JP3303315B2 - Barcode reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is, I from the handset and the base unit
The bar code is driven by the storage battery.
The present invention relates to a barcode reader for reading the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a slave unit and a master unit have been
Bar code reader that reads
It has a storage battery to drive the reader and
Barcode comprising a charging device for charging batteries
Readers are known. And in the conventional charging device,
In some cases, the terminal voltage and the charging current of a storage battery are detected during charging, and charging is controlled, in particular, charging time is controlled (JP-A-1-321828). This device includes a circuit for detecting a terminal voltage of a storage battery, a circuit for detecting a charging current, a power supply circuit for performing charging, a timing circuit, and a circuit for stopping charging. When charging, from the start of charging,
The time until the terminal voltage reaches the predetermined control voltage is measured. Assuming that the counted time indicates the discharge state of the storage battery, the subsequent charging time is calculated based on the time. At the time when the calculated time has elapsed, it is determined that the battery has been properly charged, and the charging is stopped.

[0003]

However, the situation in which the storage battery is charged varies greatly depending on the type of the storage battery and the state of deterioration. In the conventional charging device, as described above, the charging time is determined by how the terminal voltage rises during charging. For this reason, the charging time is greatly affected by the type and the state of deterioration of the storage battery, so that some storage batteries are not properly charged.
This is considered to be largely due to the fact that the charging time was determined only based on the situation at the time of charging without incorporating any information on how much the storage battery was used.

In the present invention, based on the above problems, a bar code reader equipped with a charging device for detecting usage data including the usage time of a storage battery to be charged and enabling proper charging.
The purpose is to provide .

[0005]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] To achieve the above object
The invention according to claim 1 made in accordance with claim 1
The slave unit has a storage battery that drives the slave unit and
Communication function for the slave unit that transfers the bar code data to the master unit
And the master unit is transferred from the slave unit communication function unit.
Equipped with master unit communication function to receive barcode data
Barcode reader configured to read barcodes
And the usage data including the usage time of the storage battery
And set charging conditions based on detected usage data
The set charging conditions via the slave communication function
And the master unit checks the charging conditions transferred from the slave unit.
Received, and based on the received charging conditions,
The battery is charged. In addition, slave unit
Has a use state detecting means and a charging condition setting means.
The usage state detection means includes the usage time of the storage battery.
Data can be detected, and the charging condition setting means
Based on the usage data detected by the state detection means,
And set the charging conditions to the
It is configured to transfer the information to the parent device via the function unit. Ma
In addition, the communication function unit for the base unit provided in the base unit
In addition to the data of
It is configured to receive a power condition. In addition, the parent machine
Is provided with a charging means, and the charging means is a communication device for the base unit.
Battery based on the charging conditions received by
It is configured to perform charging. And the bar of the present invention
For the code reader, the communication function unit for the slave unit, usage status
Detecting means, charging condition setting means, master unit communication function unit and
The charging means is provided as a charging device for charging the storage battery.
Has been obtained. In the case of the barcode reader of the present invention,
Usage data including the time of use of the pond is used by the usage status detection means.
More detected. Usage data including this usage time
Accurately indicates the state of discharge of the storage battery rather than the power data
It is something. The charging conditions of the storage battery to be charged
Is set by the charging condition setting means based on the
Is charged. Usage data is
Indicates charging status so that charging conditions can be determined properly
It is. Thus, for the storage battery to be charged,
Charging becomes possible. Here, bar code readers are commonly used
In many cases, it is configured to be held and used by a user. So
Then, the battery of the present invention is used to properly charge the storage battery.
-To realize a code reader, at least
State detecting means, charging condition setting means and charging means
It is necessary to provide. Therefore, all of these means
Barcode readers with built-in
To be handled by the user because
It will be difficult. In contrast, the bar of the present invention
The code reader includes a use state detecting unit and a charging condition setting unit.
Are provided in the child device, and charging means is provided in the parent device.
Means for properly charging the storage battery,
The feature is that it is provided separately for the slave unit and the master unit.
You. That is, the barcode reader of the present invention is compatible with the storage battery.
Not all of the means for proper charging
Since the configuration described above is mounted on the slave unit, the weight of the slave unit
Increases in volume and volume can be suppressed. This
And a bar code reader with a built-in all means
In comparison, the parts that the user directly picks up and uses (the present invention
(The part corresponding to the slave unit)
User friendly and easy-to-use operability.
-Code reader can be provided. In addition, storage battery
Each means for performing proper charging for
In the case of dispersing and preparing, distributed means are linked.
It is necessary to provide a means for
By providing new means for carrying, the weight of the slave unit
In addition, there is a problem that the volume is increased.
In contrast, the barcode reader of the present invention
Existing child provided to send and receive data
Using the communication function unit for machine and the communication function unit for master unit,
Cooperation of each means to charge battery properly
It is configured to: Specifically, based on usage data
The charging conditions set based on the
Transfer to the communication function unit for
It is configured as follows. As a result, the hand
A means for linking the steps with the means provided in the master unit
There is no need to add it separately, and the weight and volume of
Properly charge storage batteries to be charged without increasing
Electrodeposition can be realized barcode Lee da possible.

