JP2007317059A - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical information reader capable of quickly reading an information code without being affected by specular reflection. <P>SOLUTION: An image is divided into a plurality of image blocks BL, and an excessively exposed image block out of the plurality of image blocks is detected to specify an image block (area) where specular reflection MR occurs. An illuminator illuminating the specified image block where specular reflection MR occurs is found on the basis of a stored correspondence relation between respective areas and illuminators illuminating the image blocks and is extinguished. Thus specular reflection is eliminated to be able to quickly read an information code B without being affected by specular reflection MR. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention reads one-dimensional optical information such as a barcode printed on or pasted on a product, two-dimensional optical information such as a QR code (registered trademark), or a QR code displayed on a mobile phone or the like. The present invention relates to a stationary optical information reader.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an optical information reading device that attaches a substrate such as paper printed with optical information such as a barcode or QR code to an article or document, optically reads the article, and identifies the article. At present, as a new usage form of optical information, a QR code is displayed on a mobile phone and read by a stationary optical information reader. For example, it is used in such a manner that a QR code is distributed to a mobile phone, and a QR code displayed on the mobile phone is read by an optical information reader in a concert hall to replace a ticket.

This optical information reader is provided with light irradiation means such as LEDs inside the case to illuminate the optical information to which the reading port of the optical information reader is directed. The light reflected from the optical information by this illumination is guided into the case from the reading port, the image is read using a CCD or the like, and the information represented by the optical information is decoded from the light-dark distribution.
JP 60-48578 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-120284

However, optical information printed on glossy paper, etc., is specularly reflected depending on the incident angle of the illumination light, so that all of the optical information image is bright regardless of the black and white recorded in the code ( White) and optical information could not be captured correctly. In particular, a display made of liquid crystal of a mobile phone is likely to cause a mirror reflection, and it often happens that a QR code displayed on the display cannot be read due to the mirror reflection.

In such a case, since the optical information reader itself determines that the object to be read is abnormal and cannot complete the reading, the operator moves the information code carrier or changes the reading angle. Thus, trial and error required reading at a position and angle that was not affected by specular reflection, leading to a decrease in reading workability.

As an apparatus that restores the original image from such an abnormal image due to specular reflection, Patent Document 1 detects an image from two directions with respect to the same object, and combines the images to remove the specular reflection region. A pattern detection apparatus is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses an optical information reading apparatus that includes a plurality of illuminations and reads an image while changing the illumination direction to find an illumination direction in which no specular reflection occurs and reads an information code.

However, the pattern detection apparatus of Patent Document 1 requires two expensive image reading means such as a CCD, leading to an increase in manufacturing cost. Moreover, since the optical information reader of Patent Document 2 searches for an illumination method in which specular reflection does not occur while changing the illumination direction, it takes time until the information code can be read.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical information reader capable of quickly reading an information code without being affected by specular reflection. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a plurality of light sources L1 to L12, an image acquisition means 24 for capturing an image, an information code detection means 32 for detecting an information code from the image, and a detected information code. An optical information reader 10 comprising a decoding means 32 for decoding
Saturated image block detecting means (S15) for dividing the image into a plurality of image blocks BL and detecting image blocks BL with excessive exposure in the plurality of image blocks BL;
Storage means 34 for storing a correspondence relationship between each of the image blocks and a light source that illuminates the image block;
Illuminance adjustment means (S32, S42) for reducing the illuminance of the light source that illuminates the image block with excessive exposure detected by the saturated image block detection means based on the correspondence stored by the storage means. This is a technical feature.

The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is divided into a plurality of image blocks, and an image block having excessive exposure is detected in the plurality of image blocks, thereby causing an image having specular reflection. Identify the block. Then, based on the stored correspondence relationship between each of the image blocks and the light source that illuminates the image block, the light source that illuminates the image block identified as having specular reflection is found, and the illuminance of the light source is determined. Lower. As a result, no specular reflection occurs, so that the information code can be read quickly without being affected by the specular reflection.

In the optical information reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the image block in which the information code exists is specified, and the illuminance of the light source that illuminates the image block in which the information code exists and is excessively exposed is lowered. For this reason, since it is possible to prevent specular reflection from occurring only in the portion where the information code exists, the information code can be read quickly without excessively reducing the illuminance.

According to another aspect of the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention, the exposure time or the amplification degree of the image of the image block whose illuminance has been lowered is adjusted because specular reflection has occurred. For this reason, the image of the image block with reduced illuminance can also be appropriately processed.

In the optical information reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the light source is turned off when the illuminance is lowered, a complicated calculation process for adjusting the illuminance is unnecessary, and the information code can be read quickly.

