Optical information reader

Abstract

To provide a configuration capable of accurately determining a short-pressing operation and a long-pressing operation on an operation surface even when a pressing pressure sensor is used.SOLUTION: Assuming that a voltage output from a pressing pressure sensor 45a in a state in which an operation surface 34 is not touched is a reference voltage Vo, a pressing pressure operation start is determined when an output voltage V of the pressing pressure sensor 45a exceeds a first threshold value Vth1. A pressing pressure operation end is determined when the output voltage V of the pressing pressure sensor 45a after the determination of the pressing pressure operation start is less than a second threshold value Vth2 or when a state in which a difference from the reference voltage Vo is equal to or less than a third threshold value Vth3 is continued for a predetermined time T1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical information reader for optically reading optical information such as an information code. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, concerns about viral infections have grown, leading to the use of alcohol-based disinfectants for information devices in a wide range of fields, not just the medical industry. Operating switches for optical information reading devices, such as barcode readers, are also required to have seamless, flat shapes that are easy to wipe and lack the irregularities of conventional trigger switches. For this reason, contact-type ON / OFF switches, such as tactile switches, can be eliminated, and sensors that detect the displacement of the operating surface on the case and turn the switch ON / OFF can be used instead; specifically, pressure sensors using piezoelectric elements.

[0003] Piezoelectric elements generate an electric charge according to the amount of displacement, and the generated electric charge flows into a load through the electrodes and can be extracted as a voltage. However, electric charge is generated according to the amount of change in displacement; if the amount of displacement does not change, no electric charge is generated; if the displaced state is maintained, no new electric charge is generated, and the voltage converges to a reference voltage. For this reason, while pressure sensors using piezoelectric elements can easily detect ON / OFF according to displacement, it is difficult to detect a state in which a displacement is maintained, i.e., a state in which a long press is performed, like a physical switch or electrostatic sensor.

[0004] For this reason, in the pressure sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the threshold value for determining whether the pressing operation has ended after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the pressing operation has been accepted is set to be smaller than the threshold value before the predetermined time has elapsed. This makes it possible to detect a long press operation so as to prevent false detections caused by rebound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Re-tabled publication 2019 / 069786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 above not only requires that setting parameters such as thresholds be reviewed for each type of piezoelectric element, but may also be unable to handle cases where pressure on the piezoelectric element is slowly eased (when the finger is slowly released) or when pressure is increased during a long press operation.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a configuration that can accurately determine short press operations and long press operations on the operation surface even when a pressure sensor is used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the claims is as follows: An optical information reader (10) for optically reading an information code (C), a housing (11) in which a reading port (21) is provided; an imaging unit (43) that images the information code through the reading port; a decoding unit (41) that decodes the information code captured by the imaging unit; an operation unit (45) having a pressure sensor (45a) that outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of deformation of an operation surface (34) touched by a user; a control unit (41) that performs processing in response to a pressing operation on the operation surface; Equipped with the control unit determines that a pressing operation has started when an output value (V) of the pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold (Vth1) when a voltage output from the pressure sensor when the operation surface is not being touched is a reference voltage (Vo), and determines that the pressing operation has ended when the output value of the pressure sensor after determining that a pressing operation has started becomes less than a second threshold (Vth2) or when a state in which the difference between the output value and the reference voltage is equal to or less than a third threshold (Vth3) continues for a predetermined time (T1); The third threshold is set so that there are alternating periods when the difference between the voltage output from the pressure sensor and the reference voltage is large and periods when the difference is small when the operation surface is kept in contact. The symbols in parentheses above indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments to be described later. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the invention of claim 1, an operation unit is provided having a pressure sensor that outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of deformation of the operation surface touched by a user. A control unit that performs processing in response to a pressure operation on the operation surface determines that a pressure operation has started when the output value of the pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold, assuming that the voltage output from the pressure sensor when the operation surface is not being touched is a reference voltage, and determines that the pressure operation has ended when the output value of the pressure sensor after determining that a pressure operation has started falls below a second threshold or when the difference between the output value and the reference voltage remains below a third threshold for a predetermined period of time. The third threshold is set so that there are alternate periods in which the difference between the voltage output from the pressure sensor and the reference voltage increases and decreases while the operation surface is still being touched.

