JP3800730B2 - Barcode irradiation lens and barcode reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a barcode reader capable of reading a barcode at a position away from a reading port, and a barcode irradiation lens used in the barcode reader.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting means such as a light emitting diode to the barcode attached to the product is imaged on the light receiving means on which the light receiving elements are arranged, and the image of the barcode is formed by the light receiving means. A barcode reader for reading is known.
[0003]
Usually, such a barcode reading apparatus irradiates the barcode with light from the light emitting means through the reading opening in a state where the reading opening provided in the case of the barcode reading apparatus is substantially in contact with the barcode. The light reflected from the bar code is guided into the case of the bar code reader from the same reading port and imaged on the light receiving means.
[0004]
Such a barcode reader has a problem that it is troublesome to read because the barcode reader needs to be taken to the commodity to which the barcode is attached.
In order to solve this problem, not only the barcode existing in the vicinity of the reading opening of the barcode reading apparatus but also a barcode separated by several tens of centimeters (for example, 30 to 50 cm) from the vicinity of the reading opening can be used as the light receiving means. A so-called deep depth barcode reading apparatus that reads a barcode efficiently without performing an operation of bringing the barcode reading apparatus close to a product for each reading by forming an image and reading the image is conceivable.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a barcode irradiation lens is set so that irradiation light from the light emitting means used in a normal barcode is emitted from the entire reading port. This is because when the barcode is almost in contact with the reading port, the barcode reader case becomes a blind spot, making it difficult to see the barcode. This is to ensure that the light beam strikes the bar code even if is slightly shifted.
[0006]
However, when the barcode irradiation lens is set to spread the irradiation light so that it is irradiated from the entire reading port in this way, only extremely weak light reaches the position of the barcode far from the reading port, and It is not clear whether the code reading port is directed to the bar code to be read, and there is a possibility that reading may be mistaken. Alternatively, the barcode is irradiated immediately before the reading opening, but as it moves away from the reading opening, the irradiation light may deviate from the front of the reading opening, and the barcode on the front may not be irradiated, making reading impossible. There was also.
[0007]
For this reason, in a barcode reader having a large depth, at least in the bar code bar length direction (a direction perpendicular to the bar code bar arrangement direction or a direction perpendicular to the bar code length direction) It is conceivable to irradiate the reading position with irradiation light that hardly spreads, and to notify the operator of the bar code reading device of the reading position with the light so that the necessary bar code can be accurately aimed.
[0008]
However, in this way, when the barcode irradiation lens is set so as not to spread the irradiation light, the irradiation light hardly spreads even at the position of the reading port. Therefore, only a very narrow range is irradiated at the position of the reading port. This is because, as described above, the barcode reader case becomes a blind spot, the barcode becomes difficult to see, and it cannot be determined whether the light beam has hit the barcode reliably. The efficiency may be reduced.
[0009]
Two sets of the light emitting means and the barcode irradiation lens are provided, and the irradiation light from one set of the light emission means is spread with the same set of barcode irradiation lenses and used for barcode irradiation in the vicinity of the reading port, It is also conceivable that the irradiation light from the other set of light emitting means irradiates a barcode at a position away from the reading port without almost spreading it with the same set of barcode irradiation lenses.
[0010]
However, providing two sets of the light emitting means and the barcode irradiation lens in this way is problematic in terms of cost, and in the interior of the barcode reader that is compactly formed to improve portability. It is extremely difficult to arrange two sets because it is necessary to secure an optical path of reflected light entering from the reading port, which may increase the size of the bar code reader and reduce the work efficiency. It was.
[0011]
The present invention is a bar code reading apparatus that outputs irradiation light that sufficiently spreads to a reading port in the reading operation of a bar code near the reading port without increasing the size and cost in a deep bar code reading device. For the purpose of code reading work, it is intended to provide a barcode irradiation lens and a barcode reading device that can output irradiation light that can be recognized by the operator by reliably illuminating the barcode to be read. is there.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
The barcode irradiation lens of the present invention includes a first lens portion and a second lens portion. In the first lens unit, a part of the irradiation light from the light emitting means is incident and emitted in a state where it hardly spreads at least in the length direction of the bar of the barcode. And in the 2nd lens part, a part of irradiation light from a light emission means injects, and radiate | emits it as the state which spreads at least in the length direction of the bar | burr of a barcode.
[0013]
As described above, the barcode irradiation lens has two lens portions having the above-described functions. Therefore, even when one row of light emitting diodes (of course, one diode may be used) as the light emitting means, A part of the irradiation light passes through the second lens unit, so that a sufficient spread can be realized at the reading port portion of the bar code reader incorporating the bar code irradiation lens. Irradiation can be ensured. Furthermore, since the other part of the irradiated light hardly spreads through the first lens unit, the arrival of the irradiated light can be visually confirmed even at a bar code at a position away from the reading port. Thus, the operator can surely grasp the barcode to be read, and the reading operation can be surely performed.
[0014]
Moreover, by dividing the barcode irradiation lens into two parts, the first lens part and the second lens part, two types of irradiation light can be output from the light emitting means as described above. The built-in bar code reader is not increased in size, can maintain high workability, and can suppress manufacturing costs.
[0015]
The barcode irradiation lens can form the first lens portion and the second lens portion by integral molding with a transparent material. For example, it can be integrally formed with resin.
A more specific shape of the barcode irradiation lens can be configured as follows.
[0016]
That is, the barcode irradiation lens is formed to be long in the arrangement direction of the barcode bar as the irradiation target (the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the bar or the length direction of the barcode). The first lens portion and the second lens portion can be arranged in the orthogonal direction. That is, the first lens portion and the second lens portion may be formed in a thin layer extending in the bar code bar arrangement direction.
[0017]
As a result, when the light emitted from the light emitting means reaches the first lens portion and the second lens portion, the light transmitted through the first lens portion hardly spreads at least in the length direction of the bar of the barcode. As a visible irradiation light to the barcode emitted from the case and separated from the reading port of the barcode reader. The light transmitted through the second lens unit is emitted to the outside from the reading port of the bar code reader as a state spreading at least in the bar length direction of the bar code, and serves as irradiation light for the bar code near the reading port. .
[0018]
The incident surface of the barcode irradiation lens on which the light emitted from the light emitting unit is incident is composed of at least two surfaces having an angle, and one of the two surfaces belongs to the first lens portion and the other is the second lens portion. Can be configured to belong to. For example, the contact portions of the two surfaces are configured to form corners.
[0019]
On the other hand, the exit surface of the barcode irradiating lens from which the light emitted from the light emitting means exits is arranged in the bar code array direction (in the case of a bar code reader, in the horizontal direction of the reading port or in the width direction of the reading port). Can be configured to form a smooth convex surface that curves in an orthogonal direction.
[0020]
By comprising in this way, the light from a light emission means will be divided into two directions in the incident surface of the barcode irradiation lens which consists of two surfaces which have an angle, and from the output surface of the barcode irradiation lens, A part of the light is emitted at least in the length direction of the bar of the barcode, and the other part of the light is emitted at least in the length direction of the bar of the bar code. As a result, the irradiation light from the light emitting means plays the two roles described above.
[0021]
The first lens portion and the second lens portion of the barcode irradiation lens may spread the irradiation light from the light emitting means in the arrangement direction of the barcode bars as the irradiation target. In the arrangement direction, the irradiation light can be irradiated sufficiently broadly.
[0022]
Irradiate the incident surfaces of the first lens unit and the second lens unit on which irradiation light from each point light source of the light emitting means (for example, light emitting diode) as one point light source or two or more arranged point light sources is incident. By forming a concave surface that curves in the arrangement direction of the bar of the barcode as the target, the irradiation light from each point light source may be configured to spread in the arrangement direction of the bar of the barcode as the irradiation target.
[0023]
Irradiation light from the light emitting means is irradiated to the barcode as a reading target outside the case from the inside of the case through the reading opening of the case, and the light receiving means inside the case is reflected from the barcode through the reading opening. In the barcode reader that reads the image of the barcode with the light receiving means, the barcode irradiation lens disposed between the light emitting means and the reading port is used as one of the barcode irradiation lenses described above. The effect mentioned above can be produced by using the lens for use.
[0024]
Here, examples of the light emitting means include a point light source in which one or two or more light emitting diodes are arranged.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the barcode reader 4, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of its control system.
The barcode reading device 4 includes a case 12, a reading unit 14, a data processing output unit 16, and a power supply unit 18.
[0026]
A reading unit 14 is disposed inside the front part of the case 12, and a rear part of the case 12 forms a gripping part 20 for an operator to hold with a hand. A reading port 22 that is long in the left and right sides (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1), that is, long in the width direction, is provided at the lower part of the front portion of the case 12, and a dustproof plate 24 is disposed at the back of the reading port 22. The reading port 22 is closed. This prevents dust from entering the case 12 through the reading port 22. The dust-proof plate 24 can pass at least red light as reading light described below.
[0027]
The reading unit 14 includes an irradiation red light emitting diode 26 (corresponding to a light emitting unit), a light emission driving circuit 28, a barcode irradiation lens 30, a reflecting mirror 32, an imaging lens 34, and an optical sensor 36 (corresponding to a light receiving unit). I have. When the irradiation red light emitting diode 26 emits light by the light emission drive circuit 28, the red light passes through the dust-proof plate 24 and irradiates the barcode 8 outside the case 12. In FIG. 1, the barcode 8 is irradiated with red light in a state where the barcode 8 is aligned with the width direction of the reading port 22 and the barcode 8 is substantially in contact with the reading port 22. Is shown.
[0028]
The red light reflected by the barcode 8 enters the case 12 again from the dust-proof plate 24, is reflected by the reflecting mirror 32, and enters the imaging lens 34 provided with a longitudinally long aperture on the front surface. , The image of the bar code 8 is displayed on the optical sensor 36 in which the light receiving elements are linearly arranged in one row, the arrangement direction of the bars (the length direction of the bar code 8) and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 36. An image is formed in the same direction as the arrangement direction. The optical sensor 36 that photoelectrically converts and reads the image of the barcode 8 outputs it to the data processing output unit 16 side as an electrical signal representing the pattern of the image.
[0029]
The image forming system including the reflecting mirror 32 and the image forming lens 34 has at least the position of the reading port 22 and the barcode 8 to the position several tens of centimeters (for example, 30 to 50 cm) away from the position of the reading port 22. 58 is configured as a deep imaging system so that 58 can be read.
[0030]
The optical sensor 36 uses a document reading image sensor of a facsimile machine in which light receiving elements are arranged in a line.
The data processing output unit 16 in the case 12 includes a waveform shaping unit 40, a memory 42, a microcomputer 44, and an output circuit 46 for a main unit such as a register or a host computer on a substrate 38. When the reading data of the barcode 8 from the reading unit 14 is input via the waveform shaping unit 40, the data processing output unit 16 decodes the data by the processing of the microcomputer 44, and the barcode 8 The represented information is obtained and the information is temporarily stored in the memory 42. Next, the information stored in the memory 42 is transmitted to the main apparatus by the output circuit 46 at a predetermined timing by wireless communication using light or radio waves or by wire.
[0031]
In addition, a buzzer device 48 is provided at a position where the reading unit 14 is accommodated at a position that does not affect the optical path, and the buzzer device 48 is sounded when the microcomputer 8 successfully decodes the barcode 8. ing.
The power supply unit 18 houses a battery 18a as a power supply.
[0032]
The microcomputer 44 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like, and executes necessary processes as the data processing output unit 16 described above.
Next, the relationship between the irradiation red light emitting diode 26 and the barcode irradiation lens 30 is shown in FIG.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, two red light emitting diodes 26 for irradiation are arranged in the left-right direction of the case 12 (the bar arrangement direction of the barcode 8, the width direction of the reading port 22, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). Sometimes red light is emitted toward the barcode irradiation lens 30 at each position.
[0034]
The barcode irradiation lens 30 is a resin lens integrally formed of a transparent resin, and has an elongated shape in the left-right direction of the case 12 as shown in FIG. As shown in the YY sectional view shown in FIG. 4B, the barcode irradiation lens 30 includes a first lens portion 30 a and a first lens portion 30 a having a boundary XX extending in the left-right direction of the case 12. There are two lens portions 30b. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing the plane XX as a cross section.
[0035]
The incident surface of the barcode irradiation lens 30 on which the irradiation light from the irradiation red light emitting diode 26 is incident is from two surfaces, an incident surface 50a on the first lens unit 30a side and an incident surface 50b on the second lens unit 30b side. Become. Although these incident surfaces 50a and 50b are planar, concave portions 52a and 52b are formed by bending in the left-right direction toward the emission side at two places on the left and right. Since the incident surfaces 50a and 50b intersect with each other at an angle, the boundary between the incident surfaces 50a and 50b extends in the left-right direction of the case 12 and protrudes outside the barcode irradiation lens 30. Part 51 is formed.
[0036]
Further, the exit surface of the barcode illumination lens 30 from which the illumination light from the illumination red light emitting diode 26 exits is linear in the left-right direction of the case 12, but curved so as to protrude outward in a direction orthogonal thereto. The exit surface 54a on the first lens unit 30a side and the exit surface 54b on the second lens unit 30b side form a smooth and seamless convex surface.
[0037]
When the light emitted from the irradiation red light emitting diode 26 is incident on the barcode irradiation lens 30 having such a configuration, on the first lens portion 30a side, the light is incident from the incident surface 50a and the reading port of the case 12 from the emission surface 54a. It is emitted toward 22. On the second lens portion 30b side, the light enters from the incident surface 50b and exits from the exit surface 54b toward the reading port 22 of the case 12.
[0038]
Here, due to the difference in angle between the incident surfaces 50a and 50b and the difference in curvature between the emission surfaces 54a and 54b, the irradiation light L1 emitted from the emission surface 54a on the first lens portion 30a side hardly spreads. The incident surface 50a and the exit surface 54a of the first lens portion 30a and the barcode irradiation lens so that the reflected light L3 reflected by the reflecting mirror 32 and imaged on the optical sensor 36 can be accurately directed. 30 arrangements are set.
[0039]
Further, the irradiation light L2 emitted from the emission surface 54b on the second lens unit 30b side gradually spreads, and spreads in the width direction of the reading port 22 and in the direction orthogonal to the width direction at the reading port 22 (one). The part of the emitted light may strike the inner surface of the case 12) and is emitted to the outside of the case 12.
[0040]
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, even at the position of the barcode 58 that is several tens of centimeters away from the reading port 22 of the barcode reader 4, the irradiation light L1 emitted from the emission surface 54a on the first lens portion 30a side is the barcode. The operator of the bar code reader 4 can recognize it as a red light line since it hardly spreads in the length direction of the 58 bars. Therefore, if the irradiation light L1 is irradiated to the barcode 58 by visual recognition, the barcode 58 at that position forms an image on the optical sensor 36, so that the content of the barcode 58 can be decoded.
[0041]
Note that the irradiation light L2 emitted from the emission surface 54b on the second lens portion 30b side is sufficient to spread over the entire reading port 22 at the reading port 22 portion, and therefore, as shown in FIG. There is no problem even if it is displaced from the barcode 58 at the position of the barcode 58 that is several tens of centimeters away from the mouth 22. Further, at the distance of the bar code 58, the irradiation light L2 is sufficiently spread in both the bar length direction and the bar arrangement direction of the bar code 58, and the operator cannot visually recognize it. For this reason, it is not mistaken for the irradiation light L1 emitted from the emission surface 54a on the first lens portion 30a side.
[0042]
In addition, by dividing the barcode irradiation lens 30 into two parts, a first lens unit 30a and a second lens unit 30b, two types of irradiation red light emitting diodes 26 arranged in a row as in the prior art are provided. Since the irradiation lights L1 and L2 can be output, the barcode reader 4 is not increased in size, can maintain high workability, and does not increase the manufacturing cost.
[0043]
[Others]
In the above embodiment, the two irradiation red light emitting diodes 26 arranged in a line on the left and right sides of the case 12 are used. However, the irradiation red light emitting diode 26 may be one if the light amount is sufficient for reading. Further, if necessary, three or more irradiation red light emitting diodes 26 may be arranged in one row.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first lens unit 30 a is disposed above the second lens unit 30 b (upper side when the operator holds the case 12). However, the second lens unit 30 b is disposed in the first lens unit. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned above 30a.
In the embodiment, the incident surfaces 50a and 50b are flat and the exit surfaces 54a and 54b are curved surfaces that are curved in the vertical direction. However, the incident surfaces 50a and 50b are curved in the vertical direction by changing the shape. The emission surfaces 54a and 54b may be flat surfaces.
[0045]
In the embodiment, the corner 51 is formed between the incident surfaces 50a and 50b. However, the incident surfaces 50a and 50b are the same plane with no angle, and an angle is provided between the emission surfaces 54a and 54b. May be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a barcode reading apparatus as one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the barcode reader.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view showing an arrangement and functions of an irradiation red light emitting diode and a barcode irradiation lens of the barcode reader;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of a barcode irradiation lens as one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the spread of irradiation light in the left-right direction by the barcode irradiation lens.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a reading state of a barcode separated from a reading port.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Bar code reader 8,58 ... Bar code 12 ... Case 14 ... Reading part 16 ... Data processing output part 18 ... Power supply part 18a ... Battery 20 ... Grasping part 22 ... Reading port 24 ... Dust-proof plate 26 ... Red light emission for irradiation Diode 28 ... Light emission drive circuit 30 ... Barcode irradiation lens 30a ... First lens part 30b ... Second lens part 32 ... Reflector 34 ... Imaging lens 36 ... Optical sensor 38 ... Substrate 40 ... Waveform shaping part 42 ... Memory 44 ... Microcomputer 46 ... Output circuit 48 ... Buzzer devices 50a, 50b ... Incident surface 51 ... Corners 52a, 52b ... Recesses 54a, 54b ... Outgoing surface 58 ... Bar code L1 ... Spreading light L2 ... Non-spreading light L3 ... reflected light

Claims (8)

In order to read a barcode, a barcode irradiation lens that irradiates a barcode as an irradiation target with irradiation light from a light emitting means,
A first lens unit that emits a part of the irradiation light from the light emitting means and emits the light at least in the length direction of the bar of the barcode;
A part of the light emitted from the light emitting means is incident, and integrally includes a second lens portion that emits at least a state of spreading in the length direction of the bar of the barcode ,
The bar code characterized in that the first lens part and the second lens part are formed long in the arrangement direction of the bar of the bar code as an irradiation target, and are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. Irradiation lens. The incident surface on which the light emitted from the light emitting means is incident is composed of at least two surfaces having an angle, and one of the two surfaces belongs to the first lens portion and the other belongs to the second lens portion. The barcode irradiation lens according to claim 1 . The barcode irradiation lens according to claim 2 , wherein the contact portion of the two surfaces forms a corner portion. The exit surface from which the irradiation light from said light emission means radiate | emits forms the smooth convex surface which curves in the direction orthogonal to the sequence direction of the bar | burr bar | burr as an irradiation object, The 1st characterized by the above-mentioned . 4. The barcode irradiation lens according to any one of 3 above. The said 1st lens part and the said 2nd lens part spread the irradiation light from the said light emission means in the sequence direction of the bar | burr of the barcode as irradiation object, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Lens for barcode irradiation. A bar as an object to be irradiated on the incident surfaces of the first lens unit and the second lens unit on which irradiation light from each point light source of the light emitting means as one point light source or two or more arranged point light sources is incident 6. The bar according to claim 5 , wherein a concave surface that is curved in the arrangement direction of the bar of the code is formed to spread the irradiation light from each of the point light sources in the arrangement direction of the bar of the bar code as an irradiation target. Cord irradiation lens. Irradiation light from the light emitting means is irradiated from the inside of the case to the barcode as a reading target outside the case through the reading port of the case, and reflected light from the barcode is received inside the case through the reading port. A barcode reader for imaging the barcode and reading the barcode image with the light receiving means;
Examples barcode irradiation lens disposed between the light emitting means and the reading opening, reading bar codes characterized by using a barcode irradiation lens according to any one of claims 1 to 6 device. 8. The barcode reader according to claim 7 , wherein the light emitting means is a point light source in which one or more light emitting diodes are arranged.

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