WO2002015119A1

WO2002015119A1 - Device comprising a decoding unit for decoding optical codes and use of such a device for reading optical codes, and the use of a color camera for reading optical codes

Info

Publication number: WO2002015119A1
Application number: PCT/DE2001/003025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Müller; Jörg Küchen
Original assignee: Gavitec Ag
Priority date: 2000-08-15
Filing date: 2001-08-15
Publication date: 2002-02-21
Also published as: AU2001283794A1; DE10040563A1; DE10193421D2

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to enable the reading and decoding of optical codes in a cost-effective and problem-free manner. To this end, the invention provides a device comprising a decoding unit for decoding optical codes, whereby the device is equipped with an electronic camera which, for recording images, contains a surface sensor that is sensitive to color light.

Description

Device with a decoding unit for decoding optical ones

Codes and use of such a device for reading optical codes and use of a color camera for reading optical codes

The invention relates to a device with a decoding unit for decoding optical codes, in particular bar codes, two-dimensional codes and color codes, and to the use of such a device for reading optical codes, in particular for reading black and white codes, and to the use of a color camera for reading optical codes, especially for reading black and white codes.

In today's world, many industrially manufactured goods, including everyday products and their packaging, are provided with machine-readable optical codes, in particular with barcodes. In conjunction with special devices for decoding these codes (hereinafter called reading devices), the goods marked in this way can be identified automatically. This enables automated control and monitoring of the flow of goods. In addition, other diverse applications of barcodes and other optical codes, in particular two-dimensional codes (2D codes), are known. A large number of different types of reading devices for decoding barcodes already exist for the diverse applications of barcodes.

A class of reading devices is designed in a pen form and is guided over the bar code by the user. These devices can be manufactured inexpensively, but they have the disadvantage that they are difficult to use. The user must be particularly careful to move the stylus over the barcode with a steady movement, which on the one hand requires some practice and on the other hand can lead to signs of fatigue in the case of frequent repetitions. The reading rate of these reading devices is usually relatively low, since the reading rate depends on the practice and handling of the user. Several attempts are often required to achieve a sufficient reading of the bar code.

Another class of reading devices uses a light beam which is guided over the barcode by means of a moving mirror (so-called “barcode scanner”).

This avoids the disadvantages of pen readers mentioned above. A disadvantage of such barcode scanners is the need to use moving parts, which leads to increased susceptibility to defects, increased power consumption, increased production costs and thus a high sales price. Also known are reading devices that use an optical semiconductor sensor (CCD or CMOS), which is either one-dimensional (so-called line sensor) or two-dimensional (so-called area sensor). The sensor is divided into light-sensitive cells (pixels) and generates a discrete electrical signal that corresponds to the amount of light striking the individual pixels.

Readers are also known which contain a semiconductor sensor and in which one or more lenses are arranged. An image of the scene that contains the barcode is projected onto the sensor. Such reading devices usually also include an illumination device with which the barcode is illuminated during the reading process, so that a large degree of independence from the ambient light can be achieved.

The known reading devices have a very limited area of application and mostly serve only one purpose. As a result, they can only be manufactured and sold in small numbers, which in turn has an unfavorable effect on the costs for the production of such reading devices.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reading device which is inexpensive to manufacture and which can be sold economically at low prices. According to the invention, the above object is achieved in that a device with a decoding unit for decoding optical codes, in particular bar codes, two-dimensional codes and color codes, has an electronic camera which comprises a color light-sensitive area sensor for image recording.

It is advantageous here that the electronic camera with the color light-sensitive area sensor is a mass product. Such mass products can be produced at low cost and can therefore be sold cheaply. It is also advantageous that these modified cameras also imply code reading capability in addition to the possibility of image acquisition. As a result, a conventional electronic camera is made code-readable with a small amount of modification and thus made usable for the use or the use of future-oriented technology. The device according to the invention is accordingly designed in such a way that it addresses the widest possible mass of consumers and becomes a mass product.