[0006] Further , the invention according to claim 2 provides a slave unit and a slave unit.
And the parent device, the child device is a storage battery for driving the child device,
For slave units that transfer the read barcode data to the master unit
The communication unit is provided with a communication function unit.
Communication function for master unit to receive barcode data sent
Barcode reading barcode
Reader, and the slave unit is
Data for the slave unit and the detected usage data
While transferring to the master via Nobu, the master is
Receiving the usage data to be transferred and receiving the usage data
Set the charging conditions based on the data and set the charging conditions based on the set charging conditions.
Then, the storage battery is charged.
In other words, the child device is provided with the use state detecting means,
Request setting means and charging means.
Compared to the barcode reader described in Item 1, the device
Measures are decreasing. This allows the slave unit to be lighter
It is possible to reduce the size and the size. As a result,
Bar code with excellent operability that is easier to handle for users
Dryer can be provided. It should be noted that claim 2
The bar code reader described above is a bar code reader according to claim 1 described above.
-Usage indicating discharge status of storage battery, similar to code reader
Charging is performed under the charging conditions set based on the data.
Appropriate charging is possible for the storage battery to be charged. Ma
In addition, each means for properly charging the storage battery is
Because the slave unit and the master unit are separately installed, the weight of the slave unit is reduced.
And miniaturization can be achieved. In addition, existing slave units
Using the communication function unit for master and the communication function unit for master unit,
Configuration that cooperates with each unit distributed and arranged in
Therefore, the means that are distributed and linked
There is no need to add additional means for
There is no increase in volume and volume.

Further, the above (claim 1 or claim 2)
In the bar code reader according to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition, usage data should be at least either voltage or current
Or at least one. Thus, the use state detecting means
The usage data to be detected is not limited to usage time.
Includes data such as
Can be closer to the
Charging can be performed. In other words, the discharge state of the storage battery
As parameters that reflect the status, in addition to the usage time,
Since the voltage and current at the time of discharge are listed,
In addition to the usage time, the discharge state of the storage battery
By adding at least one reflected parameter,
The discharge state of the battery can be more accurately determined. This
As a result, more optimal charging conditions can be
A sharp charge is possible.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a barcode reader 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The bar code reader 1 is a slave unit 3
And the master unit 5.

The slave unit 3 comprises a storage battery 7, a charge detection unit 9, a slave unit control microcomputer 11, a timer 13, and a slave unit communication function unit 15. The storage battery 7 is a power supply for the slave unit 3. The charge detection unit 9 detects whether the storage battery 7 is in a charged state or a used state. Charging current is storage battery 7
, The charge detection unit 9 detects this as a state of charge. The detected signal is sent to the slave unit control microcomputer 11. The slave unit control microcomputer 11 has a data bus, C
It is composed of a PU, a memory, an I / O, etc., controls various circuits (not shown) that perform various functions as a barcode reader of the child device 3, and also functions as a charging condition setting unit. The timer 13 which functions as a use state detecting means operates under the control of the slave unit control microcomputer 11, and counts the time during which the storage battery 7 outputs the drive current. The slave communication function unit 15 enables non-contact data communication with the outside. This data communication is performed under the control of the slave unit control microcomputer 11.

The master unit 5 comprises a master unit communication function unit 17, a sensor 19, a master unit control microcomputer 21, a timer 23, a charging circuit 25, and an external communication interface connector 27. The master unit communication function unit 17 performs data communication with the slave unit communication function unit 15 of the slave unit 3. This data communication is performed under the control of the parent device control microcomputer 21. The sensor 19 operates when the slave 3 is set to the master 5.
A signal from the sensor 19 is sent to the parent device control microcomputer 21. The parent device control microcomputer 21 includes a data bus, a CP,
U, a memory, an I / O, etc., and controls not-illustrated circuits that perform various functions such as communicating with an external electronic device of the base unit 5, and also perform a part of a charging unit. The timer 23 measures time under the control of the parent device control microcomputer 21. The charging circuit 25 that performs a part of the charging condition functions is controlled by the parent device control microcomputer 21,
The storage battery 7 is charged. The external communication interface connector 27 is a connector for connecting the parent device 5 and an external electronic device. For example, it is connected to an external electronic device, and performs data input / output between the electronic device and the parent device control microcomputer 21.

