JP2023016535A - Symbol reader, method for reading symbol, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a symbol reader, a method for reading a symbol, and a program that can improve the operability by an efficient imaging by an imaging unit.SOLUTION: The symbol reader of an embodiment includes: an imaging unit; an illumination unit for illuminating an imaging region of the imaging unit by lighting up at predetermined intervals; a reading unit for conducting reading processing of reading information shown by a symbol in a frame image taken by the imaging unit; and an imaging control unit for controlling the imaging operation of the imaging unit on the basis of the reading processing completion timing for the reading unit and the lighting timing for the illumination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a symbol reading device, a symbol reading method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a symbol reader used for, for example, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. This symbol reading device reads product information about the product from a symbol such as a bar code or two-dimensional code attached to the product sold by the store, and outputs the read product information to the POS terminal. The POS terminal executes accounting processing for the customer to make payment based on the input product information.

In the symbol reading device, the imaging section takes an image at a predetermined cycle, performs reading processing on the taken image, and reads product information indicated by the symbol. The product information is, for example, a product code for identifying the product. Specifically, symbols are extracted from one image captured by the imaging unit, and the extracted symbols are decoded to read product information indicated by the symbols included in the one image.

As a symbol reading device of this type, there is known one in which an imaging section is operated at a predetermined cycle and an imaging area is illuminated by an illumination section at the imaging timing of the imaging section. As an example, there has been proposed a technique in which an illumination unit is turned on at a cycle shorter than the image capturing cycle of the image capturing unit, and the lighting timing of the illumination unit is controlled to synchronize with the image capturing timing of the image capturing unit (for example, Patent Document 1). The reason for shortening the lighting period of the lighting unit is to set the period to such an extent that human beings do not perceive the periodic lighting of the lighting unit. This prevents the user of the symbol reader from feeling uncomfortable flickering.

However, in the conventional technology described above, the imaging timing of the imaging unit is determined independently of the completion of the reading process, so the imaging by the imaging unit is not efficiently performed. As a result, it cannot be said that the reading by the symbol reader is efficient, and there is room for improvement in terms of operability.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a symbol reading device, a symbol reading method, and a program capable of improving operability by efficiently performing imaging by an imaging unit.

A symbol reading device according to an embodiment includes an imaging unit, an illumination unit that lights up at predetermined intervals to illuminate an imaging area of the imaging unit, and a reading process of reading information indicated by a symbol included in a frame image captured by the imaging unit. and an image pickup control unit that controls an image pickup operation of the image pickup unit based on timing of completion of reading processing by the reading unit and timing of lighting of the illumination unit.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a POS system equipped with a symbol reader according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example comparing the operation of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment and the operation of the conventional example. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing another example comparing the operation of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment and the operation of the conventional example. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing of the control unit of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment.

A symbol reading device, a symbol reading method, and a program according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment described below. For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the symbol reading device is applied to a POS system installed in a retail store will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The symbol reader may be any device that reads information indicated by the symbol, and is widely applicable to other fields.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a POS system 1. FIG. The POS system 1 includes a symbol reader 10 and a POS terminal 20 that executes accounting processing based on information read by the symbol reader 10 . Although the POS system 1 of the present embodiment is operated by a store clerk (hereinafter also referred to as an operator), it may be a self-service POS system operated by the customer himself/herself.

The symbol reader 10 is erected at a place (approximately in the center) where the operator and the customer approximately face each other on the soccer table 2 on which a shopping basket or the like containing products is placed. A POS terminal 20 is provided near one end of the soccer table 2 . The symbol reader 10 and the POS terminal 20 are communicably connected by a transmission line (not shown). The symbol reader 10 and the POS terminal 20 constitute a POS system 1. FIG.

The POS terminal 20 executes sales data processing including registration processing of products purchased by customers and accounting processing based on data such as product codes read by the symbol reading device 10 . The registration process is a process of registering product information (product name, price, product code, etc.) of the product purchased by the customer, and is also called product registration. Accounting processing is processing for making payment for products purchased by customers based on product information registered as products.

