JPH07325877A - Reader for mark - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a reader of a mark capable of judging whether or not a posture is the appropriate one of merchandise corresponding to a work process corresponding the kind of the merchandise. CONSTITUTION:A scanning read means 32 reads information from a bar code 2, converts the respective pieces of read information to prescribed forms and holds them. A direction judgement means 34 judges the direction of the bar code 2 from the scanning direction of the scanning read means 32 and the read order of the respective pieces of the information and a specified direction setting means 36 sets more than one specified directions for the bar code 2. An output control means 38 judges whether or not the direction of the bar code 2 judged by the direction judgement means 34 coincides with the specified directions set by the specified direction setting means 36, outputs content information held in the scanning read means 32 in the case of coincidence and outputs non-coincidence signals in the case of non-coincidence. Thus, whether or not the merchandise to which the bar code 2 is attached is in the desired posture is judged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mark reading device, and more particularly to a mark reading device capable of judging whether or not a marked product has an appropriate product attitude according to the situation. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When automatically sorting products, a bar code is used as a mark for describing sorting information.
A bar code reader is used to read the bar code. The structure of the conventional barcode reader 4 is shown in FIG. The conventional barcode reader 4 is roughly composed of a reading unit 6, a decoder unit 8 and an output unit 10.

The bar code 2 attached to the product 18 (see FIG. 8A
The information described in (Reference) is read by the reading unit 6 by an optical method, and is decoded into predetermined character data by the decoder unit 8. The output unit 10 outputs the content information decoded into predetermined character data to a higher-level processing device (not shown). The higher-level processing device controls the operation of an actuator (not shown) or the like based on this content information, and thereby automatically sorts the products.

[0004]

However, the conventional bar code reader 4 as described above has the following problems. In general, the barcode is composed of a start code 12, a character group 14 including content information, and a stop code 16, as shown in FIG. 8B, which are arranged in this order. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9, the reading direction (Y direction) of the barcode reader 4 is often constant.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
If the barcode 2 attached to 8 is in the upright state,
The bar code reader 4 reads the bar code 2 in the order of the start code 12, the character group 14, and the stop code 16 (regular order).

However, as shown in FIG. 9, when the commodity 18 is erroneously placed on the belt conveyor 20 in an inverted state, the bar code reader 4 outputs the bar code 2, the stop code 16, and the character group 14. , Start code 12 is read in the order (reverse order).

In preparation for such a case, the conventional bar code reader 4 is configured to output the same content information regardless of the reading direction. That is, even if the reading direction is the reverse order, the decoder unit 8 automatically processes the read information internally and outputs only the same content information as when the reading direction is the normal order.

With this structure, the product 18
The output unit 10 can always output the same content information to a higher-order processing device regardless of whether the unit is upright or inverted.

However, depending on the product, there is no problem even if it is handled in an inverted state, and there is a product that must always be handled in an upright state. Also,
In some cases, it may be necessary to handle the product in an inverted state only in certain work processes such as packing work.

In such a case, since the higher-level processing device connected to the conventional bar code reader 4 having the above-mentioned structure is given the same content information regardless of the posture of the product 18, the product 18 It was not possible to distinguish between erect and inverted. For this reason, the product 18 that must be shipped in the upright state will be shipped in the inverted state.
There was an inconvenience.

In order to avoid such an inconvenience, it is possible to add an output (reverse order detection output) indicating that reading is performed in reverse order to the output of the content information of the conventional bar code reader 4. is there. However, with this configuration, even if it is possible to determine whether the product 18 is upright or inverted, the barcode reader itself cannot determine whether the product 18 is in the proper posture. Therefore, it is necessary to entrust the upper processing device to determine whether or not the posture of the product 18 is appropriate.

In this case, the upper processing device grasps the proper posture in each work process or in the work process depending on the property of the product, and in the work process in which the inversion is not allowed, only when the reverse order detection output is not received. It must be judged that the posture of the product 18 is proper. On the other hand, in the work process where erecting is not allowed, it is necessary to judge that the posture of the product 18 is proper only when the reverse order detection output is received. Further, in a work process in which both upright and upside down are allowed, it is necessary to judge that the posture of the product 18 is proper regardless of whether or not the reverse order detection output is received.

That is, the higher-level processing device, based on the information given in advance about the proper posture in each work step or according to the property of the product 18 and the reverse order detection output output from the bar code reader, Depending on the type of 18 and the work process, it is necessary to determine whether to allow the product 18 to be inverted or upright. Therefore, the burden of judgment on the upper processing device connected to the barcode reader increases.