In the optical information reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the illuminance of the light source that illuminates the image block with excessive exposure is lowered, the degree of exposure is calculated, and the illuminance is lowered according to the calculated degree. For this reason, the illuminance is not lowered excessively, and the information code can be reliably read by appropriately illuminating the image block.

[First embodiment]
Embodiments of an optical information reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the optical information reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the optical information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view. As shown in FIG. 1 (A), an optical information reader 10 includes a housing 12 having a substantially rectangular box shape. On the upper surface of the housing 12, a barcode of a product, a QR code displayed on a display of a mobile phone, etc. A reading window 14 for reading the information code is provided. A resin plate 14G is fitted in the reading window 14.

Here, the optical information reading apparatus 10 performs reading by pressing the mobile phone 50 displaying the barcode and QR code of the product against the reading window 14. Here, when the barcode and QR code are successfully decoded, the buzzer is sounded and the decoding result is transmitted to the host device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the optical information reading apparatus 10.
Light from twelve illuminators L1 to L12 (only L1 and L12 are shown in the drawing) passes through the resin plate 14G of the reading window 14 and is applied to the barcode B. The light reflected by the barcode B passes through the resin plate 14G, enters the housing 12, enters the imaging lens 22, and forms an image of the barcode B on the light receiving sensor 24 composed of a CCD. The light receiving sensor 24 that has read and read the image of the barcode B by photoelectric conversion outputs it to the amplifier circuit 26 as an electric signal representing the pattern of the image. The amplified signal from the amplification circuit 26 is converted into digital data by the A / D conversion circuit 28, sent to the image data preprocessing circuit 32, and the data is decoded (decoded) by the processing of the CPU 40, and the information code Is obtained, and the information is temporarily stored in the memory 34. Next, the decoding information stored in the memory 34 is transmitted to the host device by radio communication or radio communication using radio waves at a predetermined timing by the communication circuit 44. At the same time, the buzzer 46 notifying the success of reading is sounded. Here, the system area of the memory 34 holds a control program of the CPU 40, a correspondence map between an illuminator and a specular reflection area, which will be described later, and the like. The clock control circuit 30 sends a clock signal for synchronization to the light receiving sensor 24, the A / D conversion circuit 28, and the image data preprocessing circuit 32. The electric power supplied from the outside operates the optical information reader 10 via the secondary battery 38 and the power supply circuit 36. The CPU 40 performs a reading process corresponding to the operation by the operation switch 42.

The optical information reader 10 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of illuminators L1 to L12 made of LEDs, identifies a part causing specular reflection in an image, and illuminates the specular reflection part. L1 to L12 are selected by the selection circuit 48 and turned off.

The correspondence relationship between the region where the specular reflection occurs and the illuminators L1 to L12 causing the specular reflection will be described with reference to FIGS.
3A is an explanatory diagram of the optical module 20 that holds the 12 illuminators L1 to L12 and the imaging lens 22. FIG.
An imaging lens 22 is disposed at the center of the optical module 20, and 12 illuminators L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, and so on surround the imaging lens 22. L11 and L12 are arranged in 3 rows and 4 columns.

FIG. 3B shows a region that is strongly illuminated by the illuminators L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, and L12. The area A1 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L1 and can cause specular reflection. Similarly, the area A2 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L2, the area A3 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L3, the area A4 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L4, the area A5 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L5, and the illuminator L6 is illuminated. The area A6 is strongly illuminated, the area A7 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L7, the area A8 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L8, the area A9 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L9, and the area A10 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L10. The area A11 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L11, and the area A12 is strongly illuminated by the illuminator L12.

FIG. 4 is a map showing the correspondence between the illuminators L1 to L12 described above and the areas A1 to A12 that are strongly illuminated. The contents of the map shown in FIG. 4 are held in the above-described memory 34 as a correspondence map between the illuminator and the specular reflection area.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of a method for measuring the displacement of the specular reflection region depending on the distance between the optical module 20 and the barcode. Here, measurement is performed with the mirror M placed in front of the optical module 20 so as to easily cause mirror reflection. The upper side in the figure shows the case where the mirror M is arranged at the shortest distance La, and the lower side in the figure shows the case where the mirror M is arranged at the longest distance Lb. The left side of FIG. 5B shows a specular reflection state when the mirror M is arranged at the uppermost shortest distance La in FIG. 5A, and the right side of FIG. 5B shows the mirror reflection state in FIG. The mirror reflection state when the mirror M is arranged at the longest distance Lb on the lower side is shown.

Ratio of the width Lax1 from the region A1 to the region A10 and the width Lax2 of the region A1 in the mirror reflection state when the mirror M is disposed at the shortest distance La shown on the left side of FIG. 5B (Lax1: Lax2) And the ratio of the width Lbx1 from the region A1 to the region A10 and the width Lbx2 of the region A1 (Lbx1 :) in the specular reflection state when the mirror M is arranged at the longest distance Lb shown on the right side of FIG. Lbx2) are equal. From the relationship of Lax1: Lax2 = Lbx1: Lbx2, the areas A1 to A12 are specified at each distance from the information code.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image block in the first embodiment when information codes are arranged at the shortest distance La shown on the left side of FIG. 5B. The optical information reading device 10 divides the captured image into image blocks BL shown in FIG. 6A and performs processing. Based on the above-described width Lax1 from the region A1 to the region A10, the optical information reading device 10 performs region processing on the image block BL. Allocate A1 to A12. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged portion indicated by an ellipse C in FIG. The area A1 includes a set of image blocks from the sections xa and ya to the sections xa and ya, and similarly, the area A2 includes a set of image blocks from the sections xc and yc to the sections xd and yd. When the optical module 20 of this example and the information code are the shortest distance La (that is, the information code is pressed against the resin plate 14G of the reading window 14 shown in FIG. 1), one area has five vertical and horizontal areas. However, as the distance increases, the number of image blocks constituting the region decreases. In the first embodiment, one image block is composed of, for example, 16 pixels. However, one image block may be composed of one pixel.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing information code reading processing by the optical information reading device 10. In the optical information reader 10, the A / D conversion circuit 28 shown in FIG. 2 outputs AD 10 bits. Here, the image signal is handled in 8 bits, and if it exceeds this, exposure saturation occurs, that is, signal processing is performed assuming that specular reflection occurs.

The optical information reader 10 captures a decoded image and captures an exposure saturation detection image (S12). FIG. 8A shows an image of the image area IE in the light receiving sensor 24 that images the barcode B. A specular reflection MR is generated together with the image of the bar code B. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the image block BL and the specular reflection MR. Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the optical information reader 10 extracts the code area CE in which the barcode B is present based on the image block in which the black and white change of the image signal occurs, that is, light and dark. A change point acquisition process is performed (S14). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9A, an image block having a signal level exceeding 8 bits from the A / D conversion circuit 28 is extracted as an exposure saturation area OV (S15). Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the code area CE where the barcode is present and the exposure saturation area OV are compared (S16), and it is determined whether or not the exposure saturation area OV is applied to the code area CE (S18). ).

Here, since the exposure saturation area OV is applied to the code area CE as shown in FIG. 9B (S18: Yes), the signal of the image block over a wide range indicates whether the exposure saturation area OV is specularly reflected. Judgment is made based on whether the level exceeds 8 bits. If there is specular reflection (S26: Yes), the specular reflection position is detected (S28). Here, as shown in FIG. 9C, regions A1, A2, A5, A8, A9, A11, and A12 are detected as specular reflection positions. Next, the illuminator illuminating the areas A1, A2, A5, A8, A9, A11, and A12 is obtained based on the correspondence map between the illuminator and the specular reflection area described above with reference to FIG. 4 (S30). Here, the illuminators L1, L2, L5, L8, L9, AL11, and L12 are specified. Then, the illuminators L1, L2, L5, L8, L9, AL11, and L12 causing specular reflection in the code area CE are selected by the selection circuit 48 shown in FIG. 2 and turned off (S32), FIG. 10 (A). As shown in FIG. 4, the mirror B is not subjected to the specular reflection MR. Finally, the dark part shown in FIG. 10B corresponding to the areas A1, A2, A5, A8, A9, A11, A12 illuminated by the extinguished illuminators L1, L2, L5, L8, L9, AL11, L12. DE exposure conditions are corrected (S34). That is, based on the X and Y coordinates of the dark part DE, when the image signal included in the dark part DE is processed, the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit 26 in FIG. 2 is increased.

Then, the process returns to S12, the image is captured again, and when there is no saturated area in the code area CE (S18: No), decoding is performed (S20), and the decoded data is output to the host device (S22). Exit.

In the optical information reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, an image is partitioned into a plurality of image blocks BL, and an image block BL with excessive exposure is detected in the plurality of image blocks BL, thereby providing a mirror surface. An image block (region) in which reflection occurs is specified. Then, based on the stored correspondence relationship between each of the regions and the illuminator that illuminates the image block, the illuminator that illuminates the image block that is identified as having the specular reflection is found, and the illuminator is Turns off. As a result, no specular reflection occurs, so that the information code can be read quickly without being affected by the specular reflection. In particular, since the illuminator is turned off to reduce the illuminance, a complicated calculation process for adjusting the illuminance is unnecessary, and the information code can be read quickly.

