JP2013164819A - Article identification information input device and article identification information input program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar code input device and program that reduces bar code reading mistakes and enables bar code reading in a natural posture for a user.SOLUTION: A bar code input device reads user information from a medium in which information for identifying a user is stored, sets a bar code readable area corresponding to the user information, makes a fixed bar code scanner read a bar code in the bar code readable area, obtains the position of the bar code from a captured image, and inputs the read bar code information to a POS terminal while updating the bar code readable area.

Description

  The present invention relates to an article identification information reading apparatus (barcode scanner or the like) for reading a barcode or the like indicating article identification information attached to an article, particularly an article identification having a fixed scanner fixed to a lane stand or the like on which the article is placed. The present invention relates to an article identification information input program that can be executed by an information input apparatus and an article identification information reading apparatus.

  Conventionally, in the field of merchandise sales, including supermarkets and convenience stores, bar codes attached to POS (Point Of Sale) are scanned with a bar code scanner to obtain scan codes. Then, the POS terminal searches the product information file with the acquired scan code, and acquires product information such as a product name and a sales price.

  Such barcode scanners are classified into a handy type that can be held by a user and brought close to the product, and a fixed type that is fixed to a lane stand for placing the product on checkout.

  A fixed barcode scanner, for example, obtains the distance of an article within a predetermined range using a distance measuring laser, irradiates the barcode with a laser beam fixed at a focal point corresponding to the distance, and receives the reflected light. Then, the content of the barcode is decoded by converting it into an electric signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, for example, in the case of a barcode reader that automatically reads a barcode attached to a container or the like by relatively moving a container or the like attached with a barcode and a barcode reader that reads the barcode. The barcode is read at a plurality of positions within the adjustment position range, and the subsequent reading is performed in accordance with any position where the reading is successful (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Also disclosed is a reader that optically reads a two-dimensional code, analyzes the reading state, and associates it with the personal identification information of the worker, thereby grasping the proficiency level of each worker for reading. (For example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-40584 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302017 JP-A-2005-284801

  However, in the case of the fixed barcode scanner as described above, the user can read the product identification information while moving the product with one hand or both hands, but the operability is good, but the fixed barcode scanner can be read. There is a problem that it is difficult to specify a readable area because the area is invisible.

  In addition, since the readable area of the fixed barcode scanner is fixed to a specific area, there is a problem that the user needs to hold the product according to the readable area of the fixed barcode scanner. .

  In particular, in the case of a self-checkout that is operated by a customer such as a supermarket, it is difficult to specify the readable area of the fixed barcode scanner, that is, when reading is successful by repeated trial and error, read before that. Since it is unclear whether the cause of the error is the direction or position of the product, there is a problem that the reading experience of the fixed barcode scanner is difficult to accumulate and the mistake is repeated.

  Further, since the user needs to hold the product in accordance with the readable area of the fixed barcode scanner, there is a problem that the user may be forced to take an unreasonable posture depending on the height of the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described actual situation, reduces an error in reading a barcode, and enables an article identification information input apparatus and article identification information reading apparatus capable of reading a barcode in a natural posture for a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article identification information input program that can be executed on the Internet.

The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, the article identification information input device of the present invention is for identifying a user in an article identification information input device having a fixed reader that reads article identification information attached to an article. User information reading means for reading the user information from a user medium in which the user information is stored, and readable area information indicating a readable area in which the fixed reader can read the article identification information Readable area storage means for storing the user information in association with the user information, and the user information with reference to the readable area storage means based on the user information read by the user information reading means The readable area search means for searching for the readable area information corresponding to the readable area information, and the readable area information searched by the readable area search means as the readable area A readable area setting means for setting the article identification information, an article identification information reading means for causing the fixed reader to read the article identification information in the readable area set by the readable area setting means, and the article identification information reading means. And an article identification information input means for inputting the read article identification information to the host device.

  In addition, the article identification information input device according to the present invention may be configured such that when the fixed reader reads the article identification information, the article is based on an imaging unit that images the article and an article image captured by the imaging unit. Position information calculating means for calculating the position information of the article identification information when the image is captured, and the readable area information read by the readable area reading means based on the position information calculated by the position information calculating means It is desirable to further include a readable area updating means for updating the data.

  In the article identification information input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the readable area information updated by the readable area update unit is stored in the readable area storage unit in association with the user information.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the article identification information input program of the present invention is applied to a computer that can be used as an article identification information input device having a fixed reader that reads article identification information attached to an article. An article identification information input program to be executed, which is read by a user information reading procedure for reading the user information from a user medium storing user information for identifying a user, and the user information reading procedure Based on the user information, readable area storage means for storing readable area information indicating a readable area in which the fixed reader can read the article identification information in association with the user information. The readable area search procedure for searching the readable area information corresponding to the user information and the readable area search procedure A readable area setting procedure for setting the readable area information as the readable area, and article identification information for causing the fixed reader to read the article identification information in the readable area set by the readable area setting procedure. It comprises a reading procedure and an article identification information input procedure for inputting article identification information read by the article identification information reading procedure to a higher-level device.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that reading errors can be reduced by optimizing the readable area of the fixed scanner for each user.
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the registration time in a host device such as POS by reducing reading errors.

  Moreover, according to this invention, there exists an effect that a user's physical burden can be reduced by enabling operation with a natural attitude | position.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the system containing the merchandise identification information input device with which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the article | item identification information input process to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of a readable area | region information management table. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fixed barcode scanner to which the present invention is applied. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating reading of a barcode, and acquisition of the positional information. It is a figure which shows the readable area | region information management table after an update. It is a figure which shows the readable area | region after a change.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
An article identification information input device to which the present invention is applied is an article identification information reading apparatus such as a fixed barcode scanner fixed to a lane stand or the like on which an article is placed, such as a barcode attached to the article. This is an article identification information input device for reading and inputting the article identification information to the host device.

An embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described by exemplifying a product identification information input device which is one of article identification information input devices.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a system including a product identification information input device to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a fixed barcode scanner 11 included in a product identification information input device is fixedly installed on a lane stand 41 on which products are placed at a convenience store, a supermarket, or a home appliance mass retailer, and is purchased by a customer. The barcode attached to the product is scanned to read the product identification information. Then, the fixed barcode scanner 11 transmits the product identification information of the read barcode to the POS terminal 31 that performs the checkout process. The fixed barcode scanner 11 is equipped with a keyboard 12 including numeric keys for inputting the number of products when a customer purchases a plurality of the same products.

  In addition, a small camera (not shown) such as a digital video camera or a digital still camera is provided in the vicinity of the fixed barcode scanner 11, and when the fixed barcode scanner 11 scans the barcode, the barcode is displayed. The attached product is imaged.

  A computer functioning as such a product identification information input device executes a product identification information input process to be described later.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of article identification information input processing to which the present invention is applied.
In step S201, at least user information such as an ID for identifying the user is read from a user medium storing user information for identifying the user, such as a customer card. Here, the user is a person who operates the product identification information input device, and is a customer or a store clerk.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not the user has been identified based on the user information read in step S201. For example, referring to the readable area information management table as shown in FIG. 3, the readable area information corresponding to the user information is searched. If the readable area information corresponding to the user information can be searched, it is determined that the user can be specified.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a readable area information management table.
As shown in FIG. 3, the readable area information management table has “membership number” that can identify the customer used for the customer card as user information, and the fixed barcode scanner 11 can read the barcode. As the readable area information indicating a readable area, the direction (X (horizontal) direction, Y (vertical) direction, and Z (front / rear or depth) direction) and distance (units) are moved from the center of the readable area in the initial state. “Cm”) and the “total number of scans” indicating the number of times the user has scanned so far are associated with each other and stored in the memory of the fixed barcode scanner 11 or the POS terminal 31.

Returning to the description of FIG.
If the user could not be specified in step S202 (step S202: NO), that is, if the readable area information corresponding to the user information could not be searched, in step S203, the readable area information Is set to a predetermined initial value.

  On the other hand, when the user can be specified (step S202: YES), that is, when the readable area information corresponding to the user information can be searched, in step S204, the searched readable area information is displayed. Set as a readable area.

  In step S205, a readable area in which the fixed barcode scanner 11 can read the barcode is set or changed. For example, by changing the installation angle of the scanning pattern forming mirror provided in the fixed barcode scanner 11, the radiation direction of the scanning beam is changed, and the readable area is changed.

Here, the internal configuration of the fixed barcode scanner 11 will be described.
4A and 4B are configuration diagrams of a fixed barcode scanner to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4A is a perspective perspective view, and FIG. 4B is an internal side view.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thin fixed barcode scanner 11 includes an optical unit 2, a data processing unit 3, and a reading control unit 4.
The optical unit 2 has a beam operation function and a light receiving conversion function. The beam operation function emits outgoing light from an emission unit 22 constituted by a light source 20a constituted by, for example, a laser diode and a lens 21 for beam shaping. The emitted light is reflected by the mirrors 23a and 23b, and a scanning beam is emitted by the rotating polygon mirror 24a. Then, the scanning beams in different angular directions reflected by the scanning pattern forming mirrors 25 a to 25 f scan the barcode 50 a of the product 5 in the upper space from the reading window 26. By changing the installation angle of the scanning pattern forming mirrors 25a to 25f using a motor or the like, the radiation direction of the scanning beam is changed, and the readable area is changed. The fixed barcode scanner 11 shown in FIG. 4 has a structure for scanning above the reading window 26, but the fixed barcode scanner 11 shown in FIG. 1 has a structure for scanning in the horizontal direction.