The POS terminal 20 is installed on a drawer 30 that stores coins and banknotes so that they can be put in and taken out. The POS terminal 20 includes a display 21 , an input device 22 including a keyboard and keys, and a receipt printer 23 . The POS terminal 20 may be equipped with a card reader, a two-dimensional code reader, or the like so that cashless accounting processing such as credit settlement or two-dimensional code settlement can be executed.

The display 21 is composed of an operator display 211 and a customer display 212 . The operator display 211 displays various information such as product information of registered products and the total amount of transaction for the operator. The display for customer 212 displays the total transaction amount and the like to the customer.

The input device 22 includes a keyboard with various keys. The various keys include, for example, numeric keys for entering product codes and prices for products without symbols such as bar codes, subtotal keys for declaring the calculation of the total sales amount, and closing processing for one transaction. a closing key for declaring that the payment is to be made, a confirmation key for confirming input of numbers by the input keys, a clear key for clearing the input, and the like.

The receipt printer 23 is composed of, for example, a thermal printer, and issues a receipt on which information relating to one transaction is printed.

Next, the configuration of the symbol reading device 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the symbol reading device 10. As shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 2 shows the symbol reading device 10 viewed from the side where the imaging window 111 is provided (the operator's standing position side).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the symbol reading device 10 includes a body portion 11, an imaging portion 12, an illumination portion 13, a first display portion 14, a keyboard 15, a second display portion 16, and the like.

The body portion 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and stands on the soccer table 2 . The height of the main body 11 is set according to the general height of the operator.

An imaging window 111 is provided on the operator's standing position side of the main body 11 . An imaging unit 12 and an illumination unit 13 are installed inside the imaging window 111 . When the operator holds up a product to be purchased by the customer over the imaging window 111, the imaging unit 12 captures an image including the product. The symbol reading device 10 reads a product code indicated by a symbol such as a bar code included in a captured image.

The imaging unit 12 has an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary MOS) and an imaging lens. The imaging lens forms an image of the imaging region on the imaging element. The imaging area is an area that is imaged by the imaging unit 12 through the imaging window 111, and refers to an area that is imaged from the imaging window 111 through the imaging lens to the area of the imaging device.

The imaging unit 12 sequentially images an imaging area outside the main unit 11 through the imaging window 111 . For example, the imaging unit 12 optically captures an image including a bar code, two-dimensional code, or the like attached to the product. Barcodes, two-dimensional codes, and the like are examples of "symbols." Data such as a product code for identifying the product is encoded and held in the symbol attached to the product. When the product code is read by object recognition that recognizes the product based on the feature amount of the appearance of the product such as color and unevenness, the product image included in the captured image constitutes the "symbol". Hereinafter, bar codes, two-dimensional codes, and the like are also simply referred to as "symbols." In this embodiment, the symbol is assumed to be a barcode printed on a label attached to the product. It is also assumed that the information indicated by the barcode is a product code that identifies the product.

In addition, the imaging unit 12 optically images the symbol displayed on the display screen of, for example, a portable terminal owned by the customer. The symbol displayed on the customer's mobile terminal or the like holds an encoded membership code indicating that the customer is a member of the store, coupon information distributed from the store, and the like.

The lighting section 13 has a light source. The light source of the illumination unit 13 is arranged, for example, around the imaging lens of the imaging unit 12 . The illumination unit 13 irradiates the imaging area of the imaging unit 12 with light by periodically turning on the light source. The lighting unit 13 prevents the operator from feeling uncomfortable flickering by turning on the light source at short intervals of, for example, 1/120 second. The light source can be composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a cold cathode tube, a fluorescent lamp, or an incandescent lamp.

The first display unit 14 is a display device that displays information to the operator, and is provided above the imaging window 111 . The first display unit 14 is a display device with a touch panel configured by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The first display unit 14 displays, for example, product information acquired based on the product code read by the symbol reading device 10 . The symbol reader 10 acquires product information from the POS terminal 20 that stores a product master in which product codes and product information are associated with each other.

The keyboard 15 is provided adjacent to the first display section 14 . The keyboard 15 has various keys and the like for inputting product codes. The keyboard 15 is operated when registering a product with an unreadable symbol on the POS terminal 20 or when registering a product without a symbol on the POS terminal 20 . In addition, although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the first display unit 14 and the keyboard 15 are provided integrally, they may be provided separately.

The second display unit 16 is a display device that displays information to the customer, and is supported on the side of the main unit 11 . The second display unit 16 is a display device with a touch panel configured by a display device such as an LCD. The second display unit 16 displays, for example, product information based on the product code read by the symbol reader 10 from the symbol attached to the product. In addition, in the present embodiment, the second display portion 16 is held on the side portion of the main body portion 11 by a holding member (not shown), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the symbol reading device 10. As shown in FIG. The symbol reader 10 includes a control unit 100, a memory unit 110, an imaging unit 12, an illumination unit 13, a first display unit 14, a keyboard 15, a second display unit 16, and a communication unit 120. I have. Control unit 100, memory unit 110, imaging unit 12, lighting unit 13, first display unit 14, keyboard 15, second display unit 16, and communication unit 120 are connected to each other via bus 130 and the like.

The control unit 100 is configured by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 . CPU 101 , ROM 102 and RAM 103 are connected to each other via bus 130 .

A CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the symbol reading device 10 . The ROM 102 stores various programs such as programs used to drive the CPU 101 and various data. A RAM 103 is used as a work area for the CPU 101 and expands various programs and data stored in the ROM 102 and the memory unit 110 . The control unit 100 executes various control processes of the symbol reading device 10 by the CPU 101 operating according to the ROM 102 or the control program stored in the memory unit 110 and developed in the RAM 103 .

The memory unit 110 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, and maintains stored contents even when power is cut off. Memory unit 110 stores control program 112 .

The control program 112 is various control programs for reading symbols. The control program 112 includes a program for controlling the imaging unit 12, a program for controlling the illumination unit 13, a program for extracting a symbol from an image captured by the imaging unit 12, and a program for decoding the extracted symbol to obtain the symbol. It is a program for reading the information shown.

The configurations and functions of the imaging unit 12, the illumination unit 13, the first display unit 14, the keyboard 15, and the second display unit 16 are as described above.

The communication unit 120 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the POS terminal 20 . The control unit 100 can transmit and receive information (data) to and from the external device by being connected to the external device via the communication unit 120 .

Next, the functional configuration of the control section 100 of the symbol reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control section 100 of the symbol reading device 10. As shown in FIG. The control unit 100 operates according to the control programs stored in the ROM 102 and the memory unit 110 by the CPU 101, thereby controlling the image acquisition unit 1001, the reading unit 1002, the extraction unit 1003, the decoding processing unit 1004, the lighting control unit 1005, and the imaging control. It functions as a unit 1006 and an output unit 1007 . Note that each of these functions may be configured using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

The image acquisition unit 1001 acquires image data captured by the imaging unit 12 . The image acquisition unit 1001 sequentially acquires one image (hereinafter also referred to as “frame image”) captured by the imaging unit 12 . Specifically, the image acquiring unit 1001 acquires the frame images sequentially captured by the imaging unit 12 in the order in which they were captured. In the present embodiment, the image capturing unit 12 captures an image regardless of whether the product is held over the image capturing window 111 or not at the image capturing timing. Therefore, the frame images sequentially captured by the image acquisition unit 1001 include both images containing products and images not containing products.

The reading unit 1002 executes reading processing for reading information indicated by symbols included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12 . The reading process is a process of reading symbol information included in the frame image, and includes an extraction process and a decoding process. The reading unit 1002 is composed of an extraction unit 1003 that executes extraction processing and a decoding processing unit 1004 that executes decoding processing.

The extraction unit 1003 extracts symbols from the frame images captured by the imaging unit 12 . The extraction unit 1003 uses an image processing technique to extract, for example, the barcode included in the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001 .

A decoding processing unit 1004 decodes the symbols extracted by the extraction unit 1003 . The decoding processing unit 1004 extracts information encoded in the symbol by decoding the symbol. In this embodiment, the decoding processing unit 1004 extracts a product code for identifying the product from the barcode attached to the product, that is, the barcode included in the frame image.

The illumination control unit 1005 controls lighting operation of the illumination unit 13 . Specifically, the illumination control unit 1005 turns on the illumination unit 13 at predetermined intervals (for example, intervals of 1/120 second). The lighting control unit 1005 may control the operation of lighting the lighting unit 13 at a predetermined cycle so that it is always performed, or may be performed when it is detected that the operator holds a product in front of the imaging window 111 . good too.

The imaging control unit 1006 controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit 12 based on the completion timing of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 and the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13 . The image capturing control unit 1006 controls the image capturing unit 12 so as to capture an image in accordance with the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13 that lights up at a predetermined cycle. In other words, the imaging timing of the imaging unit 12 is synchronized with one of the lighting timings of the illumination unit 13 . The image acquisition unit 1001 can acquire a frame image that facilitates analysis of the symbol attached to the product by capturing the image by the image capturing unit 12 in accordance with the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13 .

More specifically, the imaging control unit 1006 causes the imaging unit 12 to start imaging when the symbol reading device 10 is activated or when a product is detected before the imaging window 111, and the illumination unit 13 performs the first imaging. match the lighting timing of the In the following description, the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13 may be simply referred to as "lighting timing".

Further, the imaging control unit 1006 controls subsequent imaging by the imaging unit 12 as follows. The image capturing control unit 1006 controls the image capturing unit 12 to capture the next frame image when the reading processing of the frame image captured by the image capturing unit 12 is completed by the reading unit 1002 . Specifically, the image capturing control unit 1006 controls the image capturing unit 12 to capture the next frame image at the lighting timing immediately after the reading processing of the reading unit 1002 is completed. It is most efficient for the imaging unit 12 to capture the next frame image at the lighting timing immediately after the reading process of the reading unit 1002 is completed, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, the image capturing unit 12 may capture an image at the second lighting timing after the reading processing of the reading unit 1002 is completed. The imaging control unit 1006 may set the imaging timing of the next frame image based on the timing of completion of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 and the lighting timing.

Here, operation timing of the symbol reader 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the symbol reading device 10 according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 5 , an imaging trigger A indicates the timing of an imaging trigger signal that the imaging control unit 1006 outputs to the imaging unit 12 . In other words, it can be said that the imaging trigger A indicates the imaging timing of the imaging unit 12 .

A lighting trigger B indicates the timing of a lighting trigger signal that the lighting control unit 1005 outputs to the lighting unit 13 . In other words, it can be said that the lighting trigger B indicates the lighting timing of the lighting unit 13 .

Image capture processing C indicates the timing of the start and completion of capture processing in which the image acquisition unit 1001 captures frame images from the imaging unit 12 . In other words, it can be said that the image capturing process C indicates the timing of image transfer from the imaging unit 12 .

A reading process D indicates the timing of the start and completion of the reading process executed by the reading unit 1002 . That is, read processing D indicates the timing of starting the extraction processing performed by the extraction unit 1003 and the timing of completion of the decoding processing performed by the decoding processing unit 1004 .

Note that the processing time for the reading process D varies depending on the frame image to be read. Specifically, the processing time of extraction processing by the extraction unit 1003 differs depending on the frame image. For example, in the case of a frame image in which a complicated pattern or pattern exists near the symbol attached to the product, the processing time for the extraction unit 1003 to extract the symbol is long, resulting in a long reading processing time. Also, in the case of a frame image that does not include a symbol, such as a frame image in which no product is held over the imaging window 111, the processing time of the extraction unit 1003 is shortened. In this case, no symbol is extracted by the extraction process and no decoding process is performed.

