JPH09185667A - Reading method for information recording symbol - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and accurately perform the positioning between a data symbol and a transmission window without increasing the sizes of the transmission window and an image pickup element by detecting the magnetic part of an information recording symbol via a magnetic sensor and performing the positioning between the information recording symbol and a data fetching port. SOLUTION: A pair of magnetic sensors consisting of the magnetic resistance elements are placed at the opposite corner part of a transmission window 13 of a handy terminal 6. At the same time, a thin permanent magnet 17 is bonded at the corner parts of data symbols 4 opposite to the magnetic sensors. Then the head 9 of the terminal 6 is moved up to a position above an optional symbol 4. When the magnetic sensors overlap the permanent magnets 17 respectively, i.e., when every magnetic sensor detects that the flux density of the magnet 17 of every symbol 4 exceeds a prescribed level, the accurate positioning is confirmed between the symbol 4 and the window 13. Thus the symbol 4 can be fetched as an image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of reading an information recording symbol, which can accurately position the reading position when the information recording symbol is read by a signal reading means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Bar codes have been the mainstream of information recording symbols for recording product information such as product names and prices, but recently, two-dimensional information recording symbols capable of recording more information. Data symbols tend to be adopted.

In this two-dimensional data symbol, a large number of bar-shaped symbols are arrayed vertically and horizontally within an area having a constant area, so that the entire two-dimensional data symbol must be captured as image data by a reading device. Usually, a handy terminal equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD is used to read the two-dimensional data symbol, and the entire two-dimensional data symbol is optically captured through a transparent window for capturing image data formed in the handy terminal. By converting the image signal by the CCD, the product information or the like recorded in the two-dimensional data symbol is stored or transferred to the outside.

Using such a handy terminal,
In order to instantly capture the two-dimensional data symbol as image data, it is necessary to quickly and accurately align the transmission window of the handy terminal and the two-dimensional data symbol.

However, inexperienced operators, weak-sighted persons, and the like may take time to align. for that reason,
Normally, the transparent window is made larger than the size of the two-dimensional data symbol, and the image pickup area of the CCD or the like is increased,
A wide area near the two-dimensional data symbol is searched and read.

[0006]

As described above, when a wide area is searched with a large transmission window, the reading accuracy deteriorates. Further, if the area of the CCD or the like is increased, not only the cost is increased, but also the power consumption is increased and the handy terminal is also increased in size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and makes it possible for anyone to easily and accurately perform positioning without enlarging the area of the transmission window or the image pickup device. The object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive method of reading information recording symbols with high reading accuracy.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a method for reading an information recording symbol having a constant area through a data input port of a signal reading means, and at least the information recording symbol. By forming a magnetic part in a part or in the vicinity thereof, and providing a magnetic sensor at the data intake of the signal reading means, magnetizing the magnetic part, and then detecting the magnetic part by the magnetic sensor, The feature is that the information recording symbol and the data inlet are aligned with each other.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the magnetic portion is made of magnetic ink.

In the present invention, the means for magnetizing the magnetic portion is preferably a permanent magnet provided in front of the data input port of the signal reading means.

The present invention is a method for reading an information recording symbol having a constant area through a data inlet of a signal reading means, wherein a magnetic portion of a permanent magnet is formed at least in a part of the information recording symbol or in the vicinity thereof. However, the permanent magnet is detected by a magnetic sensor provided at the data inlet of the signal reading means, so that the information recording symbol and the data inlet are aligned with each other.

In the present invention, it is preferable that at least two magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetic portion are provided.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the magnetic portion is the entire information storage symbol.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the magnetic portions are formed at least at two or more locations separated by a predetermined distance.

In the present invention, the magnetic portion is preferably a frame formed around the information storage symbol.

In the present invention, the magnetic part is preferably an intermittent frame formed around the information storage symbol.

In the present invention, the signal from the magnetic sensor is preferably converted into sound or light.

In the present invention, it is preferable to gradually change at least one of volume, sound quality, light quantity, and color depending on the relative positional relationship between the magnetic portion and the magnetic sensor.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the reading means is activated when the magnetic portion is located in the allowable area of the magnetic sensor.

