JPH03212777A - Bar code scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a stationary barcode scanner used in product sales equipment, logistics sorting mechanisms, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, barcodes have been developed as one of readable information recording means. Various kinds of barcode scanners have been put into practical use to read and scan such barcodes, but for example, in large product sales equipment and logistics sorting mechanisms, multiple reading lights with different scanning directions are used. A stationary barcode scanner that emits .

Therefore, we decided to introduce the conventional barcode scanner as the third example.
This will be explained based on the diagram. In this product vending device 1, which is a barcode scanner, a flat box-shaped scanner block 3 is attached to the substantially middle end of a long and narrow soccer table 2. This scanner block 3 has, for example, a built-in optical deflector and an optical path splitting means (both not shown) on the output optical path of a laser light source (not shown), and has a plurality of scanning directions different from the reading window 4 on the top surface. The reading lights 5a to 5d are emitted obliquely upward.

With such a configuration, in this product vending device 1, a product 7 with a barcode 6 attached by a label or the like is placed in a basket (not shown) on the left side of the soccer table 2 in the figure. When moving each product 7 into a basket (not shown) placed on the right side of the soccer table 2, the scanner block 3
to read product information. At this time, the operator moves the product 7 so that the barcode 6 is irradiated with the reading lights 5a to 5d emitted from the scanner block 3, and confirms the completion of reading the barcode 6 with an electronic sound or the like.

In the above-mentioned product vending device 1, the barcode 6 attached to the product 7 is read and scanned using a plurality of reading lights 5a to 5d having different scanning directions, so that the workability is good.

However, since the barcode 6 is attached as a label to the top surface of the product 7 when fishing on a boat, in the above-mentioned product vending device 1, when reading the barcode 6, the product 7 is turned upside down, etc. It is necessary to pass over the

Therefore, so that the barcode 6 can be read without changing the direction of the product 7 being moved on the soccer table 2,
As illustrated in FIG. 4, a product vending device 8, which is a barcode scanner in which a scanner block 3 is installed upright on a soccer table 2, has also been put into practical use.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-mentioned product vending device 1.8, in order to improve the efficiency of reading the barcode 6, a plurality of reading lights 5a to 5d having different scanning directions are emitted from the scanner block 3. It has become. Here, as illustrated in FIG.
Each of the reading lights 58 to 5d is formed, for example, as a reading light 5b whose scanning direction is perpendicular to the reading light 5a that coincides with the moving direction of the barcode 6, and a reading light 5c and 5d which intersects diagonally. When the barcodes 6a to 6d pass through the scanning plane, the barcodes whose consecutive direction of bars substantially coincide with the scanning direction are read and scanned.

However, in the case of the reading lights 5b to 5d whose scanning direction intersects the direction of movement of the barcode 6°, the moving barcode 6 inevitably passes within the scanning plane, so the reading operation is performed reliably, but the scanning direction is Since the scanning surface of the reading light 5a that coincides with the moving direction of the barcode 6 is parallel to the moving direction of the barcode 6, the moving barcode 6 does not pass through the scanning surface, resulting in poor reading. There are things to do. That is, as shown in the figure, each barcode 6 that moves in the horizontal direction in the figure always intersects the scanning plane of the reading beams 5b to 5d, but passes through the scanning plane of the reading beam 5a without intersecting the scanning plane. There is something. Therefore, in the product vending apparatuses 1 and 8 as described above, the bar code 6 in which the direction in which the bars are connected and the direction in which the bars are moved is located.
Reading errors tend to occur, reducing work efficiency.

Incidentally, a similar problem arises in a barcode scanner (not shown) used in a logistics sorting mechanism for sorting articles conveyed on a belt conveyor.

Means for Solving the Problems The invention as set forth in claim 1 provides a stationary bar code which emits a plurality of reading beams having different scanning directions by disposing an optical deflector and an optical path splitting means on the output optical path of a laser light source. The scanner is provided with a sub-scanning means that deflects and scans a reading light whose scanning direction substantially coincides with the direction of circulation of the barcode in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation.

The invention as set forth in claim 2 provides a sub-scanning width variable means for variably setting the deflection scanning width of the sub-scanning means.

The invention as set forth in claim 3 provides reading mode switching means for turning on and off the operation of the sub-scanning means.

The invention according to claim 1 is a stationary barcode scanner in which an optical deflector and an optical path splitter are disposed on the output optical path of a laser light source to emit a plurality of reading beams with different scanning directions. By providing a sub-scanning means that deflects and scans the reading light that substantially coincides with the direction of barcode circulation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation, the sub-scanning means allows the scanning surface of the reading light parallel to the direction of movement of the barcode to be scanned. Since the bar code is moved in the sub-scanning direction, a reading area is formed in a three-dimensional space, and the moving barcode can be reliably read and scanned.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 provides a sub-scanning width variable means for variably setting the deflection scanning width of the sub-scanning means, without reducing the sub-scanning amplitude of the reading light and reducing the reading accuracy. It is possible to improve work efficiency by increasing the moving speed of the barcode or by increasing the sub-scanning amplitude of the reading light to enlarge the reading area.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 can prevent unnecessary consumption of power when moving the reading light in the sub-scanning direction is unnecessary by providing a reading mode switching means for turning on and off the operation of the sub-scanning means. .

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 2. This barcode scanner 9 also serves as the product sales device 1 described above.
．． A plurality of reading lights 5a to 5d having different scanning directions are emitted from the reading window 1o by a mechanism similar to that of the scanner block 3 such as No. 8. In this barcode scanner 9, a swingable scanning mirror 1 is used as a sub-scanning means.
1 is placed inside the reading window 10 together with the reflecting mirror 12, so that a predetermined reading light 5a is also deflected and scanned in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.

In such a configuration, when the barcode scanner 9 is formed as a product sales device, the main scanning direction of the reading light 5a that is sub-scanned by the scanning mirror 11 is aligned with the barcode 6.
The direction of flow should be approximately the same as the direction of flow.

Therefore, when reading the barcodes 6a to 6d in each direction, the barcodes 6b to 6d whose bars are arranged in a different direction from the moving direction are reliably read and scanned by the reading lights 5b to 5d, as in the conventional device. , a bar code 6a whose bar code 6a has the same direction as the bar code 6a is scanned by the reading light 5a.
Since it is constantly moving in the sub-scanning direction, it is sure to be read and scanned.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG.
Since the scanning surface a is constantly moved in the sub-scanning direction, its reading area is formed in a three-dimensional space. Therefore, in this barcode scanner 9, the moving barcode 6a reliably passes through the reading area of the reading light 5a and is read and scanned, so that the barcodes 6a to 6d in any direction can be read and scanned well. Good work efficiency.

In this barcode scanner 9, the amplitude of the reading light 5a in the sub-scanning direction is determined by the swing angle of the scanning mirror 11. It is also possible to provide sub-scanning width variable means (not shown) for variably setting the width of the sub-scanning width. In this case, the reading light 5a
By reducing the amplitude of the reading light 5a in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to increase the moving speed of the barcode 6 without reducing the reading accuracy, and by increasing the amplitude of the reading light 5a in the sub-scanning direction, the scanning area Since the work can be made extremely simple by enlarging the system, it is possible to adapt the device to the skill level of the worker and the work situation.

Furthermore, for example, depending on the work type, there may be cases where it is unnecessary to move the reading light 5a in the sub-scanning direction because the direction or movement position of the barcode 6 is limited. Therefore,
According to the invention as claimed in claim 3, by providing a reading mode switching means (not shown) for turning on and off the operation of the scanning mirror 11, which is a sub-scanning means, this barcode scanner 9 can function similarly to a conventional device. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption and to make the device compatible with more diverse work situations.

Although the present embodiment has been described assuming that the barcode scanner 9 is used in a product vending device, the present invention is not limited to the above method, and is applicable to articles conveyed on a belt conveyor. Logistics sorting can also be applied to a mechanical barcode scanner (not shown).

Effects of the Invention The invention as claimed in claim 1 is a stationary barcode scanner that disposes an optical deflector and an optical path splitting means on the output optical path of a laser light source and outputs a plurality of reading beams in different scanning directions. By providing a sub-scanning means that deflects and scans the reading light whose direction substantially coincides with the direction of movement of the barcode in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation, the sub-scanning means deflects and scans the reading light parallel to the direction of movement of the barcode. Since the scanning surface is moved in the sub-scanning direction, a reading area is formed in a three-dimensional space, and moving barcodes are reliably read and scanned, contributing to higher performance of product sales equipment and logistics sorting mechanisms. Further, the invention according to claim 2 provides a sub-scanning width variable means for variably setting the deflection scanning width of the sub-scanning means, thereby reducing the sub-scanning amplitude of the reading light and improving the reading accuracy. It is possible to improve work efficiency by increasing the moving speed of the barcode without reducing the scanning speed, or by increasing the sub-scanning amplitude of the reading light and expanding the reading area. The apparatus can be adapted to work conditions, etc., and furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 eliminates the need to move the reading light in the sub-scanning direction by providing a reading mode switching means for turning on and off the operation of the sub-scanning means. This has the effect of preventing unnecessary consumption of power in some cases, and making it possible to adapt the device to more diverse work situations.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a vertical side view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view, Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing a conventional example, and Fig. 5 shows the relationship between barcodes and scanning light. FIG. 5...Reading light; 6...Barcode, 9...Barcode scanner, 11...Sub-scanning means Applicant: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. Mi 4 Tari] Figure (History LM)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a stationary barcode scanner that emits a plurality of reading lights with different scanning directions by disposing an optical deflector and an optical path splitting means on the output optical path of a laser light source, the scanning direction is barcode scanner. A barcode scanner comprising a sub-scanning means for deflecting and scanning a reading light that substantially coincides with the code distribution direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to the distribution direction. 2. The barcode scanner according to claim 1, further comprising sub-scanning width variable means for variably setting the deflection scanning width of the sub-scanning means. 3. The barcode scanner according to claim 1, further comprising reading mode switching means for turning on and off the operation of the sub-scanning means.