As described above, the image capturing control unit 1006 controls the image capturing unit 12 so as to capture an image in accordance with the lighting timing of the lighting unit 13 that lights up in a predetermined cycle. In FIG. 5, at timing a, the first frame image is captured by the imaging unit 12 . The image acquisition unit 1001 captures the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12, and ends the image capturing process at timing b.

The reading unit 1002 reads the information indicated by the symbol included in the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001, and ends the reading process at timing c. Specifically, at timing b, the extraction unit 1003 starts symbol extraction processing. Following the extraction processing by the extraction unit 1003, the decoding processing unit 1004 decodes the symbol extracted by the extraction unit 1003, and completes reading of the product code indicated by the symbol at timing c. This completes the reading process by the reading unit 1002 .

Under the control of the imaging control unit 1006, the imaging unit 12 performs imaging at the next lighting timing d after the reading processing by the reading unit 1002 is completed. By repeating this operation, the symbol reading device 10 sequentially reads the product code indicated by the symbol attached to each product successively held over the imaging window 111 .

Note that if the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001 does not include a symbol, the reading unit 1002 completes the reading process when it recognizes that the frame image does not include a symbol. Then, the imaging control unit 1006 causes the imaging unit 12 to perform imaging at the next lighting timing after the completion of the reading process.

Returning to the description of the functional configuration of FIG. When the reading unit 1002 reads the same information from a plurality of images within a predetermined time, the output unit 1007 outputs only the information read from any one of the plurality of images. In other words, the output unit 1007 determines whether or not the product code read by the reading unit 1002 should be output, and outputs the product code to the POS terminal 20 if the product code should be output. For example, the output unit 1007 determines that the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is the same as the previously read product code, and that the product code was read within a predetermined time (for example, 0.4 seconds) after the previous product code was read. If so, it is determined that the product code should not be output, and the read product code is not output.

As a result, even when the product is held up against the imaging window 111 and the product is imaged multiple times, the product code of the product is not output to the POS terminal 20 multiple times. Double registration can be prevented. If the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is different from the previously read product code, or even if the product code is the same as the previously read product code, the output unit 1007 detects that a predetermined time has passed since the previous reading. The product code obtained is output to the POS terminal 20 .

Next, the imaging operation of the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment and the conventional imaging operation will be compared. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example comparing the operation of the symbol reader 10 according to the present embodiment and the operation of the conventional example, and FIG. 7 is the operation of the symbol reader 10 according to the present embodiment and the operation of the conventional example. 10 is a timing chart showing another example in comparison with . 6 and 7, the lighting trigger B, the image capturing process C, and the reading process D are assumed to be the same operations in the conventional example as in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the imaging trigger X of the conventional example is output at a predetermined cycle regardless of the reading process D. As shown in FIGS. Specifically, the imaging unit of the conventional example performs imaging at a predetermined cycle, and is controlled so as to perform imaging in synchronism with every four lighting timings of the illumination unit.

The example shown in FIG. 6 is an example in which the time from the imaging of the frame image by the imaging unit 12 to the completion of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 is relatively short, and is shorter than the imaging cycle of the conventional example. For example, the image capturing unit 12 captures an image of a product that does not have a complicated pattern or pattern near the symbol, and the reading unit 1002 reads information indicated by the symbol included in the frame image captured by the image capturing unit 12 .

In the symbol reading device 10 of the present embodiment, the first imaging is performed at timing a, and the reading process for the captured frame image is completed at timing c. Then, the imaging unit 12 takes an image at the lighting timing d immediately after the timing c. In other words, the imaging control unit 1006 determines the timing of imaging the next frame image based on the completion timing of the reading process of the reading unit 1002 for the frame image.

On the other hand, in the conventional example, the imaging unit takes an image every four lighting timings. When the lighting unit 13 is turned on in such a short cycle that the user does not feel uncomfortable flickering, it may be difficult in terms of the performance of the imaging unit 12 to capture images at all lighting timings. Alternatively, if the imaging unit 12 is of high performance and capable of imaging in the above short cycle, the cost will increase. For this reason, as described above, in the conventional example, images are captured at an imaging cycle longer than the lighting cycle of the illumination unit 13 .

Referring to FIG. 6, the imaging timings of the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment and the conventional example will be compared. The symbol reading device 10 of the present embodiment performs the first imaging (1) at the timing of the first lighting of the illumination unit 13, the second imaging (2) at the timing of the third lighting, and the third imaging at the timing of the fifth lighting. is imaged (3). On the other hand, in the conventional example, the first imaging (1) is performed at the first lighting timing of the illumination unit, the second imaging (2) is performed at the fifth lighting timing, and the third imaging is performed at the ninth lighting timing. Imaging (3) is performed.

As described above, the symbol reading device 10 of the present embodiment can efficiently perform image pickup by determining the image pickup timing of the next frame image according to the completion timing of the reading processing of the reading unit 1002 . As a result, the symbol information can be read efficiently, and the operability of the symbol reading device 10 can be improved.

The example shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which the time from the imaging of the frame image by the imaging unit 12 to the completion of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 is relatively long and longer than the imaging cycle of the conventional example. For example, there is a case where the image pickup unit 12 picks up an image of a product in which a part of the complicated pattern or design exists near the symbol, and the reading unit 1002 reads information indicated by the symbol contained in the frame image picked up by the image pickup unit 12. .

In this case, the symbol reading device 10 of the present embodiment performs the first image pickup (1) at the first lighting timing of the illumination unit 13, and the second image pickup (2) at the sixth lighting timing. On the other hand, in the conventional example, the first imaging (1) is performed at the first lighting timing of the lighting unit, and the second imaging (2) is substantially performed at the ninth lighting timing. In the conventional example, the second imaging is actually performed at the timing of the fifth lighting. Frame images cannot be read. For this reason, the frame image to be subjected to the second reading process is captured at the ninth lighting timing, so the imaging at the ninth lighting timing is substantially the second imaging.

As described above, the symbol reading device 10 of the present embodiment can efficiently capture frame images that require a relatively long time for reading processing, and the operability of the symbol reading device 10 can be improved. .

Next, processing of the control section 100 of the symbol reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing of the control section 100 of the symbol reading device 10. As shown in FIG.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the image capturing control unit 1006 outputs the first image capturing trigger so that the image capturing unit 12 captures an image in accordance with one of the lighting timings of the illumination unit 13 (step S1). Note that the first imaging trigger may be output when it is detected that a product is held over the imaging window 111 .

The image acquisition unit 1001 acquires a frame image captured based on the imaging trigger output in step S1 (step S2). Subsequently, the extraction unit 1003 determines whether or not the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001 contains a symbol (step S3), and if so (Y in step S3), extracts the symbol. (Step S4).

Next, the decoding processing unit 1004 executes decoding processing (step S5). That is, the decoding processing unit 1004 extracts the information encoded in the symbol and reads the product code. This completes the reading process of the reading unit 1002 .

The output unit 1007 determines whether the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is the product code to be output (step S6). Specifically, if the product code read by the reading unit 1002 was read within a predetermined period of time from the previous reading and is the same as the previously read product code, the output unit 1007 selects the product code to be output. judge not. When the output unit 1007 determines that the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is to be output (Y in step S6), the output unit 1007 outputs the product code to the POS terminal 20 (step S7). The POS terminal 20 executes product registration based on the input product code.

Subsequently, the imaging control unit 1006 determines whether or not the lighting timing of the lighting unit 13 (output timing of the lighting trigger) has come (step S8). wait until When the lighting timing comes (Y in step S8), the control section 100 returns to the process of S1. As a result, the imaging unit 12 captures the next frame image at the lighting timing immediately after the reading process of the reading unit 1002 is completed.

In the process of step S3, if the extraction unit 1003 does not detect a symbol from the frame image (N of step S3), the control unit 100 skips the processes of steps S4 to S7 and proceeds to the process of step S8. .

Further, in the process of step S6, when the output unit 1007 determines that the product code is not to be output (N of step S6), the control unit 100 skips the process of step S7 and shifts to the process of step S8. do.

By the above processing of the control unit 100, the image capturing unit 12 can quickly capture the next frame image after the product code reading processing by the reading unit 1002 is completed. In addition, since the output unit 1007 outputs only the product code to be output to the POS terminal 20, so-called double registration at the POS terminal 20 can be prevented.

As described above, the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment includes the imaging unit 12, the illumination unit 13 that lights up at a predetermined cycle to illuminate the imaging area of the imaging unit 12, and the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12. A reading unit 1002 that executes reading processing for reading information indicated by a symbol; , provided.

As a result, the imaging unit 12 controls the imaging timing of the next frame image according to the completion timing of the reading process of the reading unit 1002 for the frame image, so that imaging can be performed efficiently. As a result, the symbol reading device 10 can efficiently read the information indicated by the symbols, and can improve operability.

Further, the image capturing control unit 1006 of the symbol reading device 10 of the above-described embodiment causes the image capturing unit 12 to read the next frame image at the next lighting timing of the lighting unit 13 after completion of the reading process for the frame image captured by the image capturing unit 12 . is controlled to image.

As a result, the imaging unit 12 can most efficiently perform imaging. Therefore, the symbol reading device 10 can read the information indicated by the symbols more efficiently, and further improve the operability.

Further, the reading unit 1002 of the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment includes an extraction unit 1003 that extracts symbols from the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12, and a decoding processing unit 1004 that decodes the symbols extracted by the extraction unit 1003. .

This allows the symbol reader 10 to reliably read the information encoded in the symbol.

In addition, the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment further includes an output unit 1007 for outputting information read by the reading unit 1002. The output unit 1007 allows the reading unit 1002 to read the same information from a plurality of frame images within a predetermined time. When information is read, only the information read from one of the plurality of frame images is output.

As a result, when the same object to be imaged (for example, the same individual product) is imaged multiple times, the information read from the symbols included in the object to be imaged is not output multiple times. Therefore, the accuracy of the information output by the symbol reader 10 is improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the control program executed by the symbol reading device 10 may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Further, the control program executed by the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. may be configured to be provided via a network such as the Internet.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 symbol reading device 12 imaging section 13 illumination section 1002 reading section 1003 extraction section 1004 decoding processing section 1006 imaging control section

JP 2015-170035 A

Claims (6)

an imaging unit;
an illumination unit that lights up at a predetermined cycle to illuminate an imaging area of the imaging unit;
a reading unit that performs a reading process of reading information indicated by a symbol included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit;
an image capturing control unit that controls an image capturing operation of the image capturing unit based on the completion timing of the reading process by the reading unit and the lighting timing of the lighting unit;
a symbol reader. The imaging control unit controls the imaging unit to capture the next frame image at the next lighting timing of the lighting unit after completion of reading processing for the frame image captured by the imaging unit.
A symbol reader according to claim 1. The reading unit includes an extraction unit that extracts symbols from the frame image captured by the imaging unit, and a decoding processing unit that decodes the symbols extracted by the extraction unit.
3. A symbol reader according to claim 1 or 2. Further comprising an output unit for outputting information read by the reading unit,
When the reading unit reads the same information from a plurality of images within a predetermined time, the output unit outputs only the information read from any one of the plurality of images.
4. A symbol reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A symbol reading method executed by a symbol reading device comprising an imaging unit and an illumination unit that lights up at predetermined intervals to illuminate an imaging area of the imaging unit,
a reading step of reading information indicated by a symbol included in a frame image captured by the imaging unit;
an imaging control step of controlling the imaging operation of the imaging unit based on the completion timing of the reading process by the reading step and the lighting timing of the illumination unit;
Symbol reading method, including A program for controlling, by a computer, a symbol reading device including an imaging unit and an illumination unit that lights up at predetermined intervals to illuminate an imaging area of the imaging unit,
the computer,
a reading unit that performs a reading process of reading information indicated by a symbol included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit;
an image capturing control unit that controls an image capturing operation of the image capturing unit based on the completion timing of the reading process by the reading unit and the lighting timing of the lighting unit;
A program that works as

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