According to the present invention, by adopting the above-mentioned means, the magnetic sensor detects the magnetism of the information recording symbol and guides it to an accurate position, so that it is not necessary to search a wide area as in the conventional case. In addition, anyone can easily and accurately align the signal reading means with the information recording symbol.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a product ordering sheet 1 used for catalog sales and the like. An area 2 for displaying a product and an area 3 for displaying a product name, price, etc. are provided in a plurality of rectangular frames divided into a certain size. , And an area 5 for displaying a two-dimensional data symbol 4 as a square information recording symbol.

In the two-dimensional data symbol (hereinafter abbreviated as data symbol) 4, by arranging a large number of bar-shaped symbols vertically and horizontally, all product information such as product code, product name, contents, quantity, price, etc. is stored in advance. Converted and recorded.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a handy terminal 6 for reading the data symbols 4 as image data, and a grip portion 8 having a numeric keypad 7 for inputting the number and the like on the upper surface, and a reading head 9 at the tip thereof. It consists of

On the upper surface of the reading head 9, a horizontally long rectangular liquid crystal display portion 10 is formed. The front end of the casing of the reading head 9 is inclined at a predetermined angle of 45 °, and the central part thereof is a transparent plate 11.

Numeral 12 denotes 4 provided immediately below the transparent plate 11.
It is a reflector that is inclined at 5 °. A transparent data inlet, that is, a transparent window 13, which is slightly larger than the data symbol 4 is formed in the casing below the reflection plate 12 on the lower surface of the read head 9.

Reference numeral 14 is a convex lens, and 15 is a CCD provided at the focal position of the convex lens 14. The image data taken in through the transmissive window 13 is refracted at a right angle by the reflecting plate 12 and enters the convex lens 14 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, and is imaged on the CCD 15. CCD 15
The image signal is input to and stored in a storage unit (not shown) such as a memory card provided in the handle portion 8 or is transferred to the outside and input to a computer or the like. Although the light necessary for capturing the image data uses the light transmitted through the transparent plate 11, a light emitting diode or the like may be provided if the amount of light is insufficient. Also, the transparent plate 11 can be used to confirm the position of the data symbol 4 from the outside.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of magnetic sensors 16 made of magnetoresistive elements are provided at opposite corners of the transmission window 13 of the handy terminal 6, and outputs from the magnetic sensors 16 are provided. The signal is input to a buzzer or a display lamp (both not shown) provided at an appropriate position of the handy terminal 6.

On the other hand, a thin permanent magnet 17 is attached to a corner of the data symbol 4 corresponding to the magnetic sensor 16.

When the head 9 of the handy terminal 6 is moved to a position above an arbitrary data symbol 4 as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 1, each magnetic sensor 16 overlaps with both permanent magnets 17, that is, each magnetic When the sensor 16 detects that the magnetic flux densities of the permanent magnets 17 of the data symbol 4 are both higher than a predetermined value, the data symbol 4 and the transmission window 13 are detected.
And have been accurately positioned, and the data symbol 4 can be captured as image data at this point (see FIG. 5). Here, the magnetic sensor 16 is the permanent magnet 1
7), that is, when both are located at the optimum position for data acquisition, if the image data is automatically imported to the handy terminal, the operator's acquisition operation (for example, button operation) becomes unnecessary. In addition, since it is taken in instantly when they match, the work is saved and the convenience is improved.

At the end of the positioning, the buzzer sounds or the indicator lamp lights up, so the operator can confirm the positioning by sound or light without relying on the visual inspection, and the positioning of the eyesight, children, etc. can be confirmed. Even a difficult operator can easily and accurately capture image data. Further, the position confirmation can be further improved by changing the amount of sound or light according to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 17 detected by the magnetic sensor 16 so as to maximize the volume, the amount of light, etc. at the optimum position.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which strip-shaped permanent magnets 17 are attached to the adjacent peripheral edges of the data symbols 4 and a pair of magnetic sensors 16 are provided in the center of the adjacent peripheral edges on the transmission window 13 side. Shows. By doing so, the magnetic region of the permanent magnet 17 becomes longer in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the detection region of the magnetic sensor 16 becomes wider and the alignment becomes easier. In addition to the above, the permanent magnet 17 only needs to be located at any two positions in the data symbol 4, and if the two corresponding sensors detect this, alignment becomes possible.

