JP2009116622A - Bar code reading device and bar code reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar code reading device and a bar code reading method for surely and quickly reading a bar code. <P>SOLUTION: In a book borrowing/returning device 1, a bar code scanner 4 is restored to an origin 32 at a speed higher than a normal speed when the acquisition of a book code from a bar code 6 is normally completed in an incoming route. Thus, it is possible to shorten a time until the next bar code reading is started in comparison with the case that the bar code scanner 4 is driven from an origin 32 to an end point 33 regardless of the validity/invalidity of reading, and to shorten a time until the next bar code reading is started. Also, in the book borrowing/returning device 1, when the reading of the bar code 6 is not normally completed on the incoming route, the bar code 4 is driven at a speed which is lower than the normal speed on an outgoing route. Therefore, even when it is not possible to read a bar code 6 on the outgoing route, it is possible to achieve the secure reading on the incoming route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a barcode reading apparatus and a barcode reading method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a barcode reading apparatus provided with a reading unit that reads tag information of a book from a barcode attached to an object such as a book. For example, in the automatic book lending / returning system described in Patent Document 1, a barcode of a book moving on a conveyor is read by a reading device, and information necessary for lending processing and returning processing is displayed on an operation panel. . In addition, as such a barcode reading apparatus, there is also a device in which a driving unit that reciprocates the reading unit relative to an object is accommodated in a housing to reduce the size of the apparatus.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-149831

  In the barcode reader described above, it is required to read information more reliably from the barcode of the object. In order to improve the certainty of reading information, it is considered effective to reduce the driving speed of the reading means. However, if the driving speed is simply reduced, there is a problem that the speed of processing is impaired. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a barcode reading apparatus and a barcode reading method capable of reliably and quickly reading a barcode.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a barcode reader according to the present invention is a barcode reader having a reading unit that reads information from a barcode attached to an object, and the object on which the object is placed. A placement surface, a drive means for relatively reciprocally driving the reading means at a predetermined speed from the origin to the end point with respect to the placement surface, and when reading of information by the reading means is normally completed in the forward path, the predetermined time at that time Control means for returning the reading means to the origin at a speed higher than the speed, and driving the reading means at a speed slower than a predetermined speed on the return path when reading of information by the reading means is not normally completed in the forward path; It is characterized by having.

  In this barcode reading apparatus, when the acquisition of information from the barcode is normally completed in the outward path, the reading means is returned to the origin at a speed higher than the driving speed of the reading means in the outward path. For this reason, compared with the case where the reading means is driven at a constant speed from the origin to the end point regardless of whether the reading is correct or not, it is possible to shorten the time required to start reading the barcode on the next object. In this barcode reading apparatus, when reading of information by the reading unit is not normally completed in the forward path, the reading unit is driven at a speed slower than a predetermined speed in the return path. Therefore, even when the barcode cannot be read on the outward path, the certainty of reading on the backward path is ensured.

  The control means preferably returns the reading means to the origin at a speed faster than a predetermined speed at the time when reading by the reading means is normally completed in the return path. In this way, even when barcode reading fails in the outbound path, it is possible to shorten the time required to start barcode reading on the next object.

  Further, the barcode reading method according to the present invention is a barcode reading method using a reading means for reading information from a barcode added to an object, and on the placement surface on which the object is placed, A drive step of relatively reciprocatingly driving the reading means from the origin to the end point at a predetermined speed, and when reading of information by the reading means is normally completed in the forward path, the reading means at a speed higher than the predetermined speed at that time Is returned to the origin, and when reading of information by the reading means is not normally completed in the forward path, the reading means is driven at a speed slower than a predetermined speed in the return path.

  In this barcode reading method, the reading means is returned to the origin at a speed faster than the driving speed of the reading means in the forward path when the acquisition of information from the barcode is normally completed in the forward path. For this reason, compared with the case where the reading means is driven at a constant speed from the origin to the end point regardless of whether the reading is correct or not, it is possible to shorten the time required to start reading the barcode on the next object. In this barcode reading method, when reading of information by the reading unit is not normally completed in the forward path, the reading unit is driven at a speed slower than a predetermined speed in the return path. Therefore, even when the barcode cannot be read on the outward path, the certainty of reading on the backward path is ensured.

