JP5171980B2 - Data code reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a data code reader having a function of displaying that a data code attached to a product is read, for example.

  There is a data code reading device for reading a data code attached to a product and including the data of the product, specifically, a barcode. This device includes, for example, an image sensor that captures a data code attached to a product, and an illumination light emitting diode that illuminates a spatial region including the product in the same direction as the imaging direction of the image sensor, that is, a data code (hereinafter, referred to as “light emitting diode”). A data code information reading unit that recognizes the data code in the image data acquired by the image sensor and reads the product data included in the data code, and the data code information reading unit. And an operation state LED for displaying an operation state of the apparatus such as recognition of the data code.

Among these, the operation state LED is provided in a portion different from the illumination LED in the apparatus main body. For example, the illumination LEDs are provided side by side in the vicinity of the image sensor, but the operation state LED is provided, for example, on the back surface of the apparatus main body. The operator is notified of an operation state such as the recognition of a data code, for example, by turning on the operation state LED.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reading apparatus that captures an image of an object and recognizes an object to be read.

JP-A-9-114913

However, the illumination LED and the operation state LED are provided in different portions. For this reason, when the data code attached to the product is imaged by the image sensor, the operator can check whether the position of the data code attached to the product is within the illumination area of the illumination LED. Is directed to the illumination LED and the illumination area of the illumination LED.
For this reason, in order to confirm that the data code is recognized by visually observing the operation state LED provided in a different part from the illumination LED, the operator must move the viewpoint from the illumination LED to the operation state LED. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a data code reader capable of reliably reporting various operating states such as recognition of a data code.

  A data code reading apparatus according to a main aspect of the present invention is an image sensor that captures an image of a product arranged in an imaging region and outputs the image data, and an image sensor provided around the image sensor. A plurality of illumination units that illuminate a spatial region in the same direction as the direction and can illuminate one of the plurality of emission colors, and the same imaging direction as the image sensor. A product detection sensor for detecting that a product is arranged in the spatial area of the direction, a data code information reading unit for recognizing a data code in the image data acquired by imaging of the image sensor, and reading the data code; The illumination unit is lit in the second emission color so that the normal data code can be read by the image sensor, and the data code information reading unit When the light source is recognized, the lighting of the second emission color by the illumination unit is stopped, the first emission color different from the second emission color is turned on for a predetermined period, and the illumination unit using the second emission color again. If the product is not detected for a preset period by the product detection sensor, the illumination unit is lit in the third emission color preset as the standby mode, and the product detection sensor is in standby mode. When a product is detected, the control unit returns to a normal data code readable state, lights up in the second emission color, and turns on the illumination unit in a preset fourth emission color when an abnormality occurs.

  According to the present invention, in a normal data code readable state, when a data code is recognized, in a standby mode state in which a product is not detected by a product detection sensor for a preset period, and in a standby mode state It is possible to provide a data code reader capable of reliably reporting various operation states such as when a product is detected and the normal data code can be read and when an abnormality occurs.

1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a data code reading device according to the present invention. The block block diagram in the apparatus. The block diagram of LED for illumination in the apparatus. The figure which shows each LED connected in parallel with respect to the LED drive part in the apparatus. The status display flowchart in the same apparatus. The state transition diagram of each LED for illumination in the apparatus. The state display flowchart at the time of abnormality generation in the same apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a data code reading device which is a CCD scanner. An image sensor 3 such as a CCD camera is provided on the front surface 2 of the apparatus main body 1. Around the image sensor 3, for example, four illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 are provided as illumination units. Further, for example, four commodity detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 are provided between the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 and the image sensor 3. A control unit 6 is provided inside the apparatus main body 1. A power switch 7 is provided on the side surface of the apparatus body 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data code reader. The control unit 6 includes a main control unit 10. The main control unit 10 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like. The main control unit 10 is connected to the image sensor 3, the commodity detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4, and the power switch 7. The main control unit 10 is connected to a data code information reading unit 11, an LED driving unit 12, a transmission unit 13, and a storage unit 14.
The image sensor 3 images the data code 16 attached to the product 15, specifically a barcode, and outputs the image data. The barcode 16 includes product data such as product price, date, discount price, and the like.

  Each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 illuminates a spatial region in the same direction as the imaging direction of the image sensor 3. For example, when the product 15 to which the data code 16 is attached is arranged in the imaging region of the image sensor 3, the spatial region including the product 15 and the data code 16 is illuminated. These illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 can each emit light in a plurality of emission colors, for example, four emission colors of green, blue, red, and white. FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4. These illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 include, for example, three-color LED elements 17 to 19, respectively. For example, the LED element 17 emits green light (hereinafter referred to as the green LED element 17). The LED element 18 emits blue light (hereinafter referred to as the blue LED element 18). The LED element 19 emits red light (hereinafter referred to as a red LED element 19).

Each of the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 detects whether or not the product 15 to which the data code 16 is attached is disposed in a spatial region in the same direction as the imaging direction of the image sensor 3, for example.
The power switch 7 supplies power to the control unit 6 from the power supply 20 and shuts it off. The power switch 7 opens and closes in response to a command from the main control unit 10, for example.

  The data code information reading unit 11 recognizes the data code 16 in the image data acquired by the image sensor 3 and reads the product data included in the recognized data code 16.

  Four LED 4-1 to 4-4 for illumination are connected to the LED drive part 12. FIG. For example, the LED drive unit 12 lights the green LED element 17, the blue LED element 18, or the red LED element 19 according to the emission color instructed by the main control unit 10. These green LED element 17, blue LED element 18, and red LED element 19 are connected in parallel to, for example, the LED drive unit 12, as shown in FIG. The LED drive unit 12 causes only the green LED element 17 to emit light by energizing only the green LED element 17, and emits each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in green (first emission color). Similarly, the LED drive unit 12 causes only the blue LED element 18 to emit light by energizing only the blue LED element 18, and emits each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in blue (third emission color). To do. The LED drive unit 12 causes only the red LED element 19 to emit light by energizing only the red LED element 19, and emits each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in red (fourth emission color). The LED drive unit 12 emits all of the green LED element 17, the blue LED element 18, and the red LED element 19 by energizing all of the green LED element 17, the blue LED element 18, and the red LED element 19. Each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits white light (second emission color).

For example, an electronic cash register constituting the POS system 21 is connected to the transmission unit 13. The electronic cash register conducts a commercial transaction using cash or a credit card for a retail store such as a supermarket, a convenience store, or a department store.
The storage unit 14 stores, for example, image data acquired by imaging by the image sensor 3.

  A status display program is stored in the ROM of the main control unit 10 in advance. This state display reading program turns on each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in white in the photographing operation state of the normal image sensor 3 and recognizes the data code 16 in this state, thereby illuminating each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-1. 4-4 stops white lighting, turns on each lighting LED 4-1 to 4-4 in green for a predetermined period, returns to lighting each lighting LED 4-1 to 4-4 again, and each product If the detection sensor 5-1 to 5-4 does not detect the product 15 for a preset period, each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 is lit in a preset blue color and is preset when an abnormality occurs. The lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 are turned on in red.

  The main control unit 10 executes a state display program stored in advance in the ROM, and sets each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 to green, white, blue or blue according to various operation states including recognition of the data code 16. Lights up with one emission color among the red emission colors. That is, the main control unit 10 turns on each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in a preset green color when the data code information reading unit 11 recognizes the data code 16. The main control unit 10 lights each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in white set in advance in the shooting operation state of the normal image sensor 3. When the main control unit 10 recognizes the data code 16, the main control unit 10 stops the white lighting by the respective lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 and performs the green lighting for a predetermined period, for example, 1 s. If the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 do not detect the product 15 for a preset period, for example, 5 minutes, the main control unit 10 uses each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in a preset blue color. Lights up. Furthermore, if the commodity 15 is not detected by the commodity detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 for a preset period, for example, 15 minutes, the main control unit 10 shuts off the power switch 7. The main control unit 10 blinks each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in a preset red color, for example, at a frequency of 2.5H for 100 ms when an abnormality such as water wetting, power supply abnormality, or error occurs.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a state display flowchart shown in FIG.
When the power switch 7 is shut off, all the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 are turned off as shown in the state transition diagram of each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in FIG. In step # 1, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the power switch 7 is turned on. When the operator turns on the power switch 7, the main control unit 10 moves to step # 2 and turns white with respect to the LED drive unit 12. A command to turn on each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 is issued. In response to this command, the LED drive unit 12 energizes all the green LED elements 17, the blue LED elements 18, and the red LED elements 19, and all the green LED elements 17, the blue LED elements 18, and the red LEDs. The element 19 is turned on. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the LED drive unit 12 turns on all the green LED elements 17, the blue LED elements 18, and the red LED elements 19 at a frequency of 30 Hz for 10 ms, for example. As a result, all the green LED elements 17, the blue LED elements 18 and the red LED elements 19 are lit, so that the green, blue and red colors are mixed and each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 is white. Is emitted. Since each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits white light in this manner, the operator can know that the data code reader is in a normal data code readable state.

  Next, in step # 3, the main control unit 10 monitors whether or not the product 15 is detected by each of the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4, and for example, for 5 minutes after turning on the power as shown in FIG. It is monitored whether or not the product 15 is detected. For example, when the product 15 is detected by the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 within 5 minutes, the main control unit 10 proceeds to step # 4 and determines whether or not the data code 16 attached to the product has been recognized. to decide. That is, the operator holds the product 15 and places it in the imaging area of the image sensor 3. At this time, the operator places the data code 16 attached to the product 15 toward the image sensor 3 and places the product 16 on the image sensor 3 so that the data code 16 is placed at the focus position of the image sensor 3. Move closer to or away from it.

  For example, the image sensor 3 images the data code 16 attached to the product 16 held by the operator, and outputs image data of the moving image. The main control unit 10 receives the image data of the moving image output from the image sensor 3, takes in the image data when the data code 16 is in focus, and sends this image data to the data code information reading unit 11. The data code information reading unit 11 recognizes the data code 16 from the image data acquired by the image sensor 3 and reads the product data included in the recognized data code 16. The main control unit 10 repeats steps # 2 to # 4 until the data code 16 is recognized.

  Next, when the data code 16 is recognized by the data code information reading unit 11, at this time, the main control unit 10 turns the LED driving units 4-1 to 4 in green with respect to the LED driving unit 12 in step # 5. Issue command to light -4. Upon receiving this command, the LED drive unit 12 energizes only the green LED element 17 and lights only the green LED element 17. At this time, the LED drive unit 12 lights only the green LED element 17 for 1 second, for example, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits green light. Since each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits green light in this way, the product 15, the data code 16 attached to the product 15, and the periphery of the product 15 are illuminated in green. Thereby, the operator can know that the data code 16 attached to the product 15 has been recognized by the data code reading device.

  Next, in step # 6, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the lighting of the green LED element 17 has elapsed, for example, for 1 s, and when 1 s has elapsed, instructs the LED driving unit 12 to stop the green lighting. Then, the process returns to step # 2 and issues a command to turn on the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in white for the LED drive unit 12. Accordingly, each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits white light again.

  Thereafter, when a plurality of products 15 are sequentially arranged in the imaging region of the image sensor 3 by the operator, the main control unit 10 repeats steps # 2 to # 6, and the data code information reading unit 11 stores the data of each product 15. For example, only the green LED element 17 is lit for 1 s every time the code 16 is recognized. Accordingly, each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits green light. The operator can know that the data code 16 of each product 15 has been recognized by the data code reading device every time each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits green light.

  The main control unit 10 monitors whether or not the product 15 is detected by the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 in step # 3. That is, the main control unit 10 indicates that the data code 16 attached to the product 15 is not recognized by the data code reading device even after 5 minutes have passed since the power is turned on, or attached to the product 15. Monitoring whether the data code 16 attached to the next product 15 is not recognized by the data code reader even after 5 minutes have passed since the data code 16 is recognized by the data code reader. To do.

  As a result of this monitoring, if the state in which the data code 16 attached to the product 15 is not recognized by the data code reading device continues for 5 minutes, the main control unit 10 determines that the standby mode shown in FIG. The process proceeds from step 3 to step # 7, and a command to turn on the respective lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in blue is issued to the LED drive unit 12. In response to this command, the LED drive unit 12 energizes only the blue LED element 18 and lights only the blue LED element 18. At this time, the LED drive part 12 lights only the blue LED element 18 continuously, for example. Accordingly, each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits blue light. Thus, since each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits blue light, the operator can know that the data code reader is in the standby mode.

Next, in step # 8, the main control unit 10 uses the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 for a certain period of time, for example, for 15 minutes from when only the blue LED element 18 is lit to enter the standby mode. Whether or not 15 is detected is determined. As a result of this determination, when the product 15 is detected by each of the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 within 15 minutes, the main control unit 10 returns to step # 2, and each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4- Each 4 emits white light. As a result, the operator can know that the data code reader is in a normal data code readable state.
On the other hand, if the product 15 is not detected by the product detection sensors 5-1 to 5-4 within 15 minutes, the main control unit 10 proceeds to step # 9 and shuts off the power switch 7. Thereby, all the LEDs for illumination 4-1 to 4-4 are turned off.

On the other hand, the state display operation when an abnormality such as water wetting, power supply abnormality, or error occurs in the data code reader will be described with reference to a state display flowchart at the time of abnormality shown in FIG.
In step # 10, the main control unit 10 is in a state where the power switch 7 is turned on, and when the normal image sensor 3 is in the shooting operation state and the standby mode, various abnormalities such as water wetting, power supply abnormalities, Monitor whether an error or other abnormality has occurred. If these abnormalities do not occur, the main control unit 10 repeats steps # 10 and # 11.