  The light receiving conversion function reads reflected light obtained by scanning the barcode 50a of the product 5 by the light receiving sensor 28a through the reading window 26, the scanning pattern forming mirrors 25a to 25f, the polygon mirror 24a, and the condensing lens 27 and converts it into an electric signal. Convert.

  The barcode 50a is composed of, for example, a combination of a thick line and a thin line and a gap between the lines, and characters, numbers, symbols, or the like are displayed by a predetermined number of permutations, and printed on the packaging or container of the product 5 , Printed on a label or the like and attached to the product 5.

  The polygon mirror 24a has, for example, six reflecting surfaces and is rotated by the motor M1 and is scanned six times in one rotation. Each surface is provided at different angles with respect to the vertical direction, and light is emitted in different directions. And a scanning beam is emitted. The motor M1 and the light source 20a are connected to the reading control unit 4, and the light receiving sensor 28a is connected to the reading control unit 4 via the data processing unit 3.

  The reading control unit 4 is connected to the POS terminal 31. The optical unit 2, the data processing unit 3, and the reading control unit 4 are accommodated in a housing 10. The scanning pattern forming mirrors 25a to 25f each reflect the scanning beam formed by being reflected by the rotating polygon mirror 24a to form a plurality of scanning patterns. This is because the scanning beam is scanned from many directions so that the product 5 can be read regardless of the angle of the barcode 50a when passing through the predetermined space above the reading window 26. .

  The data processor 3 binarizes the electric signal received and converted by the light receiving sensor 28a through a sensor amplifier, an analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit, and a binarization circuit (not shown). Is recognized as a bar code signal according to each ratio.

  Accordingly, in the fixed bar code scanner 11, the scanning beam is emitted from the reading window 26 in a predetermined direction by the control of each unit by the reading control unit 4, and the user moves the space area above the reading window 26 in the predetermined direction. The barcode 50a of the product 5 is scanned, the barcode 50a is read by the reflected light, and the data is recognized.

Returning to the description of FIG.
After setting or changing in step S204 or S205, in step S206, the fixed barcode scanner 11 reads the barcode in the set or changed readable area as described with reference to FIG. The read barcode information is input to a host device such as the POS terminal 31. Then, along with reading the barcode, for example, when the user scans the barcode 50a attached to the product 5 with the fixed barcode scanner 11, the product 5 is imaged with a small camera, and the barcode attached to the product 5 is scanned. The position information of the code 50a is acquired and stored in the memory.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining reading of a barcode and acquisition of position information thereof.
The product 5 is imaged when, for example, the barcode 50a is read in the readable area 30 by the fixed barcode scanner 11 from the moving image of the product 5 by the camera 51 such as a digital video camera that has been imaged for a predetermined period. Capture multiple still images before and after. Then, the position information of the barcode 50a is acquired by using an image analysis technique or the like for one still image when the barcode 50a is scanned from among a plurality of captured still images. Calculate location information.

Returning to the description of FIG.
After the barcode 50a is read and the product 5 is imaged in step S206, the readable area information set or changed in step S205 is updated and used in step S207 based on the position information acquired in step S206. The readable area information management table is updated in association with the person information. Thereby, the barcode 50a position information when the barcode 50a is read for each user can be accumulated, and the readable area 30 of the fixed barcode scanner 11 can be constantly updated (learned).

For example, the readable area information management table is updated with the average value of the position information of the barcode 50a when the user scans and the stored readable area information. An average value (X _Ave , Y _Ave , Z _Ave ) is calculated using the following formula.
X _Ave = (X × total number of scans + X _Scn ) / (total number of scans + 1)
Y _Ave = (Y × total number of scans + Y _Scn ) / (total number of scans + 1)
Z _Ave = (Z × total number of scans + Z _Scn ) / (total number of scans + 1)

Here, (X _Scn , Y _Scn , Z _Scn ) is position information of the barcode 50a when the user scans.

For example, if the position of the barcode 50a when the user of “membership number: 100” shown in FIG. 3 scans is (2, 2, 1), the average value is calculated as follows. The
X _Ave = (− 2 × 10 + 2) / (10 + 1) = − 1.64
Y _Ave = (5 × 10 + 2) / (10 + 1) = 4.73
Z _Ave = (0 × 10 + 1) / (10 + 1) = 0.09

  The readable area information management table is updated with this calculation result. Note that “1” is added to the total number of scans.

