JPH0844810A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a bar code reader excellent in maneuverability by immediately transmitting information read from the bar code reader through a radio line to a host computer. CONSTITUTION:The bar code reader 100 reaches the exchange of a public line through the radio line, radio repeater station and radio base station of a mobile object communication network, and is connected through the public line to a POS system for that exchange. Thus, the bar code reader 100 converts read bar code information into a DTMF signal and outputs it to the radio line, and the bar code information read by the bar code reader 100 is immediately transmitted through the radio line, repeater station and base station of the mobile object communication network and a public line network to the connected POS system. Thus, the bar code reader excellent in maneuverability can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reader, and more particularly to a bar code reader capable of transmitting information read from a bar code to a remote host system via a wireless line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are the following methods for transmitting data to a so-called POS system that reads information represented by a conventional bar code and manages sales and sales based on the information. It was

(1) POS to which a bar code reader is connected
The terminal once receives the bar code information read by the bar code reader, shapes it into data for host transfer, and then sends it to the host (POS system) via a modem and a public or private line. Send data.

(2) The bar code information read by the bar code reader is converted into a voice signal, and data is transmitted to the host via the voice signal via an acoustic coupler instead of using a modem.

(3) The bar code information read by the bar code reader is converted into a DTMF signal and the DTMF signal is transmitted to the host through a public line or a dedicated line.

(4) The bar code information read by the cordless bar code reader is received by a dedicated relay device provided near the area where the reader is used, and the information is transferred to the host through the relay device. .

[0007]

However, in the above conventional example, any of the forms (1) to (3) requires a communication line to transfer the bar code information to the host (POS system). A bar code reader that reads bar code information must always be used in a state in which it can be connected to a communication line, so the range in which the bar code reader can be used is limited to the vicinity of the connection point with the communication line, and operability and convenience There was a problem of lack of sex.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional example (4), the equipment such as the relay device becomes large in scale and the cost is high, and conversely, the bar code reader is used unless a sufficient number of relay devices are provided. There was a problem that the range that could be done was still limited.

When a bar code reader of the type that can temporarily store the read bar code information is used,
The read bar code information is temporarily stored in the bar code reader or a storage device attached to the bar code reader,
After that, the stored information can be input to a data entry device connected to the POS system via a communication line or a data entry device directly connected to the POS system. Although it is not necessary to be connected to the POS system, it is impossible to transmit information in real time, so that there is a problem that immediacy in transferring the read bar code information to the POS system is lost.

[0010] Further, for example, in order to more quickly and surely place an order for merchandise in the catalog door-to-door sales, when the merchandise is ordered at the visited site, the order is transferred to the POS system, which is highly mobile. A management system was desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bar code reader excellent in operability and mobility capable of transmitting information read from a bar code using a public wireless line. And

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the bar code reader of the present invention has the following structure. That is, a bar code reader capable of transmitting bar code information by connecting to a host computer system via a wireless line in a public wireless network, and connecting means for connecting to the host computer system via the wireless line, and the host computer. First instructing means for instructing connection with the system, reading means for reading a bar code,
Second for instructing reading of the barcode by the reading means
A bar code reader comprising: an instructing unit and a transmitting unit that immediately sends information of the bar code read by the reading unit to the wireless line based on an instruction from the second instructing unit. Prepare

[0013]

With the above construction, the present invention operates to immediately transmit the information read from the bar code to the host computer system via the wireless line based on the instruction from the second instruction means.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> [Outline Description of Bar Code Reader (FIGS. 1 and 2)] FIG. 1 is a typical embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a barcode reader 100 that scans a barcode by scanning. This bar code reader may transmit the read bar code information to a wireless line using a public mobile communication network and transmit the bar code information to an information processing system (hereinafter referred to as a POS system) that processes the bar code information. it can. In FIG. 1, 101 is a light emitting / receiving unit that irradiates a bar code with light and receives the reflected light, 102 is a bar code reader main body, 103 is an extendable rod antenna, 104 is a line connection / disconnection instruction button, and 105. Is a bar code reading instruction button, 106 is a line connection confirmation lamp, and 10
Reference numeral 7 is a data transmission confirmation lamp.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a telephone number storage instruction button. In order to avoid pressing the telephone number storage instruction button 108 carelessly, as shown in FIG.
It is provided at a position apart from 7 and at a position slightly recessed from the surface of the bar code reader main body 102.

