JPH07334599A - Reader for optical information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a reader for optical information capable of assembling a reflection mirror which sets an optical path for image-forming reflection light from a recording part in an image sensor so as to correctly set, especially, positional relation and angular relation. CONSTITUTION:A bar-code recorded on a label 13 oppositely equipped at the opening 12 of a case 11 is illuminated by an optical source 14 and its reflection light is reflected by the first reflection mirror 18 so as to be introduced to a lens 17 and so as to be reflected by the second reflection mirror 19 so that an image is formed on the receiving surface of an image sensor 16. The first and second reflection mirrors 18 and 19 are respectively and fixedly held by the holding mechanisms 21 and 22 of a holding material 20 which is integratedly formed and relative position relation and reflection angle relation are made to be specified. That is, the relative position and the reflection angle of the reflection mirrors 18 and 19 being important for correctly forming the image of the bar-code in the image sensor 16 are specified by the holding material 20 so that the optical path with high reliability is easily and surely set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a miniaturized optical device for reading optical information such as a bar code or a character pattern formed in a two-dimensional area, and particularly for improving the assembly reliability. It relates to a device for reading information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a bar code reader is widely used as an information reading mechanism in various information management systems. This bar code reader reads information based on an array of linear bar codes whose widths and spaces are specified. Therefore, in such a bar code reader, the light source mechanism for illuminating the recording portion of the recording medium on which the bar code represented by the array of bar-shaped information is illuminated, and the reflection from the illuminated recording surface. A lens mechanism for condensing light and forming an image is provided, and an image of the barcode on the recording surface is formed on a predetermined sensor mechanism so that the content of the barcode can be read.

In this case, in order to guide the reflected light from the bar code recording surface of the recording medium to the sensor mechanism section through an optical system such as a lens mechanism, the optical path of the reflected light is changed at a plurality of places by using a reflecting mirror. The barcode reader is configured to be portable and usable. A lens mechanism and a sensor mechanism are set in the case that is configured by such a barcode reader, for example, made of synthetic resin, together with a light source that illuminates the barcode recording surface, and the lens mechanism and the sensor mechanism are reflected. A plurality of reflecting mirrors are appropriately set so that the axes of the optical paths of light are aligned.

Since the lens mechanism, the sensor mechanism, and the reflection mirror are separate components, they are attached and set inside the outer case by individual members. Then, these members are attached and set corresponding to the case at the time of assembly, and therefore it is very difficult to improve the accuracy of the attachment position of each member. However, if the mounting position accuracy is not ensured, the optical image representing the image of the bar code is not accurately formed on the input surface of the sensor mechanism, and naturally it is difficult to ensure the bar code reading accuracy. Become. Therefore, in order to ensure the reliability of reading the bar code, it is necessary to secure a high degree of processing accuracy of parts and assembly accuracy, which naturally leads to an increase in cost.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the optical path of the reflected light from the recording surface of the optical information is accurately detected through an optical means such as a lens. An optical path changing mechanism such as a plurality of mirrors which is guided to the optical information detecting means that constitutes the mechanism and is set so as to form an image with high accuracy can be easily set by accurately setting the position. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical information reading device in which reading reliability is surely ensured with a cost reduction.

[0006]

An optical information reader according to the present invention irradiates a recording medium on which optical information is drawn with a reading light from a light source mechanism, and an optical means reads an optical information portion on the recording medium. The reflected light is condensed and imaged at the reading position, and the optical information detecting means is set at the reading position to convert the optical information on the image-formed recording medium into an electric signal. And output it. The reflected light from the recording medium is bent and changed by at least two optical path changing mechanisms so as to be guided to the optical means and the optical information detecting means. The at least two optical path changing mechanisms are integrally molded. The holding mechanism is attached and fixed to a holding mechanism formed on the holding member, and the holding member is attached and set in a predetermined exterior case.

[0007]

In the optical information reader having the above-described structure, the information recorded on the recording medium is illuminated by the light generated by the light source, and the image reflected by the reflected light is transmitted to the optical information detecting means by the optical means. An image is formed, the recorded information is read and output as electrical information, and appropriately input to an external electronic device for information processing. In this case, the reflected light from the information recording section is bent by at least two optical path changing mechanisms such as reflection mirrors, and its optical axis is aligned with the optical means and the optical information detecting means. There is. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately set the folding direction of the optical path together with the mounting position of the optical path changing mechanism, and naturally, the mounting and assembling accuracy thereof is highly required. However, this at least two optical path changing mechanism is
It is assembled to one holding member, and a holding mechanism for mounting at least two optical path changing mechanisms is integrally formed on this holding member. Therefore, by assembling at least two optical path changing mechanisms to the holding mechanism portion of the holding member, the relative positional relationship and the angular relationship of the at least two optical path changing mechanisms are always set accurately and set to the holding member. By attaching the optical means and the optical information detecting means to the holding mechanism, the optical path of the reflected light from the recording portion of the recording medium is always set at a position where information can be accurately read.
That is, a bar code reader having high reading reliability can be obtained by a simple structure and assembly process.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment shows a bar code reader 10 for reading a bar code recorded on a recording medium such as a label attached to a voucher or an article. This bar code reader 10 can be used by holding it in one hand, for example, A case 11 made of synthetic resin is provided. This case 11
Has a tip portion bent downward like a beak, and has an elongated reading opening 12 extending in the lateral direction, for example, at the tip portion.

That is, the bar code reader 10 has a label 13 in which the opening 12 is a recording medium on which a bar code is recorded.
It is held by hand so as to be set opposite to the barcode recording surface of, and a light source 14 formed of an LED module configured by arranging a plurality of LEDs is set in a portion facing the opening 12 inside the case 11. To be done. And this light source 14
The light from illuminates the barcode recording portion of the label 13 through the illumination lens 15, the barcode recording portion is illuminated, and the reflected light from the barcode recording portion of the case 11 passes through the opening 12. To be taken inside.

The case 11 is provided with an image sensor 16 which is composed of a one-dimensional photoelectric converter and constitutes an optical information detecting mechanism. The light sensor corresponding to the image of the bar code taken in through the opening 12 is provided. Information is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16 via the image forming mechanism of the lens 17. Here, the optical path of the image light information of the bar code taken in through the opening 12 is the first reflection mirror 18
The second reflection mirror after being reflected by, bent in a direction coinciding with the optical axis of the lens 17, and further passing through the lens 17.
It is bent by 19 in a direction coinciding with the optical axis of the image sensor 16. Then, the image image of the bar code is received by the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16.

First and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19
Is attached to the holding member 20 as shown in FIG. The holding member 20 is formed by integrally molding synthetic resin, for example, and is a first reflection mirror.
A first mirror holding mechanism 21 is provided so that the reflecting surface of 18 is set in the direction of the opening 12 of the case 11, and the first reflecting mirror 18 is fitted and held in the first mirror holding mechanism 21. To be done. Further, the holding member 20 includes a second mirror holding mechanism 22 which holds the second reflecting mirror 19 and is located on the optical axis of the reflected light from the first reflecting mirror 18.

That is, the image light information taken in through the opening 12 is reflected by the first reflection mirror 18 and guided to the second reflection mirror 19, and then reflected by the second reflection mirror 19 and held by the holding member 20. It is introduced into the opening 23 formed in the. Then, the image sensor 16 is attached and set corresponding to the opening 23. That is, a frame-shaped sensor holding mechanism 24 is formed on the surface of the opening 23 opposite to the second mirror holding mechanism 22, and the image sensor 16 is fitted and held in the holding mechanism 24. .

In this figure, a lower case 111, which is a lower half of the case 11 in particular, is shown. The bottom plate portion of the lower case 111 supports a cylindrical lens 17, for example. A support base 25 having a semicircular fitting groove formed above is integrally formed. Then, the lower half of the cylindrical lens 17 is set in the fitting groove portion of the support base 25, and the upper half of the lens 17 is fitted and held by the holding piece 26 projectingly formed on the back surface of the holding member 20. To be done.

A support piece 27 is provided so as to project from the bottom surface of the case 111, and the support piece 27 is brought into contact with the front end of the back surface of the holding member 20. While being in contact with the front end of the back surface of the holding member 20, the locking hole 28 protruding from the front end of the holding member 20 is locked by the locking claw 29 protruding from the bottom surface of the lower case 111, and The tip portion is positioned and joined to the bottom surface of the lower case 111. That is, in the lens 17 portion and the locking claw 29 portion, the holding member 20 is attached and set to the bottom surface of the lower case 111 of the case 11, and in relation to the holding member 20, the first and second reflection mirrors 18 and The 19 positions and mounting angles are specified. Further, the lens 17 and the image sensor are provided corresponding to the positions of the first and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19.
16 positions are also identified.

The image sensor 16 is mounted and set on the circuit board 30. The circuit board 30 constitutes a reading means for converting a bar code image read by the image sensor 16 into an electric signal. An electronic control unit 31 is attached, and electrical read information output from the electronic control unit 31 is transmitted to an external control device (not shown) via a lead wire 32.

Image sensor 16 and electronic control unit
The circuit board 30 that holds 31 is coupled and held to the sensor holding mechanism 24 of the holding member 20 via the image sensor 16, and is fitted into the holding frame 33 that is formed to project on the surface of the holding member 20, and Allow them to be joined together. An indicator lamp 34 is provided on the upper surface of the case 11, and for example, a label
The completion of reading the bar code drawn on 13 is displayed.

In the bar code reader 10 thus constructed, the opening 12 at the tip thereof is set close to the label 13 on which the bar code is drawn, and the bar code reading operation is started. In such a state, the illumination light from the light source 14 illuminates the bar code portion on the surface of the label 13, and an optical image corresponding to the image of the bar code obtained by the reflected light is opened.
To be introduced into Case 11. The optical image of the barcode by the reflected light from the surface of the label 13 is displayed on the first reflection mirror 18
Is reflected and bent so that its optical path coincides with the optical axis of the lens 17, and the light passing through the lens 17 reaches the surface of the second reflecting mirror 19. Then, in the second reflecting mirror 19, the incoming optical image is bent toward the image sensor 16, and the optical image of the bar code is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16. The image of the bar code will be recognized.

The bar code image formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16 is the one in which the width of the bar and the arrangement state of the spaces are read and converted into an electric signal, which is appropriately decoded by the electronic control unit 31. And output to an external electronic device. In the process of reading the bar code drawn on the label 13 as described above, the reflected light from the surface of the label 13 representing the image of the bar code is changed in its optical path by the first and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19, and the image sensor. The image of the barcode is accurately formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16 by being guided to the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 16.

That is, in order for the image sensor 16 to recognize an image of an accurate bar code,
It is required that the positional accuracy and the reflection angle of the first and second reflection mirrors 18 and 19 that transmit the optical image to the image sensor 16 be set accurately. Then, along with the position and angular accuracy of the reflection mirrors 18 and 19, the lens 17 and the image sensor 16 coincide with the optical axis of the optical path set by the reflection mirrors 18 and 19.
Must be set.

In the bar code reader 10 shown in the embodiment, the holding member 20 configured as an independent molded part is provided.
At the holding mechanisms 21 and 22 formed by integral molding, the first and second reflection mirrors 18 and
19 is attached and held. Therefore, the relative positional relationship and the angular relationship between the first and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19 are specified by the holding member 20, and the first and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19 can be easily and surely and highly accurately positioned. 19 are assembled.

Further, it is necessary to set the lens 17 and the image sensor 16 so as to match the optical axis of the optical path set by the reflection mirrors 18 and 19, but on the support table 25 set in the lower case 111. The lens 17 is set in, and the holding member 20 is attached in a state of being aligned with the lens 17. Then, the image sensor 16 is fitted and set with respect to the sensor holding mechanism 24 formed on the holding member 10, and therefore the holding member 20 causes the reflection mirror.
The relative positional relationship between 18 and 19 and the reflection angle are set accurately, and the holding member 20 sets the setting positions of the lens 17 and the image sensor 16 accurately in the relative relationship with the reflection mirrors 18 and 19.

In this way, the image sensor passes through the lens 17.
The first and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19 that set the optical path guided to 16 are fixedly held by the integrally molded holding member 20, and therefore the first and second reflecting mirrors 18 are provided.
The angle of reflection and the distance of the optical path between
As a result, there is no mutual assembly error. In this case, since the lens 17 and the image sensor 16 are also fixed to the holding member 20, there is no need to align each component on the optical path, and the assembly is easy and accurate.

The bar code reader 10 shown in the embodiment is used.
In this case, the first and second reflecting mirrors 18 and 19 are arranged on both sides of the lens 17, but since this reflecting mirror sets the optical path through the lens 17 to the image sensor 16. , Can be placed at any location. Further, the number of reflection mirrors is not limited to two, and can be set to any number in order to set a predetermined optical path.
In short, an optical path may be set so that reflected light from the label 13 surface is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 16 via the lens 17.

In the above-described embodiments, a bar code reader for optically reading a bar code printed on, for example, a label has been described. However, as a device for reading such optical information, a two-dimensional area sensor, for example, is used. There are optical character readers (OCRs) that are used to read character graphics. Even when configuring such a character reading device, the recording surface of the character graphic is illuminated and the reflected light is read, and the reflected light is imaged on the light receiving surface of the area sensor via the lens mechanism, Recognize text and graphics. Even in such a case, a plurality of reflecting mirrors and the like for guiding the reflected light from the recording surface to a predetermined optical path are used. However, the reflecting mirrors and the like are formed into a single shape as in the embodiment. By assembling it to the holding member, the relative positional relationship can be assembled with high accuracy.

[0025]

As described above, according to the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention, the optical path of the reflected light from the recording surface of the optical information is accurately detected by the optical mechanism such as the lens. The optical path changing mechanism such as a plurality of mirrors that is guided to the optical information detecting means that configures to set an image with high accuracy can be set with high accuracy and easily assembled and set. The optical reading device of this type is simplified and its reliability is secured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a bar code reader that is an optical information reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the barcode reader in a partially disassembled state.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Bar code reader, 11 ... Case, 111 ... Lower case, 12 ... Opening, 13 ... Label, 14 ... Light source, 15 ... Illumination lens, 16 ... Image sensor, 17 ... Lens, 18, 19 ... Reflection mirror, 20 ... Holding member, 21, 22, 24 ... Holding mechanism, 23 ... Opening (for image sensor).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light source mechanism for irradiating a recording medium on which optical information is formed with an optical pattern with reading light, and reflection from an optical information portion on the recording medium which is illuminated by the light source mechanism. Optical means for condensing the light and forming an image of the optical information at a set reading position; and electrically setting the optical information on the recording medium set at the reading position on the recording medium. Optical information detecting means for converting the optical signal into a different signal and reading it, and at least two optical path changing means for guiding the reflected light from the recording medium to the optical means and for bending the optical path so as to guide the reflected light to the optical information detecting means. And at least two optical path changing mechanisms are attached and fixed to a holding mechanism formed on an integrally molded holding member, and the holding members are attached and fixed in a predetermined outer case. Reader of the optical information, characterized in that it has to be. 2. The optical path changing mechanism is composed of first and second reflecting mirrors, and the holding member has the first reflecting means for bending the reflected light from the recording medium to the optical path of the optical means. A first holding mechanism that supports and fixes a mirror, and a second holding mechanism that supports and fixes the second reflecting mirror that bends light in the optical path of the optical unit so as to match the input optical path of the optical information detection unit. 2. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the device is integrally formed. 3. The holding member includes an optical means holding mechanism and a detection means holding mechanism in which the optical means and the optical information detecting means are held and set so as to match the optical paths bent by the at least two optical path changing mechanisms. 2. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding mechanism for each of the at least two optical path changing mechanisms. 4. An opening is formed in the holding member corresponding to the optical path bent by the optical path changing mechanism set at the final stage of the at least two optical path changing mechanisms, and the holding member is formed corresponding to the opening. The optical information detecting means is fitted and held in the formed fitting mechanism, and the optical information detecting means converts the optical information detected by the optical information detecting means into electrical information. 2. An optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the optical information reading device is mounted on a common circuit board together with the electronic circuit element, and the circuit board is integrally coupled to and supported by the holding member.