JPH02228785A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically scanning a bar code so as to execute reading at high speed by analyzing data when it is judged that signals corresponding to a black bar exist for prescribed quantity and encoding the bar code. CONSTITUTION:A reading means 2 automatically scans a bar code 1 recorded in the prescribed position of a medium and optically reads the bar code and the bar code is converted to an electric signal. A converting means 3 converts this electric signal to a digital signal. A deciding means 5 decides it based on the signal from the converting means 5 whether the signal corresponding to the black bar exists for the prescribed quantity or not. Only when it is decided that the signal corresponding to the black bar exists for the prescribed quantity, an encoding means 6 analyzes the data of a storing means 4, which stores the signal from the converting means 3, and encodes the bar code 1. Thus, when the signal corresponding to the black bar does not exist for the prescribed quantity, it can be judged that the bar code does not exist. Then, a time required for the analysis and encoding can be reduced. Thus, the bar code can be automatically scanned and the reading can be executed at high speed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A method for reading barcodes that encode numbers, etc. by a combination of black bars and white bars (-Relating to a code reading device, which automatically scans a barcode recorded at a predetermined position on a medium. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a barcode reading device that can read a barcode at high speed using a reading device that automatically scans a barcode recorded at a predetermined position on a medium, reads it optically, and converts it into an electrical signal;
means for converting the electrical signal from the reading means into a digital signal; means for storing the signal from the converting means; and a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to the black bars of the barcode based on the signals from the converting means. and means for analyzing the data in the storage means and encoding the bar code when the determination means determines that a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to the black bar are present. Configure.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a barcode reading device that reads barcodes that encode numbers and the like using a combination of black bars and white bars.

In recent years, in addition to barcode reading devices operated by operators to read barcodes affixed or printed on products, there are also barcode reading devices that automatically scan barcodes (called page marks) recorded at the top of bankbook pages that indicate page numbers. 2. Description of the Related Art Barcode reading devices that automatically scan and read barcodes recorded at predetermined positions on media are used in a wide range of fields, such as barcode reading devices for automated teller machines (ATMs) that automatically scan and read barcodes recorded at predetermined positions on media. When such a reading device cannot correctly detect a barcode at a predetermined position on a medium, it takes time to read the barcode, which increases the waiting time of customers at ATMs and the like, resulting in a decline in service. Therefore, there is a need for a barcode reading device that can automatically scan and read barcodes at high speed.

[Prior Art] FIG. 4 is a side view of the configuration of a barcode reading device, and FIG. 5 is a reading system diagram showing a conventional example. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

A conventional example will be explained using a barcode reading device that reads page marks on a passbook.

In FIG. 4, a page mark 1a printed on the upper shelf of a passbook page represents the page number etc. using a bar code.

The passbook is conveyed in the direction of the arrow by a roller 25 that is interlocked with a shaft 26. The image sensor unit 2A is an image sensor consisting of a light emitting diode (LED) 21 that irradiates light onto the page mark 1a, and a plurality of light receiving elements arranged perpendicularly to the passbook transport direction that senses the reflected light from the page mark 1a. Consists of 2a. When the passbook is transported and the page mark 1a reaches directly below, the image sensor 2a photoelectrically converts the barcode by sequentially operating (hereinafter referred to as scanning) light-emitting elements in a direction perpendicular to the passbook transport direction. and read it optically.

In the conventional barcode reading device, data for at least one scan of the page mark Ia read by the image sensor 2a is stored in a memory, and encoding is performed based on the data.

That is, in FIG. 5, when the image sensor 2a scans the page mark la in FIG.
Output a voltage with the waveform shown in b). After A/D converting the voltage value, the reading device binarizes the level shown in the figure as a dark value, and determines whether the bar width is thick or thin according to the number of consecutive bits of the value corresponding to the black bar, The page mark 1a is coded by the combination. At this time, multiple threshold values are prepared in advance to accommodate variations in the output voltage of the image sensor 2a due to mu and dirt on the bar, characteristics of the LED 21 and the light receiving element, etc. At that time, the barcode was coded by repeating trials using different dark values.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, according to the conventional method, when barcode encoding cannot be determined with one dark value, trials are repeated with another dark value. If the page mark is not in the specified position, such as when a passbook is inserted, it will take time to encode, and the AT
In M, etc., there was a problem in that the waiting time for customers increased and the service deteriorated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a barcode reading device that can automatically scan and read barcodes recorded at predetermined positions on a medium at high speed.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a barcode recorded at a predetermined position on the medium, 2 is a reading device that automatically scans the barcode I, reads it optically, and converts it into an electrical signal, and 3 is an electrical signal from the reading device 2. 4 is a means for storing the signal from the converting means 3; 5 is a means for storing the signal from the converting means 3; 5 is a means for determining whether a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to the black bars of the bar code is present based on the signal from the converting means 3; Determination means 6 is means for analyzing the data in the storage means 4 and encoding the barcode 1 when the determination means 5 determines that a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to black bars are present.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, the reading means 2 automatically scans the barcode 1 recorded at a predetermined position on the medium, optically reads it and converts it into an electrical signal, and the converting means 3 converts this electrical signal into a digital signal. The determining means 5 determines whether a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to the black bar exists based on the signal from the converting means 3, and the encoding means 6 determines whether a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to the black bar exists. Only when the determination is made, the data in the storage means 4 that stores the signal from the conversion means 3 is analyzed and barcode 1 is coded. The time required for analysis and coding can be reduced by assuming that the data does not exist.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures. Components in FIG. 2 that correspond to those in FIG. 1 are surrounded by dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention of a barcode reading device for reading page marks of a bankbook.