The present invention improves such a conventional mark reading device such as a bar code reader, and determines whether or not the posture of the product is appropriate according to the type of product and the work process. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mark reading device capable of performing.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mark reading device for reading each information from a mark having start information, content information and end information.
By scanning the mark, the start information, the content information and the end information are read from the mark, the scanning reading means for holding each read information, the scanning direction of the scanning reading means and the direction determination for judging the mark direction from the reading order of each information Means, mark direction setting means for setting one or more specified directions, mark direction is judged whether it matches the specified direction, if they match, the content information is output, and if they do not match, they do not match It is characterized by comprising an output control means for outputting a signal.

[0016]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mark reading device, a direction determining means for determining the direction of the mark from the scanning direction of the scanning and reading means and the reading order of each information, and a designated direction setting means for setting one or more designated directions for the mark. It is characterized in that it is provided with an output control means for judging whether or not the direction of the mark coincides with the designated direction, outputting the content information when the direction coincides, and outputting the non-coincidence signal when the direction does not coincide. Therefore, the mark reading device can determine the direction of the mark. Also, depending on the type of product with the mark,
Alternatively, the proper attitude of the product can be designated according to the work process. Therefore, when the mark direction does not match the designated direction, the mismatch signal can be output. In addition, when two or more marks are attached to a product, if the mark direction is determined according to the type of data, only the content information of the mark in the direction matching the designated direction can be output.

[0017]

1 shows the construction of a bar code reader 30 which is a mark reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scanning reading means 32 scans the bar code 2 which is a mark to read a start code 12 which is start information, a character group 14 which includes content information and a stop code 16 which is end information (see FIG. 8B) from the bar code 2. The read information is converted into a predetermined format and then stored. The direction judging means 34 judges the direction of the barcode 2 from the scanning direction of the scanning reading means 32 and the reading order of each information. The designated direction setting means 36 sets one or more designated directions for the barcode 2. Output control means 38
Judges whether or not the direction of the bar code 2 judged by the direction judging means 34 matches the designated direction set by the designated direction setting means 36, and if they match, the scanning reading means 32 holds them. If the contents information does not match, a mismatch signal is output.

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration in the case where each unit of FIG. 1 is realized by using a CPU. The above-mentioned scanning and reading means 32 is generally composed of a scanner 40, a bar code capturing circuit 46, a memory 48 and a CPU 50.

The scanner 40 has a projector 42 which is an illuminating means for irradiating the bar code 2 with a laser beam and a light receiver 44 which is a light receiving means for receiving the reflected light from the bar code 2. The scanner 40 controls the light projector 42 and the light receiver 44 to read the information described in the barcode and outputs the information as an analog signal.

The bar code capture circuit 46 is used by the scanner 4
Convert the analog signal output from 0 to a binary signal,
Send to memory 48. The CPU 50 takes out the binarized signal from the memory 48 and converts it into data of a predetermined format.
The memory 48 holds the converted data in a predetermined format as scanning read data.

The memory 48 is the scanning reading means 32 described above.
In addition to constituting a part of the above, it also functions as the designated direction setting means 36 described above. The memory 48 also functions as a storage medium that stores the processing procedure of the CPU 50 and the like. On the other hand, C
The PU 50 constitutes a part of the above-mentioned scanning and reading means 32, and also functions as the direction determining means 34 and the output control means 38.

The input / output interface 52 is the CPU 5
0 is a circuit for matching input / output signals between an external device and an output of the sensor 54 (see FIG. 3) to the CPU 50.
And the output of the CPU 50 is transmitted to an external higher-level processing device (not shown).

Next, the operation when the bar code reader 30 according to this embodiment is used for automatic sorting of products will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. As shown in FIG. 3, the product 18 is placed on the belt conveyor 20 and is moving in the X direction in the figure. The sensor 54 sends a synchronization signal to the CPU 50 (see FIG. 2) via the input / output interface 52 while the product 18 passes through L-L in the figure. CPU50
When the synchronization signal is received, the scanner 40 is activated and the product 18
The bar code 2 attached to the bar code 2 is read. The bar code system used in this embodiment is "ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5)".

FIG. 4 is a flow chart when the flow of the reading process by the bar code reader 30 according to this embodiment is viewed from the CPU 50 side. The processing flow will be described based on FIG. 2 while referring to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The CPU 50 monitors the synchronization signal input from the sensor 54 (see FIG. 3). (FIG. 4, step S
2).

Upon receiving the synchronization signal input, the CPU 50 drives the bar code capturing circuit 46 and the scanner 40 to capture the information described in the barcode 2 (FIG. 4, step S4). Information is taken in according to the scanning direction of the scanner 40 (Y direction in FIG. 3). Therefore, in the case of FIG. 3, information is fetched in the normal order of the bar code 2 (start code 12, character group 14, stop code 16 in order, see FIG. 8B). When the product 18 is placed upside down as shown in FIG. 9, the barcode 2 is in the reverse order (stop code 1
6, character group 14, start code 12, in order, FIG.
Information is taken in (see B). The bar code capturing circuit 46 converts the captured information into a binary signal and sends it to the memory 48.

The CPU 50 then analyzes the bar code 2 (FIG. 4, step S6). The analysis of the barcode 2 can be divided into a decoding process and a direction determination process. First, the CPU 50 takes out this binarized signal from the memory 48, converts it into data of a predetermined format, and then uses the converted data as scan read data in the memory 48.
To hold. This is the decoding process. The scanning read data is the content information (in the present embodiment, "678").
9 ") and the reading order of each information (in this embodiment,
The main contents are the order of the start code 12, the character group 14, and the stop code 16, that is, "regular order").

Next, the CPU 50 determines the direction of the read bar code 2 (that is, the direction of the product 18) from the scanning direction of the scanner 40 and the reading order of information (described above). This is the direction determination process. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, when the bar code 2 (that is, the product 18) is in the upright state, the information of the bar code 2 includes the start code 12, the character group 14, and the stop code 16 in the Y direction. Bar code 2 so that it is arranged in order (normal order).
Is configured. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the scanning direction of the scanner 40 is always the Y direction. Therefore,
When the information reading order is the normal order, the CPU 50
The direction of the barcode 2 (that is, the product 18) is determined to be the upright direction. On the other hand, in the case as shown in FIG.
Since the reading order of information is the reverse order, the CPU 50 determines that the direction of the barcode 2 (that is, the product 18) is the inverted direction.

Next, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the direction of the read bar code 2 matches the designated direction (FIG. 4, step S8). The designated direction is a proper posture of the barcode 2 (that is, the product 18) determined for each work process, and is the memory 48 that is the designated direction setting means 36.
It is stored in advance. In this embodiment, the designated directions are "upright direction", "upside down direction",
Alternatively, either one of "bidirectional" can be selected.

When the direction of the read bar code 2 coincides with the designated direction (in the present embodiment, the designated direction is "upright direction" or "bidirectional"), C
The PU 50 stores the content information ("" stored in the memory 48).
6789 ″) is output to the host processor via the input / output interface 52 (FIG. 4, step S1).
4). After that, the CPU 50 returns the control to step S2.

In this embodiment, when "bidirectional" is set as the designated direction, the direction of the read bar code 2 ("upright direction" or "as an option output" together with the above-mentioned content information is set. It is also possible to output the inverted direction "). By outputting the direction of the read barcode 2 as well, the higher-level processing device can make a higher-level judgment.

When the direction of the read bar code 2 does not match the designated direction (in the present embodiment, the designated direction is the "inverted direction"), the CPU 50 has a synchronous input from the sensor 54. The operation after the bar code is captured is repeated under the condition (step S4 to S1 in FIG. 4).
0).

If the synchronization input from the sensor 54 disappears during this time, the bar code acquisition is terminated and the non-coincidence signal is output to the host processor via the input / output interface 52 (FIG. 4, step S12). After that, the CPU 50 returns the control to the monitoring state of the synchronous input (FIG. 4, step S2).

As described above, according to the bar code reader 30, the bar code reader 30 can determine the direction of the bar code 2. Further, it is possible to specify an appropriate posture of the product 18 according to the type of the product 18 with the barcode 2 or according to the work process. For this reason,
When the direction of the bar code 2 does not match the designated direction, a mismatch signal can be output. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the posture of the product 18 is appropriate according to the type of the product 18 to which the barcode 2 is attached or according to the work process.

Further, by using this bar code reader 30, the product 18 itself is guaranteed to be placed on the belt conveyor 20 in a certain direction without fail. It is possible to detect an error in the direction of the attached barcode 2. That is, when the bar code 2 is mistakenly attached to the product 18 in the upside-down direction, this can be detected. Therefore,
By inadvertently replacing the reversely attached barcode 2, it is possible to avoid inconvenience in a later process.

In the description of this embodiment, as described above, when only one bar code 2 is attached to the product 18, whether or not the direction of the bar code 2 is the desired direction. However, the use of the barcode reader 30 of this embodiment is not limited to this. When the product 18 is provided with two or more barcodes, it can be applied to the following uses.

FIG. 5 shows the first bar code 62, the second bar code 64, the third bar code 66, the fourth bar code 68,
It is a figure which shows the structure of the label 60 which has the 5th barcode 70. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, five barcodes 62-7
Of 0, only the fourth barcode 68 is arranged in the upright direction, and the other four barcodes are all arranged in the upright direction.

Therefore, the bar code reader 30 described above is used.
In, when the designated direction is set to the “inverted direction”, the barcode reader 30 outputs only the content information of the fourth barcode 68 that matches the designated direction.

As described above, when two or more bar codes 62 to 70 are attached to the product 18, if the bar code direction is determined in accordance with the type of data, the bar code of the direction matching the designated direction can be obtained. Only the content information can be output. Therefore, of the two or more barcodes, the reading process can be performed only on the barcode in which the specific type of data is described.

Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which a plurality of bar codes 62 to 70 are described on one label 60, this embodiment shows a case where one bar code is described on one label. The same can be applied when a plurality of items are attached to the product 18.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the scanning direction of the scanner 40 is always a constant direction (Y direction), but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the present invention can be applied to a multi-direction scanning bar code reader in which the scanning directions are three directions, that is, the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction, and the direction forming 45 degrees with the Y direction.

By applying the present invention to a multi-directional scanning bar code reader, not only the direction of the product 18 is the upright direction or the inverted direction, but also the right lateral direction, the left lateral direction or the diagonal direction. It is also possible to determine whether or not the direction. For this reason, even in a complicated work process in which the product 18 is required to have various attitudes, it is possible to judge whether or not the product 18 has a proper attitude for each process.

As in the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, the multi-directional scanning bar code reader can be applied to the purpose of reading two or more bar codes. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the label 80 having the first barcode 62, the second barcode 64, and the third barcode 66. As shown in FIG. 6, the first bar code 62 is in the upright direction (0 °), the second bar code 64 is in an oblique direction (−45 °) with respect to the first bar code 62, and the third bar code 66 is. Are arranged in a direction (−90 °) orthogonal to the first barcode 62.

Therefore, in this multi-directional scanning bar code reader, the designated direction is, for example, "oblique direction (-
45 °) ”, the multi-directional scanning bar code reader outputs only the content information of the second bar code 64 which coincides with the designated direction.

As described above, when two or more bar codes 62, 64, 66 are attached to the product 18, the bar code direction (0 °, -45 in the example of FIG. 6) is set according to the type of data.
.Degree., -90.degree.), It is possible to output only the content information of the bar code in the direction corresponding to the designated direction. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the reading process can be performed only on the bar code in which the specific type of data is described among the two or more bar codes.

Further, in addition to the example shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment, in the case where a plurality of products in which one bar code is described on one label is attached to the product 18 in different directions. Can also be applied.

Although the CPU 50 is used as the scanning / reading means 32, the direction determining means 34, and the output control means 38 in the above-described embodiments, a part or all of the CPU 50 can be configured by hardware logic. .

Although "ITF" has been described as an example of the bar code system to be read, the present invention is not limited to this, and "Code 39", "JAN code", "CODE128" and all other types. Applicable to system barcodes.

Furthermore, the present invention is not applied only to a bar code reader, but is also applied to a reading device for a solid mark in which information is unevenly displayed on the surface of an article, a magnetic mark in which it is magnetically displayed, and other marks. be able to. That is, the present invention is generally applied to a mark reading apparatus that reads information from a mark having start information, content information, and end information.

[0050]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mark reading device which determines a direction of a mark based on a scanning direction of the scanning reading means and a reading order of each information, and a designated direction which sets one or more designated directions for the mark. It is characterized in that the setting means and output control means for judging whether or not the direction of the mark matches the designated direction, outputting the content information when they match, and outputting a mismatch signal when they do not match, To do.

Therefore, the mark reading device can determine the mark direction. Further, it is possible to specify a proper attitude of the product according to the type of the marked product or the working process. Therefore, when the mark direction does not match the designated direction, the mismatch signal can be output. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the product has an appropriate attitude according to the type of the marked product or the working process.

When two or more marks are attached to a product, if the mark direction is determined according to the type of data, only the mark content information in the direction that matches the designated direction can be output. . Therefore, of the two or more marks, the reading process can be performed only on the mark in which the specific type of data is written.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bar code reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a hardware configuration of a bar code reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of automatic sorting of products using a barcode reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a reading process by a barcode reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a barcode used in a reading process by a barcode reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a barcode used in a reading process by a barcode reader according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional barcode reader.

FIG. 8

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of automatic sorting of products by a conventional barcode reader.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Bar code 32 ... Scan reading means 34 ... Direction determination means 36 ... Designated direction setting means 38 ... Output control means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A mark reading device for reading each of the above information from a mark having start information, content information and end information, wherein the start information, the content information and the end information are read from the mark by scanning the mark. Scanning and reading means for reading and holding each of the read information, direction determining means for determining the direction of the mark from the scanning direction of the scanning and reading means and the reading order of each of the information, and setting one or more designated directions for the mark Designated direction setting means, the direction of the mark is determined whether or not to match the designated direction, if they match, the content information is output, if not, output control means for outputting a mismatch signal, A mark reading device comprising: