JPH0927005A - Data symbol reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Constitution] The data symbol reading device 1 includes a mirror, a lens 46, a half mirror 49, an area sensor 43, a line sensor 48, CCD drive circuits 6 and 7, an amplifier circuit 8 and a binarization circuit 10. The memory 12, the control unit 15, the light source 41, the light source drive circuit 42, the communication driver 16, the changeover switch 18, the trigger switch 14, and the like. In the first mode in which the one-dimensional data symbol (bar code) is read, an image is taken by the line sensor 48, and in the second mode in which the two-dimensional data symbol is read, an image is taken by the area sensor 43. The image signals from the sensors 48 and 43 are signal-processed, decoded, and transmitted to the host computer 17. [Effect] The one-dimensional and two-dimensional data symbols can be read by using the image pickup device having a simple structure and a relatively small number of pixels.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data symbol reading device for reading coded information such as two-dimensional data symbols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, a method and apparatus for converting product information into a bar code and reading the bar code with a bar code reader are widely used for application to, for example, a POS system. However, the bar code is read one-dimensionally by scanning in the bar arrangement direction, and there is a limit to the amount of information.

Therefore, in recent years, as a device capable of carrying more information, for example, a two-dimensional data symbol in which a black and white mosaic pattern is two-dimensionally arranged and a data symbol reading device for reading the two-dimensional data symbol have been developed.

Thus, in addition to the bar code reader, 2
Since a data symbol reading device for reading a two-dimensional data symbol has been developed, it is expected that a barcode and a two-dimensional data symbol will coexist. Therefore, one device can read a barcode and a two-dimensional data symbol. It is desirable to be able to decode each.

In this case, a bar code may be imaged by an area sensor used as an image sensor in a data symbol reader for reading the two-dimensional data symbol, and the image data may be signal-processed and decoded. Conceivable.

However, in general, the width of the bar code in the bar arrangement direction is longer than the width of one side of the two-dimensional data symbol, and the image magnification cannot be reduced due to the reduction in resolution. Therefore, in order to read the bar code, A large area sensor with many pixels must be used. Therefore, the device becomes expensive.

[0007]

An object of the present invention is to provide a one-dimensional data symbol (bar code) and a two-dimensional data symbol by using an image pickup device having a simple structure and a relatively small number of pixels. An object of the present invention is to provide a data symbol reading device capable of reading data.

[0008]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (6).

(1) One-dimensional data symbol and two
A data symbol reading device capable of reading a two-dimensional data symbol, comprising: a first image sensor for reading the one-dimensional data symbol; and a second image sensor for reading the two-dimensional data symbol. And an image of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol
And an optical system for forming an image on the light receiving surface of the second image sensor, the data symbol reading device.

(2) The data symbol reading device according to (1), wherein the optical system has an optical component that divides an optical path to the first image sensor and an optical path to the second image sensor. .

(3) The optical system forms an image of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol on the light receiving surface of the first image sensor, and at the same time, forms an image of the image formed on the first image sensor. A part of the first imaging optical system that sets the magnification is shared with the first imaging optical system, and the image of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol is transferred to the light-receiving surface of the second image sensor. The data symbol reading device according to (2), further comprising: a second image forming optical system that forms an image and sets the magnification of the image formed on the second image sensor.

(4) The data symbol reading device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first image sensor is a line sensor and the second image sensor is an area sensor.

(5) Mode setting means for setting either the first mode for reading the one-dimensional data symbol or the second mode for reading the two-dimensional data symbol is provided. The data symbol reading device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, which reads the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol according to the mode set by the setting means.

(6) Depending on the discriminating means for discriminating whether the imaged data symbol is the one-dimensional data symbol or the two-dimensional data symbol, and the dimension of the data symbol discriminated by the discriminating means. A data symbol reading device according to any one of (1) to (5) above, which further comprises a switching means for switching the decoding operation of the information represented by the data symbol.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a data symbol reading device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a data symbol reading device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the data symbol reading device shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are data showing the data shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a housing of the symbol reading device, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the data symbol reading device shown in FIG.

As shown in these figures, the data symbol reading device 1 of the present invention is composed of a vertically long grip portion 21 to be gripped by hand and an L-shaped head portion 22 formed on the tip side thereof. It has a casing 2, and a signal processing circuit 5, a light source drive circuit 42 and a communication driver 16 which will be described later are accommodated in the grip portion 21, and a head portion 22 is provided with a light source driving circuit 42 and a communication driver 16. A reading unit 4 that receives light is stored. Further, on one side of the casing 2, a trigger switch 14 for starting the reading operation by the reading unit 4 and a first mode for reading a barcode (one-dimensional data symbol) (one-dimensional data symbol reading) Mode) and the second mode (2
And a changeover switch 18 for switching between the dimensional data symbol reading mode).

The reading section 4 includes a symbol reading area 3
A pair of light sources (illuminators) 41 that illuminate 4 and 36.
And a line sensor (CCD (ch
arge coupled device)) 48, the area sensor (CCD) 43 that is the second image sensor, and the light (reflected light in this embodiment) from the symbol reading area 34 is focused on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 48. And an optical system 44 that guides the light (reflected light in this embodiment) from the symbol reading area 36 to form an image on the light receiving surface of the area sensor 43, and a support member (not shown) that supports these. Has been done.

The optical system 44 includes a symbol reading area 34.
And a mirror 45 that bends an optical path 47 of reflected light from the light beams 36 and 36 in a substantially right-angle direction, and a lens (or lens group) 46 that forms an image of the light reflected by the mirror 45 on the light receiving surfaces of the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48. , A half mirror 49 that divides the optical path 47 into an optical path to the area sensor 43 and an optical path to the line sensor 48. The light transmitted through the half mirror 49 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the area sensor 43, and the light reflected by the half mirror 49 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 48.

The two light sources 41 are installed substantially symmetrically in the head portion 22 in the lateral direction of FIG. As the light source 41, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED or a halogen lamp can be used. A diffuser plate (not shown) having a rough surface is provided on the light emitting side of the light source 41 in order to make the brightness on the symbol reading area 36 more uniform. A light source drive circuit 42 for lighting the light source 41 is connected to the light source 41.

In the area sensor 43, a large number of photodiode pixels are arranged in a matrix, and charges are accumulated in accordance with the amount of light received by each pixel, and the charges are sequentially transferred at a predetermined time. ing. The transferred charges form the image signal of the read image.

In the line sensor 48, a large number of photodiode pixels are arranged in a line, and charges corresponding to the amount of light received by each pixel are accumulated, and the charges are sequentially transferred at a predetermined time. It is configured. The transferred charges form the image signal of the read image.

The symbol reading area 36 is an area peculiar to the present device formed on the reading surface (the surface (reference surface) on which the data symbols 38 are located) 37, and is irradiated with light by the light source 41 and This is an area where the area sensor 43 can receive the reflected light and read the data.

The symbol reading area 34 is an area peculiar to the present device formed on the reading surface (the surface (reference surface) on which the bar code 35 is located) 37, which is illuminated by the light source 41 and Line sensor 48 for reflected light
This is an area where light can be received and the data can be read.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, data symbols (symbol codes) (two-dimensional data symbols) 38 are arranged in x rows × y columns (x and y are integers of 2 or more, respectively). Black or white (or transparent) mosaic (cell). The black or white of this mosaic represents, for example, 0 or 1 in a binary system, and desired information is specified by this combination.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The barcode (one-dimensional data symbol) 35 is configured by a combination of black bars having different widths arranged in one direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) and white spaces having different widths. The combination of the black color of the bar and the white color of the space, and the width of each, specifies a series of binary information consisting of a combination of 0s and 1s. A start symbol 351 composed of a pair of black bars 352, 352 arranged with a predetermined gap is provided at one end of the barcode 35, and a pair of black bars arranged with a predetermined gap at the other end. A stop symbol 353 including bars 354 and 354 is provided. Data symbol 38
It goes without saying that the barcode 35 and the barcode 35 are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

In the reading unit 4 constructed as described above, the light source 41 is turned on by the operation of the light source drive circuit 42, and the light emitted from both the light sources 41 is applied to the symbol reading areas 34 and 36 and reflected. Light is optical system 44
Via the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48
An image signal (analog signal) corresponding to the amount of received light is formed on the light receiving surface of the.