[0010] As a result, when a short press operation in which a finger is immediately released from contact with the operation surface or a long press operation in which the finger is kept touching the operation surface for a certain period of time is performed, the end of the press operation is determined when the output value of the press sensor after determining that the press operation has started falls below the second threshold. On the other hand, even if the long press operation is released by slowly releasing the finger and the output value of the press sensor does not fall below the second threshold, the output value of the press sensor converges to the reference voltage after the long press operation is released. Therefore, the end of the press operation is determined when the difference from the reference voltage remains below the third threshold for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, during a long press operation, the output value of the press sensor oscillates at a minute voltage level, so the difference between the output value of the press sensor and the reference voltage intermittently exceeds the third threshold, preventing an erroneous determination that the press operation has ended. Therefore, even when a press sensor is used, short press operations and long press operations on the operation surface can be accurately determined.

[0011] In the invention of claim 2, the amplification factor of the output value of the pressure sensor to be compared with the third threshold value is set higher than the amplification factor of the output value of the pressure sensor to be compared with the second threshold value.

[0012] The output value of the pressure sensor to be compared with the second threshold value is obtained by immediately releasing the finger after releasing the pressure, so it is a relatively large value, while the output value of the pressure sensor to be compared with the third threshold value is a relatively small value because it is a minute voltage level oscillation. Therefore, by setting the amplification factor of the output value of the pressure sensor to be compared with the third threshold value higher than the amplification factor of the output value of the pressure sensor to be compared with the second threshold value, it becomes easier to pick up minute signals in judgments using the third threshold value, and the judgment accuracy can be improved.

[0013] In the invention of claim 3, when the peak voltage value detection unit detects as the peak voltage value the output value of the pressure sensor before it is determined that a pressure operation has started, which increases beyond the fourth threshold and then decreases without exceeding the first threshold, the threshold setting unit sets the first threshold to a smaller value so as to approach the peak voltage value.

[0014] If the first threshold is set relatively large to prevent erroneous responses, a user who tends to apply a relatively small amount of stress (pressure) to the pressure sensor during a pressing operation may not be able to determine that a pressing operation has started because the output value of the pressure sensor does not exceed the first threshold. Therefore, when a peak voltage value is detected, that is, when the pressure is too weak to determine that a pressing operation has started, the first threshold is automatically set small, so that even a user who applies a small amount of pressure can reliably perform a pressing operation.

[0015] In the invention of claim 4, the control unit switches the processing according to the pressing operation on the operation surface depending on the time from when it is determined that the pressing operation has started to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended. This makes it possible to switch the processing according to the pressing operation between a short press and a long press, for example, by performing an image capturing process and a decoding process during a short press and a data transmission process during a long press.

[0016] As in the invention of claim 5, when the time from when it is determined that a pressing operation has started to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended during wireless communication processing is equal to or longer than a certain time, the wireless communication processing may be terminated.

[0017] In the invention of claim 6, the control unit controls the imaging unit to start imaging when it is determined that a pressing operation has started, and controls the imaging unit to end imaging when it is determined that a pressing operation has ended. This allows the imaging unit to perform imaging processing regardless of whether the pressing operation is a short press operation or a long press operation, and also makes it possible to lengthen the imaging time as the pressing operation time becomes longer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an optical information reader according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the optical information reader of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the optical information reader of FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the optical information reader of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic example of an electrical configuration of the optical information reader. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of pressure sensors. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of the operation surface when no pressing operation is performed, and FIG. 7(B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of the operation surface when a pressing operation is performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of the operation surface. [Figure 9] FIG. 9(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the change in output voltage during a short press operation, FIG. 9(B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the change in output voltage when the finger is released normally after the long press operation is released, and FIG. 9(C) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the change in output voltage when the finger is released slowly after the long press operation is released. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the third threshold value and the change in output voltage when the finger is slowly released after releasing the long press operation in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a pressing operation detection process performed by the control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of an optical information reader according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between a first threshold value that is automatically changed and a change in output voltage in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an optical information reader according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The optical information reader 10 according to this embodiment is configured as a portable reader that optically reads optical information such as an information code (for example, a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark)).

[0020] 1 to 4, the housing 11 constituting the outer shell of the optical information reader 10 is configured to form a storage space for accommodating various electronic components by assembling an upper case 20 in which a reading opening 21 is formed and a lower case 30 in which a grip portion 31 to be gripped by a user is formed. The upper case 20 is provided with a guide 22 that extends in the direction in which the reading opening 21 faces (hereinafter also referred to as the forward or forward direction) to make it easier to orient the reading opening 21 toward the information code. The upper surface of this guide 22 is approximately parallel to the combined surface of the upper case 20 and the lower case 30.

[0021] The lower case 30 is formed so that an assembly part 32, which is assembled to the lower part of the upper case 20 such as the guide 22, and a grip part 31, which constitutes the part of the lower case 30 below the assembly part 32, are integral with each other. The grip part 31 is formed so that there are no grooves or the like on its outer surface, so that it can be easily wiped and disinfected, and the connecting part with the assembly part 32 is also formed so that it is smoothly curved.

[0022] The grip portion 31 is provided with an operation pedestal 33 that smoothly protrudes forward at a position below the guide 22 and that can be touched by fingers while gripping the grip portion 31. The operation pedestal 33 is configured so that the flat surface located at the front functions as an operation surface 34 that distorts when pressed when starting a reading process to read an information code. Specifically, the operation pedestal 33 is formed so that the thickness (wall thickness) t of the lower case 30 at the portion that constitutes the operation surface 34 is thinner than the thickness of the lower case 30 at the other portions, in order to make the operation surface 34 more easily distort. For example, when the thickness of the lower case 30 at the other portions is formed to be approximately 1.5 to 2 mm, the thickness t (see FIG. 7(A)) of the lower case 30 at the portion that constitutes the operation surface 34 is formed to be approximately 0.7 to 1.5 mm.

[0023] Next, the electrical configuration of the optical information reader 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. 5, the optical information reading device 10 includes a control unit 41 including a CPU or the like, a storage unit 42 including a ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., an imaging unit 43 configured as a camera equipped with a light-receiving sensor (e.g., a C-MOS area sensor, a CCD area sensor, etc.), an illumination unit 44 that irradiates illumination light toward the imaging field of the imaging unit 43, an operation unit 45, a light-emitting unit 46 including an LED or the like, a vibrator 47 that can generate vibrations that can be transmitted to a user, a buzzer 48 that can emit buzzer sounds such as beeps and alarms, and a communication unit 49 configured as a communication interface for wireless communication with external devices such as a mounting stand such as a cradle or a higher-level terminal such as a management server. At least some of these various electronic components are housed in a housing space defined by the upper case 20 and the lower case 30 of the housing 11. For example, the imaging unit 43 and the illumination unit 44 are housed in the upper case 20 so that the imaging range of the imaging unit 43 is in front of the reading port 21, and the illumination unit 44 irradiates illumination light toward the imaging field of view through the reading port 21.

[0024] The operation unit 45 is configured to have a pressure sensor 45a, which is a sensor using a piezoelectric element that outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of deformation of the operation surface 34 touched by the user. As shown in Fig. 6, the pressure sensor 45a is disposed in a state supported (clamped) by the support plate 35 at a position on the inner surface side of the gripping unit 31 with respect to the operation surface 34, and is configured to output a voltage corresponding to the amount of deformation of the operation surface 34 to the control unit 41.

[0025] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(A), when the user is not touching the operation surface 34, a constant voltage (hereinafter also referred to as reference voltage Vo) is output from the pressure sensor 45a to the control unit 41. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(B), when the user presses the operation surface 34 with a pressure F, a voltage corresponding to the amount of deformation caused by the pressure F is output to the control unit 41. Note that, as exemplified in FIG. 8, an operation surface 34a formed so that a central portion 34b protrudes outward relative to an outer circumferential portion 34c may be used instead of the operation surface 34. Note that, for convenience, components housed on the inner surface side of the grip portion 31 are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, except for the pressure sensor 45a.

[0026] When a pressing operation on the operation surface 34 is detected in response to a voltage input from the pressing sensor 45a of the operation unit 45, the control unit 41 performs processing in response to the pressing operation. Specifically, for example, in this embodiment, when the control unit 41 detects a pressing operation, the control unit 41 starts a reading process using an image of the information code C (see FIG. 5) captured by the imaging unit 43, and functions as a decoding unit that decodes the data recorded in the information code C in this reading process using a predetermined decoding method. The reading results obtained in such a reading process are wirelessly transmitted to an external device via the communication unit 49 at a predetermined timing during wireless communication processing performed by the control unit 41 controlling the communication unit 49. Note that the communication unit 49 may correspond to an example of a "wireless communication unit" that performs wireless communication processing with an external device under the control of the control unit 41.

[0027] Next, a pressing operation detection process performed by the control unit 41 to detect a pressing operation according to the voltage output from the pressing sensor 45a of the operation unit 45 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When the user's finger touches the operation surface 34 to perform a pressing operation, the operation surface 34 deforms in response to the pressing force, and the output value from the pressing sensor 45a (hereinafter also referred to as output voltage V) changes to be higher than the reference voltage Vo. After that, when the user's finger is removed from the operation surface 34, the removing action causes the output voltage V to become lower than the reference voltage Vo.

[0028] The above-described voltage change occurs when a short press operation is performed by immediately releasing a finger that has touched the operation surface 34, or when a long press operation is performed by maintaining a touch state on the operation surface 34 for a certain period of time.

[0029] 9A, in the pressing operation detection process during a short press, it is determined that the pressing operation has started when the output voltage V exceeds a first threshold Vth1 that is set higher than the reference voltage Vo, and it is determined that the pressing operation has ended when the output voltage V becomes less than a second threshold Vth2 that is set lower than the reference voltage Vo. In this embodiment, when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended in this way, the reading process described above is started.

[0030] 9B, in the pressing operation detection process during a long press operation, it can be determined that a pressing operation has started when the output voltage V exceeds the first threshold value Vth1. After that determination, while the operation surface 34 continues to be touched, the output voltage V oscillates without becoming less than the second threshold value Vth2, and when the finger is removed from the operation surface 34 and the output voltage V becomes less than the second threshold value Vth2, it can be determined that the pressing operation has ended.

[0031] On the other hand, when the finger that has been pressing and holding the key is slowly released from the operation surface 34, unlike the case of Fig. 9(B), the output voltage V does not become less than the second threshold value Vth2, and therefore the pressing operation may not be determined to be ended, as shown in Fig. 9(C). In such a case, even though the pressing operation is determined to be started, the pressing operation is not determined to be ended, and therefore the reading process does not start.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, a third threshold value Vth3 is provided, which is set so that, with respect to a reference voltage Vo, which is the voltage output from the pressure sensor 45a when the operation surface 34 is not being touched, there are alternately large and small time periods relative to the difference between the output voltage V output from the pressure sensor 45a and the reference voltage Vo when the operation surface 34 is being touched. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the third threshold value Vth3 is set so as to be smaller than the average value of the amplitude of the output waveform of the output voltage V output from the pressure sensor 45a when the operation surface 34 is being touched. After it is determined that a pressing operation has started, it is determined that the pressing operation has ended if the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo remains equal to or smaller than the third threshold value Vth3 for a predetermined time T1.

[0033] The pressing operation detection process performed by the control unit 41 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the control unit 41 starts the pressing operation detection process, the output voltage V output from the pressing sensor 45a is acquired (S101 in FIG. 11), and in the determination process of step S103, it is determined whether or not the output voltage V exceeds the first threshold value Vth1. Here, if the output voltage V exceeds the first threshold value Vth1 because the user is pressing the operation surface 34 with his / her finger, the determination in step S103 is Yes, and it is determined that a pressing operation has started (S105).

[0034] After it is determined that a pressing operation has started, a voltage value acquisition process shown in step S107 is performed, and the output voltage V output from the pressing sensor 45a is subsequently acquired. Subsequently, in a determination process of step S109, it is determined whether or not the output voltage V is less than the second threshold value Vth2. Here, if the user has not released his / her finger from the operation surface 34 and the output voltage V does not become less than the second threshold value Vth2 (No in S109), it is determined in a determination process of step S111 whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo is less than or equal to a third threshold value Vth3. If the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo is not less than or equal to the third threshold value Vth3 (No in S111), the process from step S107 is repeated.

[0035] During this repeated process, if the user removes his / her finger from the operation surface 34 and the output voltage V becomes less than the second threshold value Vth2 (Yes in S109), it is determined that the pressing operation has ended (S117), and this pressing operation detection process ends.

[0036] Furthermore, if the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo becomes equal to or less than the third threshold Vth3 because the operation surface 34 remains touched during the repeated process (Yes in S111), a timing process shown in step S113 is performed. This process measures the time T during which the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo remains equal to or less than the third threshold Vth3. If the measured time T is less than the predetermined time T1 (the state in which the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo remains equal to or less than the third threshold Vth3 for the predetermined time T1 has not continued) (No in S115), the process from step S107 is repeated. When the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo is no longer equal to or less than the third threshold Vth3, the next timing process is reset to zero and restarted (S113).

[0037] Thereafter, when the time T measured in step S113 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined time T1 (when the state in which the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo remains equal to or less than the third threshold value Vth3 continues for the predetermined time T1), it is determined that the user has released the long press operation by slowly releasing their finger, and the pressing operation is terminated (S117), and this pressing operation detection process ends.

[0038] That is, in the pressing operation detection process performed by the control unit 41 in this embodiment, when the voltage output from the pressing sensor 45a when the operation surface 34 is not being touched is taken as the reference voltage Vo, it is determined that the pressing operation has started when the output voltage V of the pressing sensor 45a exceeds the first threshold value Vth1, and it is determined that the pressing operation has ended when the output voltage V of the pressing sensor 45a after determining that the pressing operation has started becomes less than the second threshold value Vth2 or when the difference between the output voltage V and the reference voltage Vo continues to be less than the third threshold value Vth3 for a predetermined time T1.

[0039] As a result, when a short press operation in which a finger touching the operation surface 34 is immediately released or a long press operation in which a touch state on the operation surface 34 is maintained for a certain period of time is performed, the end of the press operation is determined when the output voltage V of the press sensor 45a after determining that the press operation has started falls below the second threshold Vth2. On the other hand, even if the long press operation is released by slowly releasing the finger and the output voltage V of the press sensor 45a does not fall below the second threshold Vth2, the output voltage V of the press sensor 45a converges to the reference voltage Vo after the long press operation is released, and the end of the press operation is determined when the difference from the reference voltage Vo remains equal to or less than the third threshold Vth3 for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, during the long press operation, the output voltage V of the press sensor 45a oscillates at a minute voltage level, so the difference between the output voltage V of the press sensor 45a and the reference voltage Vo intermittently exceeds the third threshold Vth3, preventing an erroneous determination that the press operation has ended. Therefore, even when the pressure sensor 45a is used, it is possible to accurately determine whether the operation surface 34 is a short press operation or a long press operation.

[0040] As a modification of this embodiment, the amplification factor of the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a that is compared with the third threshold value Vth3 may be set higher than the amplification factor of the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a that is compared with the second threshold value Vth2. In this case, the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a that is compared with the second threshold value Vth2 may not be amplified, or may be amplified so as to be lower than in the case of the third threshold value Vth3.

[0041] 12, the control unit 41 is provided with a first determination unit 41a that determines the end of the pressing operation using a comparison result between a second threshold value Vth2 and the output voltage V of the pressing sensor 45a, and a second determination unit 41b that determines the end of the pressing operation using a comparison result between a third threshold value Vth3 and the output voltage V of the pressing sensor 45a. An amplifier 41c is also provided to amplify the output voltage V of the pressing sensor 45a and input the amplified output voltage V to the second determination unit 41b.

[0042] The output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a to be compared with the second threshold value Vth2 is a relatively large value because it is obtained by releasing the finger immediately after releasing the pressure, while the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a to be compared with the third threshold value Vth3 is a relatively small value because it is a minute voltage level oscillation. For this reason, by setting the amplification factor of the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a to be compared with the third threshold value Vth3 higher than the amplification factor of the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a to be compared with the second threshold value Vth2, it becomes easier to pick up minute signals in the determination using the third threshold value Vth3, so that, for example, even a press operation with a relatively small pressure can be determined to be a long press, and the determination accuracy can be improved.

[0043] [Second embodiment] Next, an optical information reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the first threshold Vth1 is automatically changed depending on the user. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0044] If the first threshold value Vth1 is set relatively large to prevent erroneous responses, for a user who tends to experience a relatively small stress (pressure) acting on the pressure sensor 45a during a pressing operation, the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a may not exceed the first threshold value Vth1, and the start of a pressing operation may not be determined. This problem occurs not only with long presses but also with short presses.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, a fourth threshold Vth4 is provided that is sufficiently smaller than the first threshold Vth1 and is set so that the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a is reliably exceeded by even a light touch on the operation surface 34. Then, in the pressure operation detection process performed by the control unit 41, the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a before it is determined that a pressure operation has started increases beyond the fourth threshold Vth4, and then decreases without exceeding the first threshold Vth1. The output voltage V is detected as the peak voltage value Vp. The first threshold Vth1 is set small so as to approach the peak voltage value Vp detected in this way.

[0046] 13, if the output voltage V of the pressure sensor 45a before the start of a pressing operation is determined to have increased beyond the fourth threshold Vth4 and then continues to not exceed the first threshold Vth1 for a predetermined time T2, the peak value of the output voltage V during that time is detected as the peak voltage value Vp.The first threshold Vth1 is then set to a smaller value than the detected peak voltage value Vp by a predetermined value (see symbol Vth1a in FIG. 13).

[0047] As a result, when the peak voltage value Vp is detected, that is, when it is not determined that the pressing operation has started because the pressing force is weak, the first threshold value Vth1 is automatically set to a small value, so that even a user who applies weak pressure can reliably perform the pressing operation.

[0048] Note that when the peak voltage value Vp is detected, the first threshold value Vth1 is not necessarily set to be smaller than the peak voltage value Vp by a predetermined value. Alternatively, the first threshold value Vth1 may be set to be smaller so as to match the peak voltage value Vp. Furthermore, depending on the difference between the peak voltage value Vp and the first threshold value Vth1 before the change, the first threshold value Vth1 may be set to be smaller, for example, to be an intermediate value between the peak voltage value Vp and the first threshold value Vth1 before the change, or the first threshold value Vth1 may simply be set to be smaller by a predetermined value. Note that the control unit 41 that performs processing to detect the peak voltage value Vp corresponds to an example of a "peak voltage value detection unit," and the control unit 41 that performs processing to set the first threshold value Vth1 smaller so as to approach the peak voltage value Vp may correspond to an example of a "threshold value setting unit."

[0049] As a modification of this embodiment, in addition to automatically decreasing the first threshold Vth1 depending on the user as described above, the first threshold Vth1 may also be automatically increased depending on the user. Specifically, when the output voltage V, which is the peak of the voltage change when it is determined that a pressing operation has started, greatly exceeds the first threshold Vth1, the first threshold Vth1 may be increased depending on the difference between the peak output voltage V and the first threshold Vth1 before the change, for example, to an intermediate value between the two, or the first threshold Vth1 may simply be increased by a predetermined value.

[0050] [Third embodiment] Next, an optical information reader according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that processing according to the pressing operation on the operation surface 34 is switched depending on the time from when it is determined that the pressing operation has started to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0051] The time from when it is determined in the above-described pressing operation detection process that the pressing operation has started (S105) to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended (S117) (hereinafter also referred to as pressing operation time) is approximately equal to the time during which the operation surface 34 is pressed. Therefore, if the pressing operation time is less than a predetermined fixed time (for example, 1 second), it can be determined that a short pressing operation has been performed, and if the pressing operation time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, it can be determined that a long pressing operation has been performed.

[0052] Therefore, in this embodiment, during the pressing operation detection process, it is determined whether the operation is a short press operation or a long press operation based on the pressing operation time calculated as described above, and the processing performed by the control unit 41 is switched depending on the operation state determined in this manner.

[0053] Specifically, for example, if it is determined that the operation is a short press, an image capture process and a decoding process can be performed, and if it is determined that the operation is a long press, a data transmission process can be performed.

[0054] Also, for example, wireless communication processing may be started upon determination of the start of a pressing operation, and if the pressing operation time calculated in the pressing operation detection processing during this wireless communication processing (the time from when it is determined that the pressing operation has started to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended) is less than a certain time, the wireless communication processing may be continued, and if this pressing operation time exceeds the certain time, the wireless communication processing may be terminated. In other words, the wireless communication processing may be terminated when it is determined that a long pressing operation has occurred.

[0055] In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to switch between the processing depending on the pressing operation, whether it is a short pressing operation or a long pressing operation.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 41 may control the imaging unit 43 to start capturing images when it is determined that a pressing operation has started (S105) during the pressing operation detection process, and may control the imaging unit 43 to end capturing images when it is determined that a pressing operation has ended (S117). This not only enables the imaging process by the imaging unit 43 to be performed regardless of whether the pressing operation is a short press operation or a long press operation, but also makes it possible to lengthen the imaging time as the pressing operation time becomes longer. In this way, when the imaging time becomes longer due to the longer pressing operation time, the number of times the imaged information code is decoded increases, and therefore the success rate of reading the information code can be improved.

[0057] Furthermore, when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended, the control unit 41 may notify the user that the pressing operation has ended by controlling at least one of the light emitting state of the light emitting unit 46, the vibration state of the vibrator 47, and the sounding state of the buzzer 48. Similarly, when it is determined that the pressing operation has started, the control unit 41 may notify the user that the pressing operation has started by controlling at least one of the light emitting state of the light emitting unit 46, the vibration state of the vibrator 47, and the sounding state of the buzzer 48.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be embodied as follows, for example. (1) The threshold values ​​Vth1, Vth2, and Vth3 and the predetermined times T1 and T2 used in the pressing operation detection process may be changed in response to a predetermined operation by the user. For example, the first threshold value Vth1 used in the optical information reader 10 can be increased by the predetermined value by having the optical information reader 10 read an information code in which instruction information to increase the first threshold value Vth1 by a predetermined value is recorded. Furthermore, the instruction information to increase the first threshold value Vth1 by the predetermined value may be transmitted to the optical information reader 10 using a setting tool capable of changing the settings of the optical information reader 10.

[0059] (2) The present invention is not limited to being applied to an optical information reading device 10 that wirelessly transmits the reading results, etc. obtained in the reading process to an external device via the communication unit 49, but may also be applied to an optical information reading device that transmits the reading results, etc. to an external device via a part of the lower case 30 other than the gripping unit 31, for example, a cable pulled out from the bottom end of the lower case 30.

[0060] (3) The present invention is not limited to being applied to an optical information reading device 10 that optically reads information codes, but may also be applied to an optical information reading device that optically reads optical information, including character information, by imaging the optical information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10...Optical information reader 11...Housing 21...Reading port 34,34a…operation surface 41...Control unit (decoding unit, peak voltage value detection unit, threshold value setting unit) 43...imaging unit 45...Operation unit 45a...Pressure sensor 49...Communication unit (wireless communication unit) C...Information code V: Output voltage Vo: Reference voltage Vp: Peak voltage Vth1: First threshold Vth2: Second threshold Vth3: Third threshold Vth4: Fourth threshold

Claims

1. An optical information reader that optically reads an information code, a housing in which a reading port is provided; an imaging unit that images the information code through the reading port; a decoding unit that decodes the information code captured by the imaging unit; an operation unit having a pressure sensor that outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of deformation of an operation surface touched by a user; a control unit that performs processing in response to a pressing operation on the operation surface; Equipped with the control unit determines that a pressing operation has started when the output value of the pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value, when the voltage output from the pressure sensor when the operation surface is not being touched is used as a reference voltage, and determines that the pressing operation has ended when the output value of the pressure sensor after determining that a pressing operation has started becomes less than a second threshold value or when a state in which the difference between the output value of the pressure sensor and the reference voltage is equal to or less than a third threshold value continues for a predetermined time; An optical information reading device characterized in that the third threshold is set so that when the operating surface is kept touched, there are alternating periods when the difference between the voltage output from the pressure sensor and the reference voltage is large and periods when the difference is small.

2. 2. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein an amplification factor of the output value of the pressure sensor that is compared with the third threshold value is set higher than an amplification factor of the output value of the pressure sensor that is compared with the second threshold value.

3. a peak voltage value detection unit that detects, as a peak voltage value, an output value that is a peak of a voltage change that occurs when an output value of the pressing sensor before it is determined that the pressing operation has started increases beyond a fourth threshold and then decreases without exceeding the first threshold; and a threshold value setting unit that, when the peak voltage value is detected by the peak voltage value detection unit, sets the first threshold value to a small value so as to approach the peak voltage value; 3. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The optical information reading device of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit switches processing in response to the pressing operation on the operation surface depending on the time from when it is determined that the pressing operation has started to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended.

5. a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication processing with an external device by being controlled by the control unit; The optical information reading device of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit terminates the wireless communication processing when the time from when it is determined that the pressing operation has started to when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended during the wireless communication processing is longer than a certain period of time.

6. The optical information reading device of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control unit controls the imaging unit to start imaging when it is determined that the pressing operation has started, and controls the imaging unit to end imaging when it is determined that the pressing operation has ended.

Images