  For example, when an abnormality such as water wetting, power supply abnormality, or error occurs, the main control unit 10 proceeds from step # 11 to step # 12, and the LEDs for illumination 4-1 to 4- A command to turn on 4 is issued. In response to this command, the LED drive unit 12 energizes only the red LED element 19 and turns on only the red LED element 19. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the LED driving unit 12 blinks only the red LED element 19 at a frequency of 2.5 Hz for 100 ms. Accordingly, each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 blinks red. As described above, since each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 emits red light, the operator can know that an abnormality such as, for example, water wetting, power supply abnormality, or error has occurred.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the data code 16 is recognized by the data code information reading unit 11, the white lighting by the respective lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 is stopped, and the green lighting is predetermined. For a period, for example, 1 s. Thereby, since the product 15 and the data code 16 attached to the product 15 and the periphery of the product 15 are illuminated in green, the operator can read the data code 16 attached to the product 15 with the data code reading device. You can know that has been recognized by. At this time, the operator knows that the data code 16 has been recognized by the data code reader without having to move the viewpoint from the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 to the operation state LEDs as in the prior art. Can do. Thereby, the efficiency of the reading operation of the data code 16 attached to the product 15 can be improved.

  Further, according to various operation states of the data code reading device, each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 can be lit in a preset emission color to notify various operation states. For example, it is possible to notify that the data code reader is in a normal data code readable state by emitting each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in white. It can be informed that the data code reading device is in the standby mode by emitting each of the illumination LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 in blue. By emitting light in red for each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4, it is possible to notify that an abnormality such as water wetting, power supply abnormality, or error has occurred. These normal data code readable states, the data code reader is in the standby mode, or the occurrence of an abnormality can be surely known by the light emission color of each of the lighting LEDs 4-1 to 4-4 without changing the viewpoint. it can.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
In the above-described embodiment, the normal data code readable state, standby mode, and each occurrence of abnormality are reported using the emission colors of white, green, and red, but not limited to these emission colors. Other emission colors may be used. For example, a color in which the green LED element 17 and the blue LED element 18 emit light, a color in which the green LED element 17 and the red LED element 19 emit light, or a color in which the blue LED element 18 and the red LED element 19 emit light May be used.

  1: device main body, 2: front of device main body, 3: image sensor (CCD camera), 4-1 to 4-4: LED for illumination, 5-1 to 5-4: product detection sensor, 6: control unit, 7: power switch, 10: main control unit, 11: data code information reading unit, 12: LED drive unit, 13: transmission unit, 14: storage unit, 15: product, 16: data code, 17: green LED element, 18: Blue LED element, 19: Red LED element, 20: Power supply, 21: POS system.

Claims (5)

An image sensor that captures images of products placed in the imaging area and outputs the image data;
A plurality of illumination units provided around the image sensor, illuminating a spatial region in the same direction as the imaging direction of the image sensor, and capable of lighting one emission color from a plurality of emission colors;
A product detection sensor that is provided around the image sensor and detects that a product is arranged in a spatial region in the same direction as the imaging direction of the image sensor;
A data code information reading unit for recognizing a data code in image data acquired by imaging of the image sensor and reading the data code;
The illumination unit is turned on in the second emission color so that the image sensor can read the normal data code, and the data code is read by the data code information reading unit. The lighting of the luminescent color is stopped, the first luminescent color different from the second luminescent color is turned on for a predetermined period, the lighting unit is returned to the lighting of the second luminescent color again, and the commodity detection sensor If the product is not detected for a preset period of time, the illumination unit is turned on with a third emission color preset as a standby mode, and the product is detected by the product detection sensor in the standby mode. It returns to the normal reading state of the data code, lights up in the second emission color, and lights up the illumination unit with a preset fourth emission color when an abnormality occurs. And a control unit that,
A data code reading apparatus comprising:   The control unit lights the illumination unit in green as the first emission color, lights up white as the second emission color, lights blue as the third emission color, and the fourth 2. The data code reading device according to claim 1, wherein red is lit as the emission color.   3. The data code reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit blinks the fourth emission color when the abnormality occurs.   2. The data code reader according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit includes three light emitting diodes for emitting green, blue, and red light.   2. The data code reader according to claim 1, wherein the control unit blinks the illuminating unit with the fourth emission color set in advance when the abnormality occurs including water wetting, power supply abnormality, and error. .

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