JP2010176619A - Symbol reader and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a technology for improving the precision of the reading of a symbol, and improving the operability of symbol reading. <P>SOLUTION: A symbol reader is provided with: a camera 14 for imaging an object, and for outputting a pickup image; a display 16 for displaying a pickup image outputted from the camera 14; a touch panel 16A for instructing a reading range including a symbol S to be read in the pickup image displayed by the display 16; a camera control part 16C for moving the focal position of the camera 14 to a reading range instructed by the touch panel 16A; and a CPU 11 for making the camera 14 pick up the object at a focal position moved by the camera control part 16C, and for acquiring symbol data by analyzing a symbol S included in the reading range instructed by the touch panel 16A from the pickup image, and for making the display 16 display the acquired symbol data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a symbol reader and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a symbol reading apparatus that images a symbol (a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional code, etc.) and reads information such as a character string included in the symbol. The symbol reader captures a subject including a symbol with an imaging device such as a camera, and the decode engine analyzes the captured image to read the content of the symbol.

  The symbol reader is used in a situation where it is necessary to read a plurality of symbols contained in a subject (product shelf, loaded cardboard box, barcode book, or the like). Under this circumstance, the operator of the symbol reading apparatus has a symbol reading apparatus main body, and takes an image (imaging) while aiming at each symbol using an emming light or the like. When the symbol reading device has a preview display function (a function for displaying a captured image in real time), the operator adjusts the position and orientation of the symbol reading device so that the symbol is within the imaging screen. The symbol was imaged.

  A symbol reading apparatus having a high-pixel imaging device is also known due to the recent improvement in the number of imaging pixels. In the symbol reading apparatus, when a plurality of symbols fall within the imaging range when the subject is imaged, the plurality of symbols can be simultaneously read by one scan of the captured image. Therefore, when imaging is performed using a symbol device having a high-pixel imaging device, the operator does not have to image individual symbols.

  Also known is a barcode reading device that captures a plurality of barcodes on the same surface from the front, decodes the barcode after superimposing the captured image and a preset barcode position pattern. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-240874 A

However, in any of the above cases (when imaging individual symbols, imaging a symbol with a high-pixel imaging device, or imaging a barcode with the barcode reading device of Patent Document 1), The symbol had to be imaged from the front. Usually, the space for imaging is limited at the site where the subject is imaged (for example, a supermarket with a product shelf, a warehouse loaded with cardboard, etc.). For this reason, the operator needs to secure an imaging space for imaging the symbol from the front, and there is a problem that the operability is poor in any of the above cases.

Further, when a subject including a plurality of symbols is imaged obliquely, the captured image has a depth, and it is difficult to read individual symbols from the captured image. In this case, if symbol scanning efficiency (reading accuracy) can be improved, individual symbols can be read even when the subject is imaged obliquely.
For this reason, there has been a demand for realizing a technique for improving the symbol reading accuracy and improving the symbol reading operability.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a technique for improving the accuracy of symbol reading and improving the operability of symbol reading.

In order to solve the above problems, a symbol reading device according to claim 1 is provided:
Imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting a captured image;
Display means for displaying a captured image output from the imaging means;
In the captured image displayed on the display means, an instruction input means for specifying a reading range including a symbol to be read;
A focus moving means for moving the focus position of the imaging means to a reading range instructed by the instruction input means;
The imaging unit is caused to image the subject at the focal position moved by the focal point movement unit, and symbol data is analyzed by analyzing a symbol included in the reading range instructed by the instruction input unit from the captured image. Control means for acquiring and displaying the acquired symbol data on the display means;
Is provided.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the symbol reading apparatus according to the first aspect,
The symbol is
One-dimensional barcode or two-dimensional code.

The invention according to claim 3 is the symbol reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The instruction input means includes
It is the touch panel comprised integrally with the said display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the symbol reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The instruction input means includes
The reading range is indicated by surrounding a predetermined range including the symbol to be read.

The invention according to claim 5 is the symbol reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control means includes
The symbol data and a symbol corresponding to the symbol data are associated with each other and displayed on the display means.

The program of the invention described in claim 6 is:
Computer
Imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting a captured image;
Display means for displaying a captured image output from the imaging means;
An instruction input means for instructing a reading range including a symbol to be read in the captured image displayed on the display means;
A focus moving means for moving the focus position of the imaging means to the reading range instructed by the instruction input means;
The imaging unit is caused to image the subject at the focal position moved by the focal point moving unit, and symbol data is analyzed by analyzing a symbol included in the reading range instructed by the instruction input unit from the captured image. Control means for acquiring and displaying the acquired symbol data on the display means;
To function as.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a technique for improving the accuracy of symbol reading and improving the operability of symbol reading.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the symbol reader of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a symbol reader. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol scan process. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol scan process. It is a figure which shows that the input which instruct | indicates a reading range was performed by the operator. (A) is a figure which shows the display screen of the touchscreen in which the touchscreen input was made. (B) is a figure which shows the decoding range specified based on the touch panel input. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating that when there are three symbols to be read, the operator inputs three reading ranges.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic diagram of the symbol reading apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The symbol reader 1 is an apparatus that captures an image of a subject (for example, a product shelf, a loaded cardboard box, a barcode book, or the like), decodes (analyzes) a symbol included in the captured image, and acquires symbol data. is there. As shown in FIG. 1, the symbol reading device 1 includes a camera unit 14, an input unit 15, and a display unit 16. Each part of the symbol reader 1 will be described later. The symbol S is a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional code. In the present embodiment, the symbol S is described as a two-dimensional code. The symbol data indicates data obtained by analyzing (decoding) the symbol S. Specifically, the symbol data includes read data (for example, character string data, numeric string data, the number of digits, data indicating the type of the symbol S) indicating the content of the symbol S, and a captured image displayed on the display unit 16. Coordinate data indicating the position of the symbol S in the inside, an identification number for identifying the symbol S, and the like.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of cardboards are imaged as subjects, and symbols S are printed or pasted on the cardboards.

  Next, the internal configuration of the symbol reading apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The symbol reader 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control means, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a camera section 14 as an imaging means, an input section 15, The display unit 16 as a display means and a power supply unit 17 are provided.

  The CPU 11 centrally controls each unit of the symbol reading device 1. Specifically, the CPU 11 expands a program designated from the system program and various application programs stored in the ROM 13 to the RAM 12 and executes various processes in cooperation with the program expanded in the RAM 12. .

  Specifically, the CPU 11 moves the focus position to the instructed reading range based on the input of the reading range including the symbol S to be read via the touch panel 16A in cooperation with a symbol scan program described later. A command for movement is output to the camera control unit 14C. Then, after the focal position is moved by an instruction from the camera control unit 14C (after the position of the lens 14B is moved), the CPU 11 outputs a command to image the subject at the moved focal position to the camera control unit 14C. . Then, according to an instruction from the camera control unit 14C, the subject is imaged by the sensor 14A, and a captured image is generated. Then, the CPU 11 analyzes the symbol S included in the reading range from the captured image, acquires symbol data, and causes the display unit 16 to display the acquired symbol data.

  The RAM 12 is a volatile memory that temporarily stores information, and has a plurality of work areas that store various programs to be executed and data related to these various programs. Specifically, the RAM 12 stores a captured image (image data) captured by the camera unit 14.

  The ROM 13 is a non-volatile memory that stores information, and stores various programs and various data. Specifically, the ROM 13 stores a symbol scan program to be described later.

  The camera unit 14 includes a sensor 14A, a lens 14B, and a camera control unit 14C as a focus moving unit. The sensor 14A is an image sensor, and includes, for example, an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and converts an image of a subject input through the lens 14B into an electrical signal. Thus, a captured image is generated. The lens 14B forms an image of the subject on the image sensor of the sensor 14A. The camera control unit 14 </ b> C controls each unit of the camera unit 14 based on instructions from the CPU 11. Specifically, the camera control unit 14C has a function of switching the start or end of imaging, a function of focusing (focusing) on a range (focus area) designated (designated) by the operator, and the like.

  The input unit 15 includes various keys such as a trigger key, numeric / character input keys, and various function keys, receives various information input from the operator from the various keys, and outputs the information to the CPU 11.

  The display unit 16 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (ElectroLuminescent Display), and the like, and performs screen display according to a display signal from the CPU 11. The display unit 16 is configured integrally with a touch panel 16A as instruction input means. The touch panel 16 </ b> A detects the contact position of the operator's finger that contacts the display screen of the display unit 16. That is, the touch panel 16A is provided, for example, on the display screen of the display unit 16 or on the inner side of the display screen, and is touched on the display screen by a method such as a resistance film method, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, or a capacitance method. The XY coordinates of the position are detected. The power supply unit 17 supplies driving power to each unit of the symbol reading device 1.

Next, the operation of the symbol reading apparatus 1 will be described.
With reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the symbol scanning process executed by the symbol reading apparatus 1 will be described. The symbol scanning process is a process of capturing a subject by moving the focal position to a reading range instructed by an operator, and analyzing symbol included in the reading range from the captured image to acquire symbol data. .

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the symbol reading device 1 captures a plurality of cardboards as subjects.

In the symbol reader 1, for example, a symbol scan program read from the ROM 13 and appropriately expanded in the RAM 12 triggered by the input of an instruction to execute symbol scan processing via the input unit 15 by the operator, and the CPU 11. Symbol scan processing is executed in cooperation with

  First, as an initial value of the focus area for autofocus, an area near the center of the image is set as the focus area (step S1). At this time, the initial value of the focus area is set in advance as a default value.

  Then, the decoding range indicating the range for decoding the symbol S is set to “none” (step S2). Then, the focus position is adjusted to the set focus area (step S3). Specifically, a command for moving the focal position of the camera unit 14 to the set focus area is output from the CPU 11 to the camera control unit 14C. Then, the focal position is moved to the focus area set by the camera control unit 14C (the position of the lens 14B is moved), and the focal position is adjusted to the focus area. Then, a command (imaging command) for imaging the subject at the moved focal position is output from the CPU 11 to the camera control unit 14C. Then, the subject is imaged by the sensor 14A in accordance with an instruction from the camera control unit 14C (step S4).

  After step S4 is executed, the captured image (image data) is saved (stored) in the RAM 12 (step S5). Specifically, based on an instruction from the CPU 11, image data is output (transferred) to the RAM 12 by the camera control unit 14 </ b> C, and the transferred image data is stored in the RAM 12. The image data is, for example, a collection of pixel data (for example, grayscale bitmap data having horizontal 1600 pixels and vertical 1200 pixels) having luminance values of 0 to 255.

Then, the image data is resized to an appropriate size, and the resized image data is transferred to the display unit 16. Then, the transferred image data is displayed on the display unit 16 (step S6). The process of step S6 is continuously repeated, and the image data is displayed (preview display) in real time on the display unit 16 like a moving image.

And it will be in a touch panel input waiting state (step S7). Specifically, the state waits for a selection input of the symbol S by the operator via the touch panel 16A. Then, it is determined whether or not the operator has pressed an end button (a button for ending the symbol scan process) via the input unit 15 (step S8). If it is determined in step S8 that the end button has been pressed (step S8; YES), the symbol scanning process is ended. If it is determined in step S8 that the end button has not been pressed (step S8; NO), it is determined whether or not there is a decoding range (step S9). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the decoding range has been designated (specified) by an instruction input of the symbol S via the touch panel 16A by the operator.

If it is determined in step S9 that there is a decoding range (step S9; present), the process proceeds to step S12 described later. If it is determined in step S9 that there is no decoding range (step S9; none), it is determined whether there is a touch panel input (step S10). For example, assume that the captured image is displayed on the display unit 16 after the subject is imaged. At this time, it is assumed that the symbol S (read target symbol S) that the operator wants to read exists in the displayed captured image. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, an input (touch panel input) for instructing the reading range including the symbol S to be read is accepted by the operator via the touch panel 16A. Specifically, a touch panel input is accepted by the operator surrounding a predetermined range including the symbol S to be read via the touch panel 16A. When a touch panel input is received via the touch panel 16A, a signal indicating that the touch panel input is received is output from the touch panel 16A to the CPU 11. Therefore, in this step, it is determined whether or not there is a touch panel input based on whether or not the CPU 11 has detected a signal indicating that the touch panel input has been accepted.

If it is determined in step S10 that there is no touch panel input (step S10; no input), the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined in step S10 that touch panel input is present (step S10; input is present), the range of the selected portion (portion input portion) by the touch panel is specified as the decode range (step S11). Here, the operation for specifying the decoding range will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the touch panel 16A on which touch panel input is performed. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a decoding range specified based on touch panel input. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when a touch panel input is performed by the operator, the touch panel input is performed based on the upper left and lower right coordinates of the touch panel input portion (the circle portion in FIG. 6A). The range of the selected part (the square part in FIG. 6A) is specified. And the range of the selection part by this touch panel is specified as a decoding range. For example, in the example of FIG. 6B, (50, 600) to (500, 900) are specified as the decoding range.

After execution of step S11, the image in the decoding range is decoded (step S12).
The decoding (analysis) of the image is performed by scanning the decoding range, extracting the symbol S, and analyzing the extracted symbol S. The extraction / analysis of the symbol S is performed by correcting the symbol S, which is captured obliquely and distorted, using a known technique (for example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-148786).

  After execution of step S12, it is determined whether or not the decoding is successful (step S13). Specifically, whether or not the decoding is successful is determined based on whether or not the symbol data of the symbol S has been acquired. If it is determined in step S13 that the decoding has failed (step S13; failure), the focus area is set to the decoding range (step S15). Specifically, the decoding range specified in step S11 is set as the focus area. After execution of step S15, the process proceeds to step S3.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the decoding is successful (step S13; success), the decoding result is output (step S14). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the symbol data of the symbol S (read data acquired by analyzing the symbol S) instructed by the operator and the symbol S (analyzed symbol S) corresponding to the symbol data are included. Corresponding information is displayed on the display unit 16. After execution of step S14, the process proceeds to step S3.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the subject is imaged by moving the focal position of the camera unit 14 to the reading range (decoding range), and the symbol S included in the reading range is extracted from the captured image of the imaged subject. Analyze to get symbol data. For this reason, since an image is captured in a state where the reading range is in focus, the accuracy of reading the symbol S (accuracy in analyzing the symbol S and acquiring symbol data) can be improved. In addition, since the accuracy of reading the symbol S can be improved, the symbol S can be read even when the symbol S is imaged obliquely. For this reason, it is not necessary for the operator to take an image directly from the front of the symbol S, so that the operability of reading the symbol S can be improved.

  In addition, when the subject includes a plurality of symbols S, the plurality of symbols S can be read simultaneously (analyzing the symbols S to obtain symbol data), and therefore the operator needs to image each symbol S. Absent. For this reason, since it is possible to acquire symbol data for a plurality of symbols S without changing the imaging position of the symbol S, the operability for the operator can be improved.

  Further, since the reading range including the symbol S (symbol S to be read) that the operator wants to read is specified by the touch panel input and the specified reading range is decoded, the reading of the symbol S that the operator wants to read is accurate. And it can be performed at high speed.

  In addition, since a one-dimensional barcode or two-dimensional code is targeted as a symbol, various kinds of symbols S can be analyzed.

  Further, the operator can instruct the reading range by operating the touch panel 16 </ b> A configured integrally with the display unit 16.

  Further, the operator can instruct the reading range by surrounding a predetermined range including the symbol S via the touch panel 16A.

  Further, the symbol data of the symbol S instructed by the operator (for example, read data acquired by analyzing the symbol S) and the symbol S corresponding to the symbol data (analyzed symbol S) are displayed in association with each other. Since it is displayed on the unit 16, the operator can grasp the symbol data of the designated symbol S in association with the symbol S corresponding to the symbol data.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of the symbol reading apparatus and the program according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the operator may select a plurality of symbols S to be read. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when there are three symbols to be read, three symbols S may be designated via the touch panel 16A.

  Further, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the symbol reading apparatus 1 in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Symbol Reader 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 ROM
14 Camera unit 14A Sensor 14B Lens 14C Camera control unit 15 Input unit 16 Camera unit 16 Display unit 16A Touch panel 17 Power supply unit S Symbol

Claims (6)

Imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting a captured image;
Display means for displaying a captured image output from the imaging means;
In the captured image displayed on the display means, an instruction input means for specifying a reading range including a symbol to be read;
A focus moving means for moving the focus position of the imaging means to a reading range instructed by the instruction input means;
The imaging unit is caused to image the subject at the focal position moved by the focal point movement unit, and symbol data is analyzed by analyzing a symbol included in the reading range instructed by the instruction input unit from the captured image. Control means for acquiring and displaying the acquired symbol data on the display means;
A symbol reader. The symbol is
The symbol reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the symbol reading apparatus is a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional code. The instruction input means includes
The symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol reading device is a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit. The instruction input means includes
The symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading range is indicated by surrounding a predetermined range including the symbol to be read. The control means includes
5. The symbol reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the symbol data and a symbol corresponding to the symbol data are displayed on the display unit in association with each other. 6. Computer
An imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting a captured image;
Display means for displaying a captured image output from the imaging means;
An instruction input means for instructing a reading range including a symbol to be read in the captured image displayed on the display means;
A focus moving means for moving the focus position of the imaging means to a reading range instructed by the instruction input means;
The imaging unit is caused to image the subject at the focal position moved by the focal point movement unit, and symbol data is analyzed by analyzing a symbol included in the reading range instructed by the instruction input unit from the captured image. Control means for acquiring and displaying the acquired symbol data on the display means;
Program to function as.

Images