The small quantities combined with high development costs make the usual code reading devices relatively expensive. Because the electronic camera according to the invention is designed in such a way that it can become a mass product, the production costs and thus the sales prices can also be kept low. Because the original function of the camera, namely image recording with the possibility of image transmission, for example for the purpose of further processing, archiving or viewing, is not impaired, cameras modified according to the invention with reference to this functionality can also be sold to consumers, who are initially not interested in the device's code reading ability. From the consumer's point of view, the modified cameras continue to represent cameras, internet cameras or the like. All of these devices are merely supplemented by the additional feature of code reading capability, so that the ability to read the code from the time of purchase or only at a later point in time can be used.

It is particularly advantageous that an interested user can use special network services, for example Internet shopping, payment of bills, retrieval of product information, using the code reading function, for example a modified camera. In order for such services to be operated economically, a large number of potential users of these services are required. The use of normal cameras, so-called consumer cameras, can be helpful in the development of such services and accelerate the development. As soon as such services are widespread, the user of the cameras expanded in accordance with the invention opens up the possibility of using these services. Since the resulting additional benefit for the user only arises with the dissemination of the services, the dissemination of the services is linked to the dissemination of the end devices, it is necessary to offer these readers at very low prices. Since most cameras are already network-compatible as part of a PC or a cell phone, or become network-compatible by connecting to a PC (digital camera, video camera), corresponding services can be used with the camera which is expanded according to the invention by a decoding unit. An additional unit that enables a network connection does not have to be established for this purpose, so there are no additional manufacturing costs for such a unit.

In particular, the use of a color light-sensitive area sensor proves to be particularly advantageous when reading monochrome optical codes, since the ability of the color light-sensitive sensor to take colored images can be used to support the decoding unit in locating the optical code. Since a natural scene and, in particular, product packaging containing a barcode are mostly designed in color, the decoding device can be limited to those image areas which have no pronounced color, as is the case with monochrome optical codes or printed black white codes is the case. Restricting the evaluation to monochrome partial areas of the image is also advantageous, among other things, because of this Limitation of the decoding effort is significantly reduced. The computing power required for decoding can be reduced and the time required for decoding can be reduced.

The decoding unit for decoding optical codes can be designed as software or as hardware.

If the device is equipped with a processor, the decoding device can be implemented as a software program. If no suitable processor that manages the software is available, the decoding device can also be arranged as a software program on a PC.

If the device does not contain such a processor or if it is not available or is only available to a limited extent because it is busy with other tasks, it is advantageous if the decoding device is implemented in hardware. Even if there is no suitable interface on the image memory, the decoding unit can be implemented as hardware.

If this is the case, the decoding unit is preferably arranged between the image-taking part and the image-processing part of the camera.

For example, the decoding unit receives the image signal via a serial or parallel interface from the color light-sensitive surface sensor of the camera and conducts it - possibly with a delay, but otherwise unchanged - via a similar interface to the image processing image. At the same time, a process for barcode decoding takes place within the coding unit without the camera losing its original function or losing part of it. The result of the decoding can then be tapped at a third interface.

The decoding unit can be designed as a single semiconductor module, for example as a customer-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The decoding unit can also be designed as part of a circuit that is already in the camera. The decoding unit then forms a unit either with the recording part or with the processing part of the camera. In the case of electronic cameras in which the recording and processing parts are not separated (camera-on-a-chip), the decoding unit can form a unit with the entire camera.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to place the decoding unit directly on the sensor, since an unadulterated sensor signal is present at this location, which can be more easily used for decoding the codes contained in the image than, for example, a compressed image signal or an image signal “improved” by high-pass filtering , which may be found elsewhere in the camera.

The decoding unit can be programmed in a hardware description language (for example VHDL or Verilog). This will make one largely independent of semiconductor technology. The software is tested in a development phase before being finally integrated on a chip later.

In many cameras, the image signal is read out line by line by a light-sensitive sensor and processed further. It is therefore advantageous to decode a bar code recorded with a camera without using an image memory. This process is called barcode decoding from the pixel stream. Decoding in this way is advantageous if there is no device for image storage in the camera that could be used for the purpose of code reading. It can also be advantageous if an image memory exists within the camera, since the random addressing of this memory generally requires additional hardware expenditure.

The optical code can now be read in using the camera. According to the invention, the camera can be a commercially available camera.

An embodiment variant provides that the device has a display device, which is preferably used as a viewfinder. The device used for code reading, in particular the camera used for code reading, is often integrated in a device or connected to a device, the device comprising a display unit or being connected to a display unit. For example, one PC camera connected to a PC, which in turn is connected to a monitor. Or a plug-in camera is connected, for example, to an electronic appointment calendar that has an LCD display.

In order to facilitate the positioning of the camera relative to the code, it is particularly advantageous if the image supplied by the camera or the sequence of images supplied is visibly displayed on this display unit.

As a result, the display unit can be used as a “viewfinder” and thus provide supporting information when the code to be read is positioned correctly.

The term “viewfinder” is understood to mean, for example, a display element with the aid of which a desired area of a scene or an image can be visually displayed and the device for decoding optical codes can then be focused as best as possible with respect to the area to be read.

For example, it is possible to equip the display unit by means of a suitable software function in such a way that an image recorded by the camera is displayed on the display unit in a mirrored form. Such a function is particularly advantageous if the camera is oriented so that it essentially "looks" or is oriented towards the user, which is particularly the case, if the camera is otherwise used to record and transmit images of the user - for example in video telephony. If the user holds an object in front of the camera, which is marked with an optical code, for example, and the camera is essentially oriented towards the user, a mirrored display image has the advantage that the user has the feeling when looking at this display unit in to look at a mirror. If the user moves the object back and forth in front of the camera, for example, the image of the object on the display unit is preferably moved in the same direction as the real movement of the object. This advantageously makes it much easier for the user to position, for example, a coded area relative to the camera.

A further embodiment variant provides that the device comprises a focus sensor. The sharpness sensor is preferably integrated in the decoding unit. For example, the focus sensor can send signals to the display unit, which causes the display unit to overlay a certain graphic on the viewfinder image, with the aid of which a user of the camera can set the correct distance between the camera and the code. Such a graphic can be designed, for example, in the form of a pointer with an associated scale, the pointer preferably occupying a central position on the scale if the image is optimally in the focus range. Depending on whether the distance between the ra and the code is too large or too small, the pointer is moved in one direction or the other out of this middle position.

It is particularly advantageous if the device has means for activating the decoding unit. By means of such means, the decoding unit can, for example, be activated manually, but also automatically. In particular with regard to economical energy consumption, it makes sense to activate the decoding device only when it is actually needed. The need-based activation of the decoding unit is particularly advantageous in the case of mobile devices, since the service life of the device is considerably prolonged by the need-based activation and the associated energy saving. This is particularly true if the decoding unit is implemented in hardware.

A requirement-oriented activation of the decoding unit of a device is also particularly advantageous if the decoding unit is executed in software. As is known, software requires a certain potential of hardware resources (processor performance). If the decoding unit is not activated, these hardware resources, which are otherwise required, can advantageously be used for other purposes, so that the performance of the device with respect to other applications can be increased.

For example, does the user use the device according to the invention in such a way that a code reading is not supported, or is the device located running application in a state in which a code reading does not make sense, the decoding unit is preferably deactivated.

For example, in order to activate the decoding device, an acoustic activation can take place by means of a microphone, as can be carried out in a simple manner, for example with a mobile telephone. Advantageously, only minor modifications are required here, so that only minor costs are incurred in the case of this embodiment variant. Many mobile phones can already be controlled with the commands discussed, such phones include not only the microphone but also a device for speech recognition. This device could possibly also be used to activate the decoding device. In this case, it is advantageous that the decoding device can not only be activated but also controlled in this way.

