JP2014095974A - Optical automatic recognition code reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of reading an optical automatic recognition code on an end face while printed bodies each having an end face marked with an optical automatic recognition code are obliquely stacked one over another, optical automatic recognition codes being excellently read even when more printed bodies are put one over another.SOLUTION: A plurality of DVDs 10 are put obliquely one over another and stored in a showcase 14. A bottom plate of the showcase 14 is fitted obliquely, so the DVDs 10 are put thereupon parallel to be arranged obliquely one over another. Then a camera 18 photographs a moving picture while moving in the superposition direction. The moving picture can be considered as a plurality of still pictures, and optical automatic recognition codes in the respective still pictures are read to obtain original data (titles of the DVDs 10). Thus, the camera 18 moves, so the optical automatic recognition codes of all the DVDs 10 can be excellently read even when the DVDs put one over another increase in number.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical automatic recognition code. In particular, the present invention relates to an efficient arrangement method and reading method (data restoration (decoding) method) of an optical automatic recognition code called a 1D color bit code (Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-196705) proposed by the present inventor.

  The applicant of the present application has proposed an optical automatic recognition code representing information by color transition and change in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-196705. This optical automatic recognition code is referred to as a “1D color bit code”. According to this 1D color bit code, the size and shape of the area occupied by each color are loosely limited, so that it is possible to mark an optical automatic recognition code even on uneven surfaces and flexible materials. . The optical automatic recognition code may be simply referred to as “optical recognition code”.

  This 1D color bit code has a structure that returns a digital value determined by the arrangement of a plurality of colors (signal colors). The basic specification is an array (= code symbol) of a series of colors (signal colors).

  It should be noted that a specific one-by-one optical automatic recognition code itself, which represents predetermined data, and a geometric figure are particularly called “code symbols”. Or, it may be simply called “symbol”. This specific code symbol is photographed (captured) with a CCD camera or the like, and subjected to predetermined image processing to restore the original data.

Brief Description of 1D Color Bit Code Now, the 1D color bit code devised by the inventor will be described. The 1D color bit code is
A predetermined color area “cell” is arranged in a row (= “cell row”).
A plurality of colors are used, and each cell has a color for each cell.
-There is no inclusion between cells. That is, one cell is not included in another cell.
-The number of cells constituting the array is a predetermined number.
-Adjacent cells do not have the same color, but always have different colors.
That's it. The 1D color bit code is specifically created based on this condition.

  Of course, the number of cells, the type of color actually used, and the like are different for each application.

1D Color Bit Code Characteristics and Fields of Use As described above, the 1D color bit code is an array of a plurality of colors, but actually includes the array and a quiet zone surrounding it. A quiet zone is a so-called buffer zone to which colors other than those used for color bit code symbols (referred to as marking colors) are attached, and has the meaning of a boundary portion between code symbols and other code symbols. It is an area.

  In general, decoding of an optical automatic recognition code is often performed on the premise of such a quiet zone.

  Further, since the 1D color bit code is read by an image photographing means such as a CCD camera, it is an optical automatic recognition code suitable for reading a plurality of code symbols located within a certain range (within a screen) at a time. is there. That is, the 1D color bit code has a property that it is suitable in principle for batch reading of a plurality of code symbols.

  In addition, since the 1D color bit code reads a code symbol by tracking a color area on an image, restrictions on the shape and the like are very loose. In other words, it is possible to read even if there is bending or distortion in an object (called an object to be marked) marked with a 1D color bit code.

  Therefore, the 1D color bit code is suitable for an application in which the 1D color bit code is marked and read on an end surface of a sheet-like object such as a printed board, an envelope, or a glass plate. That is, the 1D color bit code is considered to be used for marking an end face (also referred to as a side face) of a thin sheet-like / card-like object to be printed.

  However, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure a quiet zone when an optical automatic recognition code is marked on the end face of the sheet-like or card-like marking object. This is because, when such sheet-like objects are stacked, the gap is small and it is difficult to set the above-described quiet zone because it is thin.

  In order to solve such a problem, the inventors of the present invention previously inclined the superimposed sheet-shaped object in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-258430 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-87194) to incline the surface of the sheet-shaped object. Alternatively, a method for creating a quiet zone by exposing the back surface is proposed.

