JP4415472B2 - Information processing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention reads an information code and converts it into character data.AndThe present invention relates to an information processing system that performs information processing based on converted character data.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This type of information code reading system and information processing system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-49613 as a product management system that reads and transmits barcodes from a large number of barcode terminal devices to a host device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Is disclosed.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-49613 discloses a configuration of a merchandise management system including a barcode terminal device. According to this configuration, barcode data indicating information code data is transmitted via a LAN to a host device. For example, convenience can be improved in managing products.
[0004]
When trying to apply such a product management system configuration to nursing homes for nursing homes such as carehouses, if a large number of elderly people live in nursing homes, the corresponding staff members will have their own barcode terminals. Go to the elderly room with the device, read the barcode table information placed in the room with the barcode terminal device, and the elderly will request the barcode information via a network such as LAN. It is possible to construct a system that can cope with reception processing of a service to be performed.
[0005]
However, since the staff operating the barcode terminal device is not a business that specializes in using the barcode terminal device, the more complicated the operation, the more complicated the operation, and the convenience in terms of operability in use. There was a problem of being damaged. Also, barcode terminal devices are expensive due to the complexity of the internal structure. When a large number of senior citizens must be managed, many staff members operate their own barcode terminal devices. As a system, the burden on the cost becomes large.
[0006]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide the operability and convenience by allowing a user to carry a terminal for reading an information code with good operability that can be substituted for a bar code terminal device. Can be built at low cost and with high flexibilityFeelingIt is to provide an information processing system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0010]
  Claim1According to the present invention, it operates as follows. That is, when the information code is imaged by the imaging device, it is transmitted from the interface to the network as image data obtained by converting the brightness level of the image into a digital value. Then, the decoder receives image data from the network via the interface, performs decoding processing, converts it into character data, and transmits it to the information processing device. Furthermore, predetermined information processing is performed in the information processing machine. Thereby, when communicating the data of the read information code to a place away via the network, by interposing the network as a configuration that separates the image pickup device and the decoder, the terminal for reading is only the image pickup device, The decoding function can be omitted and the information processing device is provided, so that various information processing can be performed.
  In addition, since the character data is output to the information processing device identified from the content of the character data, the content of the character data can be output to the necessary information processing device even if the imaging device and the information processing device are not associated with each other. It becomes possible, and the information processing apparatus can perform processing by sharing the information processing function according to the application, for example.
[0011]
  Claim2According to the invention of claim1In this invention, the decoder outputs the character data to the information processor associated with the imaging device, so that the associated information processor can share the information processing function according to its use. it can.
[0013]
  Claim3According to the invention of claim1 or 2In the invention, it is possible to construct a flexible system for transmitting character data from the network interface of the decoder to the information processor.
[0014]
  ClaimsAny one of 1 to 3In the invention, the character data may include all character codes including line feed codes defined in industrial standards such as JIS.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The network 1a of the information processing system is formed by a bus topology, and the image pickup devices 2, 3, the image pickup devices 4, 5, and the image pickup devices 6, 7 are connected. The decoder 8, the decoder 9, and the decoder 10 are connected to the network 1a. The information processor 11 is connected to the decoder 8, the information processor 12 is connected to the decoder 9, and the information processor 13 is connected to the decoder 10. The terminators 14a and 14b are connected so as to terminate the network 1a. A LAN (Local Area Network) includes a network 1a, image pickup devices 2 to 7, decode devices 8 to 10, information processing devices 11 to 13, and terminators 14a and 14b. In the drawings, (A), (B), and (C) indicate the group IDs (Identification) of the image pickup devices 2 to 7, the decode devices 8 to 10, and the information processing devices 11 to 13, respectively. It is what is shown.
[0016]
Since the configurations other than the set group ID are substantially the same for each of the image pickup devices 2 to 7, only the configuration of the image pickup device 2 will be described and description of the other image pickup devices 3 to 7 will be omitted. Different parts will be described each time. FIG. 2A shows an electrical configuration of the image pickup device 2 connected to the network 1a. FIG. 2B shows an example of information codes 16a and 16b printed on the imaging surface 15 in FIG. The information code 16a is a two-dimensional code called a bar code and the information code 16b is called a QR code.