FIG. 6 shows the readable area information management table after the update.
“Readable area information” and “total number of scans” of the user of “membership number: 100” are updated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the readable area after the change.
When the readable area 30 is changed as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the barcode 50 a attached to the product 5 can be read even if the user does not take an unreasonable posture. Since it comes closer to the center of 30, reading mistakes are reduced, and the registration time to the host device such as the POS terminal 31 can be shortened. In addition, since the user can operate with a natural posture, the physical burden on the user can be reduced.

  Note that the change in the readable region 30 is performed, for example, by driving the drive gear 29b of the drive motor 29a with the angle of the scanning pattern forming mirrors 25a to 25f, and the tilt gear 29c moving in the plus or minus direction. This is done by changing the scanning direction.

Returning to the description of FIG.
After the readable area information is updated in step S207, it is determined in step S208 whether to continue reading the barcode 50a. If the reading of the barcode 50a of all the products 5 is completed, the continuation is not performed.

  When continuing (step S208: YES), it returns to step S205, and when not continuing (step S208: NO), an article identification information input process is complete | finished.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are hardware or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) board as a function of a product identification information input device. It can be realized by firmware or software on the CPU board.

  In addition, the product identification information input device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as the function is executed, and includes a plurality of devices even if it is a single device. Needless to say, the system or the integrated device may be a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN or a WAN.

  It can also be realized by a system including a CPU, a ROM or RAM memory connected to a bus, an input device, an output device, an external recording device, a medium driving device, and a network connection device. That is, a ROM or RAM memory, an external recording device, or a portable recording medium that records a software program for realizing the system of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the product identification information input device, and the product identification information input device Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer reading and executing the program.

  In this case, the program itself read from the portable recording medium or the like realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the portable recording medium or the like on which the program is recorded constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of portable recording media for supplying the program include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-RAMs, magnetic tapes, and nonvolatile memory cards. Various recording media recorded via a network connection device (in other words, a communication line) such as a ROM card, electronic mail or personal computer communication can be used.

  The computer (information processing apparatus) executes the program read out on the memory, thereby realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment, and an OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program. Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, a program read from a portable recording medium or a program (data) provided by a program (data) provider is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After being written, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing. obtain.

  That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can take various configurations or shapes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Optical unit 3 Data processing part 4 Reading control part 5 Goods 10 Housing 11 Fixed barcode scanner 12 Keyboard 20a Light source 21 Lens 22 Emitting part 23a, 23b Mirror 24a Polygon mirror 25a-25f Scanning pattern formation mirror 26 Reading window 27 Condensing Lens 28a Light receiving sensor 29a Drive motor (ultra-small stepping motor, etc.)
29b Drive gear 29c Inclination gear 30 Readable area 31 POS terminal 41 Lane base 50a Bar code 51 Camera M1 motor

Claims (4)

In an article identification information input device having a fixed reader for reading article identification information attached to an article,
User information reading means for reading the user information from a user medium in which user information for identifying the user is stored;
Readable area storage means for storing readable area information indicating a readable area in which the fixed reader can read the article identification information in association with the user information;
Based on the user information read by the user information reading means, readable area search means for searching for readable area information corresponding to the user information with reference to the readable area storage means;
Readable area setting means for setting the readable area information searched by the readable area search means as the readable area;
Article identification information reading means for causing the fixed reader to read the article identification information in the readable area set by the readable area setting means;
Article identification information input means for inputting article identification information read by the article identification information reading means to a host device;
An article identification information input device comprising: An imaging means for imaging the article when the fixed reader reads the article identification information;
Position information calculating means for calculating position information of the article identification information when the article is imaged based on the article image imaged by the imaging means;
Readable area updating means for updating the readable area information read by the readable area reading means based on the position information calculated by the position information calculating means;
The article identification information input device according to claim 1, further comprising: The readable area information updated by the readable area update unit is stored in the readable area storage unit in association with the user information.
The article identification information input device according to claim 2. An article identification information input program to be executed by a computer that can be used as an article identification information input device having a fixed reader for reading article identification information attached to an article,
A user information reading procedure for reading the user information from a user medium in which user information for identifying the user is stored;
Based on the user information read by the user information reading procedure, the readable area information indicating the readable area in which the fixed reader can read the article identification information is associated with the user information. A readable area storing means for searching for readable area information corresponding to the user information with reference to the readable area storing means for storing
A readable area setting procedure for setting the readable area information searched by the readable area search procedure as the readable area;
An article identification information reading procedure for causing the fixed reader to read the article identification information in the readable area set by the readable area setting procedure;
An article identification information input procedure for inputting the article identification information read by the article identification information reading procedure to a host device;
An article identification information input program comprising: