JPH04287295A - Device for supporting laser scanning device above material to be scanned - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily attain an operation without occupying a space on a desk by hanging a bar code reading device from a ceiling, and adjusting the vertical height. CONSTITUTION: A laser scanning device 10 is supported from a ceiling 12 of a room through an appropriate flexible cable 14, and the height can be adjusted by pulling in and out the cable 14 in a cable length adjuster 16. The laser scanning device 10 can be hanged on a surface 20 of a supporting stand on which a merchandise 22 or the like is placed, and a bar code can be read. Such laser scanning device 10 is hanged from the ceiling and the height can be adjusted so that the merchandise 22 can be operated by both hands without occupying a place.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention relates to a device for supporting a laser scanning device above a scanning object containing information suitable for scanning with a laser scanning device, and more particularly to a device for supporting a laser scanning device above a scanning object containing information to be scanned. The present invention relates to a device for suspending a laser scanning device from a ceiling structure in an upper position.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of laser scanning devices to scan and read information on objects, such as packages or the product itself, is well known in the art. In this connection, scanning heads containing a barcode reading device for reading barcode symbols on a scanning object scanned with an emitted laser beam are embodied in various types of laser scanning devices. . Generally, such laser scanning devices, such as bar code readers, are widely used in industry and retail. The barcode reading device can be fixedly integrated into the checkout counter structure of a supermarket, for example. A product with a barcode symbol printed on it is moved over the barcode reader, and the product purchased by the consumer is recorded and read out at the same time (perhaps a record is printed for the consumer). The barcode reader or laser scanning device may generally be a stationary scanner fixed to a stand extending above the surface of the product support or checkout counter, or alternatively, it is often mounted on a pistol. The scanner may be a gun-type handheld scanner that can be operated by hand and has a grip-like handle. In the case of a gun type, a scanner can be passed over the barcode symbol at a certain distance close to the barcode symbol printed on the product to read the information the barcode symbol represents.

A laser scanning device in the form of a gun-type barcode reader is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,387,297.
It is explained in detail in the issue. U.S. Patent No. 4,387
, No. 297 includes a portable hand-held scan head. The portable hand-held scanhead, which can be of any suitable form, has a gun-shaped housing made of lightweight plastic that accommodates the various components of the scanhead within the handle and barrel of the housing. Preferably. Within the barrel is an optical system that typically includes a light source and a focusing lens for sweeping the light beam across the bar code symbol on the object to be scanned.
Detection means are included for detecting light reflected from the bar code symbol being scanned.

In addition to the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 4,387,297, other structures of bar code reader type laser scanning devices are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,760,248 and US Pat. No. 4,387,297. , and same No. 4,409
, No. 470.

Although the various forms, shapes and uses of laser scanning devices are well known in the art, and bar code readers in particular are widely used in the commercial field, the versatility of various laser scanning devices is limited. Basically, the laser scanning device is fixedly integrated into a fixed structure, e.g. part of a checkout counter in a supermarket, drugstore or similar store, or mounted on a fixed stand, or alternatively, in the form of a gun. Limited by how much the housing has to be manipulated. Although the gun-shaped housing provides a high degree of versatility to the laser scanning device, it requires the gun-shaped housing to be placed on a counter surface or stand when not in use. This necessarily occupies valuable space on counter surfaces or other surfaces that are not always readily available, and may impede the lateral movement of the scanned object or item bearing the barcode symbol. You will understand.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION From the foregoing, the first object of the present invention is to support a scanned object having information above it,
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser scanning device that scans information on a scanning target with an emitted laser beam.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a laser scanning device of the above type, which is suspended and supported from a ceiling mount above the object to be scanned, and scans information on the object with the emitted laser beam. That's true.

A third object of the invention is to provide a laser scanning device of the above type, preferably in the form of a barcode reader, fixedly mounted on a ceiling structure.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a laser of the above type, which is suspended from a ceiling mount and is equipped with a cable retraction pulley for adjusting the height of the laser scanning device from the object to be scanned with the emitted laser beam. An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning device.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide a light focusing means comprising an optical system similar to that of a hand-held long distance scanner for focusing a laser beam onto a scanned object having information in the form of a bar code symbol. The object of the present invention is to provide a laser scanning device of the above type.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide an essentially hand-operable gun-type bar code reader suspended by a cable from the ceiling above the supporting surface to be scanned having the information to be scanned. It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser scanning device of the above type.

0012

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above-stated objects, the present invention provides a laser scanning device, in particular a A device for supporting or suspending a barcode reader or similar device is provided. The device supporting this laser scanning device does not occupy space above the surface on which the object to be scanned is placed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a laser scanning device places an item having information to be scanned;
It is attached to, ie suspended from, the ceiling structure above a surface that can be removed, such as a support or a counter surface.