In FIG. 2, the main control unit 8b includes a microprocessor (M
Based on the control program stored in the CPU (PU) and the read-only memory (ROM), the conveyance control section 9b is controlled to convey the passbook, and each section is controlled to perform the barcode reading function.

The image sensor 2b optically scans and reads the page mark lb and outputs an electrical signal, the amplifier 2c amplifies this signal, and the A/D converter 3b samples the output of the amplifier 2c and converts it into digital data. The data is inputted to a gradation detection section 5c and a page mark memory 4b, which will be described later.

The gray level detection unit 5c binarizes the data from the A/D converter 3b for each scanning as a black level for data exceeding a predetermined darkness value, and as a white level for data below the darkness value. The number of sampling positions is counted and stored as grayscale data in a random access memory (RAM) 5d.

The determination unit 5b checks the grayscale data in the RAM 5d corresponding to the position of the page mark 1b on the passbook, and when the black level count exceeds a predetermined number, there is a page mark, and when it is less than the predetermined number, there is no page mark. It is determined that

The encoding unit 6b analyzes and encodes the data in the page mark memory 4b when there is a page mark according to the determination by the determination unit 5b, and outputs a code indicating an error without performing analysis when there is no page mark. .

The operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

(2) The passbook is sucked in, the image sensor 2b starts scanning and reading from a predetermined position, and the read data is input to the shade detection section 5c.

- The shading detection unit 5c detects, for example, a change point from the own level to the black level for each scan, calculates the number of black bars by counting it, and shading indicates the number of black levels. Data is sequentially stored in the RAM 5d.

■When the passbook is conveyed and the image sensor 2b reaches the position where the page mark 1b should be, the data from the image sensor 2b is stored in the page mark memo IJ4b in parallel with being input to the shade detection section 5c. Ru.

■The determination unit 5b is a RAM 5d corresponding to the page mark position.
The data in the page mark 1b is checked and the presence or absence of the page mark 1b is determined according to the number of black levels.

(2) The encoding unit 6b outputs a code indicating an error when there is no page mark, and (2) when there is a page mark, it analyzes the data in the page mark memory 4b, encodes it, and outputs it.

Therefore, the encoding unit 6b is configured to analyze the barcode only when there is a page mark based on the determination by the determining unit 5b.

Further, the shading detection section 5c can also be realized by using a functional section provided in an ATM for determining unprinted lines within a page.

In this embodiment, when determining the presence or absence of a page mark, the determination is made based on the number of barcodes, but the width of the black level included in one scan is calculated, and this width is determined by a predetermined amount. The page mark may be encoded when the number exceeds . Control can also be made easier by encoding a barcode when the black level is detected.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the encoding unit 6b analyzes the barcode only when there is a page mark based on the determination by the determining unit 5b, so when there is no correct page mark at a predetermined position, This has the advantage that barcode reading can be performed at high speed since no wasted time is required to repeat trials.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the configuration of a barcode reading device. FIG. 5 is a reading system diagram showing a conventional example. In the figure, 1 is a barcode, 1b is a page mark, 2 is a reading means, 2b is an image sensor, 2c is an amplifier, 3 is a conversion means, 3b is an A/D converter, 4 is a storage means, 4b is a page mark memory , 5 is a determining means, 5b is a determining section, 5c is a shade detection section, and 5d is a RAM. 6 is a coding means, 6b is a coding section, 8b is a main control section, and 9b is a transport control section. The principle of the present invention is as follows: Fig. 1 Bar code of Saekerakui [Constitution] and 1, vita 1 and 9 direction 2 diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] A reading means (2) that automatically scans a barcode (1) recorded at a predetermined position on a medium, optically reads it, and converts it into an electrical signal; and from the reading means (2). means (3) for converting the electrical signal into a digital signal; and means (4) for storing the signal from the converting means (3);
means (5) for determining whether a predetermined amount of signals corresponding to the black bars of the barcode exist based on the signal from the converting means (3); means (6) for analyzing the data in the storage means (4) and encoding the barcode (1) when it is determined that a predetermined amount of the signal is present;
) A barcode reading device comprising: