JP3675051B2 - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a barcode reader that irradiates a barcode label with light, receives light reflected from the illuminated barcode label, and reads barcode data of the barcode label.
[0002]
[Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
Conventional bar code readers that irradiate a bar code label with light, receive light reflected from the irradiated bar code label, and read the bar code data of the bar code label are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example. Things were known.
[0003]
Such a barcode reader includes a light emitting element 116 that irradiates the barcode, an optical system 114 that includes various lenses that form an image of the barcode irradiated to the light emitting element 116 on the image sensor 112, and an analog from the image sensor 112. A bar code reading unit (not shown) for converting a video signal into a digital signal and outputting a number corresponding to the bar code as display information based on the width of the digital signal, and display information output from the bar code reading unit And a liquid crystal panel 120 for displaying numbers based on the above.
[0004]
Further, a reading confirmation LED 121 for displaying that the barcode reading state is good in the barcode reading unit, a communication light emitting element 131a for transmitting the read barcode data to the host, and a command signal from the host. A communication module 131 is also provided in which a communication light receiving element 131b for receiving is integrated.
[0005]
According to such a barcode reading device, the user can visually recognize the barcode reading state by the reading confirmation LED 121, and therefore, when the barcode reading is poor, the user can quickly cope with the reading. In addition, since optical communication with the host is possible, it is more suitable for the handy type than the case where it is connected with cords and is highly convenient.
[0006]
However, in the barcode reading apparatus, since the reading confirmation LED 121 and the communication module 131 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, it is difficult to say that the mounting area of the circuit board 118 is effectively used. It was difficult to shorten the overall length sufficiently.
[0007]
On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-249091 includes an infrared light emitting diode that transmits data to another device by optical communication, and a display lamp for informing the user that the barcode data is stored in the memory. A bar code reader has been disclosed.
[0008]
However, since the infrared light emitting diode and the display lamp are disposed in the thickness direction of the apparatus, it is difficult to sufficiently reduce the thickness of the entire apparatus.
That is, since the above two types of bar code readers are often used as handy types, the length and thickness of the entire device are required to be as small as possible in consideration of carrying and the like.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a barcode reader that can effectively use the mounting area of a substrate and is downsized as a whole despite the use of existing components. With the goal.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a barcode reader that irradiates a barcode label with light, receives light reflected from the illuminated barcode label, and reads barcode data of the barcode label.
A communication light emitting means for transmitting the read barcode data to another device by optical communication;
A light receiving means for communication for receiving data transmitted by optical communication from another device;
Display means for displaying a data communication state or a barcode reading state,
The communication light emitting means, the communication light receiving means, and the display means are arranged side by side in a short side direction of the apparatus on a substrate.
[0011]
In such a barcode reading apparatus, the communication light emitting means, the communication light receiving means, and the display means are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the apparatus. The length that occupies the substrate is determined by the long one, and when the thickness direction of the apparatus is viewed, the thickness is determined by the thickest of the three means.
[0012]
For this reason, the length in the longitudinal direction is shorter than in the case where any two or more of the communication light emitting means, the communication light receiving means, and the display means are arranged vertically in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. In addition, the thickness in the thickness direction is thinner than when two or more of the communication light emitting means, the communication light receiving means, and the display means are arranged in the thickness direction of the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the mounting area of the substrate and reduce the size of the apparatus despite using existing components.
[0013]
Here, it is preferable that the communication light emitting means and the communication light receiving means are integrated as a module. By integrating in this way, the length of the apparatus in the short side direction can be shortened, so that the above effect can be obtained more remarkably.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the communication light emitting means or the communication light receiving means is arranged at a position where the optical axis does not coincide with the central axis of the apparatus, the optical axis faces the central axis of the apparatus. It is preferable to be arranged so as to be inclined. For example, when the display means is arranged on the central axis of the apparatus, the communication light emitting means and the communication light receiving means are arranged at positions where the optical axes do not coincide with the central axis of the apparatus. By arranging these optical axes so as to face the central axis of the apparatus, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the occurrence of communication errors.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and it goes without saying that various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.
[First embodiment]
1 is a perspective view of a bar code reader according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a top broken sectional view.
[0016]
The barcode reader 10 of this embodiment is portable, and various parts are integrally incorporated in a housing 11 composed of an upper case 11a and a lower case 11b. As shown in FIG. 1, the barcode reader 10 has a keyboard KB for inputting various information, a liquid crystal display device 20 for displaying the read barcode data, and barcode data read. Is provided with a reading confirmation LED 21 for confirming, a communication plate 33 for allowing infrared light to pass through, and a reading port 13 for irradiating the bar code or taking in reflected light from the bar code.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, an image sensor 12 having a light receiving surface disposed downward is provided inside the housing 11, and an image is imaged on the optical path from the reading port 13 to the image sensor 12. A lens 14 and a mirror 17 are provided as optical means for forming an image on the sensor 12. The image sensor 12 is a well-known CCD sensor that includes a large number of CCDs arranged in a row, and sequentially outputs light reception signals from the CCDs to the outside in response to a clock signal input from the outside. Further, the light emitting element 16 for irradiating an object such as a barcode label on which a barcode is printed is only on the left and right sides of the lens 14 (that is, only the back side and the near side of the lens 14 in FIG. 2, only the back side in FIG. 2). Is indicated by a dotted line).
[0018]
A communication plate 33 is fitted into the front end of the upper case 11 a of the housing 11, and the communication module 31 is provided on the circuit board 18 so as to face the communication plate 33. As shown in FIG. 3, a communication module 31 and a read confirmation LED 21 are disposed in the short side direction of the barcode reader 10 at the front end portion of the circuit board 18.
[0019]
A transparent plate 22 is fitted into the upper case 11 a of the housing 11, and the liquid crystal display device 20 is provided facing the transparent plate 22. Between the liquid crystal display device 20 and the image sensor 12 described above, an analog video signal from the image sensor 12 is processed and attached to the barcode based on the barcode imaged by the image sensor 12. A signal processing circuit, which will be described later, for displaying a numeric string on the liquid crystal display device 20 is formed. This signal processing circuit is provided on the circuit board 18.
[0020]
Next, the configuration of the signal processing circuit formed on the circuit board 18 will be schematically described with reference to FIG.
The circuit board 18 includes an amplifying circuit 24 that amplifies the analog video signal output from the image sensor 12, a binarizing circuit 26 that binarizes the analog video signal amplified by the amplifying circuit 24 and converts it into a digital signal, By counting the width of the digital signal output from the binarization circuit 26, the bar 28 is determined based on the output signal from the counter unit 28 and the counter unit 28 for judging the narrow bar and wide bar of the bar code imaged by the image sensor 12. A decoding unit 30 is provided that restores the code and stores the code in the memory 30 a and outputs the barcode data stored in the memory 30 a to the communication module 31.
[0021]
Here, the communication module 31 performs communication with a host which is an external device (not shown) by a method according to the well-known IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standard, and the barcode data output from the decoding unit 30. The communication light emitting element 31a for transmitting a signal to the host and the communication light receiving element 31b for receiving a signal from the host (for example, a program for operating the system or a command for waiting for transmission). The reception signal of the communication light receiving element 31b is output to the control unit 38.
[0022]
Further, the circuit board 18 is provided with a display information generating unit 32 that generates display information for displaying the decoding result by the decoding unit 30 on the liquid crystal display device 20. The display information generating unit 32 is for displaying the bar code information restored by the decoding unit 30 on the liquid crystal display device 20, and a character corresponding to the restored data (generally a binary signal or an ASCII code). Generate display information for display. The generated display information is stored at a specific address in the image memory 36 via the switching circuit 34.
[0023]
The decoding unit 30, the display information generation unit 32, and the switching circuit 34 are driven by the control unit 38. The switching circuit 34 switches to the display information generation unit 32 side when the barcode is restored by the decoding unit 30 in accordance with the command from the control unit 38, and the decoding result generated by the display information generation unit 32. Is stored in the image memory 36. The display information or image information stored in the image memory 36 is converted into coordinate information and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 20. Further, the functions of the counter unit 28, the decoding unit 30, the display information generation unit 32, and the control unit 38 can be realized as a process of an electronic control unit (ECU) composed of a microcomputer.
[0024]
The circuit board 18 is provided with a reading confirmation LED 21 that is turned on / off in accordance with a command from the control unit 38. The reading confirmation LED 21 is turned on when the barcode is restored in the decoding unit 30, and is turned off after a predetermined time.
Furthermore, the circuit board 18 receives the clock signal from the timing generation circuit 40 and the timing generation circuit 40 that outputs a clock signal for causing the image sensor 12 to capture an external image, and receives the display information or the image information. An address generation circuit 42 for generating an address for writing to the image memory 36 is provided, and the switching circuit 34 displays display information in a storage area in the image memory 36 corresponding to the address generated by the address generation circuit 42. Alternatively, image information is written sequentially.
[0025]
Next, the communication module 31 and the read confirmation LED 21 will be described as being arranged side by side in the short side direction of the apparatus at the front end portion of the circuit board 18 as shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a mounted state of the circuit board. Since the rear part of the communication module 31 is provided with a fine lead (not shown) so that it can be soldered, if another component (for example, a liquid crystal panel) is installed behind the communication module 31, As shown in FIG. 5 (a), it is necessary to leave a gap of a predetermined distance d1 or more that does not interfere with the lead. Further, when another component is to be installed behind the reading confirmation LED 21, it is necessary to provide an interval of a predetermined distance d2 or more as shown in FIG.
[0026]
For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, assuming that the communication module 31 and the reading confirmation LED 21 are arranged vertically in the longitudinal direction, the lengths L1 and L2 of both parts are added with predetermined distances d1 and d2. Therefore, the mounting area of the circuit board cannot be used effectively, and the bar code reader becomes long in the longitudinal direction, so that miniaturization cannot be achieved.
[0027]
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, the communication module 31 and the read confirmation LED 21 are arranged side by side in the short side direction. 31 or the reading confirmation LED 21 whichever is longer (L1 (> L2 in FIG. 5C)), plus the longer one of the predetermined distances d1 or d2 (d1 in FIG. 5C), The mounting area of the circuit board 18 can be effectively used as compared with the case where the two are vertically arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the length of the barcode reader 10 in the longitudinal direction can be shortened to achieve downsizing.
[0028]
The communication light emitting element 31 a and the communication light receiving element 31 b are integrated as a communication module 31. When both elements 31a and 31b are disposed separately, the distance between the elements 31a and 31b needs to be increased to some extent, so that the length in the short side direction becomes longer. Since both elements 31a and 31b are integrated, the length in the short side direction is also shortened. For this reason, the effect that the barcode reader 10 can be further reduced in size can be obtained.
[0029]
The reading confirmation LED 21 is lit when the bar code is restored in the above-described embodiment, but may be lit for a predetermined time when confirming other operations. For example, while the barcode data stored in the memory 30a of the decoding unit 30 is being transmitted to the host, it may be lit to indicate that communication is being performed according to a command from the control unit 38.
[0030]
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of the second embodiment. The barcode reader 50 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the arrangement state of the communication module 31 and the reading confirmation LED 21 is different.
[0031]
That is, in the second embodiment, the communication module 31 and the read confirmation LED 21 are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the barcode reader 50 at the front end portion of the circuit board 18 as shown in FIG. Here, the reading confirmation LED 21 is disposed on the apparatus central axis C (communication axis). On the other hand, the communication module 31 is tilted by a predetermined angle so that the optical axes Aa and Ab of the elements 31a and 31b do not coincide with the apparatus center axis C, and these optical axes Aa and Ab face the apparatus center axis C. Are arranged.
[0032]
Normally, when the user communicates with the communication plate 33 facing the host, the communication is performed with the apparatus central axis C facing the host. At this time, as in the first embodiment, for example, even when the device central axis C and the optical axes of the elements 31a and 31b of the communication module 31 do not coincide with each other, in most cases, the light beam reaches the host. Therefore, the communication error rate does not become a problem. However, when the elements 31a and 31b of the communication module 31 are highly directional, the optical axes Aa and Ab of the elements 31a and 31b are inclined toward the apparatus central axis C as in the second embodiment. By arranging, the probability of reaching the light beam to the host can be further increased, and the effect of reliably eliminating the communication error occurrence rate can be obtained.
[0033]
[Third embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the bar code reader of the third embodiment. The barcode reader 70 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the communication light emitting element 71a and the communication light receiving element 71b are not modularized and are arranged separately. It is a configuration.
[0034]
Also in this case, as in the first embodiment, the mounting area of the circuit board 18 can be used effectively, and the length of the barcode reader 70 in the longitudinal direction can be shortened and the downsizing can be achieved. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barcode reader according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the barcode reader according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the barcode reader of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a mounting state of the circuit board, where FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting intervals of the communication module and the reading confirmation LED, and FIG. (C) is explanatory drawing when a communication module and reading confirmation LED are put side by side.
FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of a barcode reader according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of a bar code reader according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional barcode reader.
FIG. 9 is a top cross-sectional view of a conventional barcode reader.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Barcode reader, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Image sensor, 13 ... Reading port, 18 ... Circuit board, 20 ... Liquid crystal display device, 31 ... Communication Module, 31a ... light emitting element for communication, 31b ... light receiving element for communication, 33 ... communication plate, 38 ... control unit.

Claims (3)

In a barcode reader that irradiates light to a barcode label, receives light reflected from the illuminated barcode label, and reads barcode data of the barcode label,
A communication light emitting means for transmitting the read barcode data to another device by optical communication;
A light receiving means for communication for receiving data transmitted by optical communication from another device;
Display means for displaying a data communication state or a barcode reading state,
The bar code reader reading apparatus, wherein the communication light emitting means, the communication light receiving means, and the display means are arranged side by side in a short side direction of the apparatus on a substrate. 2. The barcode reader reader according to claim 1, wherein the communication light emitting means and the communication light receiving means are integrated as a module. When the light emitting means for communication or the light receiving means for communication is arranged at a position where the optical axis does not coincide with the central axis of the apparatus, the optical axis is inclined so that the optical axis faces the central axis of the apparatus. 3. A bar code reader reading device according to claim 1, wherein the bar code reader is a reading device.

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