Conventional Prior Patent Technologies Here, several conventional prior patent technologies will be described.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for preventing an ID code from being printed by a four-state bar and an intra-office code from being printed using a bar-nover bar code to prevent printing from being lost.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique that can read a barcode even if an object captured by a CCD camera is faint or a barcode is chipped.

  Patent Documents 3 and 4 listed below disclose heat-sensitive recording materials in which a heat-sensitive color-developing layer contains a color-forming compound having near-infrared absorbing ability and the color-development pattern is a Carla code. As a result, it is described that the automatic recognition code can be read even if there is some chipping.

  Patent Document 5 below describes a method for efficiently reading an optical automatic recognition code marked on the end face of a sheet-like member. In particular, a configuration is disclosed in which a sheet-like member is inclined to expose a front surface or a back surface between end surfaces to create a quiet zone so that the optical automatic recognition codes can be easily separated.

JP 2006-095586 A JP 2000-249518 A JP-A-8-300827 JP-A-8-185463 JP 2009-67194 A

  As described above, the applicant has proposed a technique in Patent Document 5 in which superimposed sheet-like members are arranged obliquely and are superposed so-called “displaced”. According to this method, the front surface (or back surface) of each sheet-like member is exposed, and a quiet zone can be easily configured. If such a sheet-like member that is “developed” is photographed with a camera, a quiet zone appears between each optical automatic recognition code, and each optical automatic recognition code can be easily separated. It is possible to recognize.

  However, as can be easily understood, the appearance of a quiet zone between each optical automatic recognition code depends on the viewing angle (angle taken by the camera).

  In other words, by photographing from the so-called “front” perpendicular to the end face of the overlapping sheet-like member, it is possible to photograph the state in which the optical automatic recognition code and the quiet zone are alternately arranged. This state is shown in FIG. If taken from the front, the optical automatic recognition code 100 and the quiet zone 102 constituted by the “surface” of the sheet-like member appearing in between can be photographed alternately, and the optical automatic recognition code can be easily obtained. Can be recognized separately. Here, in FIG. 5, OO is a schematic representation of the optical automatic recognition code 100. The quiet zone 102 is assumed to be black here.

  On the other hand, if the image is taken from “oblique”, as shown in FIG. 5 (2), it is also assumed that only the surface 102 is imaged without the optical automatic recognition code 100 being seen.

  For this reason, as the number of sheet-like members to be superimposed increases, it becomes difficult to capture the entire image. Even if the sheet-like member located in front of the camera can be photographed from the “front”, the sheet-like member located far away from the camera is photographed from an oblique direction as shown in FIG. This is because the recognition code may not be sufficiently recognized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and its purpose is to mark an optical automatic recognition code on an end face or the like of a thin plate-shaped object and superimpose the object to be obliquely superimposed. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of reading an optical automatic recognition code on an end face by photographing the end face with a camera, even when a large amount of the code is superimposed.

  Here, in the text, an object for marking an optical automatic recognition code is referred to as a “marked object”. The thin plate shape includes all the thin plate shapes such as a sheet shape and a card shape. Further, for example, a disk-like shape (such as a coin) is also included in the concept of a thin plate here. The thin plate-like shape is a shape having a relatively large “surface” and “back surface”, and having a relatively narrow “end surface” positioned between the surface and the back surface.

  (1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is such that the optical type marked on the end face in a state where a plurality of thin plate-like objects having an optical automatic recognition code marked on the end face are superimposed. In a reading method of reading an automatic recognition code using camera means, the superimposed object is superimposed obliquely with respect to the superimposed direction, and the camera means is superimposed in a direction in which the object is superimposed. The optical automatic recognition code marked on the end face is photographed while being moved, and the optical automatic recognition code marked on the object is read based on the photographed image. Outputting the original data of the recognition code, and in the output step, the original data are arranged and output in the order in which the object is superimposed. Is an optical automatic recognition code reading method characterized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of objects to be marked with an optical automatic recognition code are obliquely superimposed on the end surface, the end surface is moved while moving the camera in the overlapping direction. Since the above optical automatic recognition code is photographed, it is possible to efficiently read the optical automatic recognition code even when the number of overlapping is large.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the end surface of the DVD which is the reading object of the optical automatic recognition code reading method of this Embodiment 1, and the surface, or a back surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principle of the optical automatic recognition code reading method of this Embodiment 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the chip | tip in this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the case of this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the reading by the imaging | photography direction when the sheet-like to-be-marked object by which the optical automatic recognition code was marked on the end surface is shifted diagonally and it superimposes.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a method for reading an optical automatic recognition code (for example, a 1D color bit code) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Explanation of Terms Incidentally, an object to which a code symbol of an optical automatic recognition code is given is called a “marked object”. The operation of assigning each code symbol of the optical automatic recognition code to the object to be marked is called “marking”. One or more colors used for the code symbol are called “marking colors”.

