JP6090997B2 - Bar code symbol reading apparatus and bar code symbol reading method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a barcode symbol reading apparatus and a barcode symbol reading method suitable for simultaneously reading a plurality of barcode symbols.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for simultaneously reading a plurality of barcode symbols as described above, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
This barcode symbol reader sequentially collects image data of a plurality of barcode symbols, and sequentially performs expansion / reduction processing and labeling processing, which are image processing, on the image data that has been captured and converted into binary data. Thus, a plurality of barcode symbol area candidates are extracted, and barcode symbol type determination and data word decoding are performed.

  In this barcode symbol reader, by adopting such a configuration, for example, the form of a slip on which a plurality of barcode symbols are printed is changed, or a one-dimensional barcode symbol and a two-dimensional barcode are placed on the slip. Even if the symbols are mixed and printed, a plurality of barcode symbols can be read simultaneously.

JP 2013-073454 JP

  However, in the above-described conventional barcode symbol reader, although a plurality of barcode symbols can be read simultaneously, a plurality of barcode symbols can be read by changing the scanning direction, or a plurality of barcode symbols printed on a slip can be read. If each direction of the one-dimensional barcode symbol is different from each other, or if one-dimensional barcode symbol and two-dimensional barcode symbol are mixed, the output order of barcode symbol reading results each time reading is performed. There has been a problem that has changed, and it has been a conventional problem to solve this problem.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described conventional problems, and allows a plurality of barcode symbols to be read by changing the scanning direction, or the direction of each of a plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols printed on a slip to be determined. Even if they are different from each other or a mixture of 1D barcode symbols and 2D barcode symbols, the results of reading multiple barcode symbols read simultaneously are always output in a systematic order. As a result, it is an object of the present invention to provide a barcode symbol reading apparatus and barcode symbol reading method capable of easily grasping each reading result of a plurality of barcode symbols.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a reading unit that collectively captures image data of a plurality of barcode symbols to be read, and a binarization conversion that converts image data captured by the reading unit into binary data. And the binarized data obtained by performing labeling processing on the binary data after the expansion processing and the reduction processing are performed on the binary data from the binarization conversion unit. A barcode symbol area candidate extraction unit for extracting barcode symbol area candidates from the image block, and a barcode that performs barcode symbol type determination and data word decoding for all of the extracted barcode symbol area candidates A symbol data decoding unit, and a control unit for holding the barcode symbol type information and the decoding result from the barcode symbol data decoding unit. In the barcode symbol reading apparatus, based on the barcode symbol type information from the barcode symbol data decoding unit and the decoding result, the output order of each data of the plurality of barcode symbols to the control unit is systematized. It is characterized in that it has a configuration including a bar code symbol data alignment unit for adjusting, and this configuration is used as means for solving the above-described conventional problems.

  In the barcode symbol reading apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the barcode symbol data alignment unit includes a plurality of barcode symbols in a captured image by the reading unit, all of which are one-dimensional barcode symbols. If the barcode symbols are parallel to each other, either the forward one-dimensional barcode symbol or the reverse one-dimensional barcode symbol is either one of both ends The output order is systematically arranged so as to be output from the data of the bar code symbol located at the end.

  Specifically, the bar code symbol data aligning unit has a start bar on the left side when there are a plurality of one-dimensional bar code symbols having the same orientation in the captured image, for example, one or more one-dimensional bar code symbols in the horizontal direction or near horizontal. The output order is arranged so that data is output in the order from the upper level to the lower level (or from the lower level to the upper level) with reference to a one-dimensional barcode symbol in a certain forward direction (or the reverse direction with the start bar on the right side).

  Here, the direction in which the barcode symbol is read (from the upper stage to the lower stage or from the lower stage to the upper stage) is designated in advance by the operation switch unit, and the output order of the barcode symbol data is determined based on the designated direction. Also good.