The wireless line of the mobile communication network used in this embodiment is an analog line.

The line connection / disconnection instruction button 104 is in the line disconnection state when the bar code is not used,
When the button is pressed once, the line connection is instructed. As a result, this bar code reader is connected to the relay station of the public telephone line via the relay station of the wireless line and the base station, and is ready for dialing. If the button is pressed once in the dialing enabled state, the line is disconnected. The line connection confirmation lamp 106 is off when the bar code is not used, and the line connection / disconnection instruction button 10
When the line is connected by pressing 4 and a call is made, the red lamp lights up. Furthermore, when the line with the communication partner is connected by dialing and communication becomes possible, the red lamp changes to the yellow lamp lighting. Further subsequently, when a session with the application program executed by the connected host computer (host) is established and the bar code data is ready for transmission (data entry enable), the yellow lamp changes to the green lamp lighting.

The data transmission confirmation lamp 107 is in the off state when the bar code is not used, and the bar code data can be transmitted (data entry enable).
The red lamp lights up. At this point, when the bar code reading instruction button 105 is pressed to read the bar code, the data is transmitted to the host, and when the host confirms that the data has been received, the red lamp turns on to the green lamp for a certain period of time. . After that, the lamp returns to the red lamp state in preparation for the next data reading and transmission.

When the telephone number storage instruction button 108 is pressed, the data transmission confirmation lamp 107 lights up a red lamp indicating data entry enable even when the data transmission confirmation lamp 107 is not connected to the communication line. After that, the telephone number represented by the barcode can be read.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the bar code reader shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, 1 is a CPU that controls the entire bar code reader, and 2a is a CPU 1.
ROM for storing a bar code reading program and a bar code data transmission program executed in
b is an EEP that stores a telephone number for calling the host
ROM, 3 is a RAM for temporarily storing a work area for executing a bar code reading program or a bar code data transmission program, bar code data, communication data with a host, and the like, and 18 is a line connection / disconnection instruction button 104. An interlocking switch (SW), 19 is a switch (SW) interlocking with the bar code reading instruction button 105, and 21 is a switch (S) interlocking with the telephone number storage instructing button 108.
W).

Incidentally, the EEPROM 2b stores in advance a predetermined telephone number for communicating with the host.
The telephone number can be updated according to the procedure described later in order to respond to the change in operation.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a light emitting portion which is built in the light receiving and emitting portion 110 and emits a bar code with light of a specific wavelength.
The bar code reading control unit 6 receives the light reflected by the bar code and is reflected by the bar code. The bar code reading control unit 6 controls the light emitting unit 4 and the light receiving unit 5 according to the instruction from the CPU 1 to execute the bar code reading operation. A data conversion unit for converting the bar code read by the reading control unit 6 into digital data, 8 a DTMF encoder for converting the digital data into a DTMF signal, 9 a DTMF detector for detecting a DTMF signal received from a host, 10 Is DTM
Modulator that modulates the F signal to output it to the wireless line, 1
1 is a demodulation unit that demodulates a received wireless signal into a DTMF signal, 12 is a transmission unit that outputs a modulated signal to a wireless line, 13
Is a receiver for receiving a modulated signal from a wireless line, 14 is a frequency synthesizer, 15 is a duplexer, 16 is a feeder, 17
Is a power supply unit for supplying electric power to each unit of the apparatus, and 20 is a 400 Hz detector for detecting a calling tone, a busy signal, a ringing signal, etc. sent through the mobile communication network.

With the above configuration, the bar code reader of the present embodiment converts the read bar code information into a DTMF signal and outputs it to the wireless line, and the bar code information read by the bar code reader is used for mobile communication. Wireless network,
The bar code information is transmitted to the POS system connected through the relay station, the base station, and the public line network.

In the bar code reader of this embodiment, DTMF is used.
In addition to the numbers 0-9 that are usually used as barcodes, "*", "#", "A", "B",
Six symbols / characters “C” and “D” can be used, and a total of 16 types of DTMF signals can be transmitted. In the case of the present embodiment, "#" is a delimiter between data and "*" is a symbol indicating the beginning of control information exchanged between the bar code reader and the POS system in the bar code data transmission process described later. .

