WO2002015119A1 - Dispositif a unite de decodage pour decoder des codes optiques et utilisation d'un tel dispositif pour lire des codes optiques et utilisation d'une camera couleur pour lire des codes optiques - Google Patents

Dispositif a unite de decodage pour decoder des codes optiques et utilisation d'un tel dispositif pour lire des codes optiques et utilisation d'une camera couleur pour lire des codes optiques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002015119A1
WO2002015119A1 PCT/DE2001/003025 DE0103025W WO0215119A1 WO 2002015119 A1 WO2002015119 A1 WO 2002015119A1 DE 0103025 W DE0103025 W DE 0103025W WO 0215119 A1 WO0215119 A1 WO 0215119A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
decoding unit
camera
decoding
codes
code
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DE2001/003025
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Frank Müller
Jörg Küchen
Original Assignee
Gavitec Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gavitec Ag filed Critical Gavitec Ag
Priority to DE10193421T priority Critical patent/DE10193421D2/de
Priority to AU2001283794A priority patent/AU2001283794A1/en
Publication of WO2002015119A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002015119A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/12—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10712—Fixed beam scanning
    • G06K7/10722—Photodetector array or CCD scanning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
    • H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
    • H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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”).
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • special network services for example Internet shopping, payment of bills, retrieval of product information, using the code reading function, for example a modified camera.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the decoding unit is preferably arranged between the image-taking part and the image-processing part of the camera.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • ASIC customer-specific integrated circuit
  • 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.
  • the decoding unit can form a unit with the entire camera.
  • 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.
  • a hardware description language for example VHDL or Verilog
  • 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.
  • the camera can be a commercially available camera.
  • 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.
  • a display unit for example, one PC camera connected to a PC, which in turn is connected to a monitor.
  • a plug-in camera is connected, for example, to an electronic appointment calendar that has an LCD display.
  • the display unit can be used as a “viewfinder” and thus provide supporting information when the code to be read is positioned correctly.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the device comprises a focus sensor.
  • the sharpness sensor is preferably integrated in the decoding unit.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the device has means for activating the decoding unit.
  • the decoding unit can, for example, be activated manually, but also automatically.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the decoding unit is preferably deactivated.
  • 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.
  • a microphone for example, a mobile telephone.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the decoding unit is connected to at least one activation means.
  • 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.
  • decoded codes 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 S ⁇ nm badge 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.
  • 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.
  • the device according to the invention can also comprise a stationary computer.
  • the electronic camera can be an Internet camera, for example.
  • 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.
  • a decoding unit 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • an Internet camera modified according to the invention can be used to advantage.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the device according to the invention can also be arranged in a fixed telephone.
  • 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.
  • a digital camera or a video camera 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.
  • the camera has a flash, it may be advantageous to use it to illuminate the optical code.
  • barcodes 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.
  • 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.
  • all conceivable devices can be arranged on the device that enable the desired better readability of 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.
  • 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.
  • the device have a handle with illuminants.
  • a handle with illuminants.
  • 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.
  • the device has a device with which the codes to be read are selected.
  • the code selection can be done manually or automatically.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • FIG. 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the holder 17 has an area 22 in which a preferably electronic camera 23 can be arranged.
  • 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.
  • the lighting device 29 is used to illuminate a coded area 33, thereby ensuring that the coded area 33 is read reliably.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the pocket PC 42 in FIG. 8 likewise comprises a display 43, a microphone 44 and a camera 45.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • hiring A decoding unit 51 of the pocket PC is also switched on to a close range.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Abstract

Afin de lire et de décoder des codes optiques de manière aisée et économique, il est prévu selon l'invention un dispositif muni d'une unité de décodage pour décoder des codes optiques. Ledit dispositif présente une caméra électronique comprenant un capteur de surface sensible à la couleur lumineuse pour effectuer des prises de vues.
PCT/DE2001/003025 2000-08-15 2001-08-15 Dispositif a unite de decodage pour decoder des codes optiques et utilisation d'un tel dispositif pour lire des codes optiques et utilisation d'une camera couleur pour lire des codes optiques WO2002015119A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10193421T DE10193421D2 (de) 2000-08-15 2001-08-15 Vorrichtung mit einer Decodiereinheit zur Decodierung von optischen Codes und Verwendung einer derartigen Vorrichtung zum Lesen von optischen Codes sowie Verwendung einer Farbkamera zum Lesen von optischen Codes
AU2001283794A AU2001283794A1 (en) 2000-08-15 2001-08-15 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

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DE2000140563 DE10040563A1 (de) 2000-08-15 2000-08-15 Vorrichtung mit einer Decodiereinheit zur Decodierung von optischen Codes

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