JP7469627B2 - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical information reading device that optically reads information codes.

Conventionally, barcode scanners that use line sensors as light receiving means have been widely used at cash registers in retail stores and convenience stores to read one-dimensional codes such as barcodes displayed on products. Barcode scanners are provided with a reading port that is long in one direction to make it easier to read barcodes. For this reason, the barcode can be read by bringing the reading port into contact with or close to the barcode so that the longitudinal direction of the reading port is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the barcode.

In recent years, two-dimensional codes such as QR Codes (registered trademark) have become widespread, and it is expected that the introduction of code scanners capable of reading two-dimensional codes using area sensors as light receiving means will increase even at cash registers in retail stores and convenience stores. This will require a single optical information reader to read both one-dimensional and two-dimensional codes, and an optical information reader that can optically read both one-dimensional and two-dimensional codes is known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

This optical information reading device is a gun-type reading device that is designed to be held with the handle upright when the reading port is aimed primarily at an information code displayed on a vertical surface. An extension is provided around the reading port of this reading device, and an opening for visually viewing the information code is formed in this extension at a location different from the grip side. This makes it possible to visually view the information code from above through the opening, even when performing a reading operation in which the extended bottom wall portion on the grip side of the extension is in contact with the vertical surface to read the information code.

JP 2016-212861 A

In order to read both one-dimensional and two-dimensional codes as described above, the reading port for taking in reflected light from the information code may be formed so that its opening area is not simply rectangular, but has an opening area for one-dimensional codes and an opening area for two-dimensional codes. In such a configuration, a lighting unit for one-dimensional codes that irradiates illumination light suitable for reading one-dimensional codes through an opening area for one-dimensional codes, and a lighting unit for two-dimensional codes that irradiates illumination light suitable for reading two-dimensional codes through an opening area for two-dimensional codes are prepared, and both lighting units are stored in a housing in which a reading port is formed, thereby improving the reading performance for each of one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes. In addition, for example, by forming a reading port so that the opening area for one-dimensional codes is long in one direction and the opening area for two-dimensional codes is approximately square, it becomes easier to orient the appropriate opening area of the reading port to one-dimensional codes or two-dimensional codes, and in this respect, the reading performance for one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes can be improved.

In order to make it easier to point the reading port at the information code while holding the grip part provided on the housing, a housing with a bent neck may be adopted in which the reading port is located at the extended end of the reading part that extends diagonally downward from the grip part. However, in the case of a housing with a bent neck, such as the reading device 100 shown in FIG. 16, when the angle of the irradiation direction (optical axis) of the illumination light with respect to the plane F including the reading port 102 is taken as the irradiation angle, the irradiation angle of the illumination light (see symbol Loa) irradiated from the illumination unit 104a toward the opening area close to the grip part 103 is larger than the irradiation angle of the illumination light (see symbol Lob) irradiated from the illumination unit 104b toward the opening area far from the grip part 103. In this way, in the illumination unit 104a where the irradiation angle of the illumination light is large, there is a problem that the mirror reflection is likely to occur because it enters the folding field of the imaging system consisting of the light receiving sensor 105 and the like. This problem becomes even more pronounced in a housing that has been made smaller to improve portability.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a configuration that can suppress specular reflection caused by illumination light even when two types of illumination units that each emit illumination light through a reading port are housed in a curved-neck shaped housing.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the claims is as follows:
an imaging unit (28, 27) for imaging the information code (C, C1, C2);
An illumination unit that emits illumination light;
a housing (11) in which the imaging unit and the illumination unit are housed and which is provided with a reading port (50) through which the illumination light from the illumination unit is emitted and through which reflected light from the information code is introduced;
An optical information reading device (10) comprising:
The housing includes:
A reading section (12) in which the reading port is formed;
a gripping portion (13) that is gripped when the reading port is directed toward the information code;
Equipped with
The reading unit is connected to the gripping unit such that, when the longitudinal direction of the gripping unit is horizontal, the reading unit extends obliquely downward from one end of the gripping unit in the longitudinal direction and the reading port is located at the extending end (12a);
the reading opening is formed to include a first opening area (S1) formed by utilizing a first edge (52) of a periphery (51) forming an opening area that is remote from the gripping portion, and a second opening area (S2) formed by utilizing a second edge (53) of the periphery that is close to the gripping portion,
The illumination unit includes a first illumination unit (21) for irradiating a first illumination light (Lfa) as the illumination light through the first opening region, and a second illumination unit (22) for irradiating a second illumination light (Lfb) as the illumination light through the second opening region,
The second lighting section is characterized in that the second illumination light is positioned so that it is reflected on an inner surface (56) of the housing that is connected to the first edge and then irradiated through the second opening area.
The symbols in parentheses above indicate the corresponding relationship with the specific means described in the embodiments described later.

In the invention of claim 1, the housing includes a reading section having a reading opening formed therein for emitting illumination light from the illumination section and introducing reflected light from the information code therein, and a grip section that is gripped when the reading opening is directed toward the information code. The reading section is connected to the grip section so that, when the longitudinal direction of the grip section is horizontal, the reading opening is located at the extended end and extends obliquely downward from one longitudinal end of the grip section. The illumination section includes a first illumination section for irradiating the first illumination light through a first opening region formed by using a first edge away from the grip section, and a second illumination section for irradiating the second illumination light through a second opening region formed by using a second edge closer to the grip section, and the second illumination section is arranged so that the second illumination light is irradiated through the second opening region after being reflected by the inner surface of the housing connected to the first edge.

In this way, since the second illumination light is reflected on the inner surface of the housing and then directed toward the second opening area, the angle of the irradiation direction of this second illumination light with respect to a plane including the reading port (hereinafter also simply referred to as the irradiation angle) is smaller than the irradiation angle of the illumination light directly directed toward the second opening area. As a result, even in a bent-neck-shaped housing in which the reading port is located at the extended end of the reading unit that extends diagonally downward from the gripping unit, the second illumination light can be irradiated with a small irradiation angle toward the second opening area close to the gripping unit. Therefore, even when two types of illumination units that each irradiate illumination light through a reading port are housed in a bent-neck-shaped housing, a configuration can be realized that can suppress specular reflection caused by the illumination light.

In the invention of claim 2, a guide portion is provided on one side of the outer surface of the extended end portion, which is remote from the grip portion, to indicate the reading range for the two-dimensional code. As a result, when a user holding the grip portion faces the reading port toward the two-dimensional code by aligning the reading range for the two-dimensional code indicated by the guide portion with the two-dimensional code, the reading port faces the two-dimensional code. Therefore, even if the two-dimensional code toward which the reading port is facing is hidden by the reading portion and cannot be seen by the user holding the grip portion, the reading port can be directed so as to be readable toward the two-dimensional code.

In the invention of claim 3, the imaging unit includes a light receiving sensor and an imaging lens for focusing the incident light entering through the reading port to form an image on the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor, and the imaging lens is arranged shifted away from the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit with respect to the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor. This makes it difficult for the first illumination unit or the second illumination unit to enter the folded field of view (the imaging range in which the image is captured as reflected by the display surface, etc.) from the display surface on which the information code is displayed, and from this point of view as well, specular reflection caused by the illumination light can be suppressed.

In the invention of claim 4, the reading port is provided with a protective member that protects the imaging section and the illumination section, and the protective member is formed with a first transparent section through which the illumination light passes and a second transparent section through which reflected light from the information code passes, and the housing is provided with a holding section that holds the protective member so as to surround it from the outer side, and the holding section is formed so that the exposed width for exposing the first transparent section to the outer side and the exposed width for exposing the second transparent section to the outer side are smaller than the width of the user's finger.

As a result, even if the user's fingers touch the holding portion when gripping the housing, the fingers are less likely to accidentally touch the first or second transparent portion, and dirt such as sebum is less likely to adhere to the first or second transparent portion, thereby suppressing the deterioration of reading performance caused by dirt adhering to the protective member.

In the invention of claim 5, the reading port is provided with a protective member that protects the imaging section and the illumination section, and the protective member is formed with a first transparent section through which the illumination light passes, a first annular section that protrudes outward so as to surround the first transparent section in a ring shape, a second transparent section through which reflected light from the information code passes, and a second annular section that protrudes outward so as to surround the second transparent section in a ring shape.

As a result, even if the user's fingers touch the first annular portion or the second annular portion when gripping the housing, the fingers are less likely to accidentally touch the first transparent portion or the second transparent portion, and dirt such as sebum is less likely to adhere to the first transparent portion and the second transparent portion, thereby suppressing a decrease in reading performance caused by dirt adhering to the protective member.

The invention of claim 6 includes a marker light irradiating unit that irradiates marker light indicating the imaging field of view of the imaging unit, a marker imaging determination unit that determines whether the marker light is in a predetermined state in the image captured by the imaging unit, and an illumination control unit that controls the illumination unit according to the determination result of the marker imaging determination unit.

When the reading port is not directed toward a display surface or the like bearing an information code, the irradiated marker light is not reflected by the display surface or the like, and the marker light is not captured. In other words, when the marker light is not captured, there is no need to irradiate illumination light, and therefore, by controlling the illumination unit according to the judgment result of the marker imaging judgment unit, it is possible to suppress the emission of unnecessary illumination light.

In the invention of claim 7, the illumination control unit controls the illumination unit to irradiate illumination light when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker imaging state is in progress, and controls the illumination unit to stop irradiating illumination light when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker imaging state is not in progress. As a result, on a screen on which an information code is displayed, the screen itself emits light, so the reflected light of the marker light cannot be easily recognized and imaged, and irradiation of illumination light is unnecessary in the first place, so that the illumination light can be appropriately switched ON/OFF.

In the invention of claim 8, the lighting control unit controls the lighting unit so that illumination light is emitted when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker imaging state is present, and controls the lighting unit so that illumination light is emitted in a darker state than when the marker imaging state is determined to be present when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker imaging state is not present. This makes it possible to suppress the emission of unnecessarily bright illumination light.

In the invention of claim 9, the marker light emitting unit emits marker light when the image change determining unit determines that the image captured by the imaging unit has changed. As a result, when the optical information reading device is placed on a desk or the like, i.e., when not in use, the image captured by the imaging unit does not change and the marker light is not emitted, so that the emission of unnecessary illumination light can be more reliably suppressed.

In the invention of claim 10, the marker imaging determination unit determines whether or not the range in the captured image in which the marker light may be captured is in a marker imaging state in which the marker light is captured in a predetermined state. In this way, the range in which the marker light is captured in the captured image is predetermined, so that the range in the captured image in which it is determined whether or not the marker is in the marker imaging state can be limited, and the processing load required for the determination process, etc. can be reduced and the processing speed can be improved.

The invention of claim 11 includes a decoding unit that performs a decoding process to decode an information code from an image captured by an imaging unit, and a selection unit that selects a decoding result to be output when multiple information codes are captured simultaneously and multiple decoding results are obtained from one captured image by the decoding unit. The selection unit selects a decoding result to be output based on whether or not the decoding result includes selection determination information that is registered in advance.

As a result, for example, when the information code to be read includes the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment, by selecting a decoded result including the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment from among the multiple decoded results, it is possible to prevent the output of the decoded result of the information code not to be read that does not include the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment. Also, for example, when the information code to be excluded from reading includes the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment, by selecting a decoded result not including the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment from among the multiple decoded results, it is possible to prevent the output of the decoded result of the information code not to be read that includes the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment. In other words, even when multiple decoded results are obtained because multiple information codes are simultaneously imaged, it is possible to appropriately select the decoded result to be output, and it is possible to limit the output of the decoded result of the information code that was unintentionally read.

In the invention of claim 12, the selection determination information is at least one of a characteristic character string contained in a specified URL and a characteristic character string contained in a specified address. Therefore, for example, if a URL or address is recorded in an information code that should not be read, the decoded result of that information code can be prevented from being output, and if a URL or address is recorded in an information code that should be read, the decoded result that does not include the URL or address can be prevented from being output.

In the invention of claim 13, a decoding unit performs a decoding process to decode an information code for an image captured by an imaging unit, and a selection unit selects a decoding result to be output when multiple information codes are captured simultaneously and multiple decoding results are obtained from one captured image by the decoding unit. The selection unit selects a decoding result to be output based on the code type of the information code that has been successfully decoded.

As a result, for example, if the information code to be read is a predetermined code type, by selecting a decoded result from the information code of the predetermined code type from among the multiple decoded results, it is possible to prevent the output of the decoded result of an information code that is not the predetermined code type and is not to be read. In other words, even if multiple decoded results are obtained because multiple information codes are imaged simultaneously, it is possible to appropriately select the decoded result to be output, and it is possible to limit the output of the decoded result of an information code that has been unintentionally read.

In the invention of claim 14, a decoding unit that performs a decoding process to decode an information code for an image captured by an imaging unit, a processing unit that performs a predetermined process using the decoded result by the decoding unit, and a decoding result similarity/difference determination unit that determines whether or not two or more identical decoding results have been obtained when multiple information codes are simultaneously captured and therefore multiple decoding results are obtained from one captured image by the decoding unit. When the decoding result similarity/difference determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, the processing unit performs a predetermined process on one of the two or more identical decoding results.

This makes it possible to prevent the same processing from being performed redundantly, even when, for example, information codes of different code types each containing the same data are imaged simultaneously.

In the invention of claim 15, a storage unit is provided in which the decoded result for which the processing unit has performed the above-mentioned predetermined process is stored. The processing unit performs a predetermined process on the decoded result when the decoded result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, and when a decoded result that matches the same decoded result based on the information stored in the storage unit has not been subjected to the above-mentioned predetermined process by the processing unit within a predetermined number of readings.

As a result, even if the same decoded result has been read before, if that previous decoded result has not been subjected to the specified processing by the processing unit within the specified number of reads, i.e., if it is not a decoded result that has been recently used for the specified processing, it is assumed that the user has intentionally read two or more information codes containing the same data, and the specified processing can be performed using the same decoded result.

In the invention of claim 16, a storage unit is provided in which the decoded result by the decode unit is stored together with the decoded time when the decoded process was completed. Then, when the decoded result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, and the elapsed time from the decoded time stored in the storage unit in association with the decoded result that matches the identical decoded result is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the decoded result.

As a result, even if the same decoded result has been read before, if the time that has elapsed since the decoded result of the previous decoded result was decoded is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, i.e., if the decoded result is not one that has been used recently in the above-mentioned specified processing, it is assumed that the user has intentionally read two or more information codes containing the same data, and the above-mentioned specified processing can be performed using the same decoded result.

In the invention of claim 17, a counting unit is provided that counts the number of times that an information code successfully decoded by the decoding unit is removed from the imaging field of view of the imaging unit and reenters the imaging field of view as the number of imaging, and a storage unit is provided that stores the decoded result for which the processing unit has performed the above-mentioned predetermined process in association with the number of imaging counted by the counting unit. Then, when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, and the number of imaging times stored in the storage unit in association with the decoded result that matches the above-mentioned identical decoded result is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the decoded result.

As a result, in order for a user to intentionally read two or more information codes that contain the same data, the user can repeat imaging states in which the information code is included in the imaging field of view and imaging states in which it is removed from the imaging field of view, and then perform the above-mentioned specified processing on each of the same decoded results.

In the invention of claim 18, a storage unit is provided in which, for an information code for which the decoding result similarity determination unit has determined that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, the time at which the information code was removed from the imaging field of view of the imaging unit is stored as a code removal time in association with the decoding result. Then, when the decoding result similarity determination unit has determined that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, and the elapsed time from the code removal time stored in the storage unit in association with the decoding result that matches the same decoding result is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the decoding result.

As a result, if a user intends to read two or more information codes that contain the same data, the user can remove the information codes from the imaging field of view for a certain period of time and then reintroduce them into the imaging field of view, and the above-mentioned specified processing can be performed on each of the same decoded results.

In the invention of claim 19, a posture detection unit is provided that detects the posture of the housing. Then, when the decoded result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained and the posture of the housing detected by the posture detection unit is in a predetermined posture state, the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the decoded result.

As a result, when a user intends to read two or more information codes that contain the same data, the user can hold the housing in the above-mentioned specified posture and perform the above-mentioned specified processing on each of the same decoded results.

In the invention of claim 20 , a decoding unit that performs a decoding process to decode an information code for an image captured by the imaging unit, and an output unit that outputs a decoded result decoded by the decoding unit are provided. The output unit outputs the decoded result of one information code when an image of one information code decoded by the decoding unit is included in a predetermined reading area provided to occupy a part of the captured image, and an image of another information code is not included.

As a result, even if multiple information codes are imaged simultaneously and the decoding unit obtains a decoded result for each of them, not only will the decoded result of the information code that is not included in the specified reading area not be output, but the decoded result will also not be output if two or more information codes are included in the specified reading area. In other words, even if multiple information codes are imaged in a decodable manner, the decoded result of that information code will be output only if only the image of the information code to be read is included in the above-mentioned specified reading area, so it is possible to limit the output of the decoded result of an information code that is read unintentionally, such as the decoded result of another information code that is imaged while the reading port is pointed at the information code to be read.

