JP2012053587A - Information reader, program and sticker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information reader capable of more efficiently reading additional information.SOLUTION: An information reader comprises: an image information reading unit for reading taken image information; a detection pattern extraction unit for extracting a detection pattern corresponding to additional information attached to a commodity other than an information code attached to the commodity from the read image information; a reading object area specification unit for specifying a reading object area from which the additional information is to be read in the extracted detection pattern; and an additional information reading unit for reading the additional information from within the specified reading object area.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information reading device, a program, and a patch.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information reading apparatus that reads image information captured by an image sensor and reads additional information such as an information code attached to a product and discount information from the image information is known.

  In this type of information reading apparatus, it has been desired to read the additional information more efficiently.

  In the information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image information reading unit that reads captured image information, and the read image information are assigned to the product separately from the information code that is assigned to the product. A detection pattern extraction unit that extracts a detection pattern corresponding to the additional information, a reading target region specifying unit that specifies a reading target region from which the additional information is read from the extracted detection pattern, and the specified reading target region An additional information reading unit that reads the additional information from the inside is provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a merchandise sales information processing system including an information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a POS terminal as an information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a CPU of a POS terminal as an information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a product to which an information code and additional information read by the information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention are given. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the movement of a product when the information code and the additional information are read by the scanner of the information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of arithmetic processing related to reading of an information code and additional information by the information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a product to which an information code and additional information read by the information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention are given.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a merchandise sales information processing system 1 is configured as a store system and includes a store server 2 and a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 3. The store server 2 and the POS terminal 3 are electrically connected via an electric communication line 4 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the POS terminal 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32b, a clock unit 32c, an I / O (Input / Output). ) Port 32d, network interface 32g, keyboard controller 32h, touch panel controller 32i, display controller 32j, printer controller 32k, scanner controllers 32m and 32n, storage device controller 32p, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, these components are connected to each other via a bus line 32q such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The CPU 31 controls the POS terminal 3 by executing various computer-readable programs stored in the ROM 32a or the like. The ROM 32a stores various data executed by the CPU 31, various programs (BIOS program, application program, device driver program, etc.) and the like. The RAM 32b temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU 31 executes various programs.

  In the present embodiment, a module for reading image information picked up by a CCD scanner 33g as an image pickup device and a module for extracting a detection pattern corresponding to an information code and additional information from the image information are extracted in the program for the POS terminal 3. A module for identifying a reading target area corresponding to an information code or additional information from the detected detection pattern, a module for determining whether or not the extracted detection pattern or reading target areas correspond to each other, and the detection pattern or the reading target area is an information code A module for determining whether to correspond to the additional information, a module for reading the information code, a module for reading the additional information, a module for performing sales registration, a module for performing settlement, and the like. Therefore, according to the program, the CPU 31 of the POS terminal 3 has an image information reading unit 31a, a detection pattern extracting unit 31b, a reading target area specifying unit 31c, a correspondence determining unit 31d, a target determining unit 31e, as shown in FIG. It operates as an information code reading unit 31f, an additional information reading unit 31g, a sales registration unit 31h, a settlement unit 31i, and the like.

  Further, the clock unit 32c measures the current date and time. The I / O port 32d inputs a mode selection signal from the mode switch 32e and outputs a signal to a drawer opening device 32f that automatically opens a drawer (not shown). The network interface (I / F) 32g controls data communication with other devices connected through the telecommunication line 4 or the like. The keyboard controller 32h receives a key signal corresponding to the operation key from the keyboard 33a and sends it to the CPU 31. The touch panel controller 32 i controls the customer display 33 c to display an image corresponding to the data received from the CPU 31, and receives a signal from the touch panel sensor 33 b provided on the display 33 c and sends it to the CPU 31. The display controller 32j controls the operator display 33d to display an image or the like corresponding to the data received from the CPU 31. The printer controller 32k controls the receipt / journal (R / J) printer 33e to perform receipt printing and journal printing based on data supplied from the CPU 31. The scanner controllers 32m and 32n receive data signals read by the barcode scanner 33f or the CCD scanner 33g and send them to the CPU 31.

  The storage device controller 32p controls writing and reading of data to and from the storage device 33h as a nonvolatile storage unit based on an instruction signal from the CPU 31. The storage device 33h stores various data in addition to an OS (Operating System) program, an application program, a device driver program, and the like.

  The CCD scanner 33g reads an information code 51 (for example, a one-dimensional code) attached to the product 50, an image 53 of the patch 52, additional information 54, and the like as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5, the CCD scanner 33 g reads the information code 51 and the paste 52 of the product 50 that the operator has passed from the left side to the right side of FIG. 5, for example, on the front side (front side in FIG. 5) of the CCD scanner 33 g. .

  The patch 52 is affixed to the surface of the product 50 by, for example, an adhesive applied to the back surface of a sheet such as a mount, and is specifically configured as a discount seal or a point seal. As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the patch 52 includes an image 53, additional information 54 including characters indicating contents such as discounts and point grants for the product 50, and the like. The patch 52 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.

  In the present embodiment, the image 53 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the additional information 54, and its inner edge is formed in a sawtooth shape. An operator (such as a store clerk) who sticks the patch 52 to the product 50 is easy for the CPU 31 to determine the association with the information code 51, and a person (a customer, an operator who sticks the patch 52 to the product 50, The sticker 52 is pasted at a position close to the information code 51 of the product 50 so that an operator of the POS terminal 3, a shop clerk, etc.) can easily visually determine the association between the paste 52 and the information code 51.

  Further, the image 53 and the additional information 54 are colored with a color or density that increases the contrast with the paste 52 that is the background, and are arranged so as not to overlap each other as much as possible (so that a gap is formed). . The background color of the patch 52, the color of the image 53, and the character color of the additional information 54 can be different from each other. Specifically, for example, the background color of the patch 52 can be yellow, the color of the image 53 can be red, and the character color of the additional information 54 can be blue.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a plurality of detection patterns 55 a and 55 b are provided corresponding to the additional information 54 and the information code 51, respectively. Each of the detection patterns 55a and 55b has an inner square and a rectangular frame portion that surrounds the square with a space therebetween. These detection patterns 55a and 55b are respectively provided at positions that are three vertices of a square. In the example of FIG. 4, the shape and arrangement of the plurality of detection patterns 55a corresponding to the additional information 54 and the shape and arrangement of the plurality of detection patterns 55b corresponding to the information code 51 are the same. The detection pattern 55a corresponding to the additional information 54 and the detection pattern 55b corresponding to the information code 51 may be similar in shape.

  The additional information 54 and the information code 51 are arranged in association with the plurality of detection patterns 55a and 55b, respectively. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the additional information 54 and the image 53 are arranged in a square frame circumscribing the three detection patterns 55a, and the information code 51 is a square frame circumscribing the three detection patterns 55b. Placed inside. When the detection patterns 55a and 55b are mixed inside the additional information 54 and the information code 51, it is difficult to extract the detection patterns 55a and 55b in image processing. In this respect, by disposing the detection patterns 55a and 55b on the outermost edge or outside (outside the frame) of the additional information 54 and the information code 51 as in the present embodiment, it is easy to avoid such inconvenience.

  In addition, it is not essential to form the detection pattern in a rectangular shape, but a circular shape (circular and an annular frame portion that surrounds the detection pattern) or an octagonal shape (a regular octagon and a regular octagon that surrounds the detection pattern with a space). (Shape frame portion) or the like.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of a calculation process related to reading of the information code 51 and the additional information 54 in the POS terminal 3 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart at one timing when the pixel information of the imaging region is acquired by the CCD scanner 33g as the imaging device.

  First, the CPU 31 of the POS terminal 3 operates as the image information reading unit 31a and controls the CCD scanner 33g as an imaging element, for example, image information (luminance value) of all pixels in the imaging area of the CCD scanner 33g. Information) is read (step S1).

  Next, the CPU 31 operates as the detection pattern extraction unit 31b, and extracts the detection patterns 55a and 55b from the read image information (step S2). When executing step S2, the detection pattern extraction unit 31b performs predetermined image processing on the image information. The image processing in this step S2 includes, for example, binarization, filtering, hole filling (closing), grouping (binarized values (for example, “0” or “1”) adjacent to or adjacent to each other) Pixel blocks are grouped together), labeling (labeling each group (for example, a serial number)), and the like are included. Then, the detection pattern extraction unit 31b extracts the detection patterns 55a and 55b, for example, by matching (pattern matching) an image labeled in the same group with a predetermined pattern stored in the storage device 33h. .

  Next, the CPU 31 operates as the reading target area specifying unit 31c, and specifies the reading target area corresponding to the detection patterns 55a and 55b (step S3). In step S3, for example, in the example of FIG. 4, the reading target area specifying unit 31c determines, from the three detection patterns 55a, the area within the square frame circumscribing the three detection patterns 55a, and the three detection patterns. Two reading target areas are specified as areas within a square frame circumscribing 55b.

  Next, the CPU 31 operates as the correspondence determination unit 31d, and when there are a plurality of reading target regions (or when a plurality (or a plurality of sets) of detection patterns 55a and 55b that do not correspond to each other are extracted, Yes in step S4). A correspondence determination is made (step S5). The correspondence determination in step S5 can be determined, for example, by the distance between a plurality of reading target areas (or a plurality of detection patterns 55a and 55b). In this case, as an example, if the distance is within a predetermined distance, it is determined that there is a correspondence, and if the distance is longer than the predetermined distance, it is determined that there is no correspondence. If No in step S4, the process proceeds to step S8.

  If it is determined in step S5 that there is a correspondence (Yes in step S6), a correspondence process is executed (step S7). In step S7, the correspondence determination unit 31d stores, for example, data indicating that the data read in step S8 correspond to the two reading target regions (for example, flag “1”), the RAM 32b serving as a storage unit, and the storage unit 31d. Store in device 33h.

  Then, the CPU 31 operates as the target determination unit 31e, and determines whether the reading target area corresponds to the information code 51 or the additional information 54 (step S8). Specifically, in step S8, for example, the target determination unit 31e performs image processing within the reading target region, groups and labels adjacent or adjacent pixels, extracts an image, and features of the image Based on (for example, the shape and the number of pixels), it can be determined whether the read target area corresponds to the information code 51 or the additional information 54. For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 4, when an image corresponding to the image 53 is extracted in step S <b> 8, it can be determined that the reading target area (detection pattern 55 a) corresponds to the additional information 54. In addition, when a part of the information code 51 (for example, a thick bar) or an overall horizontally long rectangular shape (however, when a plurality of pixels are grouped into blocks) is obtained in step S8. It can be determined that the reading target area (detection pattern 55 b) corresponds to the information code 51.

  Then, the CPU 31 reads information from the reading target area (step S9). In step S9, the CPU 31 operates as the information code reading unit 31f for the reading target area corresponding to the information code 51, scans a plurality of bars of the information code 51, and determines the width, order, The information code 51 is read from the interval or the like. On the other hand, the CPU 31 operates as an additional information reading unit 31g for the reading target area corresponding to the additional information 54, executes OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and the contents (characters, numbers, etc.) of the additional information 54 Get.

  The CPU 31 operates as the sales registration unit 31h and the settlement unit 31i, adds the read information code 51 to the storage device 33h and registers it, and after completing the registration process for all the products 50, the settlement (cash Or settlement with electronic money, credit card, etc.). In the registration process, the CPU 31 reflects the contents of the additional information 54 corresponding to the information code 51 (such as discounting and giving points).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the arrangement of the detection patterns 55a and 55b can be made different between the information code 51A and the additional information 54. Specifically, the detection pattern 55b corresponding to the information code 51A is arranged at the apex of the elongated rectangle along the longitudinal direction (scan direction) of the information code 51A, and the detection pattern 55a of the additional information 54 is set at the apex of the square. It is arranged. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the distance between the upper detection patterns 55a and 55b and the lower detection patterns 55a and 55b is such that the detection pattern 55b corresponding to the information code 51A and the detection pattern 55a corresponding to the additional information 54 are detected. And is different. According to such a configuration, the CPU 31 that operates as the object determination unit 31e can relatively easily read the area corresponding to the information code 51 or the additional information 54 from the arrangement of the detection patterns 55a and 55b. It can be judged whether it corresponds. In addition, since the one-dimensional information code 51A is slender as a whole, the area occupied by the information code 51A and the detection pattern 55b can be further increased by arranging a plurality of detection patterns 55b at the vertices of the horizontally long rectangle. Can be small.

  The examples of FIGS. 4 and 7 are examples, and the setting of the arrangement of the detection patterns 55a and 55b can be variously changed. For example, the distance between the plurality of detection patterns 55a corresponding to the additional information 54 may be shorter than the distance between the plurality of detection patterns 55b corresponding to the information codes 51 and 51A.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the detection pattern 55 a is set corresponding to the additional information 54. Therefore, the POS terminal 3 as the information reading device can recognize the additional information 54 more easily, and the additional information 54 can be read more efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the detection pattern 55a corresponding to the additional information 54 and the shape of the detection pattern 55b corresponding to the information codes 51 and 51A are the same or similar. Therefore, the POS terminal 3 as the information reading apparatus can more easily recognize the detection patterns 55a and 55b with the same algorithm.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7 of the present embodiment, the arrangement of the detection pattern 55a corresponding to the additional information 54 and the arrangement of the detection pattern 55b corresponding to the information code 51A are different. Therefore, in the POS terminal 3 as the information reading device, the detection pattern 55a, 55b or the reading target area corresponding to the detection pattern 55a, 55b corresponds to the information code 51A due to the difference in arrangement of the detection patterns 55a, 55b. It can be recognized relatively easily whether it corresponds to the additional information 54.

  In the present embodiment, the detection pattern 55 a corresponding to the additional information 54 is arranged outside the additional information 54. Therefore, the additional information 54 can be read more easily.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. In the above embodiment, the information code is a one-dimensional code, but the information code may be a two-dimensional code. In addition, specifications (method and structure) of each component (information reading device, product sales processing system, product information processing device, POS terminal, imaging device, product, information code, additional information, detection pattern, patch, image, etc.) , Shape, size, arrangement, position, number, number of pixels, etc.) can be changed as appropriate.

  According to the information reading apparatus according to the above embodiment, the additional information can be read more efficiently.

3 POS terminal (information reader)
31a Image information reading unit 31b Detection pattern extracting unit 31c Reading target area specifying unit 31d Corresponding determining unit 31e Target determining unit 31f Information code reading unit 31g Additional information reading unit 50 Product 51, 51A Information code 52 Paste 54 Additional information 55a, 55b Detection pattern

JP2008-33640

Claims (6)

An image information reading unit for reading captured image information;
From the read image information, a detection pattern extraction unit that extracts a detection pattern corresponding to additional information given to the product separately from the information code given to the product;
A reading target area specifying unit for specifying a reading target area from which the additional information is read from the extracted detection pattern;
An additional information reading unit that reads the additional information from the specified reading target area;
An information reading apparatus comprising: An information code reading unit for reading the information code;
The product is provided with a detection pattern having the same or similar shape as the detection pattern corresponding to the additional information, corresponding to the information code,
The detection pattern extraction unit extracts a detection pattern corresponding to the information code from the read image information,
The reading target area specifying unit specifies a reading target area from which the information code is read from the extracted detection pattern,
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information code reading unit reads the information code from the specified reading target area. An object determination unit for determining whether the detection pattern or the reading target area corresponds to the additional information or the information code;
The product includes a plurality of the detection patterns corresponding to the additional information and a plurality of the detection patterns corresponding to the information code provided in a different arrangement from the plurality of detection patterns corresponding to the additional information. Granted,
The object determination unit determines whether the detection pattern or the reading target area corresponds to the additional information or the information code based on the arrangement of the plurality of detection patterns. The information reading device described in 1.   The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection pattern for the additional information is arranged outside the additional information.   A computer is caused to function as the image information reading unit, the detection pattern extraction unit, the reading target region specifying unit, and the additional information reading unit of the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A program characterized by that.   The sticking material in which the additional information read by the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the detection pattern corresponding to the additional information are described and can be attached to the product.

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