Optical information reader and optical information reading method

Abstract

A tabletop type optical information reader has a projection unit, a trigger unit, a decode unit, a data processing unit, a memory unit, and a switch unit. The projection unit projects light to a read object. The trigger unit instructs the projection unit for projecting light. The decode unit receives reflected light from the read object and decodes information contained in the read object. The data processing unit processes the decoded data provided by the decode unit. The memory unit stores at least one function that can be set in the optical information reader. The switch unit calls the function to be set.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An optical information reader of a tabletop type comprising: 
 a projection unit for projecting light to a read object;    a trigger unit for instructing said projection unit for projecting light;    a decode unit for receiving reflected light from the read object and decoding information contained in the read object;    a memory unit for storing at least one preset function that can be set in said optical information reader;    a switch unit for calling the function to be set; and    a data processing unit for performing processing corresponding to the function to be set called by said switch unit.    
     
     
         2 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said said date processing unit processes the decoded data provided by said decode unit on the basis of the processing corresponding to the function to be set.  
     
     
         3 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said memory unit stores at least one operation mode as a function for determining an operation state of said optical information reader.  
     
     
         4 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said operation mode is provided at least two in said memory unit and is selected to execute the selected one operation mode.  
     
     
         5 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each of said operation modes is able to select an operation function that is able to store in said memory unit.  
     
     
         6 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein memory unit memorizes selectable operation functions corresponding to each of all operation modes and the said switch unit executes one of said selectable operation functions.  
     
     
         7 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said switch unit is able to distinguish between said execution of said operation functions and said selection of operation modes.  
     
     
         8 . An optical information reading method using an optical information reader having a projection unit, a trigger unit, a memory unit and a switch unit, said comprising: 
 selecting at least one function that can be set in the optical information reader and storing the selected function in the memory unit;    projecting light to a read object from the projection unit in response to an instruction of the trigger unit;    receiving reflected light from the read object and decoding information contained in the read object;    calling said selected operation function from the memory unit by the switch unit; and    performing processing corresponding to the function to be set called by the switch unit.    
     
     
         9 . The optical information reading method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the processing corresponding to the function to be set is performed to the decoded data.  
     
     
         10 . The optical information reading method as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 storing at least one operation mode for determining an operation state of the optical information reader in the memory unit.    
     
     
         11 . The optical information reading method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the functions are related to the operation modes and stored in the memory unit.  
     
     
         12 . The optical information reading method as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 reading a setting bar code provided for the function that can be set in the optical information reader so that the read function is stored in the memory unit.    
     
     
         13 . The optical information reading method as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 connecting the optical information reader to a computer and providing the function that can be set in the optical information reader by software in the computer.    
     
     
         14 . An optical information reader comprising: 
 a projection unit for projecting light to a read object;    a trigger unit for ordering said light projecting to said projection unit;    a decode unit for receiving reflected light from said read object and decoding information contained in the read object;    a data processing unit for processing a data corresponding to said decoded information and decoded by said decode unit;    a memory unit for setting up at least one operation mode to determining an operation state of said optical information reader and for providing selectable operation function corresponding to each of said operation mode;    an operation mode switching means for selecting said operation mode setup into said memory unit; and    an switching means for executing said selected operation function corresponding to the selected operation mode and provided from said trigger unit separately.    
     
     
         15 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said switching means is the same to said operation mode switching means and said switching means is able to execute the selected operation function and transmit between a plurality of said operation modes.  
     
     
         16 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an execution of said switching means corresponding to execution of the selected operation function and said operation mode transition is distinguished based on different pressed time of said switch means each other.  
     
     
         17 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein when said pressed time of said switching means is shorter than a predetermined time, the present selected operation function is executed, and when said pressed time of said switching means is longer than said predetermined time, the present selected operation mode is changed in turn.  
     
     
         18 . The optical information reader as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said memory unit memorizes said selectable operation function by a table storing said selectable operation functions or processes to execute said selectable operation functions.  
     
     
         19 . An operation method of an optical information reader having a switching means for providing a desired operation function and executing said provided operation function, said method comprising: 
 a setup step for setting at least one operation mode to determine an operation state of said optical information reader;    a providing step for providing a selectable operation function corresponding to said operation mode;    a selection step for selecting said operation mode by said switching means; and    an executing step for executing said provided operation function corresponding to said selected operation mode.    
     
     
         20 . An operation method of an optical information reader having a switching means for setting an operation mode from all of registered operation modes to decide an operation state of said optical information reader, providing a desired operation function corresponding to said set operation mode and executing said provided operation function, said method comprising: 
 a setup step for setting at least one operation mode to determine an operation state of said optical information reader based on a first predetermined pressed time of said switching means;    a providing step for providing a selectable operation function corresponding to said operation mode;    a selection step for selecting said operation mode by said switching means; and    an execution step for executing said provided operation function corresponding to said selected operation mode based on a second predetermined pressed time being different from said first predetermined pressed time.