JP5026475B2 - Code symbol reader and its control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a code symbol reader and its control program, and is applied to, for example, a barcode reader.

  In retail stores such as supermarkets, in order to reduce the waste loss of fresh produce, discount sales of products are performed when the closing time approaches. In this case, in order to clarify that the product is a discounted product to the customer, a label or a seal displaying a discount price, a discount rate, or the like on the barcode may be attached to the product (for example, see Patent Document 1). ). At this time, the operator of the POS terminal performs a discount registration operation on the POS terminal by visually recognizing the discount label or sticker at the time of payment.

  However, with this method, even if the product discount display is missed, the barcode is automatically read and recognized. There was a problem of reading. As a result, the product will be sold at the price before the discount.

  Therefore, the present invention prevents erroneous reading of the price before the discount when the code symbol is discounted or the like.

According to the embodiment, the code symbol reader includes an imaging unit that captures a code symbol, an analysis processing unit that performs analysis processing on image data captured by the imaging unit, and image data that is analyzed by the analysis processing unit. manual of, a determination section whether complex shapes graphic modules that make up the code symbol, if the figure of the module by the determination unit determines a complex figure, the reading of the co Doshinboru of A switching unit for switching to input, and when the determination unit determines whether or not the graphic of the module constituting the code symbol is a complex graphic, the perimeter of the graphic in the image data and the reference value Are compared, the number of connected constituent bars is compared with the reference number, or the ratio of the height of the figure to the perimeter is compared with the reference value .

According to the embodiment, the control program for the code symbol reading device includes a procedure for analyzing the image data captured by the area image sensor in the code symbol reading device including the area image sensor, and the analysis processing by the analysis processing. The number of connected component bars and the reference number of the image data are compared to compare the perimeter of the figure in the image data with a reference value to determine whether or not the figure of the module constituting the code symbol is a complex figure. comparing the door, or the procedure for determining by comparing the height and the ratio of the perimeter of the graphic and the reference value, if the figure of the module by the determining procedure is determined to be a complex figure, co Doshinboru And a procedure for switching the reading to manual input.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a code symbol reading apparatus and its control program that can prevent erroneous automatic reading.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration example of a barcode scanner using a code symbol reader according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a code symbol reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a control program for the code symbol reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a general barcode according to the first embodiment. The top view which shows the example (1) of the barcode of the complicated figure which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a code symbol reading operation of the code symbol reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. The top view which shows the example (1) of expansion of the barcode of the complicated figure which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the example (2) of the barcode of the complicated figure which concerns on the modification of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a bar code reader used in a vertical bar code scanner will be described as an example of the code symbol reader. In this description, common parts are denoted by common reference symbols throughout the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, a code symbol reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
<1. Configuration example>
1-1. Barcode scanner appearance configuration example
First, an external configuration example of a barcode scanner 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the bar code scanner 10 has an elevating function for changing the height of the code symbol reading device 100 so that an operator can easily perform a reading operation. The barcode scanner 10 is erected on a soccer stand 11 (or a counter stand) on which a basket or the like in which goods are put is placed.

  The bar code scanner 10 is provided with a pair of support columns 13 having guide grooves 12 and a code symbol reading device 100 that is guided along the guide grooves 12 so as to be movable up and down. Thus, the code symbol reader according to this example is shown as the code symbol reader 100 in appearance. A display unit 16 and a keyboard 17 are provided above the code symbol reader 100.

  In the configuration of the barcode scanner 10 according to the present embodiment, an operator places a product in front of the code symbol reader 100 and reads a barcode attached to the product. The code symbol reader 100 decodes the read barcode into a product code, and outputs this product code to the POS server 60.

1-2. Configuration example of code symbol reader
Next, a configuration example of the code symbol reading apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the code symbol reading apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: control unit) 51 that controls the entire code symbol apparatus 100. The CPU 51 includes an output port 46, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54, a communication interface (I / F) 55, a barcode reading unit 101, and an imaging unit 120 via a bus 52. And are electrically connected.

  A POS (Point of Sales) server 60 is connected to the communication interface (I / F) 55 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 58 in the store.

  The POS server 60 has, for example, a product database that stores in advance data such as prices and product names of all products sold in stores. More specifically, the POS server 60 refers to the product database for the barcode decoding data attached to the product transmitted from the code symbol reader 100 via the LAN 58, and the price of the product corresponding to the decoded data. And data such as product names are read out, and the settlement amount data is obtained by summing up the prices of all products. The display unit 16, the keyboard (operation input unit) 17, and the code symbol reading device 100 are connected to the POS server 60 and controlled.

  The ROM 53 may store a control program related to the barcode reading unit 101 in advance.

  In the RAM 54, for example, a work area for storing an image acquired by imaging by the imaging unit 120, decoded data that is a result of decoding a barcode image, and the like is formed. As shown in the drawing, during a code symbol reading operation (S0 to S8) described later, the work area of the RAM 54 is loaded from, for example, the ROM 53, the barcode reading unit 101, etc., and the code symbol reading operation (S0 to S8). Is temporarily stored. The code symbol reading operation is executed by a control unit such as the CPU 51.

  The imaging unit 120 outputs the image signal of the captured image formed on the area image sensor to the barcode reading unit 101. The imaging unit 120 may be mounted in the barcode reading unit 101 as, for example, a CCD imaging device or the like.

  The barcode reading unit 101 performs a predetermined barcode data reading operation on the image signal input from the imaging unit 120 under the control of the CPU 51 and outputs the barcode data to the bus 52 as barcode information. Details of the barcode data reading operation will be described later.

  The output port 46 is used to switch the code symbol reading operation from automatic recognition to manual recognition when the code symbol reading operation to be described later is configured with a complex graphic, and a warning. Is output to the barcode scanner 10 via the bus 52.

  On the side of the barcode scanner 10 that has received the manual input switching signal ALM from the code symbol reader 100 side, the code symbol reading operation is switched from automatic recognition by the code symbol reader 100 to manual recognition. Further, on the side of the barcode scanner 10 that has received the manual input switching signal ALM, for example, the buzzer 45-1 drives the buzzer to generate a warning sound, or the detection lamp 45-2 changes the color of the warning lamp. (For example, “blue” → “red”, etc.) to further switch to manual input for performing a discount operation or the like. When the code symbol reading operation is switched from automatic reading by the code symbol reading device 100 to manual input by the operator, the operator manually sets the price after discounting with the keyboard 17 while referring to the screen 16. Input to the code scanner 10. Details will be described later.

1-3. Control program example
Next, a control program of the code symbol reading apparatus 100 according to this example will be described with reference to FIG. More specifically, this control program is developed in the work area on the RAM 54 and controlled and executed by the CPU (control unit) 51 as described above.

  As shown in the figure, the barcode reading unit 101 according to the present example executes a barcode reading procedure (S1 to S8), which will be described later, as a control program module. At least a barcode analysis processing unit M3, a barcode presence / absence determination unit M4, a barcode figure complexity determination unit M5, a manual switching unit M6-1, a warning notification unit M6-2, and a barcode data transmission unit M7 are provided.

The control end determination unit M1 determines whether a read operation end command is input from the POS server 60 via the LAN 58.
The image data capturing unit M <b> 2 temporarily captures the image data of the area image sensor captured by the imaging unit 120 into the RAM 53.
The bar code analysis processing unit M3 analyzes the image data captured in the RAM 53.
The barcode presence / absence determination unit M4 determines whether a barcode is captured in the analyzed image data.
The barcode figure complexity determination unit M5 determines whether or not the figure of the module constituting the barcode is a complex figure in the analyzed image data.
When it is determined that the graphic of the module constituting the barcode is a complex graphic, the manual switching unit M6-1 does not subject to decoding, and therefore automatically decodes the barcode without automatically recognizing it as a barcode. Switch to manual input.

  The warning notification unit M6-2 notifies the warning to the output port 46 in response to manual switching of the reading operation by the manual switching unit M6-1.

  When it is determined in step S5 that the module graphic constituting the barcode is not a complex graphic, the barcode data transmission unit M7 automatically reads the barcode data in the image data and transmits the read data. .

  The control program can be stored in a recording medium readable by a computer (information processing apparatus) such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. In the stored control program according to the present example, the contents of processing performed by the computer are specified by the structure of data recorded by the storage medium.

<2. Bar code (code symbol) format>
Next, the form of the barcode (code symbol) according to this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a general bar code. As shown in the figure, in this general bar code form, each of the constituent bars exists independently and does not include a complicated figure such as a discount display. Further, the price of the product specified by the product code obtained by decoding the barcode (for example, “500 yen”) is attached to the barcode.

  In addition to the price of the product, in FIG. 5, a label LA is attached so as to overlap a plurality of constituent bars of the barcode. This figure shows an example in which a barcode is recognized as a complicated figure. As shown in the figure, a label LA displaying a discount price ("50 yen discount from the display price") is affixed so as to overlap an upper part of the bar code constituting the product 105.

  Therefore, if the label LA displaying the discount price of the product 105 ("50 yen discount from the display price") is missed, the operator must manually input the price after the discount ("450 yen"). However, it seems to read at the wrong normal price (“500 yen”) before the discount, and therefore sell at that price (“500 yen”).

  However, this example can prevent such erroneous reading.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of FIG. As shown in the figure, in this example, the label LA displaying the discount is colored in the periphery, and the discount label LA is pasted on a part of the barcode BA, so that the left area (R2) , Several composition bars are connected to the label. Therefore, the graphic of the configuration bar is recognized as one graphic BA2 including a plurality of configuration bars connected to the label. On the other hand, in the right area (R1), the graphic of the configuration bar is recognized as a graphic BA1 including a single configuration bar that is not connected to other configuration bars. In the barcode of FIG. 6, the figure of the constituent bar (module) constituting the barcode has a number of figures BA1 and one figure BA1.

Specifically, as will be described later, determination is made based on whether or not the perimeter of each figure of the recognized configuration bar (module) is longer than the reference value.

  Since the figure of the constituent bar recognized in the region R1 is an elongated simple figure as shown by a broken line, the perimeter of the figure BA1 of the constituent bar not connected to other constituent bars is short.

  On the other hand, in the region R2, a label LA is affixed to overlap the upper portion of each component bar. Therefore, the figure of the constituent bar recognized in the region R2 is recognized as a figure BA2 composed of a plurality of constituent bars connected to the label as indicated by a broken line. The peripheral length of the graphic BA2 is longer than the peripheral length of the graphic BA1.

  In this way, the perimeter of each figure of the component bar (module) that composes the barcode is examined in order, and if there is a figure with a long perimeter, it is determined that it is not a bar code. Judge that there is.

  As described above, in this example, when such a complicated figure is included in the barcode, it is not a decoding target, and therefore, the decoding is not automatically recognized as a barcode, but the decoding is changed from automatic reading to manual input. Switch. Details will be described later in the code symbol reading operation.

  Here, in order to determine the complexity of the bar code graphic, it is possible to determine by comparing the perimeter of the graphic with a predetermined reference value. This is because a complicated figure with many irregularities has a long perimeter. Complex figures with many irregularities can be identified qualitatively from the following points.

  That is, for example, a complicated figure having many irregularities due to a plurality of constituent bars connected to each other has a longer perimeter of the figure than an elongated simple figure that is one constituent bar. Therefore, a predetermined reference value for identifying both (complex graphic and simple graphic) can be set.

It should be noted that the identification of the complicated figure and the simple figure of the code symbol is not limited to this example, and for example, it can also be identified by the determination methods shown in (I), (II) below. Is possible.
(I) Compare whether the number of connected constituent bars is greater or less than the reference number. (II) Compare the ratio of the height of the figure to the perimeter with a predetermined reference value. For example, for the barcode shown in FIG. When the method (II) is applied, the height of the figure is the height of a quadrangle surrounding the figure in the region R2 in FIG.

  Further, the reference value and the reference number for determining the complexity of the barcode figure can be variably set by key operation with the keyboard 17 or communication with the POS server 60. Therefore, it is effective in that the reference value and the reference number can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the discount seal by variably setting as necessary.

<3. Code symbol (barcode) reading operation>
Next, the code symbol reading operation of the code symbol reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S0)
First, when the CPU 51 receives a read operation start command from the POS server 60 via the LAN 58, the CPU 51 starts control of the illustrated code symbol read operation based on a control program stored in the ROM 53. That is, the CPU 51 outputs an ON signal to the imaging unit 120. Thereby, the imaging operation by the CCD of the imaging unit 120 is started.

(Step S1)
Subsequently, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a reading operation end command is input from the POS server 60 via the LAN 58. If the reading operation end command has not been input (No), the process continues to step S2. If the reading operation end command has been input (Yes), the process continues to step S8.

(Step S2)
Subsequently, the CPU 51 temporarily captures the image data captured by the imaging unit 120 into the RAM 53. For example, at the time of this step S 2, image data captured by the cashier being directed to the imaging unit 120 around the bar code label of the product is taken into the RAM 53.

(Step S3)
Subsequently, the CPU 51 analyzes the image data fetched into the RAM 53.

(Step S4)
Subsequently, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a barcode is photographed in the analyzed image data. If the barcode is not photographed (No), the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when it is confirmed by this determination step S4 that the barcode attached to the product or the like, for example, the barcode is present in the image (Yes), the processing continues to step S5.

(Step S5)
Subsequently, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the graphic of the module constituting the barcode is a complex graphic among the analyzed image data.

  More specifically, when determining the complexity of the bar code graphic, the perimeter of the graphic in the image data is determined by comparing it with a predetermined reference value. This is because a complicated figure with many irregularities has a long perimeter. Furthermore, the reference value for determining the complexity of the barcode graphic can be set by key operation using the keyboard 17 or communication using the POS server 60. Therefore, it is effective in that the reference value can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the discount seal by setting the reference value as necessary.

  For example, in the case of the general bar code shown in FIG. 4, at this step S5, it is determined that the graphic of the module constituting the bar code is not a complex graphic (No), and the process continues to step S7. Specifically, in the case of the bar code shown in FIG. 4, each constituent bar is independently branched, and is recognized as a figure in which a large number of long and simple figures are arranged. The perimeter of an elongated simple figure becomes shorter than the reference value, and it is determined that the figure is not a complicated figure. As a result, since there is no figure exceeding the reference value of the peripheral length, the process proceeds to step S7. In the subsequent step S 7, the read barcode is decoded into a product code and sent to the product code POS server 60.

  On the other hand, for example, when the label LA displaying the discount price on a part of the barcode BA shown in FIG. 5 is attached to the product 105, the graphic of the module constituting the barcode at this step S5 is It is determined that the figure is a complex figure (Yes), and the process continues to step S6.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6, in this example, the label LA displaying the discount is colored in the peripheral portion, and the discount label LA is attached to a part of the barcode BA. Thus, in the left side area (R2), several configuration bars of the configuration bar are connected and read.

  Judgment is made based on whether or not the perimeter of each component bar, which is each recognized graphic, is longer than the reference value.

  In the region R2, a label LA is attached so as to overlap the upper portion of each component bar. Therefore, the graphic of the configuration bar is recognized as a graphic BA2 including a plurality of configuration bars connected to the label, as indicated by a broken line. The perimeter of this figure BA2 is longer than the perimeter of the figure BA1 of a single component bar.

  Therefore, the graphic BA2 of the module constituting the barcode BA is determined to be a complex graphic, and the process continues to step S6.

(Step S6)
Subsequently, when the CPU 51 determines that the graphic of the module constituting the barcode BA is a complex graphic (Yes) in the above step S5, the barcode BA is not subject to decoding. Without automatically recognizing as a barcode, the decoding is switched from automatic reading to manual input. Subsequently, in response to manual switching, an alarm indicating that the reading operation is manual is notified to the output port 46.

  Subsequently, the output port 46 that has received the warning notification outputs a manual input switching signal ALM to the barcode scanner 10 side in order to switch the reading of the code symbol to manual input. On the barcode scanner 10 side that has received the manual input switching signal ALM, the code symbol reading operation is switched from automatic recognition by the code symbol reading device 100 to manual recognition. Further, for example, the buzzer 45-1 drives the buzzer to generate a warning sound, or the detection lamp 45-2 changes the color of the warning lamp (for example, “blue” → “red”). , Prompt the user to switch to manual input for discounting operations. When switching to manual input by the operator, the operator manually inputs the price after the discount to the barcode scanner 10 with reference to the screen 16 using the keyboard 17.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a label LA displaying a discount price on a part of the barcode BA is affixed to the product 105, it is switched to manual operation by a manual input switching signal ALM. While referring to the screen 16 such as “50 yen discount from display price”, the price “450 yen” after the discount of “500 yen to 50 yen” is manually input to the barcode scanner 10 by the keyboard 17.

  For this reason, it is possible to prevent the price “500 yen” before the discount from being automatically read by mistake, and the price “450 yen” after the discount displayed on the label LA can be manually input appropriately.

(Step S7)
Subsequently, when determining that the graphic of the module constituting the barcode is not a complex graphic (No), the CPU 51 automatically reads the barcode data in the image data, and reads the read barcode. The product code is decoded to the product code POS server 60.

  For example, in the case of the general bar code shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the module graphic constituting the bar code is not a complex graphic (No), and the bar code in the image data is read and decoded into a product code. This product code is sent out.

  Thereafter, the above steps S1 to S7 are repeated for, for example, about several to several tens of frames (images) taken for one product.

(Step S8)
Subsequently, when the end command for the reading operation is input (Yes), the CPU 51 sets the operation unit OFF for the code symbol reading operation and ends the code symbol reading operation (End).

<4. Effect>
According to the code symbol reading apparatus, the code symbol reading operation, and the control program thereof according to this embodiment, at least the following effects (1) to (2) can be obtained.

(1) When a discount display or the like is applied to a code symbol, it is possible to prevent erroneous reading of the price before the discount.
For example, in FIG. 5, it is possible to prevent the automatic reading by mistake at the price before discount “500 yen”, and it can be manually input appropriately as the price “450 yen” after discount displayed on the label LA. This is advantageous.

(2) The range of switching from automatic reading to manual reading can be adjusted in accordance with the situation such as the size and shape of the discount seal.
By automatically changing the reference value or the number of reference figures for determining the complexity of the graphics that make up the bar code as needed, it can be automatically read according to the size and shape of the discount seal. This is effective in that the range for switching to manual input can be adjusted.

[Modification (An example of barcode of other complicated figure)]
Next, a code symbol reading apparatus and its control program according to a modification will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment relates to an example of a bar code having another complicated figure, and an example in which price correction is performed on the bar code. In this description, detailed description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, the barcode is handwritten for price correction. This price correction is recognized as a complex figure.

  As shown in the drawing, the product 105 displays a correction line L1 drawn so as to cross all the bar code bars, and the price after discount ("450-"). Further, the barcode according to this example is judged as a complex figure by connecting all of the plurality of constituent bars by the correction line L1 drawn so as to cross all the constituent bars of the barcode (region R2).

  Therefore, in the present example, at the time of the above step S5, it is determined that the barcode includes a complicated figure, and is not subject to decoding. Therefore, without automatically recognizing the barcode as a barcode, Switch to manual input.

  More specifically, at the time of the determination in step S5, it can be identified as a complex graphic by the determination method of (I) whether the number of connected constituent bars is greater or smaller than the reference number. .

  In the determination in step S5, it is determined that the number of connected constituent bars in the barcode is larger than the reference number. Therefore, the process continues to step S6.

  Accordingly, the operator can manually input the price “450 yen” after the discount to the barcode scanner 10 by using the keyboard 17 while referring to the screen 16 such as “450-”.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous reading automatically due to an incorrect price “500 yen” before discounting, and it is possible to manually input appropriately as a price “450 yen” after handwritten correction. Is advantageous.

  As described above, according to the code symbol reading apparatus and its control program according to the present example, at least the same effects as the above (1) to (2) can be obtained.

  Furthermore, even in the case of handwriting correction as in this example, it can be applied as necessary.

  As described above, the present invention has been described using the first embodiment and the modified examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is possible to deform to. The above-described embodiments and modifications include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment and the modification, at least one of the problems described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the column of the effect of the invention In the case where at least one of the effects described in (1) is obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Code symbol reader, 120 ... Imaging part, M3 ... Barcode analysis process part, M5 ... Barcode figure complexity determination part, M6-1 ... Manual switching part, M6-2 ... Warning notification part.

JP 2008-033640 A

Claims (5)

An imaging unit for imaging a code symbol;
An analysis processing unit for analyzing the image data captured by the imaging unit;
Of the image data analyzed by the analysis processing unit, a determination unit that determines whether or not the graphic of the module constituting the code symbol is a complex graphic;
If graphic module by the determination unit determines a complex shape, it comprises a switching portion for switching the read co Doshinboru to manual input,
When determining whether or not the graphic of the module constituting the code symbol is a complex graphic, the determination unit compares the perimeter of the graphic in the image data with a reference value, and the number of connected configuration bars And a reference number, or by comparing a ratio of the height of a figure to a reference length with a reference value . 2. The code symbol reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the complex figure is a figure in which a plurality of constituent bars constituting a barcode are connected. The system further comprises a warning notifying unit for notifying a warning in response to manual switching of the reading operation by the switching unit when the determining unit determines that the graphic of the module is a complex graphic. The code symbol reader according to 1 or 2 . The code symbol reading device according to claim 2 , wherein the reference value or the reference number is variable. To code symbol reader with area image sensor,
A procedure of analyzing image data captured by the area image sensor;
Of the image data analyzed by the analysis processing , a connected configuration that compares the perimeter of the figure in the image data with a reference value as to whether or not the figure of the module constituting the code symbol is a complex figure A procedure for judging by comparing the number of bars with the reference number, or by comparing the ratio of the height of the figure to the perimeter with a reference value ;
If the module shapes is determined to be a complex shapes by the determining procedure, a control program for executing the steps of switching the read co Doshinboru the manual input.

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