The head portion 22 of the casing 2 keeps the reading portion 4 at a predetermined distance (optical path length) from the symbol reading areas 36 and 34, that is, an image of the data symbol 38 placed on the symbol reading area 36. The optical system 44 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the area sensor 43, and the image of the bar code 35 placed on the symbol reading area 34 is formed by the optical system 44.
The casing 3 extending from the reading unit 4 to the symbol reading regions 36 and 34 is provided as a guide member for defining the distance to form an image on the light receiving surface of each. The housing 3 is configured to substantially surround the optical path of the illumination light from the light source 41 and the optical path 47 of the reflected light from the symbol reading areas 36 and 34, and a cross section (parallel to the symbol reading areas 36 and 34 ( Cross section)
Has a square shape.

The housing 3 has a reading surface 3 at its tip.
When touching 7, the symbol reading areas 36 and 3
The lengths are set so that the lights from 4 are focused on the light receiving surfaces of the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48 by the optical system 44, respectively. A rectangular tip opening 31 is formed at the tip of the housing 3.

In the data symbol reading apparatus 1, a signal processing circuit 5 for processing an image signal from the reading unit 4 is provided inside the casing 2 on, for example, a printed circuit board. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal processing circuit 5 is mainly composed of CCD drive circuits 6 and 7, amplification circuits 8 and 2.
Thresholding circuit 10, memory 12, control means (CPU) 15
And these electrical connection lines.

Further, the control means 15 includes the light source drive circuit 4
2, communication driver 16, changeover switch 18, trigger switch 14 and power switch (main switch)
The switch circuits 13 such as the above are connected to each other, and further, a display device (not shown) such as an LED (light emitting element), an LCD (liquid crystal display element) or a CRT is connected, if necessary.

In addition, a mode setting means for setting either the first mode for reading a barcode (one-dimensional data symbol) or the second mode for reading a two-dimensional data symbol, and the data symbol The main function of the switching means for switching the decoding operation of the information represented by the data symbol according to the dimension is achieved by the control means 15, respectively.

Next, the operation of the data symbol reading device 1 will be described. In this case, first, an outline will be described. In the data symbol reading device 1, the changeover switch 18
Is turned on, the first mode for reading a barcode (one-dimensional data symbol) is set. When the changeover switch 18 is turned off, the second mode for reading a two-dimensional data symbol is set. It

When the trigger switch 14 is turned on in the second mode, the area sensor 43 captures an image, and in the first mode, the trigger switch 14 is turned on.
When is turned on, the line sensor 48 captures an image. The signal processing circuit 5 performs predetermined signal processing as described later. The signal processed by the signal processing circuit 5 is decoded into necessary data and then input by a communication driver 16 to a host computer 17 such as a personal computer or a workstation installed outside. Such a host computer 1
In 7, the input data is stored and tabulated.

The light source drive circuit 42 is a circuit for supplying electric power to the light source 41 to turn it on, and its operation is controlled by the control means 15.
Is controlled by When the power switch or the trigger switch 14 is turned on, the control means 15 activates the light source drive circuit 42, whereby the light source 41 is turned on.
Here, the lighting time of the light source 41 is set as desired by the light source drive circuit 42.

When the power switch is turned on, the control means 15 operates the CCD drive circuits 6 and 7, respectively. CCD transfer clock signals corresponding to the respective charge transfer modes are respectively supplied from the CCD drive circuits 6 and 7 to the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48, and the accumulation and transfer operation of signal charges are controlled.

Further, the CCD drive circuit 6 generates a clock signal and sends a signal (composite clock signal) obtained by combining this signal with a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal to the control means 15.

In the second mode, the image signals (analog signals) sequentially output from the area sensor 43 of the reading section 4 are amplified by the amplifier circuit 8 and are not shown in the figure.
It is converted into a digital image signal by the / D converter and input to the binarization circuit 10. The amplification circuit 8 is controlled by the control means 15, and its amplification factor is set to a predetermined value according to the mode (first mode or second mode).