  Further, when reading by the reading unit is normally completed in the return path, it is preferable to return the reading unit to the origin at a speed faster than a predetermined speed at that time. In this way, even when barcode reading fails in the outbound path, it is possible to shorten the time required to start barcode reading on the next object.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably and quickly read a barcode.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a barcode reading apparatus and a barcode reading method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a book lending / returning apparatus shown as an embodiment of a barcode reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the book lending / returning device 1 includes a housing 2, an operation panel 3, and a barcode scanner (reading means) 4. The book lending / returning device 1 is installed at a reception counter of a library, for example, and the book code is read from the barcode 6 attached to the book 5 that the user wishes to lend or return, thereby lending and returning the book 5. Used as a device that automatically performs processing.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional components of the book lending / returning apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the book lending / returning device 1 includes a main control unit 11 and a scanner control unit (control means) 12. The main control unit 11 and the scanner control unit 12 are connected to each other via a predetermined signal line so that information communication is possible. A card reader 13, an operation panel 3, a book code management unit 14, and the like are connected to the main control unit 11. The scanner control unit 12 is connected to a book detection sensor 15, a barcode scanner 4, a scanner drive unit (drive means) 16, and the like.

  The housing 2 is formed of, for example, metal and has a box shape with a width of 450 mm × depth of 550 mm × height of 710 mm. For example, a card insertion slot 21 for inserting a user's ID card and a receipt issuing slot 22 for issuing a receipt after the lending / returning process are provided side by side on the lower front portion of the housing 2. The card reader 13 acquires the user ID information from the ID card inserted into the card insertion slot 21.

  A concave portion 23 is formed in the center portion of the housing 2 from the front side to the back side. The recess 23 extends in the width direction of the housing 2, and the lower surface of the recess 23 serves as a placement surface 24 on which the book 5 is placed. The mounting surface 24 is inclined downward toward the back side of the housing 2. On one end side of the placement surface 24, a plate-like positioning member 25 for making the placement position of the book 5 constant is provided orthogonal to the extending direction of the placement surface 24. Further, a book detection sensor 15 that detects that the book 5 has been placed on the placement surface 24 is provided in the vicinity of the positioning member 25.

  On the other hand, a scanner window 26 of the barcode scanner 4 is provided on the upper surface of the recess 23 facing the placement surface 24. The scanner window 26 extends substantially parallel to the extending direction of the placement surface 24, and transmits the detection light emitted from the barcode scanner 4 and the reflected light reflected by the barcode 6.

  The operation panel 3 is a touch panel type liquid crystal display, for example, and is disposed on the upper front portion of the housing 2. The operation panel 3 displays various information such as operation icons such as “rental”, “return”, and “end”, a guide symbol, and a book code read from the barcode 6 of the book 5.

  The barcode scanner 4 is disposed inside the scanner window 26 in the upper part of the housing 2. The barcode scanner 4 emits detection light in response to a predetermined operation of the operation panel 3 by the user. The driving of the barcode scanner 4 is controlled by the scanner control unit 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the scanner control unit 12 relatively drives the barcode scanner 4 to reciprocate at a predetermined speed from the origin 32 to the end point 33 along the support rail 31. The driving origin 32 is set corresponding to the position of the positioning member 25 on one end side of the mounting surface 24, and the driving end point 33 is set on the other end side of the mounting surface 24. Details of the control will be described later.

  The barcode scanner 4 detects reflected light reflected from the barcode 6 and acquires information such as a book code of the book 5. The barcode 6 includes a plurality of character strings and check digits. The barcode scanner 4 determines whether or not the barcode 6 is read based on the check digit. The barcode scanner 4 outputs the acquired information to the book code management unit 14. The book code management unit 14 stores information such as a book code, the number of loans, and a return deadline for each user ID information.

  Next, the operation of the book lending / returning apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the book lending / returning apparatus 1.

  When a user inserts an ID card into the card insertion slot 21 and performs a predetermined operation on the operation panel 3 with the book 5 placed on the placement surface 24, the barcode scanner 4 moves from the origin 32 toward the end point 33. The forward drive is started at a constant speed (hereinafter referred to as “normal speed”) (step S01).

  In the forward drive, the barcode scanner 4 determines whether or not the reading of the barcode 6 has been normally completed using the check digit (step S02). When the reading of the barcode 6 is normally completed, the acquired book code is output to the book code management unit 14. Next, the barcode scanner 4 starts moving backward from the position where reading of the barcode 6 is normally completed toward the origin 32 at a speed higher than the normal speed (step S03). The speed at this time is set to about 140% of the normal speed, for example.

