JP2005258516A - Optical information reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical information reading device which can read optical information which is broader than the width of a reading port. <P>SOLUTION: The optical information reading device 1 includes; a light projecting part 12 which irradiates optical information 40 with light; an imaging part 13 which forms the image of the light reflected by the optical information 40; a sensor part 14 which comprises a plurality of detecting elements 140001-142000, which are arranged nearly in line, and receives the light whose image is formed at the imaging part 13, and then converts it to an electric signal; and a decoding part 16 which decodes the information of the optical information on the basis of the electric signal from the sensor part 14. In addition, the optical information 40 is read by moving the optical information reading device 1 so that the arrangement directions of the detecting elements of the sensor part 14 may be nearly vertical to the width direction of the optical information 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reader for reading optical information such as a barcode.

  In general, an optical information reader is a separate reading type that reads a few centimeters between the reading port and the optical information, a contact type that reads the reading port by contacting the optical information, and a pen-shaped reading device. There is a pen type that allows an embedded operator to read optical information by hand.

  In the remote reading type, the focal length is in a space several centimeters to tens of centimeters away from the reading port, and the reading light spreads in a fan shape depending on the distance from the optical information reading device. By determining the distance and angle between the optical information and the optical information reading device so that the width of the optical information becomes optimal, it is possible to read optical information wider than the width of the reading port.

  In the contact type, the reading port is brought into contact with optical information, and the optical information reading range (hereinafter referred to as a focal length) is limited to the vicinity of the reading port. Since it blinks, the optical information and the optical information reader can be easily positioned.

  However, in the contact type, the width of the optical information that can be read depends on the width of the reading port of the optical information reading device. Therefore, when reading optical information wider than the width of the reading port, an optical information reading device with a wider reading port is used. Had to be used.

  Although the pen type has a simple structure, it is basically a method in which one piece of data is fetched and decoded in one operation, and it has been impossible to fetch and compare data multiple times. For this reason, the pen type has a low reliability of the reading result. In addition, it is difficult for the operator to follow the optical information at a constant speed, and the reading accuracy is limited.

As a structure for improving the reading accuracy of the pen-type optical information reader, a pen-type optical reader having a built-in optical fiber is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-259904 (FIGS. 1 and 2)

  However, the remote reading method has a wide range of optical information that can be read, but is expensive because it includes a laser light source and a scanning light scanning mechanism, and is limited to a part of physical distribution management. Further, it is said that the laser beam is a burden on the eyes, and is not widely used in general convenience store POS systems.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical information reader capable of reading optical information wider than the width of a reading port.

  In order to achieve the above object, an optical information reader of the present invention includes a light projecting unit that irradiates light to optical information, an image forming unit that forms an image of light reflected by the optical information, and a plurality of detection elements. A sensor unit that is arranged in a substantially line shape and receives light imaged by the imaging unit and converts it into an electrical signal, and a decoding unit that decodes information of optical information based on the electrical signal from the sensor unit And reading the optical information by moving the optical information reader so that the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit and the width direction of the optical information are substantially perpendicular to each other.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reader can read optical information wider than the width of the reading port.

  The optical information reader according to the present invention includes a light projecting unit that irradiates light to optical information, an image forming unit that forms an image of light reflected by the optical information, and a plurality of detection elements arranged in a substantially row. A sensor unit that receives light imaged by the imaging unit and converts it into an electrical signal, a decoding unit that decodes information of optical information based on the electrical signal from the sensor unit, and a An optical information reader having a switching button for switching a decoding method, and when the switching button is OFF, the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit and the width direction of the optical information are substantially parallel When the switching button is ON, the decoding method is executed when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit and the width direction of the optical information are substantially perpendicular.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus operates the switching button, and the decoding method when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit and the width direction of the optical information are substantially parallel by one unit and the sensor unit Two decoding methods can be switched and executed when the arrangement direction of the detection elements and the width direction of the optical information are substantially perpendicular.

  Moreover, the optical information reader of this invention decodes first the electrical signal of the detection element located in the approximate center of a some detection element among the electrical signals converted by the sensor part.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reader can first decode the electric signal that seems to be most stable, and can shorten the time required for decoding.

  The optical information reader according to the present invention first decodes the electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of the plurality of detection elements among the electrical signals converted by the sensor unit. The electrical signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ of the total length from one end of the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a shape is decoded, and if this could not be decoded, it was arranged in a row The electrical signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ of the total length from the other end of the total length of the plurality of detection elements is decoded.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can decode an electric signal that seems to be stable next to the substantially central portion, and can shorten the time required for decoding.

  Further, the optical information reader of the present invention has an integration unit that integrates the electrical signals output from each detection element for each detection element, and detects both ends of the optical information in the height direction based on the integration result of the integration unit. To detect.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reader can determine the distribution of the electrical signal by detecting both ends of the optical information in the height direction.

  Further, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention first decodes the detected electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of both ends.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can first decode an electric signal that is located at a substantially central portion in the height direction and seems to be most stable, and can shorten the time required for decoding.

  Also, the optical information reader of the present invention first decodes the detected electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of both ends, and if it cannot be decoded, it is approximately 1 / The electric signal of the detection element provided at the position 4 is decoded, and if this cannot be decoded, the electric signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially 1/4 from the other end is decoded.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can decode an electric signal that appears at the approximate center in the height direction and is stable next to the approximate center, and can shorten the time required for decoding. .

  The optical information of the present invention includes an information area for recording information and a synchronization signal area for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar having a certain width.

  According to this configuration, the optical information can provide both the information and the synchronization signal to the optical information reader.

  In the optical information of the present invention, the number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area is larger than the number of detection elements of the optical information reader.

  According to this configuration, the optical information can provide more synchronization signals than the number of detection elements of the optical information reading device to the optical information reading device, so that reading accuracy can be improved.

  In the optical information of the present invention, a blank portion is provided between the information area and the synchronization signal area.

  According to this configuration, since the optical information can provide the information, the blank portion, and the synchronization signal, the optical information reader can easily separate the information and the synchronization signal.

  In the optical information of the present invention, the print width of the information area is narrower than that of the synchronization signal area.

  According to this configuration, since the optical information can also stably detect the electric signal at the end of the information area, the reading accuracy can be improved.

  In the optical information of the present invention, a plurality of synchronization signal areas are provided for one information area, and the synchronization signal area is shifted in the width direction.

  According to this configuration, the optical information can provide a synchronization signal whose width is larger than the printing width of the white bar and black bar in the synchronization signal area, so that the reading accuracy can be improved.

  Further, the optical information reader of the present invention has an integration unit that integrates the electrical signals output from each detection element for each detection element, and detects both ends of the optical information in the height direction based on the integration result of the integration unit. Detect and calculate the position of the information area and the synchronization signal area.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can determine the distribution of the electric signal by detecting both ends of the information area in the height direction of the optical information and the synchronization signal area.

  Further, the optical information reader of the present invention is close to the information area from the position of the electrical signal of the detecting element and the position of the synchronization signal area located approximately ¼ from the end closer to the synchronization signal area from the calculated position of the information area. First, the electric signal of the detection element located approximately ¼ from the other end is decoded.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reader can first decode the electric signal that seems to be most stable, and can shorten the time required for decoding.

  Further, the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention corrects the electric signal of the detection element in the information area based on the electric signal of the detection element in the synchronization signal area, and then decodes it.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can decode after correcting the electrical signal of the detection element in the information area, and can improve the reading accuracy.

  In addition, the optical information reading device of the present invention stores some of the plurality of detection elements in the electrical signal converted by the sensor unit.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can reduce the memory capacity for storing the electric signal, and thus can reduce the manufacturing cost.

  The optical information reader of the present invention reads a plurality of different optical information by a single operation.

  According to this configuration, the optical information reading apparatus can reduce the number of reading operations.

  In the optical information reader of the present invention, the light projecting unit irradiates a part of the optical information with light.

  According to this configuration, the operator can guide the optical information to be positioned in the light projection area of the optical information reader.

  The optical information printing apparatus of the present invention is an optical information printing apparatus that prints optical information including an information area and a synchronization signal area, and includes the number of detection elements of the sensor unit of the optical information reading apparatus, and the optical information. The number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area is calculated based on the maximum value of the reading width of the reading device, the print width of the optical information, and the clock ratio of the information and the synchronization signal.

