JPH03253811A - Multidirectional reader - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a multidirectional reading device that emits scanning beams to an object to be read from multiple directions and reads the object, the beams emitted from multiple beam sources are transferred to one beam scanning unit (for example, a polygon mirror). The generated scanning beam is reflected by multiple mirrors and emitted to the object to be read from multiple directions, making it possible to easily read barcodes etc. without being affected by the position attached to the object to be read. A plurality of mirrors arranged around one beam scanning section,
a plurality of beam sources that emit beams toward the one beam scanning section, the beams generated by the plurality of beam sources are irradiated to the one beam scanning section, and the scanning beam is reflected by the scanning pattern a. is reflected by a plurality of mirrors and emitted from a plurality of directions toward an object to be read, and the reflected light is detected to read a bar code or the like on the object to be read. Further, the beam is configured to be exclusively emitted from only one of the plurality of beam sources.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a multidirectional reading device that emits a scanning beam onto an object to be read from multiple directions and reads the object. POS systems (point-of-sale systems) have been introduced in department stores, supermarkets, and the like for the purpose of streamlining product management and checkout operations. At this time, it is desirable to be able to efficiently read the barcode, no matter where the product or item is placed.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] Conventionally, stationary scanners used in supermarkets etc. It is limited to directly above and diagonally upward. For this reason, there is a problem in that the operator has to perform the troublesome operation of checking the position W (side) of the barcode attached to the product, orienting it in the reading direction, and performing the reading operation. Furthermore, even when automatically reading the barcode Y attached to products on the production line, it is necessary to align the orientation of the product with the position (side) where the barcode is pasted, which may increase the size of the equipment. There has been a problem in that it has become difficult to arrange products of different sizes on the same line.

The present invention irradiates beams emitted from a plurality of beam sources onto one beam scanning unit (for example, a polygon mirror), reflects the generated scanning beams by a plurality of mirrors, and emits them from a plurality of directions to an object to be read. The purpose is to make it possible to easily read barcodes and the like without being affected by the position attached to the object to be read.

[Means to solve problems]

Means for solving the problem will be explained with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, a beam scanning section 1 scans an emitted beam to generate a scanning beam.

The mirror 2 is a mirror that is arranged around one beam scanning unit l and reflects the scanning beam and emits it toward the object 5 to be read.

The beam source 3 generates a beam.

[Effect]

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, beams generated by a plurality of beam sources 3 degrees are irradiated onto one beam scanning unit 1 and scanned, and the reflected scanning beam is reflected by a mirror 2 to be read. The light emitted toward the object 5 and reflected back is detected to read a bar code or the like on the object 5 to be read. Further, the beam is exclusively radiated from only one of the plurality of beam sources 3.

Therefore, the beams emitted from the plurality of beams s3 are irradiated onto the two beam scanning units (for example, polygon mirrors) 1,
By reflecting the generated scanning beam by a plurality of mirrors 2 and emitting it to the object to be read 5 from a plurality of directions, it is possible to easily read a bar code or the like without being affected by the position of the object to be read 5z. becomes possible.

〔Example〕

Next, the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail using FIGS. 1 to 4.

In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the beam scanning unit 1 scans the emitted beam to generate a scanning beam, and here it is a polygon mirror (a polygon mirror that is rotatable). ).

The mirror 2 is a mirror arranged around one beam scanning section 1, and here is a plurality of patterned mirrors.

The scanning beam reflected by the mirror 2 is directed toward the object to be read 5 and exits from the window. At this time, a number of mirror groups corresponding to the number of beam light sources 3 are provided so that scanning beams are emitted from respective windows toward the object 5 to be read.

The beam source 3 generates a beam, and is a laser light source or the like.

The light receiving element 4 receives the light reflected and returned from the object to be read 5 and converts it into an electrical signal.

The object to be read 5 is an object to be read, such as a commodity or a product to which a bar code or the like is attached.

The control unit 6 rotates the beam scanning unit l to generate a scanning beam, or exclusively lights up the plurality of beam sources ft11.
m, etc.

Next, the operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. With this configuration in FIG. 1, two sets of beam sources 3,
This is the case where a mirror 2 and a light receiving element are included.

(1) Beams generated by two beam sources 3 are irradiated onto one beam scanning section 1 from opposite directions.

(2) One beam scanning unit l rotates to scan the beams emitted from the two beams s3 to generate scanning beams, and these generated scanning beams are reflected by the respective mirrors 2 to pass through the windows A, The light is emitted from the window B to the object 5 to be read in different directions.

As a result, the object to be read 5 is scanned by a plurality of scanning beams emitted from the plurality of mirrors 2 through the window A in Il1 order different directions, and a plurality of scanning beams emitted from the mirror 2 through the window B in sequentially different directions. It is possible to scan widely from directly below and from both sides, and to scan attached barcodes over a wide range.

(3) The light reflected from the object to be read 5 is detected by the light receiving elements (A) and CB via the mirror 2, the beam scanning section 1, the condensing lenses A and B, and the reflecting mirrors A and B, respectively. Then, the bar code attached to the object 5 to be read is read. At this time, the '@d unit G controls the rotation of the beam scanning unit 1 and exclusively controls the lighting of only one of the beam sources 3, so that the scanning beam does not mix into the other light receiving element 4. This prevents noise.

Through the above operations, one beam scanning section 1 and two sets of beams [3, mirror 2, and light receiving element 4] are provided, and by emitting scanning beams to the object to be read 5 from different directions, the object to be read 5 Barcodes can be easily read by scanning over a wide range regardless of their location.

Next, the configuration of another embodiment in which a scanning beam is emitted to a product (object to be read 5) from a substantially perpendicular direction will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2(a) shows a perspective view. Window A and window B are almost at right angles, and a scanning beam is emitted from these windows A and B toward the product 5-1 to read the bar code attached to the product 5-1. There is.

FIG. 2(b) shows a sectional view of the multidirectional reading device shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2(a).

In FIG. 2(B), two sets of laser light sources (A) 3-1 are installed in a direction approximately perpendicular to one polygon mirror 1-1.
, a laser light source (B) 3-1, a pattern mirror 2-1, a window A, a window B, and a light receiving element 4 are provided. With this configuration,
A scanning beam is emitted from window A and window B, which are almost perpendicular to the product 5-1, and the reflected light is detected by the light receiving element 4 to read the barcode, etc. It becomes possible to scan a wide area such as the bottom and side of 5-1 and easily read barcodes and the like. At this time, the laser light source (A), the laser light source (B)
Exclusive lighting control.

Figure 3 shows a 4m center around one polygon mirror 1-1.
An example of a configuration is shown in which laser beam #3, pattern mirrors 2 to 11 windows (1 to 4), and light receiving element 4 are respectively arranged within a plane as shown.

FIG. 3(a) shows a perspective view. This shows a multidirectional reading device in which four sets of windows (1) are provided symmetrically on a plane centering on a polygon mirror 1-1.

FIG. 3(b) shows a sectional view of the multidirectional reading device shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3(a).

In FIG. 3(b), for one polygon mirror 1-1, four sets of laser light sources 3-1, pattern mirrors 2-■, windows 0) to 4), and light-receiving elements ( 4
) are provided for each. With this configuration, a scanning beam is emitted from the four directions of the window (1) to 4) to the product, and the light that is reflected and returned is detected by the light receiving element 4 to read a bar code, etc. According to
It becomes possible to easily read barcodes and the like by scanning a wide range from four directions below the product 5-1. At this time, the four laser light sources 3-1 are exclusively turned on and controlled.

FIG. 4 shows a lighting explanatory diagram of the beam source according to the present invention.

In FIG. 4(a), @shelf section 6 is the control section 6 shown in FIG. , (laser light source) 3, only one of them is controlled to turn on exclusively.

FIG. 4(b) shows the lighting flow of the laser light source. This shows the lighting flow when there are two sets of laser light sources 31 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, where 1T indicates the time for turning on/off (ONLOFF) the beam sources 3. By turning on the two sets of laser light sources A and B alternately at each time T and controlling them exclusively, when the reflected light is detected by the light receiving element 4 and the barcode is read,
It becomes possible to eliminate noise (interference) caused by other scanning beams. In addition, in the case of two or more sets of laser light sources, exclusive lighting control is similarly performed so that only one of the laser light sources is turned on in sequence.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, a scanning beam generated by irradiating beams emitted from a plurality of beam sources 3 onto one beam scanning unit (for example, a polygon mirror) is reflected by a plurality of mirrors 2. , employs a configuration in which light is emitted from multiple directions to the object 5 to be read.
barcodes, etc. can be easily read without being affected by the position attached to the barcode. In particular, by integrating the beam scanning section (for example, a polygon mirror) into one, the structure can be made simple, small, and inexpensive. Also, the number of barcodes attached to products, products, etc. ! Since it can be read regardless of the barcode, it is possible to reduce the workload of the operator and easily automate product management using barcodes at manufacturing plants.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of lighting of a beam source according to the present invention, and FIG. The figure shows an explanatory diagram of the prior art. In the figure, ■ is one beam scanning unit, L-1 is L polygon mirror, 2 is a mirror, 3 is a beam source, 3-1 is a laser light source, 4 is a light receiving element, 5 is an object to be read, and 6 is a control represents the division.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A multidirectional reading device that emits a scanning beam to an object to be read from multiple directions and reads the object, which includes a plurality of mirrors (2) arranged around one beam scanning section (1), and the one beam scanning section. A mode in which the beams generated by the plurality of beam sources (2) are irradiated onto the one beam scanning section (1) and scanned by a plurality of beam sources (2) that emit beams toward the object (1). The scanning beam reflected from 5) A multi-directional reading device characterized by being configured to read barcodes, etc. above. (2) The multidirectional reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam is exclusively emitted from only one of the plurality of beam sources (3).