In this embodiment, a ceiling-mounted laser scanning device according to the invention is mounted at a fixed position above the object to be scanned, the upper end of which is coupled to the ceiling and the lower end of which is placed on a suitable support surface, such as the surface of a table or counter. It can be suspended by a cord or cable extending downward to a height. In this regard, the height of the laser scanning device from the scanning object can be raised or lowered so that the laser beam is properly focused onto the information attached to the scanning object by the optical focusing device integrated in the laser scanning device. The direction can be easily adjusted. Support devices of the above type are used to adjust the length of the cable during its travel in order to adjust the position above and below the laser scanning device according to the user's requirements and/or the type and size of the object being scanned by the laser scanning device. It is planned to incorporate vessels. A cable length adjuster is a cable length adjuster having a simple winding pulley construction or cable/winding spring pulley construction, as commonly used in vertically adjustable ceiling hanging lamps or the like. It may be. Laser scanning devices have a laser that is focused in a special way and are similar to handheld long range scanners. In this embodiment, the effective range of the scanning device, essentially the depth of focus, reaches several feet. More is possible using an optical zoom device, which would provide a long effective range or depth of focus. This type of mounting method, in which the laser scanning device is suspended from the ceiling,
The user is free to use both hands to operate the product with the information scanned by the laser beam emitted downwards from the device, and can also activate the laser scanning device with the foot pedal, while at the same time The entire area can be used for scanning the product.

Also, instead of using a ceiling-mounted laser scanning device, in accordance with a modified embodiment of the invention, the laser scanning device can be suspended from the lower end of a ceiling-mounted cable and can be operated by hand. It can be a gun-type barcode reader. In this embodiment, the user uses one hand to properly place the item containing the information or barcode symbol on the support surface below the barcode reader, and the user grasps the barcode reader with the other hand to place the item containing the information or barcode symbol on the item. Barcode symbols can be scanned. After scanning, the barcode reader is released and the device is suspended from the ceiling structure without the need to place it on a support surface or return it to a support stand or holder.

[0016]

EXAMPLE Next, with reference to the drawings, a laser scanning device or bar configured to be fixedly attached to or suspended from the ceiling above the object to be scanned has a barcode symbol to be scanned by a laser beam. A preferred embodiment of the code reading device will now be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a laser scanning device 10 that can be used as a bar code reader. In this embodiment, the scanning device 10 is supported from the ceiling 12 of a room or the like via a suitable flexible cable or cord 14, and the cable can be retracted in the direction of arrow A into a cable length adjuster 16. The position of the device 10 from the ceiling 12 can be adjusted by pulling it out. The cable length adjuster 16 is of the type that includes a cable take-up pulley and a spring tensioning device within a spherical housing 18 as is well known for height adjustable ceiling lamps or the like. It's okay.

The laser scanning device 10 can also be suspended above a suitable surface 20, such as a support or counter surface, on which an item or package 22 having information to be scanned by the laser beam is placed. In this embodiment, the laser scanning device 10 may be any suitable bar code reader well known in the art, and the information 24 on the object to be scanned, e.g. It may also be a code symbol.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, ceiling mounted laser scanning device 10 can be
An optical device 26 is provided with a housing 28 shaped like a lampshade, capable of focusing a laser beam 30 emitted by a laser scanning device onto the information 24. Here, the scanner is a single line scanner,
It may be an omnidirectional scanner, ie, a rosette scanner, a crown scanner, or a slot scanner. Laser scanning device 10 can be operated by a user who places item 22 on support surface 20 beneath laser beam 30 and operates a suitable foot pedal (not shown). Therefore, the laser scanning device 10 can scan the product 22.
Since it does not take up any space on the support surface 20 on which it is placed, it is unobtrusive and does not require the user to move the device 10.

FIG. 2 shows a modified embodiment of the invention. Figure 1
Parts similar to or identical to those shown in Figure 1 are designated with the same reference numerals. Instead of the laser scanning device 10 including a light focusing device of the shape shown in FIG. 1, the laser scanning device 40 of FIG. is suspended from the bottom of the. In this embodiment, the user grasps a gun-type laser scanning device 40 with one hand and operates the trigger, which causes the laser beam emitted from the device to scan information 24, such as an item placed on the support surface 20. is emitted towards a barcode symbol printed on the package 22. After reading the information with the scanning device 40,
When the user releases the trigger, the device ceases operation and scanning device 40 remains suspended from ceiling 12 by cable 14. Additionally, the cable 14 can be retracted into the adjuster 16 to further lift the scanning device 40 out of the way of the user. The invention thus provides a very simple device for suspending a laser scanning device 10 or 40 from the ceiling without requiring any of the space normally used for laser scanning devices.

Next, the internal structure of a typical laser scanning device, such as the bar code reading device shown in FIG. 2, will be briefly described.