  According to this configuration, the optical information printing apparatus can automatically calculate the print width of the sync signal area and the number of white bars and black bars of the sync signal area simply by inputting the print width of the optical information.

  The method for operating the data input device according to the present invention also includes an optical information including an information area for recording information and a synchronization signal area for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar having a constant width. And an optical information reading device that reads the optical information, and a data input device that is connected to the optical information reading device and inputs data of the optical information, the print width of the optical information being the optical information reading device. When the optical information reading device is narrower than the reading width of the optical information reading device, the optical information reading device is positioned substantially parallel and read. When the optical information printing width is wider than the reading width of the optical information reading device, the optical information reading device is set substantially vertical. Read by positioning.

  According to this configuration, the operation method of the data input device accurately reads from the optical information narrower than the reading width of the optical information reading device to the optical information wider than the reading width of the optical information reading device with one optical information reading device. be able to.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a single optical information reader can accurately read from optical information narrower than the reading width of the optical information reader to optical information wider than the reading width of the optical information reader. Has an effect.

  In addition, there is an effect that the number of reading operations can be reduced by reading a plurality of different optical information in one operation.

(Embodiment 1)
The optical information reader of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the optical information reading apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an optical information reader according to the present invention. Reference numeral 11 denotes a control unit that controls the entire optical information reader 1, and uses, for example, a CPU. Reference numeral 12 denotes a light projecting unit that irradiates optical information with reading light, and uses, for example, an LED.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes an image forming unit that reflects the read light irradiated by the light projecting unit 12 in the optical information and forms an image of the reflected light on the sensor unit 14. For example, a mirror and a lens are used. A sensor unit 14 includes a plurality of detection elements arranged in a substantially line shape, and receives reflected light imaged by the imaging unit 13 and converts the reflected light into an electrical signal. For example, a CCD is used.

  A storage unit 15 temporarily stores a control program and data, and uses, for example, a ROM or a RAM. The storage unit 15 receives and stores the information decoded from the decoding unit 16. The storage unit 15 can store a plurality of pieces of decrypted information. Reference numeral 16 denotes a decoding unit that decodes the information of the optical information based on the electrical signal from the sensor unit 14. When the decoding result is normal, the decoding unit 16 outputs the information to the storage unit 15. The optical information has a check digit, for example, and the normality or abnormality of the decoding result can be confirmed by verifying the check digit.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a switching button for switching the decoding method of the decoding unit 16 and uses, for example, a tap switch. When the switch button 17 is OFF, the optical information reader 1 executes a decoding method when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 and the width direction of the optical information are substantially parallel, and the switch button 17 is ON. In this case, a decoding method is executed when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 and the width direction of the optical information are substantially perpendicular.

  Reference numeral 18 denotes an integration unit that integrates the electrical signals output from the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 for each detection element. A communication unit 19 communicates with an external device, and uses, for example, RS232C or USB.

  2A and 2B are external views of the optical information reading device, where FIG. 2A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′, and FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a method for arranging detection elements in the sensor unit. .

  In FIG. 2A, a switching button 17 is provided on the right side surface of the optical information reader 1. In addition, a mirror 131, a lens 132, and a sensor unit 14 that form a light projecting unit 12 and an image forming unit 13 are disposed inside the optical information reading apparatus 1, and are indicated by dotted lines. In the present embodiment, the height direction and the width direction are defined as shown in the figure in accordance with the printing direction of the optical information 40.

  In FIG. 2B, a reading port 30 is provided on the lower surface of the optical information reading device 1, and the reading light is irradiated from the reading port 30 toward the optical information, reflected by the optical information 40, and the reflected light. Is reflected by the mirror 131 and forms an image on the sensor unit 14 through the lens 132.

  In FIG. 2C, the sensor unit 14 has a plurality of detection elements arranged in a substantially column shape, and receives the light imaged by the imaging unit 13 and converts it into an electrical signal. In the present embodiment, a sensor unit 14 in which 2000 detection elements are arranged will be described as an example. The sensor unit 14 arranges 2000 detection elements from the detection element 140001 to the detection element 142000 in order from the left as seen from the incident direction of the reflected light.