The application in the mobile phone with regard to the decoding unit can also be controlled by voice input. It is also possible to place the read code or the code still to be read directly in a memory area assigned to the code by means of voice input. For example, the voice input can be used to control that the code is to be stored in a shopping list, in a notebook or in a telephone directory or to be sent to another entity. In order to mechanically activate the decoding unit, the device can alternatively also have a switch or an adjustment lever, by means of which the decoding device can be activated or deactivated manually if necessary.

A further possibility of realizing a circuit of the decoding unit is to activate the decoding unit by means of a position sensor, such as the focus sensor. The decoding unit is only activated, for example, when a current measured value of the focus sensor reaches a favorable reference value. If the device itself has no means for activating the decoding unit, it is advantageous if the decoding unit is connected to at least one activation means. In order to benefit from the advantages of a temporarily activated decoding unit described above, it is particularly advantageous in the case of a network-connected device if the decoding device of the device can also be activated or deactivated and / or parameterized by a remote server. This is particularly useful if the read optical code is to be processed further on a remote server anyway.

However, if a device already has digital memories, these can also be used to store the decoded codes. It can be particularly advantageous here to store the decoded codes on storage media which are not permanently connected to the device. These are, for example, memory sticks (TM, Compact Flash) or one Sήnmkarte a mobile phone. The storage of decoded codes can be of interest, for example, if the device according to the invention is to be used, for example, to generate shopping lists or for inventory purposes.

Another advantage of integrating the decoding unit into the device is that a very close interaction between an application running on the device and the decoding unit can also be implemented in a simple manner.

Manual activation means can be implemented, for example, by means of a pivotable camera optics, a switch or a rotary movement of a lens body of a camera optics. For example, a positioning sensor, which is designed as a focus sensor, can be used as the automatic activation means.

The device according to the invention can be part of a mobile computer. However, the device according to the invention can also comprise a stationary computer. In these applications, the electronic camera can be an Internet camera, for example.

This generally consists of an image recording part and a processing part. The image recording part in turn consists of simple optics, a color light-sensitive sensor and a control unit, which contains an interface to the processing unit, among other things. The processing unit takes over protocol and transmission functions another interface (e.g. parallel interface, USB) that leads to the outside. The Internet camera can be connected to a PC via this additional interface. The entire system, consisting of the Internet camera and the PC, can be used to take pictures or video sequences.

Internet cameras are also known, which can be used separately from a PC as a camera. Such Internet cameras have a separate power supply (battery or rechargeable battery) and can therefore be used anywhere. They also have an image memory and a "trigger". If the user now actuates the trigger, the image currently on the sensor can be stored in the image memory. At a later time, the internet camera can then be connected to a PC and the images contained in the image memory can be transferred to the PC, and the connection to the PC can be wired or wireless via a radio interface or an infrared interface.

If a decoding unit is now arranged in an Internet camera, for example, it can decode a recorded scene that contains a code. The decoded code can be stored in a memory in the Internet camera. This memory can be implemented separately or can be the image memory at the same time. It is advantageous in this exemplary embodiment that the decoded code takes up much less memory space than the image which contains the code. If the Internet camera is now connected to the PC at a later point in time, the decoded code can be transferred to the PC and used by it again.

An exemplary application in which an Internet camera, which has been expanded by a corresponding decoding device, can be used according to the invention is described below.

If the internet camera or the computer communicating with it is equipped with a decoding device according to the invention and the computer is connected to the internet and has set up a connection to a homepage of a department store, the user can write a document or a product with a location that contains the barcode in front of the optics of the internet camera. By reading in the optical code and then decoding it according to the invention, the user can immediately be directed to a website on which he receives information about the ordering options, the product itself, a hyperlink to the manufacturer, test reports or related products.

At present, many products are already clearly identified with a corresponding barcode, such as EAN barcodes, UPC barcodes. As a result, when using the invention, the products advantageously do not require any special identification.