  On the other hand, the bar code symbol data aligning unit has a correct one with the start bar on the lower side when there are a plurality of one-dimensional bar code symbols having the same orientation in the captured image, for example, one or more one-dimensional bar code symbols in the vertical direction or near vertical. The output order is arranged so that data is output in order from the left end to the right end (or from the right end to the left end) with reference to the one-dimensional barcode symbol in the direction (or the reverse direction with the start bar on the upper side).

  Also in this case, the direction in which the barcode symbol is read (from the left end to the right end direction or from the right end to the left end direction) is designated in advance by the operation switch unit, and the output order of the barcode symbol data is determined based on the designated direction. May be.

Further, the position coordinates of the stop bar can be used to determine the output order of the one-dimensional barcode symbol.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when all of the plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols in the captured image AH are one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 in the horizontal direction and the positive direction, each stop bar Sp1. , Sp2, Sp3, the output order can be determined based on the XY coordinates (X1, Y1), (X1, Y2), (X1, Y3) at the uppermost positions P1, P2, P3. That is, the output order can be determined based on the magnitudes of the Y coordinates Y1, Y2, and Y3 at the uppermost positions P1, P2, and P3 of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2, and Sp3.

  At this time, the output order is based not only on the coordinates of the uppermost positions P1, P2 and P3 of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2 and Sp3 but also on the coordinates of the intermediate positions of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2 and Sp3 and the coordinates of the lowest values. You can also decide.

  Similarly to the case of using the coordinates of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2, and Sp3, the XY coordinates (X0, X3) at the top positions T1, T2, and T3 of the start bars St1, St2, and St3 of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 are used. Y1), (X0, Y2), (X0, Y3) can also be used to determine the output order. In this case as well, only the coordinates of the top positions T1, T2, T3 of the start bars St1, St2, St3 are used. Rather, the output order can be determined based on the coordinates of the intermediate positions of the start bars St1, St2 and St3 and the coordinates of the lowest values.

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols in the captured image AV are all one-dimensional barcode symbols B4 to B6 in the vertical direction and the forward direction, Similarly, the output order can be determined based on the coordinates of the start bar and stop bar.

  In the barcode symbol reader according to claim 3 of the present invention, the barcode symbol data alignment unit includes a plurality of barcode symbols in a captured image by the reading unit, all of which are one-dimensional barcode symbols, When barcode symbols having different directions exist, the output order is systematically arranged so that the barcode symbol data in either the vertical or horizontal direction is output with priority.

  Specifically, the barcode symbol data alignment unit acquires the orientation of the one-dimensional barcode symbol from the captured image, determines the priority for display in the horizontal (horizontal direction) or vertical (vertical direction), The data output order is arranged based on the priority.

  In the barcode symbol reader according to claim 4 of the present invention, the barcode symbol data alignment unit includes a one-dimensional barcode symbol and a two-dimensional barcode as the plurality of barcode symbols in an image captured by the reading unit. When symbols are mixed, the output order is systematically arranged to preferentially output the data of one of the one-dimensional barcode symbol and the two-dimensional barcode symbol. It is said.

  In this way, the barcode symbol data alignment unit determines the priority of the barcode symbol type and arranges the output order based on the priority, but if there are a plurality of barcode symbols of the same type, the number of digits Arrange the output order in ascending (or increasing) order. Further, as described above, when there are a plurality of barcode symbols of the same type and the same number of digits, the position coordinates of the captured image are acquired, and after determining whether the Y-axis direction priority or the X-axis direction priority, Arrange output order based on priority.

  On the other hand, in the barcode symbol reading method according to claim 5 of the present invention, the image data of a plurality of barcode symbols to be read is collectively picked up and binarization processing is performed on the image data. In addition, after performing the expansion process and the reduction process, a barcode symbol region candidate is extracted from a plurality of image blocks extracted by performing a labeling process on the binary data after the expansion process and the reduction process, and the extracted barcode The barcode symbol type determination and data word decoding are performed on all the symbol area candidates, and the output order of each data of the plurality of barcode symbols is systematically based on the barcode symbol type information and the decoding result. It is configured to stand upright.