In the invention of claim 21 , the output unit outputs the decoded result of one information code when the specified reading area contains all of the image of the one information code for which the decoded result has been obtained by the decoding unit, and does not contain at least a portion of the image of another information code.

As a result, for example, even if only a partial image of an information code that is not to be read is included in the specified reading area while the reading port is being pointed at the information code to be read, the decoded result of the information code that is not to be read will not be output. Also, even if the entire image of an information code that is not to be read is included in the specified reading area, as long as at least a partial image of the information code to be read is included in the specified reading area, the respective decoded results will not be output. Therefore, even if another information code is placed near the information code to be read, it is possible to easily output the decoded result of the information code to be read.

In the invention of claim 22 , the output unit outputs the decoded result of one information code when a specified reading area contains an image of a specific pattern of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained by the decoding unit, and does not contain an image of a specific pattern of another information code.

This allows easy and accurate determination of whether an image of an information code is included in a specified reading area based on a specific pattern of the information code that is easy to recognize.

In the invention of claim 23 , a marker light irradiating unit that irradiates a marker light toward an imaging field of view of the imaging unit, a decoding unit that performs a decoding process to decode an information code on an image captured by the imaging unit, an output unit that outputs a decoding result decoded by the decoding unit, and a code position determining unit that determines whether the information code decoded by the decoding unit is located within a decoding target area corresponding to a part of the captured image. When the marker light is not captured by the imaging unit, the output unit outputs the decoding result of the information code that is determined to be located within the decoding target area by the code position determining unit.

When multiple information codes including the information code to be read are displayed on the screen, the irradiated marker light is not reflected by the self-illuminating display screen, and so the reading device cannot determine which of the multiple imaged information codes is the information code to be read. For this reason, when the imaging unit does not image the marker light, the information code displayed on the screen is deemed to be read, and the decoded result of the information code determined to be located within the decoding target area is output, so that the decoded result of the information code outside the decoding target area is not output. In other words, by holding the reading port of the reading device over the screen so that only the information code to be read out of the multiple information codes displayed on the screen is located within the decoding target area, the decoded result of the information code to be read can be output without outputting the decoded results of other information codes displayed on the same screen.

In the invention of claim 24 , when the decoding unit obtains one decoding result from one captured image, the output unit does not need to determine whether the information code is to be read or not, and therefore outputs one decoding result regardless of whether the marker light is captured or not.

This eliminates the need for processing to determine whether or not marker light has been detected from the captured image, reducing the processing load associated with outputting the decoded results.

In the invention of claim 25 , when the marker light is not captured by the imaging unit, the output unit outputs the decoding result of the information code that is determined by the code position determination unit to be located within the decoding target area and is of a predetermined code type.

As a result, even if only information codes not to be read are located within the decoding target area in the captured image when the reading port is held over the information code to be read, the code type of the information code not to be read differs from the preset code type, preventing the decoded result of the information code not to be read from being output.

In the invention of claim 26 , a marker light irradiating unit irradiates a marker light toward an imaging field of view of the imaging unit, a decoding unit performs a decoding process for decoding an information code on an image captured by the imaging unit, a marker irradiation state determination unit determines whether or not the marker light is irradiated toward the information code from which a decoded result has been obtained, an output unit for outputting a decoded result of the information code determined by the marker irradiation state determination unit to be in a state in which the marker light is irradiated, a decoded result determination unit determines whether or not the decoded result obtained by the decoding unit is in a decoded result match state that matches the decoded result previously output from the output unit, and a double-reading prevention setting unit performs a double-reading prevention setting to prevent a decoded result matching the previously output decoded result from being output each time the decoded result is output from the output unit. Then, when the marker irradiation state determination unit determines that the marker light is not irradiated toward the information code from which a decoded result has been obtained after the decoded result is output from the output unit, the double-reading prevention setting unit cancels the double-reading prevention setting. In addition, when the double-read prevention setting section has set a double-read prevention setting, the output section excludes a decoded result that is determined by the decode result determination section to be in a matching state from the output list, and when the double-read prevention setting is released, the output section includes even a decoded result that is determined by the decode result determination section to be in a matching state from the output list.

Conventionally, when reading multiple information codes in succession, each of which records the same decoded result, a deactivation operation such as removing the information code from the imaging field of view is required to deactivate the double-read prevention function, and in a reading device having an imaging unit with a large imaging field of view such as an area sensor, there is a problem that the user's actions required for the deactivation operation are large. For this reason, by deactivating the double-read prevention setting when it is determined that the marker light is not being irradiated toward the information code after the decoded result is output, the double-read prevention setting is deactivated by removing the marker light from the information code for which the decoded result has been output, and the user's actions required for the deactivation operation can be reduced.

In the invention of claim 27 , the double-read prevention setting unit cancels the double-read prevention setting when the marker irradiation state determination unit determines that the marker light is not being irradiated toward the area surrounding the code, including the code area that constitutes the information code, after the decoded result is output from the output unit.

If the double-read prevention setting is released simply because the marker light has moved away from the information code from which the decoded result has been output, the information code may be unintentionally read twice if the marker light is again shone on the information code that was once moved away due to camera shake or the like. Therefore, by using the code peripheral area that includes the code area that constitutes the information code as a reference and releasing the double-read prevention setting when the marker light is not being shone on this code peripheral area, it is possible to prevent the double-read prevention setting from being released erroneously due to camera shake or the like, and to increase robustness against camera shake or the like.

In the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the code peripheral area is set so that a size thereof with respect to the information code changes according to a size of the information code occupying the captured image.

When the size of the information code and the area around the code in the captured image becomes large, the user's movement required to remove the marker light from the area around the code may become large. For this reason, for example, if the information code is captured relatively large, the size of the area around the code can be set relatively small, or the size of the area around the code can be changed depending on the size of the information code in the captured image, thereby preventing the user's movement required for the release operation from becoming large.

In the invention of claim 29 , a decoding unit that performs a decoding process to decode an information code of an image captured by an imaging unit, an output unit that outputs a decoded result decoded by the decoding unit, and an image state determination unit that determines whether or not a partial image corresponding to a part of the image captured by the imaging unit is in a partial image match state in which the image is considered to be unchanged, is provided. Then, when the output unit outputs the decoded result, the decoding unit does not perform a decoding process until the image state determination unit determines that the partial image match state exists.

As a result, when the decoded result is output, the decoding process is not performed unless the image is deemed to have changed in part, so there is no need to compare the decoded result for each image capture to prevent double reading. This reduces the processing load and shortens the processing time required to prevent double reading, etc.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the partial image may be set so that the range of the partial image that occupies the captured image is set to the center of the captured image.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the range of the partial image in the captured image may be set based on the position of the marker light in the captured image.

In the invention of claim 32 , the range of the partial image in the captured image is set based on the information code that was successfully decoded last time. By setting the range of the partial image in the captured image based on the position of the information code that was successfully decoded last time, it is possible to determine whether the partial image has changed based on the brightness and darkness of each cell that constitutes the information code, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a configuration of an optical information reading device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the grip portion is gripped. FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a state in which the grip portion is gripped. 4A is a plan view showing the opening area of the reading port as viewed from the X1 direction in FIG. 1, where FIG. 4A shows the relationship between the first opening area and the second opening area, and FIG. 4B shows the relationship between the opening area and the imaging field of view. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic electrical configuration of the optical information reading device of FIG. 1; FIG. 6(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the first opening area of the reading port is directed toward a barcode, and FIG. 6(B) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the second opening area of the reading port is directed toward a QR code. Figure 7 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the state in which a first illumination light is irradiated onto a barcode through a first opening area, and Figure 7 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the state in which a second illumination light reflected by a reflective surface is irradiated onto a QR code through a second opening area. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a shape of the vicinity of a reading opening of an optical information reading device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an imaging field of view on a plane including a reading port of an optical information reading device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing an optical information reading device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape of the vicinity of the reading port in FIG. 10 . 12A and 12B are perspective views illustrating the main parts of an optical information reading device according to a first modified example of the second embodiment, in which FIG. 12A shows a state in which the reading range for the two-dimensional code is aligned with the QR code, and FIG. 12B shows a state in which the QR code is covered by the reading port. 13A and 13B are perspective views showing an attachment of an optical information reading device according to a second modified example of the second embodiment, in which FIG. 13A shows a state before the attachment is attached, and FIG. 13B shows a state after the attachment is attached. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the configuration of a marker light emitting unit in an optical information reading device according to a third embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between marker light, an imaging field of view, and illumination light. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the irradiation angle of illumination light in a conventional optical information reading device. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an optical information reading device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a side view of the optical information reader of FIG. 17. FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the optical information reader of FIG. 17. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the protective plate is held by a holding portion. FIG. FIG. 21A is an explanatory diagram showing the degree of contact of a finger when the exposed width and exposed depth are changed, and FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the exposed width and exposed depth. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an optical information reading device according to a first modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an optical information reader according to a second modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 24(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of an optical information reading device according to a third modified example of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 24(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the X2-X2 cross section of FIG. 24(A). 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a captured image in which a barcode and a QR code are simultaneously captured during reading in the sixth embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in the sixth embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in the seventh embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a first modified example of the seventh embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a second modified example of the seventh embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a third modified example of the seventh embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a fourth modified example of the seventh embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in the eighth embodiment. 34(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating successive captured images in which a decodable code image has been detected, where FIG. 34(A) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is less than a specified range, FIG. 34(B) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is larger than FIG. 34(A) but less than the specified range, and FIG. 34(C) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is equal to or larger than the specified range. 35A is an explanatory diagram illustrating consecutive captured images in which a code image has been detected, in which FIG. 35(A) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is less than a specified range, FIG. 35(B) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is greater than FIG. 35(A) but less than the specified range, and FIG. 35(C) shows a state in which the remainder of the code image in an undecodable captured image is equal to or greater than the specified range. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a first modified example of the eighth embodiment. 37A is an explanatory diagram showing successive captured images in which a code image has been detected, and FIG. 37(A) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is less than a specified range and decoding has failed, FIG. 37(B) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is larger than FIG. 37(A) but less than the specified range and decoding has failed, FIG. 37(C) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is equal to or greater than the specified range and decoding has failed, and FIG. 37(D) shows a state in which the range of the code image in the captured image is less than the specified range and decoding has been successful. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which three barcodes are displayed on a screen, one above the other. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in the ninth embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a captured image and a reading area. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an image of an information code to be read and a part of an image of an information code not to be read are included in a reading area. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a single code imaging state in which only the image of the information code to be read is included in the reading area; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which all specific pattern images of an information code to be read and some specific pattern images of other information codes are included in a reading area. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between an optical information reading device according to a tenth embodiment and a decoding target area. FIG. FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a captured image captured in the state shown in FIG. 44 . 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a tenth embodiment. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in an eleventh embodiment. Figure 48 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the marker light is irradiated onto the QR code Cf, Figure 48 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the marker light has moved away from the QR code Cf, and Figure 48 (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the marker light is irradiated onto the QR code Cg. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a twelfth embodiment. Figure 50 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the marker light is irradiated onto the code area, Figure 50 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the marker light is irradiated onto the area surrounding the code, and Figure 50 (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the marker light is removed from the area surrounding the code. Figure 51 (A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the area surrounding the code when the size of the information code in the captured image increases, and Figure 51 (B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the area surrounding the code when the size of the information code in the captured image decreases. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a table in which the chord ratio and the peripheral distance are associated with each other. 4 is a timing chart illustrating a conventional read cycle. 54A and 54B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the position of a partial image relative to a captured image in the 13th embodiment, where FIG. 54A shows a captured image and FIG. 54B shows a partial image set for the captured image of FIG. 54A. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a reading process in a thirteenth embodiment. 23 is a timing chart illustrating a read cycle in the thirteenth embodiment. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the position of a portion of an image that is set based on the position of a marker light in a captured image. FIG. FIG. 23 is a side view showing an optical information reading device according to a fourteenth embodiment. 59(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly of a protective member to an edge portion, where FIG. 59(A) shows the edge portion inserted between the outer protective portion and the inner protective portion, FIG. 59(B) shows the adherend portion climbing over the protruding portion, and FIG. 59(C) shows the adherend portion adhered to the adhesive portion. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an optical information reading device according to a modified example of the fourteenth embodiment.

[First embodiment]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of an optical information reading device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
The optical information reading device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as an information code reader that optically reads information codes such as one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes displayed on a predetermined display surface. Here, examples of one-dimensional codes include so-called bar codes such as JAN codes, EAN codes, UPC codes, ITF codes, CODE39 codes, CODE128 codes, and NW-7 codes. Examples of two-dimensional codes include square information codes such as QR codes, data matrix codes, maxicodes, and Aztec codes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical information reading device 10 has an outer shell formed by a housing 11 formed by assembling an upper case 11a and a lower case 11b made of synthetic resin such as ABS resin, and a circuit section 20a made of various electrical components and the like is mounted on a circuit board 20 and housed within the housing 11. The housing 11 includes a reading section 12 formed with a reading port 50 that introduces reflected light from the information code into the inside, and a gripping section 13 that is gripped when the reading port 50 is aimed at the information code.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, when the longitudinal direction of the gripping part 13 is horizontal, the reading part 12 is connected to the gripping part 13 so that it extends diagonally downward from one longitudinal end of the gripping part 13 and the reading port 50 is located at the extended end 12a. That is, the housing 11 is formed with a neck-bent shape in which the one end side where the reading port 50 is formed is greatly tilted forward toward the back side. This makes it easy to point the reading port 50 toward the information code C displayed on a predetermined display surface R along a horizontal plane when the user holds the gripping part 13 with their fingertips from the upper case 11a side, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In addition, a cable attachment part 14 is formed on the other end side of the housing 11 (the other longitudinal side of the gripping part 13).

As shown in Figs. 4(A) and (B), at the extended end 12a of the reading unit 12, the peripheral edge 51 constituting the reading port 50 is formed in a generally trapezoid shape, with one side edge 52, which is farther from the gripping unit 13, as the lower base, and the other side edge 53, which is an edge closer to the gripping unit 13 than the one side edge 52 and is shorter in length than the one side edge 52, as the upper base. More specifically, the peripheral edge 51 is formed in a generally isosceles trapezoid shape, with legs 54 and 55 connected to the one side edge 52 and the other side edge 53, respectively, being symmetrical. The one side edge 52 can be an example of a "first edge", and the other side edge 53 can be an example of a "second edge".

By opening the reading port 50 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 4(A), an opening area long in one direction formed by using one side edge 52 (hereinafter also referred to as the first opening area S1) can be used as an opening area for reading information codes long in one direction, i.e., one-dimensional codes. Also, a rectangular opening area (hereinafter also referred to as the second opening area S2) formed by using a part of the opposite side of one side edge 52 and the other side edge 53 can be used as an opening area for reading rectangular information codes, i.e., two-dimensional codes.

Next, the electrical configuration of the optical information reader 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the circuit section 20a housed in the housing 11 mainly includes an optical system including a first illumination section 21, a second illumination section 22, a light receiving sensor 28, an imaging lens 27, etc., and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") system including a memory 35, a control circuit 40, etc.

The optical system is divided into a light projection optical system and a light receiving optical system. The light projection optical system is composed of two types of illumination units, and the first illumination unit 21 constituting one of the light projection optical systems is configured to include, for example, an LED 21a and a lens 21b provided on the emission side of this LED 21a. This first illumination unit 21 is arranged so that the first illumination light Lfa emitted through the lens 21b is directed toward the first opening area S1. In other words, the first illumination unit 21 functions as an illumination light source that irradiates the first illumination light Lfa when reading a one-dimensional code. In particular, the first illumination unit 21 is arranged so that the irradiation angle of the first illumination light Lfa with respect to the plane F (see FIG. 1) including the reading port 50 is smaller than the angle of the imaging optical axis L2 with respect to the plane F in order to suppress specular reflection caused by the illumination light.

The second illumination unit 22, which constitutes the other part of the light projection optical system, is configured to include, for example, an LED 22a and a lens 22b provided on the emission side of the LED 22a. In order to make the irradiation angle with respect to the plane F smaller than the angle of the imaging optical axis L2, the second illumination unit 22 is provided near the bottom surface of the lower case 11b as shown in FIG. 1, and is arranged so that the second illumination light Lfb emitted through the lens 22b is reflected by the inner surface (hereinafter also referred to as the reflecting surface 56) of the housing 11 connected to the one side edge portion 52 and then directed toward the second opening area S2. That is, the second illumination unit 22 functions as an illumination light source that irradiates the second illumination light Lfb when reading a two-dimensional code. Note that FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates an example in which the first illumination light Lfa and the second illumination light Lfb are irradiated through the reading port 50 toward the display surface R on which the information code C is displayed.

The light receiving optical system is composed of a light receiving sensor 28, an imaging lens 27, a reflector (not shown), etc. The light receiving sensor 28 is configured as an area sensor in which light receiving elements, which are solid-state imaging elements such as C-MOS or CCD, are arranged two-dimensionally, and is configured to have a light receiving surface 28a as a rectangular light receiving area. This light receiving sensor 28 is mounted on the circuit board 20 so that it can receive incident light that enters through the reading port 50, the protective plate 26, and the imaging lens 27.

The imaging lens 27 functions as an imaging optical system capable of focusing the incident light incident from the outside through the reading port 50 and forming an image on the light receiving surface 28a of the light receiving sensor 28. In this embodiment, after the illumination light irradiated from the first illumination unit 21 or the second illumination unit 22 is reflected by an information code or the like, the reflected light is focused by the imaging lens 27 to form a code image or the like on the light receiving surface 28a of the light receiving sensor 28. In this embodiment, the imaging lens 27 is arranged so that the inclination angle of the imaging optical axis L2 with respect to the plane F is, for example, about 45° to 70° in order to suppress the influence of mirror reflection. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4B, the imaging lens 27 is arranged so that the imaging field of view AR on the plane F including the reading port 50 of the light receiving sensor 28 having a square light receiving surface 28a is a trapezoid with a gap of about 5 mm from the periphery 51, which is slightly narrower than the periphery 51. The imaging lens 27 is disposed so as to be decentered by being shifted away from the first illumination unit 21 and the second illumination unit 22 (to the left in FIG. 1 ) relative to the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 28 so that the first illumination unit 21 and the second illumination unit 22 do not enter the folded field of view (the imaging range imaged by being reflected by the display surface R) of the imaging system from the specified display surface R. The light receiving sensor 28 and the imaging lens 27 may correspond to an example of an "imaging unit."

The microcomputer system is composed of an amplifier 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, a trigger switch 42, a buzzer 44, a vibrator 45, a light emitter 46, a communication interface 48, etc. As its name suggests, this microcomputer system is composed mainly of a control circuit 40 and memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing device), and can process the image signal of the information code captured by the optical system described above using hardware and software. The control circuit 40 also controls the entire system of the optical information reading device 10.

The image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 28 of the optical system is input to the amplifier circuit 31 where it is amplified at a predetermined gain, and then input to the A/D conversion circuit 33 where it is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal. The digitized image signal, i.e., image data (image information), is then input to the memory 35 where it is stored in the image data storage area. The synchronization signal generating circuit 38 is configured to be able to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 28 and the address generating circuit 36, and the address generating circuit 36 is configured to be able to generate a storage address for the image data to be stored in the memory 35 based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generating circuit 38.

The memory 35 is a semiconductor memory device, such as a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). In addition to the image data storage area described above, the RAM of this memory 35 is configured to be able to secure a working area and a reading condition table that the control circuit 40 uses during each process, such as arithmetic operations and logical operations. In addition, the ROM prestores system programs and the like that can control each piece of hardware, such as the first illumination unit 21, the second illumination unit 22, and the light receiving sensor 28.

The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire optical information reading device 10, and is composed of a CPU, a system bus, an input/output interface, etc., and can constitute an information processing device together with the memory 35, and has an information processing function. This control circuit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input/output devices (peripheral devices) via the built-in input/output interface, and in this embodiment, the trigger switch 42, the buzzer 44, the vibrator 45, the light-emitting unit 46, the communication interface 48, etc. are connected. As a result, for example, the control circuit 40 monitors and manages the trigger switch 42, turns on and off the sound of the buzzer 44 that can generate beeps and alarm sounds, drives and controls the vibrator 45 that can generate vibrations that can be transmitted to the user of the optical information reading device 10, turns on and off the light-emitting unit 46, and controls communication with external devices such as higher-level devices through the communication interface 48.

Next, the reading process carried out by the control circuit 40 when reading the information code C using the optical information reader 10 constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, a one-dimensional code reading mode for reading one-dimensional codes and a two-dimensional code reading mode for reading two-dimensional codes are prepared. In the reading process, the one-dimensional code reading mode and the two-dimensional code reading mode are switched in response to the reading of a predetermined switching information code or an instruction from a higher-level device. When the one-dimensional code reading mode is selected, the first illumination unit 21 emits the first illumination light Lfa and the information code C or the like can be imaged through the reading port 50, and the second illumination unit 22 is maintained in an off state. When the two-dimensional code reading mode is selected, the second illumination unit 22 emits the second illumination light Lfb and the information code C or the like can be imaged through the reading port 50, and the first illumination unit 21 is maintained in an off state.

Therefore, when reading the barcode C1 as a one-dimensional code long in one direction, the reading process is switched to the one-dimensional code reading mode in advance. Then, when the reading port 50 is brought into contact with or close to the barcode C1 to read it, as can be seen from FIG. 6A, the part of the reading unit 12 that is long in one direction near one side edge 52 is brought close to the barcode C1, and the barcode C1 is covered by the one side edge 52 side of the reading port 50. As a result, the first opening area S1 faces the barcode C1 so as to be in contact with or close to it, and by operating the trigger switch 42 in this state, the first illumination light Lfa is irradiated from the first illumination unit 21 through the first opening area S1. When the reflected light from the barcode C1 is received by the light receiving sensor 28 through the first opening area S1 due to this irradiation state, image data of the barcode C1 is generated based on the signal output from the light receiving sensor 28 in response to this light reception. A known decoding process is performed on the code image corresponding to the barcode C1 from this image data, and the character data etc. coded as the barcode C1 are decoded.

At that time, as shown in FIG. 7A, the irradiation angle of the first illumination light Lfa with respect to the plane F becomes smaller than the angle of the imaging optical axis L2 with respect to the plane F. Therefore, the first illumination unit 21 is less likely to enter the folded field of view at the plane F of the imaging system consisting of the light receiving sensor 28, etc., and the effect of the specular reflection caused by the first illumination light Lfa on the captured image is suppressed.

On the other hand, when reading the QR code C2 as a square two-dimensional code, the reading process is switched to the two-dimensional code reading mode in advance. Then, when the reading port 50 is brought into contact with or close to the QR code C2 to read it, as can be seen from FIG. 6B, the part near the other side edge 53 of the reading unit 12 is brought close to the QR code C2, and the QR code C2 is covered by the other side edge 53 of the reading port 50. As a result, the second opening area S2 faces the QR code C2 so as to be in contact with or close to it, and by operating the trigger switch 42 in this state, the second illumination light Lfb is irradiated from the second illumination unit 22 through the second opening area S2. When the reflected light from the QR code C2 is received by the light receiving sensor 28 through the second opening area S2 due to this irradiation state, image data of the QR code C2 is generated based on the signal output from the light receiving sensor 28 in response to this light reception. A known decoding process is performed on the code image corresponding to the QR code C2 from this image data, and the character data and other data encoded as the QR code C2 are decoded.

At that time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the irradiation angle of the second illumination light Lfb with respect to the plane F becomes smaller than the angle of the imaging optical axis L2 with respect to the plane F. Therefore, the second illumination unit 22 is less likely to enter the folded field of view at the plane F of the imaging system consisting of the light receiving sensor 28, etc., and the effect of the specular reflection caused by the second illumination light Lfb on the captured image is suppressed.

When decoding is successful in the one-dimensional code reading mode or the two-dimensional code reading mode, the notification section processes the successful decoding by at least one of sounding the buzzer 44, vibrating the vibrator 45, and emitting light from the light-emitting section 46. Note that if decoding is successful based on image data generated based on a portion of the signal output from the light-receiving sensor 28, the remaining signal becomes unnecessary. In this case, by suspending processing subsequent to the generation of image data based on the remaining signal, not only can the processing load related to decoding (optical reading) be reduced, but the processing time can also be shortened.

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, the housing 11 includes a reading unit 12 in which a reading port 50 is formed, and a gripping unit 13 that is gripped when the reading port 50 is directed toward an information code. When the longitudinal direction of the gripping unit 13 is horizontal, the reading unit 12 is connected to the gripping unit 13 so that it extends diagonally downward from one longitudinal end of the gripping unit 13, with the reading port 50 located at the extending end 12a. The illumination unit includes a first illumination unit 21 for irradiating the first illumination light Lfa through a first opening area S1 formed by using one side edge 52 away from the grip 13, and a second illumination unit 22 for irradiating the second illumination light Lfb through a second opening area S2 formed by using the other side edge 53 closer to the grip 13. The second illumination unit 22 is positioned so that the second illumination light Lfb is reflected by a reflecting surface 56, which is the inner surface of the housing 11 connected to the one side edge 52, and then irradiated to the outside through the second opening area S2.

In this way, since the second illumination light Lfb is reflected by the reflecting surface 56 of the housing 11 and then directed toward the second opening area S2, the irradiation angle of the second illumination light Lfb with respect to the plane F including the reading port 50 is smaller than the irradiation angle of the illumination light directly directed toward the second opening area S2. As a result, even in a bent-neck-shaped housing 11 in which the reading port 50 is located at the extended end 12a of the reading unit 12 extending diagonally downward from the grip 13, the second illumination light Lfb can be irradiated with a small irradiation angle toward the second opening area S2 close to the grip 13. Therefore, even when two types of illumination units 21 and 22 that each irradiate illumination light through the reading port 50 are housed in a bent-neck-shaped housing 11, a configuration that can suppress specular reflection caused by illumination light can be realized.

In particular, the imaging lens 27 is positioned offset away from the first illumination unit 21 and the second illumination unit 22 relative to the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 28, making it difficult for the first illumination unit 21 and the second illumination unit 22 to enter the folded field of view from the specified display surface R, which also makes it possible to suppress specular reflection caused by the illumination light.

As a first modification of the first embodiment, the periphery 51 may be formed so that at least a portion thereof is arc-shaped when the reading port 50 is viewed in a plan view (see arrow X1 in FIG. 1). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the one side edge 52 and the reflective surface 56 may be formed so that they are arc-shaped when the reading port 50 is viewed in a plan view.

As a second modified example of the first embodiment, the imaging lens 27, etc. may be arranged so that the imaging field AR on the plane F covers at least a portion of the periphery 51. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the imaging lens 27, etc. may be arranged so that the imaging field AR on the plane F covers at least a portion of the reflecting surface 56. The imaging lens 27, etc. may be arranged so that the imaging field AR on the plane F (light receiving area at the reading port) covers at least an area whose outer edges are the one side edge 52 and the other side edge 53, specifically, for example, substantially coincides with the opening area defined by the periphery 51.

[Second embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that a guide portion for indicating the reading range for the two-dimensional code is provided on the outer surface of the reading unit 12. For this reason, components substantially similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As described above, the reading port 50 in the first embodiment is opened in a generally trapezoidal shape so that it can read both one-dimensional codes that are long in one direction and rectangular two-dimensional codes. Therefore, although the reading port 50 can be easily aimed at one-dimensional codes, one side edge 52, which is the long side of the opening area of the reading port 50, is present at the back side as viewed from the user, so if the two-dimensional code is hidden by the reading unit 12, it may not be possible to accurately aim the second opening area S2 at the two-dimensional code.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a guide portion 60 for indicating the two-dimensional code reading range D corresponding to the second opening region S2 is provided on one side surface 12b of the outer surface of the extension end portion 12a, which is away from the grip portion 13. The guide portion 60 includes a pair of guides 61, 62. As shown in Fig. 11, the guide 61 is formed in a protrusion shape at a position where one end of the other side edge portion 53 is vertically projected onto the one side edge portion 52, and the guide 62 is formed in a protrusion shape at a position where the other end of the other side edge portion 53 is vertically projected onto the one side edge portion 52. That is, both guides 61, 62 are arranged so that both ends of the range where the second opening region S2 is projected onto the lower end 12c of the one side surface 12b are indicated as both ends of the two-dimensional code reading range D.

As a result, when a user holding the grip portion 13 faces the reading port 50 toward the two-dimensional code by aligning the two-dimensional code reading range D indicated by the guide portion 60 with the two-dimensional code, the reading port 50 faces the two-dimensional code. Therefore, even if the two-dimensional code toward which the reading port 50 is facing is hidden by the reading portion 12 and cannot be seen by the user holding the grip portion 13, the reading port 50 can be directed toward the two-dimensional code so that it can be read.

As a modification of this embodiment, the pair of guides 61, 62 are not limited to being formed in a protrusion shape, and may be configured with other easily visible shapes, colors, etc. For example, the pair of guides 61, 62 may be configured with thick line marks printed in different colors (e.g., red) on one side surface 12b, as in a first modification of this embodiment shown in Figures 12 (A) and (B). The pair of guides 61, 62 may also be configured with LEDs whose lighting can be controlled, or the guide unit 60 itself may be configured with a liquid crystal display, etc. The guide unit 60 may also be provided on an attachment 70 that is configured to be detachable from the reading unit 12, as in a second modification of this embodiment shown in Figures 13 (A) and (B).

[Third embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in that a marker light irradiating unit is provided to irradiate marker light to indicate the center of the imaging field of view AR. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to designate components substantially similar to those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a marker light irradiator 29 is provided in the housing 11, which irradiates a circular marker light Lm through the reading port 50 to indicate the center (imaging optical axis L2) of the imaging field of view AR. The marker light irradiator 29 includes a marker light source 29a, an aperture 29b, a marker lens 29c, etc., and is arranged so that the marker light source 29a is close to the light receiving sensor 28 while reducing the angular difference between the marker optical axis L3 of the marker light Lm and the imaging optical axis L2. Note that for convenience, the first illumination unit 21 and the second illumination unit 22 are not shown in FIG. 14.

In particular, in this embodiment, in an irradiation state in which the first illumination light Lfa is irradiated, the first illumination light Lfa and the marker light Lm are alternately irradiated, and the user visually recognizes that the first illumination light Lfa and the marker light Lm are irradiated simultaneously. In addition, in an irradiation state in which the second illumination light Lfb is irradiated, the second illumination light Lfb and the marker light Lm are alternately irradiated, and the user visually recognizes that the second illumination light Lfb and the marker light Lm are irradiated simultaneously. For this reason, in this embodiment, red is used as the color of the first illumination light Lfa and the second illumination light Lfb, and green, which has a wavelength close to 555 nm, the maximum visual sensitivity, is used as the color of the marker light Lm, with consideration for color universal design. Note that the colors of the illumination lights Lfa, Lfb and the marker light Lm described above are merely examples. For example, when the illumination lights Lfa, Lfb are irradiated in white, the marker light Lm may be irradiated in red, when the illumination lights Lfa, Lfb are irradiated in red, the marker light Lm may be irradiated in orange, or when the illumination lights Lfa, Lfb are irradiated in white, the marker light Lm may be irradiated in green. Furthermore, the color of the first illumination light Lfa and the color of the second illumination light Lfb may be different.

By providing the marker light irradiation unit 29 as described above, for example, when the first illumination light Lfa is irradiated because the one-dimensional code reading mode has been switched to, the marker light Lm indicating the center of the imaging field of view AR is visible, as illustrated in FIG. 15. This allows the user to easily visually recognize the imaging field of view AR based on the position of the marker light Lm, and allows the reading port 50 to be appropriately aimed at the information code C.

The marker light Lm is not limited to being irradiated toward the center of the imaging field of view AR, and may be irradiated toward the center of the irradiation range of the first illumination light Lfa, or toward the center of the irradiation range of the second illumination light Lfb, for example. Furthermore, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, which irradiates the marker light Lm to indicate the center of the imaging field of view AR, etc., can also be applied to other embodiments, etc.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the shape of a protection plate provided at the reading port to protect the imaging unit and the illumination unit.

Optical information readers capable of reading two-dimensional codes have a larger opening shape for the reading port compared to devices capable of reading one-dimensional codes. This means that the user's fingers holding the housing may accidentally touch the protective plate provided at the reading port to protect the imaging unit and lighting unit. In such cases, there is a problem that the protective plate becomes soiled with sebum and other contaminants, causing a decrease in reading performance.

In this embodiment, as in the optical information reading device 200 shown in Figures 17 to 19, in a housing 211 with a large opening for the reading port 250, a protective plate 226 is provided at the reading port 250 as a protective member for protecting the imaging unit and illumination unit housed within the housing 211. This protective plate 226 is held by a holding unit 215 provided near the reading port 250 of the housing 211 so as to surround it from the outside.

The protective plate 226 is configured as a plate-like member of a predetermined thickness, and is configured from a translucent (light-transmitting) plate (e.g., transparent acrylic resin, transparent glass, etc.) that allows light from outside the housing 211 and light from inside the housing 211 to pass through. As shown in FIG. 20, the protective plate 226 has portions where the illumination light passes through function as first transmitting portions 226a and 226b, portions where the reflected light from the information code passes through function as second transmitting portion 226c, and portions where the marker light passes through function as third transmitting portion 226d.

The holding portion 215 is formed so that the exposed widths Xa and Xb for exposing the first transparent portion 226a, 226b, the second transparent portion 226c, and the third transparent portion 226d are smaller than the width of the user's finger. Here, the relationship between the exposed width and the depth to the protective plate 226 (exposed depth: thickness of the holding portion 215) and the degree of finger contact with the protective plate 226 is shown in Figs. 21(A) and 21(B). In Fig. 21(A), the degree of finger contact when the exposed width and exposed depth are changed for finger widths of 14.1 mm and 11.1 mm is shown, where "2" corresponds to the degree of touching with the entire finger pad, "1" corresponds to the degree of slight touch, and "0" corresponds to the degree of not being touched at all. As can be seen from Fig. 21(A), when it is necessary to reduce the exposed depth, the exposed width is set small, and when it is necessary to increase the exposed width, the exposed depth is set large, making it difficult for the finger to touch the protective plate 226. Therefore, the holding portion 215 is set so that the above-mentioned exposed widths Xa, Xb and exposed depth approach the contact degree "0" in FIG. 21(A).

By holding the protective plate 226 on the holding portion 215 configured in this manner, even if the user's fingers touch the holding portion 215 when gripping the housing 211, the fingers are less likely to accidentally touch both first transparent portions 226a, 226b, the second transparent portion 226c, or the third transparent portion 226d. Therefore, dirt such as sebum is less likely to adhere to both first transparent portions 226a, 226b, the second transparent portion 226c, and the third transparent portion 226d, so that a decrease in reading performance caused by dirt adhering to the protective plate 226 can be suppressed.

The holding section 215 may be formed such that the first transparent sections 226a, 226b, the second transparent section 226c, and the third transparent section 226d are individually exposed through the exposure openings 215a to 215d, as in the first modified example of this embodiment shown in FIG. 22. In that case, the protective plate 226 may be configured such that the pair of first transparent sections 226a, 226b, the second transparent section 226c, and the third transparent section 226d are individually separated, and each may be individually held by the holding section 215, as in the second modified example of this embodiment shown in FIG. 23.

Figure 24 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of an optical information reading device according to a third modified example of the fourth embodiment, and Figure 24 (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the X2-X2 cross section of Figure 24 (A) in an enlarged manner. In addition, as shown in Figures 24 (A) and (B), the protective plate 226 may be formed with a first annular portion 226e that protrudes outward so as to surround the first transparent portion 226a in a ring shape, a first annular portion 226f that protrudes outward so as to surround the first transparent portion 226b in a ring shape, a second annular portion 226g that protrudes outward so as to surround the second transparent portion 226c in a ring shape, and a third annular portion 226h that protrudes outward so as to surround the third transparent portion 226d in a ring shape.

As a result, even if the user's fingers touch the first annular portions 226e, 226f, the second annular portion 226g, or the third annular portion 226h when gripping the housing 211, the fingers are less likely to accidentally touch the first transparent portions 226a, 226b, the second transparent portion 226c, or the third transparent portion 226d. As a result, dirt such as sebum is less likely to adhere to the first transparent portions 226a, 226b, the second transparent portion 226c, and the third transparent portion 226d, and therefore degradation of reading performance caused by dirt adhering to the protective plate 226 can be suppressed.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the trigger switch 42 is eliminated and a marker light irradiator 29 is adopted to change the irradiation conditions of the illumination light according to the imaging state of the marker light Lm.

When reading information codes using an optical information reader, in order to improve workability, the reading operation is often performed with illumination light constantly shining through the reading port. Therefore, when performing another task while holding the optical information reader, there is a possibility that the illumination light may accidentally enter the eyes of people nearby. In particular, in recent years, there has been an increasing need to read two-dimensional codes, and the above problem becomes more pronounced when an optical information reader with a wide illumination light irradiation area is used to read two-dimensional codes. To address this, there is a method of using a trigger switch or the like to turn on the illumination light each time the code is read, but in sites where reading is performed frequently, there are problems such as delayed operation, durability of the switch, and operator fatigue.

In this embodiment, the trigger switch 42 is eliminated and a marker light emitting unit 29 is adopted, and the illumination light irradiation conditions are changed according to the image capturing state of the marker light Lm in the reading process performed by the control circuit 40. If the marker light Lm is captured, it can be assumed that the marker light Lm is being reflected by an information code or the like at which the reading port 50 is directed.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.
When the reading process is started in response to a predetermined operation, the determination process of step S101 shown in Fig. 25 is performed, and the light receiving sensor 28 and the imaging lens 27, etc. are made to function as an imaging unit to determine whether or not the image captured by this imaging unit has changed. Here, when the optical information reading device 10 is placed on a desk or the like, the image captured by the imaging unit does not change, so the determination of No is repeated in step S101, and the state in which the marker light Lm and the illumination light are not irradiated continues. Note that the control circuit 40, etc. that performs the determination process of step S101 above may correspond to an example of an "image change determination unit."

When the user grasps the optical information reading device 10 and the captured image captured by the imaging unit changes (Yes in S101), the control circuit 40 controls the marker light irradiation unit 29 to irradiate the marker light Lm (S103).

Next, in step S105, an image acquisition process for marker light detection is performed, and an image for detecting the marker light Lm is acquired by the imaging unit. Then, in step S107, a determination is made as to whether the image captured by the imaging unit is in a marker imaging state in which the marker light Lm is captured in a predetermined state. In this embodiment, the predetermined state is, for example, an imaging state in which the diameter of the captured marker light Lm is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when the marker light Lm is circular. Note that the control circuit 40 or the like that performs the determination process in step S107 above may correspond to an example of a "marker imaging determination unit."

Here, when it is determined that the marker image capturing state is in progress because the irradiated marker light Lm is reflected by the information code or the display surface on which the reading port 50 is directed (Yes in S107) due to the reading port 50 being directed to a nearby information code or a display surface on which the information code is attached, the illumination light irradiation process of step S109 is performed. In this process, the control circuit 40 controls the illumination unit to irradiate illumination light from at least one of the first illumination unit 21 and the second illumination unit 22. For this reason, in the decoding image acquisition process performed in step S111, an image is captured and acquired by the imaging unit in a state in which the illumination light is irradiated. Then, in the decoding process of step S113, a process for decoding the information code contained in the captured image is performed, and if this decoding process is successful (Yes in S115), the reading process is terminated, and a process using the decoded result obtained as described above is performed. On the other hand, if the decoding process fails (No in S115), the process from step S101 is performed. The control circuit 40 may be an example of a "lighting control unit."

On the other hand, when the reading port 50 is not directed toward an information code or a display surface bearing that information code, and the marker light is irradiated toward a distant space, it is determined that the marker image capture state is not in progress (No in S107) because the reflected light of the marker light Lm cannot be captured. In this case, the illumination light irradiation is stopped (S117), and an image is captured by the imaging unit without irradiating the illumination light (S111), and this captured image is decoded (S113).

For example, when the reading port 50 is directed toward a screen on which an information code is displayed, the screen itself emits light, so the reflected light of the marker light Lm cannot be easily recognized and imaged, and it is determined that the marker image capture state is not in progress (No in S107). In this way, when reading an information code displayed on the screen, the illumination light irradiation is stopped (S117), but since the screen itself emits light, the information code can be imaged so that it can be decoded.

As described above, the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment is provided with a marker light irradiating unit 29 that irradiates marker light Lm indicating the imaging field of view of the imaging unit, and in the reading process, it is determined whether or not the image captured by the imaging unit is in a marker imaging state in which the marker light Lm is captured in a predetermined state, and the illumination unit is controlled according to the determination result.

When the reading port 50 is not directed toward a display surface or the like bearing an information code, the irradiated marker light Lm is not reflected by the display surface or the like, and the marker light Lm is not captured. In other words, when the marker light Lm is not captured, there is no need to irradiate illumination light, and therefore, by controlling the illumination unit according to the above determination result, it is possible to suppress the emission of unnecessary illumination light.

In particular, if it is determined in the determination process of step S107 that the marker image capture state is present (Yes in S107), the illumination unit is controlled to irradiate illumination light, and if it is determined that the marker image capture state is not present (No in S107), the illumination unit is controlled to stop irradiating illumination light. As a result, on a screen on which an information code is displayed, the screen itself is emitting light, so the reflected light of the marker light Lm cannot be easily recognized and imaged, and irradiation of illumination light is unnecessary in the first place, so that the illumination light can be appropriately switched ON/OFF.

Furthermore, the marker light irradiation unit 29 irradiates the marker light Lm when it is determined that the image captured by the imaging unit has changed (Yes in S101). As a result, when the optical information reading device 10 is placed on a desk or the like, i.e., when it is not in use, the image captured by the imaging unit does not change and the marker light Lm is not irradiated, so irradiation of unnecessary illumination light can be more reliably suppressed.

If it is determined that the marker image capture state is present (Yes in S107), the illumination unit may be controlled to irradiate illumination light, and if it is determined that the marker image capture state is not present (No in S107), the illumination unit may be controlled to irradiate illumination light that is darker than when it is determined that the marker image capture state is present. This can also prevent the illumination unit from irradiating unnecessarily bright illumination light.

In addition, since the range in which the marker light Lm is captured in the captured image is predetermined, the judgment process in step S101 may judge whether or not the range in the captured image in which the marker light Lm may be captured is in a marker imaging state in which the marker light Lm is captured in a predetermined state. For example, if the marker light Lm indicates the center of the imaging field of view, it may be judged whether or not only the central range of the captured image is in the marker imaging state. This makes it possible to limit the range in the captured image in which it is judged whether or not it is in the marker imaging state, thereby reducing the processing load required for the judgment process and improving the processing speed. In addition, when the captured images in which the marker light Lm is captured are stored sequentially in memory 35, the amount of information stored can be reduced.

The marker light Lm is not limited to being emitted in a circular shape to indicate the center of the imaging field of view of the imaging unit, but may be emitted to indicate, for example, both the four corners and the center of the imaging field of view of the imaging unit.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, an optical information reading device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that, when a plurality of decoded results are obtained from one captured image, the decoded result to be output is selected from the plurality of decoded results.

In recent years, there has been an increasing need to read two-dimensional codes, and retail stores and other outlets are increasingly introducing optical information readers that can read both one-dimensional and two-dimensional codes. In addition to one-dimensional codes for POS, products may also be labeled with two-dimensional codes to provide product information, etc. Unlike reading with a line sensor in a one-dimensional scanner, optical information readers that read two-dimensional codes using an area sensor or the like have a planar reading field (image field). Therefore, if multiple information codes are included in the reading field during checkout, information codes unrelated to the checkout may be unintentionally read.

For example, when reading a barcode Ca attached to a product for checkout, if a QR code Cb for providing product information attached to the product is also captured at the same time as shown in FIG. 26, the decoded results of barcode Ca and QR code Cb will be obtained from a single captured image. In addition, for example, an information code for a coupon that should be read before checkout may be captured together with the information code for checkout, resulting in two decoded results being obtained from a single captured image. For this reason, when reading multiple information codes at the same time, it is necessary to selectively determine whether or not to output the read information.

Therefore, in the reading process performed in this embodiment, when multiple decoded results are obtained from one captured image, the decoded result to be output is selected from the multiple decoded results based on whether or not the decoded result contains pre-registered selection determination information.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 27. In this embodiment, a characteristic character string contained in a specific URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used as the selection and determination information, and a decoded result that does not contain this characteristic character string is selected as the decoded result to be output. The characteristic character string is assumed to be, for example, a scheme name such as "http:" or "https:" and a colon delimiter attached to the end of the scheme name (hereinafter simply referred to as the scheme name, etc.), which is stored in advance in the memory 35.

When the reading process is started in response to a predetermined operation, the image capturing process of step S201 shown in FIG. 27 is performed, and the light receiving sensor 28 and the imaging lens 27 function as an image capturing unit, which captures an image for decoding the information code. Next, in the decoding process shown in step S203, a process for decoding the information code contained in the captured image is performed. Then, when one decoding result is obtained from the captured image (No in S205), the decoding result is output to the outside via the communication interface 48 (S209). The control circuit 40 that executes the decoding process may correspond to an example of a "decoding unit".

On the other hand, if multiple decoded results are obtained from the captured image (Yes in S205), a selection process is performed in step S207. In this process, a decoded result that does not include the selection determination information (for example, a characteristic character string included in a specific URL) is selected as the decoded result to be output. For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 26, if two decoded results are obtained by simultaneously capturing an image of a checkout barcode Ca that records product price information and a QR code Cb for providing product information that records the URL of a site introducing the product, the decoded result of barcode Ca is selected as the decoded result to be output. The decoded result selected in this way is then output to the outside via communication interface 48 (S209). The control circuit 40 that executes the selection process may be an example of a "selection unit."

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, in the reading process, a decoding process is performed to decode the information code of the captured image captured by the imaging unit, and when multiple information codes are captured simultaneously and multiple decoded results are obtained from one captured image, the decoded result to be output is selected by a selection process. Then, in the selection process, the decoded result to be output is selected based on whether or not the decoded result contains selection determination information registered in advance.

As a result, for example, when the information code to be read includes the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment, by selecting a decoded result including the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment from among the multiple decoded results, it is possible to prevent the output of the decoded result of the information code not to be read that does not include the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment. Also, for example, when the information code to be excluded from reading includes the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment, by selecting a decoded result not including the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment from among the multiple decoded results, it is possible to prevent the output of the decoded result of the information code not to be read that includes the above-mentioned information for selection and judgment. In other words, even when multiple decoded results are obtained because multiple information codes are simultaneously imaged, it is possible to appropriately select the decoded result to be output, and it is possible to limit the output of the decoded result of the information code that was unintentionally read.

In particular, in this embodiment, the selection determination information is registered as a characteristic character string contained in a specified URL. Therefore, when a URL is recorded in an information code that should not be read, it is possible to prevent the decoded result of that information code from being output. On the other hand, when a URL is recorded in an information code that should be read, it is also possible to prevent the decoded result that does not include the URL from being output.

The selection determination information is not limited to being set to a characteristic character string included in a specific URL, such as a scheme name, such as "http:" or "https:", but may be set to other scheme names, such as "file:" or "mailto:". The selection determination information may also be distinguished, for example, between "http:" and "https:" and "file:" and "mailto:". In this case, since protocols such as "file:" may be used for two-dimensional codes for business use, a decrease in business efficiency can be avoided by limiting the reading and output of only two-dimensional codes for directing users to websites using the "http:" or "https:" protocol.

The selection determination information may be set to a characteristic character string included in a specific address such as an IP address. In this case, when a characteristic character string of the address is recorded in an information code that should not be read, the decoded result of the information code can be prevented from being output, and when a characteristic character string of the address is recorded in an information code that should be read, the decoded result that does not include the characteristic character string of the address can be prevented from being output.

The selection and determination information may also be set to, for example, a top-level domain such as ".com" or ".jp" and the delimiter dot immediately preceding it. In recent years, URLs for web addresses often omit the "http:" scheme and leave the interpretation of the scheme to the application, so by setting the domain as selection and determination information, it is possible to restrict the reading and output of web addresses more broadly than the restrictions imposed by the scheme.

The selection determination information may be set, for example, according to a combination of one or more predetermined numeric strings, or according to a combination of one or more predetermined character strings.

In addition, in the selection process of step S207, the decoded result to be output may be selected based on the code type of the information code that was successfully decoded. For example, the decoded result of a barcode may be selected, and the decoded result of an information code of a code type other than a barcode may not be selected.

As a result, if the information code to be read is a predetermined code type, the decoded result decoded from the information code of the predetermined code type from among the multiple decoded results can be selected, thereby preventing the output of the decoded result of the information code not to be read that is not of the predetermined code type. Even in this way, even if multiple decoded results are obtained because multiple information codes are imaged simultaneously, it is possible to appropriately select the decoded result to be output, and to limit the output of the decoded result of an information code that has been unintentionally read.

[Seventh embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The seventh embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment mainly in that when two or more identical decoded results are obtained from one captured image, duplicated processing is suppressed.

Conventionally, in order to prevent the same information code from being read twice, a technique is known in which the decoded result obtained by reading an information code is compared with the most recently decoded decoded result, and the output of the matching decoded result is restricted. In recent years, two-dimensional codes such as QR codes have become widespread, and one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes may be displayed adjacent to each other (see FIG. 26). In particular, depending on the application, the same data may be recorded in one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes displayed adjacent to each other, and since the code types are different, conventional double-reading techniques cannot be applied, and there is a possibility that processing based on the same decoded result will be performed redundantly. For example, when a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code with the same data recorded therein are displayed adjacent to each other on the display screen of a smartphone at the time of payment, there is a possibility that a payment will be processed twice based on the decoded results read respectively.

Therefore, in the reading process performed in this embodiment, when multiple decoded results are obtained from one captured image because multiple information codes are captured simultaneously, duplicate processing based on the same decoded result is suppressed by determining whether two or more identical decoded results have been obtained. Note that the decoded result can also include the code type of the read information code.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.
When the reading process is started in response to a predetermined operation, an image capturing process is performed in step S301 shown in Fig. 28, and the light receiving sensor 28, the imaging lens 27, etc. are made to function as an image capturing unit, and an image for decoding the information code is captured by this image capturing unit. Next, in a determination process shown in step S303, it is determined whether or not the captured image contains a code image that can be recognized as an information code. Then, if one or more code images are present (Yes in S303), a code image acquisition process is performed in step S305, and one code image is extracted and acquired from the captured image.

Next, in the decoding process shown in step S307, the code image acquired as described above is decoded, and if the decoding process is successful, a decoded result is obtained. Next, in the data reference process shown in step S309, the memory 35 is referenced for the stored decoded result as described below.

Then, in the judgment process of step S311, it is judged whether data matching the decoded result obtained in the above-mentioned decoding process is stored in memory 35. Here, if a matching decoded result is not stored (No in S311), the decoded result is output to a higher-level device or the like (S315) as a predetermined process, and the decoded result is stored in memory 35 (S317). Note that the control circuit 40 that performs the judgment process of the above-mentioned step S311 may correspond to an example of a "decoded result similarity judgment unit" that judges whether the above-mentioned same decoded result has been obtained. Also, the control circuit 40 that performs the process of outputting the above-mentioned decoded result (S315) may correspond to an example of a "processing unit" that performs a predetermined process using the decoded result.

Next, in the determination process of step S319, it is determined whether there are other code images that have not been decoded because there are two or more code images in the captured image. Here, if there are other code images that have not been decoded because there are two or more code images in the captured image (Yes in S319), the next code image is acquired (S321). Then, a decoding process is performed on the acquired code image (S307), and memory 35 is referenced for the decoded result (S309).

If data matching the decoded result obtained in the above decoding process is stored in memory 35 (Yes in S311), a determination is made in step S313 as to whether or not the matching decoded result has not been output within a predetermined number of readings. Here, the number of readings is the number of times counted once for one captured image, and in this embodiment, the predetermined number of readings is set so that, for example, it is determined that the decoded result decoded from the currently captured captured image or the previously captured captured image has been output within the predetermined number of readings, and it is determined that the decoded result decoded from the image captured two images ago has not been output within the predetermined number of readings.

If two information codes each containing the same data are included in a single captured image and a decoded result identical to the decoded result previously decoded and stored in memory 35 is obtained, it is determined that a matching decoded result has been output within a predetermined number of readings (No in S313), and the process from step S319 onwards is carried out.

On the other hand, if a decoded result identical to the decoded result obtained from the image captured two images ago or before that is determined to have not been output within a predetermined number of readings (Yes in S313), the decoded result is output to a higher-level device, etc. (S315).

When all code images contained in one captured image have been decoded (No in S319), if a predetermined ending operation has not been performed (No in S323), a new captured image is captured (S301), and the above-mentioned processing from step S303 onwards is performed on this captured image.

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, in the reading process, a decoding process is performed on the captured image captured by the imaging unit to decode the information code, and if multiple decoded results are obtained from one captured image because multiple information codes are captured simultaneously, it is determined whether or not two or more identical decoded results have been obtained. Then, if it is determined that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, a decoded result output process is performed as a predetermined process for one of the two or more identical decoded results.

This makes it possible to prevent the same processing from being performed redundantly, even when, for example, information codes of different code types each containing the same data are imaged simultaneously.

In particular, in this embodiment, if it is determined that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained (Yes in S311), and a decoded result that matches the same decoded result based on the information stored in memory 35 has not been subjected to the above-mentioned specified processing within a specified number of readings (Yes in S313), a specified processing (output processing of the decoded result) is performed on this decoded result.

As a result, even if the same decoded result has been read before, if that previous decoded result has not been subjected to the specified processing within the above-mentioned specified number of readings, i.e., if it is not a decoded result that has been recently used for the above-mentioned specified processing, it is assumed that the user has intentionally read two or more information codes containing the same data, and the above-mentioned specified processing can be performed using the same decoded result.

Next, a first modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the reading process in the first modified example of this embodiment, after the decoded result is output to the higher-level device or the like (S315 in FIG. 29) as described above, the decoded result is stored in the memory 35 functioning as a storage unit together with the decoded time when the decoded process was completed (S317a). After that, when the decoded process for the newly acquired code image is successful (S307) and it is determined that data matching the decoded result is stored in the memory 35 (Yes in S311), it is determined in the determination process shown in step S313a whether or not the elapsed time from the decoded time associated with the decoded result matching the same decoded result and stored is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Then, when the elapsed time from the decoded time of the matching decoded result is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (Yes in S313a), the decoded result is output to the higher-level device or the like (S315), and when it is shorter than the predetermined time (No in S313a), the process from step S319 onward is performed without outputting the decoded result.

As a result, even if the same decoded result has been read before, if the time that has elapsed since the decoded result of the previous decoded result was decoded is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, i.e., if the decoded result is not one that has been used recently in the above-mentioned specified processing, it is assumed that the user has intentionally read two or more information codes containing the same data, and the above-mentioned specified processing can be performed using the same decoded result.

Next, a second modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the reading process in the second variant of this embodiment, for an information code in which data matching the decoded result is stored in memory 35, the number of times that the information code is removed from the imaging field of view of the imaging unit and then re-enters the imaging field of view is counted as the number of imaging attempts N. If it is determined that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, and the number of imaging attempts N of the decoded result matching the same decoded result is equal to or greater than a predetermined number Nth, a predetermined process is performed on the decoded result.

Specifically, when data matching the decoded result is stored in memory 35 (Yes in S311 in FIG. 30), if the number of times N of the decoded result is not set as a count target, the number of times N is determined to be less than the predetermined number Nth (No in S325), a No result is determined in step S327, and the decoded result is set as a count target (S329). Then, the process from step S319 onwards is performed, and each time it is determined in the determination process of step S303 that the captured image does not contain a code image that can be recognized as an information code (No in S303), the number of times N of the decoded result that is set as a count target is incremented (N=N+1) (S331). The control circuit 40 that counts the number of times N of the images can be considered to be an example of a "counting unit".

When the decoded result that is to be counted is read again (Yes in S311), and the number of times N that the image has been captured reaches or exceeds a predetermined number Nth (Yes in S325), the decoded result is output to a higher-level device, etc. (S315), and is stored in memory 35 (S317), after which the counting target setting is cleared (S333).

As a result, in order for a user to intentionally read two or more information codes that have the same data recorded on them, the above-mentioned specified processing can be performed for each of the same decoded results by repeating an imaging state in which the information code is included in the imaging field of view and an imaging state in which the information code is removed from the imaging field of view. In particular, even if an information code that has been successfully decoded is momentarily not imaged due to surrounding influences or the like while being imaged, the number of imaging times N only increases to a certain extent, and the momentary absence of imaging alone can prevent the above-mentioned specified processing from being performed for each of the same decoded results.

Next, a third modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the reading process in the third variant of this embodiment, for an information code in which data matching the decoded decoded result is stored in memory 35, the time at which the information code was removed from the imaging field of view of the imaging unit is stored in memory 35 as the code exclusion time associated with the decoded result, and if it is determined that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, and the elapsed time from the code exclusion time of the decoded result matching the same decoded result is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, a predetermined process is performed on the decoded result.

Specifically, if data matching the decoded result is stored in memory 35 (Yes in S311 in FIG. 31), and the decoded result is not set as a timekeeping target (No in S335), an image capture process is performed (S337), and the determination of No is repeated in the determination process of step S339 until no code image that can be recognized as an information code is found in the captured image. Then, when the captured image no longer contains a code image (Yes in S339), the time when the information code set as a timekeeping target is removed from the imaging field of view of the imaging unit is set as the code removal time and is associated with the decoded result and stored in memory 35 (S341).

When the decoded result that is the target of timing is read again (Yes in S311 and S335), if the time that has elapsed since the code exclusion time exceeds a predetermined time (Yes in S343), the decoded result is output to a higher-level device, etc. (S315) and stored in memory 35 (S317), after which the timing target setting is cleared (S345).

As a result, if a user intends to read two or more information codes that contain the same data, the user can remove the information codes from the imaging field of view for a certain period of time and then reintroduce them into the imaging field of view, and the above-mentioned specified processing can be performed on each of the same decoded results.

Next, a fourth modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the reading process in the fourth modified example of this embodiment, when it is determined that two or more identical decoded results have been obtained, and when the detected attitude of the housing 11 is in a predetermined attitude state, a predetermined process is performed on the decoded results. For this reason, in the fourth modified example, the optical information reading device 10 is provided with an attitude sensor as an attitude detection unit that detects the attitude of the housing 11 and is made up of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like, and the control circuit 40 grasps the attitude state of the housing 11 in response to a detection signal from this attitude sensor.

Specifically, if data matching the decoded result is stored in memory 35 (Yes in S311 in FIG. 32), in the judgment process of step S313b, it is judged whether or not the attitude of the housing 11 is in a predetermined attitude state based on the detection signal output from the attitude sensor for a certain period of time. In this fourth modified example, the above-mentioned predetermined attitude state is set to, for example, a state in which the attitude has changed significantly from the attitude when the decoding was successful.

If the user has moved the housing 11 to change the orientation of the reading port 50, and it is determined that the orientation of the housing 11 is in the above-mentioned predetermined orientation state (Yes in S313b), the decoded result is output to a higher-level device, etc. (S315). On the other hand, if it is determined that the orientation of the housing 11 is not in the predetermined orientation state (No in S313b) because the reading port 50 remains pointed at the information code, the decoded result is not output, and the processing from step S319 onwards is carried out.

As a result, in order for a user to intentionally read two or more information codes in which the same data is recorded, the user can hold the housing 11 in the above-mentioned specified posture, and perform the above-mentioned specified processing on each of the same decoded results.

[Eighth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the trigger switch is eliminated, thereby making it possible to easily target and read information codes in a reading process that is always performed.

Two-dimensional codes such as QR codes have become more common in recent years, and it is expected that the introduction of optical information readers capable of reading two-dimensional codes that use area sensors as a light receiving means will increase, even at cash registers in retail stores and convenience stores. As a result, the reading area is wider than that of conventional optical information readers that use line sensors, and information codes can be easily read by aligning them within the area regardless of the orientation of the information code. However, there are cases where multiple information codes unintentionally fall within the area, or where an information code that is not intended to be read is read during a reading operation, making it difficult to determine that the intended information code has been read.

Meanwhile, in retail stores and convenience stores, information codes are often read during store operations, and optical information reading devices that can read without operating a trigger switch are used. By aligning the reading port with the direction of the information code and directly placing it on the information code to read, it is possible to prevent erroneous reading operations and read the information code to be read. In addition, in the environment surrounding the convenience store industry, self-checkouts are being introduced to reduce the number of staff at stores, and the number of foreign workers is increasing, so even operators with little experience in reading operations are required to be able to reliably target and read the information code to be read by simply holding it up. For this reason, when targeting is performed without operating the trigger switch in an optical information reading device using an area sensor, the point marker in the center of the reading area is aligned with the position of the information code to perform the target reading. However, this requires an operation to align it with the center position of the area, and there is a problem that target reading cannot be achieved by taking advantage of the wide reading area.

In the reading process performed in this embodiment, a code image of the same information code is detected in multiple consecutive captured images captured in succession by the imaging unit, and whether or not the detected code image is to be read is determined depending on the state in which the code image occupies the captured image. Specifically, the code image is determined to be to be read if the state in which the code image occupies the captured image is a predetermined state, or more specifically, in this embodiment, if the range of the code image occupying the captured image is equal to or larger than a predetermined range. This is because the information code that the user is attempting to read is likely to have a code image occupying a range equal to or larger than a predetermined range in the captured image.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.
When the control circuit 40 starts the reading process, an imaging process of step S401 shown in Fig. 33 is performed, and the light receiving sensor 28, the imaging lens 27, etc. are made to function as an imaging unit, and an image for decoding the information code is captured by this imaging unit. Then, a code image detection process shown in step S403 is performed, and a process for detecting a code image for decoding the information code from the captured image captured by the imaging unit is performed. For example, if the captured information code is a QR code, a process for detecting the code image is performed based on finder patterns (position detection patterns) arranged at the three corners of the code area. The control circuit 40 that executes the code image detection process can be an example of a "code image detection unit".

If the detection of the code image is successful (Yes in S405), the detection result is stored in memory 35 (S407), and then a process is performed in the decoding process shown in step S409 to decode the information code of the code image detected as described above. If this decoding process fails (No in S411) or if the detection of the code image described above fails (No in S405), the process returns to step S401. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the decoding process may be an example of a "decoding unit".

If the decoding process is successful (Yes in S411), the result of the decoding process is stored in memory 35 (S413). Next, in the determination process of step S415, it is determined whether the state in which the code image occupies the captured image is a predetermined state, specifically, as described above, whether the range of the code image occupying the captured image is equal to or larger than a predetermined range.

Here, since the reading port 50 has just been directed to the information code C to be read, even if the code image of the information code C is captured so as to be decodable, as shown in FIG. 34(A), if the range of the code image in the captured image is less than the predetermined range, the result is determined as No in step S415. In this case, the process from step S401 is performed, and the image capture process for decoding the information code is continued. After that, even if the decode process is successful for the code image of the captured information code (Yes in S411), since the reading port 50 is being brought closer to the information code C to be read, as shown in FIG. 34(B), even if the code image becomes larger than the previous code image, the result is determined as No in step S415. In this case, the process from step S401 is performed, and the image capture process for decoding the information code is continued. That is, in multiple consecutive captured images captured successively by the imaging unit, a code image of the same information code is detected, and depending on the state in the captured image where the detected code image occupies, it is determined whether or not the code image is to be read.

Then, as the reading port 50 is brought close to the information code to be read, for example, as shown in FIG. 34(C), when the range of the code image in the captured image becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined range, the result of the determination in step S415 is Yes. In this case, the decoded result output process shown in step S417 is performed, and the decoded result is output to a higher-level device or the like as a predetermined process using the decoded result. Next, the notification process in step S419 is performed, and the light-emitting unit 46, which functions as a notification unit, is turned on in a predetermined state as a predetermined notification in response to the success of the decoded process. The control circuit 40 that performs the process of outputting the decoded result (S417) may correspond to an example of a "processing unit" for performing a predetermined process using the decoded result. In addition, the predetermined notification in response to the success of the decoded process may be performed by using the sound of the buzzer 44 or the vibration of the vibrator 45, and in this case, the buzzer 44 or the vibrator 45 may correspond to an example of an "notification unit".

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, a code image of the same information code is detected in a plurality of consecutive captured images captured successively by the imaging unit, and the read object determination unit determines whether or not the code image is to be read depending on the state in which the detected code image occupies the captured image. Then, if the decoding process of the code image determined to be the read object is successful and a decoded result is obtained (Yes in S411 and S415), a predetermined process is performed by the processing unit using this decoded result, and a predetermined notification is issued by the notification unit.

As a result, even if the optical information reading device does not have a trigger switch or the like for indicating the decode timing, by pointing the reading port 50 at the information code that the user wishes to read, if the state in which the code image of that information code occupies in the captured image satisfies a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, if the range of the code image occupying the captured image is equal to or larger than a predetermined range), the code image can be determined to be the object of reading. Therefore, by performing a predetermined process using the decoded result obtained from the code image determined to be the object of reading and issuing a predetermined notification in response to successful decoding, an optical information reading device can be realized that can target and read information codes in a reading process that is constantly performed without using a trigger switch or the like.

In the determination process of step S415, the state in which the code image occupies the captured image is determined to be a predetermined state is not limited to a case where the range of the code image in the captured image is equal to or larger than a predetermined range. For example, the state in which the code image occupies the captured image may be determined to be a predetermined state if the detected code image is continuously detected for a predetermined period of time without moving. In addition, in the determination process of step S415, the state in which the code image occupies the captured image may be determined to be a predetermined state if the length of one side of the detected code image is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.

That is, even if a part of the detected code image falls outside the field of view of the imaging unit, if the state of the remaining part of the code image in the field of view of the imaging unit satisfies a predetermined condition, it can be determined that the code image is to be read. For example, as shown in FIG. 35(A) and FIG. 35(B), even if the code image of information code C is imaged so as to be decodable, the range of the code image in the imaged image is less than the above-mentioned predetermined range (No in S415), and the decoded result is not output. In this case, even if a part of the detected code image falls outside the field of view of the imaging unit, if the length of one side of the code image in the remaining part of the code image in the field of view of the imaging unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the state of the code image in the imaged image can be determined to be a predetermined state (Yes in S415), and the decoded result can be output.

This prevents the code image from being immediately determined to be ineligible for reading simply because part of the information code the user is trying to read is outside the imaging field of view, making it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the code image is eligible for reading.

Next, a first modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the reading process in the first modified example of this embodiment, even if the decoding is not successful, it is determined whether or not the detected code image is to be read. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart in FIG. 36, even if the detection of the code image is successful (Yes in S405 in FIG. 36), if the decoding of the code image fails (No in S411), it is determined in the determination process in step S421 whether or not the state in which the code image occupies the captured image is a predetermined state. If the code image that has failed to be decoded is in the above-mentioned predetermined state (Yes in S421), and if the decoding of the code image has never been successful (No in S423), a flag Fc indicating that the code image has become the above-mentioned predetermined state is set to "1" (S425), and the process from the above-mentioned step S401 is performed. On the other hand, when a code image that has failed to be decoded reaches the above-mentioned specified state (Yes in S421), if the code image has been successfully decoded at least once (Yes in S423), the decoded result is output (S417) and an alarm unit such as the light-emitting unit 46 goes into a specified alarm state (S419).

After the flag Fc is set to "1" as described above, if the newly captured code image of the same information code is successfully decoded (Yes in S411), the flag Fc of that code image is set to "1", so the result is determined as Yes in the determination process of step S427, the decoded result is output (S417), and an alarm unit such as the light-emitting unit 46 goes into a predetermined alarm state (S419).

For example, as shown in Figures 37(A) and 37(B), a case is assumed in which, even if a code image is not decodable but can be detected because a finder pattern or the like can be recognized, the range of the code image in the captured image is less than the above-mentioned predetermined range (No in S421), and the decoded result is not output. In this case, if a code image that is not decodable but can be detected because a finder pattern or the like can be recognized becomes equal to or greater than the above-mentioned predetermined range in the captured image (Yes in S421, No in S423), as shown in Figure 37(C), the flag Fc is set to "1" (S425), and the process of detecting the code image from the continuously captured captured images continues. Then, as shown in FIG. 37(D), if the code image is successfully decoded, even though the flag Fc is set to "1" and the range of the code image in the captured image has changed to less than the above-mentioned predetermined range (Yes in S411, Yes in S427), the decoded result is output (S417) and an alarm unit such as the light-emitting unit 46 goes into a predetermined alarm state (S419).

In other words, if the decoding process of the code image when it is determined that it is to be read is not successful, and the decoding process of the code image is successful after the determination, the processing unit uses the decoded result obtained after the determination to perform a predetermined process, and the notification unit issues a predetermined notification. As a result, even if it is determined that something resembling an information code has been captured due to the surrounding environment such as lighting, but the decoding is not successful and the code image is determined to be the target for reading, if the decoding of the code image is successful due to a subsequent change in the surrounding environment, the decoding of the code image to be read is deemed to have been successful, and the above-mentioned predetermined process and the predetermined notification can be performed at the timing of the success.

In this embodiment and the modified example, as can be seen from FIG. 26, if two or more code images are detected consecutively from the captured image, it may be determined that the user's aim is not fixed and the decoded result may not be output.

[Ninth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that, even if a plurality of information codes are imaged simultaneously in a decodable manner, the decoded result of the information code to be read can be easily output.

When multiple information codes are imaged simultaneously in a decodable manner because one or more other information codes are arranged around the information code to be read, it is necessary to output the decoded result of the information code to be read, and not output the decoded results of the other information codes.

For this reason, conventionally, a marker light indicating the center of the imaging field of view is irradiated to make it easier to include only the information code to be read in the imaging field of view, and only the decoded result of that information code is output. However, if the user cannot see the marker light, for example, if the information code is displayed on a reflective surface or liquid crystal screen, there is a problem that it is difficult to include only the information code to be read in the imaging field of view. Specifically, for example, when barcodes Cc, Cd, and Ce are displayed on the screen as multiple information codes C, as shown in FIG. 38, it is difficult to see the marker light irradiated on the display screen, and therefore it may be difficult to include only the barcode Cd to be read in the imaging field of view.

In the reading process performed in this embodiment, when the light receiving sensor 28, the imaging lens 27, etc. function as an imaging unit and multiple decoded results are obtained from the captured image P captured by this imaging unit, the output of the decoded results is restricted depending on the imaging state. Specifically, when a predetermined reading area (hereinafter also referred to as reading area Ps) that is provided to occupy a part (e.g., the central part) of the captured image P contains an image of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained, and does not contain images of other information codes, the decoded result of the one information code is output.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 39, taking as an example the case of reading the barcode Cd shown in FIG. 38. Note that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 40, the captured image P captured by the imaging unit is 640 pixels x 480 pixels, and the reading area Ps is 320 pixels x 240 pixels, and is set so that its center coincides with that of the captured image P.

When the reading process is started in response to a predetermined operation, the imaging process of step S501 shown in FIG. 39 is performed, and the imaging unit captures an image P for decoding the information code. Next, in the decoding process shown in step S503, processing is performed to decode the information code contained in the captured image P, and the process from step S501 is repeated until the decoding is successful (No in S505). Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the decoding process of step S503 can be an example of a "decoding unit".

When the decoding is successful and a decoded result is obtained (Yes in S505), a determination is made in step S507 as to whether the image of the information code from which the decoded result was obtained is included in the reading area Ps. In this embodiment, specifically, a determination is made as to whether the entire image of the information code from which the decoded result was obtained is included in the reading area Ps. If only a portion of the image of the information code from which the decoded result was obtained is included in the reading area Ps, step S507 returns No, and the process continues from step S501 without outputting the decoded result.

After that, when the reading port 50 is brought closer to the barcode Cd to be read, if all of the images of the information codes for which the decoded results have been obtained are included in the reading area Ps (Yes in S507), a determination process is performed in step S509 to determine whether the reading area Ps is in a state in which the image of one information code for which the decoded results have been obtained is included and no images of other information codes are included (hereinafter also referred to as a single code imaging state).

In this embodiment, specifically, it is determined that the single code imaging state is in effect when the reading area Ps contains all of the image of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained, and does not contain at least a portion of the image of any other information code. Here, since the reading port 50 is in the process of approaching the barcode Cd to be read, as exemplified in FIG. 41, if the entire image of the barcode Cd to be read is contained in the reading area Ps, and a portion of the image of the barcode Cc not to be read or a portion of the image of the barcode Ce is contained in the reading area Ps, it is determined that the single code imaging state is not in effect, the result is No in step S509, and the process from step S501 is carried out without outputting the decoded result.

On the other hand, when the reading port 50 has been brought close to the barcode Cd to be read, as illustrated in FIG. 42, if the entire image of the barcode Cd to be read is included in the reading area Ps and at least a portion of the images of other information codes is not included in the reading area Ps, i.e., only the image of the barcode Cd to be read is included in the reading area Ps, it is determined to be in a single code imaging state and the answer is Yes in step S509.

In this case, in the decoded result output process of step S511, the decoded result of the barcode Cd contained in the reading area Ps is output to a higher-level device, etc. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the decoded result output process of step S511 can be an example of an "output unit."

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, when a predetermined reading area Ps arranged to occupy a part of the captured image P contains an image of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained, and does not contain images of other information codes (Yes in S509), the decoded result of the one information code is output (S511).

As a result, even if multiple information codes are imaged simultaneously and decoded results are obtained for each, not only will the decoded results of information codes that are not included in the reading area Ps not be output, but the decoded results will also not be output if two or more information codes are included in a specified reading area Ps. In other words, even if multiple information codes are imaged in a decodable manner, the decoded results of that information code will only be output if the image of the information code to be read is the only one included in the reading area Ps, so it is possible to limit the output of the decoded results of information codes that are read unintentionally, such as the decoded results of another information code imaged while the reading port 50 is pointed at the information code to be read.

In particular, when the entire image of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained is included in a specified reading area Ps, and at least a portion of the image of the other information codes is not included, the decoded result of the one information code is output.

As a result, as described above, even if only a partial image of an information code that is not to be read is included in the reading area Ps while the reading port 50 is being directed toward the information code to be read, the decoded result of that information code that is not to be read will not be output. Also, even if the entire image of an information code that is not to be read is included in the reading area Ps, as long as at least a partial image of the information code to be read is included in the reading area Ps, the respective decoded results will not be output. Therefore, even if another information code is placed near the information code to be read, it is possible to easily output the decoded result of the information code to be read.

Depending on the work environment, etc., the determination process in step S509 may determine that the single code imaging state is present when the reading area Ps includes all of the images of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained, and does not include all of the images of other information codes. Also, the single code imaging state may be determined when the reading area Ps includes at least a portion of the image of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained, and does not include at least a portion of the images of other information codes.

As a modified example of this embodiment, when the information code to be read has a specific pattern that is arranged at a specific position in a code area in which various cells are arranged, such as the FP pattern of a QR code, the determination process of step S509 above may use an image of the specific pattern to determine whether or not a single code is being imaged. In other words, when the read area Ps contains an image of the specific pattern of one information code for which a decoded result has been obtained, and does not contain an image of the specific pattern of another information code, the decoded result of the one information code may be output.

Specifically, for example, when the reading area Ps contains images of all the specific patterns of the information code from which the decoded result was obtained, and does not contain any images of the specific patterns of other information codes, it may be determined that the single code imaging state is in place. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 43, when the reading area Ps contains images of all the specific patterns FP1 to FP3 of the QR code Cf, and images of the specific patterns FP1 and FP2 of the QR code Cg, it is determined that the single code imaging state is not in place.

As a result, in the judgment process of step S509, it is possible to judge whether or not the image of an information code is included in a specified reading area based on a specific pattern of the information code that is easy to recognize, making it possible to make an easy and accurate judgment.

[Tenth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The tenth embodiment differs from the third embodiment mainly in that, when the marker light is not captured, the decoded result of the information code located within the decoding target area in the captured image is output.

When multiple information codes are imaged simultaneously in a decodable manner because one or more other information codes are positioned around the information code to be read, the decoded result of the information code to be read may be output, but the decoded results of the other information codes may not be output.

In such a case, conventionally, a marker light irradiating unit 29 is provided that irradiates marker light Lm toward the center of the imaging field of view, making it easier to include only the information code to be read in the imaging field of view, and outputting only the decoded result of that information code. However, when multiple information codes including the information code to be read are displayed on the screen, the irradiated marker light is not reflected by the display screen that emits light itself, so there is a problem that the reading device does not know which of the multiple imaged information codes is the information code to be read. Specifically, for example, when a distributed coupon information code is displayed on a smartphone or the like so that it is adjacent to other information codes, the marker light is not imaged, so it may not be possible to obtain only the decoded result of the coupon information code.

In the reading process performed in this embodiment, the light receiving sensor 28, the imaging lens 27, etc. are made to function as an imaging unit, and when the marker light Lm is not detected from the captured image P captured by this imaging unit, the decoded result of the information code that is determined to be located within the decoding target area Pd corresponding to a part of the captured image P and is of a preset code type (designated code type) is output. In this embodiment, the decoding target area Pd is preset in an area that is the back side of the entire captured image P as seen from the user, as exemplified in Figures 44 and 45. This is because the user holding the housing 11 tries to hold the reading port 50 over the information code to be read, using one side edge 52 located farther out of the periphery 51 of the reading port 50 as a reference. The designated code type can be set to, for example, EAN-13.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.
When the reading process is started in response to a predetermined operation, an imaging process of step S601 shown in Fig. 46 is performed, and an image P for decoding the information code is captured by the imaging unit. Subsequently, a process for detecting the marker light Lm from the captured image P is performed in a marker light detection process of step S603, and then a process for decoding the information code contained in the captured image P is performed in a decoding process of step S605, and the processes from step S601 are repeated until the decoding is successful (No in S607). The control circuit 40 that executes the decoding process of step S605 may correspond to an example of a "decoding unit".

Then, when the decoding is successful and a decoded result is obtained (Yes in S607), in the judgment process of step S609, it is judged whether or not multiple decoded results have been obtained according to the above-mentioned decoding process. Here, if one decoded result has been obtained, the judgment process of step S609 is No, and the first decoded result output process of step S617 is performed, and all the decoded results obtained by the decoding process are output to a higher-level device, etc. If one decoded result has been obtained as described above, that one decoded result is output to a higher-level device, etc. in the first decoded result output process. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the above-mentioned first decoded result output process and second decoded result output process may correspond to an example of an "output unit".

On the other hand, if multiple decoded results have been obtained (Yes in S609), in the judgment process of step S611, it is judged whether or not the marker light Lm has been detected from the captured image P in the above-mentioned marker light detection process. Here, if the marker light Lm has been detected from the captured image P (Yes in S611), it is assumed that an information code printed on a paper medium, rather than an information code displayed on a screen, has been read, and all of the decoded results obtained in the above-mentioned decoding process are output to a higher-level device, etc. (S617).

On the other hand, even if multiple decoded results are obtained (Yes in S609), if the marker light Lm is not detected from the captured image P (No in S611), the determination process of step S613 determines whether or not one information code from which a decoded result has been obtained is located within the decoding target area Pd. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the determination process of step S613 may correspond to an example of a "code position determination unit" that determines whether or not the decoded information code is located within the decoding target area Pd.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 44 and FIG. 45, if one information code with a decoded result is located within the decoding target area Pd, the result of step S613 is Yes. In this case, in the determination process of step S615, it is determined whether or not the code type of the information code located within the decoding target area Pd is a preset code type (designated code type). Here, if the code type of the information code located within the decoding target area Pd is a designated code type (for example, EAN-13), the result of step S615 is Yes, and the second decoding result output process of step S619 is performed. In this process, among the multiple decoding results obtained by the decoding process of step S605, the decoding result of the information code located within the decoding target area Pd and of the designated code type is output to a higher-level device, etc. In the example of FIG. 44 and FIG. 45, even if the decoding of the barcodes Cc, Cd, and Ce is successful, only the decoding result of the code Cc located within the decoding target area Pd is output to a higher-level device, etc.

On the other hand, if the code type of the information code located within the decoding target area Pd is not the specified code type (No in S615), or if no information code for which a decoded result has been obtained is located within the decoding target area Pd (No in S613), all of the decoded results obtained in the above decoding process are output to a higher-level device, etc. (S617).

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, when the marker light Lm is not captured by the imaging unit (No in S611), the decoded result of the information code that is determined to be located within the decoding target area Pd in the determination process of step S613 and is determined to be the specified code type in the determination process of step S615 is output (S619).

In this way, when the marker light Lm is not captured by the imaging unit, the information code displayed on the screen is read, and the decoded result of the information code determined to be located within the decoding target area Pd is output, so that the decoded result of the information code outside the decoding target area Pd is not output. In other words, by holding the reading port 50 over the screen so that only the information code to be read out of the multiple information codes displayed on the screen is located within the decoding target area Pd, the decoded result of the information code to be read out can be output without outputting the decoded results of other information codes displayed on the same screen. And, even if only the information code not to be read out is located within the decoding target area Pd in the captured image when the reading port 50 is held over the information code to be read out, the code type of the information code not to be read out is different from the preset code type, so that the decoded result of the information code not to be read out can be prevented from being output.

Furthermore, when one decoded result is obtained from one captured image by the decoding process (No in S609), there is no need to determine whether or not the information code is to be read, and therefore the one decoded result is output regardless of whether or not the marker light Lm is captured. This eliminates the need for processing to determine whether or not the marker light Lm is detected from the captured image, and reduces the processing load related to outputting the decoded result.

[Eleventh embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The eleventh embodiment differs from the third embodiment mainly in that the double-read prevention setting release condition is changed.

Conventionally, when reading multiple information codes in succession, each of which records the same decoded result, a deactivation operation such as removing the information code from the imaging field of view is required to deactivate the double-read prevention function. In such a case, a reading device having an imaging unit with a large imaging field of view, such as an area sensor, has a problem in that the user's actions required for the deactivation operation are large. For example, when purchasing multiple identical products during checkout at a convenience store or other store, if the barcode attached to one product is read repeatedly according to the number of products purchased, in order to deactivate the double-read prevention function, the store clerk must repeatedly point the reading port at a plain background where the information code is not imaged and then at the barcode of the product, posing a problem in that an operation that is not expected in the original operation must be performed.

