JP5965331B2 - POS terminal device and information reading method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a POS terminal device and an information reading method.

  In retail stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, POS (Point Of Sale) terminals are widely used. The POS terminal includes a barcode scanner, scans a barcode (one-dimensional barcode) attached to a product, and obtains a product code. Then, the POS terminal searches the product information file with the acquired product code, and acquires product information such as a product name and a sales price.

  In addition, at retail stores, with respect to products such as side dishes, the loss of disposal is reduced by selling discounted products whose expiry time approaches and the expiry time has expired. As an example of such discount sales, a two-dimensional barcode (QR (Quick Response) code) (QR code is a registered trademark) representing discount information is attached to the product separately from the product identification information represented by a barcode or the like. In addition, at the time of payment, the operator inputs discount information together with the product identification information to the POS terminal. Accordingly, the price can be calculated based on the product identification information and the discount information.

  Incidentally, in recent years, an image sensor such as an image sensor is used for reading a barcode, and the barcode can be detected from a barcode image acquired by the image sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the method using such an image, a two-dimensional barcode image can be obtained together with the one-dimensional barcode from a product to which the two-dimensional barcode is attached. For this reason, the operator can omit an operation for discount at the time of registering the product.

JP 2012-089443 A

  In such an image usage method, for example, when a one-dimensional barcode can be demodulated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time from the acquired image, the reading of the one-dimensional barcode may be completed.

  However, in this case, in particular, when there is a barcode with a low demodulation rate such as a two-dimensional barcode, the barcode cannot be demodulated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, and various barcodes attached to the product Reading cannot be completed and an error occurs. Therefore, it is conceivable to set a long predetermined time for reading. In this case, not only the various bar codes of the target product, but also the images of various bar codes etc. of the target product to be read next to the target product, and the target product to be read next to the bar code of the target product Will be synthesized. For example, if a target product to be read next to the target product to be read is attached with a two-dimensional barcode representing a discount, the information of the two-dimensional barcode is combined with the information of the target product, and the discount processing is normally performed. There was a problem that was not executed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a POS terminal device and an information reading method that improve the reading rate for a reading target product.

To achieve the above object, in the POS terminal device that reads identification information for identifying the product from the product identifier attached to the product, the first image of the product is acquired , and the second image is acquired after a predetermined time has elapsed. an image acquisition unit which, with the image acquisition unit determines the image determining unit whether the contains product identifier in the acquired first image and the second image, the image determining unit, the first wherein are included product identifier in the image, it is determined that there are no said product identifier on said second image, in accordance with the image change amount of the second image with respect to a predetermined image, wherein the identification information of the commodity A POS terminal device is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information reading method using the POS terminal device is provided.

  By such a POS terminal device and information reading method, the reading rate for the reading target product is improved.

It is a conceptual diagram of the POS terminal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the POS system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the cashier unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image scanner of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram of the product checkout process of the checker unit and the cashier unit according to the second embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the function with which the image scanner of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is provided. It is a flowchart (the 1) of the reading process of the image scanner of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) of the reading process of the image scanner of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 1) of the coincidence frequency check process of the image scanner of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) of the coincidence frequency check process of the image scanner of the checker unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
The POS terminal device acquires the product image, and when the acquired image does not include the product identifier, reading of the product identification information is completed according to the image variation amount of the product image with respect to the predetermined image. Can be determined.

Such a POS terminal apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a POS terminal device according to the first embodiment.
1A is a conceptual diagram of the POS terminal device 10, FIGS. 1B and 1C are movements of products in which various barcodes are read by an image acquisition unit 11 described later, and FIGS. E) is a diagram for explaining a reading method of the POS terminal device 10. FIG. 1D shows black or white inverted triangles when various bar codes are detected as time passes.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the POS terminal device 10 includes an image acquisition unit 11, an image determination unit 12, and a reading completion determination unit 13, and provides identification information for identifying a product from a product identifier attached to the product. Can be read.

The image acquisition unit 11 is an imaging device such as an image scanner that acquires an image of a product. The image acquisition unit 11 acquires images at predetermined time intervals.
The image determination unit 12 determines whether a product identifier is included in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11. The product identifier is, for example, a one-dimensional barcode and is associated with identification information (product code) that identifies a product to which the one-dimensional barcode is attached.

  When the image determination unit 12 determines that the product identifier is not included in the image, the reading completion determination unit 13 determines that reading of the product identification information has been completed according to the image variation amount of the image with respect to the predetermined image. To do.

  Note that at least the image determination unit 12 and the reading completion determination unit 13 of the POS terminal apparatus 10 have their processing functions implemented by a reading program being executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) included in the POS terminal apparatus 10. The

Next, a reading method by such a POS terminal apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a product 1 to which a one-dimensional barcode a1 and a two-dimensional barcode b1 are attached and a product 2 to which only a one-dimensional barcode a2 is attached. The case of reading continuously will be described as an example.

  The one-dimensional barcodes a1 and a2 are associated with identification information (product codes) for identifying the products 1 and 2, respectively. In the two-dimensional barcode b1, a discount (discount) (discount code) of a predetermined amount is associated with the sales price of the product 1.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the image acquisition unit 11 of the POS terminal device 10 acquires an image of the product 1 that is held up by the operator toward a predetermined imaging area of the image acquisition unit 11. The image determination unit 12 determines whether or not the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 includes the one-dimensional barcode a1. In the case of FIG. 1B, the image determination unit 12 determines that the one-dimensional barcode a1 is included, and the POS terminal device 10 obtains the commodity code of the commodity 1 from the one-dimensional barcode a1. The discount code for the product 1 is demodulated from the two-dimensional bar code b1, and the one-dimensional bar code a1 and the two-dimensional bar code b1 are detected.

  In the POS terminal device 10, the various barcodes are detected a plurality of times before the reading of the various barcodes included in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 is completed. In the case of the product 1, as shown in FIG. 1D, the product code from the one-dimensional barcode a1 and the discount code from the two-dimensional barcode b1 are each twice (one-dimensional and one-dimensional in FIG. 1D). Demodulate and detect 2D barcode black inverse triangle).

  When the POS terminal apparatus 10 reads the product 1 in this way, the operator holds the product 2 over the image acquisition unit 11 in place of the product 1. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the image acquisition unit 11 acquires an image in a state where there is no imaging target (non-reading time zone) until the product 2 is held over the product 1. The image determination unit 12 determines that the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 does not include a one-dimensional barcode.

  Here, the image fluctuation amount of the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1E, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amount of image fluctuation. The image variation amount indicates the variation amount of the target image with respect to the reference image. As the reference image, for example, an image acquired in a state where there is no imaging target, a single color image such as all white, or the like is used. The image fluctuation amount of the image of the one-dimensional barcode a1 and the two-dimensional barcode b1 of the product 1 is larger than the image fluctuation amount of the image acquired when there is no imaging target.

  In addition, when the product 2 is held over the imaging area of the image acquisition unit 11 after the non-reading time period, an image of the product 2 is acquired and an image of the one-dimensional barcode a2 of the product 2 as described later. Is larger than the image fluctuation amount of the image acquired when there is no imaging target.

It can be seen that, based on such an image fluctuation amount of the image, reading of various barcodes of the product 1 acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 is completed, and an image of the product 2 is newly acquired.
Therefore, when the reading completion determination unit 13 of the POS terminal device 10 determines that the one-dimensional barcode is not included in the image, for example, according to the image variation amount of the image, for example, the image variation amount Is less than a predetermined threshold value, and if the acquired image does not fluctuate sufficiently with respect to the reference image, it is determined that the reading of the product code of the product 1 has been completed.

  Next, the image acquisition unit 11 acquires an image of the product 2 held up by the operator toward a predetermined imaging area of the image acquisition unit 11, and the product 2 from the one-dimensional barcode a <b> 2 as in the case of the product 1. Is demodulated (FIGS. 1D and 1E).

Thus, reading of the products 1 and 2 by the POS terminal device 10 is completed.
When the image acquisition unit 11 acquires an image of a product and the image determination unit 12 determines that the product identifier is not included in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 11, the POS terminal device 10 is completely read. The determination unit 13 determines that reading of the product identification information has been completed in accordance with the image variation amount of the image with respect to the predetermined image.

  For example, when the POS terminal device 10 does not use the image fluctuation amount and, for example, only the reading time is set (see FIG. 1D), the second time of the two-dimensional barcode b1 of the product 1 The detection of the time exceeded the time, and reading of the product code for the product 1 was an error. If only the one-dimensional barcode a1 is detected within the reading time of the commodity 1, the two-dimensional barcode b1 of the commodity 1 is combined with the commodity 2, and the commodity to be read that is not attached with the two-dimensional barcode. Within the reading time, the two-dimensional bar code of the product to be read next was read and synthesized, and the discount was not properly executed.

  However, in the POS terminal device 10 described above, in order to determine the completion of reading for the product according to the amount of image fluctuation, such reading errors and erroneous discounts are prevented, and the reading rate for the reading target product is improved. To do.

  In the first embodiment, a case is described in which various bar codes are attached to the same surface of a product. However, the various barcodes are not limited to the same surface of the product, and the above-described reading can be performed even when the barcodes are attached to multiple continuous surfaces.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the first embodiment will be described in more detail.
First, the configuration of the POS system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a POS system according to the second embodiment.
The POS system 100 includes a POS server 130 and one or a plurality of POS terminals 101 (one POS terminal 101 is shown in FIG. 2), and manages point-of-sale information. The POS server 130 and the POS terminal 101 are communicably connected via the network 131.

  The POS server 130 centrally manages the sales information registered by the POS terminal 101. The POS server 130 manages a product master in which product codes, prices, etc. for identifying products are registered.

The POS terminal 101 includes a cashier unit 102 and a checker unit 103.
The cashier unit 102 is a unit for mainly receiving a sales price. The cashier unit 102 includes a control unit 140, a keyboard 105, an automatic change machine 106, a cash drawer 107, an automatic bill machine 108, a magnetic card reader 109, a touch panel 110, a display 111, a customer display 112, and a printer 113.

The control unit 140 is a computer that controls the cashier unit 102 and comprehensively controls the POS terminal 101.
The automatic change machine 106 deposits and receives coins received from customers. The automatic bill machine 108 deposits bills received from customers and withdraws bills. The cash drawer 107 is a storage for storing coins and banknotes.

  The display 111 displays a predetermined GUI (Graphical User Interface) for performing transaction work. The display 111 is a liquid crystal display, for example. The display 111 is located below the touch panel 110. An image displayed on the display 111 is visible through the touch panel 110 from the operator. The operator can perform a touch operation on the touch panel 110 while viewing the image displayed on the display 111. The keyboard 105 is an input device for operating the GUI displayed on the display 111. The customer display 112 is a display device that displays transaction information on the customer side. For example, the customer display 112 displays the total amount of merchandise purchases, the deposit amount from the customer, the change amount, and the like. The magnetic card reader 109 reads information recorded on a magnetic stripe included in a credit card, a membership card, or the like. The printer 113 is a printing unit that prints a customer's settlement processing result on roll paper and issues a receipt.

  The checker unit 103 is a unit for mainly performing a product code input operation. The checker unit 103 includes a lane stand 115, a column 116, an image scanner 200, a speaker 118, a multi-item keyboard 119, a display 120, a customer display 121, and a touch panel 122.

  The lane table 115 supports the column 116. Further, on the lane stand 115, a shopping basket brought by the customer and a product put in the shopping basket are placed. The column 116 supports the image scanner 200, the speaker 118, the multi-item keyboard 119, the display 120, the customer display 121, and the touch panel 122.

  The image scanner 200 is a device for reading a barcode (one-dimensional barcode) given to a product. The operator inputs the product code using the image scanner 200 as an input device by holding the barcode attached to the product toward the image scanner 200. The input result of the product code is displayed on the display 120, and the operator can confirm the input result of the product code. The image scanner 200 also reads a discount barcode represented by a two-dimensional barcode attached to the product together with the barcode, and inputs the discount code in the same manner as the barcode.