When the slave unit 3 is set in the master unit 5, the master unit control microcomputer 21 starts charging the storage battery 7 by the charging circuit 25. When charging starts, the slave unit control microcomputer 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a charge detection unit 9 which outputs a charge state signal which is an interrupt signal.
, The charging time is calculated based on the count value of the timer 13, and the result is transmitted to the parent device control microcomputer 21 via the child device communication function unit 15 and the parent device communication function unit 17. The parent device control microcomputer 21 receives the calculated charging time, and performs charging for the charging time by counting the time of the timer 23.

Next, the above processing by the slave unit control microcomputer 11 and the master unit control microcomputer 21 will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart. Master device control microcomputer 2
1 performs processing based on the flow of FIG. 2, and the slave unit control microcomputer 11 performs processing based on the flow of FIG.

When the person who has used the handset 3 for reading the bar code returns the handset 3 to a position above the base unit 5, the sensor 19 operates and sends a signal to the base unit control microcomputer 21. Further, by this operation, the charging circuit 25 is set so that the storage battery 7 can be charged, and the slave unit communication function unit 15 and the master unit communication function unit 17 are set so that communication is possible. . The parent machine control microcomputer 21 starts the processing of the flow in FIG. Charging is started, and the charging circuit 25
Is supplied with a direct current (step 51). Next, the parent device control microcomputer 21 starts preparation for communication between the parent device communication function unit 17 and the child device communication function unit 15 (step 53). When the communication preparation is completed, the reception of the charging time data sent from the slave unit communication function unit 15 is waited (step 55).

On the slave unit 3 side, when a charging current flows through the storage battery 7, the charging detection unit 9 detects this. Charge detector 9
Sends an interrupt command to the slave unit control microcomputer 11 upon detecting the charging current. With this interrupt, the slave unit control microcomputer 11 starts the processing of the flow in FIG. The slave unit control microcomputer 11 starts the calculation of the charging time setting (step 81). The charging time is set in consideration of the usage time already measured by the timer 13 when the slave unit 3 is used, the self-discharge of the storage battery 7, and the like. When the charging time is set, the charging time data is sent to the slave unit communication function unit 15 (step 83).

The charging time data is sent from the slave unit communication function unit 15 to the master unit communication function unit 17, and the master unit control microcomputer 21 receives the charging time data. Upon receiving the charging time data, the parent device control microcomputer 21 resets and starts the timer 23 (step 5).
7). The timer 23 advances the time, and the charging is continued until the time reaches the charging time (step 59). When the timer 23 exceeds the charging time, charging ends (step 61). When the charging is completed, the parent device control microcomputer 21
Stops the DC supply from the charging circuit 25. Thereby, the charging of the storage battery 7 is completed.

Bar code reader 1 shown in the above embodiment
Set the charging time based on the usage time data of the storage battery 7 when charging the storage battery 7 which is the power supply of the slave unit 3. As a result, the storage battery 7 can be properly charged without excess or shortage. Further, the influence of the type of the storage battery 7 and the state of deterioration was reduced. Note that the bar code
In the case of the timer, the timer 13
The slave unit control microcomputer 11 corresponds to a use state detection unit.
(Specifically, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed.
Program corresponds to the charging condition setting means,
Microcomputer 21 and charging circuit 25 correspond to charging means.
You. The bar code reader 1 according to the present embodiment is
Timer 13 as detecting means and charging condition setting means
A slave unit control microcomputer 11 provided in the slave unit;
The parent device control microcomputer 21 and the charging circuit 25
It is provided in the parent machine and charges the storage battery 7 properly.
Each means for performing is provided separately in the slave unit 3 and the master unit 5.
The feature is that it is done. That is, the bar code of this embodiment is
The reader 1 charges the storage battery 7 properly.
Some, but not all, of the
Increases the weight and volume of the slave unit 3
Can be suppressed. This ensures that all measures are
Compared to a barcode reader with a
Part to be used by hand (corresponding to slave unit 3 in this embodiment)
Parts) can be reduced in weight and size.
Barcode reader that is easy to handle for the user
Can be provided. Further, the bar code of this embodiment
The reader 1 is provided for transmitting and receiving barcode data.
The existing communication unit 15 for the child unit and the parent unit
Using the communication function unit 17 to properly charge the storage battery 7
Is configured to cooperate with each means for
You. Specifically, charging set based on usage data
The condition (the charging time in this embodiment) is set to the communication function unit 1 for the slave unit.
5 to the communication function unit 17 for the base unit, and
It is configured to perform charging. With this,
Linking the means provided in 3 with the means provided in master 5
There is no need to add a separate means for
3 should be charged without increasing weight and volume
A bar code reader that can charge the storage battery 7 properly
Ru can be realized.

