as a product code, the operator who operates the electronic cash register 32 uses the wand part 1.
The changeover switch 14 attached to 1 is turned on to the changeover contact a side. Then, as shown in Figure 6, 2 of the barcode
After the dimensional image information is read by the two-dimensional optical reading sensor 20, it is stored in the image data memory 25. That is,
The part of the bar code shown in black is at H level, and the part between the bar and part shown in white is at L level. Therefore, each line data signal corresponding to each line data memory 26 from y-to to B9 in the Y coordinate direction becomes a normal line data signal corresponding to the bar code, as shown by signal a in FIG.

On the other hand, if the reading window 13 of the wand part 11 is not pressed against the barcode accurately and the Y direction of the reading window 13 does not match the bar code direction, as shown in FIG. Two-dimensional image information of the barcode is stored in the image data memory 25 in an inclined state. In this case, the phase in the X-axis direction of each line data signal corresponding to each line data stored in each line data memory 26 arranged in the Y-axis direction is sequentially delayed. This phase shift in the X-axis direction is shifted and corrected by the aforementioned X-axis phase correction circuit 27, so that all line data signals, including the phase in the X-axis direction, have the same waveform as signal a in FIG. 7. Become.

Furthermore, when a barcode attached to a product is covered with a transparent wrapping paper such as cellophane paper, if the wrapping paper causes specular reflection, the barcode cannot be read accurately.

For example, if specular reflection occurs in the diagonal direction of the barcode, a white-level specular reflection portion 34 will occur in the two-dimensional image information stored in the image data memory 25 as well. In this case, each line data signal output from each line data memory 26 has a signal dropout due to the specular reflection section 34, so it is impossible to obtain correct code data as it is. However, since each line data signal having a missing portion at a different X-coordinate position is added in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis correction circuit 28, the combined line data signals output from the Y-axis correction circuit 28 are One line data signal becomes a correct line data signal as shown by signal a in FIG.

The correct line data signal output from the Y-axis correction circuit 28 is converted into accurate code data by the bar code decoder circuit 29 and input to the electronic cash register 32.

If the product has a written product code, the operator turns the changeover switch 14 of the wand portion 11 into the changeover contact. When the reading window 13 of the wand portion 12 is pressed against the character, two-dimensional image information corresponding to the character is read out.
It is read by the dimensional optical reading sensor 20 and stored in the image data memory 25 as shown in FIG.

Each line data constituting the two-dimensional image information stored in each line data memory 26 of the image data memory 25 is input as a line data signal to the OCR decoder circuit 33 via the changeover switch 14. The OCR decoder circuit 33 converts the data into code data corresponding to the characters, and sends it to the formatting circuit 30. As a result, code data indicating the product code corresponding to the characters is input to the electronic cash register 32.

With the code reading device configured in this way, if the product code attached to the product is displayed as a barcode, the changeover switch 14 attached to the wand part 11 is connected to the barcode side indicated by the changeover contact a. into the reading window 13.
When pressed against the barcode, code data corresponding to the product code is input to the electronic cash register 32. In addition, if the product code attached to the product is displayed with a number of digits or alphabetic characters, please insert the changeover switch 14 attached to the wand part 11 to the side of the changeover contact indicated by the character. , when the reading window 13 is pressed against a character, code data corresponding to the product code is input into the electronic cash register 32. In this way, it is possible to handle both barcodes and characters with one code reading device, significantly reducing overall equipment costs compared to the conventional case where dedicated reading devices are installed for each. It is possible to do so.

In addition, since the operator does not have to change the wand of the code reading device between barcodes and characters, the burden on the operator can be reduced and the efficiency of the entire sales registration process can be greatly improved. In particular, in the embodiment, since the changeover switch 14 is attached to the wand part 11, the operator can operate the changeover switch 14 with the hand holding the wand part 11. As a result, operability can be further improved.

Furthermore, since this embodiment incorporates an X-axis phase correction circuit 27 and a Y-axis correction circuit 28, even if the reading window 13 is pressed diagonally against the barcode, the barcode Even if specular reflection occurs diagonally across the barcode decoder circuit 29, one correct combined line data signal is always input to the barcode decoder circuit 29, reducing the probability of reading errors and further reducing the burden on the operator. This can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire reading operation can be further improved.

! FIG. 811 is an external view showing the wand portion 11 of a code reading device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The changeover switch 14 shown in FIG. 2 is not attached to the wand portion 11 of this embodiment. Further, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the entire system. Components that are the same as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a determination circuit 35 is provided in place of the changeover switch. This determination circuit 35 again constructs two-dimensional image information from each line data signal inputted from the image data memory 25, and determines whether this two-dimensional image information indicates barcode information or character information. Determine. Specifically, the vertical dimension of characters to be read is regulated within a certain value by JIS standards, etc., and on the other hand, the length of each bar in a barcode is long in one direction, so this Determine whether it is a barcode or a character based on the vertical length (in one direction). If it is determined to be a barcode, each line data signal input from the image data memory 25 is sent to the X-axis phase correction circuit 27. on the other hand,
If it is determined to be a character, each line data signal is sent to the OCR decoder circuit 33.

With the code reading device configured in this way, the type of two-dimensional image information input through the reading window 13 of the wand section 11 is automatically determined by the determination circuit 35, and decode processing corresponding to the type is performed. executed. Therefore, the operator who operates the electronic cash register 32 can perform the same reading operation with the wand part 11 without being involved at all, regardless of whether the product code attached to the product is a bar code or a text display. The burden on the operator can be further reduced and work efficiency can be further improved.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a two-dimensional optical reading sensor is provided, and two-dimensional image information of barcodes and characters is read by this two-dimensional optical reading sensor. Therefore, one device can read both barcodes and characters, reducing the burden on the operator and improving the overall efficiency of the reading operation.

In addition, it automatically determines whether the read two-dimensional image information is a barcode or text, so
The above effects can be further improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 10 are diagrams showing a code reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view showing the wand portion, and FIG. The figure is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the wand, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the whole, FIGS. 5 to 6 and 8 to 10 are diagrams showing the image data memory, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation. FIG. 11 is an external view showing the wand portion of a code reading device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the entire embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Wand part, 12... Case, 13... Reading window, 14... Changeover switch, 15... Light source, 16
... Light beam, 17 ... Two-dimensional image, 20 ... Two-dimensional optical reading sensor, 22 ... Sample hold circuit, 2
4... Quantization circuit, 25... Image data memory, 2
6... Line data memory, 27... X-axis phase correction circuit, 28... Y-axis correction circuit, 29... Barcode decoder circuit, 30... Formatting circuit, 3
2... Electronic cash register, 33... OCR decoder circuit, 34... Specular reflection section, 35... Judgment circuit. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A linear photosensor consisting of a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in a line is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the linear photosensor, and the two-dimensional image information input from the reading window of the wand is read. A two-dimensional optical reading sensor for reading, a quantization circuit for binary encoding each line data read by each linear photosensor of this two-dimensional optical reading sensor, and each line binary-encoded by this quantization circuit. Consisting of an image data memory that stores data, a barcode decoder circuit that converts each line of data output from this image data memory into code data corresponding to a barcode, and each line of data that is output from the image data memory. an OCR decoder circuit that converts character information included in two-dimensional image information into code data corresponding to the characters; and a destination for sending line data output from the image data memory to the barcode decoder circuit or the OCR decoder circuit. A code reading device characterized by having a changeover switch that selectively switches. (2) A linear photosensor consisting of a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in a line is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the linear photosensor, and the two-dimensional image information input from the reading window of the wand is read. A two-dimensional optical reading sensor for reading, a quantization circuit for binary encoding each line data read by each linear photosensor of this two-dimensional optical reading sensor, and each line binary-encoded by this quantization circuit. an image data memory that stores data; a determination circuit that determines whether the two-dimensional image information consisting of each line data stored in the image data memory indicates barcode information or character information; and this determination circuit. a barcode decoder circuit that converts each line of data output from the image data memory into code data corresponding to the barcode when the circuit determines barcode information; A code reading device comprising an OCR decoder circuit that converts character information included in two-dimensional image information consisting of each line data output from an image data memory into code data corresponding to the character.