  The touch panel 122 is an input device that selects a product without a barcode (for example, a fresh food product such as loosely sold vegetables or fish, or a side dish) from a product group displayed on the display 120. The customer display 121 is a display device that displays transaction information on the customer side. For example, the customer display 121 displays the name, unit price, etc. of a product for which a product code is input. Further, the input result is notified by voice through the speaker 118. For example, the speaker 118 performs audio output in different modes depending on the state such as when the input is made normally and when it is necessary to alert the operator about the input. More specifically, for example, a single sound “beep” is generated when normal, and a voice that can be easily distinguished by a continuous sound such as “beep” is output when calling attention. The multi-item keyboard 119 receives an operator's operation. For example, when the multi-item keyboard 119 is alerted by sound output from the speaker 118, the multi-item keyboard 119 receives a correction operation by an operator who has identified an operation error.

Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the cashier unit 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the cashier unit according to the second embodiment.

  The cashier unit 102 connects various input / output devices to the control unit 140. The entire control unit 140 is controlled by the CPU 140a. A random access memory (RAM) 140b, a hard disk drive (HDD) 140c, a communication interface 140d, a graphic processing device 140e, and an input / output interface 140f are connected to the CPU 140a via a bus 140g.

  The RAM 140b temporarily stores at least part of an OS (Operating System) program to be executed by the CPU 140a and an application program for executing a POS operation. The RAM 140b stores various data necessary for processing by the CPU 140a. The HDD 140c stores an OS and application programs.

  A display 111 and a customer display 112 are connected to the graphic processing device 140e. The graphic processing device 140e displays images on the screens of the display 111 and the customer display 112 in accordance with a command from the CPU 140a.

  A keyboard 105, an automatic change machine 106, a cash drawer 107, an automatic fishing ticket machine 108, a magnetic card reader 109, a touch panel 110, and a printer 113 are connected to the input / output interface 140f. The input / output interface 140f can be connected to a portable recording medium interface capable of writing information to the portable recording medium 123 and reading information to the portable recording medium 123. The input / output interface 140f buses signals sent from the keyboard 105, the automatic change machine 106, the cash drawer 107, the automatic fishing bill machine 108, the magnetic card reader 109, the touch panel 110, the printer 113, and the portable recording medium interface. It transmits to CPU140a via 140g.

  The communication interface 140d is connected to the checker unit 103 in a connection format of RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232 version C) or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, for example. The communication interface 140 d transmits and receives data to and from the checker unit 103.

With the hardware configuration as described above, the processing functions of the present embodiment can be realized.
Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the checker unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the checker unit according to the second embodiment.
The checker unit 103 includes a control unit 104, and controls various input / output devices centrally by the control unit 104. The entire control unit 104 is controlled by the CPU 104a. A RAM 104b, an HDD 104c, a communication interface 104d, a graphic processing device 104e, and an input / output interface 104f are connected to the CPU 104a via a bus 104g. The RAM 104b, the HDD 104c, the communication interface 104d, the graphic processing device 104e, and the input / output interface 104f have the same configuration as the RAM 140b, the HDD 140c, the communication interface 140d, the graphic processing device 140e, and the input / output interface 140f included in the cashier unit 102. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

However, the image scanner 200, the speaker 118, the multi-item keyboard 119, and the touch panel 122 are connected to the input / output interface 104f.
The image scanner 200 includes, for example, an image sensor (CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, etc.), and acquires various types of information from image information output by the image sensor. The input / output interface 104f can be connected to a portable recording medium interface capable of writing information to the portable recording medium 124 and reading information from the portable recording medium 124. The input / output interface 104f transmits signals sent from the image scanner 200, the speaker 118, the multi-item keyboard 119, the touch panel 122, and the portable recording medium interface to the CPU 104a via the bus 104g.

Furthermore, an example of the hardware configuration of the image scanner 200 of the checker unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image scanner of the checker unit according to the second embodiment.

  The entire image scanner 200 is controlled by the CPU 200a. A RAM 200b, an HDD 200c, a communication interface 200d, and an image element 200h are connected to the CPU 200a via a bus 200g. Note that the RAM 200b, the HDD 200c, and the communication interface 200d have the same configuration as the RAM 140b, the HDD 140c, and the communication interface 140d included in the cashier unit 102, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  However, as described above, the image element 200h is a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like, and receives external input light based on a control signal from the CPU 200a via the bus 200g, and receives the CPU 200a via the bus 200g. Output image information to.

  The communication interface 200d is connected to the input / output interface 104f of the checker unit 103 in a connection format of RS-232C, USB connection, for example. The communication interface 200d transmits and receives data to and from the input / output interface 104f of the checker unit 103.

With the hardware configuration as described above, the processing functions of the present embodiment can be realized.
Further, the cashier unit 102 and the checker unit 103 can each be configured to include a module made up of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like, and can be configured without the CPUs 140a and 104a. it can. In that case, each of the control units 140 and 104 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a flash memory type memory card, etc.) and stores module firmware. The nonvolatile memory can write firmware through the portable recording media 123 and 124 or the communication interfaces 140d and 104d. As described above, the control units 140 and 104 can also update the firmware by rewriting the firmware stored in the nonvolatile memory.

The POS server 130 can also be realized by the same hardware configuration as the cashier unit 102 and the checker unit 103.
Next, the product checkout process by the cashier unit 102 and the checker unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of commodity checkout processing of the checker unit and the cashier unit according to the second embodiment.
The POS terminal 101 inputs and settles a product code for each customer shopping. The product checkout process is a process in which the checker unit 103 reads a barcode attached to a product to specify a checkout target, and the cashier unit 102 performs checkout.

  [Step S <b> 11] The cashier unit 102 instructs initialization of the image scanner 200. An instruction to initialize the image scanner 200 is performed based on, for example, an operation of the keyboard 105 or the touch panel 110 by an operator. For example, the cashier unit 102 issues an instruction to initialize the registered product list for each customer shopping.

[Step S21] Upon receiving an initialization instruction from the cashier unit 102, the checker unit 103 initializes a storage area for storing shopping unit data.
[Step S22] The checker unit 103 determines whether or not to end the input of the product code. The end of the input of the product code is determined in response to an end instruction from the cashier unit 102. When the checker unit 103 determines to end the input of the product code, the checker unit 103 ends the input of the product code. On the other hand, if the checker unit 103 determines not to end the input of the product code, the process proceeds to step S23.

  [Step S <b> 23] The checker unit 103 receives various barcodes attached to the products read by the image scanner 200. Note that for a product without a barcode, the checker unit 103 receives a product type or the like from the multi-item keyboard 119 or the touch panel 122 by the operator.

Details of the process in step S23 will be described later.
[Step S <b> 24] The checker unit 103 notifies the cashier unit 102 of input data such as the quantity of goods (barcode read from the image scanner 200, input data from the multi-item keyboard 119 or the touch panel 122).

  At this time, if a discount sticker is attached to the product, the operator notifies the cashier unit 102 of a discount operation input for the product as input data from the touch panel 122.

  [Step S12] The cashier unit 102 waits for notification of input data from the checker unit 103 or pressing of a subtotal key. If there is a notification of input data from the checker unit 103, the cashier unit 102 proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the subtotal key is pressed, the cashier unit 102 proceeds to step S14.

[Step S13] The cashier unit 102 executes a product registration process for registering a product to be settled.
[Step S14] When the subtotal key is pressed by the keyboard 105, the cashier unit 102 instructs the checker unit 103 to end the barcode input process, and ends the barcode input process.

In this way, the checker unit 103 reads the barcode and notifies the input data until receiving an end instruction from the cashier unit 102.
[Step S15] The cashier unit 102 executes a payment registration process for determining a product to be paid (settlement target).

  [Step S16] The cashier unit 102 receives payment from a customer for a product for which a product has been confirmed as a payment target, and pays out change for the payment to execute a settlement process.

Next, the function for executing the barcode reading process of step S23 provided in the image scanner 200 provided in the checker unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing functions provided in the image scanner of the checker unit according to the second embodiment.

  The image scanner 200 includes a data storage unit 201. The data storage unit 201 holds the image data acquired by the image element 200h and each code demodulated from various barcodes of the acquired image data as will be described later. The data storage unit 201 also holds information on the number of detections detected by demodulating various bar codes. Note that the types of barcode include a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode.

  The image scanner 200 includes an image acquisition unit 202, an image determination unit 203, a data processing unit 204, a time measurement unit 205, a coincidence count check processing unit 206, an information notification unit 207, and an initialization processing unit 208.

The image acquisition unit 202 acquires an image of a product captured by the image element 200h.
The image determination unit 203 determines whether various bar codes are included in the product image acquired by the image acquisition unit 202.

  The data processing unit 204 determines whether or not the acquired barcode is a JAN code. The data processing unit 204 demodulates the acquired barcode and stores it in the data storage unit 201, and stores information on the number of detections detected by demodulating the acquired various barcodes in the data storage unit 201. The data processing unit 204 compares the acquired image change amount with a predetermined threshold.

The time measuring unit 205 measures the reading time.
The coincidence count check processing unit 206 refers to the data storage unit 201 to determine whether or not the number of detections detected by demodulating each code from various bar codes matches a predetermined number.

  The information notification unit 207 notifies each code obtained by demodulation to the input / output interface 104 f of the checker unit 103 according to the processing result of the coincidence number check processing unit 206. Further, the information notification unit 207 notifies the input / output interface 104f of the checker unit 103 that reading of various barcodes has been completed.

The initialization processing unit 208 initializes data such as various bar codes and codes stored in the data storage unit 201.
Next, a flowchart of the barcode reading process in step S23 executed by the image scanner 200 having such a function will be described with reference to FIGS.

8 and 9 are flowcharts of the reading process of the image scanner of the checker unit according to the second embodiment.
In the following description, a JAN code (one-dimensional bar code) associated with a product code is attached to a product, and a QR code (two-dimensional bar code) is further added to the product to be discounted as a discount barcode. Code).

[Step S31] The image acquisition unit 202 awaits imaging of a product by the image element 200h.
When the image acquisition unit 202 acquires an image captured by the image element 200h, the process of step S32 is executed.

  For example, when the operator holds the product with the various barcode sides facing the image scanner 200, the image element 200h captures an image of the product, and the image acquisition unit 202 acquires the captured image.

[Step S <b> 32] The image determination unit 203 determines whether or not various barcodes are included in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 202.
When various barcodes are included in the image and the barcode can be detected, the process of step S33 is executed. When various barcodes are not included and the barcode cannot be detected, The process of step S36 is executed.

[Step S33] The data processing unit 204 determines whether or not the various barcodes detected in Step S32 are JAN codes (one-dimensional barcodes).
If the detected various bar codes are JAN codes, the process of step S34 is executed. If the detected bar codes are not JAN codes (that is, they are two-dimensional bar codes), the process of step S35 is executed.

  [Step S34] The data processing unit 204 demodulates the detected JAN code (one-dimensional barcode), stores the demodulated code in the data storage unit 201, and adds 1 to the number of times the barcode is detected.

  [Step S35] The data processing unit 204 demodulates the barcode (two-dimensional barcode) that is not the detected JAN code, stores the demodulated code in the data storage unit 201, and sets the number of detection times of the barcode to 1. Add

[Step S36] The data processing unit 204 stores the image acquired in step S31 in the data storage unit 201.
[Step S37] The time measurement unit 205 starts measuring time.

[Step S38] The image determination unit 203 determines whether the image acquisition unit 202 further includes various barcodes in the image acquired in step S31.
When various barcodes cannot be detected from the image (that is, various barcodes are not included), the process of step S39 is executed, and when various barcodes are detected (that is, various barcodes are included). In step S41, the process is executed.

[Step S39] The time measurement unit 205 determines whether or not the measurement time exceeds a predetermined reading time.
If the measurement time does not exceed the reading time, the process of step S40 is executed. If the measurement time exceeds the reading time, the process of step S47 is executed.

[Step S40] The data processing unit 204 determines whether the image variation amount of the image is less than a predetermined threshold.
If the amount of image fluctuation is not less than the predetermined threshold (that is, greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold), the process of step S38 is executed again, and if it is less than the threshold (that is, an image with no imaging target). Is deemed to have completed the reading of the product image, and the process of step S47 is executed.

[Step S41] The data processing unit 204 determines whether or not the various barcodes detected in Step S38 are JAN codes.
If the detected various bar codes are JAN codes, the process of step S42 is executed. If the detected bar codes are not JAN codes, the process of step S43 is executed.

  [Step S42] The data processing unit 204 demodulates the detected JAN code (one-dimensional barcode), stores the demodulated code in the data storage unit 201, and adds 1 to the number of times the barcode is detected.

  [Step S43] The data processing unit 204 demodulates the barcode (two-dimensional barcode) that is not the detected JAN code, stores the demodulated code in the data storage unit 201, and sets the number of detection times of the barcode to 1. Add

  [Step S100] The number-of-matches check processing unit 206 refers to the data storage unit 201 to determine whether or not the number of barcode detections detected so far matches a predetermined number of detections (for example, two times). The number-of-matches check process for performing the determination is executed.

Details of the number-of-matches check process will be described later.
[Step S43] If the number of detections does not match as a result of determination by the matching number check processing unit 206, the process of step S44 is executed. If the number of detections matches, the process of step S45 is executed. The

[Step S44] The time measuring unit 205 starts measuring time again.
[Step S45] The information notification unit 207 notifies the input / output interface 104f of the checker unit 103 of the barcode code whose number of detection matches in step S43.

  For example, when a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode are attached to a product, if these barcodes are detected twice each and the number of detections is determined to match, the one-dimensional barcode and 2 The code demodulated from each dimension bar code is notified to the input / output interface 104 f of the checker unit 103.

[Step S46] The information notification unit 207 notifies the input / output interface 104f of the checker unit 103 that the reading has been completed.
When such a notification is given, the checker unit 103 notifies the operator of the completion of reading via the speaker 118 and the display 120.

[Step S47] The initialization processing unit 208 erases information such as images and codes stored in the data storage unit 201 and initializes the data storage unit 201.
After the process of step S47, the process of step S31 is executed again.

Next, details of the above-described matching number check process (step S100) executed by the matching number check processing unit 206 will be described with reference to FIGS.
10 and 11 are flowcharts of the coincidence count check process of the image scanner of the checker unit according to the second embodiment.

[Step S101] The matching number check processing unit 206 determines whether or not a JAN code (one-dimensional barcode) is included in all the detected various barcodes.
When the JAN code is included, the process of step S102 is executed, and when it is not included, the process of step S112 is executed.

[Step S102] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not the discount barcode is set to be readable.
If the discount bar code is set to be readable, the process of step S103 is executed. If the bar code is not set to be readable, the process of step S109 is executed.

For example, in the case of reading a commodity with a discount barcode, the discount barcode is set to be readable.
[Step S103] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not a discount bar code is included in the detected various bar codes.

When the discount barcode is included, the process of step S104 is executed. When the discount barcode is not included, the process of step S108 is executed.
[Step S104] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not a discount barcode is detected twice or more.

  If the detection is performed twice or more, the process of step S105 is executed. If the detection is not performed twice or more (that is, the reading is performed once or less), the process of step S107 is executed. The

[Step S105] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not a JAN code has been detected twice or more.
If the detection is performed twice or more, the process of step S106 is executed. If the detection is not performed twice or more (that is, the reading is performed once or less), the process of step S107 is executed. The

[Step S106] The match count check processing unit 206 determines the match of the detection count as a match count check result.
[Step S107] The match count check processing unit 206 determines a mismatch in the number of detections as a match count check result.

Note that after the processing in steps S106 and S107, the processing in step S43 in FIG. 9 is executed.
[Step S108] The time measurement unit 205 determines whether or not the measurement time exceeds the reading time.

If the measurement time exceeds the reading time, the process of step S109 is executed. If the measurement time does not exceed the reading time, the process of step S111 is executed.
[Step S109] The match count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not the JAN code has been detected twice or more.

  If the detection is performed twice or more, the process of step S110 is executed. If the detection is not performed twice or more (that is, the reading is performed once or less), the process of step S111 is executed. The

[Step S110] The match count check processing unit 206 determines the match of the detection count as a match count check result.
[Step S <b> 111] The match count check processing unit 206 determines a mismatch in the detection count as a match count check result.

Note that after the processing in steps S110 and S111, the processing in step S43 in FIG. 9 is executed.
[Step S112] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not a discount bar code is included in the detected various bar codes.

If the discount barcode is not included, the process of step S113 is executed. If the discount barcode is included, the process of step S115 is executed.
[Step S113] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines whether or not various bar codes are detected twice or more.

  When the detection is performed twice or more, the process of step S114 is executed, and when the detection is not performed twice or more (reading once or less), the process of step S115 is executed.

[Step S114] The coincidence count check processing unit 206 determines the coincidence of detection counts as a coincidence count check result.
[Step S115] The match count check processing unit 206 determines a mismatch in the detection count as a match count check result.

Note that after the processing of steps S114 and S115, the processing of step S43 of FIG. 9 is executed.
The image scanner 200 of the checker unit 103 in the POS terminal 101 reads the one-dimensional barcode from the product together with the two-dimensional barcode as necessary by the above processing, and stores the information of the various barcodes read to the cashier unit 102. You can be notified.

  The image scanner 200 of the checker unit 103 in the POS terminal 101 determines that various bar codes cannot be detected from the acquired image by reading various bar codes attached to the product. Further, when the image scanner 200 determines that the image variation amount of the image with respect to the predetermined image is less than the predetermined threshold, the image is an image with no imaging target, and thus reading of the product is completed. The initialization process is executed. With such reading, the image scanner 200 can reliably read a two-dimensional bar code that takes time to read by extending the reading time, thereby preventing a reading error. Further, it is possible to prevent the information of various barcodes attached to the products that are sequentially read by the image scanner 200 from being combined with the information of the products after the reading. Therefore, in the image scanner 200, reading errors and erroneous discounts are prevented, and the reading rate for the reading target product is improved.

  The above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the computer should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer.

  The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the magnetic recording device include an HDD, a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape (MT). Optical disks include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), DVD-RAM, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable), and the like. Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disk). Semiconductor memory includes flash memory such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

  When the program is distributed, for example, a portable recording medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM in which the program is recorded is sold. It is also possible to store the program in a server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. In addition, each time the program is transferred from the server computer, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

  Also, part or all of the processing described by the program can be replaced with an electronic circuit. For example, at least a part of the above processing functions may be realized by an electronic circuit such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 POS terminal device 11 Image acquisition part 12 Image determination part 13 Reading completion determination part a1, a2 1-dimensional barcode b1 2-dimensional barcode

Claims (5)

In a POS terminal device that reads identification information for identifying the product from a product identifier attached to the product,
An image acquisition unit that acquires a first image of the product and acquires a second image after a predetermined time ;
An image determination unit for determining whether or not the product identifier is included in the first image and the second image acquired by the image acquisition unit;
The image determining unit, said includes a product identifier in the first image, if it is determined that there are no said product identifier on the second image, the image change amount of the second image with respect to a predetermined image In response, a reading completion determination unit that determines that reading of the identification information of the product is completed;
A POS terminal device characterized by comprising:   The POS terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the product identifier is a barcode. When the image fluctuation amount of the second image is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the reading completion determination unit determines that reading of the identification information of the product is completed;
The POS terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the POS terminal device is a POS terminal device. When the image variation amount of the second image exceeds a predetermined threshold, the image determination unit again acquires the second image acquired by the image acquisition unit and newly acquired after the predetermined time has elapsed . 3 images are judged.
The POS terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the POS terminal device is a POS terminal device. In an information reading method of reading identification information for identifying the product from a product identifier attached to the product,
POS terminal device
Obtaining a first image of the product;
Determine whether the product identifier is included in the acquired first image;
When the product identifier is included in the first image, the first image is acquired and a second image is acquired after a predetermined time has elapsed,
Determining whether the product identifier is included in the acquired second image;
If there are no said product identifier on said second image, in accordance with the image change amount of the second image for a given image, determines that the reading of the identification information of the commodity has been completed,
An information reading method.

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