JP2013088952A - Optical information reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To previously prevent occurrence of the situation in which electric power of an optical information reading apparatus runs out while update of a program embedded in the optical information reading apparatus is executed, and the update is forcibly terminated in the middle thereof.SOLUTION: When placement of a bar code handy terminal 100 with a battery pack 28 on a cradle 34 is detected (S11), whether or not the voltage of the battery pack 28 is larger than, for example, 3.8 V is determined (S12). When the voltage value of the battery pack 28 is more than 3.8 V, it is determined that the battery pack 28 is a stable power supply, and the update of a program is started (S13). When the voltage value of power feeding to the bar code handy terminal 100 is lower than 3.8 V, it is determined that the battery pack 28 is an unstable power supply, and a display for calling an attention is displayed on an LCD 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reader.

  A bar code handy terminal is known as a typical example of an optical information reader (Patent Document 1). A barcode handy terminal, which is a portable optical information reader, is used for reading a barcode attached to a product or its packaging box in a factory, a warehouse, or the like. The bar code handy terminal emits a laser beam, scans the bar code with this laser beam, reads it, and displays the reading result on the display.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-26883 shows a description of updating a program installed in this type of optical information reader. Patent Document 2 discloses a POS system. When the barcode scanner is placed on the cradle, the pin of the data interface connector provided on the cradle is connected to the barcode scanner driver, which switches the barcode scanner operation mode and updates the barcode scanner program. The

  As disclosed in Patent Document 2, the optical information reading device detects that the optical information reading device is positioned at the normal position of the cradle when the optical information reading device is placed on the cradle. The apparatus switches to an operation mode in which the update is accepted, and the update of the program incorporated in the optical information reading apparatus is executed.

  The programs incorporated in the optical information reader include firmware and applications for daily work. These programs are frequently upgraded to add functions.

JP 2009-63802 A Special table 2008-511920 gazette

  The optical information reader is operated by a detachable battery. If the power of the optical information reading apparatus is insufficient for some reason during the update, the update is forcibly terminated in the middle, and the program may be damaged due to this. Specifically, for example, after placing a barcode handy terminal with a battery mounted on the cradle, an operator gets caught on the AC adapter cable connected to the cradle, and the cable comes out and goes from the cradle to the barcode handy terminal. Suppose that the power supply of is stopped. At this time, if the remaining battery level of the battery attached to the barcode handy terminal is not sufficient, there is a possibility that the update cannot be performed properly due to power shortage. For example, new batteries that have just been purchased often have zero remaining battery charge, and when updating without knowing that such a battery is attached to a barcode handy terminal, If such an accident occurs, there is a risk that the update operation will be hindered.

  An object of the present invention is to generate a situation in which the update of the optical information reader is insufficient and the update is forcibly terminated in the middle of the update while the update of the program incorporated in the optical information reader is being executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical information reading apparatus capable of preventing the above-mentioned problem.

According to the present invention, the above technical problem is
An optical information reader having a detachable battery, scanning a barcode with laser light, and reading the barcode from the reflected light, and updating a program incorporated in the optical information reader In an optical information reader capable of
A power supply type detection means for detecting a type of power supply that can supply power to the optical information reader;
Based on the detection result of the power supply type detection means, stable power supply determination means for determining whether or not power can be stably supplied to the optical information reader when updating the program;
This is achieved by providing an optical information reader having update execution means for updating the program based on the determination result of the stable power supply determination means.

  According to the present invention, since the optical information reader performs an update after confirming that a stable power source, that is, a state in which power shortage does not occur during the update, it is forcibly terminated during the update due to a power problem. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of the situation.

  Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

It is the perspective view which looked at the barcode handy terminal to which the present invention is applied from diagonally above. It is a disassembled perspective view of the barcode handy terminal to which the present invention is applied. It is the figure which looked at the barcode handy terminal to which this invention is applied from back, and is a figure of the state which removed the battery pack. It is explanatory drawing of the whole system of the barcode handy terminal to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram of the whole system of the barcode handy terminal to which the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control of an Example.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barcode handy terminal, which is a portable optical information reader according to an embodiment, viewed obliquely from the front. Referring to FIG. 1, a barcode handy terminal 100 according to an embodiment has a display unit 10 on the front surface of an upper portion thereof, and the display unit 10 is constituted by a liquid crystal display (LCD). The barcode handy terminal 100 has an input unit 11 positioned below the display unit 10 constituted by the LCD on the front surface thereof. The input unit 11 is arranged side by side below the menu key 12, a trigger key 13 for instructing the start of barcode scanning, a four-way key 14, an ENT key 15, a cancel key 16, a numeric key group 17, and a numeric key group 17. It consists of a function key group 18 and a power switch 19. On the other hand, on the rear surface of the bar code handy terminal 100, a bar code reading window is formed at the upper end as in the conventional case, and the connection terminals are arranged at the lower end as in the conventional case. A battery is detachably attached to the rear side of the input unit 11 of the barcode handy terminal 100.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the barcode handy terminal 100 of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the barcode handy terminal 100 with the battery pack removed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the entire system of the barcode handy terminal. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a barcode handy terminal.

  The parts of the barcode handy terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In the figure, reference numeral 20 is a front case having a synthetic resin molded product display window 20a, and 21 is a synthetic resin molded product rear case. Yes, 22 indicates the main packing. The main packing 22 has a shape that continues along the abutting surface between the front case 20 and the rear case 21, and the front case 20 and the rear case 21 are joined together with the main packing 22 interposed, so that the barcode handy terminal 100 A casing is configured, and various components are accommodated in an internal space surrounded by the front case 20 and the rear case 21 in a positioned state.

  The rear case 21 is formed with a horizontally long rectangular reading window 25 at its upper end, that is, the upper end of the LCD 10. In the rear case 21, a battery terminal window 26 is formed at the upper and lower intermediate portions, and a battery terminal board 27 is attached so as to face the battery terminal window 26. A recess 29 for receiving the battery pack 28 is formed in the lower part of the rear case 21, and the battery 28 can select a relatively large capacity battery 28A or a relatively small capacity battery 28B depending on its capacity (FIG. 4). Corresponding battery covers 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are prepared, and the battery covers 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are detachable from the rear case 21. Reference numeral 31 in FIG. 2 indicates a battery cover packing.

  The battery pack 28 is provided with a power supply terminal 28 a at its upper end surface. By installing the battery pack 28 in the battery receiving recess 29 of the rear case 21, the battery pack 28 is connected to the battery terminal board 27 of the barcode handy terminal 100. The bar code handy terminal 100 is driven by the electric energy of the battery pack 28.

  As described above, the barcode handy terminal 100 has the battery receiving recess 29 as a mounting portion for mounting the battery pack 28 (FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the battery receiving recess 29 is provided below the rear case 21, but the mounting portion may be provided anywhere. When the battery pack 28 is attached to the attachment portion, the power receiving terminal 80 formed in the attachment portion (recessed portion) 29 and the power supply terminal 28a of the battery pack 28 come into contact with each other. Then, the power of the battery pack 28 is supplied to the barcode handy terminal 100 in a state where the power receiving terminal 80 and the power feeding terminal 28a are in contact with each other.

  A terminal window 31 is formed at the lower end of the rear case 21, and the terminal board 33 incorporated in the terminal holder 32 is attached to the lower end of the rear case 21 so as to face the terminal window 31. Terminals (not shown in the drawing for drawing reasons) provided on the terminal board 33 are exposed to the outside through the terminal window 31 and are connected to the outside through the terminal window 31 through a cradle 34 (FIG. 4) described later. The battery pack 28 can be charged by the charging units 95 and 96 (FIG. 4). Reference numeral 36 in FIG. 2 indicates a terminal holder tape.

  More specifically, when the barcode handy terminal 100 to which the battery pack 28 is attached is placed on the charging unit 73, power is supplied from the charging unit 73 to the battery pack 28, and the battery pack 28 is charged. In addition, power necessary for communication with an external device (such as the PC 70) is supplied to the CPU 101, the communication circuit, and the like. When the charging of the battery pack 28 is completed, the necessary amount of power from the charging unit 73 is supplied only to the CPU, communication circuit, and the like. Such power supply switching is performed by a power supply circuit 103 (FIG. 5) described later.

  A battery terminal pressing member 42 is installed on the rear case 21 via a battery protection tape 40 and a battery terminal cushion 41 in association with the battery terminal board 27, and the battery terminal pressing member 42 is screwed to the rear case 21. Thus, the battery terminal holding member 42 restricts the terminal portion 27a of the battery terminal board 27 from being displaced away from the rear case 21. A vibrator 44 is disposed on the side of the battery terminal board 27, and the vibrator 44 is attached to the rear case 21.

