JP2002123791A - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely read information displayed on the display part of a communication terminal. SOLUTION: A back light is lighted in a state where a two-dimensional code 3 is displayed on a liquid crystal display picture 2. A portable telephone set 1 is inserted into an opening part 7 arranged in the housing 6 of an information code reader 30 so that the liquid crystal display part 2 turns upward. Then, the two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the portable telephone set 1 is read in the housing 6. Since a back light function arranged in the portable telephone set 1 is used and the two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the liquid crystal display part 2 is image-picked up based on illumination light by the back light and then a reading processing is performed, an image with the high contrast of light and shade is obtained as the picked-up image. Thus, the two-dimensional code which is precisely displayed can be read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical information reader for optically reading information displayed on a display of a portable telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of inputting coded information (information code) to an information processing device such as a computer, an information code printed on paper or the like is read by an information code reading device connected to the information processing device. It is common to make a device read the data (for example, see JP-A-8-180125).
No.).

[0003] In recent years, with the remarkable spread of mobile phones and the Internet, it has become possible to obtain various types of information from remote servers using mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). For the purpose, it is becoming possible to receive an image of an information code in which various types of information (for example, coupons) are encoded and display the information code image on a liquid crystal display screen.

[0004]

However, the liquid crystal display used in the display screen of the mobile phone has a much lower contrast between light and dark and a darker screen as a whole than printed matter such as paper. ing. Therefore, when photographing the liquid crystal display screen with a conventional information code reading device,
There is a problem that the information screen is incorrectly recognized as “dark” because the brightness exceeds the range in which the brightness correction of the information code reading device can be performed, and the information code image cannot be accurately read.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an optical information reading apparatus capable of accurately reading information displayed on a display section of a communication terminal. Things.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical information reading apparatus for optically reading information displayed on a display unit of a communication terminal having a display unit with backlight means. A housing, an opening provided in the housing, into which the communication terminal is inserted, and information displayed on a display unit of the communication terminal inserted into the opening, illumination light from the backlight. An imaging unit that captures an image using the reading unit, and a reading unit that reads information displayed on a display unit of the communication terminal inserted into the opening based on an image captured by the imaging unit;
An optical information reading apparatus is provided.

[0007] With the above arrangement, in the first aspect of the present invention, the information displayed on the display unit is imaged based on the illumination light from the backlight means using the backlight means provided in the communication terminal. Since reading is performed, an image having a high contrast between light and dark can be obtained as a captured image, and there is an excellent effect that displayed information can be accurately read.

The invention according to claim 2 is provided between the display unit of the communication terminal inserted into the opening and the imaging unit, and is illuminated by the backlight unit and not received by the imaging unit. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising a light diffusing unit that reflects light on the surface of the display unit to the display unit, re-reflects the light on the display unit, and receives the light by the imaging unit. An information reading device is employed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light diffusing means reflects the illumination light not received by the image pickup means on the display unit and reflects it again on the display unit, thereby receiving light on the image pickup means. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the illumination light emitted from the backlight means can be used efficiently for information reading.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary light source is provided on the back side of the light diffusing means for irradiating the radiated light through the light diffusing means to diffuse and irradiate the display section of the communication terminal. An optical information reading apparatus according to claim 2 is employed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the reading by the reading means fails, the auxiliary light source is turned on together with the backlight means, and the communication terminal inserted into the opening. The optical information reading device according to claim 3, wherein the information displayed on the display unit is read.

According to the above construction, the third and fourth aspects of the present invention are provided.
In the invention described above, even if the amount of illumination light from the backlight unit or the light diffusion / reflection unit is insufficient due to the auxiliary light source, the amount of light required for reading can be accurately compensated, and an image with high contrast between dark and light can be obtained. Thus, there is an excellent effect that information displayed on the communication terminal can be read accurately.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the lighting of the auxiliary light source is performed only when the reading failure of the reading means continues for a predetermined number of times. To adopt.

According to the above construction, the auxiliary light source is turned on only when the reading failure of the reading means has continued for a predetermined number of times. Even if reading fails, the auxiliary light source is not immediately turned on. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus,
6. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is disposed above a display unit of the inserted communication terminal, and the communication terminal is inserted into the opening with the display unit facing upward. Is adopted.

With the above arrangement, in the invention according to claim 6, since the communication terminal is configured to be inserted into the opening with the display unit facing upward, the user can check the contents of the display unit. There is an excellent effect that a communication terminal can be inserted and an easy-to-use optical information reading device can be provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus,
6. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is disposed below a display unit of the inserted communication terminal, and the communication terminal is inserted into the opening with the display unit facing downward. Is adopted.

With the above arrangement, in the invention according to claim 7, since the communication terminal is configured to be inserted into the opening with the display unit facing downward, regardless of the difference in thickness of the communication terminal, communication is performed. There is an excellent effect that the distance from the display unit of the terminal to the imaging unit can be made constant, and information displayed on the display unit can be imaged with a stable focus.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that it has holding means for holding the communication terminal inserted through the opening, and the holding means has a slope such that the opening becomes higher. An optical information reading apparatus according to claims 1 to 7 is adopted.

According to the above configuration, in the invention according to the eighth aspect, since the holding means having the inclination such that the opening is high is provided, the posture of the communication terminal can be stabilized, and the communication terminal can have a stable posture. Since the insertion / removal can be facilitated, there is an excellent effect that an optical information reader which is easy to use can be provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup means includes:
9. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the optical information reading apparatus is disposed above a display unit of the inserted communication terminal and perpendicular to an inclination angle of the holding unit. is there.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup means is disposed below a display portion of the inserted communication terminal and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the inclination angle of the holding means. An optical information reader according to claim 8 is employed.

According to the above construction, the present invention is applied to claim 9 and claim 1.
In the invention described in Item 0, since the imaging means is disposed above or below the display unit of the inserted communication terminal and in a direction perpendicular to the inclination angle of the holding means, the image pickup means is displayed on the display unit. When capturing information, it is possible to obtain a captured image accurately without causing distortion in the image, and there is an excellent effect that information can be read accurately.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a portable telephone showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an information code reader according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is an explanatory view for explaining a use state of an information code reader.

In FIG. 1, a portable telephone 1 (corresponding to a communication terminal) includes a liquid crystal display unit 2 (corresponding to a display unit) for displaying a telephone number, information downloaded from a remote server, and the like.
It comprises a key operation unit 4 including numeric keys of numbers “0” to “9”, an antenna 5 and the like.

The liquid crystal display unit 2 has a backlight function. In this embodiment, when a key operation is performed by the key operation unit 4, the backlight is automatically turned on. The backlight is automatically turned off when no time key operation is performed. In the mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. 1, a matrix type two-dimensional code (QR (Quic
(Response) code is downloaded from the remote server and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2.

In order to read the two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1 in this manner, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two-dimensional code 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal display. In the state displayed on the screen 2 (in this case, the backlight is automatically turned on because the key operation unit 4 of the mobile phone 1 is operated), the opening 7 provided in the housing 6 of the information code reader 30 The mobile phone 1 is inserted so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 faces upward. Then, the two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the mobile phone 1 inside the housing 6
Is read.

In FIG. 2, the information code reading device 30
Is a housing 6 made of a light-shielding material, a display unit 8 for displaying a reading result and displaying instructions to a user, and an LED for irradiating light to the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1.
Light source 9 made of a material, a light diffusion part 10 made of a material for diffusing light, and an imaging lens 1 built in a case on a cylinder
1, an area sensor 12 for receiving an image formed by the imaging lens 11 and having a two-dimensional array of light receiving elements.
(Corresponding to imaging means), and an information reading unit 13 (corresponding to reading means) for reading the contents of the two-dimensional code 3 based on a signal from the area sensor 12.

Here, since the housing 6 is formed of a light-shielding material, it is possible to prevent ambient light from entering the area sensor 12 when reading the two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the mobile phone 1.

Further, since the light diffusing section 10 is formed of a material that diffuses light, it has a function of transmitting and diffusing light emitted from the auxiliary light source 9. Therefore, it is possible to irradiate the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1 with uniform light, and it is also possible to prevent specular reflection on the surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal display section 2, light radiated from the backlight section 43 of the mobile phone 1, particularly a portion 44 which is shielded by the liquid crystal layer 41 (see FIG. 6). (Black part in the two-dimensional code 3 shown in FIG. 1)
Light from other portions includes light L100 that passes through the liquid crystal layer 41 and the transparent plate 40 and is received by the area sensor 12, and light L101 that reaches the light diffusion unit 10. The light 101 from the backlight unit 43 that has reached the light diffusion unit 10
Is reflected by the light diffusion unit 10 and travels toward the liquid crystal display unit 2, passes through the transparent plate 40 and the liquid crystal layer 41 of the liquid crystal display unit 2, is reflected again by the reflection layer, and part of the light is reflected by the area sensor 1.
The light L102 is received by the light L2. As described above, the light diffusion unit 10 is arranged in a conical shape so as to cover the periphery of the cylindrical case in which the imaging lens 11 is built in consideration of the above-described illumination of the liquid crystal display unit 2 by re-reflection. .

The opening 7 provided in the housing 6 is an opening through which the mobile phone 1 can be inserted. Further, the holding portion 24 is connected to the opening 7 so that the holding portion 24 has a predetermined inclination angle (the opening 7).
High inclination). By doing this,
In addition to stabilizing the posture of the mobile phone 1, the mobile phone 1
Can be easily inserted and removed. If the inner bottom surface of the holding portion 24 is made of a soft and non-slip material such as rubber, the above-mentioned effects are more remarkably exhibited.

The liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1 is also inclined with the inclination of the holding unit 24. Therefore, the imaging lens 11, the area sensor 12, the auxiliary light source 9, and the light diffusion unit 10 , And the holder 24 are arranged at the same inclination angle. By doing so, the imaging lens 11 and the area sensor 12 can be arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1, so that distortion of an image captured by the area sensor 12 can be prevented. Can be.

Next, the information reading section 13 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information reading unit in the embodiment.

In FIG. 4, the information reading section 13 includes a binarizing circuit 14, a frequency component ratio detecting circuit 15, a serial / parallel converting circuit 16, an address generating circuit 17, an address latch circuit 18, memory circuits 19 and 20, a frame Detection circuit 21, timing generation circuit 22, and CPU 23
It has.

The binarizing circuit 14 binarizes the scanning line signal output from the area sensor 12 based on a threshold.
The frequency component ratio detection circuit 15 detects a predetermined frequency component ratio from the binarized scanning line signal. The serial / parallel conversion circuit 16 converts a scanning line signal output as a serial signal from the binarization circuit 14 into a parallel signal (for example, 8 bits) and transmits the parallel signal to the memory circuits 19 and 20. The address generation circuit 17 includes the timing generation circuit 2
2, the memory circuits 19 and 20 are sequentially output.
At the memory circuit 19,
20 and the address latch circuit 18. When the address latch circuit 18 receives a signal (latch signal) indicating that the predetermined frequency component ratio has been detected by the frequency component ratio detection circuit 15, it latches the address signal from the address generation circuit 18 and outputs the address data. Is written to the memory circuits 19 and 20.

The frame detection circuit 21 includes the area sensor 1
In response to the frame switching signal from the second, the binarized scanning line signal corresponding to the even-numbered frame is supplied to one memory circuit 19, and the binarized scanning line signal corresponding to the odd-numbered frame is supplied to the other memory circuit 19. Memory circuit 19, so that the writing of the address data from the address latch circuit 18 is performed in the same manner.
20 gates are controlled. The timing generation circuit 22
In particular, it generates a clock signal for setting the timing between the frequency component ratio detection circuit 15, the serial / parallel conversion circuit 16, and the address generation circuit 17. CPU
23 is configured as a microcomputer,
The memory circuit 19 or the memory circuit 20 is alternately accessed according to the output signal of the frame detection circuit 21 to execute the two-dimensional code processing of the read image data for one screen, as described later.

Next, the operation of the information code reader 30 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

A user who wants the information code reader 30 to read information first displays the downloaded two-dimensional code on the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1. On this occasion,
The backlight unit 43 is automatically turned on by the key operation unit 4. In this state, the mobile phone 1 is inserted into the opening 7 of the information code reader 30 with the liquid crystal display 2 facing upward.
Insert

Then, the CPU 23 of the information reading unit 13 determines whether or not the mobile phone 1 has been inserted to a predetermined position of the opening 7 based on the detection result from a limit switch (not shown) (step S100). The limit switch (not shown) is provided so that the detection signal is not output unless the mobile phone 1 is inserted until the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the mobile phone 1 reaches the front of the area sensor 12.
It is arranged at the back of the holding part 24.

When the insertion of the portable telephone 1 is confirmed, in step S110, the parameter n for controlling the auxiliary light source and counting the number of errors is initialized, and the flow advances to step S120 to execute the first reading process.

Then, in step S130, the parameter n
Is not reached a predetermined number N (for example, “N = 3”). If the parameter n has not reached the predetermined number N, the process proceeds to step S150 to perform a process of reading an image of the information code (two-dimensional code 3) captured by the area sensor 6 and a process of reproducing the information code. .

Subsequently, it is determined in step S160 whether or not an error has occurred in the reading process. If no error has occurred, the flow advances to step S170 to display the reading success on the display unit 8 of the information code reader 30. And step S
Proceeding to 180, the read information is output to a host computer (not shown). Then, the process proceeds to step S210, in which the auxiliary light source is turned off. In step S220, a message indicating that the mobile phone 1 is to be removed from the opening 7 is displayed on the display unit 8 of the information code reader 30.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S160 that an error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S190,
It is determined whether the parameter n has not reached the predetermined number M (for example, “5”). If the parameter n has not reached the predetermined number M, the process proceeds to step S120, where the parameter n is incremented. Proceed to step S130.

In step S130, it is determined whether the parameter n has reached the predetermined number N as described above. If the parameter n has reached the predetermined number N, the backlight unit of the cellular phone 1 is determined. Illumination light by 44,
In addition, it is determined that the amount of light required for reading is insufficient with the re-illumination light of the backlight due to the reflection by the light diffusion unit 10, and the process proceeds to step S140 to turn on the auxiliary light source 9,
Proceed to step S150.

If the parameter n has reached the predetermined number M in step S190, the process proceeds to step S190.
Proceeding to 200, a read failure is reported to information code reader 30.
Is displayed on the display unit 8, and the process proceeds to step S210 to perform the above-described processing.

That is, as described in the above embodiment,
In the present embodiment, in order to solve the point that the contrast of light and dark of the two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the mobile phone 1 is remarkably low, the backlight function provided in the mobile phone is used and the backlight function is used. The two-dimensional code 3 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 based on the illumination light from the light
Since the image is read and the reading process is performed, it is possible to obtain a bright and dark contrast image as a captured image,
Thereby, the displayed two-dimensional code can be read accurately.

The liquid crystal display unit 2 and the area sensor 1 are provided so as to compensate for light irradiation by only the backlight of the mobile phone 1.
By providing the light diffusion unit 10 between the light diffusion unit 1 and the light radiated from the backlight and transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 41, the light that does not directly reach the area sensor 12 is used.
By reflecting the light at 0 and re-reflecting it at the reflective layer 42 of the liquid crystal display unit 2, the amount of light reaching the area sensor 12 can be further increased, and an image with higher contrast can be obtained.

Further, by utilizing the light emitted from the same light source as described above, since the light has the same wavelength and the same optical characteristics such as the refractive index of the imaging lens, chromatic aberration and the like occur. And does not adversely affect the image to be formed.

Further, if the amount of light is insufficient (the contrast between light and dark is low) even in the illumination by the backlight unit 44 of the mobile phone 1 and the re-illumination of the backlight due to the reflection in the light diffusion unit 10, By turning on the auxiliary light source 9 provided on the outer peripheral side of the conical light diffusing unit 10, it is possible to accurately obtain the amount of light required for reading.

Note that the mobile phone 1 in the above embodiment is
In this configuration, the backlight is automatically turned on when a key operation by the key operation unit 4 is performed, and is turned off automatically when no key operation is performed for a predetermined time after the light is turned on. However, according to this, depending on the setting of the predetermined time, it is conceivable that the light is automatically turned off when the information code reading device 30 is inserted into the information code reading device 30 and the information is being read.

Therefore, when the portable telephone 1 is caused to read by the information code reader 30, a function of keeping the backlight on unless the user himself turns off the backlight may be provided. Specifically, the downloaded two-dimensional code is displayed by the key operation unit 4, and the function of “lighting duration” is selected by the key operation unit 4 and inserted into the opening 7. This ensures that light is emitted from the backlight during the reading process.

Next, another embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is inserted into the opening 7 of the information code reader 30 with the liquid crystal display unit 2 facing upward. May be inserted into the opening 7 of the information code reading device 30 in a state of facing downward, so that light from the backlight forms an image on the area sensor 12 provided below. In this way, even if the thickness of the mobile phone 1 differs depending on the model, the distance between the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the imaging lens 11 is always constant, so that reading at the best focus position is possible.

Note that, even in this case, the holding portion 24 is arranged such that the opening 7 is inclined at a high angle, so that
Of the mobile phone 1 can be stabilized, and the mobile phone 1 can be easily inserted and removed.

The backlight of the mobile phone 1 is automatically turned on by the key operation of the key operation unit 4. However, the backlight of the mobile phone for manually turning the backlight on and off, and There are also mobile phones that control the turning on and off of the backlight using a band. Therefore, in order to cope with these mobile phones, a light receiving element is provided in the holding portion (the side facing the liquid crystal display portion 2) near the opening 7 of the information code reading device 30, and the light receiving element of the mobile phone being inserted into the opening 7 is provided. It may be determined whether or not the backlight is turned on. Specifically, before the step S100 in FIG. 5, whether or not the backlight of the mobile phone being inserted into the opening 7 is turned on is determined by whether or not there is a signal from the light receiving element arranged at the above position. Is determined, and if it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S100. If not, a display indicating that the backlight is turned on is displayed on the display unit 8 of the information code reader 30, and the backlight is displayed to the user. You may be prompted to light up.

In the above embodiment, the information displayed on the mobile phone 1 is a two-dimensional code. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
DF417), and may be letters or numbers.

Further, although the portable telephone 1 is described as the communication terminal in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook personal computer, or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the read failure /
Although the success is displayed on the display unit 8 of the information code reading device 30, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be notified by, for example, light or sound.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a mobile phone showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an information code reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a use state of the mobile phone and the information code reader in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of an information reading unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information code reading device in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a section of a liquid crystal display section of the mobile phone in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2 Liquid crystal display part 6 Housing 7 Opening 11 Imaging means 13 Information reading part 30 Information code reading device

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An optical information reading apparatus for optically reading information displayed on a display unit of a communication terminal having a display unit with a backlight means, comprising: a housing; An opening into which a terminal is inserted; an imaging unit for imaging information displayed on a display unit of the communication terminal inserted into the opening using illumination light from the backlight unit; Reading means for reading information displayed on a display section of the communication terminal inserted into the opening, based on a captured image, and an optical information reading apparatus. 2. An illumination light, which is provided between a display unit of the communication terminal inserted into the opening and the imaging unit and is illuminated by the backlight unit and not received by the imaging unit, is provided on the surface thereof. 2. An optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light diffusing means for reflecting the light to the display unit and re-reflecting the light to the image pickup unit. 3. An auxiliary light source is provided on a back surface side of the light diffusing means, the irradiated light being transmitted through the light diffusing means and diffused and irradiated on a display unit of the communication terminal. The optical information reading device according to claim 2. 4. When the reading by the reading means has failed, the auxiliary light source is turned on together with the backlight means, and information displayed on a display of the communication terminal inserted into the opening is provided. 4. The optical information reading device according to claim 3, wherein the device reads information. 5. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lighting of the auxiliary light source is performed only when the reading failure of the reading means continues a predetermined number of times. 6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is disposed above a display unit of the inserted communication terminal, and the communication terminal is inserted into the opening with the display unit facing upward. An optical information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The image pickup means is disposed below a display unit of the inserted communication terminal, and the communication terminal is inserted into the opening with the display unit facing downward. An optical information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 8. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising holding means for holding the communication terminal inserted through said opening, wherein said holding means has a slope such that said opening is raised. An optical information reader as described in the above. 9. The image pickup device according to claim 8, wherein the image pickup means is disposed above a display portion of the inserted communication terminal, and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a tilt angle of the holding means. Optical information reader. 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the imaging means is arranged below a display unit of the inserted communication terminal, and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to an inclination angle of the holding means. Optical information reader.