In this case, the bar code reader 1 of this embodiment
With respect to a plurality of slave units 3, if one master unit 5 is prepared, appropriate charging is possible. Furthermore, the charge control as described above is not so complicated as a device,
Compared with the conventional complicated charge control circuit, it can be realized at low cost.

In this embodiment, the bar code reader 1 is described as an example of the electronic device. However, the present invention is applicable to many other electronic devices driven by a charged storage battery such as a cordless telephone, an audio device, and an OA device. All applications are conceivable.
At this time, in this embodiment, the charging condition setting means is provided in the child device 3, but it may be provided in the parent device 5 side. In addition, a device on the storage battery side such as the slave unit 3 and a device on the charging side such as the master unit 5 may be integrated instead of the separated electronic device as in the present embodiment . Further, the storage battery itself may be provided with use state detecting means, and further, may be provided with charging condition setting means. Therefore, even when only the storage battery is taken out of the electronic device using the storage battery and charged by the charging device, the charging time and the like can be determined based on the information obtained by the means.

Further, the usage data is not limited to the usage time, and by adding data such as voltage and current, the charging condition can be made closer to the optimum one. Various methods of communication between the child device 3 and the parent device 5 can be considered, such as magnetism, electricity, light, voice, radio waves, and images. As for the charging method, not only a method having terminal contacts but also a non-contact charging method such as electromagnetic coupling can be considered.

[0020]

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a program executed by the slave unit control microcomputer 11;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program executed by the parent device control microcomputer 21;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bar code reader, 3 ... Child machine, 5 ... Master machine, 7 ... Storage battery, 9 ... Charge detection part, 11 ...
Slave unit control microcomputer, 13: timer, 15: slave unit communication function unit, 17: master unit communication function unit, 19
..Sensor, 21... Microcomputer for controlling base unit, 23 ..
・ Timer, 25 ・ ・ ・ Charging circuit, 27 ・ ・ ・ Interface connector for external communication

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] Claims: 1. A child device and a parent device, wherein the child device is
A storage battery for driving the slave unit and a read barcode
And a slave communication function unit for transferring the data of the slave unit to the master unit.
The master unit is transferred from the slave unit communication function unit.
A communication function unit for the master unit that receives the barcode data;
Barcode reader that is configured to read barcodes
Da The slave unit is It is possible to detect usage data including the usage time of the storage battery.
Use state detecting means, The usage data detected by the usage state detecting means is
The charging conditions are set based on the
Transfer to the master unit via the slave communication function unit.
Power condition setting means, The master unit communication function unit adds the barcode data.
In addition, the charging condition transmitted from the slave communication function unit
Configured to receive The master unit is Based on the charging condition received by the base unit communication function unit,
And charging means for charging the storage battery
thing, A bar code reader characterized by the following. 2. A child device and a parent device, wherein the child device is:
A storage battery for driving the slave unit and a read barcode
A communication function unit for the slave unit that transfers the data of the slave unit to the master unit.
The master unit is transferred from the slave unit communication function unit.
A communication function unit for the master unit that receives the barcode data;
Barcode reader that is configured to read barcodes
Da The slave unit is Usage data including the usage time of the storage battery can be detected.
And transmitting the detected usage data to the slave unit communication function.
Use state detecting means for transferring the information to the master unit via a communication unit.
e, The master unit communication function unit adds the barcode data.
The usage data transferred from the slave communication function unit
Configured to receive data The master unit is Based on the usage data received by the base unit communication function unit,
Charging condition setting means for setting charging conditions to Based on the charging condition set by the charging condition setting means
Charging means for charging the storage battery.
That A bar code reader characterized by the following. 3. The usage data includes at least a voltage or
Contains any one of the currents, The bar code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
Dorida.