JP6531534B2 - Information reading system and information code reading apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading system and an information code reading device.

  When manufacturing an information code reader such as a bar code reader or a two-dimensional code reader at low cost, it is conceivable to adopt a low cost product as an electronic component mounted on the reader. For example, the reading device includes a CPU, a RAM, a flash memory, a camera and the like, and cost reduction can be achieved by using these electronic components at low cost. However, if these electronic components are simply made into low-cost products, the processing frequency, capacity, etc. of the CPU will generally be reduced, for example, if the CPU has a lower processing frequency. Therefore, if the cost is simply reduced, the reading performance of the reading apparatus itself may be lowered, and problems such as an increase in the reading processing time may occur when reading the information code.

  With respect to such a problem, a method is conceivable in which a computer that is communicable with the reading device and that has a higher processing capability than the reading device can perform decoding without performing decoding processing by the reading device itself. For example, the computer disclosed in Patent Document 1 acquires image data including a QR code (registered trademark) read by a scanner provided separately from the computer using communication means configured by a network or the like. It is configured to decode.

JP 2007-172471 A

  However, in the configuration as described in Patent Document 1, each time the information code is read, the reader transmits data related to the information code to the computer, and the computer decrypts the data and receives the decryption result from the computer. Is required. As described above, since the communication process with the computer is required, the reading process time of the information code is increased. In particular, in a reader assumed to be configured to read a large amount of information code continuously, much time will be spent exchanging data with a computer.

  Further, in the configuration in which the computer capable of reading the information code is communicable by a network or the like as in Patent Document 1 described above, there is also a possibility that the speed may be reduced due to the deterioration of the communication state. In such a case, a large amount of time may be spent on communication processing while the speed reduction occurs, and the problem of an increase in the reading processing time of the information code becomes noticeable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in an information code reader configured at low cost, the reading processing time can be shortened while improving the reading capability. The purpose is to provide a configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is an information reading system comprising an information code reader capable of optically reading an information code, and a server capable of communicating with the information code reader.
The information code reader is
An imaging unit for imaging the information code;
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
A device communication unit for communicating with the server;
When the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit is successful, a predetermined process is performed using the decryption result, and when the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit fails, the server via the device-side communication unit A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing using information received from the server by transmitting information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit;
Equipped with
The server is
A server-side communication unit for communicating with the information code reader;
A server-side decrypting unit that performs a decoding process on the information code based on the information received via the server-side communication unit, and transmits the decryption result to the information code reading device via the server-side communication unit;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. It is characterized in that predetermined processing is performed .

A second invention is an information reading system comprising an information code reader capable of optically reading an information code, and a server capable of communicating with the information code reader.
The information code reader is
An imaging unit for imaging the information code;
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
A device communication unit for communicating with the server;
Among the information received from the server by transmitting the information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit to the server via the device communication unit and the decoding result by the device decoding unit and the device communication unit. A processing unit that performs predetermined processing using at least one of the processing units;
Equipped with
The server is
A server-side communication unit for communicating with the information code reader;
A server-side decrypting unit that performs a decoding process on the information code based on the information received via the server-side communication unit, and transmits the decryption result to the information code reading device via the server-side communication unit;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. It is characterized in that predetermined processing is performed .

An information code reading apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an imaging section for imaging an information code,
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
An apparatus side communication unit for communicating with a server capable of decoding the information code;
When the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit is successful, a predetermined process is performed using the decryption result, and when the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit fails, the server via the device-side communication unit A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing using information received from the server by transmitting information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. It is characterized in that predetermined processing is performed .

An information code reading apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an imaging section for imaging an information code,
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
An apparatus side communication unit for communicating with a server capable of decoding the information code;
Among the information received from the server by transmitting the information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit to the server via the device communication unit and the decoding result by the device decoding unit and the device communication unit. A processing unit that performs predetermined processing using at least one of the processing units;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. It is characterized in that predetermined processing is performed .

In the inventions of claims 1 and 4 , when the decoding process of the information code by the information code reading device succeeds, the predetermined process is performed using the decoding result of the information code reading device, and the information code by the information code reading device When the decryption process fails, the predetermined process is performed using the decryption result received from the server. In this configuration, when the decoding process succeeds in the information code reader, quick processing is possible using the decoding result without communicating with the server. On the other hand, even when the decoding process fails due to lack of processing power in the information code reading apparatus, the decoding result can be obtained by surely performing the decoding process with a server with high processing power. Therefore, even when the processing capacity is low because the information code reader is configured at low cost, and the decoding process is likely to fail, the reading ability is improved by the decoding process of the information code by the server while the reading ability is improved. It becomes possible to shorten processing time. In addition, since the information code reading device does not need to perform communication processing with the server when the information code reading device succeeds in the decoding processing, the communication state is deteriorated compared to a configuration in which communication with the server is always required. It is possible to suppress an increase in the reading process time due to the like.

In particular , when the decoding process of the code image of the information code imaged by the line sensor is successful, the predetermined process is performed using the decoding result, and the information sensor is imaged by the area sensor when the decoding process fails. The predetermined processing is performed using information received from the server by transmitting the information obtained thereby to the server. In this configuration, since the information code to be read is a one-dimensional code such as a bar code, if the decoding process is successful in the information code reader, the result of the decoding is used without communicating with the server. Thus, the predetermined processing can be performed quickly. On the other hand, when the decoding process fails in the information code reader because the information code to be read is a two-dimensional code such as QR code, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is sent to the server The predetermined process can be reliably executed using the decryption result sent from the server. In particular, since the information code reader only needs to have a processing capability capable of decoding a one-dimensional code, the processing capability required of the information code reader can be reduced.

In the inventions of claims 2 and 5 , the code image of the information code picked up by the imaging unit of the information code reading device is decoded by the information code reading device and the server, and a predetermined result is obtained using at least one of the decoded results. It is the structure which processes. In this configuration, even if the decoding process fails due to lack of processing power in the information code reader, the decoding result can be obtained by surely performing the decoding process with a server with high processing power. . Therefore, even when the processing capacity is low because the information code reader is configured at low cost, and the decoding process is likely to fail, the reading ability is improved by the decoding process of the information code by the server while the reading ability is improved. It becomes possible to shorten processing time. Further, even if the communication speed with the server is lowered due to the deterioration of the communication state or the like, the information code reading device is also configured to perform the decoding process, so using the decoding result by the device side decoding unit The increase in the reading process time can be suppressed.

In particular , among the information received from the server by transmitting to the server the decoding result of the decoding process of the code image of the information code imaged by the line sensor and the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor The predetermined processing is performed by using at least one of them. In this configuration, since the information code to be read is a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, even if the decoding process fails in the information code reading device, it can be obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor Since the information is transmitted to the server, the predetermined processing can be reliably performed using the decryption result obtained from the server. In particular, since the information code reader only needs to have a processing capability capable of decoding a one-dimensional code, the processing capability required of the information code reader can be reduced.

In the invention of claim 3 , the apparatus-side decrypting unit compresses the image size of the code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit to perform the decrypting process.
In this configuration, since the image size of the code image of the information code is compressed for the decoding process, the reading process time can be shortened even with an information code reader having a low processing capability. In particular, even if the decoding process fails because the code image is excessively compressed, the decoding result of the information code can be obtained from the server, so that the failure of the decoding process as a system can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating an information reading system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the optical reading unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an optical reading unit of an information code reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating an information reading system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the flow of the reading process performed by the information reading system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information reading system and an information code reading device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An information reading system (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a reading system) 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a system capable of optically reading an information code, and a decryption result obtained by decrypting data recorded in the information code. Is configured to perform predetermined processing using The reading system 10 includes an information code reading device (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a reading device) 20 capable of optically reading an information code, and a server 50 capable of communicating with the reading device 20 via an access point 40. Have.

  The reading device 20 is configured as, for example, a portable information terminal carried by a user and used in various places, and in the present embodiment, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, a data matrix code, or a maxi code Has the function of reading the information code of

  Moreover, the reader 20 is provided with the control part 21 which controls the reader 20 whole, as shown in FIG. The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, has a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface and the like, and constitutes an information processing apparatus together with the memory 22. In the memory 22, a predetermined program and the like for executing reading processing and the like of the information code are stored in advance by the control unit 21 so as to be executable.

  Further, to the control unit 21, a key operation unit 23, a display unit 24, an LED 25, an external interface 26, and the like are connected. The key operation unit 23 is configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 receives the operation signal and performs an operation according to the content of the operation signal. The display unit 24 and the LED 25 are configured to be controlled by the control unit 21 and operate in response to an instruction from the control unit 21. The external interface 26 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as the server 50 via the access point 40 or the like, and is configured to perform communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 21. ing. The external interface 26 may correspond to an example of the “apparatus side communication unit”. Further, the reading device 20 is provided with a power supply unit 27, and power is supplied to the control unit 21 and various electric components by the power supply unit 27 and the battery 28.

  Further, an optical reading unit 30 is connected to the control unit 21. The optical reading unit 30 functions as an optical reading unit that optically reads an information code captured in cooperation with the control unit 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical reading unit 30 includes an optical system such as the illumination light source 31, the imaging unit 32, and the imaging unit 33, an amplification circuit (not shown), an A / D conversion circuit, an address generation circuit, and synchronization. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a "microcomputer") system such as a signal generation circuit is provided.

  The illumination light source 31 which comprises an optical system functions as a light source which can irradiate illumination light, for example, is comprised by LED etc. In the case of reading by the optical reading unit 30, first, the illumination light Lf is emitted from the illumination light source 31 instructed by the control unit 21, and the illumination light Lf passes through the reading port (not shown) to form the information code C. The read object 60 is irradiated. The imaging unit 33 includes an area sensor 33a in which solid-state imaging devices (light receiving devices) such as CCD devices and CMOS devices are two-dimensionally arrayed. Then, for example, when the information code C is disposed within the visual field range, the imaging unit 33 is configured to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected by the information code C by the area sensor 33a. .

  The imaging unit 32 is configured of a known imaging lens. The imaging unit 32 defines a field of view that can be imaged by the imaging unit 33, and light that has passed through a reading port (not shown) and entered (specifically, the incident light is reflected by the information code C or the like) Light) is guided to the light receiving area of the imaging unit 33. Then, the imaging unit 32 functions to form an image of the information code C on the light receiving area of the imaging unit 33 when the information code C is disposed in the visual field range.

  The microcomputer system is configured to perform signal processing on an image signal of a code image (two-dimensional image) of the information code C captured by the above-described optical system. Specifically, the image signal (analog signal) output from the imaging unit 33 of the optical system is amplified by a predetermined gain by being input to an amplification circuit, and then input to an A / D conversion circuit, and an analog signal Are converted to digital signals. Then, the digitized image signal, that is, the image data is input to the memory 22 and stored in the image data storage area of the memory 22. Further, the control unit 21 analyzes the image data of such an information code C, and decodes the character code or the like encoded as the information code C by performing a known decoding process on the information code C. To function. The control unit 21 can correspond to an example of the “apparatus side decoding unit”.

Next, the electrical configuration of the server 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The server 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to a host computer that performs various information processing in the reading system 10, and can communicate with the reading device 20 via the access point 40. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server 50 includes a control unit 51 configured as a CPU or the like, and a memory 52 that configures an information processing apparatus together with the control unit 51.

  Further, to the control unit 51, a key operation unit 53, a display unit 54, an external interface 56 and the like are connected. The key operation unit 53 is configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 51, and the control unit 51 receives the operation signal and performs an operation according to the content of the operation signal. The display unit 54 is configured to be controlled by the control unit 51, and operates in response to a command from the control unit 51. In particular, the display unit 54 is configured by a known display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and configured to be able to display various information such as an information processing result by the control unit 51 and an operation state of the server 50. . Further, the external interface 56 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with the external device such as the reading device 20 via the access point 40, and performs a communication process in cooperation with the control unit 51. I am The external interface 56 may correspond to an example of the “server-side communication unit”.

  Further, the control unit 51 corresponds to an example of the “server side decoding unit”, and performs a decoding process on the information code imaged by the reading device 20 based on the information such as the image data received via the external interface 56 The decryption result is transmitted to the reader 20 via the external interface 56. Specifically, the control unit 51 analyzes the digitized image signal (image data) of the information code C received from the reading device 20 and performs a known decoding process on the information code C. Character code or the like encoded as an information code C is decoded. Then, the control unit 51 transmits the decryption result (character data and the like) obtained by the decryption in this manner to the reading device 20 via the access point 40 by the external interface 56.

  The access point 40 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a known wireless LAN access point in terms of hardware, and functions as a radio relay that connects the reading device 20 and the server 50. Specifically, the access point 40 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals using radio waves between the external interface 26 of the reader 20 and the external interface 56 of the server 50.

Next, the reading process by the reading system 10 will be described.
In the present embodiment, the information code C is imaged by the reading device 20, and when the reading device 20 fails to decode the information code C, the server 50 decodes the information code C. In such a configuration, processing is performed in the flow as shown in FIG.

  First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the key operation unit 23 of the reading device 20, the reading process is started by the control unit 21 and the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged An image is taken by the unit 33, and a two-dimensional image of the information code C is taken (step S1). The image data of the information code C obtained in S1 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the control unit 21 compresses the image size of the code image of the information code C captured by the imaging unit 33 (S2). Specifically, the image size is compressed by compressing (thinning out) the image signal (image data) obtained by digitizing the image signal of the code image of the information code C. And the decoding process of the code image which compressed image size is performed (S3). Next, in S4, it is determined whether the decryption process in S3 has succeeded. If it is determined that the decryption process in S3 is successful, the process proceeds to Yes in S4, and the control unit 21 performs a process of displaying on the display unit 24 that the decryption process is successful and the decryption result by the reading device 20 S5). Note that the control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the “processing unit”, and the fact that the decoding process is successful on the display unit 24 and the process of displaying the decoding result correspond to an example of “predetermined process”. When the process of S5 is completed, the process of FIG. 3 ends.

  On the other hand, since the control unit 21 with low processing ability is adopted for the purpose of cost reduction etc., if the decoding process in S3 fails in S4, the process proceeds to No and the image data of the information code C , And transmitted to the server 50 via the access point 40 (S6). The image data of the information code C may correspond to an example of “information obtained by imaging the information code”.

  On the other hand, in the server 50, when the control unit 51 receives the information such as the image data through the external interface 26, the control unit 51 performs a decoding process on the code image based on the received image data etc. , And transmits the result of decoding to the reading device 20 via the external interface 26.

  After the process of S6, the control unit 21 determines whether the communication waiting time with the server 50 (the time elapsed after transmitting the image data in S6) exceeds a preset allowable time (for example, 5 seconds). It judges (S7). If it is determined in S7 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 does not exceed the allowable time, the process proceeds to No in S7, and the control unit 21 receives the decryption result transmitted from the server 50. It judges (S8). If it is determined in S8 that the decryption result from the server 50 has not been received, the process proceeds to No, and the process of S7 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S7 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 exceeds the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the display unit 24 indicates that the decoding process by the server 50 is not performed within the allowable time ( A process to display a message indicating that it is timed out is performed (S9). When the process of S9 is completed, the process of FIG. 3 ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S8 that the decryption result from the server 50 has been received within the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 displays that the decryption process is successful and the decryption result by the server 50 is displayed on the display unit 24. A process for displaying on the screen is performed (S10). When the process of S10 is completed, the process of FIG. 3 ends.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the reading process of the information code C by the reading device 20 is successful, the predetermined process (the decoding result of S5 is successful using the decoding result of the reading device 20) The display processing of the effect is performed, and when the decoding processing of the information code C by the reading device 20 fails, the predetermined processing (display processing of the decoding result by the server 50 in S10) using the decoding result received from the server 50 Is configured to In this configuration, when the reading process is successful in the reading device 20, it is possible to perform quick processing using the decoding result without communicating with the server 50. On the other hand, even if the decoding process fails due to the lack of processing capacity in the reading device 20, the decoding result can be obtained by surely performing the decoding process by the server 50 with high processing capacity. Therefore, even if the processing capacity is low because the reading device 20 is configured at low cost and the decoding process is likely to fail, the reading ability as a system can be obtained by the decoding process of the information code C in the server 50. It is possible to shorten the read processing time while improving it. In addition, since the reading device 20 does not need to perform communication processing with the server 50 when the reading processing is successful in the reading device 20, the communication state is deteriorated compared to a configuration in which communication with the server 50 is always required. It is possible to suppress an increase in the reading process time due to the like.

In addition, the control unit 21 compresses the image size of the code image of the information code C captured by the imaging unit 33 and performs the decoding process.
In this configuration, even the reader 20 with low processing capacity can shorten the reading processing time. In particular, even if the decoding process fails because the code image is excessively compressed, the decoding result of the information code C can be obtained from the server 50, so that the failure of the decoding process as a system can be suppressed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the image data of the information code C is transmitted from the reading device 20 to the server 50 before the reading process of the code image by the reading device 20. Further, the reading device and the server according to the second embodiment are similar in hardware configuration to the reading device 20 and the server 50 of the first embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description of the hardware configuration is I omit it.

Hereinafter, the reading process by the reading system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the information code C is imaged by the reading device 20, and image data of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50, and the reading device 20 decodes the information code C. That is, before the success or failure of the decoding of the information code C by the reading device 20 is determined, the image data of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 for server decoding. Such a configuration is processed in the flow as shown in FIG.

  First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the key operation unit 23 of the reading device 20, the reading process is started by the control unit 21 and the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged An image is captured by the unit 33, and a two-dimensional image of the information code C is captured (S21). The image data of the information code C obtained in S21 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the image data obtained by the imaging of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 via the access point 40 (S22).

  On the other hand, in the server 50, when the control unit 51 receives the information on the image data via the external interface 26, the control unit 51 performs a decoding process on the code image based on the received image data, and when the decoding process is successful The decryption result is transmitted to the reading device 20 via the external interface 26.

  After the process of S22, the control unit 21 compresses the image size of the code image of the information code C captured by the imaging unit 33 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S23). Then, the code image whose image size has been compressed is decoded (S24). Subsequently, in S25, it is determined whether the decryption process in S24 is successful. If it is determined in S25 that the decryption processing in S24 is successful, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 performs processing to cause the display unit 24 to display that the decryption processing is successful and the decryption result by the reading device 20. (S26). Also in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the “processing unit”, and the processing that displays the decryption result on the display unit 24 and the decryption result is an example of the “predetermined processing”. Equivalent to. When the process of S26 is completed, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

  On the other hand, when the decoding process in S25 fails in S26 because the control unit 21 with low processing ability is adopted for the purpose of cost reduction etc., the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 selects the server 50. It is determined whether the communication waiting time (the time elapsed after the transmission of the image data in S22) has exceeded a preset allowable time (for example, 5 seconds) (S27). If it is determined in S27 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 exceeds the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the display unit 24 indicates that the decoding process by the server 50 has not been performed within the allowable time (timeout Processing to display the effect (S28). When the process of S28 is completed, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S27 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 does not exceed the allowable time, the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 receives the decryption result transmitted from the server 50 It is determined (S29). If it is determined in S29 that the decryption result from the server 50 has not been received, the process proceeds to No, and the process of S27 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S29 that the decryption result from the server 50 is received within the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 displays that the decryption process is successful and the decryption result by the server 50 is displayed A process for displaying on the screen is performed (S30). When the process of S30 is completed, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the code image of the information code C captured by the imaging unit 33 of the reading device 20 is decoded by the reading device 20 and the server 50, and one of the decoding results is The display unit 24 is configured to display. In this configuration, even when the decoding process fails due to lack of processing power in the reading device 20, the decoding result can be obtained by performing decoding processing reliably by the server 50 with high processing power. . Therefore, even if the processing capacity is low because the reading device 20 is configured at low cost and the decoding process is likely to fail, the reading ability as a system can be obtained by the decoding process of the information code C in the server 50. It is possible to shorten the read processing time while improving it. In particular, since image data of information code C and the like are transmitted to the server 50 before the success or failure of the decoding process of the information code C by the reading device 20 is determined, the server 50 receives an image after the reading process of the reading device 20. As compared with the configuration for transmitting data or the like, the decoding result by the server 50 can be received more quickly, and the reading processing time can be shortened. Further, even if the communication speed with the server 50 is lowered due to the deterioration of the communication state or the like, the reading device 20 is configured to perform the decoding process, so using the decoding result by the control unit 21, It is possible to suppress an increase in the reading processing time.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The third embodiment is mainly characterized in that the decoding result of the information code C by the reader 20 and the decoding result of the information code C by the server 50 are stored in the memory 22 and both decoding results can be compared. It differs from 2 embodiment. The reading device and the server according to the third embodiment are the same in hardware configuration as the reading device 20 and the server 50 in the second embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description of the hardware configuration is I omit it.

Hereinafter, the reading process by the reading system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the information code C is imaged by the reading device 20, and image data of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50, and the reading device 20 decodes the information code C. Furthermore, the result of decoding the information code C by the reader 20 and the result of decoding the information code C by the server 50 are stored in the memory 22 and compared. Such a configuration is processed in the flow as shown in FIGS.

  First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the key operation unit 23 of the reading device 20, the reading process is started by the control unit 21 and the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged An image is taken by the unit 33, and a two-dimensional image of the information code C is taken (S31). The image data of the information code C obtained in S31 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the image data obtained by imaging the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 via the access point 40 (S32).

  On the other hand, in the server 50, when the control unit 51 receives the information on the image data via the external interface 26, the control unit 51 performs a decoding process on the code image based on the received image data, and when the decoding process is successful The decryption result is transmitted to the reading device 20 via the external interface 26.

  After the process of S32, the control unit 21 compresses the image size of the code image of the information code C captured by the imaging unit 33 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S33). Then, the code image whose image size is compressed is decoded (S34). Subsequently, in S35, it is determined whether the decryption processing in S34 has succeeded. If it is determined in S35 that the decryption process in S34 is successful, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 performs a process of storing the decryption result obtained in S34 in the memory 22 (S36). After the process of S36, the process of S37 is performed. Further, since the control unit 21 having a low processing capability is adopted for the purpose of cost reduction and the like, when the decoding process in S35 fails in S36, the process proceeds to No and performs the process of S37.

  In S37, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the communication waiting time with the server 50 (the time elapsed after transmitting the image data in S32) exceeds a preset allowable time (for example, 5 seconds) ( S37). If it is determined in S37 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 exceeds the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the process of S41 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S37 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 does not exceed the allowable time, the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 receives the decryption result transmitted from the server 50 It is determined (S38). If it is determined in S38 that the decryption result from the server 50 has not been received, the process proceeds to No, and the process of S37 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S38 that the control unit 21 receives the decryption result transmitted from the server 50 within the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 stores the decryption result received from the server 50 in the memory 22. A process of storing in (S39) is performed.

  After the process of S39, the control unit 21 determines whether or not both the reading result by the reader 20 and the server 50 are stored in the memory 22 (S40). When the control unit 21 determines in S40 that both the reading device 20 and the decoding result by the server 50 are not stored in the memory 22, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 performs the decoding process by the reading device 20 and the server 50. A process is performed to cause the display unit 24 to display a message indicating failure (S41). On the other hand, if the control unit 21 determines that at least one of the decoding results by the reading device 20 and the server 50 is stored in the memory 22 in S40, the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 reads the reading device 20 and the server It is determined whether both of the decoding processes by 50 have succeeded (S42). In S42, when the control unit 21 determines that the decoding processing by the reading device 20 and the server 50 is not both successful (one is successful), the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 performs the decoding processing A process of displaying the success and the result of decoding of one of the reading device 20 and the server 50 stored in the memory 22 is displayed on the display unit 24 (S43). Note that, also in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the “processing unit”, and the fact that the decoding process is successful on the display unit 24 and the process of displaying the decoding result correspond to an example of “predetermined process”. Do. When the process of S43 is completed, the processes of FIGS.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 21 determines in S42 that the decoding process by the reading device 20 and the server 50 is both successful, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 stores the control unit 21 in the memory 22. It is determined whether or not the decryption result by the reader 20 and the decryption result by the server 50 match. If the control unit 21 determines that the decoding result by the reading device 20 stored in the memory 22 matches the decoding result by the server 50 in S44, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 succeeds in the decoding process. A process is performed to cause the display unit 24 to display the fact that they match and the decoded result that matches (S45). When the process of S45 is completed, the processes of FIGS.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 21 determines that the decoding result by the reading device 20 stored in the memory 22 does not match the decoding result by the server 50 in S44, the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 reads the It is determined whether or not 20 is set to use the decryption result of the server 50 preferentially (S46). Here, the reading device 20 is configured to be able to store in advance in the memory 22 setting information indicating that the decoding result by the server 50 is preferentially used when the reading result by the reading device 20 and the server 50 is obtained, for example. ing. Therefore, if the control unit 21 determines in step S46 that the setting information stored in the memory 22 is read and that the setting of using the decoding result of the server 50 is preferentially used, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 decodes A process is performed to cause the display unit 24 to display that the process is successful and the decryption result of the server 50 (S47). As described above, when the control unit 21 receives information from the server 50 via the external interface 26, the control unit 21 displays the information on the display unit 24 using the decoding result received from the server 50 regardless of the success or failure of the decoding process by the reading device 20. To function. When the process of S47 is completed, the processes of FIGS.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 21 determines in S46 that the setting is not to use the decoding result of the server 50 preferentially, the process proceeds to No, and the display unit 24 decodes the decoding result by the reading device 20 and the decoding by the server 50. A process is performed to display that the result does not match (S48). When the process of S48 is completed, the processes of FIGS. At S48, it may be displayed that the result of decoding by the reading device 20 and the result of decoding by the server 50 do not match, and the result of decoding and the like may be displayed. In addition, the display unit 24 corresponds to an example of the “notification unit”, and notifies the comparison result of the comparison between the decoding result by the reading device 20 and the decoding result received from the server 50 via the external interface 26. Function.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the code image of the information code C captured by the imaging unit 33 of the reading device 20 is decoded by the reading device 20 and the server 50, and at least one of the decoding results Is displayed by the display unit 24. With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained, and even if the processing performance is low because the reading device 20 is configured at low cost and the decoding processing is likely to fail, the server 50 It becomes possible to shorten the reading processing time while improving the reading capability of the system by decoding the information code C surely. In particular, since image data of information code C and the like are transmitted to the server 50 before the success or failure of the decoding process of the information code C by the reading device 20 is determined, the server 50 receives an image after the reading process of the reading device 20. As compared with the configuration for transmitting data or the like, the decoding result by the server 50 can be received more quickly, and the reading processing time can be shortened. Further, even if the communication speed with the server 50 is lowered due to the deterioration of the communication state or the like, the reading device 20 is configured to perform the decoding process, so using the decoding result by the control unit 21, It is possible to suppress an increase in the reading processing time.

Further, the reading device 20 can be set to use the decoding result of the server 50 with priority. Thereby, when the control unit 21 receives the information (the decoding result of the code image) from the server 50 via the external interface 26, the control unit 21 receives the information (the information code from the server 50 regardless of the success or failure of the decoding process by the reading device 20). C) can be displayed by the display unit 24. That is, if the decoding process by the reading device 20 fails, the display unit 24 displays the result of the decoding by the server 50 in S43, and the above setting (server 50 is performed even if the decoding process by the reading device 20 is successful. By setting the priority to use the decryption result of (1), the display result of the server 50 is displayed on the display unit 24 in S47.
In this configuration, the decoding result by the control unit 51 of the server 50 can be preferentially used over the control unit 21 of the reading device 20, and the highly reliable decoding result by the control unit 51 of the server 50 with high processing capacity is used. It can be used.

In addition, the reading device 20 is configured to include the display unit 24 that displays and reports the comparison result comparing the decoding result by the control unit 21 and the decoding result received from the server 50 via the external interface 26. There is. That is, when the decoding result by the control unit 21 matches the decoding result by the server 50, the display unit 24 displays that effect (processing of S45 in FIG. 6), and when it does not match, displays that effect. (Processing of S48 in FIG. 6) is configured.
In this configuration, by comparing the decoding result by the reading device 20 with the decoding result by the server 50, it can be determined whether or not both the decoding results match, and when they match, the display unit By displaying and informing by means 24, the reliability of the display result by the display unit 24 can be enhanced.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in that the reading device 20 decodes the one-dimensional image of the information code C and the server 50 decodes the two-dimensional image of the information code C. The reading device 20 according to the fourth embodiment has a function of reading a one-dimensional code such as a bar code, and the imaging unit 33 further includes a line sensor 33b together with the area sensor 33a, and an image of the information code C Is mainly different from the reading device 20 according to the first embodiment in that an imaging unit 32 b that causes the line sensor 33 b to receive light is provided. The hardware configuration of the reading device 20 according to the fourth embodiment other than the above difference and the hardware configuration of the server are the same as those of the reading device 20 and the server 50 of the first embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals. The detailed description of the hardware configuration is omitted.

  The imaging part 33 is provided with the area sensor 33a and the line sensor 33b which can image the same information code C, as shown in FIG. Note that although the area sensor 33a and the line sensor 33b are shown as the same electronic component in FIG. 7, for example, the illustrated electronic component is the area sensor 33a and is adjacent to the area sensor 33a ( The line sensor 33b is provided so as to be positioned on the rear side of the drawing sheet. Further, the line sensor 33 b has a configuration in which solid-state imaging devices (light receiving devices) such as CCD devices or CMOS devices are one-dimensionally arrayed. Then, for example, when the information code C is disposed within the visual field range, the imaging unit 33 can receive the reflected light Lr which is irradiated to and reflected by the information code C by the area sensor 33a and the line sensor 33b. It has become. Then, the control unit 21 analyzes the one-dimensional image data captured by the line sensor 33 b and decodes character data or the like encoded as the information code C by performing known decoding processing. To function.

  The imaging unit 32 b is configured by a known imaging lens. Note that although the imaging unit 32 and the imaging unit 32 b are shown as the same component in FIG. 7, for example, the illustrated component is the imaging unit 32 and is adjacent to the imaging unit 32. The imaging unit 32 b is provided (to be positioned on the rear side in the drawing). The image forming unit 32b defines a field of view that can be imaged by the line sensor 33b, and light that has passed through a reading port (not shown) and entered (specifically, the incident light is reflected by the information code C etc. Light) is guided to the light receiving area of the line sensor 33b. Then, the imaging unit 32 b functions to form an image of the information code C on the light receiving area of the line sensor 33 b when the information code C is disposed in the visual field range.

Hereinafter, the reading process by the reading system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the reading device 20 obtains a one-dimensional image of the information code C, and the reading device 20 fails to decode the information code C, the reading device 20 obtains a two-dimensional image of the information code C. The server 50 decodes the information code C. In such a configuration, processing is performed in the flow as shown in FIG.

  First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the key operation unit 23 of the reading device 20, the reading process is started by the control unit 21 and the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged An image is taken by the line sensor 33b of the unit 33, and a one-dimensional image of the information code C is taken (step S51). The image data of the information code C obtained in S51 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the code image obtained in S51 is decoded (S52). Next, in S53, it is determined whether the decryption process in S52 has succeeded. If it is determined that the decryption process in S52 is successful, the process proceeds to Yes in S53, and the control unit 21 performs a process of displaying on the display unit 24 that the decryption process is successful and the decryption result by the reading device 20 S54). Note that, also in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the “processing unit”, and the fact that the decoding process is successful on the display unit 24 and the process of displaying the decoding result correspond to an example of “predetermined process”. Do. When the process of S54 is completed, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  On the other hand, when the decoding processing in S52 fails in S53 because the control unit 21 with low processing ability is adopted for the purpose of cost reduction and the like, the process proceeds to No, and the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 The information code C placed inside is imaged by the area sensor 33a of the imaging unit 33, and a two-dimensional image of the information code C is captured (step S55). Then, the image data obtained by imaging the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 via the access point 40 (S56).

  On the other hand, in the server 50, when the control unit 51 receives the information such as the image data through the external interface 26, the control unit 51 performs a decoding process on the code image based on the received image data etc. , And transmits the result of decoding to the reading device 20 via the external interface 26.

  After the process of S56, the control unit 21 determines whether the communication waiting time with the server 50 (the time elapsed after transmitting the image data in S56) exceeds a preset allowable time (for example, 5 seconds). It judges (S57). If it is determined in S57 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 does not exceed the allowable time, the process proceeds to No in S57, and the control unit 21 receives the decryption result transmitted from the server 50 or not It judges (S58). If it is determined in S58 that the decryption result from the server 50 has not been received, the process proceeds to No, and the process of S57 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S57 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 has exceeded the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, indicating that the display unit 24 has not performed the decryption process by the server 50 within the allowable time ( A process is performed to display a message indicating that a timeout has occurred (S59). When the process of S59 is completed, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S58 that the decryption result from the server 50 is received within the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 displays that the decryption process is successful and the decryption result by the server 50 is displayed on the display unit 24. A process for displaying on the screen is performed (S60). When the process of S60 is completed, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when the reading process of the information code C by the reading device 20 is successful, the predetermined process (the decoding result of S54 is successful using the decoding result of the reading device 20) The display processing of the effect is performed, and when the decoding processing of the information code C by the reading device 20 fails, the predetermined processing (display processing of the decoding result by the server 50 in S60) using the decoding result received from the server 50 Is configured to With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and even if the processing ability is low because the reading device 20 is configured at low cost and the decoding process is likely to fail, the server 50 It becomes possible to shorten the reading processing time while improving the reading capability of the system by decoding the information code C surely.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the decoding process of the code image of the information code C captured by the line sensor 33b is successful, the display unit 24 displays the decoding result, and when the decoding process fails, the area sensor 33a. Thus, the information obtained by imaging the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 to display the decryption result received from the server 50 on the display unit 24. In this configuration, since the information code C to be read is a one-dimensional code such as a bar code, if the decoding process is successful in the reading device 20, the result of the decoding is transmitted without communication with the server 50. It can be displayed by the display unit 24 quickly. On the other hand, when the decoding process fails in the reading device 20 because the information code C to be read is a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, information obtained by imaging the information code C by the area sensor 33a is The display 24 can reliably display the decryption result transmitted to the server 50 and obtained from the server 50. In particular, since the reading device 20 only needs to have a processing capability capable of decoding a one-dimensional code, the processing capability required of the reading device 20 can be reduced.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The fifth embodiment mainly relates to the point that the image data relating to the two-dimensional image of the information code C is transmitted from the reading device 20 to the server 50 before the one-dimensional image decoding process of the information code C by the reading device 20. It differs from 4 embodiment. The reading device and the server according to the fifth embodiment are the same in hardware configuration as the reading device 20 and the server 50 in the fourth embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description of the hardware configuration is I omit it.

Hereinafter, the reading process by the reading system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the image data of the two-dimensional image of the information code C is acquired by the reading device 20, and the image data of the two-dimensional image of the information code C is transmitted from the reading device 20 to the server 50. Along with such processing, the reading device 20 acquires image data of a one-dimensional image of the information code C, and the reading device 20 performs a decoding process on the image data of the one-dimensional image of the information code C. . That is, before the success or failure of the decoding of the one-dimensional image of the information code C by the reading device 20 is determined, the image data of the two-dimensional image of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 for server decoding. Such a configuration is processed in the flow as shown in FIG.

  First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the key operation unit 23 of the reading device 20, the reading process is started by the control unit 21 and the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged An image is taken by the area sensor 33a of the unit 33, and a two-dimensional image of the information code C is taken (S71). The image data of the information code C obtained in S71 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the image data obtained by the imaging of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 via the access point 40 (S72).

  On the other hand, in the server 50, when the control unit 51 receives the information on the image data via the external interface 26, the control unit 51 performs a decoding process on the code image based on the received image data, and when the decoding process is successful The decryption result is transmitted to the reading device 20 via the external interface 26.

  Next, the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged by the imaging unit 33, and a one-dimensional image of the information code C is captured (step S73). The image data of the information code C obtained in S73 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the code image obtained in S73 is decoded (S74).

  The subsequent processes of S75 to S80 are the same as the processes of S15 to S20 of the second embodiment. That is, when the reading device 20 succeeds in the decoding process of the one-dimensional image of the information code C (No in S75), the display unit 24 displays the success of the decoding process and the decoding result by the reading device 20 S76). When the reading device 20 receives the result of decoding the two-dimensional image of the information code C from the server 50, the display unit 24 displays that the decoding process has succeeded and the result of decoding by the server 50 (S80). Also in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the “processing unit”, and the processing that displays the decryption result on the display unit 24 and the decryption result is an example of the “predetermined processing”. Equivalent to.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the code image of the information code C is decoded by the server 50, and the code image of the information code C is decoded by the reading device 20. The display unit 24 displays one of the decoded results. With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained, and even if the processing performance is low because the reading device 20 is configured at low cost and the decoding processing is likely to fail, the server 50 It becomes possible to shorten the reading processing time while improving the reading capability of the system by decoding the information code C surely. In particular, since image data of information code C and the like are transmitted to the server 50 before the success or failure of the decoding process of the information code C by the reading device 20 is determined, the server 50 receives an image after the reading process of the reading device 20. As compared with the configuration for transmitting data or the like, the decoding result by the server 50 can be received more quickly, and the reading processing time can be shortened. Further, even if the communication speed with the server 50 is lowered due to the deterioration of the communication state or the like, the reading device 20 is configured to perform the decoding process, so using the decoding result by the control unit 21, It is possible to suppress an increase in the reading processing time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the server 50 can transmit the information obtained by imaging the information code C by the area sensor to the server 50 by transmitting the decoding result of the decoding process of the code image of the information code C imaged by the line sensor. One of the decoding results received from the server 50 is displayed on the display unit 24. In this configuration, since the information code C to be read is a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, even if the decoding process fails in the reading device 20, it is obtained by imaging the information code C by the area sensor. Since the information to be transmitted is transmitted to the server 50, the display 24 can reliably display the decryption result obtained from the server 50. In particular, since the reading device 20 only needs to have a processing capability capable of decoding a one-dimensional code, the processing capability required of the reading device 20 can be reduced.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the sixth embodiment, the decoding result of the one-dimensional image of the information code C by the reading device 20 and the decoding result of the two-dimensional image of the information code C by the server 50 are stored in the memory 22 and both decoding results are compared The possible points are mainly different from the fifth embodiment. Further, the reading device and the server according to the sixth embodiment are the same in hardware configuration as the reading device 20 and the server 50 of the fifth embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description of the hardware configuration is I omit it.

Hereinafter, the reading process by the reading system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, before the two-dimensional image of the information code C is acquired by the reading device 20, the image data of the information code C is transmitted from the reading device 20 to the server 50, and before obtaining the decryption result from the server 50. The reading device 20 acquires a one-dimensional image of the information code C, and performs a decoding process on the one-dimensional image of the information code C. Furthermore, the decryption result of the information code C by the reader 20 is stored in the memory 22 and compared with the decryption result of the information code C by the server 50, respectively. Such a configuration is processed in the flow as shown in FIGS.

  First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the key operation unit 23 of the reading device 20, the reading process is started by the control unit 21 and the information code C disposed within the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged An image is taken by the area sensor 33a of the unit 33, and a two-dimensional image of the information code C is taken (S91). The image data of the information code C obtained in S91 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the image data obtained by the imaging of the information code C is transmitted to the server 50 via the access point 40 (S92).

  On the other hand, in the server 50, when the control unit 51 receives the information on the image data via the external interface 26, the control unit 51 performs a decoding process on the code image based on the received image data, and when the decoding process is successful The decryption result is transmitted to the reading device 20 via the external interface 26.

  Next, the information code C disposed in the visual field range of the optical reading unit 30 is imaged by the line sensor 33b of the imaging unit 33, and a one-dimensional image of the information code C is captured (step S93). The image data of the information code C obtained in S93 is temporarily stored, for example, in the memory 22. Then, the code image obtained in S93 is decoded (S94). Subsequently, in S95, it is determined whether the decryption process in S94 has succeeded. If it is determined in S95 that the decryption process in S94 is successful, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 performs a process of storing the decryption result obtained in S94 in the memory 22 (S96). After the process of S96, the process of S97 is performed. If it is determined in S96 that the decryption processing in S95 has failed, the process proceeds to No and performs the processing of S97.

  In S97, the control unit 21 determines whether the communication waiting time with the server 50 (the time elapsed after transmitting the image data in S92) has exceeded a preset allowable time (for example, 5 seconds) ( S97). If it is determined in S97 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 exceeds the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the process of S101 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S97 that the communication waiting time with the server 50 does not exceed the allowable time, the process proceeds to No, and the control unit 21 receives the decryption result transmitted from the server 50 It is determined (S98). If it is determined in S98 that the decryption result from the server 50 has not been received, the process proceeds to No, and the process of S97 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S 98 that the control unit 21 has received the decryption result transmitted from the server 50 within the allowable time, the process proceeds to Yes, and the control unit 21 determines the two-dimensional information code C received from the server 50. A process of storing the decoding result of the image in the memory 22 is performed (S99).

  The subsequent processes of S100 to S108 are the same as the processes of S40 to S48 of the second embodiment. That is, when the decoding result of either the reading device 20 or the server 50 is stored in the memory 22, the display unit 24 displays the success and the decoding result (S103). If the decryption result of the reading device 20 matches the decryption result of the server 50 (No in S102), the display unit 24 displays that the decryption result matches and the decryption result (S105). In addition, if the decryption result of the reading device 20 is different from the decryption result of the server 50 (No in S104), if the decryption result of the server 50 is preferentially used (see S46 in the third embodiment). (Yes in S106), the display unit 24 displays a message indicating that the process is successful and the decryption result of the server 50 (S107). Also in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the “processing unit”, and the processing that displays the decryption result on the display unit 24 and the decryption result is an example of the “predetermined processing”. Equivalent to.

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the code image of the information code C is decoded by the server 50, and the code image of the information code C is decoded by the reading device 20. The display unit 24 displays one of the decoded results. With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained, and even if the processing ability is low because the reading device 20 is configured at low cost and the decryption processing is likely to fail, the server 50 It becomes possible to shorten the reading processing time while improving the reading capability of the system by decoding the information code C surely. In particular, since image data of information code C and the like are transmitted to the server 50 before the success or failure of the decoding process of the information code C by the reading device 20 is determined, the server 50 receives an image after the reading process of the reading device 20. As compared with the configuration for transmitting data or the like, the decoding result by the server 50 can be received more quickly, and the reading processing time can be shortened. Further, even if the communication speed with the server 50 is lowered due to the deterioration of the communication state or the like, the reading device 20 is configured to perform the decoding process, so using the decoding result by the control unit 21, It is possible to suppress an increase in the reading processing time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the server 50 can transmit the information obtained by imaging the information code C by the area sensor to the server 50 by transmitting the decoding result of the decoding process of the code image of the information code C imaged by the line sensor. One of the decoding results received from the server 50 is displayed on the display unit 24. In this configuration, since the information code C to be read is a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, even if the decoding process fails in the reading device 20, it is obtained by imaging the information code C by the area sensor. Since the information to be transmitted is transmitted to the server 50, the display 24 can reliably display the decryption result obtained from the server 50. In particular, since the reading device 20 only needs to have a processing capability capable of decoding a one-dimensional code, the processing capability required of the reading device 20 can be reduced.

  Further, similarly to the third embodiment, the reading device 20 can be set to use the decoding result of the server 50 preferentially. With such a configuration, the decoding result by the control unit 51 of the server 50 can be preferentially used over the control unit 21 of the reading device 20, and highly reliable decoding by the control unit 51 of the server 50 with high processing capacity. You will be able to use the results.

  Further, as in the third embodiment, the reading device 20 displays and notifies a comparison result comparing the decoding result by the control unit 21 with the decoding result received from the server 50 via the external interface 26. The display unit 24 is provided. With such a configuration, by comparing the decoding result by the reading device 20 with the decoding result by the server 50, it can be determined whether or not both the decoding results match, and if so, By displaying and notifying by the display unit 24, the reliability of the display result by the display unit 24 can be enhanced.

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

  In the first to sixth embodiments, image data obtained as a result of digital conversion of an image signal (analog signal) of a code image of the information code C is illustrated as an example of “information obtained by imaging the information code”. However, the configuration may be other than such image data. For example, the “information obtained by imaging the information code” may be information (cell information) according to the arrangement state of the bright color cell and the dark color cell constituting the information code C. The cell information is information obtained from the result of classification (binarization) of either the bright level or the dark level based on a predetermined threshold value in units of cells constituting the code image.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-6th embodiment, although the example which the reader 20 is comprised as a portable information terminal was shown, the reader 20 is used in the state mounted in the predetermined mounting surface. It may be a stationary information reader.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the reading device 20 performs data communication with the server 50 via the access point 40. However, the reading device 20 performs data communication with the server 50 without using the access point 40. It may be a configuration to be performed.

  Further, in the first to sixth embodiments, the configuration in which the display unit 24 displays and notifies that the decoding process has succeeded is exemplified, but may be a configuration in which the success of the decoding process is notified by another method. . For example, when the reading process by the reading device 20 or the server 50 is successful, the LED 25 may be turned on for notification. Further, for example, the reading device 20 may include a speaker, and the speaker may notify by voice that the decoding process has succeeded.

  In the third to sixth embodiments, the reading device 20 may compress the image size of the one-dimensional image before performing the process of decoding the one-dimensional image of the information code C. In such a configuration, the reading processing time of the reading device 20 can be further shortened.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information reading system 20 ... Information code reader 21 ... Control part (apparatus side decoding part, process part) 26 ... Display part (notification part)
29: External IF (device communication unit)
33: Imaging unit 33a: Area sensor 33b: Line sensor 50: Server 51: Control unit (server side decoding unit) 55: External IF (server side communication unit)
C: Information code

Claims (5)

An information reading system comprising: an information code reader capable of optically reading an information code; and a server capable of communicating with the information code reader.
The information code reader is
An imaging unit for imaging the information code;
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
A device communication unit for communicating with the server;
When the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit is successful, a predetermined process is performed using the decryption result, and when the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit fails, the server via the device-side communication unit A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing using information received from the server by transmitting information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit;
Equipped with
The server is
A server-side communication unit for communicating with the information code reader;
A server-side decrypting unit that performs a decoding process on the information code based on the information received via the server-side communication unit, and transmits the decryption result to the information code reading device via the server-side communication unit;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. An information reading system characterized by performing predetermined processing . An information reading system comprising: an information code reader capable of optically reading an information code; and a server capable of communicating with the information code reader.
The information code reader is
An imaging unit for imaging the information code;
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
A device communication unit for communicating with the server;
Among the information received from the server by transmitting the information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit to the server via the device communication unit and the decoding result by the device decoding unit and the device communication unit. A processing unit that performs predetermined processing using at least one of the processing units;
Equipped with
The server is
A server-side communication unit for communicating with the information code reader;
A server-side decrypting unit that performs a decoding process on the information code based on the information received via the server-side communication unit, and transmits the decryption result to the information code reading device via the server-side communication unit;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
The processing unit is a result of decoding the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device decoding unit, and the information sensor transmits the information code to the server through the device communication unit. An information reading system characterized in that the predetermined processing is performed using at least one of the information received from the server by transmitting information obtained by imaging .   The information reading system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device side decoding unit compresses an image size of a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit and performs a decoding process. An imaging unit for imaging an information code;
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
An apparatus side communication unit for communicating with a server capable of decoding the information code;
When the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit is successful, a predetermined process is performed using the decryption result, and when the decryption processing by the device-side decrypting unit fails, the server via the device-side communication unit A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing using information received from the server by transmitting information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. An information code reader characterized by performing predetermined processing . An imaging unit for imaging an information code;
An apparatus-side decrypting unit that decrypts a code image of the information code captured by the imaging unit;
An apparatus side communication unit for communicating with a server capable of decoding the information code;
Among the information received from the server by transmitting the information obtained by imaging the information code by the imaging unit to the server via the device communication unit and the decoding result by the device decoding unit and the device communication unit. A processing unit that performs predetermined processing using at least one of the processing units;
Equipped with
The imaging unit includes a line sensor and an area sensor capable of imaging the same information code,
When the decoding process of the code image of the information code captured by the line sensor by the device side decoding unit succeeds, the processing unit performs a predetermined process using the decoding result, and the device side decoding unit When the decoding process by the device fails, the information obtained by imaging the information code by the area sensor is transmitted to the server via the device communication unit, thereby using the information received from the server. An information code reader characterized by performing predetermined processing .

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