[0017]
The image pickup device 2 includes a control circuit 17, LEDs 18 a and 18 b, a switch 19, a buzzer 20, a lens 21, a sensor 22, an A / D conversion circuit 23, a network interface 24, and a terminal 25.
[0018]
The control circuit 17 includes a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, and the like. Corresponding programs are stored in the ROM in the control circuit 17, and the correspondence between the group IDs of the image pickup devices 2 to 7 and the addresses of the decoders 8 to 10 is stored as a table in the RAM. ing. The four output terminals of the control circuit 17 are connected to the LED 18a and LED 18b, the buzzer 20, the A / D conversion circuit 23, and the network interface 24, respectively. The two input terminals of the control circuit 17 are connected to the network interface 24 and the switch 19, respectively. The LEDs 18 a and 18 b are configured to output light based on a control signal from the control circuit 17. On the other hand, the output terminal of the sensor 22 is connected to the analog input terminal of the A / D conversion circuit 23. The sensor 22 is configured to detect light reflected by the imaging surface 15 via the lens 21 and output an analog image to the A / D conversion circuit 23. FIG. 2C shows an example of an analog image output output from the sensor 22. The sensor 22 outputs a light / dark level image signal that swings between a light level and a dark level, as shown in FIG. 2C, as analog image data.
[0019]
The A / D conversion circuit 23 is configured to quantize the analog image output of the sensor 22 based on the timing output of the control circuit 17 and digitally output it to the network interface 24.
[0020]
The network interface 24 transmits the digital output of the A / D conversion circuit 23 to the control circuit 17 in accordance with the timing output of the control circuit 17. The control circuit 17 converts the digital output of the A / D conversion circuit 23 into a packet to be described later and transmits it again to the network interface 24.
The network interface 24 is configured to output the received packet to the network 1 a via the terminal 25 of the imaging device 2. Further, the network interface 24 outputs a packet received from the network 1 a via the terminal 25 to the input terminal of the control circuit 17. The ROM in the control circuit 17 stores an address unique to the image pickup device 2 (the image pickup device 3, the image pickup devices 4, 5, and the image pickup devices 6, 7 similarly store unique addresses, respectively. ing.).
[0021]
The control circuit 17 is configured to drive the LEDs 18a and 18b, the A / D conversion circuit 23, and the network interface 24 and to sound the buzzer 20 when the switch 19 is pressed.
[0022]
That is, when the switch 19 is pressed, the image pickup device 2 sounds the buzzer 20 and uses information codes such as the information codes 16a and 16b formed on the image pickup surface 15 as digital image data as a network. 1a is output.
[0023]
Since each of the decoders 8 to 10 has substantially the same configuration, only the configuration of the decoder 8 will be described and description of the configurations of the other decoders 9 and 10 will be omitted. If different parts are mentioned, they will be described each time. FIG. 3 shows the electrical configuration of the decoder 8.
The decoder 8 is formed mainly of a CPU 26 (Central Processing Unit), a network interface 27, a ROM 28, a RAM 29, an information processor interface 30, and terminals 31 and 32.
[0024]
Input / output terminals of the CPU 26 are connected to the network interface 27, the ROM 28, the RAM 29, and the information processor interface 30. The network interface 27 is connected to the network 1a via the terminal 31. The ROM 28 is recorded with a decoding program for decoding image data of a barcode such as the information code 16a or QR code such as the information code 16b as information. In addition, an address unique to the decoder 8 is stored. (The unique addresses are similarly stored in the decoder 9 and the decoder 10, respectively.)
The CPU 26 is configured to transmit image data sent from the network 1 a via the terminal 31 and the network interface 27 to the RAM 29. The RAM 29 temporarily stores the image data. The CPU 26 decodes (decodes) the image data stored in the RAM 29 in accordance with a decoding program stored in the ROM 28, and stores it as a character data in a storage area different from that described above. The CPU 26 outputs the character data stored in the RAM 29 to the network 1a through the network interface 27 and the terminal 31 as a packet to be described later.
[0025]
Since the information processing apparatuses 11 to 13 have substantially the same configuration, only the configuration of the information processing apparatus 11 will be described, and the configuration description of the other information processing apparatuses 12 and 13 will be omitted. The different parts will be described each time. FIG. 4 shows an electrical configuration of the information processing apparatus 11 as an example of a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal used in a convenience store or the like.
The information processor 11 includes a CPU 33, ROM 34, RAM 35, external storage device 36, drawer driver 37, lock detector 38, clock 39, decoder interface 40, network interface 41, keyboard 42, display 43, printer 44 and terminal 45. , 46. The CPU 33 is connected to the keyboard 42, display device 43, printer 44, ROM 34, RAM 35, external storage device 36, drawer driver 37, lock detector 38, clock 39, decoder interface 40 and network interface 41.
[0026]
The ROM 34 stores a program for operating the POS terminal in advance, and the CPU 33 is configured to perform processing based on the program. The RAM 35 stores data for performing processing corresponding to the character data, and the CPU 33 stores the data in the RAM 35 according to the character code input to the CPU 33 via the network interface 41 or the decoder interface 40. The stored data can be retrieved.
[0027]
The external storage device 36 is a device for storing data stored in a past terminal or the like so that it can be used as needed, and is configured to be readable and writable.
[0028]
The drawer driver 37 is configured to open and close a drawer in which banknotes and money are stored in response to a command from the CPU 33.
[0029]
The locking detector 38 is a device for detecting whether or not the drawer opened and closed by the drawer driver 37 is locked, and is configured to output a state to the CPU 33. Further, the CPU 33 is configured to display information input from the keyboard 42 on the display device 43 and to print it on the printer 44.
[0030]
The network interface 41 serves as a relay for the CPU 33 to a network connected to the outside via the terminal 46. The decoder interface 40 is connected to the decoder 8 via a terminal 45.
[0031]
The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5A shows a packet format when packets are actually transmitted / received via the network 1a, and FIG. 5B shows user data contents in the packet format.
[0032]
The contents of a packet to be transmitted / received include a preamble, a first synchronization code, a destination address, a transmission source address, a data number, a data amount, user data, a second synchronization code, an error correction code, and a postamble. The actual image data transmitted by the image pickup devices 2 to 7 ranges from several megabytes (MB) to several tens of megabytes, and is transmitted after being compressed and divided. At this time, the data number indicates the order in which the image data is divided into packets, and the data amount indicates the packet length to be transmitted.
[0033]
First, transmission / reception processing performed on the network 1a will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, when “network device” is described, it indicates each device that transmits and receives via the network interface. That is, in the case of the first embodiment, the imaging devices 2 to 7 and the decoding devices 8 to 10 that perform transmission and reception via a network interface are illustrated.
[0034]
For simplification of explanation, first, the details of the transmission / reception processing performed by each of the network devices 2 to 10 via the network 1a will be described, and then the operation of the entire information processing system will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart showing the processing when transmitting and receiving from the network devices 2 to 10, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing the “reception processing” shown in step S3 of FIG.
The network devices 2 to 10 detect data on the network 1a (step S1), and determine whether or not the data is transmitted to the network 1a (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that data is being transmitted on the network 1a, a "reception process" described later is performed (step S3), and the process returns to step S1 to detect data on the network 1a. The network devices 2 to 10 assemble packets constituting a preamble, a first synchronization code, a destination address, a transmission source address, a data number, a data amount, user data, a second synchronization code, an error correction code, and a postamble.
[0035]
The network devices 2 to 10 determine whether there is data to be transmitted (step S4), and if there is no data to be transmitted, return to step S1 to detect data on the network 1a again. In step S4, when there is data to be transmitted, the network devices 2 to 10 send a packet to the network 1a (step S5). While sending a packet to the network 1a, it is determined whether or not there is a collision with another packet (step S6). If it does not collide with another packet, the transmission is successful (step S7). finish.
[0036]
In step S6, when the network devices 2 to 10 determine that they have collided with other packets, the packets are retransmitted to the network 1a (step S8). While being sent to the network 1a, they collide with other packets. It is determined whether or not (step S9). If no collision with other packets is confirmed in step S9, transmission is successful in step S7, and the transmission / reception process is terminated. In step S9, if there is a collision with another packet, it is determined whether or not the retransmitted number has reached the prescribed number (step S10). If the prescribed number has not been reached, the process returns to step S8 to return the packet. Re-send. In step S10, if the number of retransmissions reaches the specified number, transmission fails (step S11), a packet to be retransmitted after a lapse of time again is stored, and the transmission / reception process ends. When the time elapses again, the process is repeated from step S1 in the transmission / reception process.
[0037]
The “reception process” described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the transmission / reception processing shown in FIG. 6, when the network devices 2 to 10 confirm that the data is being transmitted on the network, the network devices 2 to 10 receive the data on the network (step T1), and the “destination address” in the packet is self It is determined whether or not it matches the device address (step T2). If the “destination address” does not match the address of the own device, it is determined whether or not it matches the multicast address (step T3). If the “destination address” does not match the multicast address, the network devices 2 to 10 return to step S1 in the transmission / reception process and detect data on the network again. If the destination address matches the address of the own device in step T2 or if the “destination address” matches the multicast address in step T3, the network devices 2 to 10 send the error correction code of the packet. Then, error correction is performed (step T4), and it is confirmed whether or not error correction is possible (step T5).
[0038]
If error correction is not possible (NG), the packet is discarded (step T6), a re-transmission request is made to the source address, and the process returns to step S1 in the transmission / reception process to detect data on the network again. To do. If error correction is possible as a result of error correction in step T4, user data is read from the packet (step T7), and processing is performed based on the user data (step T8). Based on such an embodiment, the network devices 2 to 10 perform transmission / reception processing on the network 1a.
[0039]
FIG. 8 shows an example of a correspondence table between the group IDs of the image capturing devices 2 to 7 and the addresses of the decoding devices stored in the RAM in the control circuit by the image capturing devices 2 to 7, respectively. Here, the description will be made using the IP address, but there may be a case where an address defined by the protocol used by the network 1a is used. Further, for example, the image pickup device 2 may be configured to store only the address of the decoder corresponding to only (A) as the corresponding group ID in a RAM (not shown) in the control circuit. The example which has memorize | stored the address of the decoder corresponding to ~ 7 is shown.
[0040]
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart accompanying transmission / reception with respect to the configuration shown in FIG. Hereinafter, for example, an embodiment will be described in the case where the imaging device 2 transmits to the decoding device 8 and performs processing in the information processing device 11. The imaging device 2 has a group ID (A). The imaging device 2 recognizes that the address (IP address) of the decoding device (A) is “192.168.100.2” from the correspondence setting stored in FIG. As a result, “192.168.100.2” which is the address of the decoder 8 is set. The image pickup device 2 sets the address of the image pickup device 2 to “transmission source address”, and sets the image data obtained by compressing and dividing the information code shown in FIG. 2B as “user data”. The image pickup device 2 sets the preamble, the first synchronization code, the data number, the data amount, the user data, the second synchronization code, the error correction code, and the postamble, which are other packet data, and transmits them to the network 1a. To do.
[0041]
When the decoder 8 confirms that the “destination address” of the packet transmitted by the imaging device 2 matches the address of the decoder 8 in the reception process, it confirms that the image data is transmitted (step U1). The image data in the packet is stored in the built-in RAM 29 (step U2). The decoder 8 confirms whether or not the “data number” in the packet is the number indicating the end of the image data (step U3). If it does not indicate the end of the image data, the decoder 8 returns to the step U1 again. 8 waits for image data to be transmitted. By repeating steps U1 to U3, the decoder 8 sequentially stores the image data in the RAM 29. In step U3, when the decoder 8 confirms that the transmitted data number is the number indicating the end of the image data, the decoder 8 decodes the image data in the packet into character data (step U4), and the character data is output to the terminal. 32, to the information processor 11 via the terminal 45 in a format defined between the decoder 8 and the information processor 11 (step U5). The information processing device 11 performs processing corresponding to the character data (step U6). For example, since the information processing device 11 is a POS terminal, the CPU 33 performs calculations and performs processing such as displaying on the display 42.
[0042]
Similarly, since the imaging device 3 has (A) as the corresponding group ID, the decoding device 8 converts the image data into character data by transmitting the image data to the decoding device 8 via the network 1a. The information is decoded and transmitted to the information processor 11, and the information processor 11 performs processing corresponding to the character data. Further, since the imaging devices 4 and 5 have (B) as the corresponding group ID, the decoding device 9 transmits the image data to the decoding device 9 via the network 1a. Data is decoded and transmitted to the information processor 12, and the information processor 12 performs processing corresponding to the character data. Furthermore, since the imaging devices 6 and 7 have (C) as the corresponding group ID, the decoding device 10 transmits the image data to the decoding device 10 via the network 1a. The data is decoded and transmitted to the information processing device 13, and the information processing device 13 performs processing corresponding to the character data.
[0043]
According to the first embodiment, the configuration in which the user operates the imaging device is a configuration of only the switch, and the configuration for transmitting the state of the imaging device to the user is a simple configuration of only the buzzer. The user can have an imager with good operability, the user's operability and convenience can be improved, and the number of decoders installed is reduced compared to the number of imagers installed. Therefore, the entire system can be constructed at a low cost. In addition, the associated decoder can share the decoding function depending on the application, and the associated information processing machine can share the information processing function depending on the application. Can be processed.
[0044]
(Second Embodiment)
10 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0045]
FIG. 10 is a network configuration diagram illustrating the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration of the imaging devices 51 to 56 in the second embodiment. The image pickup devices 51 to 56 include antennas 51a to 56a, respectively, and are connected to the network 1b. Since the configuration of each of the image pickup devices 51 to 56 is the same except for the group ID that is uniquely provided, the configuration of the image pickup device 51 will be described and the description of the configuration of the other image pickup devices 52 to 56 will be omitted.
[0046]
The image pickup device 51 includes a control circuit 17, LEDs 18a and 18b, a switch 19, a buzzer 20, a lens 21, a sensor 22, an A / D conversion circuit 23, a wireless network interface 57, and an antenna 51a.
[0047]
The wireless network interface 57 converts the digital output of the A / D conversion circuit 23 into a packet in the control circuit 17 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment by the timing output of the control circuit 17, and via the antenna 51a. It is configured to output to the network 1b. Further, the network interface 57 is configured to output a signal arriving from the network 1b to the input terminal of the control circuit 17. Further, the ROM in the control circuit 17 stores an address unique to the image pickup device 51 (the image pickup device 52, the image pickup devices 53 and 54, and the image pickup devices 55 and 56 similarly store unique addresses, respectively. ing.). The imaging devices 51 to 56 are connected to the decoding device 58 via the network interface 57 through the wireless connection network 1b.
[0048]
The decoder 58 is connected to the network 1b and simultaneously connected to the network 1c. The information processors 59, 60, 61 are connected to the network 1c. The terminators 14a and 14b are connected so as to terminate the network 1c.
[0049]
FIG. 12 shows the electrical configuration of the decoder 58. The CPU 63 is connected to the antenna 58a via the wireless network interface 64, and is connected to the network 1b by wireless connection. The CPU 63 is connected to the ROM 28 and the RAM 29. The ROM 28 stores a program for operating the decoder 58, and the RAM 29 can store data transmitted / received via the networks 1b and 1c. The CPU 63 is connected to the network interface 27. The network interface 27 is connected to the network 1 c via the terminal 31. As described above, the decoder 58 is configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from the networks 1b and 1c. Other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0050]
The effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference also to FIG. 13 and FIG. In the second embodiment, when expressed as “network equipment”, the imaging devices 51 to 56, the decoding device 58, and the information processing devices 59 to 61 are shown.
FIG. 13 shows the packet format and the contents of user data in the packet format when the network devices 51 to 56 and 58 to 61 transmit and receive packets via the networks 1b and 1c. Since the data structure transmitted from the imaging devices 51 to 56 to the decoder 58 is different from the data structure transmitted from the decoder 58 to the information processors 59 to 61, the data structure is shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, respectively. Yes.
[0051]
FIG. 13B shows a data structure that the imaging device transmits to the decoding device. The user data at this time is composed of image data. FIG. 13C shows a data structure that the decoder transmits to the information processor. The user data at this time indicates character data obtained by decoding the image data.
[0052]
Note that the transmission / reception processing performed on the network 1b and the network 1c is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 14 shows the correspondence between the group IDs of the image pickup devices 51 to 56 and the addresses of the information processing devices 59 to 61 stored in the RAM 29 built in the decoder 58.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart associated with execution when transmission / reception is performed with respect to the network configuration of FIG. 11. Hereinafter, for example, an embodiment in which the imaging device 53 transmits to the decoding device 58 and the information processing device 60 performs processing will be described. The imaging device 53 has (B) as the corresponding group ID. The imaging device 53 recognizes that the address of the decoding device 58 stored in the imaging device 53 is, for example, “192.168.0.3”, and sets “192.168.0.3” as the “destination address”. To do. The image pickup device 53 sets the address of the image pickup device 53 to “source address”, and the image pickup device 53 sets the image data of the information code shown in FIG. 2B as user data. The imaging device 53 sets the preamble, the first synchronization code, the data number, the data amount, the user data, the second synchronization code, the error correction code, and the postamble, and transmits them to the decoder 58 via the wireless network 1b. (Step V1).
[0053]
In the reception process, the decoder 58 confirms that the “destination address” of the imaging device 53 matches the address of its own device, and receives the image data. The decoder 58 stores the image data in the packet in the RAM 29 (step V2). The decoder 58 confirms whether or not the “data number” in the packet is the number indicating the end of the image data (step V3). If it does not indicate the end of the image data, the decoder 58 returns to step V1 and again the decoder. 58 waits for image data to be transmitted. By repeating steps V1 to V3, the decoder 58 sequentially stores the image data in the RAM 29. In step V3, when the decoder 58 confirms that the transmitted data number is the number indicating the end of the image data, the decoder 58 decodes the image data in the packet into character data (step V4). When the decoder 58 grasps the group ID (B) indicated by a part of the character data obtained by decoding the transmitted image data, the decoder 58 checks the corresponding information processor from the correspondence stored in the RAM 29. (Step V5), the “destination address” of the corresponding information processing device 60 is set as “172.21.0.3”. Further, the decoder 58 sets the address of the decoder 58 as a “source address”, sequentially sets other packet formats, and transmits the character data obtained by decoding the image data to the network 1c (step V6). The information processing device 60 performs processing corresponding to the character data (step V7). For example, since the information processing device 60 is a POS terminal, the CPU 33 performs calculations and performs processing such as displaying on the display 42.
[0054]
That is, the decoder 58 decodes the image data picked up by the image pickup device 53 into character data, and then transmits the decoded character data to the information processing device 60 having the group ID indicated by a part of the character data. It becomes possible.
[0055]
According to the second embodiment as described above, since the decoder is installed between the networks, the number of installed decoders is only one, and the effect of the first embodiment is not impaired. The entire network configuration can be configured at a low cost. In addition, since the imaging devices 51 to 56 are wirelessly connected to the decoding device 58, it is possible for the user to handle the imaging devices 51 to 56 with flexibility.
[0056]
(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The network configuration may be configured as shown in FIG. 16 or FIG. That is, in FIG. 16, the information processing devices 59 to 61 described in the second embodiment are each provided with a network interface, and the plurality of decoders 8 to 10 described in the first embodiment correspond to each. By transmitting character data to the information processing devices 59 to 61 via the network 1d, each of the information processing devices 59 to 61 can perform a desired process. As shown in FIG. 17, the decoder 70 includes a plurality of information processing device interfaces (three in FIG. 17), so that the image data of the imaging devices 2 to 7 received in the network 1e is converted into character data. The information processing devices 11 to 13 having the corresponding group IDs are converted and transmitted to the information processing devices 11 to 13 so that each of the information processing devices 11 to 13 performs a desired process.
[0057]
In the second embodiment, for example, when the information code picked up by the image pickup device 51 is a barcode of the information code 16a, the decoder 58 displays that the image data picked up by the image pickup device 51 is “bar code”. ”Can be performed so that the decoder 58 performs transmission processing on, for example, the information processing device 59 that associates the barcode with the barcode. That is, it can be configured to determine whether to transmit to any of the information processors 59 to 61 connected to the network 1c according to the type of information code.
[0058]
In the description of the second embodiment, FIG. 14 shows the correspondence between the group ID of the image pickup device stored in the RAM 29 and the address of the information processing device. This corresponds to the correspondence between the address of the image pickup device and the address of the information processing device. May be shown. That is, the decoding device sets the “destination address” of the packet transmitted to the information processing device from the “source address” of the packet transmitted from the image capturing device based on the correspondence to the information with the image capturing device having the same group ID. Correspondence with the processor can be obtained.
[0059]
A plurality of decoders and information processors having the same group ID may be connected to the same network. In other words, these decoders and information processors are configured to recognize multicast addresses having the same group ID so that the same processing is performed by the decoders and information processors having these same group IDs. Can be.
[0060]
The decoder may be configured to serve as an information processor.
[0061]
The networks 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1e are not limited to the bus topology, and may be formed with a ring topology. The networks 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e may be networks using telephone lines or networks using the Internet.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
2A is an electrical configuration diagram of an image pickup device, FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of an information code, and FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of an analog image signal output from a sensor.
FIG. 3 is an electrical configuration diagram of the decoder.
FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of an information processing device.
FIG. 5 is a packet format of a packet transmitted / received by an imaging device or a decoding device.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of transmission / reception processing performed by a device connected to the network (part 1).
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of transmission / reception processing performed by a device connected to the network (part 2).
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the group ID of the imaging device and the address of the decoding device
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing related to an image pickup device, a decoding device, and an information processing device.
FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG.
12 is equivalent to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the group ID of the image pickup device and the address of the information processing device.
15 is a view corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2-7, 51-56 are imaging machines, 8-10, 58 are decoders, 11-13, 59-61 are information processors, 24, 27, 41 are network interfaces, and 57, 64 are wireless network interfaces. .

Claims (3)

An imager that images an information code and converts the light and dark levels of the information code into digital image data and outputs the image code;
A decoder that converts the image data output from the imaging device into character data ;
An information processor that performs predetermined information processing based on the character data output from the decoder,
Provide an interface for connecting to the network on each of the imaging device and the decoding device,
The decoder is connected to a plurality of the information processors, receives image data from the imaging device via the network, converts the image data into character data, grasps identification information from the contents of the character data, and grasps An information processing system, wherein an address of the information processing device is set as a destination address and an address of the decoding device is set as a transmission source address to the information processing device corresponding to the identification information, and the character data is transmitted . The information processing system according to claim 1,
A plurality of the imagers and information processors are connected to the decoder , respectively.
The imaging device and the information processing device are set to be associated with each other, and the decoding device converts the image data transmitted from the imaging device into the character data and associates the image data with the imaging device. And transmitting the character data to the information processing apparatus . The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The information processor is provided with an interface for connecting to a network,
The information processing system, wherein the decoder transmits the character data to the information processor via a network to which the information processor is connected .

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