In the binarization circuit 10, the digital image signal is compared with the threshold data and binarized. The binarized data output from the binarization circuit 10 is stored in a predetermined address of the memory 12 by an address counter built in the control means 15. The address counter is driven by the composite clock signal input from the CCD drive circuit 6.

Data is sequentially read from the memory 12 in accordance with the address designated by the address counter (the reading order may be reverse to the one stored in the memory 12), and one screen worth of data is read. , Control means 15
In the calculation unit of, for example, necessary image processing such as image inversion, contour detection (extraction of information about the data symbol 38), dropout correction, rotation, etc. is performed, and further, by a decoder built in the control means 15. Data is decoded according to the system of the two-dimensional data symbol 38 (the information represented by the data symbol 38 is decoded). The decoded data (decoded data) is output to the host computer 17 via the communication driver 16.

In the first mode, the image signal (analog signal) sequentially output from the line sensor 48 of the reading section 4 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 8 and converted into a digital image signal by an A / D converter (not shown). It is converted and input to the binarization circuit 10.

Then, as in the case of the above-mentioned second mode, the digital image signal is binarized by the binarizing circuit 10, and the binarized data is temporarily stored in a predetermined address of the memory 12. It Next, the binarized data is read from a predetermined address of the memory 12, and the data of one line (one screen) along the arrangement direction of the bars is equal to or more than a certain width in the arithmetic unit of the control means 15. Of the image data to be decoded (decoding area c) through image processing such as margin area detection for detecting the white areas of the above as the margin areas a and b, and the decoder built in the control means 15 The data is decoded according to the system of the one-dimensional barcode 35 (the information represented by the barcode 35 is decoded). The decoded data (decoded data) is output to the host computer 17 via the communication driver 16.

Next, the control operation of the control means 15 of the data symbol reading device 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control means 15 of the data symbol reading device 1. Hereinafter, description will be made based on this flowchart.

When the trigger switch 14 is turned on, the second
It is determined whether or not the mode (step 201). If it is determined in step 201 that the mode is the second mode,
Imaging is performed by the area sensor 43 (step 20)
2).

Next, the image data (image signal) from the area sensor 43 is binarized, and this binarized data (binarized signal) is written in the memory 12 (step 20).
3). Then, the predetermined image processing such as the above-described contour detection is performed on the binarized data (step 204).
The data symbol 38 has a black outer periphery on four sides so that its contour can be discriminated.
Of the outermost periphery of the data symbol 38 is traced and extracted to detect the contour of the data symbol 38, and the area surrounded by the black pixels constituting the contour of the data symbol 38 is recognized as the decoding area. .

Then, it is judged whether or not the two-dimensional cut-out is OK (step 205). In step 205, as a result of tracking the binarized data corresponding to the outermost black pixel of the data symbol 38, if it is possible to make one round from the starting point and return to the starting point (the outline of the data symbol 38 is If it can be detected), two-dimensional cutout O
If it is determined to be K and the tracking is interrupted halfway or if the tracking cannot be started (if the contour of the data symbol 38 cannot be detected), a two-dimensional cutout error (NG) is generated. To judge.

For example, when an image is captured with the data symbol 38 included in the symbol reading area 36,
If it is determined that the two-dimensional cut-out is OK, and the image is taken with the data symbol 38 protruding from the symbol reading area 36 and with no data symbol 38 in the symbol reading area 36, it is judged that the two-dimensional cutting error has occurred. It

If it is determined in step 205 that the two-dimensional cut-out is OK, the binarized data in the cut-out decoding area is decoded (the information represented by the data symbol 38 is decoded) (step 206). .

Then, it is judged whether the decoding is OK (step 207). In step 207, if proper decoded data is obtained, it is determined to be decoding OK, and if proper decoded data is not obtained, it is determined to be a decoding error (NG).

If it is determined in step 201 that the mode is not the second mode, that is, if the mode is the first mode, the line sensor 48 captures an image (step 208).

Next, the image data (image signal) from the line sensor 48 is binarized, and this binarized data (binarized signal) is written in the memory 12 (step 20).
9). Then, margin interval detection is performed on the binarized data (step 210).

Next, it is judged whether or not there are two or more margin sections, that is, whether or not two or more margin sections are detected (step 211). Step 2
In 11, when it is determined that two or more margin sections are detected, the image data area sandwiched between the margin sections is recognized as a decoding area, and the binarized data in the decoding area is recognized. Decoding (decoding the information represented by the bar code 35) is performed (step 21).
2).

Then, it is judged whether or not the decoding is OK (step 213). In step 213, if proper decoded data is obtained, it is determined to be decoding OK, and if proper decoded data is not obtained, it is determined to be a decoding error (NG).

When it is judged in the step 205 that there is a two-dimensional cutout error, or in the step 20
If it is determined that there is a decoding error in step 7, predetermined error processing is performed (step 214). In this error processing, for example, NG display is performed.

When it is determined in step 211 that two or more margin sections are not detected, that is, when the number of detected margin sections is one or less and the decoding area cannot be recognized, or When it is determined that there is a decoding error in step 213, predetermined error processing is performed (step 215).
In this error processing, for example, NG display is performed.

When it is determined that the decoding is OK in step 207 or when the decoding is determined to be OK in step 213, the decoded data is transmitted (output) to the host computer 17 via the communication driver 16. (Step 216). This is the end of this program.

In this way, the data symbol reading device 1
According to the method, the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48, which have a relatively small number of pixels, are used.
And the barcode 35 can be read.

Further, the data symbol reading device using only the line sensor is provided with a scanning mechanism for reading a two-dimensional data symbol, but the data symbol reading device 1 is movable like a scanning mechanism. No section is provided. Therefore, the data symbol reading device 1 has a simpler configuration than the data symbol reading device using only the line sensor.
The device can be downsized and has high impact resistance.

Next, a second embodiment of the data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention will be described. The description of common points with the above-described data symbol reading device 1 will be omitted, and the differences will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the second embodiment of the data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention.

The data symbol reader 1a has a discriminating means for discriminating whether the imaged data symbol is a bar code (one-dimensional data symbol) or a two-dimensional data symbol. The reading is performed according to the dimension of the read data symbol. The determining means in the present embodiment determines whether or not the contour of the two-dimensional data symbol has been detected,
The control means 15 determines whether or not two or more margin sections can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of the data symbol reading device 1a is the same as that of the data symbol reading device 1 described above except that the changeover switch 18 is not provided, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the control operation of the control means 15 of the data symbol reading device 1a will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control means 15 of the data symbol reading device 1a. Hereinafter, description will be made based on this flowchart.

When the trigger switch 14 is turned on, the first
Then, the line sensor 48 captures an image (step 301). Next, the image data (image signal) from the line sensor 48 is binarized, and this binarized data (binarized signal) is written in the memory 12 (step 302).

Then, a margin section is detected for the binarized data (step 303). Next, it is determined whether there are two or more margin sections, that is, whether two or more margin sections are detected (step 304).

If it is determined in step 304 that two or more margin sections have been detected, the image data area sandwiched between the margin sections is recognized as a decoding area, and the binarization in the decoding area is performed. The data is decoded (the information represented by the barcode 35 is decoded) (step 305).

Then, it is judged whether or not the decoding is OK (step 306). Also, in step 304,
If it is determined that two or more margin sections are not detected,
That is, when the number of detected margin sections is one or less and the decoding area cannot be recognized, or when it is determined that there is a decoding error in step 306, the second mode is set and the area sensor is set. 43
The image is picked up by (step 307).

Next, the image data (image signal) from the area sensor 43 is binarized, and this binarized data (binarized signal) is written in the memory 12 (step 30).
8). Next, the predetermined image processing such as the above-described contour detection is performed on the binarized data (step 309).

Then, it is judged whether or not the two-dimensional cut-out is OK (step 310). In step 310, for example, when the image is taken in a state where the data symbol 38 is included in the symbol reading area 36, it is determined that the two-dimensional cutout is OK, and the state where the data symbol 38 protrudes from the symbol reading area 36 and the symbol reading are performed. If an image is captured with no data symbol 38 in the area 36, it is determined as a two-dimensional cutout error.

When it is judged in step 310 that the two-dimensional cut-out is OK, the binarized data in the cut-out decode area is decoded (the information represented by the data symbol 38 is decoded) (step 311). .

Next, it is judged whether the decoding is OK (step 312). If it is determined in step 310 that there is a two-dimensional cutout error, or if it is determined in step 312 that it is a decode error, a predetermined error process is performed (step 313).

When it is determined that the decoding is OK in step 306 or when the decoding is determined to be OK in step 312, the decoded data is transmitted (output) to the host computer 17 via the communication driver 16. (Step 314). This is the end of this program.

As described above, according to the data symbol reading device 1a, the data symbol reading device 1 described above is used.
Similarly, the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48 having a relatively small number of pixels are used to generate the data symbol 38.
And the barcode 35 can be read, and the configuration is simple as compared with the data symbol reading device using only the line sensor, the device can be downsized, and the shock resistance is high.

Further, the data symbol reading device 1a
Has a function of discriminating between the data symbol 38 and the bar code 35, and the mode is automatically switched and read based on the discrimination result. Therefore, the data symbol reader for manually switching the mode compared to,
The operation is simplified, and the data symbol 38 and the barcode 35 can be read properly and reliably.

Next, a third embodiment of the data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention will be described. The description of common points with the above-described data symbol reading device 1 will be omitted, and the differences will be described.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view showing a third embodiment of the data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the data symbol reading device 1b, on the optical path between the half mirror 49 and the line sensor 48, a lens 93 and a mirror 94 that bends the optical path of the light transmitted through the lens 93 in a substantially right-angled direction. And are provided. A lens 92 is provided on the optical path between the half mirror 49 and the area sensor 43.

In this case, by the lenses 91 and 93,
A first image forming optical system is formed which forms the image of the barcode 35 on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 48 and sets the magnification of the image formed on the line sensor 48 (image magnification). Further, the lenses 91 and 92 form a second image forming optical system that forms an image of the data symbol 38 on the light receiving surface of the area sensor 43 and sets the magnification of the image formed on the area sensor 43. .

The lenses 91, 92 and 93 are respectively provided in the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48.
It is set in advance so that the magnification of the image formed on is a predetermined value.

Here, the "magnification" means "lateral magnification",
That is, it refers to "image size / object (subject) size", and when the magnification is represented by the focal length, the magnification = focal length / (shooting distance-focal length).

In the data symbol reading device 1b, since the subject is located on the reading surface 37, the photographing distance is constant. Therefore, the magnification setting in the data symbol reading device 1b is performed by setting the focal length (lens 91) of each of the first image forming optical system and the second image forming optical system.
And the combined focal length of the lens 93, the lens 91 and the lens 9
2 composite focal length).

Since the lens 91 is a lens common to the first and second image forming optical systems, the line sensor 48 and the area sensor are finally taken into consideration in consideration of the focal length and the focal position of the lens 91. A lens 9 that allows the magnification of each image formed on the lens 43 to be a predetermined magnification.
2 and 93 are selected and arranged respectively.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the data symbol reading device 1b (control operation of the control means 15, etc.) will be described.
Since it is the same as the data symbol reading device 1 or 1a described above, description thereof will be omitted.

According to the data symbol reader 1b, the data symbol readers 1 and 1a described above are used.
In the same manner as above, by using the area sensor 43 and the line sensor 48 having a necessary and sufficient number of pixels, the data symbol 38
And the barcode 35 can be read, and the device can be downsized. In addition, the operation is simplified and the data symbol 38 and the barcode 35 can be read properly and surely as compared with the data symbol reading device that manually switches the mode.

In the data symbol reading device 1b, the first imaging optical system (lenses 91 and 93) for setting the magnification of the image formed on the line sensor 48 and the magnification of the image formed on the area sensor 43. Since the second image forming optical system (lenses 91 and 92) for setting is set, the image formed on the line sensor 48, that is, the magnification of the image of the barcode 35 and the area sensor 43 are formed. The image, that is, the magnification of the image of the data symbol 38 can be set independently of each other.

