JP2002150217A - Bar code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar code reader reducing a bar code read error. SOLUTION: A support 11 is fixed to the end section of a bar code reader 10 on the opposite side to a specimen vessel. A rotary shaft 14 connected to the rotary shaft 13 of a motor 12 is inserted into the support 11, and the bar code reader 10 is rocked to the right or left around the rotary shaft 14 along the horizontal plane parallel with a conveyor belt 4 when the motor 12 is rotated to the right or left. A control device 16 decodes the bar code signal sent from the bar code reader 10 and controls the movement of a motor driving circuit 15 based on the decoding.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reading apparatus which reduces a bar code reading error.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Information is converted into a bar code, attached to an object such as a sample container or a drawing material, and the bar code reader reads the bar code to reproduce the information given to the object. Automatic management of objects, such as processing of objects based on such information, is performed.

For example, in an automatic biochemical analyzer,
Reagents corresponding to the items to be tested are added to biological fluids such as blood and urine, and the optical density of the reaction solution is measured.However, in such a biochemical automatic analyzer, each biological fluid is stored. A label with a barcode (for example, a code for designating a sample number or a measurement item) for identifying the sample is attached to the sample container, and a bar attached to the label is read by a barcode reader. A code (information) is read, and a predetermined item is measured (analyzed) based on the read information.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a bar code reading section in an automatic biochemical analyzer. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a sample rack having a plurality of sample supporting holes having cutouts. In each hole, a bar code label 2A, 2B, 2C, which has been pasted, is located in the cutout portion.
Sample containers 3A, 3B, and 3C are set. The sample rack 1 is placed on a transport belt 4 in a sample supply unit (not shown), and a dispensing unit (not shown, a predetermined amount of sample liquid is sampled from a sample container, and the reaction container (not shown) ) Is conveyed to a place where it is configured to be dispensed. The barcode reading unit is located between the sample supply unit and the dispensing unit. In addition, 5
A, 5B and 5C are bar code labels 2A, 2B and 2C
Is the bar code attached to the.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a bar code reader for optically reading the bar code, which is provided with an optical scanning mechanism, and optically scans a bar code attached to the sample container at an opposing position. Conveyor belt 3 so that it can be read
Is fixed in the vicinity.

The transport belt 4 moves intermittently, and each of the sample containers 3A, 3B, 3C is a surface of the bar code reader 6 (a surface on which light from the light emitting section is emitted), and a reflection by the light emission. Is controlled to stop for a certain period of time each time it is positioned on the surface where the light receiving surface that receives light)
During this stop time, the barcode is read. When the sample rack 1 is placed on the transport belt 3, the sample rack 1 is placed so that each notch (the side on which a barcode label is attached to each sample) faces the barcode reader.

In the apparatus having such a configuration, when the transport belt 4 moves intermittently in the direction of arrow 7 and the sample container 3A is positioned on the surface of the bar code reader 6, the transport belt 4 stops for a predetermined time. During this time, bar code reader 6
The light from the light emitting part of the bar code label 2A of the sample container 3A
Is scanned, and the light reflected by the scanning is
Are received by the light receiving section. The received reflected light is converted into an electric signal by the barcode reader 6 and the CPU
(Not shown). The CPU decodes the electric signal from the barcode reader 6 and, based on the decoded information data, sends a measurement (analysis) item necessary for the sample contained in the sample container 3A to a reagent supply unit or the like (not shown). specify.

Thereafter, the sample containers 3B and 3
C,...,...,...

The sample container from which the barcode has been read is sampled in a dispensing section (not shown) by a predetermined amount, and dispensed into a reaction vessel (not shown). In this reaction container, a reagent according to an item to be measured is added in a reagent supply unit (not shown). Then, the optical density of the reaction solution contained in the reaction container is measured in the measurement unit (analysis unit).