Here, in the above embodiment, the permanent magnet 1
7 is attached, it is also possible to print it as a part of the data symbol by using a pre-magnetized hard magnetic material (herein called magnetic ink). It can also be magnetized magnetic ink.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show another embodiment different from the above-mentioned embodiment. In FIG. 7, a frame 21 of a magnetic portion (for example, magnetic ink having magnetic properties) is formed around the data symbol 4. That is, the data symbol 4 and the magnetic part are separate. Further, in FIG. 8, the frame 21 around the data symbol 4 is intermittently formed, and the magnetic sensor 16 formed in the transmission window 13 is formed in a continuous quadrangle.

It is obvious that the combination of each frame 21 as a magnetic part and the magnetic sensor 16 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be appropriately selected and used. Instead of the frame 21, for example, It is also possible to provide magnetic portions at two points around the data symbol 4 at least a predetermined distance apart.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show another embodiment of how to read the data symbol 4, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a protrusion continuously provided at the center of the lower surface of the tip of the read head 9. A pair of strip-shaped permanent magnets 19 facing the longitudinal direction and parallel to each other are embedded in the transparent portion 18a of the piece 18. The dimensions between the permanent magnets 19 are as shown in FIG.
The width of each permanent magnet 19 is slightly larger than the length of one side of the data symbol 4, and as shown in FIG. The opposite corners of No. 4 are relatively large so as not to come out of the area of the permanent magnet 19.

Both diagonally opposite corners of the data symbol 4 are printed with a soft magnetic material (herein referred to as magnetic ink 20).

In order to read the arbitrary data symbol 4 shown in FIG. 1, the head 9 of the handy terminal 6 is attached to the protruding piece 18.
When the permanent magnet 19 is seen through the transparent plate 18a, and the magnetic ink 20 is moved for a certain period of time while moving close to or in contact with the sheet 1 so that the data symbol 4 can pass between them (see FIG. 11). When the head 9 is further advanced in this state, the two magnetic sensors 16 provided at the corners of the transmission window 13 corresponding to the respective magnetic inks 20 detect the magnetism of the magnetic inks 20. The data symbol 4 and the transparent window 13 are accurately positioned.

As shown in FIG. 12, even if the data symbol 4 or the permanent magnet 19 is operated while being tilted relatively by about 45 °, the magnetic ink 20 is magnetized by the permanent magnet 19, so that the alignment is performed. There is no fear of trouble.

In this embodiment, the shape and position of the permanent magnet 19 are band-shaped and provided in front of the transmissive window 13 in consideration of operability and magnetization efficiency of the handy terminal 6, but the permanent magnet 19 is simply magnetic ink. Since it is the magnetizing means of 20, the shape and position of the magnetic ink 20 are not limited to the above as long as they can be moved on the magnetic ink 20 and magnetized. In addition, the permanent magnet 19 provided in the handy terminal 6
The magnetic ink 20 may be magnetized by using a magnetizing means other than the above.

Instead of the magnetic ink 20, a magnetic part such as magnetic powder may be used. The printing position of the magnetic ink 20 is 4 in the data symbol 4 if the costly point is ignored.
As shown in Fig.
It is clear that there are various combinations such as magnetizing the frame 21 as shown in FIG. 8 and magnetizing all of the data symbols 4.

The present invention can be applied not only to the above two-dimensional data symbol 4 but also to the reading of ordinary bar codes.

[0042]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(A) Since the information recording symbol and the data input port (transmission window) of the signal reading means can be easily and accurately aligned without relying on visual observation, the transmission window can be formed as in the conventional case. It is not necessary to search for a large area by enlarging it. Therefore, not only the image pickup device such as CCD but also the whole reading means can be downsized, the cost can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

(B) According to the second aspect of the invention, the surface of the information recording symbol is prevented from becoming uneven.