Even if the PC is not connected to a network, an Internet camera modified according to the invention can be used to advantage. For example, when installing software products, a so-called "key", which consists of a large number of numbers and / or letters, often has to be read from the packaging and entered during the installation via the keyboard. Alternatively or additionally, the software manufacturer can use an optical one Put the code on the packaging that contains the appropriate "key" for installation. Since the user enters the "key" into the computer by simply pointing an Internet camera at the corresponding point on the packaging and not having to enter the code on the keyboard of the PC, the installation of the software can be simplified.

In order to be able to reach the largest possible group of customers, an Internet camera can also be used with an Internet access device other than the PC. This makes it possible to address customers who are not willing to buy an expensive PC.

So-called internet consoles, which are already in development, can be used as internet access devices. Due to the lack of some features that are typical for a PC, the Internet net consoles are usually offered cheaper than a commercially available PC.

In a further embodiment variant, a mobile telephone is arranged in the device according to the invention, via which a connection to the Internet can be established. This can be advantageous, particularly in the case of telephones according to the new UMTS mobile radio standard, since this new standard offers higher data transmission rates and thus also supports multimedia applications.

Another advantage when using the Internet with a mobile phone can be the simplified entry of long Internet addresses or product codes by means of an integrated code reading device. Since the manufacturers of such mobile telephones are striving for ever smaller designs and thus the numerical keypad is becoming increasingly cumbersome to operate and furthermore there is no further input option, the input can be made considerably easier.

However, the device according to the invention can also be arranged in a fixed telephone.

In the following, further embodiments are described which relate to mobile devices which do not require a connection to a PC or to an Internet console in order to be able to be operated in a meaningful manner. For example, electronic diaries are known which contain an image recording unit. Equipped with an image acquisition unit, these diaries become digital cameras. Electronic diaries can usually also be connected to mobile phones. In this way, the calendar is linked to the Internet.

Appointment calendars are also conceivable that are directly equipped with a cell phone module and thus allow Internet connections even without a cell phone.

The additional equipment according to the invention of the appointment calendar, preferably the image recording unit of the appointment calendar, with a decoding unit expands such appointment calendars into Internet-compatible code reading devices and thus enables the use of the services explained in more detail above.

As a further embodiment variant, it is also possible to equip a digital camera or a video camera with a decoding unit. Since such devices also contain light-sensitive area sensors, the decoding unit according to the invention can be integrated there.

If the camera has a flash, it may be advantageous to use it to illuminate the optical code. Here, similar to the mobile internet camera described above, barcodes

"Decoded" at the push of a button. Since the digital camera or video camera have an image memory, the decoded codes can be saved and then transferred to a PC at a later time. From there, the information contained therein can be used further.

In order to enable a fast and direct connection of the device according to the invention to a network without further additional devices, the decoding device can be equipped with an interface. There is preferably a connection to the Internet. Another advantage is that network-wide services can be used in a user-friendly manner using the Internet connection (no-click i-comerce, no-click m-comerce).

A lighting unit can be arranged on the device so that the optical code can be read reliably and without errors even in poor lighting conditions. For this purpose, all conceivable devices can be arranged on the device that enable the desired better readability of the optical code.

Particularly in devices which are arranged in an external holder (digital Internet camera), it is advantageous if the holder itself has means for illuminating the optical code.

A positioning device is arranged on the device so that the targeted optical code can be read in in a targeted manner. This is carried out in such a way that on the object on which the code is there, a mark projected by light appears. The light-emitting source, for example, is preferably arranged on the device.

With regard to the positioning device, it is advantageous if the positioning device is arranged in the holder of the device. This is particularly true when, for example, an Internet camera is inserted in the holder for fixation.

It is proposed that the device have a handle with illuminants. In order to advantageously illuminate an optical code to be read in with means for lighting and / or to mark it with means for positioning, it is particularly advantageous in the case of mobile devices for decoding optical codes if these means are arranged together or individually in the handle of a device. It is possible that the handle cannot be directly assigned to the device, but rather is a component of a holder in which the device is at least temporarily inserted. The handle preferably comprises a switch or a button with which the decoding process can be activated.

The light sources for illuminating the code and / or the light sources for application support during positioning can be controlled by a host system (for example: PC, mobile phone or electronic appointment calendar). The control can, for example, via a wired interface (for example: USB or PCMCIA), a wireless interface (for example: Bluetooth) or an optical interface (for example: IrDA). This makes it possible, for example, to switch on the additional lighting only when the ambient light is insufficient and / or to switch on the target device at the moment when an image is taken.

Another embodiment variant provides that the device has a device with which the codes to be read are selected. The code selection can be done manually or automatically. It goes without saying that the selection setup can be implemented, for example, on the one hand as hardware or as software and on the other hand as an application of the device or as an application on a remote server. The selection device is preferably implemented in the decoding unit. By means of the device for selection, the computing effort with regard to the decoding device is significantly reduced, since the decoding device only decodes optical codes which correspond to a first selected code type. Here, the decoding unit is preferably only activated if, for example, the code to be decoded corresponds to the code type of the code decoded first. The decoding unit is parameterized by the first code, so that the decoding unit is at least temporarily set to a specific code type. This is advantageous, for example, if a shopping list is created in which the products are identified by their barcodes. Since products are usually identified by an EAN / UPC barcode, the decoding unit is activated for reading EAN / UPC barcodes at a given time. Other optical codes, for example data matrix codes, are then largely not taken into account, for example, in the decoding. Here, the decoding unit is parameterized such that other optical codes are not read by the decoding unit. For example, the application described above runs on a mobile phone to generate a shopping list from EAN / UPC barcodes. In this case, the user of the mobile telephone can, for example, switch from a shopping list application to a telephone book administration, with which he can manage his personal telephone book entries. For this purpose, the decoding unit can be parameterized in such a way that it no longer reads EAN / UPC barcodes, but data matrix codes or Code 128 barcodes, which contain address information, for example. If the user has, for example, a business card from a business partner whose address and telephone data are contained on the business card in a data matrix code or Code 128 barcode, the decoding unit can read this code. The data is then filtered and transferred to the phone book.

Since today's readers serve only one purpose, namely the reading in of symbologies of a limited code family, they are of interest only for commercial use. They offer no further functionality.

However, since the potential of these optical codes is only used to a fraction, the various possibilities offered by these optical codes are currently unused.

The inventive idea of reading in the optical codes by means of a commercially available camera and then decoding them with an integrated or external decoding unit offers innumerable further possibilities for using the optical codes also for non-commercial purposes.

For the sake of completeness, the following example will finally be explained. If an optical code is shown, for example, on an electronic display, it can be read by the device according to the invention described above as well as a printed or otherwise materially applied optical code. An electronic display can be, for example, a computer monitor or an LCD display of a mobile phone or an electronic diary.

Devices which are not modified according to the invention, in particular also devices which do not have a camera, can be able to display smaller amounts of data as optical code on their display. A device according to the invention can be used to read such a code shown on a display. This results in the possibility of exchanging smaller amounts of data between two devices even if the devices do not otherwise have compatible interfaces and / or if compatible interfaces are available but their use is not desired.

For example, a user of a stationary PC receives an email, which among other things also contains the address information of the sender. If this PC user now has an electronic appointment calendar with camera modified in accordance with the invention and would like to transfer the address information of the email sender into his appointment calendar, the user can also call up a simple program which converts the address into a data matrix code so that the latter Data matrix code is displayed on the screen. The user reads the code with his diary from the screen and saves it in his address list.

As a further solution to the problem, the invention proposes the use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 16, in which the device is used for reading optical codes, in particular black / white codes.

Another solution to the problem arises when a color camera is used to read optical codes, in particular black and white codes. In the light of the fact that commercially available color cameras in particular are considerably cheaper than known code readers, in particular as code readers for b / w codes, it is particularly innovative to use the commercially available and cheaper color cameras for reading black and white codes.

So far it has not yet been found that color cameras can also be used advantageously for reading black and white codes, which, among other things, can significantly reduce high investment costs with regard to a code reading system. In the prior art, color cameras are not used for reading black and white codes, since it is not obvious to use a color camera to record a non-colored scene.

However, the use described above is advantageous not only against the background of lower costs, but also, for example, with regard to easier and more secure code reading. Since black / white areas differ optically from colored areas, a device which can differentiate between these two areas is particularly well suited for detecting black / white codes. As a result, for example, in addition to increasing the reading security of the black / white code, the amount of data to be decoded is also reduced, since reading and decoding are restricted to the black / white area. The use described above is all the more advantageous when using a product set, which is preferably composed of a color camera and corresponding hardware or software. This combination means that almost all color cameras can be used for code reading without complex modifications. The commercially available cameras are connected, for example, to a network which provides software with a corresponding decoding unit, or the camera is made code-readable by a type of insertable memory stick on which the software is stored.

Further advantages, goals and properties of the present invention are illustrated with the aid of the following explanation of the attached drawing, in which a camera and a cell phone are shown as examples.

It shows

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a digital camera, the arrangement of a decoding unit in the camera being shown as an example,

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mobile telephone,

3 and FIG. 4 a holder in which a digital camera is inserted, FIG. 5 shows a further holder with a handle for an electronic camera,

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 a first pocket PC with a pivotable camera,

Figure 8 shows a second pocket PC with an activation device for a decoding unit and

Figure 9 shows another pocket PC with another activation device for activating a decoding unit.

The digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 2 with an optical unit 3, a flash light 4 and a trigger 5. A color light-sensitive area sensor 6 is arranged behind the optical unit 3. This color light-sensitive area sensor 6 is connected to a decoding unit 7 via a line. The decoding unit 7 is in turn connected to an image processing part 8. Furthermore, an interface 9, for example for a connection to a PC, is arranged in the digital camera, the interface 9 being connected to the image-processing part 8.

It goes without saying that the arrangement of the decoding unit is only shown as an example in this exemplary embodiment. The decoding unit can, for example, also be arranged directly on the color light-sensitive area sensor.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mobile telephone 10 with a camera 11 and a decoding unit 12. Furthermore, the mobile telephone comprises a positioning aid 13 which delimits a code 14 to be scanned with a light frame 15 and thus enables precise positioning. An interface 16 for the connection to a network, preferably the Internet, is also arranged in this exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show, by way of example, that a decoding unit for decoding optical codes can easily be arranged in a mass article, which expands the application area of these devices in a simple and inexpensive manner. It goes without saying that this technical extension can be incorporated into a large number of mass products, so that the invention is available to a large population.

The holder 17 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is shaped in its front area 18 in such a way that an area provided with an optical code can be held in this area 18 and can be easily fixed at a predetermined distance 19 from an illumination device 20. The lighting device 20 is arranged on the holder 17 by means of a clamping device 21. Right away Behind the lighting device 20, the holder 17 has an area 22 in which a preferably electronic camera 23 can be arranged. In this case, the electronic camera 23 has a lens 24 which, when an electronic camera 23 is inserted in the region 22, projects through an annular opening 25 in the lighting device 20.

The holder 26 shown in FIG. 5 has a handle 27, a retaining ring 28, a lighting device 29 and a positioning device 30. The handle 27 in this case comprises a switch 31 with which a decoding process can be activated.

An electronic camera 32 is fixed in the holding ring 28 of the holder 26. Here, the lighting device 29 is used to illuminate a coded area 33, thereby ensuring that the coded area 33 is read reliably. Using the positioning device 30, a visible marking is generated on the coded surface 33, so that the user receives an indication of the current positioning of the camera 32 with respect to the coded surface 33.