[0010]

The bar code on the bar code label affixed to the sample container is contaminated with dirt or dust due to a chemical solution, the bar code is deteriorated, or the bar code is degraded. May be blurred in the printing of. In particular, a portion where the adhesion of dust or the like to the barcode is read by the barcode reader 6 (for example, a central portion of the barcode label (P in FIG. 3)).
In such a case, it becomes difficult to read the barcode accurately. In that case, the entire apparatus was stopped and the sample container was once removed. For this reason, the operation rate of the apparatus has been significantly reduced. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a novel barcode reading device.

[0011]

A bar code reader according to the present invention is a bar code reader configured to read a bar code of an object to which a bar code is attached with a bar code reader. The bar code reader is swingable so that it can be read again by changing the bar code reader.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the bar code reader of the present invention is applied to an automatic biochemical analyzer. In the drawing, those with the symbols used in FIG. 1 are the same components.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a bar code reader which differs from the bar code reader 6 shown in FIG. 1 in the following point.

A support 11 is fixed to an end of the bar code reader 10 opposite to the sample container. A rotating shaft 14 connected to a rotating shaft 13 of a motor 12 is inserted into the support 11. By rotating the motor 12 right and left, the barcode reader 10 is transported around the rotating shaft 14. It is configured to swing right and left along a horizontal plane parallel to the belt 4.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a motor drive circuit, and 16 decodes a bar code signal sent from the bar code reader 10 and, based on the decode, decodes the motor drive circuit 15.
This is a control device for controlling the operation of.

In the apparatus having such a configuration, when the transport belt 4 intermittently moves in the direction of arrow 7 and the sample container 3A is positioned on the surface of the bar code reader 10, the transport belt 4 stops for a predetermined time. During this time, light from the light emitting unit of the barcode reader 10 scans, for example, the center (P in FIG. 3) of the barcode label 2A of the sample container 3A, and reflected light from the scanning is received by the light receiving unit of the barcode reader 10. Is done. The received reflected light is transmitted to the bar code reader 10.
Is converted into an electric signal and sent to the control device 16. The control device 16 decodes the electric signal from the barcode reader 10 and, based on the decoded information data, determines the measurement (analysis) items required for the sample contained in the sample container 3A, such as a reagent supply unit (not shown). ).

At this time, the bar code label 2A
For example, if there is dirt, dust attached, scratches, or the like due to the chemical solution at the center (P in FIG. 3), an abnormal signal is mixed in the electric signal sent from the barcode reader 10, and the control device 16 controls the barcode 5A. Judgment is impossible. In this case, for example, when attaching a barcode reader to the sample container and reading a code that does not conform to a predetermined code format, the control device 16 determines that the barcode 5A cannot be decoded. Alternatively, when a barcode reader is attached to the sample container, a check barcode is attached, and if a signal from the check barcode is abnormal, the control device 16
Determines that the barcode 5A cannot be decoded. In addition, when reading is performed N times and it does not match N times, it is determined that decoding is impossible.

When the control device 16 determines that the bar code 5A cannot be decoded, it sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 15 to rotate the motor 12 in the counterclockwise direction 17 by a predetermined angle (when the bar code reader 10 (The angle until the portion (FIG. 3) can be read) at a speed lower than the response speed of the barcode reader 10. During this swinging, the barcode reader 10 performs a barcode reading operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the barcode reader 10 is attached to the left side Q of the barcode label 2A attached to the sample container 3A. The light from the light emitting unit scans, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit of the bar code reader 10. The received reflected light is converted into an electric signal in the bar code reader 10 and sent to the control device 16. At this time,
If there is no dust or scratches on the Q portion of the bar code label, the control device 16 controls the bar code reader 1
The electrical signal from 0 is decoded, and the measurement (analysis) items required for the sample contained in the sample container 3A are designated to a reagent supply unit or the like (not shown) based on the decoded information data.

In the re-reading of the bar code,
If the data cannot be read, the control device 16 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 15 to rotate the motor 12 clockwise at a predetermined angle (the bar code reader 10
The bar code reader 10 is swung at a speed lower than the response speed of the bar code reader 10 (the angle until A can read R (FIG. 3)). During this swing, the barcode reader 10 performs a barcode reading operation, and as shown in FIG. 3, the right-hand portion R of the barcode label 2A attached to the sample container 3A.
Then, the light from the light emitting unit of the bar code reader 10 scans, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit of the bar code reader 10. If the reading is not possible in the first re-reading, the bar code reading operation of the next sample container 3B may be started. Further, when the reading is not performed in the second rereading, the barcode reading operation of the next sample container 3B may be started.

In the above example, the bar code reader 10
The support 11 is fixed to the support 11 and the rotary shaft 14 is inserted into the support 11. However, if there is room at the end of the bar code reader 10 on the side opposite to the sample container, the rotary shaft 1 is directly inserted here.
4 may be inserted.

The swing mechanism of the bar code reader is not limited to the one shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the barcode reader 10 is placed on the support plate 20, a long hole 21 is opened at an end of the support plate 20, and the rotation shaft 23 of the motor 22 is rotated.
Is fixed at a position shifted from the center of the rotating body 24 inserted as its center axis, and a bearing 26 that slides along the inner periphery of the elongated hole 21 is fixed to the rotating shaft 25. A support shaft 27 is provided at an intermediate portion of the support plate 20 to support the support plate 20, and the rotation of the motor 22 causes the rotating body 24 to rotate.
5 rotates eccentrically, and the eccentric rotation causes the bearing 26 to slide along the inner periphery of the elongated hole 26, and the sliding causes the support plate 2 to slide.
0 and the barcode reader 10 may swing about the support shaft 27 as a fulcrum.

As an example of the swing of the bar code reader,
In the above example, the bar code reader reciprocates at a predetermined angle around the rotation axis 14. However, as another example of the swing of the bar code reader, the entire bar code reader is moved along the transport belt 4 (ie, Parallel to sample rack 1),
It may be one that reciprocates a predetermined distance forward or backward.

Although a method of swinging the sample side instead of swinging the bar code reader is conceivable, swinging the sample side is extremely large and operation is difficult.

In the above example, the case where the present invention is applied to an automatic biochemical analyzer is described. However, the present invention is also applicable to an apparatus for reading a bar code attached to a material to be drawn in a drawing apparatus.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the bar code of the object with the bar code cannot be read normally,
The barcode reader is swung so that the barcode reader reads the part of the barcode that is different from the first part, so even if there is something wrong with the first part, the barcode can be read normally. The possibilities will increase.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 schematically shows a barcode reading section in an automatic biochemical analyzer.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the barcode reader of the present invention is applied to a biochemical automatic analyzer.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a sample container provided with a barcode.

FIG. 4 shows another example of a main part of the barcode reading device of the present invention.

[Description of numbers]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample rack 2A, 2B, 2C ... Barcode label 3A, 3B, 3C ... Sample container 4 ... Conveying belt 5A, 5B, 5C ... Barcode 6, 10 ... Barcode reader 11 ... Support body 12 ... Motor 13, 14 ... Rotating shaft 15 ... Motor drive circuit 16 ... Control device 20 ... Support plate 21 ... Elongated hole 22 ... Motor 23,25 ... Rotating shaft 24 ... Rotating body 26 ... Bearing 27 ... Support shaft

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reader which reads a bar code of an object to which a bar code is attached using a bar code reader. Barcode reading device made possible. And means for judging whether the bar code signal read from the output of the bar code reader is accurate or not, based on a signal from the judgment means when the judgment means makes the latter judgment. The bar code reader is swung to re-read the bar code of the object.
The barcode reader according to the above. 3. The bar code reader according to claim 1, wherein the bar code reader is re-read while swinging the bar code reader. 4. The barcode reading device according to claim 1, wherein the object with the barcode is a sample container containing a biological fluid. 5. The sample container moves intermittently with the surface on which the bar code is attached toward the bar code reader, and reads and / or re-reads the bar code during the stop period of the sample container. The bar code reader according to claim 1, wherein 6. The bar code reader according to claim 1, wherein a bar code label with a bar code is attached to the object. 7. The barcode reader according to claim 1, wherein the barcode reader includes an optical scanning mechanism.