  When the switching button 17 is OFF, the optical information reader 1 uses a decoding method when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 and the width direction of the optical information 40 are substantially parallel (hereinafter referred to as horizontal reading). When the switching button 17 is ON, a decoding method is executed when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 and the width direction of the optical information 40 are substantially vertical (hereinafter referred to as vertical reading).

  The operator holds the optical information reader 1 with the right hand and operates the switching button 17 with the right index finger. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a reading state of vertical reading of the optical information reading device, where FIG. 3A is a reading start time and FIG. 3B is a reading completion time.

  In FIG. 3A, the operator holds the optical information reader 1 with the right hand and moves at a substantially constant speed so as to trace the optical information 40 in the direction indicated by the moving direction while pressing the switching button 17 with the right index finger. Let Note that the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 is kept substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the optical information 40.

  It should be noted that only one of the light projecting units 12 at the substantially center is turned on and the other light projecting units 12 are turned off so that a part of the optical information is irradiated with light. You may guide | lead so that the position of the optical information reader 1 and the optical information 40 may be adjusted so that it may become the center.

  In FIG. 3B, the operator moves the optical information reading device 1 until the reading port 30 passes the right end of the optical information 40, and returns the switching button 17. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the operator can read the optical information with a wide printing width by moving the optical information reading device 1 so as to trace the optical information 40.

  Next, a method for selecting an electrical signal of the detection element to be decoded will be described. The optical information reading apparatus 1 stores the output from the detection element 140001 to the detection element 142000 in the storage unit 15 from the time when the switching button 17 is turned on, and ends the storage when the switching button 17 is turned off. . Therefore, the electrical signal of the detection element is stored in the storage unit 15 in time series.

  The decoding unit 16 first decodes the electrical signals of the detection elements stored in the storage unit 15 and the electrical signals before and after the detection element located in the approximate center of the detection element, in this embodiment, the detection element 141000. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the operator seems to have the highest probability of positioning the optical information 40 at the approximate center of the reading port 30. The optical information reading apparatus 1 can first decode the electric signal that seems to be most stable by first decoding the electric signals before and after the detection element 141000, and can shorten the time required for decoding.

  Furthermore, the optical information reading device 1 first outputs an electrical signal of a detection element (in the present embodiment, before and after the detection element 141000) located substantially at the center of the plurality of detection elements among the electrical signals converted by the sensor unit. When decoding is not possible, a detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ of the total length from one end of the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a row (in this embodiment, detection element 140500 The detection element provided at a position approximately ¼ of the total length from the other end of the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a row in the case where the electrical signal of the front and rear is decoded. The electric signal of (in this embodiment, before and after the detection element 141500) is decoded. The optical information reading apparatus can decode an electric signal (in this embodiment, before and after the detection element 140500 and before and after the detection element 141500) that seems to be stable next to the substantially central portion, and is required for decoding. Time can be shortened.

  Next, the integration process will be described.

  4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the irradiation state of the reading light. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the storage state of the electrical signal in the storage unit 15 and FIG. 4B illustrates the state in which both ends of the optical information in the height direction are detected. FIG.

  In FIG. 4A, the storage unit 15 stores an electrical signal as a bit string for each detection element, and an integration result is obtained by integrating the bit strings. Since the operator is considered to have the highest probability of positioning the optical information 40 at the approximate center of the reading port 30, the end of the detection element has one bit (no reflected light).

  In FIG. 4B, the upper part shows the arrangement state of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14, and the lower part is a histogram of the integration results. The histogram shows the integration result on the vertical axis, the detection element on the horizontal axis, and the integration result for each detection element. By finding a portion where a large difference occurs in the integration result, both ends in the height direction of the optical information can be detected.

  In addition, the capacity | capacitance of the memory | storage part 15 can be reduced by limiting an electrical signal to a part for every detection element memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 15. FIG. For example, if 1/10 of the detection elements are stored, the capacity of the storage unit 15 can be reduced to 1/10.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the operator seems to have the highest probability of positioning the optical information 40 at the approximate center of the reading port 30. However, when the operator is unfamiliar with the operator, the position may deviate from the approximate center of the reading port 30. The optical information reading device 1 first decodes the electric signal of the detection element located at substantially the center of both ends, and is considered to be the most stable electric signal in consideration of the position actually read by the operator. Can be decoded first, and the time required for decoding can be shortened.

  Further, the optical information reading device 1 first decodes the electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of both ends of the electrical signal converted by the sensor unit, and if it cannot be decoded, the detected approximate center of the both ends. First, the electrical signal of the detection element located at is decoded, and if the signal could not be decoded, the electrical signal of the detection element provided at a position approximately ¼ from one end of the distance between both ends is decoded. However, if the signal cannot be decoded, the electric signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ from the other end can be decoded, and the time required for decoding can be shortened.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the optical information of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an external view of optical information.

  In FIG. 5, 50 is the optical information of the present invention, 51 is a sync signal area for recording a sync signal composed of a white bar and black bar of a constant width, and 52 is an information area for recording information. is there.

  The number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area is larger than the number of detection elements of the optical information reader 1. The number of detection elements per unit length of the optical information 50 is determined by the hardware configuration of the optical information reader 1. In the present embodiment, when the limit reading width of the optical information 50 when the optical information reader 1 performs horizontal reading is 30 mm and the number of detection elements is 2000, the number of detection elements per unit length of the optical information 50 is The number is 66.7 pieces / mm. Next, when the optical information 50 having a printing width of 60 mm is vertically read by the optical information reading device 1, the number of detection elements per unit length and the printing width of the optical information 50 are multiplied to obtain white and black bars. The number will be at least 4000. In addition, the numerical value shown here is one Example and is not limited to these numerical values.

  In addition, a blank portion 53 is provided between the information area 52 and the synchronization signal area 51.

  The printing width of the information area 52 is narrower than that of the synchronization signal area 51, so that the bars at both ends of the information area 52 can be detected stably when the optical information reader 1 performs vertical reading. I have to.

  Further, the number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area is larger than the number of detection elements of the optical information reader 1. The number of detection elements per unit length of the optical information 50 is determined by the hardware configuration of the optical information reader 1. In the present embodiment, when the limit reading width of the optical information 50 when the optical information reader 1 performs horizontal reading is 30 mm and the number of detection elements is 2000, the number of detection elements per unit length of the optical information 50 is The number is 66.7 pieces / mm. Next, when the optical information reading apparatus 1 vertically reads the optical information 50 having a printing width of 60 mm, the number of white bars and black bars is at least 4000.

  6A and 6B are external views of optical information having a plurality of synchronization signal areas, where FIG. 6A is an overall view of optical information having a plurality of synchronization signal areas of the present invention, and FIG. It is an enlarged view.

  In FIG. 6A, 54 is optical information having a plurality of synchronization signal areas of the present invention, and 55 is a first synchronization signal for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar having a constant width. An area 56 is a second synchronization signal area for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar having a constant width.

  In FIG. 6B, the first sync signal area 55 and the second sync signal area 56 are shifted by a half width of the bar.

  If the bar width cannot be reduced due to the printing accuracy limit of the optical information printing device, a plurality of synchronization signal areas are provided, and the respective synchronization signal areas are shifted to the width direction to print the optical information printing apparatus. A synchronization signal exceeding the limit of accuracy can be generated.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the optical information reading method of the present invention will be described.

  7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a reading state of the vertical reading of the optical information 50 by the optical information reading device, in which FIG. 7A is a reading start time and FIG. 7B is a reading completion time.

  In FIG. 7A, the operator holds the optical information reader 1 with the right hand and moves at a substantially constant speed so as to trace the optical information 50 in the direction indicated by the moving direction while pressing the switching button 17 with the right index finger. Let In addition, the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit 14 is kept substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the optical information 50.

  In FIG. 7B, the operator moves the optical information reading device 1 until the reading port 30 passes the right end of the optical information 50, and returns the switching button 17.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the operator can read the optical information with a wide printing width by moving the optical information reading device 1 so as to trace the optical information 50.
Next, the integration process will be described.

  8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the irradiation state of the reading light, where FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a storage state of the electrical signal in the storage unit 15, and FIG. 8B illustrates a state where both ends of the optical information in the height direction are detected. FIG.

  In FIG. 8A, the storage unit 15 stores an electric signal as a bit string for each detection element, and an integration result is obtained by integrating the bit strings. Since the operator is considered to have the highest probability of positioning the optical information 50 at the approximate center of the reading port 30, the end of the detection element has one bit (no reflected light).

