JPH0721302A - Barcode reader - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To reliably notify the completion of barcode reading and prevent troubles such as double reading and missed reading. The disclosed bar code reader includes a bar code reading unit 11 that reads a bar code attached to a product via a label or directly, and a bar code read mark on the label or the product directly based on a marking signal. And a CPU (central processing unit) 13 that generates the marking signal and supplies the marking signal to the marking unit 14 when the barcode is read by the barcode reading unit 11.

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 for reading merchandise information described in bar codes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a point of sale management (POS) system,
In order to implement a physical distribution management system, a product management system, a process management system, etc., necessary product information is described in a bar code directly on the product or through a label. And the barcode attached to each product is
It can be read quickly and reliably by a barcode reader,
Finally, it is transmitted to the host computer or the like.

There are two types of bar code readers, one of which is a scanner type which scans and reads a bar code, and the other of which is a one-shot type bar code which is read at once. In general, a bar code reader emits a buzzer or LE when a bar code is read by a bar code reading unit in which visible light LEDs and the like are arranged in a line.
It is configured to emit D light and the user knows that the reading is completed.

[0004]

However, in the conventional bar code reader, the LED light emission or the buzzer sound indicating the end of reading only temporarily reaches the ears and eyes of the operator. In such a case, it is easy to cause a trouble of double reading one bar code or missing it.

Further, since there is no difference in shape between the barcode before reading and the barcode after reading, it may be difficult for some people to know whether the barcode read a while ago or not. There was also. Therefore, when there are many target products or when a plurality of workers take turns reading, there is a concern that the work may be confused and the work efficiency may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and surely informs that the reading is completed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader capable of preventing troubles such as double reading and missed reading.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the bar code reader according to claim 1 is input with a bar code reading section for reading a bar code attached to a product through a label or directly. Based on the marking signal, the marking section that puts the barcode read mark on the label or directly on the product, and when the barcode is read by the barcode reading section, the marking signal is generated and supplied to the marking section. It is characterized by comprising a control unit for

The barcode reader according to claim 2 is
The marking portion is characterized by being composed of an ink droplet ejecting means for ejecting an ink droplet to attach a bar code read mark to the label or directly to the product.

[0009]

According to the bar code reader of the present invention, the bar code read mark is attached to the bar code once read, so that the user can surely know that the bar code has been read. Moreover, the read mark that has been applied once remains on the barcode until later.
Unlike the buzzer sound or the LED emission that is temporarily notified, the worker does not have to worry about making a mistake as to whether or not the barcode has been read. Therefore, one bar code is not read twice or missed, and the work can proceed smoothly.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a barcode reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. This bar code reader 1 includes a reader main body 2 and the reader main body 2
And a grip portion 3 which is integrally provided on the user's hand and is operated by a user with one hand. The front surface of the reader body 2 serves as a barcode reading surface 4 for reading a barcode. Further, in the vicinity of the barcode reading surface 4, there is provided a marking device 5 for attaching a barcode reading completed mark to a barcode directly attached to a product via a label. A trigger switch 6 is provided at a portion of the grip portion 3 that is exactly touched by the forefinger so that the operator starts pulling the barcode to start reading the barcode.

Next, the electrical configuration of the bar code reader 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. The bar code reader 1 of this example includes a bar code reading unit 11, a decoder 12, a CPU (central processing unit) 13, a marking unit 14, an optical notification unit 15, a data transfer unit 16, and an external interface 17. , A trigger switch 6, and can be connected to the nearest or portable data terminal device via an external interface 17 and a cable (not shown).

In the bar code reading section 11, visible light LEDs (not shown) are arranged in a line and the visible light LE is
The light emitted from D is applied to the barcode, and the returned light of the light reflected with the intensity corresponding to the arrangement of the barcode is received by the light receiving element such as CCD (charge coupled device) through the optical system. The decoder 12 reads the optical information displayed in binary code according to the thick and thin lines of the bar code and the intervals between them, and converts the optical information into an electric signal for decoding.
Supply to.

The decoder 12 includes the bar code reading section 1
The binary-coded electric signal supplied from 1 is decoded into data that can be understood by the CPU 13, and the decoding result (decoded product data) is supplied to the CPU 13.

The CPU 13 executes a processing program stored in a ROM which constitutes a memory (not shown) by using a work RAM which also constitutes the memory,
Controls each part of the device.

The marking unit 14 is for attaching a read mark to a bar code label or a product directly. The marking unit 14 in this example ejects ink droplets based on a marking signal supplied from the CPU 13, so-called. On-demand type multi-inkjet heads are used, and these heads are connected to the scanning mechanism. This makes it possible to change the operator code and work from simple marks such as ◯ and Δ. Print the person's name, date of reading, etc. on the barcode label affixed to the product (in the vicinity of the barcode if the product is directly barcoded), and read "This barcode is scanned. The worker can perceive it. In addition, the data regarding these mark shapes is
It is stored in advance in a non-volatile rewritable data RAM (not shown) that constitutes the memory in the barcode reader.
The data regarding these mark shapes is read by the CPU 13 after the barcode label is read, and a marking signal is created based on the read data.

The light notification unit 15 is for notifying the operator that the bar code has been read by turning on the light, and in the present embodiment, it is constructed using an LED light emitting element.

The data transfer unit 16 temporarily holds the product data supplied from the CPU 13 and transfers the product data to a host computer or the like (not shown) via the external interface 17.

When the trigger switch 6 is turned on by an operator, the trigger switch 6 outputs a trigger signal for starting a read signal to output CP.
Supply to U13.

Next, the operation of this example will be described. In the above configuration, when the operator presses the trigger switch 6, a trigger signal is generated and supplied to the CPU 13. Upon receiving the supply of the trigger signal, the CPU 13 gives a barcode reading instruction to the barcode reading unit 11. In this state, the operator reads the barcode reading surface 4 of the reader body 2 by bringing the barcode reading surface 4 close to or in contact with the barcode 20a shown in FIG. The bar code thus read is transferred to the decoder 12, and the CPU 1
3 is decrypted into data that can be understood, and the decryption result is supplied to the CPU. When the CPU receives supply of the decrypted data from the decoder 12, it checks whether or not it has been erroneously read, and transfers only the correctly read data to the data transfer unit 16. The data transferred to the data transfer unit 16 is transferred to the data terminal device via the external interface. On the other hand, when the CPU 13 is supplied with the decoded data from the decoder 12, the CPU 13 sends a light emission signal to the optical notification unit 15 and a marking signal to the marking unit 14. When receiving the light emission signal from the CPU 13, the light notification unit 15 lights up for a moment. As a result, the worker perceives that the reading of the barcode has been completed successfully. When the marking unit 14 receives a marking signal from the CPU 13, the marking unit 14 ejects or does not eject ink droplets on the barcode label 20b after the reading according to the signal, thereby forming a desired pattern, for example, a circle. A read-completed mark 21 in which the name or initials of the worker is displayed is drawn. As a result, even after the light notification unit 15 is turned off, the worker can confirm that the barcode has been read because the barcode label 20b has the read mark 21 as shown in FIG. To know.

As described above, according to the bar code reader 1 of the present embodiment, the read mark 21 can be attached to the bar code 20b after being read. Moreover, since the read mark 21 once attached remains on the barcode 20b until later, unlike the buzzer sound or the LED emission which is temporarily notified, there is a concern that the operator may mistakenly read the barcode. Absent. Therefore, the trouble of double-reading or over-reading the once-read barcode can be solved, and the work can be smoothly carried out.

Further, since it is possible to identify at a glance whether it is before reading or after reading, even if a large number of products are handled or a plurality of workers work, the work will not be confused and will be smooth. The reading work can be performed, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Moreover, since the name of each worker can be put in the read mark 21, it is possible to clarify the work responsibility and to make the product management system and the like stricter.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and the design change and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Even this is included in this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the inkjet type marking unit 14 is used is shown, but the invention is not limited to the inkjet type,
A wire dot system, a thermal transfer system, an automatic stamp system or the like may be used. It should be noted that the inkjet type is not limited to the contact type bar code reader and has an advantage that it can be applied to a non-contact type bar code reader.
The inkjet head is not limited to the on-demand type, but may be a so-called continuous type in which charged ink particles are controlled by deflection electrodes.

Further, as described in the embodiment, instead of attaching the read mark 21 with the name of each worker, the read mark with the date of work is attached or the department name is attached. It is possible to select any mark shape, such as adding a read mark. Alternatively, it is of course possible to attach a mark having a constant shape regardless of the worker or the date of work.

In addition to the visible light LED as shown in the above embodiment, a laser diode or the like can be used for the bar code reading section 11.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which LED light emission is used for the light notification unit 15 notifying that the reading is completed is shown, but a buzzer sound may be generated instead of the LED light emission, or the LED may be used. The light emission may be used together with the buzzer sound generation.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the bar code reader is connected to the host computer or the like with a cable, but it may be connected wirelessly, or not only to the host computer but also to a personal computer or a handy terminal. You may

Further, in the above embodiment, the trigger switch 6
I described the case of starting reading by the operation of,
For example, reading may be started by a command from a host computer or the like.

[0029]

As described above, according to the bar code reader of the present invention, when the bar code is read, the operator is informed that "this bar code has already been read" on the bar code. Since the read mark that is perceived is attached, there is no trouble of double-reading or over-reading a once-read barcode, and accurate information can be obtained. Further, since it is obvious whether or not the data is read, it is possible to improve work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a barcode reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the barcode reader.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a barcode before reading.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a barcode after reading.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Bar Code Reader 11 Bar Code Reading Unit 13 CPU (Control Unit) 14 Marking Unit 20a Bar Code 20b Bar Code 21 Read Mark (Bar Code Read Mark)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reading unit for reading a bar code attached to a product directly or through a label, and a marking for applying a bar code read mark to the label or the product directly based on a marking signal inputted. A bar code reader comprising: a section and a control section that generates the marking signal and supplies the marking signal to the marking section when the bar code is read by the bar code reading section. 2. The bar according to claim 1, wherein the marking part is composed of an ink drop ejecting means for ejecting an ink drop to attach a bar code read mark to the label or the product directly. Code reader.