The pocket PC 34 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has a pivotable camera 35 which on the one hand can face the user of the pocket PC 34 in a first position 36 and on the other hand can face away from the user in a second position 37 can. In the position 36 facing the user, the camera can do this, for example be used in video telephony to make moving images of the user who can simultaneously view a display 38 of the pocket PC 34.

If the camera 35 is fixed in a position facing away from the user, a decoding device 39 of the pocket PC 34 is activated, for example. By activating the decoding device 39, the pocket PC 34 is able to read and / or decode an optical code 40.

It is also possible to enter functions of the decoding device 39 by means of a voice input via a microphone 41.

The pocket PC 42 in FIG. 8 likewise comprises a display 43, a microphone 44 and a camera 45. Here, a rotary switch 46 can be displaced by a rotary movement 47 in such a way that a lens body 48 of the camera 45 moves from a general recording area into one Close range is changed. This is characterized by two setting positions 49 and 50, the camera 45 being set to a normal range with a setting 49 and to a close range with a setting 50.

With the normal range setting 49, the camera is, for example, able to record moving images of the user of the pocket PC 42, while the camera 45 in the short range setting 50 is preferably set for reading optical codes. When hiring A decoding unit 51 of the pocket PC is also switched on to a close range.

It is particularly advantageous that the rotary switch 46 has latching stages, so that the user notices without looking closely at the rotary switch 46 whether the rotary switch 46 on the pocket PC 42 has actually switched on a decoding mode.

The pocket PC 52 shown in FIG. 9 comprises a sliding device 53 with which a camera 54 can be set at different distances. Various optical lenses are brought into the beam path of the camera 54 by the slider 53. For example, the entire lens can also be replaced, or an attachment lens can be slid in front of the permanently installed lens for a short shooting distance. In this case too, it is advantageous to combine the slider 53 with a switch which activates a decoding device 55 when the slider 53 is set such that a focus position 56 which is favorable for the code reading is set.

Claims

claims:

1. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) for decoding optical codes (14; 33; 40), in particular bar codes, two-dimensional codes and color codes, characterized in that the device comprises an electronic camera (1; 3; 11; 23; 32;

35; 45; 54), which comprises a color light-sensitive area sensor (6) for image recording.

2. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to claim 1, characterized in that the decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) is designed as hardware.

3. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) with the camera (1; 3; 11; 23; 32; 35; 45; 54), preferably with the color light-sensitive area sensor (6), forms a physical unit.

4. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) has no memory for recording a complete image ,

5. Device (1; 10; 34; 42; 52) with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in shows that the device (1; 10; 34; 42; 52) has a display unit (38; 43), which is preferably used as a viewfinder.

6. The device (1; 10; 34; 42; 52) with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device (1; 10; 34; 42 ; 52) comprises a focus sensor.

7. Device (1; 10; 34; 42; 52) with a decoding device (7; 12; 39; 51; 55), characterized in that the device (1; 10; 34; 42; 52) means for activation ( 31; 46; 53) of the decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55).

8. The device (1; 10; 34; 42; 52) with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the decoding device (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) is connected to at least one activating agent (31; 46; 53).

9. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the camera (1; 3; 11; 23; 32; 35; 45; 54) is a component a mobile computer (34; 42; 52).

10. The device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the camera (1; 3; 11; 23; 32; 35; 45; 54) is a component a mobile phone (10).

11. The device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the camera (1; 3; 11; 23; 32; 35; 45; 54) is a component of an electronic diary.

12. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the

Camera (1; 3; 11; 23; 32; 35; 45; 54) is a digital camera or video camera.

13. The device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) has an interface (9) for the

Connected to a network, preferably the Internet.

14. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the device has an illumination unit (4; 20; 29).

15. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the device has a positioning aid (13; 30).

16. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the

Device has a handle (27) with lamps (29; 30).

17. Device with a decoding unit (7; 12; 39; 51; 55) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the device has a device with which the codes to be read in are selected.

18. Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 17 for reading optical codes, in particular for reading black and white codes.

19. Use of a color camera for reading optical codes, in particular for reading black and white codes.