Therefore, for example, the width and length of the symbol reading areas 36 and 34, that is, the maximum size of the readable data symbol 38 and the barcode 35 and the combination of the resolution and the area sensor 43 and the line sensor are used. In consideration of the size and the like of 48, the reading of the data symbol 38 and the reading of the barcode 35 can be set independently so as to be optimum.

Further, for example, by setting the magnification of the lens 93 to a relatively small value, it is possible to use the line sensor 48 having a relatively small number of pixels (a line sensor having a small size), which further downsizes the apparatus. can do. The data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0085]

As described above, according to the data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention, the first image sensor (line sensor) and the second image sensor (area sensor) having a relatively small number of pixels are used. It is possible to read a one-dimensional data symbol (bar code) and a two-dimensional data symbol.

The data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention has a simple structure. The data symbol has a discriminating unit that discriminates whether the imaged data symbol is a one-dimensional data symbol or a two-dimensional data symbol, and the data symbol is determined according to the dimension of the data symbol imaged by the discriminating unit. When deciphering the information to represent,
Compared to a data symbol reading device that manually switches between the first mode and the second mode, the operation is simplified and proper and reliable reading can be performed.

In addition, a first or two-dimensional data symbol image is formed on the light receiving surface of the first image sensor and the magnification of the image formed on the first image sensor is set.
Part of the first imaging optical system and the imaging optical system of
A two-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol image is formed on the light receiving surface of the second image sensor, and a second imaging optical system for setting the magnification of the image formed on the second image sensor Is the magnification of the image formed on the first image sensor, that is, the magnification of the image of the one-dimensional data symbol, and the image formed on the second image sensor, that is, the magnification of the image of the two-dimensional data symbol. Can be set independently. This widens the range of design.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the data symbol reading device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a housing of the data symbol reading device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the housing of the data symbol reading device shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the data symbol reading device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control means in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment of the data symbol reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control means in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view showing a third embodiment of the data symbol reading apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b Data symbol reading device 2 Casing 21 Gripping portion 22 Head portion 3 Housing 31 Tip opening 34 Symbol reading area 35 Bar code (one-dimensional data symbol) 351 Start symbol 352 Black bar 353 Stop symbol 354 Black bar 36 Symbol reading area 37 Reading surface 38 Data symbol (two-dimensional data symbol) 4 Reading unit 41 Light source 42 Light source driving circuit 43 Area sensor (CCD) 44 Optical system 45 Mirror 46 Lens 47 Optical path 48 Line sensor (CCD) 49 Half mirror 5 Signal processing circuit 6, 7 CCD drive circuit 8 Amplification circuit 91-93 Lens 94 Mirror 10 Binarization circuit 12 Memory 13 Switch circuit 14 Trigger switch 15 Control means (CPU) 16 Communication Driver 17 host computer 18 change-over switch 201 to 216 step 301-314 step

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Makoto Nakai 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuhiro Ishizuka 2-36- Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. 9 Asahi Kogaku Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A data symbol reading device capable of reading a one-dimensional data symbol and a two-dimensional data symbol, comprising: a first image sensor for reading the one-dimensional data symbol; A second image sensor for reading the data symbol of 1., and an optical system for forming an image of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol on the light receiving surfaces of the first and second image sensors. And a data symbol reader. 2. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system has an optical component that divides an optical path to the first image sensor and an optical path to the second image sensor. 3. The optical system forms an image of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol on a light-receiving surface of the first image sensor, and a magnification of the image formed on the first image sensor. And a part of the first image-forming optical system for setting the image forming device, which forms a part of the image data of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol on the light-receiving surface of the second image sensor. The data symbol reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second image forming optical system configured to form an image and set a magnification of an image formed on the second image sensor. 4. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the first image sensor is a line sensor, and the second image sensor is an area sensor. 5. A mode setting means for setting either a first mode for reading the one-dimensional data symbol or a second mode for reading the two-dimensional data symbol, the mode setting. 5. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the one-dimensional or two-dimensional data symbol is read according to the mode set by the means. 6. A discriminating means for discriminating whether the imaged data symbol is the one-dimensional data symbol or the two-dimensional data symbol, and a dimension of the data symbol discriminated by the discriminating means. 6. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches a decoding operation of information represented by the data symbol.