Symbol reading device, symbol reading method, and program

Abstract

To provide a symbol reader, a method for reading a symbol, and a program that can improve the operability by an efficient imaging by an imaging unit.SOLUTION: The symbol reader of an embodiment includes: an imaging unit; an illumination unit for illuminating an imaging region of the imaging unit by lighting up at predetermined intervals; a reading unit for conducting reading processing of reading information shown by a symbol in a frame image taken by the imaging unit; and an imaging control unit for controlling the imaging operation of the imaging unit on the basis of the reading processing completion timing for the reading unit and the lighting timing for the illumination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a symbol reading device, a symbol reading method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a symbol reader used in, for example, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. This symbol reader reads product information on a product sold by a store from a symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code attached to the product, and outputs the read product information to the POS terminal. The POS terminal executes a transaction process for a customer to make a payment based on the input product information.

[0003] In the symbol reader, the imaging unit captures an image at a predetermined cycle, and executes a reading process on the captured image to read product information indicated by the symbol. The product information is, for example, a product code for identifying a product. Specifically, the imaging unit extracts a symbol from an image captured by the imaging unit, and decodes the extracted symbol to read the product information indicated by the symbol included in the image.

[0004] Known symbol reading devices of this type operate an imaging unit at a predetermined cycle, and have an illumination unit illuminate an imaging area at the imaging timing of the imaging unit. As an example, a device has been proposed in which the illumination unit is turned on at a cycle shorter than the imaging cycle of the imaging unit, and the timing of the illumination unit is controlled to be synchronized with the imaging timing of the imaging unit (for example, Patent Document 1). The illumination unit's lighting cycle is short so that humans do not notice the periodic lighting of the illumination unit. This prevents users of the symbol reading device from feeling unpleasant flickering.

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the imaging timing of the imaging unit is determined independently of the completion of the reading process, so imaging by the imaging unit is not performed efficiently. As a result, it cannot be said that reading by the symbol reader is efficient, and there is room for improvement in terms of operability. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a symbol reading device, a symbol reading method, and a program that are capable of improving operability by efficiently capturing images using an imaging unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The symbol reading device of the embodiment includes an imaging unit, an illumination unit that lights up at a predetermined cycle to illuminate an imaging area of ​​the imaging unit, a reading unit that executes a reading process to read information indicated by a symbol included in a frame image captured by the imaging unit, and an imaging control unit that controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit based on the completion timing of the reading process by the reading unit and the lighting timing of the illumination unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a POS system equipped with a symbol reader according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a symbol reading device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the symbol reader according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example in which the operation of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment is compared with the operation of a conventional example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing another example of the comparison between the operation of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment and the operation of the conventional example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of the control unit of the symbol reading device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A symbol reader, a symbol reading method, and a program according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which a symbol reader is applied to a POS system installed in a retail store will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The symbol reader may be any device that reads information indicated by a symbol from the symbol, and can be widely applied to other fields.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a POS system 1. The POS system 1 includes a symbol reader 10 and a POS terminal 20 that executes transaction processing and the like based on information read by the symbol reader 10. Note that the POS system 1 of this embodiment is operated by a store clerk (hereinafter also referred to as an operator), but may also be a self-service POS system operated by customers themselves.

[0011] The symbol reader 10 is installed in a position (approximately in the center) where an operator and a customer generally face each other on a counter 2 for placing shopping baskets containing merchandise, etc. The POS terminal 20 is provided near one end of the counter 2. The symbol reader 10 and the POS terminal 20 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a transmission line (not shown). The symbol reader 10 and the POS terminal 20 constitute the POS system 1.

[0012] The POS terminal 20 executes sales data processing including registration processing and accounting processing of products purchased by customers based on data such as product codes read by the symbol reader 10. Registration processing is a process of registering product information (product name, price, product code, etc.) of products purchased by customers, and is also called product registration. Accounting processing is a process of making payment for the price of products purchased by customers based on the registered product information.

[0013] The POS terminal 20 is placed on top of a drawer 30 that stores coins and bills in a removable manner. The POS terminal 20 is equipped with a display 21, an input device 22 including a keyboard and keys, and a receipt printer 23. The POS terminal 20 may also be equipped with a card reader, a two-dimensional code reader, etc., so that cashless accounting procedures such as credit card payments and two-dimensional code payments can be performed.

[0014] The display 21 is composed of an operator display 211 and a customer display 212. The operator display 211 displays various information such as product information of registered products and the total amount of the transaction to the operator. The customer display 212 displays the total amount of the transaction, etc. to the customer.

[0015] The input device 22 includes a keyboard equipped with various keys, such as a quantity entry key for entering a product code or price of a product not having a symbol such as a barcode, a subtotal key for declaring the calculation of the total sales amount, a closing key for declaring the closing process of one transaction and settling the price, a confirmation key for confirming the quantity entry made by the quantity entry key, and a clear key for clearing the entry, for example.

[0016] The receipt printer 23 is, for example, a thermal printer, and issues a receipt on which information relating to one transaction is printed.

[0017] Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of symbol reader 10. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of symbol reader 10. Here, Fig. 2 shows symbol reader 10 as viewed from the side where imaging window 111 is provided (the side where an operator stands).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the symbol reader 10 includes a main body 11, an imaging unit 12, an illumination unit 13, a first display unit 14, a keyboard 15, a second display unit 16, and the like.

[0019] The main body 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is set upright on the stand 2. The height of the main body 11 is set according to the height of a typical operator.

[0020] An imaging window 111 is provided on the side of the main body 11 where the operator stands. An imaging unit 12 and an illumination unit 13 are installed inside the imaging window 111. When the operator holds a product that a customer wants to purchase over the imaging window 111, the imaging unit 12 captures an image including the product. The symbol reader 10 reads a product code indicated by a symbol such as a barcode included in the captured image.

[0021] The imaging unit 12 has an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary MOS) and an imaging lens. The imaging lens forms an image of an imaging area on the imaging element. The imaging area is an area that is imaged by the imaging unit 12 through an imaging window 111, and refers to an area that is imaged on the area of ​​the imaging element from the imaging window 111 through the imaging lens.

[0022] The imaging unit 12 sequentially captures an image of an imaging area outside the main body unit 11 through the imaging window 111. For example, the imaging unit 12 optically captures an image including a barcode or two-dimensional code attached to a product. The barcode or two-dimensional code is an example of a "symbol". The symbol attached to the product holds data such as a product code that identifies the product in an encoded state. When a product code is read by object recognition that recognizes a product based on the external features of the product such as color or unevenness, the product image included in the captured image constitutes a "symbol". Hereinafter, the barcode or two-dimensional code is also simply referred to as a "symbol". In this embodiment, the symbol is a barcode printed on a label attached to the product. The information indicated by the barcode is a product code that identifies the product.

[0023] The imaging unit 12 optically captures an image of a symbol displayed on a display screen of a mobile terminal or the like carried by the customer. The symbol displayed on the mobile terminal or the like of the customer holds, in an encoded state, a membership code indicating that the customer is a member of the store, coupon information distributed by the store, and the like.

[0024] The illumination unit 13 has a light source. The light source of the illumination unit 13 is arranged, for example, around the imaging lens of the imaging unit 12. The illumination unit 13 irradiates the imaging area of ​​the imaging unit 12 with light by periodically turning on the light source. The illumination unit 13 turns on the light source at short intervals, for example, at intervals of 1 / 120 seconds, to prevent the operator from feeling unpleasant flickering. The light source can be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a cold cathode fluorescent tube, a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, or the like.

[0025] The first display unit 14 is a display device that displays information to an operator, and is provided above the imaging window 111. The first display unit 14 is a display device with a touch panel configured with a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The first display unit 14 displays, for example, product information acquired based on a product code read by the symbol reading device 10. The symbol reading device 10 acquires product information from the POS terminal 20 that stores a product master that associates product codes with product information.

[0026] The keyboard 15 is provided adjacent to the first display unit 14. The keyboard 15 has various keys for inputting a product code. The keyboard 15 is operated when registering a product with an unreadable symbol in the POS terminal 20, or when registering a product with no symbol in the POS terminal 20. Note that, although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the first display unit 14 and the keyboard 15 are provided integrally, they may be separate.

[0027] The second display unit 16 is a display device that displays information to customers, and is supported on the side of the main body 11. The second display unit 16 is a display device with a touch panel composed of a display device such as an LCD. The second display unit 16 displays, for example, product information based on a product code read by the symbol reader 10 from a symbol attached to the product. Note that, in this embodiment, the second display unit 16 is configured to be held on the side of the main body 11 by a holding member (not shown), but is not limited to this configuration.

[0028] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the symbol reader 10. The symbol reader 10 includes a control unit 100, a memory unit 110, an imaging unit 12, an illumination unit 13, a first display unit 14, a keyboard 15, a second display unit 16, and a communication unit 120. The control unit 100, the memory unit 110, the imaging unit 12, the illumination unit 13, the first display unit 14, the keyboard 15, the second display unit 16, and the communication unit 120 are connected to each other via a bus 130 or the like.

[0029] The control unit 100 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to each other via a bus 130.

[0030] CPU 101 controls the overall operation of symbol reader 10. ROM 102 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive CPU 101, and various data. RAM 103 is used as a work area for CPU 101, and loads various programs and data stored in ROM 102 and memory unit 110. Control unit 100 executes various control processes for symbol reader 10 by CPU 101 operating in accordance with control programs stored in ROM 102 and memory unit 110 and loaded in RAM 103.

[0031] The memory unit 110 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 110 stores a control program 112.

[0032] The control program 112 includes various control programs for reading symbols, such as a program for controlling the imaging unit 12, a program for controlling the illumination unit 13, a program for extracting a symbol from an image captured by the imaging unit 12, and a program for decoding the extracted symbol and reading information indicated by the symbol.

[0033] The configurations and functions of the imaging unit 12, the illumination unit 13, the first display unit 14, the keyboard 15, and the second display unit 16 are as described above.

[0034] The communication unit 120 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the POS terminal 20. The control unit 100 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 120, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information (data) with the external device.

[0035] Next, a functional configuration of the control unit 100 of the symbol reading device 10 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 100 of the symbol reading device 10. The control unit 100 functions as an image acquisition unit 1001, a reading unit 1002, an extraction unit 1003, a decoding processing unit 1004, an illumination control unit 1005, an imaging control unit 1006, and an output unit 1007, as a result of the CPU 101 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 102 or memory unit 110. Each of these functions may be realized using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0036] The image acquisition unit 1001 acquires image data captured by the imaging unit 12. The image acquisition unit 1001 sequentially acquires one image (hereinafter also referred to as "frame image") captured by the imaging unit 12. In detail, the image acquisition unit 1001 captures the frame images captured sequentially by the imaging unit 12 in the order in which they were captured. In this embodiment, the imaging unit 12 captures an image when it is time to capture an image, regardless of whether a product is held over the imaging window 111 or not. For this reason, the frame images sequentially captured by the image acquisition unit 1001 include both images that include a product and images that do not include a product.

[0037] The reading unit 1002 executes a reading process to read information indicated by a symbol included in a frame image captured by the imaging unit 12. The reading process is a process to read information of a symbol included in a frame image, and includes an extraction process and a decoding process. The reading unit 1002 is composed of an extraction unit 1003 that executes the extraction process and a decoding process unit 1004 that executes the decoding process.

[0038] The extraction unit 1003 extracts a symbol from a frame image captured by the imaging unit 12. The extraction unit 1003 extracts, for example, a barcode contained in the frame image captured by the image capture unit 1001 using an image processing technique.

[0039] The decoding processing unit 1004 decodes the symbol extracted by the extraction unit 1003. The decoding processing unit 1004 extracts information encoded in the symbol by decoding the symbol. In this embodiment, the decoding processing unit 1004 extracts a product code that identifies the product from a barcode attached to the product, that is, a barcode included in the frame image.

[0040] The lighting control unit 1005 controls the lighting operation of the lighting unit 13. Specifically, the lighting control unit 1005 turns on the lighting unit 13 at a predetermined cycle (for example, at 1 / 120 second intervals). The lighting control unit 1005 may control the lighting unit 13 to always turn on at a predetermined cycle, or may control the lighting unit 13 to turn on at a predetermined cycle when it detects that the operator has held a product in front of the imaging window 111.

[0041] The imaging control unit 1006 controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit 12 based on the timing of completion of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 and the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13. The imaging control unit 1006 controls the imaging unit 12 to capture images in accordance with the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13, which is turned on at a predetermined cycle. In other words, the imaging timing of the imaging unit 12 is synchronized with one of the lighting timings of the illumination unit 13. By the imaging unit 12 capturing images in accordance with the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13, the image acquisition unit 1001 can acquire a frame image that makes it easy to analyze the symbol attached to the product.

[0042] More specifically, the imaging control unit 1006 causes the imaging unit 12 to start imaging when the symbol reading device 10 is started or when a commodity is detected in front of the imaging window 111, and synchronizes the first imaging with the lighting timing of one of the illumination units 13. In the following description, the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13 may be simply referred to as the "lighting timing."

[0043] The imaging control unit 1006 also controls subsequent imaging by the imaging unit 12 as follows. The imaging control unit 1006 controls the imaging unit 12 to capture the next frame image when the reading unit 1002 completes the reading process for the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12. Specifically, the imaging control unit 1006 controls the imaging unit 12 to capture the next frame image at the lighting timing immediately after the reading process of the reading unit 1002 is completed. Note that it is most efficient for the imaging unit 12 to capture the next frame image at the lighting timing immediately after the reading process of the reading unit 1002 is completed, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the imaging unit 12 may capture the image at the second lighting timing after the reading process of the reading unit 1002 is completed. The imaging control unit 1006 may set the imaging timing of the next frame image based on the timing of completion of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 and the lighting timing.

[0044] Here, a detailed explanation will be given of the operation timing of the symbol reader 10. Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the symbol reader 10 according to this embodiment.

[0045] 5, an imaging trigger A indicates the timing of an imaging trigger signal that the imaging control unit 1006 outputs to the imaging unit 12. In other words, the imaging trigger A indicates the imaging timing of the imaging unit 12.

[0046] The lighting trigger B indicates the timing of a lighting trigger signal that the lighting control unit 1005 outputs to the lighting unit 13. In other words, the lighting trigger B indicates the lighting timing of the lighting unit 13.

[0047] The image capture process C indicates the timing of start and completion of the capture process in which the image acquisition unit 1001 captures a frame image from the imaging unit 12. In other words, the image capture process C can be said to indicate the timing of image transfer from the imaging unit 12.

[0048] Reading process D indicates the timing of start and completion of the reading process executed by the reading unit 1002. In other words, reading process D indicates the timing of start of the extraction process executed by the extraction unit 1003 and the timing of completion of the decoding process executed by the decoding processing unit 1004.

[0049] The processing time of the reading process D differs depending on the frame image to be read. Specifically, the processing time of the extraction process by the extraction unit 1003 differs depending on the frame image. For example, in the case of a frame image in which a complex pattern or design is present near the symbol attached to the product, the processing time for the extraction unit 1003 to extract the symbol becomes long, and as a result, the reading process time becomes long. In addition, in the case of a frame image that does not include a symbol, such as a frame image captured when no product is held over the imaging window 111, the processing time of the extraction unit 1003 becomes short. In this case, the symbol is not extracted by the extraction process, and the decoding process is not executed.

[0050] As described above, the imaging control unit 1006 controls the imaging unit 12 to capture images in accordance with the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13, which is turned on at a predetermined cycle. In Fig. 5, the imaging unit 12 captures the first frame image at timing a. The image acquisition unit 1001 captures the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12 and ends the image capture process at timing b.

[0051] The reading unit 1002 reads information indicated by a symbol included in the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001, and completes the reading process at timing c. More specifically, at timing b, the extraction unit 1003 starts symbol extraction processing. Following the extraction process by the extraction unit 1003, the decode processing unit 1004 decodes the symbol extracted by the extraction unit 1003, and completes reading of the product code indicated by the symbol at timing c. This completes the reading process by the reading unit 1002.

[0052] Under the control of the imaging control unit 1006, the imaging unit 12 captures an image at the next illumination timing d after the reading process by the reading unit 1002 is completed. By repeating this operation, the symbol reading device 10 sequentially reads the product code indicated by the symbol affixed to each product that is successively held over the imaging window 111.

[0053] If the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001 does not include a symbol, the reading unit 1002 completes the reading process at the point in time when it recognizes that the frame image does not include a symbol. Then, the imaging control unit 1006 causes the imaging unit 12 to capture an image at the next lighting timing after the reading process is completed.

[0054] Returning to the explanation of the functional configuration in Fig. 4, when the reading unit 1002 reads the same information from multiple images within a predetermined time, the output unit 1007 outputs only the information read from one of the multiple images. In other words, the output unit 1007 judges whether or not the product code read by the reading unit 1002 should be output, and outputs the product code to the POS terminal 20 if it is to be output. For example, if the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is the same as the product code read previously and has been read within a predetermined time (e.g., 0.4 seconds) since the previous reading of the product code, the output unit 1007 judges that it is not a product code to be output, and does not output the read product code.

[0055] As a result, even if an image of a product is captured multiple times while held up to the imaging window 111, the product code of the product will not be output multiple times to the POS terminal 20, preventing so-called double registration at the POS terminal 20. If the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is different from the product code read previously, or if the product code is the same as the product code read previously but a predetermined time has passed since the previous reading, the output unit 1007 outputs the read product code to the POS terminal 20.

[0056] Next, the imaging operation of the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment will be compared with that of a conventional example. Figure 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the comparison between the operation of the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment and that of the conventional example, and Figure 7 is a timing chart showing another example of the comparison between the operation of the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment and that of the conventional example. Note that in Figures 6 and 7, the lighting trigger B, image capture process C, and reading process D are the same operations in the conventional example as in this embodiment.

[0057] 6 and 7, the imaging trigger X in the conventional example is output at a predetermined cycle regardless of the reading process D. Specifically, the imaging unit in the conventional example captures images at a predetermined cycle and is controlled to capture images in synchronization with every four lighting timings of the illumination unit.

[0058] 6 is an example in which the time from capturing a frame image by the imaging unit 12 to completing the reading process by the reading unit 1002 is relatively short, and is shorter than the imaging cycle of the conventional example. For example, this is a case in which the imaging unit 12 captures an image of a product that does not have a complex pattern or design near the symbol, and the reading unit 1002 reads information indicated by a symbol included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12.

[0059] In the symbol reading device 10 of this embodiment, the first image is captured at timing a, and the reading process for the captured frame image is completed at timing c. The imaging unit 12 then captures an image at lighting timing d immediately after timing c. In other words, the imaging control unit 1006 determines the timing to capture the next frame image based on the timing at which the reading process for the frame image by the reading unit 1002 is completed.

[0060] On the other hand, in the conventional example, the imaging unit captures an image every four lighting timings. When the illumination unit 13 is turned on in a short cycle that does not cause the user to feel unpleasant flickering, it may be difficult for the imaging unit 12 to capture an image at every lighting timing due to the performance of the imaging unit 12. Alternatively, if the imaging unit 12 has high performance and can capture an image in the above-mentioned short cycle, it will lead to an increase in costs. For this reason, the conventional example captures an image in an imaging cycle longer than the lighting cycle of the illumination unit 13 as described above.

[0061] With reference to Figure 6, the imaging timing of the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment will be compared with that of a conventional example. The symbol reader 10 of this embodiment takes a first image (1) at the first lighting timing of the illumination unit 13, a second image (2) at the third lighting timing, and a third image (3) at the fifth lighting timing. In contrast, the conventional example takes a first image (1) at the first lighting timing of the illumination unit, a second image (2) at the fifth lighting timing, and a third image (3) at the ninth lighting timing.

[0062] In this way, the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment can efficiently capture images by determining the timing of capturing the next frame image according to the timing of completion of the reading process by the reader 1002. As a result, the reading of symbol information becomes more efficient, and the operability of the symbol reader 10 can be improved.

[0063] 7 is an example in which the time from capturing a frame image by the imaging unit 12 to completing the reading process by the reading unit 1002 is relatively long, and is longer than the imaging cycle of the conventional example. For example, this is the case in which the imaging unit 12 captures an image of a product that has a complex pattern or design partially present near the symbol, and the reading unit 1002 reads information indicated by the symbol included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12.

[0064] In this case, the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment performs a first image capture (1) at the first lighting timing of the illumination unit 13, and a second image capture (2) at the sixth lighting timing. In contrast, the conventional example performs a first image capture (1) at the first lighting timing of the illumination unit, and a substantially second image capture (2) at the ninth lighting timing. In the conventional example, the second image capture is actually performed at the fifth lighting timing, but the reading unit 1002 has not completed the reading process at that point, and the reading unit 1002 cannot target the frame image captured the second time for reading processing. For this reason, the frame image targeted for the second reading process is the one captured at the ninth lighting timing, and therefore the image capture at the ninth lighting timing is substantially the second image capture.

[0065] In this way, the symbol reader 10 of this embodiment can efficiently capture frame images that require a relatively long time for reading processing, thereby improving the operability of the symbol reader 10.

[0066] Next, a description will be given of the processing performed by the control unit 100 of the symbol reader 10. FIG 8 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the control unit 100 of the symbol reader 10.

[0067] When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the imaging control unit 1006 outputs a first imaging trigger so that the imaging unit 12 captures an image in accordance with any of the lighting timings of the illumination unit 13 (step S1). Note that the first imaging trigger may be output when it is detected that a product is held over the imaging window 111.

[0068] The image acquisition unit 1001 acquires a frame image captured based on the imaging trigger output in step S1 (step S2). Next, the extraction unit 1003 determines whether or not a symbol is included in the frame image acquired by the image acquisition unit 1001 (step S3), and if a symbol is included (Y in step S3), extracts the symbol (step S4).

[0069] Next, the decode processing unit 1004 executes the decode processing (step S5). That is, the decode processing unit 1004 extracts the information encoded in the symbol and reads the product code. This completes the reading processing of the reading unit 1002.

[0070] The output unit 1007 determines whether the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is a product code to be output (step S6). Specifically, if the product code read by the reading unit 1002 was read within a predetermined time from the previous reading and is the same as the product code read previously, the output unit 1007 determines that it is not a product code to be output. If the output unit 1007 determines that the product code read by the reading unit 1002 is a product code to be output (Y in step S6), it outputs the product code to the POS terminal 20 (step S7). The POS terminal 20 executes product registration based on the input product code.

[0071] Next, the imaging control unit 1006 judges whether or not it is time to turn on the illumination unit 13 (timing to output a lighting trigger) (step S8), and if it is not time to turn on the illumination unit 13 (N in step S8), it waits until the time to turn on the illumination unit 13. If it is time to turn on the illumination unit 13 (Y in step S8), the control unit 100 returns to the process of S1. As a result, the imaging unit 12 captures the next frame image at the lighting timing immediately after the reading process of the reading unit 1002 is completed.

[0072] It should be noted that in the process of step S3, if the extraction section 1003 does not detect a symbol from the frame image (N in step S3), the control section 100 skips the processes of steps S4 to S7 and proceeds to the process of step S8.

[0073] Furthermore, in the process of step S6, if the output unit 1007 determines that the product code is not to be output (N in step S6), the control unit 100 skips the process of step S7 and proceeds to the process of step S8.

[0074] The above-mentioned process of the control unit 100 enables the imaging unit 12 to quickly capture the next frame image after the reading process of the product code is completed by the reading unit 1002. In addition, since the output unit 1007 outputs only the product code to be output to the POS terminal 20, so-called double registration in the POS terminal 20 can be prevented.

[0075] As described above, the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment comprises an imaging unit 12, an illumination unit 13 that turns on at a predetermined cycle to illuminate the imaging area of ​​the imaging unit 12, a reading unit 1002 that executes a reading process to read information indicated by a symbol included in a frame image captured by the imaging unit 12, and an imaging control unit 1006 that controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit 12 based on the completion timing of the reading process by the reading unit 1002 and the lighting timing of the illumination unit 13.

[0076] This allows the imaging unit 12 to efficiently capture images since the imaging timing of the next frame image is controlled according to the timing of completion of the reading process of the reading unit 1002 for the frame image. As a result, the symbol reader 10 can efficiently read information indicated by symbols, improving operability.

[0077] In addition, the imaging control unit 1006 of the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment controls the imaging unit 12 to capture the next frame image at the next lighting timing of the illumination unit 13 after the reading process for the frame image captured by the imaging unit 12 is completed.

[0078] This allows the imaging unit 12 to capture images most efficiently, and therefore the symbol reader 10 can read information indicated by symbols more efficiently, achieving further improvements in operability.

[0079] Furthermore, the reading unit 1002 of the symbol reader 10 of the above embodiment includes an extraction unit 1003 that extracts a symbol from a frame image captured by the imaging unit 12 and a decode processing unit 1004 that decodes the symbol extracted by the extraction unit 1003.

[0080] This allows the symbol reader 10 to reliably read the information encoded in the symbol.

[0081] In addition, the symbol reading device 10 of the above embodiment further includes an output unit 1007 that outputs information read by the reading unit 1002, and when the reading unit 1002 reads the same information from multiple frame images within a specified time, the output unit 1007 outputs only the information read from any one of the multiple frame images.

[0082] As a result, when the same imaging target (for example, the same individual item) is imaged multiple times, the information read from the symbol included in the imaging target is not output multiple times, thereby improving the accuracy of the information output by the symbol reader 10.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the control program executed by the symbol reader 10 may be provided by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the control program executed by the symbol reader 10 of the above embodiment may be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloading it via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0084] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10 Symbol reader 12 Imaging unit 13 Lighting Department 1002 Reading unit 1003 Extraction part 1004 Decode processing unit 1006 Imaging control unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0086] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-170035 A

Claims

1. An imaging unit; an illumination unit that is turned on at a predetermined cycle to illuminate an imaging area of ​​the imaging unit; a reading unit that executes a reading process to read information indicated by a symbol included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit; an imaging control unit that controls an imaging operation of the imaging unit based on a timing at which the reading process by the reading unit is completed and a timing at which the illumination unit is turned on; A symbol reading device comprising:

2. the imaging control unit controls the imaging unit to capture a next frame image at a next lighting timing of the illumination unit after a reading process for the frame image captured by the imaging unit is completed; 2. The symbol reader of claim 1.

3. the reading unit includes an extraction unit that extracts a symbol from a frame image captured by the imaging unit, and a decode processing unit that decodes the symbol extracted by the extraction unit; 3. A symbol reader according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An output unit that outputs the information read by the reading unit, when the reading unit reads the same information from a plurality of images within a predetermined time, the output unit outputs only the information read from any one of the plurality of images.

4. A symbol reader according to claim 1, wherein the symbol reader is a device for reading a symbol from a first light source.

5. A symbol reading method executed by a symbol reader including an imaging unit and an illumination unit that is turned on at a predetermined cycle to illuminate an imaging area of ​​the imaging unit, comprising: a reading step of executing a reading process for reading information indicated by a symbol included in a frame image captured by the imaging unit; an imaging control step of controlling an imaging operation of the imaging unit based on a completion timing of the reading process in the reading step and a lighting timing of the illumination unit; A symbol reading method comprising:

6. A program for controlling a symbol reader by a computer, the program comprising: an imaging unit; and an illumination unit that is turned on at a predetermined cycle to illuminate an imaging area of ​​the imaging unit, The computer, a reading unit that executes a reading process to read information indicated by a symbol included in the frame image captured by the imaging unit; an imaging control unit that controls an imaging operation of the imaging unit based on a timing at which the reading process by the reading unit is completed and a timing at which the illumination unit is turned on; A program that makes it work.

Images