Scanning device 40 may be embodied in a handheld laser scanning barcode reader 100 shown in FIG. The handheld barcode reader of FIG. 3 is generally manufactured by Symbol Technology.
es, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 4,760,248
Symbol Tec
hnologies, Inc. Part number from LS
It is similar to the barcode reader sold in the 8100. Alternatively or in addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,297 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,47
The barcode reading device of FIG. 3 can be constructed using the features described in No. 0. The output light beam 151 is typically generated by a laser diode or similar element within the reader 100 and is
Aimed at the bar code symbol a few inches from the front of the 00. The output light beam 151 is scanned in a linear pattern, and the user aims the handheld scanning device so that the scanning pattern traverses the symbol to be read. The light 152 reflected from the symbol is detected by a light detection device 146 within the reader, and the series of electrical signals generated by the detection device is processed to identify the bar code symbol. The reading device 100 has a handle 1 like the grip of a pistol.
53 is a gun type barcode reading device 40. The user points the device at the symbol to be read and the light beam 1
Trigger 1 only when activating 51 and detection circuitry.
54, so if the battery is built-in, the battery life will be extended. Inside the lightweight plastic housing 155 is a laser light source 158 in addition to a battery 162.
, a detection device 146, an optical device and signal processing circuitry, and a CPU 140. A light-transmissive window 156 at the front end of housing 155 allows passage of outgoing light beam 151 and incoming reflected light 152. The reader 100 allows the user to aim away from the barcode symbol.
That is, it is designed to be moved across the symbol without touching it. Generally, this type of handheld bar code reader is designated for use within a range of several inches.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, a suitable lens 157 (or multiple lens system) is used to properly focus the light beam onto the bar code symbol at a suitable reference plane. This same lens 157 can be used to focus reflected light 152. A light beam emitted by a light source 158, for example a semiconductor laser diode, is directed along the axis of a lens 157 by means of a semi-transparent mirror and other lenses (or beam shaping structures as appropriate) and a scanning motor which is activated by pulling a trigger 154. It is reflected by the swinging mirror 159 attached to the window 15
6 and exit. If the light generated by the light source 158 is not visible light, an aiming light device can be added to the optical system and a semi-transparent mirror can be used again to introduce the aiming light and laser beam coaxially with the lens 157. The aiming light produces a visible light spot that is swept like a laser beam, so the user sees this visible light spot and
The reader can be pointed at the bar code symbol before trigger 154 is pulled.

Instead of a gun-type laser scanning device 40, a laser scanning device 10 including a lampshade-shaped housing 28 as shown in FIG. Using the same equipment as the beam generator and primarily a light focusing device, a laser beam 3 different from that obtained by the scanner type described above
0 can be generated.

Although a single column or one-dimensional bar code symbol has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and is not limited to more complex scanning patterns and stacked bar code symbols such as Cod 49 and similar symbols. It can be used for two-dimensional barcode symbols. It is also contemplated that the method of the invention may be used in a variety of machine vision or optical character recognition applications that derive information from other forms of representation, such as text or surface characteristics of the object being scanned. In the various embodiments described,
By assembling the scanner components into a very compact package, the scanner can be made as a single printed wiring board or monolithic module. Such modules are compatible as laser scanning elements and can be used in various types of data acquisition devices.

While what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will, of course, be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in form or detail without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the precise forms and details shown and described herein, nor should the scope be limited to less than the full scope of the invention as claimed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a ceiling-suspended laser scanning device in the form of a barcode reader; FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a laser scanning device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing details of the laser scanning device shown in FIG. 2;

[Description of symbols] 10 Laser scanning device 12 Ceiling 14 Cable 16 Cable length adjuster 18 Spherical housing 20 Supporting surface for the product 22 Product or packaging 24 Information or barcode symbol 26 Optical device 28 Lampshade-shaped housing 30 Laser beam 40 Gun Type of laser scanning device 100 Hand-held laser scanning barcode reader 140 CPU 146 Photodetector 151 Outgoing light beam 152 Incoming reflected light 153 Handle 154 Trigger 155 Lightweight plastic housing 156 Light-transmitting window 157 Lens 158 Light source 159 Swinging mirror 160 Scan motor 161 Printed wiring board 162 Battery

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for supporting a laser scanning device above a scanning object having information to be scanned with a laser beam, comprising means for suspending the laser scanning device from a ceiling structure at a predetermined height above the scanning object, characterized in that the suspension means has a support cable connected at an upper end to a ceiling structure and at a lower end to a laser scanning device, the support cable being connected to a power source for delivering operating current to the laser scanning device. A device that does this. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the laser scanning device is a barcode reading device for reading barcode symbols on a scanning object placed thereunder. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suspension means includes cable length adjustment means for changing the height of the laser scanning device according to user requirements. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the cable length adjustment means comprises a cable retraction pulley. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser scanning device comprises optical focusing means for directing the laser beam onto information on the object to be scanned. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the light focusing means focuses a laser beam onto the information. 7. The laser scanning device includes a hand-operated hand-held scanning head for directing the laser beam to information on the object to be scanned.
The device described in. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the scanning head has a gun-type housing with a handle that is manually operable by a user. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the housing is made from a lightweight plastic material. 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the scanning object can be placed on a support surface below the laser scanning device. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the laser scanning device is one of a rosette scanner, a crown scanner, or a slot scanner.