JP5786783B2 - Information code reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information code reader.

  Currently, the types of information codes are extremely diversified, and for specific types of information codes such as the GS1 data bar, a stack type in which bar codes are stacked and displayed integrally is provided. . When this type of multistage code is read by a reader, each element (code element) constituting each stage is decoded for each stage and the decoding result is integrated to finally obtain the recorded contents of the entire multistage code. be able to.

JP 2005-18579 A

  By the way, although not related to a multi-stage code, a related art such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided. In this technology, image data including a plurality of partial information codes is captured, and partial information codes included in the captured image data are collectively imaged and decoded in a batch to shorten reading and decoding time. I am trying. However, when such a method (a method of reading a plurality of codes at once) is to be realized, a light receiving sensor having a wide light receiving region must be used, and an increase in the size of the sensor structure cannot be avoided.

  On the other hand, as a method of reading the multistage code with a simple sensor, avoiding an increase in the size of the sensor structure, for example, the light receiving sensor is constituted by a line sensor, and each element (code element) constituting each stage is sequentially arranged by the line sensor. What is necessary is just to image and decode in order for every stage. According to this method, the recording content of each code element can be acquired without increasing the size of the sensor, and the decoding result as the entire multistage code can be obtained.

  However, when each code element is imaged by the line sensor and decoded at each stage as described above, there is no problem as long as each code element can be decoded reliably. If the (moving speed) is too fast, or if the imaging environment of any code element is poor, some code elements may not be captured or may be unclearly imaged. The element will be skipped without being decipherable. If code elements are skipped in this way, decoding will eventually fail, but the user will not be able to figure out which stage of reading has failed, so in the end the read operation will start again from the first stage. Must be performed, which causes a significant delay in the decryption process.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is an information code that can read a multi-stage code in which a code element in which a light color part and a dark color part are arranged in a predetermined direction is stacked in a plurality of stages. An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that can effectively suppress a decoding delay caused by skipping in a reading device.

A first invention is an information code reading device for reading a multi-stage code in which code elements in which a light color part and a dark color part are arranged in a predetermined direction are arranged in a plurality of stages,
A line sensor in which light receiving elements are arranged in a line in a predetermined longitudinal direction;
Decoding means for decoding each code element based on the imaging result of each code element obtained by the line sensor when each code element is imaged by the line sensor;
Based on the decoding result of the one code element by the decoding means when any one code element is imaged and the imaging content of another code element imaged after the one code element, A determination means for determining whether or not skipping of a code element following the code element has occurred;
An informing means for informing when it is determined by the determining means that the skipping has occurred;
I have a,
The determination means includes
Unit module width detecting means for detecting a unit module width based on the light color portion and the dark color portion constituting the one code element;
In the captured image of the other code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading when the reading of the one code element is successful and the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or longer, the unit module width is set to It is determined whether or not a predetermined type of module image as one unit exists, and it is determined that the skipping has occurred when the predetermined type of module image exists .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the decoding result of the one code element by the decoding means when any one code element of the multistage code is imaged, and the imaging of the other code element imaged after the one code element Based on the content, it is determined whether or not skipping of a code element following one code element has occurred. When it is determined that skipping has occurred, notification is performed. In this configuration, in a stack type multi-stage code, after a certain stage (one code element) is decoded, the captured content of the stage (other code elements) captured after that is analyzed to determine skipping. Can be notified to the user when skipping occurs. Therefore, the user can grasp at an early stage that skipping has occurred, and can take an appropriate response promptly. In the conventional method of grasping that skipping has occurred for the first time after the user feels that all steps have been read, the time until then is wasted, and the response after grasping skipping Although it takes a long time to take (for example, a re-reading operation), according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly detect re-reading and quickly perform re-reading, etc. Results can be output more quickly.

In particular , the determining means includes unit module width detecting means for detecting a unit module width based on the light color portion and the dark color portion constituting the one code element, and reading the one code element is possible. A module of a predetermined type having the unit module width as one unit in the captured image of the other code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading when the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or more after success. It is determined whether or not an image exists, and it is determined that the skipping has occurred when the predetermined type of module image exists.
In this configuration, the unit module width can be detected from the decoding result of one code element, and if the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or longer, the unit module in the captured image (captured image of another code element) at that time It can be determined whether or not there is a predetermined type of module image whose width is one unit. If a predetermined type of module image exists, it can be said that the image cannot be decoded even though the assumed type of image is obtained. Therefore, it is determined that skipping has occurred in such a case. Can do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the multi-stage code includes a predetermined feature pattern in each of the code elements provided in a plurality of stages, and the determination means successfully reads the one code element. Then, when reading is not successful for a predetermined time or more, it is determined whether or not the feature pattern exists in the captured image of the other code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading, When the feature pattern exists, it is determined that the skipping has occurred.
When the feature pattern can be confirmed in the captured image (captured image of another code element) when reading is unsuccessful or when reading is not successful for a predetermined time or longer, an image of an assumed type is obtained. However, since it can be said that it cannot be decoded, it can be determined that skipping has occurred in such a case.

In the invention of claim 3, the multistage code includes a predetermined feature pattern for each of the code elements provided in a plurality of stages, and each stage and the configuration of the feature pattern are associated in advance. It is. Then, the determination means extracts the feature pattern included in the one code element based on the light color portion and the dark color portion constituting the one code element, and constitutes the other code element. The feature pattern included in the other code element is extracted based on the light color portion and the dark color portion, and the feature pattern of the one code element and the feature pattern of the other code element are defined. If it is not a combination, it is determined that the skipping has occurred.
With this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect skipping when the feature pattern obtained from one code element and the feature pattern obtained from the next code element (other code elements) are not in the normal order.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the code element is imaged by the line sensor, the decoding success determining means for determining whether or not the imaged code element has been successfully decoded, the line sensor And a notification means for performing a predetermined notification process while the code element imaged in step (b) is determined to have been successfully decoded by the decoding success determination means.
According to this configuration, the user can surely recognize whether or not the stage currently being read has been successfully decoded, so that the operation position and operation adjustment when reading a code element that has not been decoded can be grasped more accurately. As a result, it becomes easy to operate at a position and speed that do not cause skipping.

The invention of claim 5 comprises image change judging means for judging whether or not the image picked up by the line sensor has changed from the code element judged to have been successfully decoded by the decoding success judging means, When the notification means determines that the code change determination means has changed from the code element that has been successfully decoded, notification is performed in another notification mode different from the notification mode in the predetermined notification processing.
When moving from a decoded stage to another stage, the user can change the mode to another mode (for example, turn off to light), and operate while grasping whether or not the user is directed to the decoded stage during the operation. Thus, the reading operation can be performed more accurately and efficiently. For example, it is possible to reduce useless operations such as continuing toward the stage that has been decoded, and shorten the reading processing time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the information code reader according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of reading processing in the information code reading device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of pattern determination in the reading process of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a multistage code read by the reading device of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the contents of the finder pattern at each stage in the multistage code of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the number of segments defined by the GS1 data bar (stacked type) and the finder pattern.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(overall structure)
First, the overall configuration of the information code reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the information code reader 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of code elements in which a light color portion (also referred to as a light color bar (space)) and a dark color portion (dark color bar) are arranged in a predetermined direction. Is configured as a code reader capable of reading a multi-stage code C (see FIG. 4) arranged in an outer shape, and an outer case is formed by a case (not shown), and various electronic components are accommodated in the case. Yes.

  The information code reading apparatus 1 mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 21, a line sensor 23, a filter 25, and an imaging lens 27, and a micro memory such as a memory 35, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, and a liquid crystal display 46. It is composed of a computer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system and a power supply system such as a power switch 41 and a battery 49. These are mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) or housed in a case (not shown).

  The optical system includes an illumination light source 21, a line sensor 23, a filter 25, an imaging lens 27, and the like. The illumination light source 21 functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a diffusion lens, a condensing lens, and the like provided on the emission side of the LED. In the present embodiment, illumination light sources 21 are provided on both sides of the line sensor 23 so that the illumination light Lf can be irradiated toward the reading object R through a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. It is configured. As the reading object R, for example, various objects such as a resin material and a metal material are conceivable, and the multistage code C is formed on the reading object R by printing, direct marking, or the like. In the following description, a GS1 data bar (stacked type) is exemplified as the multistage code C. However, in the case where a plurality of code elements in which light bars and dark bars are arranged in a predetermined direction are provided, other than CODE49 and the like. It may be applied to other code types.

  The line sensor 23 is configured to be able to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected on the reading object R or the multistage code C. For example, the line sensor 23 is a predetermined light receiving element such as a C-MOS or CCD. Sensors arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction correspond to this. The line sensor 23 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so that incident light incident through the imaging lens 27 can be received by the light receiving surface 23a.

  The filter 25 is an optical low-pass filter that allows passage of light that is less than or equal to the wavelength of the reflected light Lr and blocks passage of light that exceeds the wavelength, and a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. It is provided between the imaging lens 27. Thereby, unnecessary light exceeding the wavelength equivalent of the reflected light Lr is prevented from entering the line sensor 23. Further, the imaging lens 27 is constituted by, for example, a lens barrel and a plurality of condensing lenses accommodated in the lens barrel. In the present embodiment, the imaging lens 27 is provided at a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. The incident reflected light Lr is collected, and an image of the code elements constituting the multistage code C can be formed on the light receiving surface 23a of the line sensor 23.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display 46, and a communication interface 48. Etc. This microcomputer system is configured around a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing apparatus), and the image signal of each code element imaged by the optical system described above is signaled in hardware and software. It can be processed.

  The image signal (analog signal) output from the line sensor 23 of the optical system is input to the amplifier circuit 31 and amplified by a predetermined gain, and then input to the A / D conversion circuit 33, and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal. Is converted to The digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to the memory 35 and stored in the image data storage area of the memory 35. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to be able to generate a synchronization signal for the line sensor 23 and the address generation circuit 36, and the address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. A storage address of image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The memory 35 is a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to, for example, a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). In addition to the above-described image data storage area, the RAM of the memory 35 is configured to be able to secure a work area and a reading condition table that are used by the control circuit 40 in each processing such as arithmetic operation and logical operation. . In addition, the ROM stores in advance a predetermined program that can execute a reading process, which will be described later, and a system program that can control each hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the line sensor 23.

  The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire information code reader 1, and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and has an information processing function. Various input / output devices (peripheral devices) are connected to the control circuit 40 via a built-in input / output interface. In this embodiment, a power switch 41, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, A liquid crystal display 46, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected. The communication interface 48 can be connected to a host computer HST corresponding to the host system of the information code reader 1.

  The power supply system includes a power switch 41, a battery 49, and the like. When the power switch 41 managed by the control circuit 40 is turned on and off, the conduction of the drive voltage supplied from the battery 49 to each device and each circuit described above is established. Or shut off is controlled. The battery 49 is a secondary battery that can generate a predetermined DC voltage, and corresponds to, for example, a lithium ion battery.

(Reading process)
Next, a reading process performed by the information code reading device in FIG. 1 will be described.
The reading process shown in FIG. 2 is executed by using, for example, a predetermined operation (for example, pressing operation of the operation switch 42) by the user or turning on the power as a trigger, and whether or not an image change is being monitored as the process starts. A determination is made (S1). In the present embodiment, when the line sensor 23 continuously captures images during the reading process of FIG. 2 and any one of the code elements is decoded twice or more (in the case of S11 Yes described later), the code Image changes are monitored until there is a change from the element image (previous saved image saved in S16). Note that the image change monitoring process is not performed until any code element is decoded, and therefore the process proceeds to No in S1.

  When the process proceeds to No in S1, an image captured by the light receiving sensor 23 is captured (S5), and an attempt is made to decipher the code elements constituting the multistage code C (the code element for one stage of the GS1 data bar in the representative example of FIG. 2) ( S6). The code elements constituting the multistage code C1 are an array of light bars and dark bars, and can be decoded by a method similar to a known bar code. If the decoding succeeds (successful analysis) in S6, the process proceeds to Yes in S7, and it is determined whether or not the reading result of the stage (code element) already accumulated is the same (S11).

  If the data of the decoding result of the stage (code element) determined to have been successfully decoded in S7 has not been stored yet, the process proceeds to No in S11 and the decoded data of that stage (code element) is stored in the memory 35. At the same time, the monitoring timer A is started and measurement of the elapsed time from the processing of S12 is started. Then, the decoding result data stored in S12 is compared with the previous decoding result data, and it is determined whether or not the finder patterns included in these comparison results are in the prescribed order (S13).

  Here, before explaining the principle of the determination process in S13, a multi-stage code C of GS1 data bar (stack type) as shown in FIG. 4 will be described as an example. The multi-level code C of the GS1 data bar (stacked type) stipulates that a finder pattern (feature pattern) is arranged in the central region X1 in each level. For each size determined in advance) with the specified contents as shown in FIG. For example, the multi-level code in FIG. 4 has seven segments recorded in the data areas X2 and X3 (two on the left and right on the first to third levels, and one on the left side on the fourth level). One pattern includes four finder patterns, one for each stage. The areas X4 and X5 are guard bar areas.

  The finder patterns are arranged in order of A1, C2, B1, and D2 from the first stage (see also FIG. 5). Therefore, when the accumulated data one time before the accumulated data in the latest S12 (according to the previous S12) is the code element of the first stage, A1 is included as the finder pattern. In this case, since the accumulated data in S12 of this time (most recent) should be the data of the code element at the second stage, C2 should be included as a finder pattern. Similarly, when the accumulated data one time before the accumulated data in the latest S12 (according to the previous S12) is the code element of the second stage, C2 is included as the finder pattern. In this case, since the accumulated data in S12 of this time (most recent) should be the data of the code element at the third stage, B1 should be included as a finder pattern. Thus, if the finder pattern can be identified from the accumulated data accumulated in the previous S12, the finder pattern that should be included in the accumulated data accumulated in the current S12 can be identified. Therefore, in S13, the data accumulated in the current S12 is stored. In this way, it is determined whether the data is in the configuration order (that is, whether the finder pattern is in the prescribed order).

  For example, if the finder pattern accumulated in the previous S12 is A1 and the finder pattern accumulated in the current S12 is C2, the finder pattern accumulated in the previous S12 is C2 and the finder pattern accumulated in the current S12. When the pattern is B1, if the finder pattern accumulated in the previous S12 is B1 and the finder pattern accumulated in the current S12 is D2, the order is the same as the configuration order, so the process proceeds to Yes in S13. The stage (code element) determined to be No in S11 is the first stage code element C1 as shown in FIG. 4, and the process proceeds to Yes in S13 even when the previous decoding result is not accumulated. Conversely, when the finder pattern accumulated in the previous S12 and the finder pattern accumulated in the current S12 are not in the composition order (for example, the finder pattern accumulated in the previous S12 is A1 and accumulated in the current S12). When the finder pattern is B2), the process proceeds to No in S13, and notification is given by making a predetermined sound with a buzzer or turning on the LED 43, assuming that skipping has occurred. Thereby, the user can perform an operation so as to return to the skipped stage, and it becomes easy to decode the skipped stage at an early stage.

  In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a decoding unit, and when each code element is imaged by the line sensor 23, each code element is obtained based on the imaging result of each code element obtained by the line sensor 23. Functions to decipher code elements.

  In addition, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a determination unit, and the decoding result of the one code element by the decoding unit when any one code element (any stage) is imaged, and the one code element It functions to determine whether or not skipping of a code element subsequent to one code element has occurred based on the imaged contents of another code element (other stage) that has been imaged later. Specifically, in the multi-stage code C to be read, each code element provided in a plurality of stages includes a predetermined feature pattern (finder pattern), and each stage and the structure of the feature pattern are determined in advance. The control circuit 40, which is associated with each other, extracts a feature pattern (finder pattern) included in the one code element based on the light color portion and the dark color portion constituting the one code element, and A feature pattern (finder pattern) included in another code element is extracted based on a light color portion and a dark color portion constituting another code element, and a feature pattern of one code element and a feature pattern of another code element This function functions to determine that skipping has occurred when the combination is not a specified combination.

  The control circuit 40 and the LED 43 (or the buzzer 44) correspond to an example of a notification unit, and function to perform notification when the determination unit determines that skipping has occurred.

Next, the case where the process proceeds to Yes in S11 will be described.
If the decoding (analysis) of the stage (code element) read in S5 is successful (S7 Yes), and the decoding result of the stage (code element) where the decoding is successful is already stored in the memory 35, the answer is Yes in S11. The process advances to notify that the stage (code element) has been read. In the example of FIG. 2, notification is made by turning off the illumination light source 21 under the control of the control circuit 40. Thereby, the user can grasp that the stage to which the user points has been decoded, and can cope with shifting the position to which the user points. After S15, the image of the stage (code element) read in the latest S5 (that is, the image determined to have been stored in S11) is stored, and monitoring of image change is started (S16).

  When the image change monitoring is started in S16, the process returns to S1 unless it is determined in S17 that the reading of all stages has been successful. Since the image change is being monitored, the process proceeds to Yes in S1. When the process proceeds to Yes in S1, the image captured by the light receiving sensor 23 at the time of the process of S2 is read, and the image stored in the previous S16 (that is, the stage where the data has been accumulated in S11 ( It is determined from the image of the code element) whether or not the image content has changed. Various methods can be used to determine whether or not the image has changed, for example, on condition that the waveform of the image stored in S16 and the waveform of the image stored in FIG. It may be determined that it has not changed, and it may be determined that it has changed when it is not substantially coincident. Alternatively, the degree of change in the waveforms is less than a certain value (for example, when the sum of the differences when the difference between the saved image in S16 and the acquired image in S2 is taken for each pixel is less than a predetermined value) ) May be determined as a condition, and may be determined to have changed when the degree of change is equal to or greater than a certain value. Alternatively, it may be determined that the change has occurred when the result of decoding the image at S2 does not match the result of decoding the stored image at S16. If the image content read in S2 has not changed from the image saved in S16, the process proceeds to No in S3. If the process proceeds to No in S3, the result is Yes again in S1 and the image is read in S2. Will be. Such a loop is performed until the image changes. On the other hand, if the image read in S2 has changed from the image stored in S16, the process proceeds to Yes in S3, and the illumination light source 21 is turned on. As a result, the user can know that the user has moved from the decoded stage.

  In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a decoding success determination unit. When a code element is imaged by the line sensor 23, it is determined whether or not the imaged code element has been successfully decoded. It works to judge.

  The control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of an image change determination unit, and functions to determine whether or not the image captured by the line sensor 23 has changed from the code element determined to have been successfully decoded by the decoding success determination unit. To do.

  Further, the control circuit 40 and the illumination light source 21 correspond to an example of a notification unit, and a predetermined notification process (for example, an illumination light source) is performed while the code element imaged by the line sensor 23 is determined to be successfully decoded by the decoding success determination unit. 21 is turned off, and when it is determined by the image change determination means that the code element has been successfully decoded, it is different from the notification mode in the predetermined notification process (for example, the illumination light source 21 is turned off). The notification function (for example, the state where the illumination light source 21 is turned on) functions to perform notification. The “notification mode in the predetermined notification process” is not limited to the illumination light source 21 being turned off. For example, a notification mode in which predetermined information (for example, a message such as “decoded”) is displayed on the liquid crystal display. It may be a notification mode in which a predetermined sound is emitted by a buzzer or a speaker. In this case, the “other notification mode” is not limited to the lighting of the illumination light source 21 and is a notification mode in which, for example, predetermined second information (for example, a message such as “undeciphered”) is displayed on the liquid crystal display. There may be a notification mode in which the second predetermined sound is emitted by a buzzer or a speaker.

Next, the case where it progresses to No by S7 is demonstrated.
If the decoding (analysis) of the stage (code element) read in S5 is not successful, the process proceeds to No in S7, and it is determined whether or not a fixed time has elapsed since the start of the monitoring timer in S12. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, that is, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous data accumulation in S12, the process proceeds to No in S8, and the processes after S1 are repeated. In this case, the process proceeds to No in S1, and the image is acquired again in S5. That is, until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the monitoring timer, the image acquisition in S5 and the decoding in S6 are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the decoding has failed in S7, if a certain time has elapsed since the start of the monitoring timer (that is, if a certain time has elapsed since the previous data accumulation in S12), Yes in S8. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a pattern presumed to be a multi-stage code to be read (GS1 data bar in the example of FIG. 2). This pattern determination process can be performed, for example, according to the flow shown in FIG.

  In the pattern determination process of FIG. 3, it is first determined whether or not a value of one module is registered. For example, if any stage (code element) has been successfully decoded in S6, the process proceeds to Yes in S7, No in S11, and the data in the stage (code element) is accumulated, The value (width) of one module that can be specified from the image of the stage (code element) in which is successfully registered is registered in the memory 35. Therefore, in S21, it is determined whether or not the value (width) of one module has been registered. If not registered, the process proceeds to No in S21, and the pattern determination process ends. In this case, in S9, it is determined that there is no pattern presumed to be a multi-stage code to be read (GS1 data bar in the example of FIG. 2), and the process proceeds to No.

  If it is determined in S21 that the value of one module is registered, the process proceeds to Yes in S21, and one value (the width of one module) is determined in the most recent image read in S5 based on the value of the one module. Value) to 8 values (8 times the width value of one module) is present (specifically, for example, whether there is a pattern of 5 values or more). In the case of a general bar code, the width is up to 4 values, and the GS1 data bar has five or more values. Therefore, if a pattern having five or more values exists, it can be estimated that the GS1 data bar is a GS1 data bar. . In such a case, the process proceeds to Yes in S22, and it is determined that there is a pattern that seems to be a GS1 data bar (S24), and the process proceeds to Yes in S9.

  If it is determined in S22 that there is no pattern of five or more values, the process proceeds to No, and any finder pattern (characteristic pattern: figure) defined by the GS1 data bar in the image read in the latest S5. 6) is present. If the finder pattern cannot be detected, the process proceeds to No in S23. In this case, the process proceeds to No in S9. On the other hand, if any one of the finder patterns shown in FIG. 6 can be detected, the process proceeds to Yes in S23, and it is determined that there is a pattern that seems to be a GS1 data bar (S24), and the process proceeds to Yes in S9.

  When the process proceeds to Yes in S9, it is notified that a skipping has occurred and a buzzer emits a predetermined sound or the LED 43 is turned on (S10). As a result, the user can grasp that the stage (code element) to which the user is pointing is to be read but has not been completely decoded (that is, reading skipping is occurring), and the position can be reliably confirmed. It becomes easy to perform the operation to read.

  The control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a unit module width detection unit, and functions to detect a unit module width based on a light color portion and a dark color portion constituting one code element (one stage). Then, after successfully reading one code element, the control circuit 40 corresponding to the determination means, when the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or more, another code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading. It is determined whether or not there is a predetermined type of module image having a unit module width as one unit in the captured image, and if there is a predetermined type of module image, it is determined that skipping has occurred. .

  In addition, the control circuit 40 corresponding to the determination unit, when the reading of one code element is successful, and when the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or more, other code elements obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading. It functions to determine whether or not a finder pattern (feature pattern) exists in the captured image and to determine that skipping has occurred when a feature pattern exists.

(Main effects of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the decoding result of the one code element by the decoding means when any one code element constituting the multistage code C is imaged, and the other code elements imaged after the one code element Whether or not skipping of the code element following the one code element has occurred is determined based on the captured image content. And when it is judged that skipping has occurred, a notification is given. In this configuration, in a stack-type multistage code C, after a stage (one code element) is decoded, the captured content of the stage (other code elements) captured after that is analyzed to determine skipping. Can be notified to the user when skipping occurs. Therefore, the user can grasp at an early stage that skipping has occurred, and can take an appropriate response promptly. In the conventional method of grasping that skipping has occurred for the first time after the user feels that all steps have been read, the time until then is wasted, and the response after grasping skipping Although it takes a long time to take (for example, a re-reading operation), according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly detect re-reading and quickly perform re-reading, etc. Results can be output more quickly.

In addition, a unit module width detecting unit that detects a unit module width based on a light color portion and a dark color portion constituting one code element is provided, and after a successful reading of one code element, reading is performed for a predetermined time or more. If not successful, in the captured image of the other code elements obtained at the time of reading unsuccessful or after unsuccessful reading, it is determined whether there is a predetermined type of module image with the unit module width as one unit, When there is a predetermined type of module image, it is determined that skipping has occurred.
In this configuration, the unit module width can be detected from the decoding result of one code element, and if the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or longer, the unit module in the captured image (captured image of another code element) at that time It can be determined whether or not there is a predetermined type of module image whose width is one unit. If a predetermined type of module image exists, it can be said that the image cannot be decoded even though the assumed type of image is obtained. Therefore, it is determined that skipping has occurred in such a case. Can do.

The multi-stage code C includes a predetermined feature pattern in each of the code elements C1 to C4 provided in a plurality of stages, and the determination means performs a predetermined process after successfully reading one code element. When reading is not successful for more than the time, it is determined whether or not a feature pattern exists in the captured image of another code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after unsuccessful reading. It is determined that skipping has occurred.
When the feature pattern can be confirmed in the captured image (captured image of another code element) when reading is unsuccessful or when reading is not successful for a predetermined time or longer, an image of an assumed type is obtained. However, since it can be said that it cannot be decoded, it can be determined that skipping has occurred in such a case.

In the multi-stage code C to be read in the present embodiment, a predetermined feature pattern is included in each of the code elements C1 to C4 provided in a plurality of stages, and each stage is associated with the configuration of the feature pattern in advance. It has been made. Then, the judging means extracts the feature pattern included in the one code element based on the light color part and the dark color part constituting one code element, and the light color part and the dark color part constituting another code element. Based on the above, a feature pattern included in another code element is extracted, and it is determined that skipping has occurred when the feature pattern of one code element and the feature pattern of the other code element are not a prescribed combination. .
With this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect skipping when the feature pattern obtained from one code element and the feature pattern obtained from the next code element (other code elements) are not in the normal order.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when any of the code elements C1 to C4 is imaged by the line sensor 23, the decoding success determining means for determining whether or not the imaged code element has been successfully decoded. And a notification means for performing a predetermined notification process while the code element imaged by the line sensor 23 is determined to have been successfully decoded by the decoding success determination means.
According to this configuration, the user can surely recognize whether or not the stage currently being read has been successfully decoded, so that the operation position and operation adjustment when reading a code element that has not been decoded can be grasped more accurately. As a result, it becomes easy to operate at a position and speed that do not cause skipping.

Further, in the present embodiment, image change determination means for determining whether or not the image captured by the line sensor 23 has changed from the code element determined to have been successfully decoded by the decoding success determination means is provided. When it is determined by the means that the code element has been successfully decoded, the notification means performs notification in another notification mode different from the notification mode in the predetermined notification process.
When moving from a decoded stage to another stage, the user can change the mode to another mode (for example, turn off to light), and operate while grasping whether or not the user is directed to the decoded stage during the operation. Thus, the reading operation can be performed more accurately and efficiently. For example, it is possible to reduce useless operations such as continuing toward the stage that has been decoded, and shorten the reading processing time.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the line sensor 23 has been illustrated in which the light receiving elements are arranged in a line. However, the line sensor 23 may not be in a single line as long as the light receiving elements are arranged in a line. For example, it may be configured in a plurality of rows in a longitudinal shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information code reader 21 ... Illumination light source (notification means)
23 ... Line sensor 40 ... Control circuit (decoding means, determination means, notification means, unit module width detection means, successful decoding determination means, notification means, image change determination means)
43 ... LED (notification means)
C ... Multi-stage cord

Claims (5)

An information code reader for reading a multi-stage code in which code elements in which a light color part and a dark color part are arranged in a predetermined direction are arranged in a plurality of stages,
A line sensor in which light receiving elements are arranged in a line in a predetermined longitudinal direction;
Decoding means for decoding each code element based on the imaging result of each code element obtained by the line sensor when each code element is imaged by the line sensor;
Based on the decoding result of the one code element by the decoding means when any one code element is imaged and the imaging content of another code element imaged after the one code element, A determination means for determining whether or not skipping of a code element following the code element has occurred;
An informing means for informing when it is determined by the determining means that the skipping has occurred;
I have a,
The determination means includes
Unit module width detecting means for detecting a unit module width based on the light color portion and the dark color portion constituting the one code element;
In the captured image of the other code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading when the reading of the one code element is successful and the reading is not successful for a predetermined time or longer, the unit module width is set to An information code reader comprising: determining whether or not a predetermined type of module image exists as a unit; and determining that the skipping has occurred when the predetermined type of module image exists . The multi-stage code includes a predetermined feature pattern in each of the code elements provided in a plurality of stages,
In the captured image of the other code element obtained when the reading is unsuccessful or after the unsuccessful reading, when the determination unit does not succeed in reading for a predetermined time after the successful reading of the one code element, The information code reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein it is determined whether or not the feature pattern exists, and it is determined that the skipping has occurred when the feature pattern exists. The multistage code includes a predetermined feature pattern in each of the code elements provided in a plurality of stages , and each stage and the configuration of the feature pattern are associated in advance ,
The determining means extracts the feature pattern included in the one code element based on the light color part and the dark color part constituting the one code element , and the light code part constituting the other code element. The feature pattern included in the other code element is extracted based on the color part and the dark color part, and the feature pattern of the one code element and the feature pattern of the other code element are not a prescribed combination. The information code reading device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the skipping has occurred. Decoding success determination means for determining whether or not decoding of the captured code element has already been successful when the code element is imaged by the line sensor;
Notification means for performing a predetermined notification process while the code element imaged by the line sensor is determined to be successfully decoded by the decoding success determination means;
Information code reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that with a. Captured image that due to the line sensor comprises an image change determination means for determining whether or not changed from the code elements is determined decrypted successfully completed by the decryption succeeds determining means,
The notification means performs notification in a different notification mode from the notification mode in the predetermined notification process when the image change determination unit determines that the code element has been successfully decoded. The information code reading device according to claim 4 .

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