Further, in the optical information reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the amplification degree or exposure time of the image of the image block BL (dark part DE) with reduced illuminance is adjusted because specular reflection has occurred. For this reason, the image of the image block BL (dark part DE) with reduced illuminance can also be appropriately processed.

[Second Embodiment]
Subsequently, an optical information reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the optical information reading apparatus of the first embodiment, the illuminator causing specular reflection is turned off. On the other hand, in 2nd Embodiment, the illumination intensity of the illuminator which has caused specular reflection is reduced. The circuit configuration of the optical information reading device of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 11 will be described.

Since the processing from S12 to S30 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
The illuminator that illuminates the areas A1, A2, A5, A8, A9, A11, and A12 causing specular reflection is obtained based on the correspondence map between the illuminator and the specular reflection area described above with reference to FIG. S30). Here, it is assumed that the illuminators L1, L2, L5, L8, L9, AL11, and L12 are specified. And according to each illuminance in the areas A1, A2, A5, A8, A9, A11, A12 of the illuminators L1, L2, L5, L8, L9, AL11, L12 causing specular reflection in the code area CE The illuminance that does not cause specular reflection is obtained (S40), and the illuminance of each of the illuminators L1, L2, L5, L8, L9, AL11, and L12 is adjusted so as to obtain the obtained illuminance (S42). Since the subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

In the optical information reading device of the second embodiment, the illumination is performed to identify the image block BL in which the information code is present and to illuminate the image block BL (region) in which the information code is present and overexposed. Reduce the illuminance of the vessel. For this reason, since it is possible to prevent specular reflection from occurring only in the portion where the information code exists, the information code can be read quickly without excessively reducing the illuminance.

Further, in the optical information reading apparatus of the second embodiment, when the illuminance of the illuminator that illuminates the image block BL with excessive exposure is lowered, the degree of exposure is calculated, and the illuminance according to the calculated degree Lower. For this reason, the illuminance is not lowered excessively, and the information code can be reliably read by appropriately illuminating the image block BL.

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the optical information reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view thereof. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the optical information reader of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of an optical module that holds twelve illuminators and an imaging lens, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing a region illuminated by each illuminator. It is explanatory drawing of the corresponding | compatible map with an illuminator and a specular reflection area | region. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of a method of measuring the displacement of the specular reflection area depending on the distance between the optical module 20 and the barcode, and the upper side in the figure shows the case where the mirror is arranged at the shortest distance La. The lower side of the middle shows a case where a mirror is arranged at the longest distance Lb. The left side of FIG. 5B shows a specular reflection state when the mirror M is arranged at the uppermost shortest distance La in FIG. 5A, and the right side of FIG. 5B shows the mirror reflection state in FIG. The mirror reflection state when the mirror M is arranged at the longest distance Lb on the lower side is shown. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an image block in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged portion indicated by an ellipse C in FIG. 6A. It is. It is a flowchart which shows the information code reading process by the optical information reading apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the image process by the optical information reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the image process by the optical information reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the image process by the optical information reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information code reading process by the optical information reader which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical information reader 24 Light reception sensor 26 Amplification circuit 28 A / D conversion circuit 32 Image data pre-processing circuit 34 Memory 40 CPU
L1-L12 Illuminator A1-A12 Region BL Image block

Claims (5)

An optical information reader comprising a plurality of light sources, an image acquisition means for capturing an image, an information code detection means for detecting an information code from the image, and a decoding means for decoding the detected information code,
Saturated image block detecting means for dividing the image into a plurality of image blocks and detecting image blocks with excessive exposure in the plurality of image blocks;
Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between each of the image blocks and a light source that illuminates the image block;
Illuminance adjusting means for reducing the illuminance of a light source that illuminates an image block with excessive exposure detected by the saturated image block detecting means based on the correspondence stored by the storage means. Optical information reader. An image block specifying means for specifying an image block in which the information code detected by the information code detecting means exists;
2. The optical information according to claim 1, wherein the illuminance adjusting means lowers the illuminance of a light source that illuminates an image block with an excessive exposure, in which the information code specified by the image block specifying means exists. Reader. The optical information reader according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure compensation unit that adjusts an exposure time or an amplification degree of an image of the image block with the reduced illuminance. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the illuminance adjusting unit turns off the light source when the illuminance is lowered. The illuminance adjusting means calculates the degree of exposure when reducing the illuminance of the light source that illuminates the image block with excessive exposure, and reduces the illuminance of the light source according to the calculated degree. The optical information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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