  In FIG.8 (b), the upper stage has shown the arrangement state of the detection element of the sensor part 14, and the lower stage is the histogram of an integration result. The histogram shows the integration result on the vertical axis, the detection element on the horizontal axis, and the integration result for each detection element. By finding a portion where a large difference occurs in the integration result, both ends in the height direction of the optical information can be detected. In FIG. 8B, two ends of the synchronization signal area and both ends of the information area are detected.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the operator seems to have the highest probability of positioning the optical information 50 at the approximate center of the reading port 30. However, since there are a synchronization signal area and an information area, the centers of the areas are deviated from the approximate center of the reading port 30. The optical information reader 1 starts from the end closer to the information area from the position of the electrical signal of the detection element and the position of the synchronization signal area located approximately ¼ from the end closer to the synchronization signal area from the calculated position of the information area. By first decoding the electrical signal of the detection element located at approximately 1/4, the electrical signal that seems to be the most stable in each of the synchronization signal area and the information area can be decoded first. Can be shortened.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, the optical information correction method of the present invention will be described.

  Since the white bar and the black bar in the synchronization signal area are printed with the same width, if the operator moves the optical information reader 1 at a constant speed, it is stored in the storage unit 15 as a bit string having the same width. Should be remembered. However, in practice, it is difficult to move the optical information reader 1 at a constant speed. This point was the limit of pen-type reading accuracy.

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a method for correcting optical information, where FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a reference clock, synchronization signal, and information before correction, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a corrected reference clock, synchronization signal, and information.
In the present embodiment, 6 clocks of the reference clock correspond to 1 clock of the synchronization signal in the normal state, and 2 clocks of the synchronization signal (12 clocks of the reference clock) are the minimum unit (hereinafter referred to as a cell) constituting information. Explanation will be given as an equivalent.

  In FIG. 9A, the upper stage is a reference clock, the middle stage is a synchronization signal, and the lower stage is information. In order from the left, the synchronization signals are a first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal, a third synchronization signal, and a fourth synchronization signal. Since the clock width of each synchronization signal has a difference in speed at which the optical information reader 1 is moved, the first synchronization signal has a clock width of 5.5 clocks which is a reference clock. Similarly, the second synchronization signal has a clock width of 5.5 clocks which is a reference clock. The third synchronization signal has a clock width of 7 clocks having a reference clock. The fourth synchronization signal has 6 clocks whose clock width is the reference clock.

  The cell width of information is also linked with the synchronization signal. The cell width of the information is 11 clocks of the reference clock on the left half, 13 clocks of the reference clock on the right half, and 24 clocks of the reference clock in total.

  In FIG. 9B, the upper stage is a reference clock, the middle stage is a synchronization signal, and the lower stage is information. Correction is performed so that the clock width of the synchronization signal is the same as the three clocks of the reference clock, and the correction coefficient applied to the synchronization signal is also applied to the information cell, thereby correcting the cell width of the information.

  The optical information reading apparatus 1 performs decoding after performing the above correction.

  As described above, according to the optical information reading apparatus 1 of the present invention, since the electrical signal of the detection element in the information area can be corrected based on the electrical signal of the detection element in the synchronization signal area, decoding can be performed. Can be improved.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is an external view of optical information.

  In FIG. 10, 57 is the optical information of the present invention, 51 is a sync signal area for recording a sync signal composed of a white bar and a black bar of a constant width, and 58 is a first for recording information. An information area 59 is a second information area for recording information.

  By configuring the optical information as described above, a plurality of different optical information can be read by a single operation by executing vertical reading by the optical information reading apparatus 1.

(Embodiment 5)
The optical information printing apparatus 70 of the present invention prints optical information including an information area and a synchronization signal area.

  A method of calculating the number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area of the optical information printing apparatus 70 will be described.

  The optical information printing device 70 inputs the total number of detection elements of the optical information reading device 1 and the maximum value of the reading width in horizontal reading as a value indicating the reading capability of the optical information reading device 1, and per unit length of optical information. The number of detection elements is calculated.

  Next, the optical information printing apparatus 70 inputs the print width of the optical information 50 to be printed this time, multiplies it by the previously calculated number of detection elements per unit length, and decodes the optical information 50 to be printed this time. Calculate the number of detection elements required.

  As shown in the third embodiment, when one clock of information corresponds to four clocks of the synchronization signal, the number of detection elements necessary for decoding the optical information 50 calculated previously is multiplied by 4, The number of white bars and black bars in the sync signal area is calculated.

  In addition, the numerical value shown here is one Example and is not limited to these numerical values.

When the number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area is too large and exceeds the printing accuracy of the optical information printing apparatus 70, the synchronization signal area is printed in a plurality of stages as shown in FIG.
The optical information printing apparatus 70 calculates the print width of the synchronization signal area by multiplying the print width of the optical information 50 to be printed this time by a certain ratio. The fixed ratio is 1.1 or more so that white margins can be secured at both left and right ends.

(Embodiment 6)
A method for operating the data input device 80 of the present invention will be described.

The data input device 80 includes optical information 50 including an information area for recording information and a synchronization signal area for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar having a certain width.
An optical information reader 1 that reads the optical information 50 is provided, and data of the optical information 50 is input from the optical information reader 1.

  When the printing width of the optical information 50 is narrower than the reading width of the optical information reading device 1, the operator reads the optical information reading device while being positioned substantially in parallel, and the printing width of the optical information 50 is read by the optical information reading device 1. When the width is larger than the width, the switching button 17 of the optical information reading device 1 is pressed to read the optical information reading device 1 substantially vertically.

  As described above, the data input device 80 changes the reading method depending on the print width of the optical information 50, so that one optical information reader 1 can change the print width from the optical information 50 having a narrow print width. A wide range of optical information 50 can be read.

  The optical information reading apparatus of the present invention can read optical information with a narrow printing width to optical information with a wide printing width with a single optical information reading apparatus, and provides reliability and reading accuracy exceeding the pen type. Therefore, it is useful for an optical information reader.

The figure which shows the block block diagram of the optical information reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a top view of an optical information reader, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the optical information reader. FIG. The figure which shows the arrangement | positioning method of the detection element of the sensor part of an information reader FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a reading state of vertical reading of the optical information reader according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a reading state of vertical reading of the optical information reading device at the start of reading. The figure which shows the reading state of the vertical reading of an optical information reader The figure which shows the irradiation state of the reading light based on embodiment of this invention (a) is a figure which shows the memory | storage state of the electrical signal of a memory | storage part, (b) is a figure which shows the state which detected the both ends of the height direction of optical information External view of optical information according to an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 2A is an external view of optical information having a plurality of synchronization signal areas according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is an overall view of optical information having a plurality of synchronization signal areas. FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a reading state of vertical reading by the optical information reading device of the optical information 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. (B) is a figure which shows the reading state of the vertical reading by the optical information reader of the optical information 50 at the time of reading completion. The figure which shows the irradiation state of the reading light based on embodiment of this invention (a) is a figure which shows the memory | storage state of the electrical signal of a memory | storage part, (b) is a figure which shows the state which detected the both ends of the height direction of optical information FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a correction method for optical information according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a reference clock, a synchronization signal, and information before correction, and FIG. External view of optical information according to an embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical information reader 11 Control part 12 Light projection part 13 Imaging part 14 Sensor part 15 Storage part 16 Decoding part 17 Switching button 18 Accumulation part 19 Communication part 20 Storage part 21 Timer 22 Decoding part 23 Determination part 24 Battery detection part 30 Reading port 40, 50, 54, 57 Optical information 52, 58, 59 Information area 53 Blank part 51, 55, 56 Sync signal area 131 Mirror 132 Lens 140001-142000 Detection element

Claims (21)