  A scanner filter 46 is attached to the reading window 25 of the rear case 21 from the outside of the rear case 21. On the other hand, a scanner holder 48 attaches an O-ring 49 to the rear case 21 via a rear cushion 47 inside the rear case 21. Screwed through.

  A scanner module 50 is mounted on the scanner holder 48. The laser light emitted from the scanner module 50 is guided to the reading window 25 and the light returning from the barcode attached to the object is guided to the scanner module 50. A reflection mirror 51 is assembled to the scanner holder 48.

  The scanner module 50 includes a semiconductor laser light emitting element, a photodiode as a light receiving element, a galvano mirror, a scanner substrate, and the like, as in the prior art, and oscillates laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser light emitting element at a predetermined cycle. The light is reflected by the galvanometer mirror and emitted toward the bar code through the reading window 25, and the bar code is scanned. The light returned from the bar code is taken into the scanner module 50 and received by the photodiode. When the photodiode receives light, the received light signal is amplified by the light receiving circuit and the amplifier circuit of the scanner substrate. The scanner substrate is provided with a mirror driving circuit, and the galvano mirror is driven by the mirror driving circuit, and the galvano mirror performs the above-described swinging motion.

  Reference numeral 53 in FIG. 2 indicates a first scanner cushion. The scanner cushion 53 is disposed in front of the scanner holder 48, and the scanner cushion sheet metal 54 positioned in front of the scanner cushion 53 is screwed to the scanner holder 48.

  A second scanner cushion 55 is positioned in front of the scanner cushion metal plate 54, and a main board 57 is disposed in front of the second scanner cushion 55. The main board 57 has substantially the same size as the LCD 10 described above, and the main board 57 is provided with a main circuit having a relatively large circuit scale including a control CPU 101 and a memory (reference numeral 58 in FIG. 5). In addition, overall control of the barcode handy terminal 100 and reading processing of the acquired barcode are performed, and the reading result is stored in the memory 58 (FIG. 5), and a signal to be displayed on the LCD 10 is generated.

  The main board 57 is fixed to the scanner holder 48 using a screw common to the LCD holder 60 positioned in front of the main board 57. That is, the LCD holder 60 is screwed to the scanner holder 48 with the main board 57 sandwiched therebetween. The LCD 10 is tightly fitted to the LCD holder 60.

  A key board 61 is disposed below the main board 57, and a main key top 62 in front of the key board 61 is screwed to the key board 61. The main key top 62 is provided with the above-described operation unit 11, that is, the menu key 12, the trigger key 13, the numeric keypad group 17 and the like (FIG. 1).

  The front case 20 is assembled to the rear case 21 incorporating the above-described components via the main packing 22 described above. Prior to this, an LCD front cushion 63 is disposed in the peripheral portion of the LCD 10, and this LCD front cushion. The LCD 10 is pressed by the front case 20 by 63. The front case 20 is assembled with a light transmissive front panel 64 and a front seat 65 on the front surface thereof.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the barcode handy terminal 100 according to the embodiment can communicate with the mainframe server 70 via the RS-232 cable 71 and the USB cable 72, and is placed on the cradle 34 so that the mainframe server 70. It is possible to communicate with. The barcode handy terminal 100 communicates with the mainframe server 70 to update the program (firmware, application) installed in the barcode handy terminal 100. This update can also be performed by a removable external memory (SD card) 80 such as an SD card. Updates using wireless communication such as IrDA, WLAN and Bluetooth are also possible.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the barcode handy terminal 100 includes means for detecting the type of power, means 82 for detecting the remaining amount of battery, and means 84 for detecting that power is being supplied from the cradle 34. Have. Specifically, the detection of the type of power supply is as follows: (1) In the state where the barcode handy terminal 100 is placed on the cradle 34 with the battery pack 28 mounted and supplied with power from the cradle 34. Both the commercial power supply (external power supply) and the battery pack 28 can be power sources (power supply from the cradle has priority). (2) The battery pack 28 is removed from the barcode handy terminal 100 and placed on the cradle 34. In the state, the commercial power source (external power source) is the power source. (3) The barcode handy terminal 100 equipped with the battery pack 28 cannot be supplied with power to the barcode handy terminal 100 (for example, to connect to the mainframe server 70). Only the USB cable 72 is connected and the AC adapter is not connected In the state of being placed in communication cradle status), the battery pack 28 as a power source.

  In the case of (1) above, the detection of the type of power supply is detected, for example, when the power supply type detection unit 82 detects the connection of the battery and the external power supply detection means 84 detects the connection of the charging cradle. In the case of (2) above, for example, it is detected when the power supply type detection 82 does not detect the connection of the battery and the external power supply detection means 84 detects the connection of the charging cradle. In the case of (3) above, for example, it is detected when the power supply type detecting means 82 detects the connection of the battery and the external power supply detecting means 84 does not detect the connection of the charging cradle. be able to.

  When the barcode handy terminal 100 is placed on the cradle 34, for example, a predetermined terminal of the cradle 34 and a predetermined terminal of the barcode handy terminal 100 are connected to each other so that the barcode handy terminal 100 is positioned at a predetermined position of the cradle 34. As a result, it is detected that the barcode handy terminal 100 is ready to start updating, and the mode is switched to the update mode.

  When the barcode handy terminal 100 receives an update preparation from the mainframe server 70 when the barcode handy terminal 100 communicates with the mainframe server 70 via the cradle 34 or through the USB cable 72, wireless communication, or the like. Then, this is displayed on the LCD 10 of the barcode handy terminal 100, and the user can switch to the operation mode for updating the program of the barcode handy terminal 100 by operating a button for instructing to start the update. In addition, there is a method of updating the barcode handy terminal 100 from an external memory (SD card) 80. When the external memory 80 is inserted, when there is a file to be updated in the external memory 80, the process automatically shifts to update. Further, there is a method in which the update is possible on the LCD 10 of the barcode handy terminal 100, and the barcode handy terminal 100 is switched to the update mode when the user performs a button operation to instruct the start of the update.

  Even if the barcode handy terminal 100 is switched to the update mode, the update is not executed unless the following conditions are satisfied. In other words, the update is executed after confirming that the power source of the barcode handy terminal 100 is not deficient during the update. In other words, the update is not executed when there is a risk that the power source of the barcode handy terminal 100 is deficient during the update.

  An example of control for confirming whether or not the update execution condition is satisfied will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the mode is switched to the update mode in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11, and the type of power source connected to the barcode handy terminal 100 is detected. More specifically, the CPU 101 detects the type of power supply that can supply power to the barcode handy terminal 100 via the external power supply detection circuit 84.

  When the barcode handy terminal 100 in a state where the power can be supplied from both the commercial power source (external power source) and the battery pack 28, that is, the state in which the battery pack 28 is mounted, is positioned at a predetermined position of the cradle 34, step S12 Then, it is determined whether or not the voltage for supplying power to the barcode handy terminal 100 is larger than a predetermined voltage value (the voltage of the built-in battery pack 28 is 3.8 V, for example). The voltage value of the power supply, that is, the voltage value of the built-in battery pack 28 is detected by a power supply voltage value detection circuit (not shown) incorporated in the power supply circuit indicated by reference numeral 86 in FIG. This step S12 constitutes a stable power supply determining means for determining whether or not the power supply being supplied is a stable power supply.

  When the voltage value of the power supply (the voltage value of the built-in battery pack 28) is 3.8 V or more, the CPU 101 determines that the barcode handy terminal 100 is connected to a stable power source and proceeds to step S13. The program update of the handy terminal 100 is started. The barcode handy terminal 100 performs an update process with the power supplied from the cradle 34. In this case, since the update can be started without waiting for an input from the user, convenience is provided.

  On the other hand, when the voltage value of the power supply to the barcode handy terminal 100 is lower than 3.8 V, it is determined that the CPU 101 is in a state where power is supplied to the barcode handy terminal 100 from an unstable power source, and the process proceeds to step S14. A display for calling attention to the LCD 10 of the cord handy terminal 100, for example, “do not remove the AC adapter of the cradle 34”, “insufficient battery pack 28” is displayed. The user who sees this will know that there is a possibility of power shortage during the update, and will replace the necessary attention and the battery pack 28. This display, that is, notification for confirming whether to update or not, may be notified to the user by a sound from a speaker or a vibration of a vibration instead of the LCD 10 or together with the LCD 10. When the user performs a manual operation for instructing execution of the update, that is, a button operation, the process proceeds to step S13 and the update is executed. On the other hand, when the user performs a button operation instructing to cancel the update in step S14, the process proceeds to step S15 and the execution of the update is postponed. In step S12, when the power supply voltage value to the barcode handy terminal 100 is lower than 3.8V, the process may proceed to step S15 to forcibly defer execution of the update.

  When the power supply of the barcode handy terminal 100 is only the battery pack 28 or only the commercial power supply (external power supply), if this is detected in step S11, it is determined that the power supply state is unstable and the barcode handy terminal 100 The LCD 10 displays a warning message and proceeds to the above-described step S14 to wait for an update execution command operation intended by the user or an operation for canceling the update. As described above, the update is executed in step S13 or the update is canceled in step S15. Processing is performed.

  As described above, the update is executed only when the battery pack 28 is mounted and power is supplied from the commercial power supply through the cradle 34 and the power supply voltage to the barcode handy terminal 100 is higher than a predetermined voltage value. Therefore, even if the AC adapter of the cradle 34 is disconnected and the power supply from the commercial power supply is interrupted, the update can be performed to the end using the power supply of the built-in battery pack 28. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a program damage accident that is likely to occur when the barcode handy terminal 100 is forcibly terminated in the middle of an update and the supply of update data is stopped in the middle.

  In other words, as described in step S12, the CPU 101 determines whether the type of power source (external power source and battery) detected in step S11 is a stable power source. In particular, the battery is determined to be a stable power source when the remaining battery level is higher than a predetermined threshold. Thus, for example, after the barcode handy terminal 100 with the battery attached is placed on the cradle 34, the operator is hooked on the AC adapter cable connected to the cradle 34, and the cable comes off and the bar code handy terminal is removed from the cradle 34. Even when the power supply to 100 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the update operation from being hindered.

  Note that ACK / NACK control is added to the communication control of the barcode handy terminal 100. Therefore, even if an accident occurs such as the barcode handy terminal 100 being disconnected from the cradle 34 or the external memory (SD card) 80 being disconnected from the barcode handy terminal 100 during the update execution, the ACK / NACK control does not exceed the timeout period. If it can be restored to, the update can be resumed normally.

  Although the barcode handy terminal 100 of the embodiment is applied to reading a one-dimensional code (so-called barcode), the present invention is not limited to the one-dimensional code. The present invention can also be suitably applied to an optical information reader that reads a matrix code such as a QR code or a two-dimensional code such as a stack code in which a plurality of one-dimensional barcodes are stacked one above the other. Accordingly, the “bar code” used in this specification and claims should be understood to have a broad meaning recognized by those skilled in the art, that is, a meaning including a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code, unless otherwise specified. .

100 Barcode Handy Terminal 10 Display (LCD)
11 Input unit 28 Battery pack 34 Cradle 50 Scanner module 70 Mainframe server 80 External memory (SD card)
86 Power supply circuit (including power supply voltage value detection circuit)

Claims (6)

An optical information reader having a detachable battery, scanning a barcode with laser light, and reading the barcode from the reflected light, and updating a program incorporated in the optical information reader In an optical information reader capable of
A power supply type detection means for detecting a type of power supply that can supply power to the optical information reader;
Based on the detection result of the power supply type detection means, stable power supply determination means for determining whether or not power can be stably supplied to the optical information reader when updating the program;
An optical information reader having update execution means for updating the program based on a determination result of the stable power supply determination means. It further has mode switching input means operated by the user,
The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the user operates the input unit, the optical information reading apparatus is switched to an update mode in which an application can be updated.   When the power supply type detection unit detects a battery attached to the optical information reader as a type of power supply that can supply power to the optical information reader, the stable power supply determination unit updates the program. The optical information reader according to claim 2, wherein the optical information reader is determined to be capable of supplying power stably.   When the remaining battery level of the battery detected by the power type detection unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, the stable power supply determination unit can stably supply power to the optical information reader when updating the program. The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical information reading device is discriminated as being. The optical information reader further includes a display unit,
When the stable power supply discriminating means updates the program when the optical information reader is in a state where the battery is removed, or when the remaining battery level of the built-in battery is lower than a predetermined threshold, the optical information reader It is determined that the power supply is unstable,
The informing means for confirming to the user whether or not to update when the stable power supply determining means determines that the power supply to the optical information reader is unstable. The optical information reading device described.   The optical information reader according to claim 5, wherein the communication control includes ACK / NACK control.

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