JPH0636064A - Bar code reader writer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Structure] By providing a bar code label that changes color only in response to light rays having certain characteristics and a light emitting unit that emits the above light rays and scans the bar code label, A barcode reader / writer that integrates reading and writing. [Effect] With the above configuration, the reading and writing operations of barcode data can be arbitrarily performed by a single device, and the work efficiency is improved. In addition, the space of the bar code system can be saved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reader which has been widely used as a means for easily inputting ID information of a product or the like into a computer in recent years, and for printing a bar code tag as ID information. With a barcode writer,
By integrating a barcode reader that optically reads the printed barcode tag and converts it into a computer-understandable code (such as ASCII code), the data read using the barcode tag can be processed by the computer. The present invention relates to a bar code reader / writer characterized by being able to write additional data or correction data generated when it is processed into new information at the same time as reading. In other words, the purpose of this barcode reader / writer is not only to input fixed information, but also to correct or change data based on the input information, and to use the result as the original information transmission medium (for example, product The present invention can be applied to a system in which additional writing is required in a box or the like), for example, a system relating to production management, physical distribution management, and point-of-sale information management.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional system using a bar code, a bar code reader only reads and a bar code writer only writes, and the bar code reader and the bar code writer are composed of completely different devices. It was

Therefore, in a production management system such as a production line for handling products in which a non-reproducible defect occurs and the number of products decreases every time a product is processed in a process, such as a semiconductor production line. Conventionally, in order to correct product incidental information such as a decrease in the number of products, the company conventionally entered the quantity with a keyboard and manually entered it on the slip. otherwise,
Every time the number of products decreased in the process, the barcode tag was reissued and reattached to the product or the box containing the product. Alternatively, as described in JP-A-63-184178, a liquid crystal panel is used as a bar code label, and a nonvolatile memory, a CPU and a communication function are added to the medium, so that a bar code corresponding to a change in product quantity can be obtained. I was able to display the label.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned conventional means, when the name of the product or manufacturing process is changed or the number of products is decreased, the bar code tag is read at the bar code writer each time. Had to be issued and replaced. Therefore, there is a limitation in the input location, because the input cannot be performed unless the barcode can be issued. Further, there is a problem that the number of man-hours required for inputting data is high, because the data must be input by the barcode reader and further by the keyboard.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when a bar code needs to be changed, the bar code can be created and changed on the spot, which facilitates the work. It has become.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a bar code label and a bar code reader are provided with the following means.

(1) In a bar code label, the bar code data is changed in color by reacting with a light beam (a light beam having a different wavelength or intensity) having a characteristic different from the reading light beam from the bar code reader / writer, and the bar code data is printed on the label. Storage means for recording (2) In the bar code reader / writer, a light emitting means for emitting a light beam for reading the bar code data and a light beam for recording the bar code data.

At this time, the light emitting means can generate light rays having different wavelengths or intensities or both for reading and for writing.

(3) In the bar code reader / writer,
A light-receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the bar code label from the reading light emitted by the light-emitting unit.

(4) In the bar code reader / writer,
Light control means for controlling the wavelength or intensity of the light of the light emitting means used for reading or writing the barcode and the movement of the beam.

(5) In the bar code reader / writer,
Communication means for exchanging data with external computers.

(6) In the bar code reader / writer,
Encoding means that converts information received from an external computer into barcode data (data with or without wide or narrow bars).

(7) In the bar code reader / writer,
Decoding means that converts the read barcode data into data that can be recognized by an external computer.

(8) In the bar code reader / writer,
Control means that controls the whole.

(9) In the bar code reader / writer,
Switching means for switching the operation of the light control unit by reading and writing.

[0016]

The operation of the bar code reader / writer of the present invention will be described separately for reading and writing.

(1) At the time of reading (a) The user of the bar code reader / writer holds the bar code reader / writer, applies the bar code reader / writer to the bar code label to be read, and presses the reading switch.

(B) When the reading switch is pressed, the control means issues an instruction for emitting light for reading and scanning to the light control means.

(C) The light control means makes the reading light emitted by the light emitting means and scans the emitted light at the same time so that the bar code data can be read.

(D) The light reflected by the bar code is read by the light receiving means.

(E) The read bar code data is converted into a data format which can be recognized by an external computer by the decoding means.

(F) The control unit checks the consistency of the data, and if the data is normally read, the data is transferred to the external computer by the communication means, and the series of reading operations is completed.

(2) At the time of writing (a) The new writing information transferred from the external computer is registered in the bar code reader / writer by the communication means.

(B) Place the bar code reader / writer on the bar code label and press the write switch.

(C) The encoding means converts the new write information into bar code data.

(D) When the writing switch is pressed, the light control means causes the light emitting means to emit light for writing, and at the same time scans the bar code label based on the bar code pattern.

(E) The bar code label receives a light beam for writing and changes color, and a bar code pattern is recorded on the label.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 1 is an operation block diagram of a bar code reader / writer according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the barcode reader / writer includes a control unit (101) and an encoding unit (10).
2), a light control unit (103), a light emitting unit (104), a light receiving unit (105), and a decoding unit (106).

First, in reading, the light control unit is directly controlled by the switch of the control unit, and the light emitting unit irradiates the bar code label (107) with a scanning light beam (the extent to which the light reflected by the bar code can be read by the light receiving unit). The barcode information is input by sensing the difference in reflectance between the stripe portion and the other portion of the barcode by the light receiving unit.

The input bar code data is converted into a code format that can be recognized by an external computer in the decoding section. For example, CODE39 is converted into ASCII code.

After the control unit has checked the consistency,
The data is transferred to the external computer (109) by the communication unit (108).

In writing, the communication section first receives new write information in ASCII code format from an external computer. Next, when the write switch is pressed, the above information is passed to the encoding section and the ASCII code is changed to C
Convert to ODE39. The light control unit controls the light emitting unit based on the bar code data delivered from the encoding unit, and scans the bar code label based on the bar code pattern. The bar code label is discolored by the writing light beam emitted from the light emitting unit, and the bar code pattern is written on the bar code label.

Next, an example of a system using the bar code reader / writer described above will be described.

When applied to production control, a slip called a transfer table is attached to the product and sent to the production line. In this movement table, a lot number corresponding to a product ID, a sequence of process codes (process flow) in accordance with the processing order of the product, and the number of products at the time of loading are printed by bar codes. Lot number and process code of the process that processed the product,
If you enter the number of completed machining in the previous process or the number of defective products that cannot be regenerated due to machining in the relevant process by barcode, the computer will judge the validity of the relevant input and if the input is valid, The number of products at the present time is newly entered in the transfer table by the barcode reader / writer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the progress management system.
This system is composed of a worker terminal (202) that collects work records on site and a host computer (201) that collectively manages the information. A bar code reader / writer (203) is connected to the worker terminal,
The operator inputs data to the system by reading the bar code printed on the tag sheet (204).

The tag sheet (301) shown in FIG. 3 describes the production process as a process flow from process 1 to process n. The worker starts the production of lots in each process based on the process flow shown on this tag sheet, and after the work is completed, the process name is sent to the higher level system to report that the work of the own process is completed. And enter the number on the tag sheet using a bar code. After recording, the lot shall be handed over to the next process indicated on the tag sheet.

By the operation of the bar code reader / writer of the present invention, even if a defect occurs in the previous process, the number is indicated by the bar code, so that the number of lots to be worked can always be changed.

[0039]

By providing both read and write functions in a single device, it is possible to improve work efficiency and save space when installing a bar code system. In addition, the conventional bar code reader was capable of only unidirectionally exchanging information, but this system enables bidirectional information exchange by allowing free writing.

In the progress management system to which the present bar code reader / writer is applied, the production information that changes according to the progress of production is recorded in the work table at any time, so that the production information can be smoothly delivered to the next process. , Work efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation block diagram of a barcode reader / writer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram when the bar code system according to the present invention is applied to a progress management system in a production site.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a tag sheet used in a progress management system to which a barcode reader / writer according to the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 ... Control part, 102 ... Encoding part, 103 ... Optical control part, 104 ... Light emitting part, 105 ... Light receiving part, 106 ... Decoding part, 107 ... Bar code label, 108 ... Communication part, 109 ... External computer, 201 ... Upper level Computer, 202 ... Worker terminal, 203 ... Bar code reader / writer, 204 ... Tag sheet, 301 ... Tag sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A bar code label coated with a marking material which changes color only in response to a light ray having a certain characteristic, a light emitting source emitting a light ray having the above characteristic, and a bar by a light ray emitted from the light emitting source. A means for scanning the code label, a means for mutually converting a data format and a barcode data which can be recognized by an external computer, and a difference in reflectance of the projected light ray for at least one color different from the color of the background of the label. It is composed of a recognition means and a means for judging whether or not the read data is normal, and in a single device, not only can the bar code on the label be read but also the bar code data can be recorded. Code reader / writer.