  In the bar code symbol reading apparatus according to the present invention, the reading unit may include a camera using a CMOS sensor and an A / D converter. The binarization conversion unit converts multi-valued image data captured by the reading unit into binary data, and can also be binarized by software. The barcode symbol area candidate extraction unit is a part that expands or contracts binarized image data by a conventionally known general method, and this can also be processed by software.

  Further, the barcode symbol reading device according to the present invention may be configured to include a display unit that displays a reading result of the barcode symbol output from the control unit, and the display unit includes a trigger, a numeric keypad, and a function key. You may make it display the guidance at the time of performing reading operation by the operation switch part which has. Furthermore, an external input / output unit that transmits and receives data from the control unit to the external terminal using wireless or infrared light may be provided.

  The barcode symbol reading apparatus and barcode symbol reading method according to the present invention, for example, allows a plurality of barcode symbols to be read by changing the scanning direction, or each direction of a plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols printed on a slip. Even if they are different from each other or a mixture of 1D barcode symbols and 2D barcode symbols, the results of reading multiple barcode symbols read at the same time are always output in a systematic order. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp each reading result of a plurality of barcode symbols.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the barcode symbol reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the condition where all the several barcode symbols in the picked-up image by the reading part are 1-dimensional barcode symbols in a horizontal direction and a positive direction. It is a figure which shows the condition where all the several barcode symbols in the picked-up image by the reading part are 1-dimensional barcode symbols in a perpendicular direction and a positive direction. It is a figure which shows the situation where all the several barcode symbols in the picked-up image by the reading part are one-dimensional barcode symbols, and the barcode symbol from which a vertical and horizontal direction differs mutually exists. It is a figure which shows the condition where the one-dimensional barcode symbol and the two-dimensional barcode symbol are mixed in the captured image by the reading part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the barcode symbol reader in FIG.

Hereinafter, a barcode symbol reading device and a barcode symbol reading method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 show an embodiment of a bar code symbol reading apparatus and bar code symbol reading method according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this bar code symbol reader 1 has a single mode function for reading one bar code symbol and a multi mode function for reading a plurality of bar code symbols at one time. Images of all bar code symbols (a plurality of bar code symbols for which reading is specified) of a plurality of bar code symbols to be read printed on a slip, for example, by a trigger operation of the operation switch unit 2 A reading unit 3 that collectively captures data, a binarization conversion unit 4 that converts image data captured by the reading unit 3 into binary data, and expansion of the binary data from the binarization conversion unit 4 Subsequent to performing the processing and the reduction processing, the binary data after the expansion processing and the reduction processing is subjected to labeling processing and extracted. Barcode symbol area candidate extraction unit 5 that extracts barcode symbol area candidates from a number of image blocks, and types of one-dimensional barcode symbols or two-dimensional barcode symbols for all of the extracted barcode symbol area candidates Based on the barcode symbol data decoding unit 6 that performs the determination and decodes the data word, and all the barcode symbol type information and the decoding result from the barcode symbol data decoding unit 6, each of the plurality of barcode symbols A bar code symbol data aligning unit 7 that systematically arranges the output order of data, and a bar code symbol data connecting unit 8 that concatenates and outputs each data of all bar code symbols whose output order is adjusted as a set of data. And the barcode symbol type from this barcode symbol data linking unit 8 A control unit 9 that holds information and a decoding result, a display unit 10 that displays a reading result of the bar code symbol output from the control unit 9, and a reading result are transmitted to an external terminal by radio (or infrared). An external input / output unit 11 is provided.

  Here, if there is a barcode symbol area candidate for which classification determination and data word decoding have not been completed among all barcode symbol area candidates, image data of a plurality of barcode symbols printed on the slip Is read again by the reading unit 3, and the barcode symbol area candidate extracting unit 5 and the barcode symbol data decoding unit 6 succeed in the type determination and decoding of the data word in the previous reading on the re-acquired image data. The region corresponding to any one of the barcode symbol regions is selected, the type determination and the data word decoding are performed, and when the same result as the previous reading result is obtained, there is a blur between the previous image data and Only for barcode symbol area candidates that have not been determined in the previous reading and whose type determination and data word decoding has not been completed. To and performs the type determination and data word decode the bar code symbol.

  In this case, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 that systematically arranges the output order of each data of a plurality of barcode symbols includes a plurality of barcode symbols in the captured image AH by the reading unit 3 as shown in FIG. In the situation where all the orientations are the same one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 in the horizontal direction and these barcode symbols B1 to B3 are parallel to each other, in this embodiment, the start bars St1, St2, The output order is systematically arranged so that the data is output from the data of the barcode symbol B1 located at the top of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 in the positive direction with St3 on the left side. That is, in the case of FIG. 2, the barcode symbol B1, the barcode symbol B2, and the barcode symbol B3 are output in this order.

  At this time, the direction in which the barcode symbols B1 to B3 are read (from the upper stage to the lower stage or from the lower stage to the upper stage) is designated in advance by the operation switch unit 2, and the output order of the barcode symbol data is determined based on the designated direction. You may make it decide.

Here, the position coordinates of the stop bar can be used to determine the output order of the one-dimensional barcode symbols by the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7.
For example, in the situation where the plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols in the captured image AH shown in FIG. 2 are all the one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 in the horizontal direction and the forward direction, the respective stop bars Sp1, Sp2, Sp3 The output order can be determined based on the XY coordinates (X1, Y1), (X1, Y2), (X1, Y3) at the uppermost positions P1, P2, P3. That is, the output order can be determined based on the magnitudes of the Y coordinates Y1, Y2, and Y3 at the uppermost positions P1, P2, and P3 of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2, and Sp3.

  The output order is based not only on the coordinates of the uppermost positions P1, P2, P3 of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2, Sp3 but also on the coordinates of the intermediate positions of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2, Sp3 and the coordinates of the lowest values. You can also decide.

  Similarly to the case of using the coordinates of the stop bars Sp1, Sp2, and Sp3, the XY coordinates (X0, X3) at the top positions T1, T2, and T3 of the start bars St1, St2, and St3 of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 are used. Y1), (X0, Y2), (X0, Y3) can also be used to determine the output order. In this case as well, only the coordinates of the top positions T1, T2, T3 of the start bars St1, St2, St3 are used. Rather, the output order can be determined based on the coordinates of the intermediate positions of the start bars St1, St2 and St3 and the coordinates of the lowest values.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 is a one-dimensional barcode symbol B4 to B6 in the vertical direction in which all the plurality of barcode symbols in the captured image AV by the reading unit 3 have the same direction. And, when these bar code symbols B4 to B6 are in a positional relationship parallel to each other, in this embodiment, one of the one-dimensional bar code symbols B4 to B6 in the positive direction with the start bar Bst on the lower side. The output order is systematically arranged to output from the data of the one-dimensional barcode symbol B4 located at the leftmost position. That is, in the case of FIG. 3, the barcode symbol B4, the barcode symbol B5, and the barcode symbol B6 are output in this order.

  Also in this case, the direction in which the barcode symbols B4 to B6 are read (from the left end to the right end direction or from the right end to the left end direction) is designated in advance by the operation switch unit 2, and the output order of the barcode symbol data based on the designated direction. You may make it decide.

  For example, even in the situation where the plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols in the captured image AV shown in FIG. 3 are all the one-dimensional barcode symbols B4 to B6 in the vertical direction and in the positive direction, the horizontal direction described above. In addition, the output order can be determined based on the coordinates of the start bar and the stop bar as in the case of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 in the forward direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 acquires each direction of the plurality of one-dimensional barcode symbols B7 to B9 from the captured image AM by the reading unit 3, and the horizontal (horizontal direction) or The display priority in the vertical (vertical direction) is determined, and the data output order is arranged based on the priority.

  Specifically, when the plurality of barcode symbols in the captured image AM are all one-dimensional barcode symbols B7 to B9 and there are barcode symbols B7 to B9 having different vertical and horizontal directions, this embodiment is used. In FIG. 4, the output order is systematically arranged so that the data of the barcode symbols B7 and B8 in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) is output with priority. That is, in the case of FIG. 4, the barcode symbol B7, barcode symbol B8, and barcode symbol B9 are output in this order.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 includes one-dimensional barcode symbols B10, B11 and a two-dimensional barcode symbol Q as a plurality of barcode symbols in the captured image AQ by the reading unit 3. If they are mixed, in this embodiment, the output order is systematically arranged so that the data of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B10 and B11 are output with priority. That is, in the case of FIG. 5, the barcode symbol B10, the barcode symbol B11, and the barcode symbol Q are output in this order.

  As described above, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 determines the priority of the barcode symbol type and arranges the output order based on the priority, but there are a plurality of barcode symbols of the same type in the captured image. Arranges the output order in ascending order of the number of digits. In addition, as described above, when there are a plurality of barcode symbols of the same type and the same number of digits, the XY coordinates of the captured image are acquired, and after determining whether the Y-axis direction priority or the X-axis direction priority, Arrange output order based on priority.

  In this bar code symbol reader 1, the reading unit 3 can be a camera comprising a CMOS sensor and an A / D converter. The binarization conversion unit 4 converts the multivalued image data captured by the reading unit 3 into binary data, and can also be binarized by software. The barcode symbol area candidate extraction unit 5 is a part that inflates or contracts binarized image data by a conventionally known general method, and this can also be processed by software.

  In this bar code symbol reader 1, the display unit 10 for displaying the bar code symbol output result output from the control unit 9 performs a reading operation by the operation switch unit 2 having a trigger, a numeric keypad, and a function key. You may make it display the guidance at the time.

  In the barcode symbol reader 1, in the multi-mode for reading a plurality of barcode symbols at once, either the number of barcode symbols to be read or the reading time can be designated. Therefore, the following describes how to read all of a plurality of barcode symbols printed on a slip, for example, by specifying the number of barcode symbols to be read by using the barcode symbol reader 1. .

First, the multi-mode is selected by the key operation of the operation switch unit 2, and the number of readings is designated (three in this embodiment).
Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S <b> 1, the trigger of the operation switch unit 2 is operated to turn on the aimer (reading position indicator lamp) and the illumination LED of the reading unit 3. A digital multi-valued image is acquired by collectively capturing a plurality of barcode symbols printed on the slip to be read shown.

  Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not to use a barcode symbol candidate area that has been successfully decoded with the previous image data. When the successful barcode symbol candidate area is not used (No in step S2), the digital multilevel image data read by the reading unit 3 is whitened with a certain threshold value by the binarization conversion unit 4 in step S3. Converted to black (0, 1) binary image data. Subsequently, in step S4, the binarized image data is enlarged by the barcode symbol area candidate extraction unit 5 and then thinned by a general reduction process and then expanded / reduced by a general reduction process. Character strings, frame lines, and small chunks of dirt are removed as black isolated parts from the data of the subsequent image.

  The barcode symbol area candidate extraction unit 5 performs general labeling processing on the image data after the expansion / reduction processing in step S5. Next, in step S6, barcode symbol region candidates are extracted with a size and shape that is likely to be a barcode symbol shape.

  This barcode symbol area candidate indicates the positions of the four corners of the area in the digital multi-valued image by the X and Y coordinates. Following the extraction of these barcode symbol area candidates, the barcode symbol data decoding unit 6, in step S <b> 7, the type determination is performed on all of the extracted barcode symbol area candidates as to the one-dimensional barcode symbol or the two-dimensional barcode symbol. Then, decoding is performed by a decoding method for data words shown in the bar code symbol standard, and bar code symbol area information and decoding results are recorded in step S8.

  Here, if the previous successful barcode symbol candidate area is used in step S2 (Yes in step S2), the process immediately proceeds to step S7, where the barcode symbol type is determined in the barcode symbol area candidate area. And data word decoding.

  When all the barcode symbol area candidate reading processes have been completed and the three specified barcode symbol results have been obtained, it is determined in step S9 that the reading has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S10. If there is an unsuccessful barcode symbol candidate area, the process returns to step S1, and a new image is captured and taken in as new digital multivalued image data, and steps S3 to S8 are executed again.