(C) According to the third aspect of the invention, the magnetic portion can be magnetized by operating the signal reading means or the data can be captured immediately after that without using another magnetizing means.

(D) According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the above (a), means for magnetizing the magnetic portion is unnecessary.

(E) According to the invention described in claim 5, the information recording symbol and the data inlet can be accurately aligned with the minimum magnetic sensor.

(F) According to the invention described in claim 6, the magnetic field density of the magnetic part is increased, and more accurate alignment is possible.

(G) According to the invention described in claims 7 to 9, the area occupied by the magnetic portion in the information recording symbol can be reduced, and thus the reduction of the information recording amount can be suppressed. Further, the magnetic sensor can easily detect the magnetic portion.

(H) According to the invention described in claims 10 and 11, it becomes easy to confirm the alignment.

(I) According to the invention of claim 12,
Since the data of the information recording symbol is read in a short time when the information recording symbol and the data inlet coincide, the labor is saved and the convenience is improved.

[0052]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product ordering sheet used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a handy terminal of the same.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part taken along a line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the head portion of the handy terminal.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing how to position the information recording symbol and the transparent window.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing another arrangement example of the permanent magnets and the magnetic sensor and the alignment procedure thereof.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view showing another arrangement example of the permanent magnets and the magnetic sensor and the alignment procedure thereof.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing another arrangement example of the permanent magnets and the magnetic sensor and the alignment procedure thereof.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view of a handy terminal head portion used in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the head portion.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view showing the magnetizing action of the magnetic ink by the permanent magnet.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view showing the magnetizing action of the magnetic ink when the information recording symbol is inclined by 45 °.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Product Order Sheet 2, 3, 5 Area 4 Two-dimensional Data Symbol (Information Recording Symbol) 6 Handy Terminal (Signal Reading Means) 7 Numeric Keypad 8 Handle 9 Read Head 10 Liquid Crystal Display 11 Transparent Plate 12 Reflector 13 Transparent Window (Data reading port) 14 Convex lens 15 CCD 16 Magnetic sensor 17 Permanent magnet 18 Projection piece 18a Transparent part 19 Permanent magnet 20 Magnetic ink (magnetic part) 21 Frame

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method of reading an information recording symbol having a constant area through a data inlet of a signal reading means, wherein a magnetic portion is formed on at least a part of the information recording symbol or in the vicinity thereof, and A magnetic sensor is provided at the data inlet of the signal reading means, the magnetic portion is magnetized, and then the magnetic portion is detected by the magnetic sensor to align the information recording symbol with the data inlet. A method for reading an information recording symbol, characterized by: 2. The method of reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic portion is formed of magnetic ink. 3. The method for reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the means for magnetizing the magnetic portion is a permanent magnet provided in front of the data input port of the signal reading means. 4. A method for reading an information recording symbol having a constant area through a data inlet of a signal reading means, wherein a magnetic portion of a permanent magnet is formed at least at a part of the information recording symbol or in the vicinity thereof. A method for reading an information recording symbol, characterized in that the permanent magnet is detected by a magnetic sensor provided in the data taking-in port of the signal reading means to align the information recording symbol with the data taking-in port. . 5. The method for reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein at least two magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetic portion are provided. 6. The method for reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic portion is the entire information storage symbol. 7. The method of reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic portions are formed at least at two or more locations separated by a predetermined distance. 8. The information recording symbol reading method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic portion is a frame formed around the information storage symbol. 9. The method of reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic portion is an intermittent frame formed around the information storage symbol. 10. The method for reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the signal from the magnetic sensor is converted into sound or light. 11. The method of reading an information recording symbol according to claim 10, wherein at least one of volume, sound quality, light quantity, and color is gradually changed according to a relative positional relationship between the magnetic part and the magnetic sensor. 12. The method for reading an information recording symbol according to claim 1, wherein the reading means is activated when the magnetic portion is located in the allowable area of the magnetic sensor.