[Use environment of bar code reader (FIG. 3)]
The bar code reader having the above configuration is generally used in a form as shown in FIG. That is, the barcode reader 1
As shown in FIG. 3, a PO 00 reaches a public line exchange through a radio line, a radio relay station, and a radio base station in the mobile communication network, and is connected to the exchange via the public line.
It is connected to the S system.

For communication between the bar code reader and the host of this embodiment, both the bar code reader side and the host side are shown in FIG.
It has a subscriber telephone number as shown in. An application program (hereinafter, referred to as an application) that processes the barcode information is activated on the host side, and is waiting for receipt of the barcode information.

It is assumed that the host in this case has a plurality of subscriber telephone numbers and can simultaneously perform data transmission / reception with a plurality of bar code readers.

[Bar Code Reader Data Reading / Sending Process (FIG. 4)] Here, the data reading process and the data sending process to the host when the bar code reader having the above configuration is used in the environment shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S10, the line connection / disconnection instruction button 104 is pressed to put the bar code reader in the line connection state with the mobile communication network and make a call. When a call is made, a red lamp lights up on the line connection confirmation lamp 106.
Next, in step S20, the EEPROM 2b is processed.
The subscriber telephone number of the POS system stored in is input and dialed using the entered subscriber telephone number of the POS system to call the POS system. In step S25, it is confirmed by dialing in step S20 whether or not the line is connected to the POS system through the mobile communication network and the public line network. Here, if the line connection is confirmed (the yellow lamp is lit on the line connection confirmation lamp 106), the process proceeds to step S30, and if the line connection is not possible, the process returns to step S20.

Next, in step S30, the process establishes a session with the application. The opening of a session is automatically executed by the CPU 1 in the following procedure. (1) Confirm the line connection with the host. (2) A specific DTMF signal from the host (the information is separated by "#", and the information starts with "*",
For example, the reception of "# * AAAAA #"). (3) The signal received in (2) is decoded by the DTMF decoder 9. (4) The CPU 1 analyzes whether the decoded information is a session opening request. (5) The CPU 1 transmits a specific DTMF signal (session opening ID, for example, the last four digits (“# * 1234 #”) of the subscriber telephone number assigned to the barcode reader) to the host.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S35.
Check if a session with the application has been opened. If it is determined that the session has been opened, the process proceeds to step S40. At this time, the green lamp lights up in the line connection confirmation lamp 106. Then, the data transmission confirmation lamp 107 is lit by a red lamp indicating a bar code data transmission possible state (data entry enable). On the other hand, if the session is not opened, the process returns to step S30 to retry the opening of the session.

In step S40, the user again presses the barcode reading instruction button 105 to read the barcode to be transmitted to the host. In step S45, the read bar code data is converted into a DTMF signal and PO
Send to S system. Then, the process is step S50.
Proceed to to see if the data you sent was received by the host. This confirmation process is performed by the host from a specific DTM.
F signal (before and after the information is separated by "#", and the information starts with "*", for example, "# * BBBB #")
Made by receiving. Here, when the reception by the POS system is confirmed, the data transmission confirmation lamp 1
In 07, the green lamp is turned on for a certain period of time, and the process is step S
Proceed to 55. On the other hand, if reception by the host is not confirmed, the process returns to step S40 to re-execute the barcode reading.

In step S55, it is determined whether another barcode data reading is to be executed. If the barcode data reading process is executed, the process is step S4.
When the process returns to 0 and ends, the process proceeds to step S60.
In step S60, the line connection / disconnection instruction button 104 is pressed again to end the session with the application and disconnect the line. As a result, the bar code reader returns from the mobile communication network to the line disconnection state.

[Telephone Number Updating Process (FIG. 5)] Here, the process of updating the telephone number stored in advance in the EEPROM 2b will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This updating process is performed by reading the bar coded telephone number.

First, when the telephone number storage instruction button 108 is pressed in step S100, the process then proceeds to step S10.
In step 5, the data transmission confirmation lamp 107 is lit up with a red lamp indicating data entry enable even when the connection with the communication line is not established. After that, the barcode data can be input.

In step S110, the information in which the telephone number is converted into a bar code is read by pressing the bar code reading instruction button 105. Next, the process proceeds to step S115 to confirm whether the data is valid information as a telephone number. For example, in Japan, the telephone number is a sequence of 9 or 10 digits including the area code, and the leading number is "0".
Should be. Then, in step S120, as a result of the data confirmation, it is checked whether the input information is valid as a telephone number. Here, if the input barcode data is valid, the process proceeds to step S125, and if it is not valid, the process returns to step S110 to enter the data input enabled state.

In step S125, in order to notify the user that the input data is valid as a telephone number, the data transmission confirmation lamp 107 is changed from a red lamp to a green lamp for a certain period of time. This allows the user to know whether the input data was correct. After that, the process proceeds to step S130, and the old telephone number stored in the EEPROM 2b is updated with the input telephone number.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the subscriber telephone number of the POS system stored in the EEPROM is input, and the POS system is called up based on the entered telephone number.
It is possible to open a session automatically with an application of the OS system, read a barcode and send it to the host by a DTMF signal. In this embodiment, the confirmation of the progress of the bar code reading / transmission process and the confirmation of the progress of the telephone number update process are confirmed by the color of the lamp provided in the bar code reader, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not something that will be done. For example, the confirmation may be performed using a notification means such as a buzzer or voice message output.

Further, the POS stored in the EEPROM
The system's subscriber telephone number can be changed, if desired, by reading the bar coded information of the new telephone number. As a result, there is an advantage that it is possible to more flexibly deal with, for example, changing the subscriber telephone number of the POS system.

In the bar code reader of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator places the light emitting / receiving section of the bar code reader on the bar code, and moves the bar code on the bar code by hand. Although it is a bar code reading type, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to use a bar code reader in which the bar code reader is capable of reading the bar code without moving the bar code reader by hand and the opening of the light emitting / receiving unit has a wide angle.

<Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the output of the bar code reader is directly output to the mobile communication network to perform PO.
The case of transmitting to the S system has been described, but here, the mobile phone is connected to a mobile communication network and a public line network via a mobile phone (not shown), and the dial function of the mobile phone and the encoding / decoding of the DTMF signal are provided. An example of transmitting the barcode information to the POS system using the decoding function will be described.

FIG. 6 is a bar code reader 200 of this embodiment.
It is an external appearance perspective view of. In FIG. 6, elements common to those of the barcode reader 100 described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted here. Further, in FIG. 6, reference numeral 210 is a connection cable to the mobile telephone, and 211 is a connection jack to be inserted into the external device connection terminal of the mobile telephone.

Therefore, when the bar code reader 200 is used, it is premised that a series of operations such as line connection with the POS system and establishment of a session with an application of the POS system are performed using the numeric keypad of the mobile telephone. When the session with the application is established by the operation from the mobile telephone, the barcode reader 200 presses the barcode reading instruction button 105 to read the barcode. The red lamp of the bar code information transmission completion lamp 107 lights up in a normal state, the bar code is read by pressing the bar code reading instruction button 105, the bar code information is transmitted, and when the transmission operation is completed, the bar code information transmission completion lamp 107 is read from the red lamp for a certain period of time. The green lamp turns on. After that, the lamp returns to the red lamp state in preparation for the next data reading and transmission.

Further, in the POS system, an application program (hereinafter referred to as application) for processing bar code information is activated, and a procedure for receiving bar code information by voice information by calling from the mobile telephone side is used. Person (here, the user of the mobile phone). The user listens to the voice information from the handset of the mobile phone and, based on the heard information, presses a specific key (for example, "*") out of the 10 keys provided on the mobile phone to issue a DTMF signal. Then P
By responding to the OS system, preparatory work necessary for transmitting barcode information such as opening a session with an application is executed.

On the other hand, the signal input through the auxiliary input terminal of the mobile telephone is converted into a DTMF signal by the encoder provided in the mobile telephone and sent to the wireless line.

[Outline of Bar Code Reader (FIG. 7)]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the barcode reader 200 of this embodiment. In FIG. 7, 21 is C
A switch for switching whether the signal transmission path is reception or transmission by PU1, 22 is for outputting the read bar code information to the mobile telephone, or for receiving information from the POS system (bar code information) received by the mobile telephone. Other device connection terminal for inputting (such as reception confirmation). The other components are the same as the components included in the bar code reader described with reference to FIG. 2 in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

[Explanation of Bar Code Information Transmission Processing] Here, the POS system is called up by dialing from the mobile telephone, and further, the user operates the mobile telephone 10
It is assumed that a session with the application has already been opened by operating the key.