  When the barcode scanner 4 returns to the origin 32 (step S04), the lending / returning process of the book 5 is executed based on the ID information, book code, number of loans, return deadline, etc. stored in the book code management unit 14. (Step S05). Thereafter, a receipt is issued from the receipt issuing port 22 to the user, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the reading of the barcode 6 is not normally completed in step S02, whether or not the reading of the barcode 6 is correct is continued until the barcode scanner 4 reaches the end point 33 (step S06). If reading of the barcode 6 is not completed normally even when the barcode scanner 4 reaches the end point 33, the barcode scanner 4 starts the backward drive from the end point 33 toward the origin 32 at a speed slower than the normal speed. (Step S07). The speed at this time is set to about 60% of the normal speed, for example.

  In the backward drive, the barcode scanner 4 determines whether or not the reading of the barcode 6 has been normally completed using the check digit as in the forward drive (step S08). When the reading of the bar code 6 is normally completed, the bar code scanner 4 is operated at a speed higher than the normal speed from the position where the reading of the bar code 6 is normally completed toward the origin 32, as in steps S03 to S05. After moving back and returning to the origin 32, the lending / returning process of the book 5 is executed.

  If the reading of the barcode 6 is not normally completed in step S08, whether or not the reading of the barcode 6 is correct is continued until the barcode scanner 4 reaches the origin 32 (step S09). Even if the barcode scanner 4 reaches the origin 32, if the reading of the barcode 6 is not completed normally, each processing from step S01 is retried.

  As described above, the book lending / returning apparatus 1 returns the barcode scanner 4 to the origin 32 at a speed faster than the normal speed when the acquisition of the book code from the barcode 6 is normally completed in the forward path. For this reason, compared with the case where the barcode scanner 4 is driven at a constant speed from the origin 32 to the end point 33 regardless of whether the reading is correct or not, the time until the barcode reading in the next book is started can be shortened.

  Further, in the book lending / returning apparatus 1, when the reading of the barcode 6 is not normally completed in the forward path, the barcode scanner 4 is driven at a speed slower than the normal speed in the backward path. Therefore, even when the barcode 6 cannot be read on the outward path, the certainty of reading on the backward path is ensured. When the barcode scanner 4 is driven slower than the normal speed and the barcode 6 is normally read in the return path, the barcode scanner 4 is returned to the origin 32 at a speed higher than the predetermined speed at that time. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time until the barcode reading on the next object is started.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the barcode 6 added to the book 5 is illustrated, but the reading target may be a CD / DVD or the like. The setting of the driving speed of the barcode scanner 4 may be appropriately changed depending on the object to be read.

1 is a perspective view of a book lending / returning device shown as an embodiment of a barcode reading device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the book lending / returning device shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the functional component of a library rental return apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of operation | movement of a barcode scanner. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a library rental return apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Book rental return apparatus (barcode reader), 4 ... Barcode scanner (reading means), 5 ... Book (object), 6 ... Barcode, 12 ... Scanner control part (control means), 16 ... Scanner drive Unit (driving means), 24... Mounting surface, 32... Origin, 33.

Claims (4)

A barcode reader having a reading means for reading information from a barcode attached to an object,
A mounting surface on which the object is mounted;
Driving means for relatively reciprocally driving the reading means at a predetermined speed from the origin to the end point with respect to the placement surface;
When reading of the information by the reading unit is normally completed in the forward path, the reading unit is returned to the origin at a speed higher than the predetermined speed at that time, and the reading of the information by the reading unit is performed in the forward path. A bar code reading apparatus comprising: control means for driving the reading means at a speed slower than the predetermined speed on the return path when the reading is not completed normally.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the reading by the reading unit is normally completed in a return path, the control unit returns the reading unit to the origin at a speed higher than the predetermined speed at that time. Bar code reader. A barcode reading method using reading means for reading information from a barcode added to an object,
A drive step of relatively reciprocatingly driving the reading unit at a predetermined speed from an origin to an end point with respect to the placement surface on which the object is placed;
When reading of the information by the reading unit is normally completed in the forward path, the reading unit is returned to the origin at a speed faster than the predetermined speed at that time, and the reading of the information by the reading unit is performed in the forward path. A bar code reading method comprising: driving the reading unit at a speed slower than the predetermined speed on a return path when the reading is not completed normally.   4. The barcode reading method according to claim 3, wherein when the reading by the reading unit is normally completed in a return path, the reading unit is returned to the origin at a speed faster than the predetermined speed at that time. .

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