  As described above, an area other than the code symbol and an area other than the code symbol is called a “quiat zone”. Since this quiet zone forms a boundary region between code symbols, each code symbol can be separated and recognized in image processing by the presence of this quiet zone.

Embodiment 1 Method for Shooting Overlaid Marking Object by Moving Camera FIG. 1 shows the back of a DVD 10 that is a reading target (marking object) of the optical automatic recognition code reading method according to Embodiment 1. Explanatory drawing which shows the state of a cover, the surface, or a back surface is shown.

  In this Embodiment 1, the example of DVD10 (DVD with a case) is shown as a to-be-marked object. The DVD 10 of the first embodiment is a DVD with a case, and the medium body of the DVD is accommodated in the case. A DVD title or the like is printed on the outer surface of the case, and the title or the like can be seen with the naked eye from the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the optical automatic recognition code 12 is described at the position of the spine (also simply referred to as “back”) of the case of the DVD 10, and the DVD 10 is automatically inserted by the optical automatic recognition code 12. It is possible to recognize. As the optical automatic recognition code 12, an ID color bit code filed by the applicant of the present application as described above is used. This spine (back) corresponds to a preferred example of the “end face” in the claims.

  And in the part located in the surface or back surface (preferably front surface and back surface) of the case of DVD10, black is attached | subjected in order to form a quiet zone (refer the A section in FIG. 1).

  With such a configuration, the DVD 10 (case) of FIG. 1 is tilted and superimposed, so that a quiet zone can be provided between the optical automatic recognition code and the optical automatic recognition code can be read well. It is possible.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the optical automatic recognition code 12 is accurately marked on the “case” of the DVD 10. For convenience, this is simply “marked on the DVD 10” or the like. Is actually meant as “marking on the DVD 10 case”.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 1, the optical automatic recognition code 12 is placed (marked) at the position of the spine that is the end face of the DVD 10 case, and black is placed on the surface of the DVD 10 case. However, it can be easily understood that the optical automatic recognition code 12 can be easily read even in the reverse arrangement. That is, black is arranged on the end face, and the optical automatic recognition code 12 is marked on the front or back surface of the DVD 10 case.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of the optical automatic recognition code reading method according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing how a DVD is displayed in a DVD store. As shown in this figure, the DVD 10 is tilted and displayed on the display shelf 14 in an oblique manner. The portion of the display shelf 14 on which the DVD 10 is placed is formed obliquely, and the purchaser of the DVD 10 can see the end surface (back cover) of the DVD 10, that is, the title surface. As described above, the optical automatic recognition code is arranged. Further, in the DVD 10 according to the first embodiment, the front and back surfaces in the vicinity of the end surface (back cover) on which the optical automatic recognition code is marked are black (see FIG. 1). Functions as a quiet zone between the optical automatic recognition codes.

  In this embodiment, a rail 16 is provided along the DVD 10 in the display shelf 14, and a camera 18 is installed on the rail 16. This camera 18 is a camera 18 for taking an image of the end face (back cover) of the DVD 10 and reading (decoding) an optical automatic recognition code arranged there.

  Further, the angle at which the DVD 10 is tilted is preferably an angle around 45 degrees. If it is 45 degrees, when the image is taken from the front, the end surface (back cover) on which the optical automatic recognition code is marked and the front surface (or back surface) forming the quiet zone are evenly distributed from the camera 18. It is because it is photographed.

However, as will be described later, in the present embodiment, since the camera 18 moves while moving, as a result, the DVD 10 is shot from various angles. Therefore, it is considered that the optical automatic recognition code can be read as long as the area ratio between the end surface and the front surface (or back surface) of the exposed portion does not become extremely large (or small).
Therefore, if the angle at which the DVD 10 is superimposed is in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees, the reading is generally possible. However, in consideration of various noises, disturbances, etc., lighting conditions (brightness, orientation), etc., it is generally preferable to superimpose them in an angle range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

  What is characteristic in the present embodiment is that the camera 18 can move along the rail 16, that is, along the direction in which the DVD 10 overlaps. And the camera 18 image | photographs the end surface of DVD10, performing this movement.

  After photographing, original optical data is obtained by reading (decoding) the optical automatic recognition code based on the image data. The processing after photographing is generally performed by a computer or various computing devices separate from the camera 18, but may be configured integrally with the camera 18.

  In FIG. 2, two cameras 18 are depicted, but this schematically shows that the camera 18 can be moved up and down. The base camera 18 moves up and down by sliding on the rail 16, and the lower DVD 10 and the upper DVD 10 can be photographed from the “front”. As a result, according to the present embodiment, since all DVDs 10 from end to end of a long superimposed DVD can be photographed from the “front”, optical automatic recognition codes marked on all DVDs 10 can be recorded. In the meantime, it is possible to take a picture in a state where a quiet zone is provided. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately read all the DVDs 10 (optical automatic recognition codes) stored in the display shelf 14.

  The camera 18 includes a roller that engages with the rail 16 and a motor that drives the roller. The camera 18 is moved to a desired position by controlling the motor from a controller (not shown). Can be made. Various methods for moving the camera 18 are known in the art, and it is also preferable to employ other various methods. For example, it is preferable to use a mechanism for moving a printer head of a printer, and it is also preferable to use a mechanism for moving a reading head such as a scanner or a copier.

Specific Reading Method A method of reading an optical automatic recognition code marked on a part of the end face (title surface) of the case of the DVD 10 in the state shown in FIG. Is as follows.

  Step 1: The camera 18 is placed at the lowest position.

  Step 2: The camera 18 is gradually raised from the lowest position, and photographing is performed at the same time. Shooting is basically performed by shooting a movie. This is substantially the same even when still images are taken continuously. In any case, when shooting such a “moving image”, one DVD 10 is shot so as to appear in a plurality of images (still images).

  Specifically, the number of frames per second of the moving image of the camera 18, the angle of view of the lens, the distance to the DVD 10, the moving speed of the camera 18 and the like are set as follows.

  (A) The end face (the optical automatic recognition code) of one DVD 10 is set so as to appear in about 2 to 20 still images.

(B) It is set so that the end face of about 2 to 20 DVDs 10 is captured in one still image.
Here, for example, it is assumed that about five DVDs are captured in one still image and one DVD 10 is captured in about five still images. The moving speed of the camera 18, the number of frames per second for moving image shooting, the distance to the DVD 10, the angle of view of the camera 18, etc. are set so as to satisfy such conditions.

Step 3: When the camera 18 moves to the highest position, the shooting is finished.
Step 4: The obtained moving image is converted into a plurality of still image groups, and the position (arrangement / order) of the DVD 10 is calculated.
Specifically, the calculation is performed as follows.
First, the optical automatic recognition code in the first still image (taken at the lowest position) is decoded. Since the optical automatic recognition code is identified and extracted from the still image (called “cutout”) and decoded, not only the decoded original data but also the DVD position (vertical position) is determined. Please be careful.

  In this embodiment, the optical automatic recognition code represents the DVD 10 title. Hereinafter, the notation such as “title A” is data obtained by decoding the optical automatic recognition code, and is the title of the DVD 10 on which the optical automatic recognition code is marked. That is, this optical automatic recognition code represents the title of the DVD 10 for the management of the DVD 10.

First, by decoding the optical automatic recognition code in the first still picture, the title of each DVD 10 shown in the still picture is obtained together with its position (order). It turns out that the following DVD is reflected in the first still image. From top to bottom,
Title A
Title A
Title A
Title B
Title B
Next, the optical auto-recognition code in the second still image is decoded in the same way as the first one.
Title C
Title A
Title A
Title A
Title B
Is obtained. If pattern matching is performed on the first and second images, the overlapping part (the part that appears in both the first and second still images)
Title A
Title A
Title A
Title B
It turns out that. Therefore, if you overlap this part, the first still image The second still image
Title C
Title A Title A
Title A Title A
Title A Title A
Title B Title B
Title B
It turns out that it overlaps like. As a result, the display shelf 14 of the DVD 10 has the title C from below.
Title A
Title A
Title A
Title B
Title B
It turns out that DVDs are lined up like this.

  In the same manner, it is possible to know which DVD of which title is arranged in which position in the display shelf 14 by pattern matching each still image. That is, it is possible to know the order. Then, by summing up the results, the number of sheets for each title can be calculated.

  In this way, according to the present embodiment, the position (order) of the DVDs 10 that are arranged obliquely and superimposed in the display shelf 14 can be easily known, and each title You can know the quantity. As a result, the DVD 10 can be easily managed.

Modification 1
(1) In the above example, an optical auto-recognition code is marked on (a part of) the back cover of the DVD 10 case, and a black color forming a quiet zone is attached to the corresponding front and back portions. It was.
However, the optical automatic recognition code and the black position forming the quiet zone may be reversed.

  (2) Moreover, although the example of DVD10 was shown in the said example, what kind of goods may be sufficient as long as it is a thin plate shape (a sheet form and a card form are included). For example, a CD or various cards may be used.

  (3) In the above example, the “1D color bit code” representing data by color transition is used as the optical automatic recognition code. However, other optical automatic recognition codes can be used. . A classic one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode may be used.

(4) Further, in the above example, the camera 18 takes a moving image, regards the obtained moving image as a plurality of still images, and recognizes each DVD 10 from them. It is also preferable to configure. For example,
(X) For example, the camera 18 is raised by a predetermined distance.
(Y) Take a still image.

  By repeating such steps (x) and (y), the camera 18 captures a plurality of still images. It is also preferable to continue such processing until the camera 18 reaches the highest point.

  (5) In the above example, the camera 18 is moved from the bottom to the top, but it may of course be from the top to the bottom.

  (6) Further, in the above example, “black” is given to the front surface or the back surface at the same position as the end surface on which the optical automatic recognition code is marked to function as a quiet zone. However, any color other than “black” may be used as long as the color does not constitute the optical automatic recognition code. When the optical automatic recognition code is composed of red, blue, and green, it is also preferable to attach other gray, yellow, white, or the like to the front surface or the back surface.

  (7) In the above example, each still image overlap is determined by pattern matching. However, it is also simple and preferable to calculate the overlap from the amount of movement of the camera 18. In particular, when the moving speed of the camera 18 is constant, the amount of overlap of each still image (the number of overlapping DVDs 10 to be shot) is considered to be constant. It is preferable to calculate the number of sheets for each type and type.

  For example, in the case of the above example, each still image is shot so that four DVDs 10 are overlapped. Therefore, it may be determined that there is only four overlaps between the still images, and the process may proceed. Is preferred. In particular, when a large number of DVDs 10 having the same title are superimposed, the method (7) is simple and preferable.

Second Embodiment (Chip Calculation)
In the first embodiment described above, an example of the DVD 10 is shown as the object to be detected, and the position and arrangement (and the number of each type) of the DVD 10 arranged in the shelf can be obtained. . It is also preferable to count the chips 20 used in a casino, for example, using the same principle.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the chip 20 in the present embodiment 2 has a substantially circular shape and a so-called coin shape. In the present embodiment, an optical automatic recognition code 24 marked on the side surface 22 is proposed. The optical automatic recognition codes are preferably provided on the entire circumference of the side surface 22, but may be arranged at predetermined intervals. The side surface 22 of the chip 20 corresponds to the end surface of the case of the DVD 10 and is marked with an optical automatic recognition code. That is, the side surface 22 of the chip 20 of the second embodiment corresponds to a preferable example of an “end surface” in the claims.

  Similar to the display shelf 14 of the first embodiment, such a chip 20 is tilted and superimposed in a predetermined case 26, and the camera 18 is superimposed in the same direction as the first embodiment. If shooting is performed while moving, the type and position of each chip 20 can be calculated, and the number of chips can be calculated for each type.

  The case 26 used here is basically the same case 26 as the display shelf 14 of FIG. 2 described above, and since the bottom surface is inclined obliquely, the chips 20 stacked thereon are inclined and superimposed. It is. Of course, it is also preferable to employ a configuration substantially similar to that of the case 14 of the first embodiment as the case 26.