In the configuration and environment as described above, the POS
Follow the instructions from the system to read the barcode reader 200
The user (i.e., the user of the mobile phone) presses the bar code reading instruction button 105 to read the bar code to be transmitted to the POS system. The read bar code data is converted into digital data by the data conversion unit 7, output from the other device connection terminal 22 via the switch 21, and transmitted to the POS system via the mobile telephone. Here, if the transmission is correctly received by the POS system and the barcode information reception confirmation is received via the mobile phone,
A green lamp is lit on the barcode information transmission completion lamp 107 for a certain period of time. Also, this transmission data is actually the POS
Whether it has been received by the system can also be confirmed by the user listening to the voice information from the POS system on the mobile phone handset. Here, the transmission data is POS
If the system has not correctly received, the barcode reading instruction button 105 is pressed to retry the barcode reading to be transmitted to the POS system.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a bar code reader is connected to the mobile telephone so that the mobile telephone can perform line connection with the POS system and session opening.
It is possible to provide a cheaper bar code reader that can reliably send bar code information.

Further, although the present embodiment has been described on the assumption that the mobile telephone is connected to the host and the session is opened, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication function of a facsimile machine having a mobile communication function can be used instead of the telephone.

In the above-mentioned two embodiments, the confirmation of the line connection and the confirmation of the data transmission are performed by using two (or one) lamps and turning on the lamps of different colors. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the line connection confirmation lamp and the data transmission confirmation lamp may be one lamp, or an LCD may be used instead of the confirmation lamp to display the connection status and the transmission status.

In the above two embodiments, the case where the session with the POS system is opened by connecting the line and then transmitting a specific DTMF signal from the bar code reader or the mobile telephone to the host has been described. It is not limited to this. For example, a session can be automatically opened by the POS system after the line is connected.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned two embodiments, the case where data communication with the host is performed by using a special protocol using "#" and "*" in the DTMF signal has been described. It is needless to say that the data communication protocol with the host can be provided by combining other DTMF signals or a plurality of DTMF signals without limitation.

Furthermore, the bar code reader as shown in the above embodiment can be applied not only to a sales and sales management system such as POS, but also to other fields such as a reservation system and a personnel management system.

In the above embodiment, the case where the bar code reader is connected to the POS system via the analog mobile communication network and the public line has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, digital mobile communication. The bar code data may be transmitted using a network. In this case, needless to say, in the case of the device of the first embodiment, the modulation / demodulation unit and the transmission / reception unit have digital specifications.

Similarly, it goes without saying that the mobile telephone used in the second embodiment is digitally compatible.

In the above description, only preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown. Various aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims set forth herein. Therefore, the invention is not limited to only the embodiments shown and described herein.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, the information read from the bar code based on the instruction by the second instruction means is immediately transmitted to the host computer system via the wireless line, so that the mobility is improved. And, there is an effect that it is possible to realize a barcode reader excellent in immediacy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a bar code reader that is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a barcode reader.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a usage environment of a barcode reader.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of barcode information transmission processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a telephone number updating process.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a barcode reader according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a barcode reader according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2a ROM 2b EEPROM 3 RAM 4 Light emitting unit 5 Light receiving unit 6 Bar code reading control unit 7 Data converting unit 8 DTMF encoder 9 DTMF detector 10 Modulating unit 11 Demodulating unit 12 Transmitting unit 13 Receiving unit 14 Frequency synthesizer 15 Duplexer 16 Feeder 17 Power supply unit 18 Line connection / disconnection instruction button interlock switch 19 Bar code reading instruction button interlock switch 20 400Hz detector 21 Telephone number storage instruction button interlock switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reader capable of transmitting bar code information by connecting to a host computer system through a wireless line in a public wireless network, and connecting means for connecting to the host computer system through the wireless line. First instructing means for instructing connection with the host computer system, reading means for reading a bar code, and second instructing for bar code reading by the reading means
A bar code reader comprising: an instruction unit; and a transmission unit that immediately sends information on the barcode read by the reading unit to the wireless line based on an instruction from the second instruction unit. 2. The wireless line is an analog line, and the transmitting unit includes a first converting unit for converting information of the barcode read by the reading unit into a DTMF signal. The barcode reader according to 1. 3. The wireless line is a digital line, further comprising a second conversion unit for converting the information of the bar code read by the reading unit into a digital signal. Bar code reader.