A light projecting unit that irradiates light to optical information, an image forming unit that forms an image of light reflected by the optical information, and a plurality of detection elements arranged in a substantially line shape, are imaged by the image forming unit. An optical information reader comprising: a sensor unit that receives light and converts it into an electrical signal; and a decoding unit that decodes information of optical information based on the electrical signal from the sensor unit. An optical information reading method for reading optical information by moving an optical information reader so that an arrangement direction and a width direction of the optical information are substantially perpendicular to each other. A light projecting unit that irradiates light to optical information, an image forming unit that forms an image of light reflected by the optical information, and a plurality of detection elements arranged in a substantially line shape, are imaged by the image forming unit. An optical system comprising: a sensor unit that receives light and converts it into an electrical signal; a decoding unit that decodes information of optical information based on an electrical signal from the sensor unit; and a switching button that switches a decoding method of the decoding unit. In the information reading device, when the switching button is OFF, a decoding method is executed when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit and the width direction of the optical information are substantially parallel, and the switching button An optical information reader that executes a decoding method when the arrangement direction of the detection elements of the sensor unit and the width direction of the optical information are substantially perpendicular when ON. The optical information reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein among the electric signals converted by the sensor unit, an electric signal of a detection element positioned substantially at the center of the plurality of detection elements is first decoded. Among the electrical signals converted by the sensor unit, the electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of the plurality of detection elements is first decoded, and if it cannot be decoded, the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a row When the electric signal of the detection element provided at a position approximately ¼ of the total length from one end is decoded, and this cannot be decoded, the other end of the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a row The optical information reading method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ of the total length is decoded. Among the electrical signals converted by the sensor unit, the electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of the plurality of detection elements is first decoded, and if it cannot be decoded, the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a row When the electric signal of the detection element provided at a position approximately ¼ of the total length from one end is decoded, and this cannot be decoded, the other end of the total length of the plurality of detection elements arranged in a row 3. An optical information reader according to claim 2, wherein an electric signal of a detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ of the total length is decoded. The optical information reader according to claim 2, further comprising an integration unit that integrates the electrical signals output by the detection elements for each detection element, and detecting both ends in the height direction of the optical information based on the integration result of the integration unit. . The optical information reading device according to claim 6, wherein the detected electrical signal of the detection element positioned substantially at the center of both ends is first decoded. The detected electrical signal of the detection element located at the approximate center of both ends is first decoded. If the signal cannot be decoded, the electrical signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially ¼ from one end of the distance between both ends is detected. 7. The optical information reader according to claim 6, wherein the signal is decoded, and if the signal cannot be decoded, the electric signal of the detection element provided at a position substantially 1/4 from the other end is decoded. Optical information comprising an information area for recording information and a synchronization signal area for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar of a certain width. The optical information according to claim 9, wherein the number of white bars and black bars in the synchronization signal area is greater than the number of detection elements of the optical information reader. The optical information according to claim 9, wherein a blank portion is provided between the information area and the synchronization signal area. 10. The optical information according to claim 9, wherein the printing width of the information area is narrower than that of the synchronization signal area. 10. The optical information according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of synchronization signal areas are provided for one information area, and the synchronization signal area is shifted in the width direction. An integration unit that integrates the electrical signals output from each detection element for each detection element, detects both ends in the height direction of the optical information based on the integration result of the integration unit, and positions of the information area and the synchronization signal area The optical information reader according to claim 2, which calculates The electrical signal of the detection element located approximately ¼ from the end closer to the sync signal area from the calculated position of the information area, and approximately ¼ from the end closer to the information area from the position of the sync signal area The optical information reader according to claim 14, wherein an electrical signal of the detection element is first decoded. 15. The optical information reading device according to claim 14, wherein the optical signal of the detection element in the information area is corrected and then decoded based on the electric signal of the detection element in the synchronization signal area. The optical information reader according to claim 2, wherein a part of the plurality of detection elements is stored in the electric signal converted by the sensor unit. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of different optical information is read by one operation. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light projecting unit irradiates a part of the optical information with light. An optical information printing apparatus that prints optical information including an information area and a synchronization signal area, the number of detection elements of a sensor unit of the optical information reading apparatus, a maximum value of a reading width of the optical information reading apparatus, and an optical An optical information printing apparatus that calculates the number of white bars and black bars in a synchronization signal area based on a print width of information and a clock ratio between the information and the synchronization signal. Optical information comprising an information area for recording information and a synchronization signal area for recording a synchronization signal composed of a white bar and a black bar of a constant width;
An optical information reading device that reads the optical information, and a data input device that is connected to the optical information reading device and inputs data of the optical information, wherein the print width of the optical information is that of the optical information reading device. When the optical information reading device is narrower than the reading width, the optical information reading device is positioned substantially in parallel to read, and when the optical information printing width is wider than the reading width of the optical information reading device, the optical information reading device is positioned substantially vertically. To operate the data input device.

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