Code reader

Abstract

To provide a technique for preventing the output of information read from an information code undesired by a user, out of a plurality of information codes.SOLUTION: A code reader includes: a lens; an image sensor which converts light collected by the lens into image data; a specifying unit which specifies a degree of blur of each of captured images of two or more information codes captured by the image sensor; and an output unit which uses the degree of blur to select and output information read from one or more information codes that exist in a location where the lens is in focus on a subject existing in a range of a specific distance, from among information read from the two or more information codes, the output unit being configured not to output information read from information codes other than the one or more information codes, out of the information read from the two or more information codes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a code reader that reads information from information codes.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a code reader including a lens that condenses light from an information code such as a barcode, an image sensor that converts the light condensed by the lens into image data, and a control unit that analyzes the image data converted by the image sensor to read information from the information code. When the image represented by the image data includes a plurality of information codes, the code reader can read information from each of the plurality of information codes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in a situation where a user desires to read information only from nearby information codes, it is assumed that the code reader images a plurality of information codes including not only nearby information codes but also distant information codes. In such a situation, if the code reader reads information from distant information codes as well, information different from the information desired by the user may be output. This specification provides a technique for preventing information read from information codes that the user does not desire among a plurality of information codes from being output.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The code reader disclosed in this specification includes an image sensor that converts the light condensed by the lens into image data, a specifying unit that specifies the degree of blurring of each captured image of two or more information codes captured by the image sensor, and an output unit that uses the degree of blurring to select and output, from the information read from the two or more information codes, the information read from one or more information codes that are located at a position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within a specific distance range, and does not output the information read from information codes other than the one or more information codes among the information read from the two or more information codes.

[0006] The degree of blurring becomes smaller when the subject is in focus and larger when the subject is out of focus. By using the degree of blurring of the information code, it is possible to estimate whether the information code exists at a location within a specific distance range. The specific distance is, for example, a distance on the side closer to the user, and it is estimated that one or more information codes existing within the specific distance range are the information codes desired by the user. From the above, it is possible to prevent the information read from the information codes not desired by the user from being output among the plurality of information codes.

[0007] The code reader further includes a lens moving mechanism that moves the lens along the optical axis of the lens. The specifying unit calculates the degree of blurring of each captured image of the two or more information codes at each of the plurality of positions when the image sensor captures the two or more information codes while the lens moving mechanism moves the lens to a plurality of positions. The output unit may select and output, from the information read from the two or more information codes, the information read from one or more information codes that are located at a position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the specific distance range by using the degree of blurring of the captured images calculated at each of the plurality of positions.

[0008] By moving the lens to a plurality of positions, the degree of blurring of the captured image can be calculated at each of the positions.

[0009] The code reader may further include a selection unit that selects, from among the two or more information codes, one or more information codes represented by the captured image in which the degree of blurring is less than a predetermined degree at a specific position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the specific distance range among the plurality of positions.

[0010] In a situation where the lens is at a specific position, the lens is focused on an information code existing within a specific distance range, and the degree of blurring of the captured image of the information code is less than a predetermined degree. By selecting one or more information codes in which the degree of blurring is less than a predetermined degree, an information code existing within a specific distance range can be selected.

[0011] The code reader may further include a selection unit that selects, from among the two or more information codes, one or more specific information codes represented by the captured image in which the degree of blurring is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree at a specific position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the specific distance range among the plurality of positions, and excludes the one or more specific information codes from among the two or more information codes, thereby selecting one or more information codes from among the two or more information codes.

[0012] In a situation where the lens is at a specific position, the lens is not focused on an information code existing outside the specific distance range, and the degree of blurring of the captured image of the information code existing outside the designated distance range is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree. By excluding one or more specific information codes in which the degree of blurring is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree, an information code existing within a specific distance range can be selected.

[0013] The code reader may further include a selection unit that selects one or more other information codes represented by the captured images with a degree of blurring less than a predetermined degree at other positions where the lens is focused on a subject existing within a range of a distance different from the specific distance among the two or more information codes, and excludes the one or more other information codes from the two or more information codes, thereby selecting the one or more information codes from the two or more information codes.

[0014] In a situation where the lens is at another position, the lens is focused on an information code existing within a range of another distance. The range of the other distance is outside the range of the specified distance. In a situation where the lens is at another position, the degree of blurring of the captured image of the information code existing outside the range of the specified distance is less than a predetermined degree. By excluding one or more other information codes with a degree of blurring less than a predetermined degree, it is possible to select an information code existing within a range of a specific distance.

[0015] In addition to the degree of blurring, the output unit may output the one or more information codes from the two or more information codes by using the decoding result of each of the two or more information codes.

[0016] By using two indicators, namely the degree of blurring and the decoding result, it is possible to accurately output one or more information codes desired by the user.

[0017] The image sensor has detection pixels for detecting a phase difference from the light condensed by the lens, and the code reader further includes a lens moving mechanism for moving the lens along the optical axis of the lens. The specifying unit moves the lens to a specific position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the range of the specific distance, and for each of the two or more information codes, the phase difference detected by the detection pixels corresponding to the captured image of the information code is specified as the degree of blurring of the captured image of the information code. The code reader may further include a second selection unit that selects one or more information codes represented by the captured images in which the phase difference is less than a threshold value from among the two or more information codes.

[0018] According to the above configuration, it is possible to select one or more information codes for which the read information should be output by using the phase difference detected by the detection pixels included in the image sensor as the degree of blurring.

[0019] The specific distance may be specified by the user.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the user can specify the distance to the information code that the user desires to read.

[0021] The output unit may display the information read from the one or more information codes on a display unit.

[0022] The code reader may further include a display control unit that separately displays on the display unit the captured image showing the one or more information codes and the captured image showing the information codes other than the one or more information codes.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the user can know from which of the two or more information codes the information is output.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] (First Embodiment) (Usage Status of the Code Reader 10; Figure 1) The code reader 10 of this embodiment is a device that images an information code (for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code) and reads information from the imaged information code. The code reader 10 is portable or stationary. The code reader 10 can read a plurality of information codes simultaneously. For example, as shown in Figure 1, assume that there are two shelves 2 and 4, shelf 2 is located on the side closer to the code reader 10, and shelf 4 is located on the side farther from the code reader 10. In this situation, the user desires to read the four information codes 100 displayed on the four boxes on shelf 2. The user can cause the code reader 10 to simultaneously read the information recorded in each of the four information codes 100 by imaging an image containing the four information codes 100 with the code reader 10.

[0026] However, it is assumed that the code reader 10 images an image that also includes the information code 200 displayed on the box on the farther shelf 4 in addition to the four information codes 100 on the nearer side. In this case, if the code reader 10 reads information not only from the four information codes 100 but also from the information code 200, information different from the information desired by the user may be output. To address this problem, the code reader 10 of this embodiment executes the processing of Figure 3 described later.

[0027] (Configuration of the code reader 10; Fig. 2) The code reader 10 includes an imaging unit 12, a display unit 20, and a control unit 30. The imaging unit 12 is a device for imaging an information code, and includes a lens 14, an image sensor 16, and a lens moving mechanism 18. The lens 14 condenses light from the subject. The image sensor 16 converts the light condensed by the lens 14 into image data.

[0028] The lens moving mechanism 18 moves the lens 14 along the optical axis of the lens 14. The lens moving mechanism 18 is an actuator for a so-called autofocus function. The lens moving mechanism 18 moves the lens 14, for example, between three positions. When the position of the lens 14 is the first-stage position, the lens 14 focuses on a subject existing at a near point close to the code reader 10. When the position of the lens 14 is the next second-stage position, the lens 14 focuses on a subject existing at a midpoint farther than the near point. When the position of the lens 14 is the next third-stage position, the lens 14 focuses on a subject existing at a far point farther than the midpoint. For example, the near point is the location of the shelf 2 on the side close to the user, and the far point is the location of the shelf 4 on the side far from the user. Note that the above three positions are merely examples, and may be, for example, two positions or four positions, or the lens moving mechanism 18 may move the position of the lens 14 continuously (steplessly).

[0029] The display unit 20 is a display for displaying various information, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display and an organic EL. The operation unit 22 is an input device for receiving various instructions, and is, for example, a mechanical switch and a touch panel exposed on the housing of the code reader 10. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 40 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.

[0030] Memory 34 further stores distance setting 42. Distance setting 42 is a value indicating the distance specified by the user. For example, distance setting 42 indicates one of the values "near", "medium", or "far". In the order of "near", "medium", and "far", the distance to the subject indicated by the value becomes farther. For example, when the user desires to read an information code existing at the near point, the user designates the value "near" as distance setting 42. On the other hand, when the user desires to read an information code existing at the far point, the user designates the value "far" as distance setting 42. Note that the above three-level values are merely examples, and for example, two-level or four-level values may be used, or an actual distance may be specified.

[0031] (Processing of code reader 10; FIG. 3) With reference to FIG. 3, the processing executed by CPU 32 according to program 40 will be described. The processing in FIG. 3 is started, for example, triggered by turning on the power of code reader 10.

[0032] In S10, CPU 32 monitors whether an instruction to read an information code has been input to operation unit 22. When an instruction to read an information code is input to operation unit 22 (YES in S10), CPU 32 proceeds to S20.

[0033] In S20, CPU 32 activates imaging unit 12 and starts imaging by imaging unit 12. In this embodiment, the initial position of lens 14 is a position corresponding to the near point, and CPU 32 controls lens moving mechanism 18 to move lens 14 step by step. For example, lens moving mechanism 18 adjusts the position of lens 14 so that lens 14 is focused on a subject at the near point. The method of focusing on a subject is, for example, a contrast method or a phase difference method in an autofocus function.

[0034] In S22, the CPU 32 acquires image data from the imaging unit 12. The CPU 32 extracts, from the image represented by the acquired image data, a code image representing each of two or more information codes. For example, the CPU 32 extracts, as a code image, an image having features (e.g., black-and-white pattern, symbol) peculiar to the information code. Then, the CPU 32 calculates the blur value of each code image. The blur value is a value indicating the degree to which the contour of the code image is blurred, and indicates any value from 1 to 10. The smaller the blur value, the greater the degree to which the contour is blurred. The code image with the value "10" has a clear contour, while the code image with the value "1" has a largely blurred contour. The blur value is calculated, for example, by image processing on the code image. For the image processing, for example, a Prewitt filter, a Sobel filter, a Roberts filter, or a Laplacian filter is used.

[0035] In S24, the CPU 32 performs a decoding process on each of the two or more code images extracted in S22 with respect to the code image. If the contour of the code image is clear, the decoding process may succeed. On the other hand, if the contour of the code image is blurred, the decoding process may fail.

[0036] In S26, for each of the two or more code images extracted in S22, the CPU 32 stores in the memory 34 the blur value calculated in S22 and the result of decoding in S24, in association with the current position of the lens 14. For example, in S22, three information codes, namely, "Code A", "Code B", and "Code C" are extracted. Codes A and B are information codes existing at the near point, and Code C is an information code existing at the far point. At the current time, the position of the lens 14 is a position corresponding to the near point. Therefore, as shown in the near point column of FIG. 3, for Codes A and B, the blur value "10" is stored, and for Code C, the blur value "4" is stored. Also, in the example of FIG. 3, for all of Codes A to C in the near point column, a value "YES" indicating a successful decoding result is stored. For example, with the improvement of the performance of the image sensor 16, even if the code image is somewhat blurred, the decoding of the code image may succeed.

[0037] In S30, the CPU 32 determines whether the movement of the lens 14 to all positions has been completed. If the CPU 32 determines that the movement to all positions has not been completed (NO in S30), it proceeds to S40. In S40, the CPU 32 controls the lens movement mechanism 18 to move the lens 14 to the next position. The movement of the lens 14 to the next position is realized, for example, by the autofocus function. When the next position is a position corresponding to the midpoint, the lens movement mechanism 18 adjusts the position of the lens 14 so that the lens 14 is focused on the subject at the near point. When S40 ends, the CPU 32 returns to S22 and executes the processing of S22 to S26 again. As a result, for example, as shown in the table of FIG. 3, for each of the near point to the far point, the blur value and the decoding result of the code images of Codes A to C are stored.

[0038] Also, when the CPU 32 determines that the movement to all positions has been completed (YES in S30), it proceeds to S50. In S50, the CPU 32 uses the blur value stored in S26 and the result of decoding to select a target image that matches the distance setting 42 from among all the code images. In this case, the distance setting 42 indicates the value "near". The CPU 32 selects, as the target image, a code image in which the blur value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, "6") and the result of decoding indicates "YES" at the near point corresponding to the value "near" from the information stored in S26. For example, in the table example of FIG. 3, the code A and B at the near point are selected as the target images.

[0039] The method of selecting the target image is not limited to the above method. In Modification 1, the CPU 32 selects, as a non-target image, a code image in which the blur value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, "4") at the near point corresponding to the value "near" from the information stored in S26. Then, the CPU 32 selects, as the target image, an image excluding the non-target image from among all the code images. For example, in the form example of FIG. 3, the code C at the near point is selected as the non-target image, and the codes A and B other than the code C are selected as the target images.

[0040] Also, in another Modification 2, the CPU 32 selects, as a non-target image, a code image in which the blur value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, "6") and the result of decoding indicates "YES" at the far point corresponding to the value "far" from the information stored in S26. The far point is a location different from the near point set by the user as the distance setting 42, because it is presumed that the information code focused at the far point is different from the information code desired by the user. For example, in the table example of FIG. 3, the code C at the far point is selected as the non-target image, and the codes A and B other than the code C are selected as the target images.

[0041] Also, in another modification, the method of Modification 2 may be implemented at the midpoint, or the methods of the embodiment, Modification 1, and Modification 2 may be combined to select the target image. For example, whether the target image is correctly selected by the method of the embodiment may be confirmed by the method of Modification 2.

[0042] In subsequent S52, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 20 to display the target image and the non-target image separately. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of the screen displayed on the display unit 20. Here, the images of the four information codes 100 on the nearer shelf 2 are target images, and the image of the one information code 200 on the farther shelf 4 is a non-target image. In this embodiment, the CPU 32 adds the highlighting 110 to the image of the information code 100 that is a target image, and does not add the highlighting 110 to the image of the information code 200 that is a non-target image. The highlighting 110 is, for example, a line having a predetermined color (for example, green) that surrounds the periphery of the image of the information code. Thereby, the target image and the non-target image are distinguished, and the user can know from which information code among two or more information codes the information is output.

[0043] The method of distinguishing between the target image and the non-target image is not limited to the above method. For example, the CPU 32 may add the highlighting 110 to the target image while adding a highlighting different from the highlighting 110 to the non-target image. Here, the different highlighting is, for example, a line having a color different from the predetermined color that surrounds the periphery of the image of the information code. Also, in another modification, the highlighting 110 may be an effect of covering the entire information code with a translucent color, or may be an effect of attaching a predetermined symbol to the information code.

[0044] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the screen displayed on the display unit 20 includes a character 112 representing the number of information codes corresponding to the target image, an OK button 114, and a retry button 116. The OK button 114 is a button for receiving an instruction to output information from the information code corresponding to the target image. The retry button 116 is a button for receiving an instruction not to output information from the information code corresponding to the target image.

[0045] In S54, the CPU 32 monitors which one of the OK button 114 and the retry button 116 is selected. When the target image displayed on the display unit 20 is different from the information code desired by the user, the user selects the retry button 116. When the retry button 116 is selected (NO in S54), the CPU 32 returns to S10 and executes the processing after S10 again. On the other hand, when the target image displayed on the display unit 20 matches the information code desired by the user, the user selects the OK button 114.

[0046] When the OK button is selected (NO in S54), in S56, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 20 to display information from the target code (for example, the four information codes 100 in FIG. 4) which is the information code corresponding to the target image. When the processing of S56 is completed, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

[0047] (Effect of this embodiment) The degree of blurring decreases when the subject is in focus and increases when the subject is out of focus. That is, it is presumed that the information code with a small degree of blurring (i.e., a large blur value) at the position of the lens 14 corresponding to the distance setting 42 is the information code located within the distance range indicated by the distance setting 42. By selecting the target image using the blur value in S50 and outputting only the information from the target code, it is possible to prevent the output of information read from the information codes not desired by the user among the plurality of information codes.

[0048] In addition, it is presumed that an information code with a large degree of blurring (i.e., a small blur value) at the position of the lens 14 corresponding to the distance setting 42 is an information code located outside the distance range indicated by the distance setting 42 (Modification Example 1 of S50). Also, it is presumed that an information code with a small degree of blurring at the position of the lens 14 corresponding to a distance different from the distance indicated by the distance setting 42 is also an information code located outside the distance range indicated by the distance setting 42 (Modification Example 2 of S50). By excluding the information codes outside the above range from the plurality of information codes, it is possible to prevent information read from the information codes not desired by the user from being output.

[0049] In addition, the distance setting 42 can be specified by the user. The user can specify the distance to the information code that they desire to read. For example, the user can specify to read only the information codes at the near point, and further, can also specify to read only the information codes at the far point.

[0050] Also, in S50, the CPU 32 selects the target image using two indicators, namely, the degree of blurring and the decoding result. According to such a configuration, compared with a comparative example that uses only one use of the degree of blurring, one or more information codes desired by the user can be accurately selected. Note that, in the modification example, the above comparative example may be adopted.

[0051] (Corresponding relationship) The code reader 10 is an example of a "code reader". The lens 14, the image sensor 16, and the lens moving mechanism 18 are examples of a "lens", an "image sensor", and a "lens moving mechanism", respectively. The three positions are an example of "a plurality of positions". The display unit 20 is an example of a "display unit". The blur value is an example of the "degree of blurring". The distance setting 42 is an example of a specific distance. The codes A to C in FIG. 3 are examples of "two or more information codes". Codes A and B are examples of "one or more information codes". Code C is an example of "one or more specific information codes" and "one or more other information codes".

[0052] In FIG. 3, S22, S50, and S56 are examples of processes realized by the "calculation unit", "selection unit", and "output unit", respectively.

[0053] (Second Embodiment) In the image sensor 16 of this embodiment, a plurality of detection pixels for detecting a phase difference from the light condensed by the lens 14 are arranged. For example, each detection pixel is a part of all the pixels constituting the image sensor 16. In a modified example, all the pixels constituting the image sensor 16 may have the function of detection pixels. The phase difference detected by each detection pixel is used in the phase difference method of autofocus. In this embodiment, the phase difference used in the phase difference method of autofocus is diverted to the selection of an information code having information to be output.

[0054] The phase difference method is a known technique. It will be briefly described below. For example, a detection pixel is composed of a pair of elements. One element has a slit arranged offset upward or to the left, and the other element has a slit arranged offset on the opposite side of the slit of the one element. The detection pixel detects the interval between the image formed beyond the slit of one element and the image formed beyond the slit of the other element as the phase difference. The fact that the phase difference detected by the detection pixel is less than the threshold value means that the subject corresponding to the image formed on the detection pixel is in focus. On the other hand, the fact that the phase difference detected by the detection pixel is equal to or greater than the threshold value means that the subject corresponding to the image formed on the detection pixel is out of focus. Here, the threshold value is, for example, "1".

[0055] (Processing of the code reader 10; FIG. 5) The process executed by the code reader 10 of this embodiment executes the processes of S100 to S106 instead of the processes of S22 to S40 in FIG. 3.

[0056] In S100 following S10 and S20, the CPU 32 controls the lens moving mechanism 18 to move the lens 14 to a position corresponding to the distance setting 42.

[0057] In S102, the CPU 32 acquires the phase difference detected by each of a plurality of detection pixels from the image sensor 16.

[0058] In S104, the CPU 32 extracts a code image representing each of two or more information codes from the image data acquired from the image sensor 16. For each of the two or more extracted code images, the CPU 32 executes a decoding process on the code image. Then, the CPU 32 stores the decoding result of each of the two or more code images in the memory 34. Here, the decoding result includes information obtained from the corresponding code image and the phase difference detected by the detection pixels included in the pixel group constituting the corresponding code image.

[0059] For example, assume a situation where the near point is specified as the distance setting 42. In this situation, in S102, the lens 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the near point. And the phase difference corresponding to the code image representing the information code 100 indicates a value less than the threshold "1", for example, "0.5". This is because the information code 100 is located at the near point and is in focus. On the other hand, the phase difference corresponding to the code image representing the information code 200 indicates a value equal to or greater than the threshold "1", for example, "1.2". This is because the information code 200 is located at the far point and is out of focus.

[0060] In the subsequent S106, the CPU 32 selects a target image from all the code images using the decoding result of S104. Specifically, the CPU 32 selects, as the target image, the code image corresponding to the decoding result including a phase difference less than the threshold.

[0061] When S106 ends, the CPU 32 executes the processes of S52 to S56 similar to those in FIG. 3.

[0062] (Effect of this embodiment) That the phase difference is less than the threshold value means that the information code represented by the corresponding code image is in focus. In other words, that the phase difference is less than the threshold value means that the degree of blurring is small. On the other hand, that the phase difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value means that the degree of blurring is large. That is, the degree of blurring of the code image can be specified from the phase difference of the code image.

[0063] According to the configuration of this embodiment, the code reader 10 selects, as a target image, a code image having a phase difference less than the threshold value (S106 in FIG. 5). Then, the code reader 10 outputs only the information from the information code represented by the target image (S56). Thereby, it is possible to prevent information read from an information code that the user does not desire from being output among a plurality of information codes. The process of S106 is an example of a process realized by the "second selection unit".

[0064] Also, the code reader 10 of the first embodiment moves the lens 14 to a plurality of positions in order to select a target image (S40 in FIG. 3). On the other hand, the code reader 10 of this embodiment only needs to move the lens 14 once in order to select a target image (S100 in FIG. 5). This is because, in this embodiment, the phase difference used in the phase difference type autofocus is diverted for the selection of the target image. Since this embodiment moves the lens 14 fewer times than the first embodiment, the target image can be selected more quickly than in the first embodiment.

[0065] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modification examples may be adopted.

[0066] (Modification Example 1) In S56 of FIG. 3, the CPU 32 may transmit the information from the target code to an external device (for example, a server). In this modification example, transmitting the information from the target code to an external device is an example of a process realized by the "output unit".

[0067] (Modification Example 2) Instead of the distance setting 42, the code reader 10 may store a default distance. The default distance is, for example, a value indicating the near point. The default distance may be stored in the memory 34 at the shipping stage by the vendor of the code reader 10, for example. The vendor may determine the default distance in consideration of the usage situation of the user. In this modification example, the default distance is an example of the "specific distance".

[0068] (Modification Example 3) The process of S52 in FIG. 3 may not be executed. In this modification example, the "display control unit" can be omitted.

[0069] (Modification Example 4) The "display unit" may be an external display device capable of communicating with the code reader 10 instead of the display unit 20 of the code reader 10.

[0070] The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of those purposes itself has technical utility.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 2, 4: Shelf 10: Code reader 12: Imaging unit 14: Lens 16: Image sensor 18: Lens moving mechanism 20: Display unit 22: Operation unit 30: Control unit 32: CPU 34: Memory 40: Program 42: Distance setting 100, 200: Information code 110: Highlight 112: Character 114: OK Button 116: Retry Button

Claims

1. A code reader, comprising: a lens; an image sensor that converts the light collected by the lens into image data; a specifying unit that specifies the degree of blurring of each captured image of two or more information codes captured by the image sensor; an output unit that uses the degree of blurring to select and output information read from one or more information codes that are located at a position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within a specific distance range from among the information read from the two or more information codes, and does not output information read from information codes other than the one or more information codes among the information read from the two or more information codes; The code reader.

2. The code reader further comprises: a lens moving mechanism that moves the lens along the optical axis of the lens; The specifying unit calculates the degree of blurring of each captured image of the two or more information codes at each of the plurality of positions when the image sensor captures the two or more information codes while the lens moving mechanism moves the lens to a plurality of positions; The output unit uses the degree of blurring of the captured images calculated at each of the plurality of positions to select and output information read from the one or more information codes that are located at a position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the specific distance range from among the information read from the two or more information codes. The code reader according to Claim 1.

3. The code reader further comprises: a selection unit that selects one or more information codes represented by the captured images in which the degree of blurring is less than a predetermined degree at a specific position among the plurality of positions where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the specific distance range from among the two or more information codes. The code reader according to Claim 2.

4. The code reader further comprises: A selection unit that selects one or more information codes from the two or more information codes by selecting, from among the two or more information codes, one or more specific information codes represented by the captured image in which the degree of blurring is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree at a specific position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the range of the specific distance among the plurality of positions, and excluding the one or more specific information codes from the two or more information codes. The code reading device according to claim 2.

5. The code reading device further comprises A selection unit that selects one or more other information codes from the two or more information codes by selecting, from among the two or more information codes, one or more other information codes represented by the captured image in which the degree of blurring is less than a predetermined degree at another position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within a range of a distance different from the specific distance among the plurality of positions, and excluding the one or more other information codes from the two or more information codes. The code reading device according to claim 2.

6. The output unit outputs the one or more information codes from the two or more information codes by using the decoding results of each of the two or more information codes in addition to the degree of blurring. The code reading device according to claim 1.

7. Detection pixels for detecting a phase difference are arranged in the image sensor from the light condensed by the lens. The code reading device further comprises A lens moving mechanism for moving the lens along the optical axis of the lens. In a state where the specific unit moves the lens to a specific position where the lens is focused on a subject existing within the range of the specific distance, for each of the two or more information codes, the phase difference detected by the detection pixels corresponding to the captured image of the information code is specified as the degree of blurring of the captured image of the information code. The code reading device further comprises A second selection unit that selects one or more information codes represented by the captured image in which the phase difference is less than a threshold value from the two or more information codes. The code reading device according to claim 1.

8. The specific distance is specified by a user. The code reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The code reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output unit causes the display unit to display information read from the one or more information codes. **Claim 10** The code reading device further comprises a display control unit that distinguishes and causes the display unit to display the captured image showing the one or more information codes and the captured image showing information codes other than the one or more information codes, the code reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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