Barcode reading system

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of suppressing a decrease in reading rate.SOLUTION: A bar code reading system 1 reads a bar code on a tread surface t2 of a tire T mounted on an upper surface 2b1 of a second conveyor 2b with a side surface directed downward. The system 1 is provided with a pair of bar code readers 21, 22 which can read a label bar code LB by emitting scanning light and receiving reflection light from the label bar code LB. The pair of bar code readers 21, 22 are arranged on one side in the width direction of the second conveyor 2b and emit scanning light so that an optical axis goes along the upper surface 2b1. A central axis S1 within a scanning range of the scanning light of one bar code reader 21 is tilted with respect to the width direction of the second conveyor 2b. A first readable range 31 of the one bar code reader 21 when the second conveyor 2b is viewed planarly includes a central part in the width direction of the second conveyor 2b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a barcode reading system for reading a barcode provided on the tread surface of a tire. [Background technology]

[0002] Tires are sometimes provided with a label integrally attached to the sidewall or bead that displays a tire barcode for managing the tire's size, structure, lot number indicating the tire's manufacturing history, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition to the tire barcode, a label (barcode label) displaying a barcode for managing the tire's product name, model number, tire size, etc. may be affixed to the tire tread surface.

[0004] The label barcode and tire barcode displayed by attaching a label to such tires are read by a barcode reading system when the tires are shipped, and the information indicated by both barcodes is compared with information registered in a database, etc., to determine whether or not the tires can be shipped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-273570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional barcode reading system. In FIG. 3, the barcode reading system reads a label barcode displayed on a label 104 affixed to a tread surface 103 a of a tire 103 placed on a conveyor 102 and transported. The tire 103 is placed on the conveyor 102 with its side facing downwards.

[0007] The barcode reading system includes a pair of first barcode readers 105 arranged on both sides of the conveyor 102 and a pair of second barcode readers 108 arranged above the conveyor 102 via support posts 106 .

[0008] A pair of first barcode readers 105 are arranged on both sides of the conveyor 102 to read the label barcodes of the tires 103 placed with the labels 104 facing in a direction (horizontal) intersecting the conveying direction. A pair of second barcode readers 108 are positioned above the conveyor 102 and approximately in the center of the width of the conveyor 102 in order to read the label barcode of the tire 103 placed with the label 104 facing the conveying direction.

[0009] Generally, a barcode reader emits scanning light such as laser light and receives the reflected light when the scanning light is reflected by the barcode, thereby reading the information in the barcode. For this reason, it is preferable that the scanning light of the barcode reader be irradiated onto the barcode from as far in front as possible. However, since the pair of second barcode readers 108 are positioned above the conveyor 102 by the support pillars 106, the scanning light emitted by the pair of second barcode readers 108 is irradiated onto the tread surface 103a of the tire 103 from diagonally above.

[0010] This causes problems such as a narrower readable range of the pair of second barcode readers 108 and halation caused by the scanning light being irradiated onto the barcode label at an angle, resulting in a decrease in the read rate of the pair of second barcode readers 108. A decrease in the read rate of the pair of second barcode readers 108 causes a decrease in the read rate of the barcode reading system as a whole.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technique that can suppress a decrease in the reading rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The barcode reading system of the present invention is a barcode reading system that reads barcodes on the tread surface of a tire placed on the upper surface of a conveyor with its side facing downward, and is equipped with a pair of barcode readers that can read the barcode by emitting scanning light and receiving reflected light from the barcode, the pair of barcode readers are arranged on one side of the width of the conveyor, and emit the scanning light so that the optical axis is along the upper surface, the central axis of the scanning range of the scanning light of one of the pair of barcode readers is inclined with respect to the width direction of the conveyor, and the barcode readable range of the one barcode reader when the conveyor is viewed in a plane includes the center of the width of the conveyor.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the optical axis of the scanning light of one of the barcode readers is aligned along the top surface of the conveyor, so the scanning light is not emitted from an obliquely upward direction toward the tread surface, as in the conventional example described above, which prevents the narrowing of the readable range and suppresses the occurrence of halation due to the scanning light. Furthermore, since the central axis of the scanning range of the scanning light of one barcode reader is inclined with respect to the width direction of the conveyor, and the barcode readable range of one barcode reader when the conveyor is viewed in a plane includes the center of the width direction of the conveyor, when the tire is transported with the barcode facing in the transport direction (or the opposite direction), one barcode reader can irradiate the scanning light onto the label barcode from a direction as close to the front as possible, and can properly read the label barcode. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading rate of one of the barcode readers that reads the label barcode of a tire that is placed and transported with the barcode facing in the transport direction (or the opposite direction), thereby suppressing a decrease in the reading rate of the entire system.

[0014] In the above-described barcode reading system, it is preferable that the barcode reading range of the other barcode reader of the pair of barcode readers extends from one edge of the conveyor in the width direction to the barcode reading range of the one barcode reader. In this case, the barcode readable ranges of one barcode reader and the other barcode reader can complement each other, and both barcode readable ranges can be set from the center of the conveyor width to one edge of the conveyor width, thereby expanding the barcode readable range without reducing the read rate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading rate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a barcode reading system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main parts of the barcode reading system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional barcode reading system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. [Overall configuration of the barcode reading system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a barcode reading system 1 of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a barcode reading system 1 is provided on a conveyor device 2 for conveying a tire T. The conveyor device 2 includes a first conveyor 2a on the upstream side and a second conveyor 2b on the downstream side. A tire T is placed on the upper surfaces 2a1 and 2b1 of the conveyors 2a and 2b. The tire T is placed on the upper surfaces 2a1 and 2b1 with the side surface t1 facing downward. Each conveyor 2a, 2b includes a pair of rollers 3a, 3b and conveyor belts 4a, 4b. The conveyor belts 4a, 4b are endless and are wound around the pair of rollers 3a, 3b. The pair of rollers 3a, 3b are driven and rotated by a motor (not shown). The conveyor belts 4a, 4b run due to the rotation of the pair of rollers 3a, 3b. Conveyor belts 4a and 4b run so that upper surfaces 2a1 and 2b1 move in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the right end of the conveyor device 2 on the paper surface is the upstream end, and the left end of the conveyor device 2 on the paper surface is the granulation end. The tire T is placed on the upstream end of the conveyor device 2 and transported toward the downstream end.

[0018] A gap S is provided between the first conveyor 2a and the second conveyor 2b. This gap S is a dimension that allows the tire T transported by the first conveyor 2a to continue being transported by the second conveyor 2b without stopping.

[0019] The tire T transported by the conveyor device 2 has a label (not shown) that is integrally attached to the bead and displays a tire barcode, and a barcode label L that is attached to the tread surface t2. The tire barcode is a barcode used to manage the tire within the factory, and includes the tire size, structure, a lot number that indicates the tire's manufacturing history, etc. A label barcode LB, separate from the tire barcode, is displayed on the barcode label L. The label barcode LB is a barcode used to manage data for the user, such as the tire's product name and size.

[0020] The barcode reading system 1 of this embodiment has a function of reading the tire barcode and label barcode LB of the tire T. The barcode reading system 1 includes a first photocell sensor 6, a second photocell sensor 8, a pair of lower barcode readers 10, a pair of side barcode reader units 12, and a control device 14.

[0021] The first photocell sensor 6 is provided on the first conveyor 2a. The first photocell sensor 6 detects whether or not the tire T has passed the position of the first photocell sensor 6. The first photocell sensor 6 includes a light-emitting element 6a and a light-receiving element 6b. The light-emitting element 6a is disposed on one side of the first conveyor 2a. The light-receiving element 6b is disposed on the other side of the first conveyor 2a. The light-emitting element 6a emits light to the light-receiving element 6b, and the light-receiving element 6b receives the light from the light-emitting element 6a. The first photocell sensor 6 detects the passage of the tire T based on whether or not the light between the light-emitting element 6a and the light-receiving element 6b is blocked. The first photocell sensor 6 is connected to the control device 14, and when the light between the light-emitting element 6a and the light-receiving element 6b is blocked, the first photocell sensor 6 provides an output indicating that the light has been blocked to the control device 14.

[0022] The second photocell sensor 8 is provided on the second conveyor 2b. The second photocell sensor 8 detects whether or not the tire T has passed the position of the second photocell sensor 8. The second photocell sensor 8 includes a light-emitting element 8a and a light-receiving element 8b. The light-emitting element 8a is disposed on one side of the second conveyor 2b. The light-receiving element 8b is disposed on the other side of the second conveyor 2b. The light-emitting element 8a emits light to the light-receiving element 8b, and the light-receiving element 8b receives the light from the light-emitting element 8a. The second photocell sensor 8 detects the passage of the tire T based on whether or not the light between the light-emitting element 8a and the light-receiving element 8b is blocked. The second photocell sensor 8 is connected to the control device 14, and when the light between the light-emitting element 8a and the light-receiving element 8b is blocked, the second photocell sensor 8 provides an output indicating that the light has been blocked to the control device 14.

[0023] The pair of lower barcode readers 10 and the pair of side barcode reader units 12 are disposed between the first phototube sensor 6 and the second phototube sensor 8 in the conveying direction.

[0024] The pair of lower barcode readers 10 are arranged below the interval S. The pair of lower barcode readers 10 are provided so as to face upward from the interval S. The pair of lower barcode readers 10 read tire barcodes provided on the beads of tires T passing through the interval S from below the conveyor device 2. The pair of lower barcode readers 10 are connected to a control device 14, and provide information obtained from the read tire barcodes (tire barcode information) to the control device 14.

[0025] The pair of side barcode reader units 12 are arranged on the sides of the second conveyor 2b. Each of the pair of side barcode reader units 12 includes a first barcode reader 21 and a second barcode reader 22. The pair of barcode readers 21, 22 have different barcode readable ranges, which will be described in detail later.

[0026] The pair of side barcode reader units 12 reads the label barcode LB of the label L affixed to the tire T placed on the upper surface 2b1 of the second conveyor 2b and transported. The range in which the pair of side barcode reader units 12 can read the barcode is provided upstream of the arrangement position of the pair of side barcode reader units 12. The pair of side barcode reader units 12 are connected to a control device 14 and provide information (label barcode information) obtained from the read label barcode LB to the control device 14.

[0027] The control device 14 has a function of controlling the above-mentioned components to read tire barcode information and label barcode information and to verify the tire barcode information and label barcode information. The control device 14 performs the reading process and the verification process as follows. First, an operator of the barcode reading system 1 starts the operation of the conveyor device 2, and then the operator places the tire T on the upper end side of the first conveyor 2a. This causes the conveyor device 2 to start transporting the tire T. In this embodiment, the operator places the tire T on the first conveyor 2a so that the label L of the tire T does not face in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

[0028] When a tire T being transported by the conveyor device 2 passes the first photocell sensor 6, the control device 14 receives an output from the first photocell sensor 6 indicating that the light from the first photocell sensor 6 has been blocked. When an output from the first photocell sensor 6 is given, the control device 14 starts reading the barcode by the pair of lower barcode readers 10 and the pair of side barcode reader units 12 .

[0029] When the tire T passes through the interval S after passing the first photocell sensor 6, the pair of lower barcode readers 10 reads the tire barcode of the tire T and provides the tire barcode information to the control device 14. Thereafter, when the tire T enters a range where the barcode can be read by the pair of side barcode reader units 12, the pair of side barcode reader units 12 reads the label barcode LB of the tire T and provides the label barcode information to the control device 14.

[0030] When the tire barcode information and label barcode information are provided, the control device 14 refers to a database stored in the control device itself or an external server, etc., and compares the tire barcode information and label barcode information with the information registered in the database. As a result of the comparison, the control device 14 determines whether or not there is a problem with the tire T identified by the tire barcode information and the label barcode information.

[0031] On the other hand, when the tire T passes the second photoelectric sensor 8, the second photoelectric sensor 8 provides the control device 14 with an output indicating that the light from the second photoelectric sensor 8 has been blocked. When the output from the second photocell sensor 8 is given, the control device 14 controls the conveyor device 2 according to the collation result. More specifically, if the collation result indicates no problem, the control device 14 continues the operation of the conveyor device 2 and allows the tire T to pass through. On the other hand, if the collation result indicates a problem, the control device 14 stops the operation of the conveyor device 2 and restricts the passage of the tire T. This makes it possible to prevent problematic tires T from being sent to subsequent processes such as shipping.

[0032] [About the barcode reader unit 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main parts of the barcode reading system 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the barcode readable ranges of the first barcode reader 21 and the second barcode reader 22 of the barcode reader unit 12 when the second conveyor 2b is viewed from above. 2, one of the barcode readers 21 and 22 of the pair of side barcode reader units 12 will be described, but the other barcode readers 21 and 22 have the same configuration.

[0033] Both barcode readers 21 and 22 emit scanning light such as laser light and can read barcodes by receiving reflected light that is generated when the scanning light is irradiated onto the barcode. Both barcode readers 21, 22 are disposed so that the optical axes of the scanning lights pass above the upper surface 2b1 by a height approximately half the tread width of the tire T and are substantially parallel to the upper surface 2b1. The scanning lights of both barcode readers 21, 22 scan along the upper surface 2b1 of the second conveyor 2b with both barcode readers 21, 22 as the centers.

[0034] Furthermore, the central axis S1 of the scanning range W1 of the scanning light of the first barcode reader 21 is inclined upstream with respect to the width direction of the second conveyor 2b. The angle between the central axis S1 and the width direction of the second conveyor 2b is, for example, 60°. In other words, the angle between the central axis S1 and the width direction central axis C of the second conveyor 2b is 40°. Therefore, a first readable range 31 in which the first barcode reader 21 can read a barcode is provided upstream of the first barcode reader 21.

[0035] The central axis S2 of the scanning range W2 of the scanning light of the second barcode reader 22 is also inclined upstream with respect to the width direction of the second conveyor 2b, similar to the first barcode reader 21. The angle between the central axis S2 and the width direction of the second conveyor 2b is, for example, 14°. In other words, the angle between the central axis S1 and the width direction central axis C is 76°. Therefore, a second readable range 32 in which the second barcode reader 22 can read a barcode is provided upstream of the second barcode reader 22.

[0036] The first readable range 31 is a strip symmetrical with respect to the central axis S1. That is, a fan-shaped area in which the first barcode reader 21 cannot read a barcode exists between the first barcode reader 21 and the first readable range 31. The first readable range 31 exists outside this fan-shaped area. The first barcode reader 21 can read barcodes in the range from the outer arc R1 to the inner arc R2 that define the first readable range 31. Therefore, the first barcode reader 21 cannot read barcodes near the edge 2b2 of the second conveyor 2b. The first readable range 31 is provided over a wide area in the width direction of the second conveyor 2b, excluding a partial area near the edge 2b2. The widthwise central axis C of the second conveyor 2b passes through the first readable range 31. Therefore, the first readable range 31 includes the widthwise central portion of the second conveyor 2b.

[0037] The second barcode reader 22 can read barcodes in the range from the position of the second barcode reader 22 to an outer arc R3 that defines a second readable range 32. The second readable range 32 covers the range from the edge 2b2 of the upper surface 2b1 to a position approximately half the width dimension of the upper surface 2b1, and is close to the first readable range 31. The first readable range 31 and the second readable range 32 overlap in the width direction of the second conveyor 2b. Therefore, the second readable range 32 extends from the edge 2b2 to the first readable range 31. The second readable range 32 covers an area where the first barcode reader 21 cannot read a barcode. In this way, the first barcode reader 21 and the second barcode reader 22 can complement each other in their readable ranges, and both readable ranges 31, 32 can be set up from the widthwise center of the second conveyor 2b to one of the widthwise edges 2b2.

[0038] The first readable range 31 and the second readable range 32 may overlap each other. In this case, both readable ranges 31 and 32 can be more reliably provided from the center in the width direction of the second conveyor 2b to one end edge 2b2 in the width direction.

[0039] In this way, the first barcode reader 21 is capable of reading barcodes at a greater distance than the second barcode reader 22. For this reason, the arc length of the first readable range 31 is longer than the arc length of the second readable range 32. In other words, the first barcode reader 21 is capable of reading barcodes at a greater distance and in a wider angle range than the second barcode reader 22.

[0040] The distance from the first barcode reader 21 to the outer arc R1 can be set to 550 mm, and the distance from the first barcode reader 21 to the inner arc R2 can be set to 288 mm. The distance from the second barcode reader 22 to the outer arc R3 can be set to 290 mm.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows the tire T being transported with the label barcode LB facing the transport direction. In this case, the label barcode LB of the tire T enters the first readable range 31. The first barcode reader 21 can read the label barcode of the tire T that is transported with the label barcode LB facing in the transport direction. That is, according to the above configuration, the optical axis of the scanning light of the first barcode reader 21 is aligned along the upper surface 2b1 of the second conveyor 2b, so that the scanning light is not emitted from an obliquely upward direction toward the tread surface as in the above-mentioned conventional example, thereby preventing the narrowing of the readable range and suppressing the occurrence of halation due to the scanning light. Furthermore, since the central axis of the scanning range of the scanning light of the first barcode reader 21 is inclined with respect to the width direction of the conveyor and the first readable range 31 includes the widthwise center of the second conveyor 2b, when the tire T is transported with the label barcode LB facing the transport direction, the first barcode reader 21 can irradiate the scanning light onto the label barcode LB from a direction as close to the front as possible, and can properly read the label barcode LB. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading rate of the first barcode reader 21 that reads the label barcode LB of the tire T that is placed and transported with the label barcode LB facing the transport direction.

[0042] As shown by the dotted line in Figure 2, when the tire T is transported with the label barcode LB facing in a direction intersecting the transport direction (horizontal), the label barcode LB of the tire T passes through at least one of the first readable range 31 and the second readable range 32. In this case, the output of the first barcode reader 21 or the second barcode reader 22 that reads the label barcode LB first and sends the label barcode information to the control device 14 first is used for collation.

[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading rate of the first barcode reader 21 that reads the label barcode LB of the tire T that is transported with the label barcode LB facing the transport direction, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reading rate of the entire system.

[0044] 〔others〕 It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In this embodiment, the central axis S1 of the scanning range W1 of the scanning light of the first barcode reader 21 is inclined upstream with respect to the width direction of the second conveyor 2b, but the central axis S1 may be inclined downstream with respect to the width direction of the second conveyor 2b. In this case, when the tire T is transported with the label barcode LB facing in the opposite direction to the transport direction, the scanning light can be irradiated onto the label barcode LB from a direction as close to the front as possible, and the label barcode LB can be properly read.

[0045] The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the meaning described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Barcode reading system 2 Conveyor device 2a First conveyor 2a1 Top 2b Second conveyor 2b1 Top 2b2 edge 3a Laura 3b Laura 4a Conveyor belt 4b Conveyor belt 6. First photocell sensor 6a Light-emitting part 6b Light receiving part 8. Second photocell sensor 8a Light-emitting part 8b Light receiving part 10 Lower barcode reader 12 Side barcode reader unit 14 Control device 21 First barcode reader 22 Second barcode reader 31 First readable range 32 Second readable range 102 Conveyor 103 Tires 103a Tread surface 104 Label 105 First barcode reader 106 Post 108 Second barcode reader C Width direction center axis L Barcode Label LB Label Barcode S interval S1 center axis S2 center axis T Tire W1 scanning range W2 scanning range t1 side t2 tread surface

Claims

[Claim 1] A barcode reading system that reads barcodes on the tread surface of a tire placed on the upper surface of a conveyor with its side facing downward, a pair of barcode readers that emit scanning light and receive reflected light from the barcode to read the barcode; the pair of barcode readers are arranged side by side along the conveyor on one side in a width direction of the conveyor, and emit the scanning light so that the optical axis is along the upper surface; a central axis of a scanning range of a scanning light of one of the pair of barcode readers is inclined with respect to a width direction of the conveyor; a first readable range of the one barcode reader in a plan view of the conveyor includes a center portion in a width direction of the conveyor; A second readable range of the other barcode reader of the pair of barcode readers extends from one edge in the width direction of the conveyor to the first barcode readable range, includes an area other than the first barcode readable range, and does not have an area overlapping with the first barcode readable range. Barcode reading system.

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