  Then, after acquiring each data of all barcode symbols (specified number of barcode symbols), in step S10 to step S16, all barcode symbol type information and decoding from the barcode symbol data decoding unit 6 Based on the result, the bar code symbol data aligning unit 7 systematically arranges the output order of the data of the plurality of bar code symbols to the control unit 9.

  Specifically, in step S10, based on the barcode symbol type determination result in step S7, it is determined whether or not there is a horizontal one-dimensional barcode symbol in the captured image by the reading unit 3. If it is determined Yes in step S10, the horizontal one-dimensional barcode symbols are aligned in step S11, systematic alignment of the output order is performed, and the process proceeds to the next step S12. If it is determined No in step S10, step S11 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S12.

  Next, in step S12, based on the barcode symbol type determination result in step S7, it is determined whether or not there is a vertical one-dimensional barcode symbol in the captured image by the reading unit 3. If Yes is determined in step S12, the vertical one-dimensional barcode symbols are aligned in step S13, systematic alignment of the output order is performed, and the process proceeds to the next step S14. If it is determined No in step S12, step S13 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S14.

  Next, in step S14, based on the barcode symbol type determination result in step S7, it is determined whether or not there is a two-dimensional barcode symbol in the captured image by the reading unit 3. If it is determined Yes in step S14, the two-dimensional barcode symbols are aligned in step S15, systematic alignment of the output order is performed, and the process proceeds to the next step S16. If it is determined No in step S14, step S15 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S16.

  The data of all barcode symbols arranged in this way by the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 are connected as a set of data by the barcode symbol data connection unit 8 in step S16. Thereafter, in step S17, each data of the connected barcode symbol is separated by the control unit 9 as individual barcode symbol data. In step S18, the reading results are systematically displayed on the display unit 10, and the reading results are systematically transmitted to the external terminal via the external input / output unit 11.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the situation where the horizontal one-dimensional barcode symbols B1 to B3 are present in the captured image AH by the reading unit 3, in step S11, the horizontal one-dimensional barcode symbol B1, barcode is displayed. After systematic alignment of the output order is performed so that the symbols B2 and barcode symbol B3 are output in this order, the processes in steps S13 and S15 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S16.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the situation where the one-dimensional barcode symbols B4 to B6 in the vertical direction are present in the captured image AV by the reading unit 3, the processing in step S11 is skipped, and in step S13, the vertical direction After the systematic arrangement of the output order to output the one-dimensional barcode symbol B4, barcode symbol B5, and barcode symbol B6 in this order, the process of step S15 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S16.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, in a situation where there is a horizontal one-dimensional barcode symbol B7, B8 and a vertical one-dimensional barcode symbol B9 in the captured image AM by the reading unit 3, in steps S11 and S13, After systematic alignment of the output order to output the one-dimensional barcode symbol B7, barcode symbol B8, and barcode symbol B9 in this order, the process of step S15 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S16.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the situation where the one-dimensional barcode symbols B10 and B11 and the two-dimensional barcode symbol Q are mixed in the captured image AQ by the reading unit 3, in steps S11 and S13, the one-dimensional barcode is displayed. After systematic alignment of the output order to preferentially output the data of the code symbols B10 and B11, the two-dimensional barcode symbol Q is aligned in step S15, and the process proceeds to step S16.

  As described above, in the barcode symbol reading apparatus 1 and the reading method according to this embodiment, a case where a one-dimensional barcode symbol and a two-dimensional barcode symbol are mixedly printed on a slip corresponding to a captured image. Even if it exists, a plurality of barcode symbols can be read simultaneously, and even when the form of a slip on which a plurality of barcode symbols are printed is changed, a plurality of barcode symbols can be read simultaneously.

  Further, in the barcode symbol reading apparatus 1 and the reading method according to this embodiment, for example, when a plurality of barcode symbols are read by changing the scanning direction, or a plurality of barcode symbols read simultaneously are different from each other. Always output the reading results of multiple barcode symbols in a systematic order, even if they are facing the direction or a mixture of 1D barcode symbols and 2D barcode symbols. Therefore, each reading result of a plurality of barcode symbols can be easily grasped.

  The configurations of the barcode symbol reading device and the barcode symbol reading method according to the present invention are not limited to the configurations of the barcode symbol reading device 1 and the barcode symbol reading method according to the above-described embodiment.

  As another configuration, for example, in FIG. 3, in the case where a reverse one-dimensional barcode symbol with the start bar Bst on the upper side is present in the same captured image AV, the barcode symbol data aligning unit 7 Following the output of each data of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B4 to B6, the data is output from the data of the barcode symbol located at the rightmost (or leftmost) of the reversed one-dimensional barcode symbols, Prior to outputting each data of the one-dimensional barcode symbols B4 to B6 in the forward direction, it is possible to output each data of the one-dimensional barcode symbol in the reverse direction.

  As another configuration, for example, in FIG. 4, when barcode symbols B7 to B9 having different vertical and horizontal orientations are present in the same captured image AM, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 causes the vertical symbol The data of the code symbol B9 may be output with priority. For example, in FIG. 5, the one-dimensional barcode symbols B10 and B11 and the two-dimensional barcode symbol Q are mixed in the same captured image AQ. In this case, the barcode symbol data alignment unit 7 may output the data of the two-dimensional barcode symbol Q with priority.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Barcode symbol reader 3 Reading part 4 Binary conversion part 5 Barcode symbol area candidate extraction part 6 Barcode symbol data decoding part 7 Barcode symbol data alignment part 9 Control part 10 Display part

Claims (5)

A reading unit that collectively captures image data of a plurality of barcode symbols to be read;
A binarization conversion unit that converts image data captured by the reading unit into binary data;
A plurality of image blocks extracted by performing a labeling process on the binary data after the expansion process and the reduction process following the expansion process and the reduction process on the binary data from the binarization conversion unit A barcode symbol region candidate extraction unit that extracts barcode symbol region candidates from
A barcode symbol data decoding unit that performs barcode symbol type determination and data word decoding for all of the extracted barcode symbol region candidates;
In a barcode symbol reading apparatus comprising a control unit that holds barcode symbol type information and a decoding result from the barcode symbol data decoding unit,
A barcode symbol data alignment unit that systematically arranges an output order of each data of the plurality of barcode symbols to the control unit based on barcode symbol type information and a decoding result from the barcode symbol data decoding unit; A barcode symbol reader characterized by the above.   The barcode symbol data alignment unit is configured such that all of the plurality of barcode symbols in the image captured by the reading unit are one-dimensional barcode symbols and the plurality of barcode symbols are in a parallel relationship with each other. In order to output from the data of the bar code symbol located at either end of the both ends of the one-dimensional bar code symbol in the forward direction and the one-dimensional bar code symbol in the reverse direction 2. The barcode symbol reader according to claim 1, wherein the order is systematically arranged.   The barcode symbol data alignment unit is configured to vertically and horizontally when the plurality of barcode symbols in the image captured by the reading unit are all one-dimensional barcode symbols and barcode symbols having different vertical and horizontal orientations exist. 3. The bar code symbol reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output order is systematically arranged so as to preferentially output bar code symbol data in any one direction.   The bar code symbol data alignment unit, when the one-dimensional bar code symbol and the two-dimensional bar code symbol are mixed as the plurality of bar code symbols in the captured image by the reading unit, The bar code symbol according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an output order is systematically arranged so that data of a bar code symbol of any one of the symbol and the two-dimensional bar code symbol is preferentially output. Reader. Collect image data of multiple barcode symbols to be scanned,
After performing binarization processing on the image data, after performing expansion processing and degeneration processing,
A barcode symbol area candidate is extracted from a plurality of image blocks extracted by performing a labeling process on the binary data after the expansion process and the reduction process, and the barcode is applied to all of the extracted barcode symbol area candidates. Perform symbol type determination and data word decoding,
A barcode symbol reading method comprising: systematically arranging an output order of each data of the plurality of barcode symbols based on the barcode symbol type information and a decoding result.

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