  However, in the second embodiment, a slit 26a is provided in the vertical direction in a part of the side wall that supports the chip (see FIG. 4). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the case 26, which is the same as the display shelf 14 of FIG. A characteristic point of the case 26 is that a slit 26a is provided on the side wall in the vertical direction (direction in which the chips overlap). Then, the camera 18 takes a picture of the side surface of the chip 20 through the slit 26a, reads the optical automatic recognition code marked there, and performs decoding. The processing from shooting to decoding is the same as in the first embodiment.

  What is characteristic in the second embodiment is that the optical automatic recognition code 24 marked on the side surface of the chip 20 is photographed through the slit 26 a of the case 26. In the first place, since the side surface of the chip 20 is curved, if the image is taken as it is, the edge of the screen may not be focused, or the optical automatic recognition code 24 may be distorted. There is also a risk of causing. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the slit 26a is provided in the case 26, and the optical automatic recognition code is photographed through the slit 26a. As a result, only the central portion of the side surface 22 of the chip 20 is photographed, and misreading and the like can be prevented.

  Note that the case 26 itself is formed of an opaque material. The slit 26a is a so-called hole, through which the chip 20 (side surface) can be seen from the outside. The slit 26a is a simple hole, and a transparent plate member may be fitted therein.

  The vertical length of the slit 26a is substantially the same as the length of the case 26, but the width is preferably set larger than the size of the optical automatic recognition code.

  With this configuration, according to the second embodiment, the type and position of the chip 20 can be easily obtained. At the same time, the number of chips for each type of chip can be calculated. By calculating the number of each type, it is possible to calculate the total amount of chips 20 in the case 26.

  Note that chips used in casinos and the like often have built-in RFID in recent years. This is for automatic calculation of the total amount of chips. It is considered that more accurate calculation is possible by matching the calculated value of the chip using RFID with the calculated value of the optical automatic recognition code.

For example, in the case of RFID, there is a possibility that the RFID will break down, but there are many cases where the failure cannot be grasped by the reading device itself (reading error).
Therefore, depending on the application, it may be necessary for a human to check whether a reading error has occurred by comparing and referring to the number of cases 26 accommodated and the number of chips 20 read by the RFID reader. It was.
Under such circumstances, according to the second embodiment, since the type and position of the chip and the number of each type are obtained, the total amount of the chip 20 can be easily obtained and compared with the total value by RFID. Therefore, it is possible to easily check the accuracy of the calculated value and detect an error. Therefore, more accurate calculation of the total value of the chip 20 can be performed quickly.

  In particular, the second embodiment is advantageous in that only the type of the chip 20 needs to be discriminated, so that the type of the optical automatic recognition code 24 to be used can be reduced. For example, in the case of a casino that uses only 1 dollar, 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 20 dollars, 50 dollars, and 100 dollar chips, it is only necessary to prepare these six types of optical automatic recognition codes. Since there are few types of optical automatic recognition codes to be used in this way, reading errors can be further reduced, and a more accurate calculation of the total value can be expected.

Modification 2
(1) In the above example, the case 26 itself is made of an opaque member. However, the case 26 itself is made of a transparent member, and colors other than the slit 26a are made opaque, or other members such as wallpaper. It is also suitable to affix.

  (2) In the above example, the chip 20 used in a casino or the like has been described. However, any chip-shaped medal, coin, or the like can be applied.

10 DVD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Optical automatic recognition code 14 Display shelf 16 Rail 18 Camera 20 Chip 22 Side 24 Optical automatic recognition code 26 Case 26a Slit 100 Optical automatic recognition code 102 Quiat zone A part Black-colored part

Claims (1)

In a reading method of reading the optical automatic recognition code marked on the end face by using a camera means in a state where a plurality of thin plate-like objects to be marked with the optical automatic recognition code on the end face are overlaid,
The superimposed object is superimposed obliquely with respect to the superimposed direction,
Photographing the optical automatic recognition code marked on the end face while moving the camera means in a direction in which the object to be superimposed overlaps;
Based on the captured image, the optical automatic recognition code marked on the object to be read is read, and the original output of each optical automatic recognition code is output; and
Including
In the output step, the original data is arranged and output in the order in which the object is superimposed, and the optical automatic recognition code reading method is characterized.

Images