Therefore, in the reading process performed in this embodiment, the decoded result read from the information code is output in a state where the marker light is irradiated toward the information code (hereinafter also referred to as the code irradiation state), and the double-read prevention setting is released if it is determined that the code irradiation state is not in place after the decoded result has been output. As a result, the double-read prevention setting is released by removing the marker light from the information code for which the decoded result has been output, so the user's actions required for the release operation can be reduced.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.
When the reading process is started in response to a predetermined operation, the imaging process of step S701 shown in Fig. 47 is performed, and an image P for decoding the information code is captured by an imaging unit including the light receiving sensor 28 and the imaging lens 27. Then, in the decoding process of step S703, a process for decoding the information code contained in the captured image P is performed, and the process from step S701 is repeated until the decoding is successful (No in S705). The control circuit 40 that executes the decoding process of step S703 may be an example of a "decoding unit".

When the decoding is successful and a decoded result is obtained (Yes in S705), a determination is made in step S707 as to whether the decoded result obtained in the above decoding process matches the previously output decoded result (hereinafter also referred to as a decoded result matching state). Here, if the decoding is successful for the first time since the start of the reading process or if the decoded result does not match the previously output decoded result, the determination in step S707 is No. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the determination in step S707 can be an example of a "decoded result determination unit".

In this case, in the judgment process of step S709, it is judged whether or not the marker light Lm is irradiated toward the information code, and since at least a part of the marker light Lm is within the code area occupied by the information code in the captured image P, it is judged as Yes as the code is irradiated. Then, in step S711, a decoded result output process is performed, and the decoded result obtained by the decoded process is output to a higher-level device, etc. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the decoded result output process may correspond to an example of an "output unit".

When the decoded result is output in this manner, a double-read prevention setting process is performed in step S713, and then the process from step S701 is performed. On the other hand, if the marker light Lm is not within the code area occupied by the information code in the captured image P, it is determined that the code is not illuminated (No in S709), and the decoded result is not output, and the process from step S701 is performed. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the double-read prevention setting process can correspond to an example of a "double-read prevention setting unit."

On the other hand, if the decoded result obtained in the above-mentioned decoding process is in a decoded result match state (Yes in S707), a determination is made in step S715 as to whether or not the marker light Lm is irradiated toward the information code and is in a code irradiation state. If the marker light Lm is not removed from the information code for which the decoded result is output, the code irradiation state is determined to be Yes in step S715. In this case, a determination is made in step S717 as to whether or not double reading prevention is set, and if the determination is Yes because double reading prevention is set, the process is performed from step S701 without outputting the decoded result. The control circuit 40 that executes the determination process in step S715 may correspond to an example of a "marker irradiation state determination unit".

In this way, while the decoded result is in a decoded result match state where the decoded result matches the previously output decoded result, and the code irradiation state where the marker light Lm is irradiated toward the information code continues (Yes in S707 and S715), the decoded result will not be output unless the double-read prevention is released.

On the other hand, even if the decoded result matches the decoded result previously output (Yes in S707), when the marker light Lm is removed from the information code (No in S715), the double-read prevention setting cancellation process is performed in step S719, and the double-read prevention setting is cancelled. In this way, after the double-read prevention setting is cancelled, the process from step S701 is performed, and when the marker light Lm is irradiated again onto the information code for which the decoded result has been output (Yes in S715), the double-read prevention setting has been cancelled (No in S717), and the decoded result is output (S711).

A specific example of how the double-read prevention setting is cancelled in this way will be described with reference to Figures 48 (A) to (C). Note that the QR codes Cf and Cg to be read are positioned adjacent to each other and contain the same information.

When the decoded result of the QR code Cf irradiated with the marker light Lm is output by performing the decode process on the captured image P shown in FIG. 48(A), the double-read prevention setting is performed (S713), and the decoded result of the QR code Cf is not output again while the code irradiation state in which the marker light Lm is irradiated on the QR code Cf continues. After that, as shown in the captured image P shown in FIG. 48(B), when the optical information reading device 10 is moved so that the reading port 50 is directed toward the QR code Cg, the marker light Lm is removed from the QR code Cf (No in S715), and the double-read prevention setting is released (S719). Then, as shown in the captured image P shown in FIG. 48(C), when the marker light Lm is irradiated on the QR code Cg and the decoding is successful, even if the decoded results match (Yes in S707), the double-read prevention setting is released (No in S717), and the decoded result is output (S711).

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, when it is determined that the code is not illuminated after the decoded result is output (No in S715), the double-read prevention setting is released (S719). Then, when the double-read prevention setting is enabled (Yes in S717), the decoded result determined to be in a matching state is excluded from the output, and when the double-read prevention setting is released (No in S717), even the decoded result determined to be in a matching state is included as the output (S711).

In this way, if it is determined that the code is not illuminated after the decoded result is output, the double-read prevention setting is released, and the double-read prevention setting is released by removing the marker light Lm from the information code for which the decoded result has been output, so the user's actions required for the release operation can be reduced.

[Twelfth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The twelfth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment mainly in that the double-read prevention setting release condition is changed so as not to be released unnecessarily.

As in the 11th embodiment above, if the double-read prevention setting is released simply because the marker light Lm has shifted away from the information code for which the decoded result has been output, the marker light Lm may be irradiated again onto the information code that it has once shifted away from due to hand shaking or the like, resulting in double reading unintentionally by the user.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the code peripheral area Ac, which includes the code area that constitutes the information code, is used as a reference, and when the marker light Lm is not irradiated toward this code peripheral area Ac, the double-read prevention setting is released, thereby preventing unnecessary release of the double-read prevention setting.

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 49. Note that in this embodiment, the code peripheral area Ac is set so that its outer edge is a distance equivalent to a preset number of cells from the outer edge of the code area constituting the information code (hereinafter also referred to as the peripheral distance Ad), but this is not limiting and, for example, it may be set so that it is a distance equivalent to a preset number of pixels from the outer edge of the code area.

The reading process is started in the same manner as in the eleventh embodiment described above, and if the decoding is successful (Yes in S705 in FIG. 49), and the decoded result obtained in the decoding process matches the decoded result output previously (Yes in S707), the determination process in step S715a determines whether the marker light Lm is irradiated toward the code peripheral area Ac (hereinafter also referred to as the code peripheral irradiation state).

If at least a part of the marker light Lm does not fall outside the code peripheral area Ac that is set for the information code for which the decoded result has been output, the code peripheral illumination state is judged as Yes in step S715a, and the processing from step S717 onwards is carried out.

On the other hand, if the marker light Lm is outside the code peripheral area Ac that is set for the information code for which the decoded result has been output, step S715a returns No since the code peripheral illumination state is not established, and the double-read prevention setting is released (S719).

A specific example of how the double read prevention setting is cancelled will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in the captured image P in Fig. 50(A), when the decoded result of the QR code Cf irradiated with the marker light Lm is output, a double-reading prevention setting is performed (S713), and the decoded result of the QR code Cf is not output again while the code irradiation state in which the marker light Lm is irradiated to the QR code Cf continues. At that time, as shown in the captured image P in Fig. 50(B), if the marker light Lm is out of the QR code Cf due to hand shaking or the like but at least a part of it is in the code peripheral area Ac, it is determined that the code peripheral irradiation state is in effect (Yes in S715a), and the double-reading prevention setting is not released. Then, as shown in the captured image P in Fig. 50(C), the marker light Lm is out of the code peripheral area Ac, and it is determined that the code peripheral irradiation state is not in effect (No in S715a), and the double-reading prevention setting is released (S719).

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, after the decoded result is output, if it is determined that the marker light Lm is not being irradiated toward the code peripheral area Ac including the code area that constitutes the information code (No in S715a), the double-read prevention setting is released (S719).

This prevents the double-reading prevention setting from being accidentally released due to camera shake or other factors, and increases robustness against camera shake and other factors.

As a modified example of this embodiment, the code surrounding area Ac may be set so that its size relative to the information code changes depending on the size of the information code that occupies the captured image P.

When the size of the information code and the code peripheral area Ac in the captured image becomes large, the user's movement required to remove the marker light Lm from the code peripheral area Ac may become large. For this reason, for example, when the information code is captured relatively large, the size of the code peripheral area Ac can be set to be relatively small, or the size of the code peripheral area Ac can be changed depending on the size of the information code in the captured image P, thereby preventing the user's movement required for the release operation from becoming large.

For example, when the size of the information code in the captured image P becomes large, as in the captured image P shown in FIG. 51(A), the peripheral distance Ad can be shortened to reduce the code peripheral area Ac for the information code. Also, when the size of the information code in the captured image P becomes small, as in the captured image P shown in FIG. 51(B), the peripheral distance Ad can be lengthened to increase the code peripheral area Ac for the information code.

More specifically, for example, each time decoding is successful, the proportion of the code area constituting the successfully decoded information code in the captured image P (hereinafter also referred to as the code proportion Ap) is calculated, and by referring to a table set in advance as shown in FIG. 52, the code peripheral area Ac can be set so that the peripheral distance Ad corresponds to the calculated code proportion Ap. In the example of FIG. 52, if the code proportion Ap is 7%, the code peripheral area Ac is set so that the peripheral distance Ad is 15 cells, and if the code proportion Ap is 18%, the code peripheral area Ac is set so that the peripheral distance Ad is 5 cells.

[Thirteenth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The thirteenth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that whether or not decoding is required is determined depending on whether or not there is an image change in a partial image.

Conventionally, in order to prevent double reading, when a decoded result is obtained in response to a decoding process on a captured image, the decoded result is compared with the previously output decoded result. In such a process in which the decoded result is compared each time a decoded result is obtained, if the reading port is moved quickly, the information code may not be read properly. In particular, in a reading device having an imaging unit with a large imaging field of view, such as an area sensor, as shown in FIG. 53, the processing time required for image analysis processing to check whether the captured image contains a decodable information code is long, and the reading cycle is lengthened to perform the decoding process, making the above problem even more pronounced.

In addition, Figure 53 shows an example in which the image captured in the second capture (time t11 in Figure 53) contains a decodable information code, and the same decoded result is obtained from the image captured in the third capture (time t12 in Figure 53) after the decoded result is output, so that decoded result is not output, and a different decoded result is obtained and output from the image captured in the fourth capture (time t13 in Figure 53).

In the reading process performed in this embodiment, after the decoded result is output, it is determined whether or not the partial image Pb corresponding to a part (a predetermined range) of the image P captured by the imaging unit is in a state in which the image is considered to be unchanged (hereinafter also referred to as a partial image match state), and if the partial image match state is present, the decoding process is not performed. If the partial image match state is present, that is, if the image has hardly changed and therefore it is not expected that the optical information reading device 10 will be moved so as to remove the reading port 50 from the information code from which the decoded result has been obtained, then by not performing the image analysis process or the decoding process, the reading cycle is shortened, and it is possible to prevent the information code from being missed.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the ratio of the range occupied by light colors to the range occupied by dark colors is calculated and compared for the partial image Pb captured in the current imaging process and the partial image Pb captured in the previous imaging process, and if the difference between the calculated values is within a predetermined value, it is determined that the partial images match. Note that the determination regarding the partial image match is not limited to being based on the ratio of the range occupied by light colors to the range occupied by dark colors, and may be based on other image features.

In particular, in this embodiment, the partial image Pb is set so that the range it occupies in the captured image P corresponds to the central portion of the captured image P. Therefore, when a QR code Cf is captured as in the captured image P illustrated in FIG. 54(A), the partial image Pb is set, for example, as shown in FIG. 54(B).

The reading process performed by the control circuit 40 in this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.
When the reading process is started in response to a specified operation, etc., a partial image capturing process is performed in step S801 shown in FIG. 55, and a partial image Pb is captured by the imaging unit composed of the light receiving sensor 28, the imaging lens 27, etc. in response to the capture within the range set as described above.

Next, the captured partial image Pb is analyzed in the partial image analysis process shown in step S803, and in the judgment process of step S805, it is judged whether or not the partial image Pb is in a partial image match state in which it is considered that the partial image Pb has not changed from the previous partial image Pb. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the judgment process of step S805 above may correspond to an example of an "image state judgment unit."

Here, since this is the first image capture and the decoded result has not yet been output, if the result of step S805 is No as it is not a partial image match and the double read prevention setting is released (S807), a full image capture process is performed in step S809 and a captured image P is captured. Next, a full image analysis process is performed in step S811 to check whether the captured image P contains a decodable information code, etc.

If the captured image P does not contain a decodable information code, the determination process in step S813 determines that an information code has not been captured and returns No, and the process proceeds from step S801. On the other hand, if the captured image P contains a decodable information code, the determination process in step S813 determines that an information code has been captured and returns Yes, and the process in step S815 decodes the information code contained in the captured image P. The control circuit 40 that executes the decoding process in step S815 may be an example of a "decoding unit."

Next, in the judgment process of step S817, it is judged whether or not the decoded result obtained by the above-mentioned decoding process is in a decoded result match state, that is, whether or not the decoded result output previously is in a match state. Here, if the first decoded result has been obtained since the start of the reading process or if a decoded result different from the previous one has been obtained, it is determined that the decoded results are not in a match state (No in S817), and the decoded result output process of step S819 is performed, and the decoded result obtained by the decoding process is output to a higher-level device, etc. Note that the control circuit 40 that executes the above-mentioned decoded result output process may correspond to an example of an "output unit".

When the decoded result is output in this manner, the process of preventing double reading is performed in step S821, and if no operation to end reading has been performed (No in S823), the process returns to step S801.

Immediately after the decoded result is output, the reading port 50 remains pointed at the information code for which the decoded result has been output, and so the determination process in step S805 is Yes, since the captured partial image Pb is considered to be in a partial image match state, meaning that it has not changed from the previous partial image Pb. In this case, the double-read prevention setting is not released, and the process from step S801 is carried out. In other words, if the image change in the partial image Pb is small, the reading port 50 remains pointed at the information code for which the decoded result has been output, so the determination in step S805 is Yes is repeated, and the decoding process is not carried out. In this way, the image analysis process for the partial image Pb continues without carrying out image analysis process for the entire captured image P, thereby shortening the reading cycle.

If the reader then attempts to point the reading port 50 at the next information code, and the captured partial image Pb is deemed to have changed from the previous partial image Pb, step S805 returns No, the double-read prevention setting is released (S807), and the full image capture process of step S809 is performed.

A specific example of shortening the read cycle will be described below with reference to the time chart shown in FIG.
As in Fig. 53, the captured image in the second imaging (time t21 in Fig. 56) contains a decodable information code, and when the third imaging is performed after the decoded result is output (time t22 in Fig. 56), it is determined whether the partial image Pb is in a partial image match state. Then, since it is determined that the partial image match state is present (Yes in S805), the fourth imaging is performed (time t23 in Fig. 56), and when it is determined that the partial image Pb is also in a partial image match state (Yes in S805), the fifth imaging is performed (time t24 in Fig. 56). When it is determined that the partial image Pb is not in a partial image match state (No in S805), the sixth imaging is performed (S809: time t25 in Fig. 56), and a full image analysis process is performed so that the entire captured image P is the analysis target (S811). In this way, image analysis is performed on the partial image Pb from the third imaging to the fifth imaging, and the full image analysis process is not performed, so that the reading cycle can be shortened compared to the example in Fig. 53.

As described above, in the optical information reading device 10 according to this embodiment, when the decoded result is output, full image analysis processing and decoding processing are not performed until it is determined that the partial image Pb corresponding to a part of the captured image P by the imaging unit is in a partial image match state, in which the image is considered to be unchanged.

Therefore, when the decoded result is output, image analysis processing and decoding processing are not performed on the entire captured image unless the partial image Pb is deemed to have changed, so there is no need to compare the decoded results for each capture to prevent double reading. This not only reduces the processing load for preventing double reading, but also shortens the processing time, making it possible to shorten the reading cycle.

The range of the partial image Pb in the captured image P is not limited to being set in the center of the captured image P, and may be set in another range of the captured image P. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 57, the range of the partial image Pb in the captured image P may be set based on the position of the marker light Lm in the captured image P.

The range of the partial image Pb in the captured image P may be set based on the information code that was successfully decoded last time. For example, the partial image Pb may be set so as to match the code area of the information code that was successfully decoded last time. This allows the range of the partial image Pb in the captured image P to be set based on the position of the information code that was successfully decoded last time, thereby making it possible to determine whether the partial image Pb has changed based on the brightness and darkness of each cell that makes up the information code, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination.

[Fourteenth embodiment]
Next, an optical information reading device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The fourteenth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment mainly in that the protective structure for the edge portion that constitutes the reading port is designed to improve ease of assembly.

Conventionally, in portable optical information reading devices, a protective member such as rubber is attached to the edge that constitutes the reading port to protect the device from falling and to protect the display screen on which the information code to be read is displayed. This protective member is usually attached by hooking it onto an engagement portion or the like provided on the edge so that it does not easily come off after being attached to the edge. On the other hand, with a configuration in which the engagement portion is used for assembly as described above, it is difficult to achieve a strong assembly without increasing the size, so when miniaturization and strong assembly are required, the protective member is attached to the edge using an adhesive such as double-sided tape.

However, in protective structures that require assembly work in which the protective member is pressed into the edge to be attached, it is necessary to prevent areas other than the part to be attached from being attached with double-sided tape, etc. during assembly, which creates the problem of complicated assembly work.

Therefore, the optical information reading device according to this embodiment employs a protective structure in which the tip side of the protective member protrudes beyond the portion where the adhesive portion of the edge is located, and the adherend portion of the protective member that passes over this protrusion adheres to the adhesive portion of the edge.

Specifically, as in the optical information reader 200 shown in FIG. 58, a protective member 260 is attached to the edge 251 that constitutes the reading port 250, providing protection by elastically clamping it from both the outside and the inside. Note that FIG. 58 shows an enlarged cross section of the vicinity of the edge 251 to which the protective member 260 is attached (see the dashed-dotted frame in FIG. 58).

The protective member 260 is configured to have an outer protective part 270 that covers the outside of the edge part 251, an inner protective part 280 that covers the inside of the edge part 251, and a connecting part 290 that elastically connects the outer protective part 270 and the inner protective part 280.

In addition, on the outside of the edge portion 251, there is provided an adhesive portion 252 to which the outer protective portion 270 is adhered, and a protruding portion 253 located on the tip side of the adhesive portion 252 and protruding outward from the adhesive portion 252. The protruding portion 253 is formed so that the protruding height increases toward the outside as it approaches the adhesive portion 252. In addition, the protruding portion 253 is formed so that the end face 253a on the adhesive portion 252 side is nearly perpendicular to the assembly direction in which the protective member 260 is assembled to the edge portion 251 (see arrow α in FIG. 59(A) described later). In this embodiment, a double-sided tape is used as the adhesive portion 252, and is disposed in a groove provided near the end face 253a of the protruding portion 253. Note that the adhesive portion 252 is not limited to being double-sided tape, and for example, an adhesive or the like may be used.

The outer protective portion 270 is formed to have an adherend portion 271 that is adhered to the adhesive portion 252, and a thin-walled opposing portion 272 that faces the protruding portion 253 with a small gap therebetween when the adherend portion 271 and the adhesive portion 252 are adhered to each other.

The attachment of the protective member 260 to the edge portion 251 thus configured will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
When assembling the protective member 260 to the edge portion 251, first, as shown in Fig. 59(A), the edge portion 251 is inserted between the outer protective portion 270 and the inner protective portion 280 so that the adherend portion 271 comes into contact with the protruding portion 253. By pushing the protective member 260 with the edge portion 251 inserted in this manner along the assembling direction α in Fig. 59(A), the adherend portion 271 is maintained in sliding contact with the protruding portion 253 without being adhered to the adhesive portion 252.

Then, by further pushing in the protective member 260, the adherend portion 271 overcomes the protruding portion 253 as shown in FIG. 59(B), and the outer protective portion 270 approaches the inner protective portion 280 due to the elastic force of the connecting portion 290, etc., so that the adherend portion 271 adheres to the adhesive portion 252 (see FIG. 59(C)).

In this way, the adherend portion 271 is not adhered to the adherend portion 252 until it overcomes the protruding portion 253, so even if the protective member 260 is adhered by pushing it into the edge portion 251, it will not be adhered while being pushed in, making it easy to perform the assembly work.

In particular, the protruding portion 253 is formed so that the outward protruding height increases the closer it is to the adhesive portion 252, making it easier for the adhesive portion 271 to overcome the protruding portion 253, further facilitating the assembly work.

Furthermore, the protruding portion 253 is formed so that the end face 253a on the adhesive portion 252 side is nearly perpendicular to the assembly direction α (see FIG. 59(A)) in which the protective member 260 is assembled to the edge portion 251. As a result, even if the protective member 260 tries to come off from the adhered edge portion 251, the adherend portion 271 hits the end face 253a of the protruding portion 253 and is unlikely to come off, so the protective member 260 can be firmly assembled to the edge portion 251.

As a modified example of this embodiment, an adhesion portion may be further provided on the inner protection portion 280a, as in the protective member 260a and edge portion 251a illustrated in FIG. 60. Specifically, on the inside of the edge portion 251a, a second adhesion portion 254 to which the inner protection portion 280a is adhered and a second protruding portion 255 located on the tip side of the second adhesion portion 254 and protruding inward from the second adhesion portion 254 are provided, and the inner protection portion 280a is formed to have a second adherend portion 281 adhered to the second adhesion portion 254 and a thin-walled second opposing portion 282 that faces the second protruding portion 255 with a small gap therebetween when the second adherend portion 281 and the second adhesion portion 254 are adhered to each other.

The second adherend portion 281 is positioned so that it passes over the second protruding portion 255 when the adherend portion 271 passes over the protruding portion 253.

This makes it easy to assemble the protective member 260a, which is bonded not only to the outside but also to the inside of the edge to increase adhesive strength, etc.

The characteristic configuration of this embodiment and the modified example that protects the edge of the reading port can also be applied to other embodiments.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and may be embodied as follows, for example.
(1) The reading opening 50 that takes in reflected light from the information code is not limited to being formed to open in a substantially trapezoidal shape as described above, and may be formed to open in other opening shapes, for example, a T-shape in which one side edge 52 is longer than the other side edge 53. Even when the reading opening 50 is configured in this manner, the above-mentioned effect is achieved by arranging the second illumination unit 22 so that the second illumination light Lfb is directed toward the second opening region S2 after being reflected by the reflection surface 56 of the housing 11.

(2) When reading the information code C displayed on a specific display surface R, the reading port 50 may be brought into contact with the display surface R to read the information code C, or the reading port 50 may be brought close to the display surface R so as to be slightly above it to read the information code C.

(3) The present invention is not limited to application to optical information reading devices that optically read information codes such as one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes, but may also be applied to optical information reading devices that can optically read not only information codes but also text information, etc., for example.

(4) The present invention is not limited to being used in optical information reading devices 10 in which a reading process is performed in response to a specific operation of the trigger switch 42, but may also be used in optical information reading devices in which a reading process is constantly performed for a certain period of time.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10: Optical information reading device 11: Housing 12: Reading section 12a: Extended end section 13: Grip section 21: First illumination section (illumination section)
22...Second lighting section (lighting section)
27...imaging lens (imaging unit)
28...Light receiving sensor (imaging unit)
50: Reading port 51: Periphery 52: One side edge 53: Other side edge 56: Reflecting surface (inner surface)
C... Information code C1... Barcode (one-dimensional code)
C2: QR code (two-dimensional code)
Lfa: first illumination light Lfb: second illumination light

Claims (32)

an imaging unit that images an information code;
An illumination unit that emits illumination light;
a housing in which the imaging unit and the illumination unit are housed and which is provided with a reading port through which the illumination light from the illumination unit is emitted and through which reflected light from the information code is introduced;
An optical information reading device comprising:
The housing includes:
a reading unit in which the reading port is formed;
a gripping portion that is gripped when the reading port is directed toward the information code;
Equipped with
the reading unit is connected to the gripping unit such that, when the longitudinal direction of the gripping unit is horizontal, the reading unit extends obliquely downward from one end of the gripping unit in the longitudinal direction and the reading port is located at the extended end,
the reading opening is formed to include a first opening area formed by utilizing a first edge of a periphery forming an opening area that is far from the gripping portion, and a second opening area formed by utilizing a second edge of the periphery that is close to the gripping portion,
the illumination unit includes a first illumination unit for irradiating a first illumination light as the illumination light through the first opening region, and a second illumination unit for irradiating a second illumination light as the illumination light through the second opening region,
An optical information reading device characterized in that the second illumination unit is positioned so that the second illumination light is reflected on an inner surface of the housing connected to the first edge and then irradiated through the second opening area. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide portion for indicating the reading range for the two-dimensional code is provided on one side of the outer surface of the extended end portion, which is away from the gripping portion. the imaging unit includes a light receiving sensor and an imaging lens for focusing incident light entering through the reading port to form an image on a light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor;
3. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging lens is disposed so as to be shifted in a direction away from the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit with respect to the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor. a protection member for protecting the imaging unit and the illumination unit is provided at the reading port;
a first transmission portion through which the illumination light passes and a second transmission portion through which reflected light from the information code passes,
The housing is provided with a holding portion that holds the protective member so as to surround the protective member from an outer surface side,
The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding portion is formed such that an exposed width for exposing the first transparent portion on the outer surface side and an exposed width for exposing the second transparent portion on the outer surface side are smaller than a width of a user's finger. a protection member for protecting the imaging unit and the illumination unit is provided at the reading port;
The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the protective member is formed with a first transparent portion through which the illumination light passes, a first annular portion that protrudes outward so as to surround the first transparent portion in a ring shape, a second transparent portion through which reflected light from the information code passes, and a second annular portion that protrudes outward so as to surround the second transparent portion in a ring shape. A marker light irradiating unit that irradiates a marker light indicating an imaging field of view by the imaging unit;
a marker imaging determination unit that determines whether or not the image captured by the imaging unit is in a marker imaging state in which the marker light is captured in a predetermined state;
an illumination control unit that controls the illumination unit in response to a determination result of the marker image capture determination unit;
6. The optical information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising: The optical information reading device according to claim 6, characterized in that the illumination control unit controls the illumination unit to irradiate the illumination light when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker is in the marker imaging state, and controls the illumination unit to stop irradiating the illumination light when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker is not in the marker imaging state. The optical information reading device according to claim 6, characterized in that the illumination control unit controls the illumination unit so that the illumination light is irradiated when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker is in the marker imaging state, and controls the illumination unit so that the illumination light is irradiated in a darker state than when the marker is in the marker imaging state when the marker imaging determination unit determines that the marker is not in the marker imaging state. an image change determination unit that determines whether an image captured by the imaging unit has changed,
An optical information reading device as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the marker light irradiation unit irradiates the marker light when the image change determination unit determines that the image captured by the imaging unit has changed. The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the marker imaging determination unit determines whether or not the marker imaging state is one in which the marker light is captured in the predetermined state for a range of the captured image in which the marker light may be captured. a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
a selection unit that selects a decoded result to be output when a plurality of decoded results are obtained from one captured image by the decoding unit because a plurality of information codes are simultaneously captured;
Equipped with
The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the selection unit selects the decoded result to be output based on whether or not pre-registered selection determination information is included in the decoded result. The optical information reading device according to claim 11, characterized in that the selection determination information is at least one of a characteristic character string contained in a specified URL and a characteristic character string contained in a specified address. a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
a selection unit that selects a decoded result to be output when a plurality of decoded results are obtained from one captured image by the decoding unit because a plurality of information codes are simultaneously captured;
Equipped with
11. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the selection section selects the decoded result to be output based on a code type of the information code that has been successfully decoded. a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
a processing unit for performing a predetermined process using a result of the decoding by the decoding unit;
a decoded result similarity/differentity determination unit that, when a plurality of decoded results are obtained from one captured image by the decoding unit because a plurality of information codes are simultaneously captured, determines whether or not two or more identical decoded results are obtained;
Equipped with
The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, the processing unit performs the specified processing on one of the two or more identical decoding results. a storage unit for storing a decoded result obtained by performing the predetermined processing by the processing unit,
The optical information reading device of claim 14, characterized in that when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, and a decoding result that matches the same decoding result based on the information stored in the memory unit has not been subjected to the specified processing by the processing unit within a specified number of readings, a storage unit for storing a result of the decoding by the decoding unit together with a decoding time when the decoding process was completed;
The optical information reading device described in claim 14, characterized in that when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, and when the elapsed time from the decoding time associated with the decoding result that matches the identical decoding result and stored in the memory unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, the processing unit performs the predetermined processing on the decoding result. a counting unit that counts the number of times that an information code that has been successfully decoded by the decoding unit is removed from an imaging field of view of the imaging unit and reenters the imaging field of view as an imaging count;
a storage unit in which a decoded result obtained by performing the predetermined process by the processing unit is stored in association with the number of times of imaging counted by the counting unit,
The optical information reading device according to claim 14, characterized in that when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, and when the number of imaging times associated with the decoding result that matches the identical decoding result and stored in the memory unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the processing unit performs the predetermined processing on the decoding result. a storage unit that stores, for the information code determined by the decoding result similarity determination unit as having two or more identical decoded results, a time at which the information code was removed from an imaging field of view of the imaging unit in association with the decoding result as a code removal time,
The optical information reading device according to claim 14, characterized in that when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained, and when the elapsed time from the code exclusion time associated with the decoding result that matches the identical decoding result and stored in the memory unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, the processing unit performs the predetermined processing on the decoding result. a posture detection unit for detecting a posture of the housing,
The optical information reading device according to claim 14, characterized in that when the decoding result similarity determination unit determines that two or more identical decoding results have been obtained and when the orientation of the housing detected by the orientation detection unit is in a predetermined orientation state, the processing unit performs the predetermined processing on the decoding result. a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
an output unit for outputting a decoded result obtained by the decoding unit;
Equipped with
The optical information reading device of any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the output unit outputs the decoded result of one information code when a predetermined reading area, which is arranged to occupy a part of the captured image, contains an image of one information code decoded by the decoding unit and does not contain images of other information codes. The optical information reading device according to claim 20, characterized in that the output unit outputs the decoded result of one information code when the predetermined reading area contains all of the image of the one information code for which the decoding unit has obtained a decoded result, and does not contain at least a portion of the image of another information code. The information code has a specific pattern,
The optical information reading device according to claim 20, characterized in that the output unit outputs the decoded result of one information code when the specified reading area contains an image of the specific pattern of one information code whose decoded result has been obtained by the decoding unit, and does not contain an image of the specific pattern of another information code. A marker light irradiating unit that irradiates a marker light toward an imaging field of view of the imaging unit;
a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
an output unit for outputting a decoded result obtained by the decoding unit;
a code position determination unit that determines whether or not the information code decoded by the decoding unit is located within a decoding target area that corresponds to a part of the captured image;
Equipped with
An optical information reading device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the marker light is not captured by the imaging unit, the output unit outputs the decoding result of an information code that is determined by the code position determination unit to be located within the decoding target area. The optical information reading device according to claim 23, characterized in that when the decoding unit obtains one decoded result from one captured image, the output unit outputs the one decoded result regardless of whether the marker light is captured or not. The optical information reading device according to claim 23, characterized in that, when the marker light is not captured by the imaging unit, the output unit outputs the decoded result of an information code that is determined by the code position determination unit to be located within the decoding target area and is of a preset code type. A marker light irradiating unit that irradiates a marker light toward an imaging field of view of the imaging unit;
a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
a marker irradiation state determination unit that determines whether or not the marker light is being irradiated toward the information code from which a decoded result has been obtained;
an output unit for outputting a decoded result of the information code when the marker illumination state determination unit determines that the marker light is illuminated;
a decoding result determination unit that determines whether or not the decoding result obtained by the decoding unit matches the decoding result previously output from the output unit;
a double-read prevention setting unit that performs double-read prevention setting to prevent a decoded result that matches a previously output decoded result from being output each time the decoded result is output from the output unit;
Equipped with
the double-reading prevention setting unit cancels the double-reading prevention setting when the marker irradiation state determination unit determines that the marker light is not irradiated toward the information code from which the decoded result has been obtained after the decoded result is output from the output unit,
An optical information reading device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the double-read prevention setting unit has performed the double-read prevention setting, the output unit does not output a decoded result that is determined to be in a matching state by the decoded result judgment unit, and when the double-read prevention setting is released, the output unit includes even a decoded result that is determined to be in a matching state by the decoded result judgment unit as being in a matching state. The optical information reading device according to claim 26, characterized in that the double-reading prevention setting unit cancels the double-reading prevention setting when the marker irradiation state determination unit determines that the marker light is not irradiated toward the code peripheral area including the code area that constitutes the information code after the decoded result is output from the output unit. The optical information reading device according to claim 27, characterized in that the code peripheral area is set so that its size relative to the information code changes depending on the size of the information code in the captured image. a decoding unit that performs a decoding process for decoding the information code on the captured image captured by the imaging unit;
an output unit for outputting a decoded result obtained by the decoding unit;
an image state determination unit that determines whether or not a partial image corresponding to a part of an image captured by the imaging unit is in a partial image match state in which the image is considered to be unchanged;
Equipped with
The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that when the decoded result is output by the output unit, the decoding unit does not perform the decoding process until the image state determination unit determines that the partial image matches. The optical information reading device according to claim 29, characterized in that the range of the partial image that occupies the captured image is set to the center of the captured image. A marker light irradiating unit irradiates a marker light toward a center of an imaging field of view of the imaging unit,
30. The optical information reading device according to claim 29, wherein the range of the partial image in the captured image is set based on the position of the marker light in the captured image. The optical information reading device according to claim 29, characterized in that the range of the partial image in the captured image is set based on the information code that was successfully decoded last time.

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