U.S. patent application number 13/776951 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for code reading apparatus, sales registration processing apparatus, and code reading method.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hitoshi Iizaka, Hidemi Mihara, Hidehiro Naito, Osamu Tsuchiya, Yoshiya Yamada.
Application Number | 20130221095 13/776951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44308212 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130221095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iizaka; Hitoshi ; et
al. |
August 29, 2013 |
CODE READING APPARATUS, SALES REGISTRATION PROCESSING APPARATUS,
AND CODE READING METHOD
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes:
an image capturing unit; a first reading unit detecting one of an
image of a code symbol and an image of benefit indication from the
image captured by an image capturing unit and reading commodity
information corresponding to the code symbol or benefit information
corresponding to the benefit indication from the detected image; a
second reading unit causing, for a predetermined time after the
first reading unit reads the information, until the first reading
unit detects the other image not detected yet, the image capturing
unit to capture the image and read, if the first reading unit
detects the other image, one of the commodity information and the
benefit information from the detected other image; and an
information output unit outputting the information read by the
second reading unit together with the information read by the first
reading unit.
Inventors: |
Iizaka; Hitoshi; (Shizuoka,
JP) ; Yamada; Yoshiya; (Shizuoka, JP) ;
Mihara; Hidemi; (Shizuoka, JP) ; Tsuchiya; Osamu;
(Shizuoka, JP) ; Naito; Hidehiro; (Shizuoka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44308212 |
Appl. No.: |
13/776951 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13005673 |
Jan 13, 2011 |
8403216 |
|
|
13776951 |
|
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|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/387 20130101;
G07G 1/0045 20130101; G06K 7/10861 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/383 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2010 |
JP |
2010-013624 |
Claims
1. A code reading apparatus comprising: an image capturing unit
configured to capture an image picked up by an imaging unit; a
first detecting unit configured to detect an image of a code symbol
from the image captured by the image capturing unit and read
commodity information corresponding to the code symbol from the
detected image; a timer configured to time a predetermined time; a
discriminating unit configured to discriminate whether the code
symbol includes benefit target information that indicates that a
commodity is a target commodity to which benefit is granted; a
second detecting unit configured, if the discriminating unit
discriminates that the code symbol includes the benefit target
information, to cause, until the predetermined time is elapsed
after the first detecting unit reads the commodity information,
until detecting an image of benefit indication, the image capturing
unit to capture the image and read, if the second detecting unit
detects the image of the benefit indication, benefit information
from the detected image of the benefit indication, and to cause,
after the first detecting unit reads the commodity information and
after the predetermined time is elapsed, the image capturing unit
not to capture the image; and an information output unit configured
to output the commodity information read by the first detecting
unit and the benefit information read by the second detecting
unit.
2. The code reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second detecting unit is configured, if the discriminating unit
discriminates that the code symbol does not include the benefit
target information, not to detect the image of the benefit
indication, and the information output unit is configured to output
only the commodity information read by the first detecting
unit.
3. The code reading apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a notifying unit configured to notify, if the commodity
information is read by the first detecting unit, or if the benefit
information is read by the second detecting unit, until the
information is output by the information output unit, that the
information is read.
4. The code reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
notifying unit is configured to perform the notification by causing
a light emitting unit to emit light.
5. The code reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second detecting unit is configured to read the benefit information
from character information included in the benefit indication.
6. The code reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
code reading apparatus includes a first imaging unit and a second
imaging unit as the imaging unit, the first detecting unit is
configured to detect, from an image picked up by the first imaging
unit, the image of the code symbol, and the second detecting unit
is configured to detect, from an image picked up by the second
imaging unit, the image of the benefit indication not detected by
the first detecting unit.
7. The code reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second detecting unit is configured to detect plural images of the
benefit indication and read the benefit information corresponding
to the benefit indication from each of the images of the benefit
indication, and the information output unit is configured to output
plural kinds of the read benefit information together with the
commodity information.
8. The code reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first detecting unit is configured to decode the image of the code
symbol and read code data corresponding to the commodity
information, the second detecting unit is configured to generate a
benefit code corresponding to the benefit information read from the
image of the benefit indication, and the information output unit is
configured to combine the code data and the benefit code to
generate a composite code and output the composite code.
9. A sales registration processing apparatus that performs sales
registration for a commodity using the commodity information and
the benefit information output by the code reading apparatus
according to claim 1.
10. A code reading method comprising: capturing, by an image
capturing unit, an image picked up by an imaging unit; detecting ,
by a first detecting unit, an image of a code symbol from the image
captured by the image capturing unit to read commodity information
corresponding to the code symbol from the detected image; timing,
by a timer, a predetermined time; discriminating whether the code
symbol includes benefit target information that indicates that a
commodity is a target commodity to which benefit is granted;
causing, by a second detecting unit, if, in the discriminating, it
is discriminated that the code symbol includes the benefit target
information, until the predetermined time is elapsed after the
first detecting unit reads the commodity information, until
detecting an image of benefit indication not previously detected by
the first detecting unit, the image capturing unit to capture the
image, reading, if the image of the benefit indication is detected,
the benefit information from the detected image of the benefit
indication, and causing, after the first detecting unit reads the
commodity information and after the predetermined time is elapsed,
the image capturing unit not to capture the image; and outputting,
by an information output unit, the benefit information read by the
second detecting unit together with the commodity information read
by the first detecting unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No.
13/005,673 filed on Jan.13, 2011; the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2010-013624, filed on Jan. 25, 2010; the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0003] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a code
reading apparatus, a sales registration processing apparatus, and a
code reading method.
BACKGROUND
[0004] In the past, in retail stores such as a supermarket, to
reduce a disposal loss of fresh food, commodities are often sold at
a discount as store closing time approaches. In this case, a store
attaches discount labels indicating discount amounts, discount
rates, or the like to the commodities to clearly display to
customers that the commodities are discounted commodities. If a
discount label is attached to a commodity about to be purchased by
a customer, an operator of a point of sales (POS) terminal reads a
barcode of the commodity with a scanner and performs processing
concerning a discount from a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like.
Therefore, it is likely that the operator sells the discounted
commodity at a normal price without noticing the discount
label.
[0005] On the other hand, JP-A-2008-33640 discloses a scanner. The
scanner simultaneously picks up images of a barcode and a discount
label with a camera if the barcode and the discount label are
present in the same imaging area. The scanner outputs a commodity
code and discount information read from the picked-up image to a
POS terminal. The POS terminal automatically performs discount
according to the received commodity code and discount
information.
[0006] In the technique described in JP-A-2008-33640, since images
of the discount label and the barcode are picked up at a time, the
discount label needs to be attached near the barcode. However,
since the discount label is often manually attached by a store
clerk, in some cases, the positions of the barcode and the discount
label are spaced apart from each other. In such a case, since the
camera cannot pick up images of the barcode and the discount label
at a time, discount processing cannot be automatically performed.
An operator performs the discount processing by manually inputting
the discount information from a keyboard or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of the
configuration of a checkout lane system according to a first
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of a code
reading apparatus;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a relation between a
commodity and an imaging area of a camera;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a discount label;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a point addition label;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a label characteristic
table;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram of image data including a barcode label
and a discount label;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example of a relation between the
barcode label and discount label and the imaging area;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a diagram of image data including the barcode
label;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a diagram of image data including the discount
label;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining barcode data;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a benefit code;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a composite code;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of
information output processing executed by the code reading
apparatus;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the configuration of a code
reading apparatus according to a second embodiment; and
[0022] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of
information output processing executed by the code reading
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In general, according to one embodiment, a code reading
apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a first reading unit, a
second reading unit and an information output unit. The image
capturing unit captures an image picked up by an imaging unit. The
first reading unit detects one of an image of a code symbol and an
image of benefit indication from the image captured by the image
capturing unit and reads commodity information corresponding to the
code symbol or benefit information corresponding to the benefit
indication from the detected image. The second reading unit causes,
for a predetermined time after the first reading unit reads the
information, until the first reading unit detects the other image
not detected yet, the image capturing unit to capture the image and
reads, if the first reading unit detects the other image, one of
the commodity information the benefit information from the detected
other image. The information output unit outputs the information
read by the second reading unit together with the information read
by the first reading unit.
[0024] According to another embodiment, a code reading method
includes: an image capturing unit capturing an image picked up by
an imaging unit; a first reading unit detecting one of an image of
a code symbol and an image of benefit indication from the image
captured by the image capturing unit and reading commodity
information corresponding to the code symbol or benefit information
corresponding to benefit indication from the detected image; a
second reading unit causing, for a predetermined time after the
first reading unit reads the information, until the first reading
unit detects the other image not detected, the image capturing unit
to capture the image and reading, if the first reading unit detects
the other image, one of the commodity information and the benefit
information from the detected other image; and an information
output unit outputting the information read by the second reading
unit together with the information read by the first reading
unit.
[0025] According to still another embodiment, a sales registration
processing apparatus performs sales registration for a commodity
using the commodity information and the benefit information output
by the code reading apparatus according to the embodiment.
[0026] The sales registration processing apparatus according to the
embodiment is suitable as a POS terminal used in a supermarket or a
convenience store. The code reading apparatus according to the
embodiment is suitable as a code reading apparatus or a barcode
reader connected to the POS terminal and used.
First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the configuration
of a checkout lane system 4 according to a first embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 1, the checkout lane system 4 includes a sucker table
1 for placing a shopping basket including commodities, a code
reading apparatus 2 vertically provided substantially in the center
of the sucker table 1, and a POS terminal 3 connected to the code
reading apparatus by a not-shown transmission line to be capable of
communicating with each other.
[0028] The POS terminal 3 performs sales registration for
commodities to be purchased by a customer. As shown in FIG. 1, the
POS terminal 3 includes a keyboard 31, an operator display 32, a
customer display 33, a printer 34 configured to perform receipt
printing and the like, and a drawer 35 for storing cash and the
like. A closing key and the like necessary for settlement of a
commodity price are disposed on the keyboard 31. The POS terminal 3
has components and functions same as those of a POS terminal
typically used in the checkout lane system of this type.
[0029] The code reading apparatus 2 reads a barcode attached to a
commodity. The code reading apparatus 2 outputs commodity
information included in the barcode to the POS terminal 3. As shown
in FIG. 1, the code reading apparatus 2 mainly includes a reading
window 21, a keyboard 22, a display 23, a display LED 24, and a
buzzer 25.
[0030] The keyboard 22 receives input by various keys if
registration of a commodity that cannot be registered by using a
barcode is performed. The display 23 displays a name, a price, and
the like of a registered commodity to a customer. If the barcode
attached to the commodity is read, the display LED 24 is turned on
to notify an operator that the barcode is read. If the barcode
attached to the commodity is read, the buzzer 25 emits buzzer sound
to notify the operator that the barcode is read. A charge coupled
device (CCD) camera 20 (see FIG. 2) is incorporated on the inside
of the code reading apparatus 2 including the reading window 21.
The CCD camera 20 is hereinafter simply referred to as camera
20.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of the code
reading apparatus 2. The code reading apparatus 2 mainly includes a
CPU 50, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a communication I/F 44, an output port
46, a keyboard controller 47, a display controller 48, a camera
controller 49, and a memory 45. The CPU 50, the ROM 42, the RAM 43,
the communication I/F 44, the output port 46, the keyboard
controller 47, the display controller 48, the camera controller 49,
and the memory 45 are connected by a bus line 41 such as an address
bus or a data bus.
[0032] The CPU 50 functions as a control unit configured to control
the entire operation of the code reading apparatus 2. The ROM 42
stores a computer program according to this embodiment and other
computer programs and the like for controlling the operation of the
CPU 50. The RAM 43 functions as a work area when the CPU 50 expands
the various computer programs stored by the ROM 42. The RAM 43
stores various data such as image data picked up by the camera
20.
[0033] The communication I/F 44 controls data communication with
the POS terminal 3 (see FIG. 1) connected via a bus. The output
port 46 outputs a driving signal to the buzzer 25 and the display
LED 24. The keyboard controller 47 captures a key signal from the
keyboard 22. The display controller 48 controls data display on the
display 23. The camera controller 49 controls an imaging operation
of the camera 20.
[0034] The camera 20 picks up an image of a code symbol such as a
barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to a commodity or a
label indicating a benefit such as a discount or point
addition.
[0035] A relation between a commodity and an imaging area of the
camera 20 processed by the code reading apparatus 2 according to
this embodiment is explained below. FIG. 3 is a diagram of an
example of a relation between a commodity 60 and the imaging area
of the camera 20. An area surrounded by an alternate long and two
short dashes line in the figure is an imaging area 70a, which is an
area where the camera 20 can pickup images in one frame. A discount
label L1 as an example of a benefit indication label is attached to
the commodity 60 shown in FIG. 3 in addition to a barcode label
61.
[0036] A commodity name "pork rib slice", a commodity price "US$
2", a barcode 62, and the like are shown on the barcode label 61.
Information such as a commodity code is incorporated in the barcode
62 as commodity information necessary for subjecting sales data of
the commodity 60 to registration processing in the POS terminal 3.
A commodity code "2101234567890" incorporated in the barcode 62 is
shown as a number under the barcode 62. Character information "US$
0.5 off from the indicated price" indicating a discount amount
concerning the commodity 60 is shown on the discount label L1.
[0037] The benefit indication label has to be a label that is
attached to the commodity 60 and indicates a benefit granted when
the commodity 60 is purchased. Other examples of the benefit
indication label include a discount label L2 indicating a discount
rate of the commodity 60 as shown in FIG. 4 and a point addition
label L3 indicating the number of points granted to a customer who
purchases the commodity 60 in addition to the usual number of
granted points as shown in FIG. 5
[0038] The nonvolatile memory 45 stores a label characteristic
table T that associates characteristics of the benefit indication
label and content of a benefit indicated by the benefit indication
label.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the label characteristic
table T. As shown in FIG. 6, the label characteristic table T
stores, in association with each other, label characteristic data
indicating characteristics such as characters or a symbol included
in the benefit indication label and benefit information granted to
a commodity by the benefit indication label.
[0040] More specifically, the label characteristic data is
information extracted from the benefit indication label by
character recognition processing of an OCR or the like. Concerning
the discount label L1 on which "US$ 0.5 off from the indicated
price" is written as shown in FIG. 3, information "0.5, US$, off"
is extracted by the character recognition processing as indicated
by label characteristic data No. 1 in the label characteristic
table T shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, concerning labels L2 and L3
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, information concerning a discount and point
granting "10, %, off" and "10, point" is extracted as indicated by
label characteristic data No. 2 and No. 3 shown in FIG. 6.
[0041] The benefit information means information obtained by
converting information concerning a benefit such as discount
information or point granting information read from the benefit
indication label into an alphanumerical value such that the
information can be used in sales registration processing of the POS
terminal 3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, benefit information
"-US$ 0.5" meaning a discount of US$ 0.5 is stored in association
with the label characteristic data "0.5, US$, off". Benefit
information "-0%" meaning a discount of 10% is stored in
association with the label characteristic data "10, %, off".
Benefit information "+10P" meaning point addition of 10 points is
stored in association with the label characteristic data "10,
point".
[0042] Characteristic functions of the code reading apparatus 2
according to this embodiment are explained below. The CPU 50
operates according to the computer programs stored in the ROM 42
and expanded in the RAM 43 to function as an image-data capturing
unit 51, a barcode reading unit 52, a label reading unit 53, an
information output unit 54, and a notifying unit 55, as shown in
FIG. 2.
[0043] The image-data capturing unit 51 outputs an imaging ON
signal to the camera controller 49 and causes the camera 20 to
start an imaging operation. The image-data capturing unit 51
captures image data present in the imaging area 70a, 70b, 70c
picked up by the camera 20 and stores the image data in an image
work area of the RAM 43. If instructed by the label reading unit
53, the image-data capturing unit 51 captures image data present in
the imaging area 70a, 70b, 70c picked up by the camera 20 and
stores the image data in the image work area of the RAM 43.
[0044] Image data D (Da, Db, and Dc) captured by the image-data
capturing unit 51 is explained with reference to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 7
to 10.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, if the barcode 62 and the discount label
L1 are attached close to each other on the commodity 60, the
barcode 62 and the discount label L1 fit in the imaging area 70a.
In this case, the camera 20 can pick up images of the barcode 62
and the discount label L1 in one frame. The image-data capturing
unit 51 stores the image data Da (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the
imaging area 70a in the image work area of the RAM 43.
[0046] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, if the barcode 62 and
the discount label L1 are attached away from each other on the
commodity 60, the barcode 62 and the discount label L1 do not fit
in the same imaging area 70a. In this case, the operator changes
the position of the commodity 60 held over the reading window 21.
The operator picks up images of the commodity 60 dividedly plural
times in plural frames of an imaging area 70b including the barcode
62 and an imaging area 70c including the discount label Li. The
image-data capturing unit 51 captures the image data Db (see FIG.
9) and the image data Dc (see FIG. 10) respectively corresponding
to the imaging areas 70b and 70c and stores the image data in the
image work area of the RAM 43.
[0047] The barcode reading unit 52 detects an image of the barcode
62 from the image data stored in the image work area of the RAM 43
by the image-data capturing unit 51. The barcode reading unit 52
performs barcode reading processing for reading commodity
information of the commodity 60 from the detected barcode 62.
[0048] More specifically, the barcode reading unit 52 binarizes the
image data D (Da to Dc, see FIGS. 7, 9, and 10) of one frame stored
in the image work area of the RAM 43. The barcode reading unit 52
detects whether a data area concerning the barcode 62 is present in
the binarized data. If the barcode reading unit 52 detects the data
area concerning the barcode 62 in the captured image data D, the
barcode reading unit 52 decodes the barcode 62 and reads, as the
commodity information of the commodity 60, barcode data (JAN code)
C1 of J1 to J13 shown in FIG. 11. The barcode data C1 includes a
manufacturer code, a commodity code as commodity information, and a
check digit. The barcode reading unit 52 stores the read barcode C1
in a barcode work area of the RAM 43.
[0049] The label reading unit 53 applies label reading processing
for detecting an image of a benefit indication label to the image
data stored in the image work area of the RAM 43 by the image-data
capturing unit 51. The label reading unit 53 performs capturing of
image data by the image-data capturing unit 51 for a predetermined
time set in advance until an image of the benefit indication label
is detected. If the label reading unit 53 detects an image of the
benefit indication label within the predetermined time, the label
reading unit 53 reads benefit information (see FIG. 6) from the
detected image of the benefit indication label.
[0050] More specifically, the label reading unit 53 applies
character recognition processing of an optical character reader
(OCR) or the like to the image data D (Da to Dc, see FIGS. 7, 9,
and 10) of one frame stored in the image work area of the RAM 43.
The label reading unit 53 collates characteristics such as
characters, a picture, or a symbol included in the benefit
indication label and the label characteristic data (see FIG. 6) of
the label characteristic table T. If the label reading unit 53
detects label characteristic data having a high degree of
coincidence, the label reading unit 53 determines that the benefit
indication label is detected in the image data D.
[0051] The label reading unit 53 reads benefit information
corresponding to the detected label characteristic data from the
label characteristic table T. The label reading unit 53 encodes the
read benefit information to generate a benefit code C2 (see FIG.
12) and stores the benefit code C2 in the benefit code work area of
the RAM 43.
[0052] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the benefit code C2. As
shown in FIG. 12, the benefit code C2 includes a flag F for setting
a type of a benefit and data P1 to P5 indicating values of benefits
to be provided such as a discount amount, a discount rate, and the
number of granted points. The flag F can represent, for example, a
type of a benefit with 1 representing a discount rate, 2
representing a discount amount, and 3 representing points.
[0053] The label reading unit 53 controls the operation of a timer
56 for limiting time of the label reading processing. If a benefit
indication label is not detected and if the timer 56 does not time
out, the label reading unit 53 instructs the image-data capturing
unit 51 to perform image capturing. In other words, the label
reading unit 53 causes the image-data capturing unit 51 to capture
anew image data present in the imaging area 70a picked up by the
camera 20.
[0054] In this way, the operator can pick up images of the
commodity 60 plural times with the camera 20 for a predetermined
time in which the timer 56 does not time out. Therefore, even if a
benefit indication label is not attached to the imaging area 70b
including the barcode label 61 as shown in FIG. 8, the operator can
pick up an image again in the imaging area 70c including the
benefit indication label and can acquire the barcode data C1 and
the benefit code C2.
[0055] If the benefit code C2 generated by the label reading unit
53 is stored in the RAM 43, the information output unit 54
generates a composite code C3. In other words, the information
output unit 54 combines the barcode data C1 stored in the RAM 43
and the benefit code C2 to generate the composite code C3. The
information output unit 54 outputs the composite code C3 to the POS
terminal 3.
[0056] If the benefit code C2 is not stored in the RAM 43, the
information output unit 54 outputs only the barcode data C1 to the
POS terminal 3.
[0057] The POS terminal 3 receives the barcode data C1 or the
composite code C3 output by the information output unit 54. The POS
terminal 3 performs sales registration for the commodity 60 using
the received barcode data C1. The POS terminal 3 puts a discount on
the commodity 60 according to the received composite code C3 and
performs the sales registration for the commodity 60.
[0058] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the composite code C3.
As shown in FIG. 13, the composite code C3 is a code beginning with
a start code, including the barcode data C1, the benefit code C2, a
check digit CD of the benefit code C2, and a check digit CODE 128
CD of the composite code C3, and ending with a stop code. The POS
terminal 3 grants a benefit indicated by the benefit code C2 to the
commodity 60 and performs the sales registration on the basis of
the composite code C3 received from the code reading apparatus
2.
[0059] As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the discount label L1 for
US$ 0.5 off is attached to the commodity 60. The label reading unit
53 digitizes read benefit information "-US$ 0.5" and generates the
benefit code C2. Therefore, the composite code C3 includes the
barcode data C1 corresponding to the commodity code "2101234567890"
and the benefit code C2 corresponding to "-US$ 0.5". The POS
terminal 3 refers to a commodity master or the like stored by the
POS terminal 3 or a host terminal (not shown) in the store and
reads the price of the commodity 60 corresponding to the barcode
data C1. Further, the POS terminal 3 discounts US$ 0.5 from the
read price and performs sales registration for the commodity
60.
[0060] If the barcode reading unit 52 reads the barcode 62, the
notifying unit 55 outputs a barcode ON signal and causes the
display LED 24 to emit light. Consequently, the notifying unit 55
notifies the operator that the barcode 62 is detected. If the
information output unit 54 outputs the composite code C3 to the POS
terminal 3, the notifying unit 55 outputs a barcode OFF signal to
turn off the display LED 24. Alternatively, if the information
output unit 54 outputs the barcode data C1, the notifying unit 55
outputs the barcode OFF signal and turn off the display LED 24.
[0061] Further, if the information output unit 54 outputs the
barcode data C1 to the POS terminal 3, the notifying unit 55 drives
the buzzer 25 to emit first buzzer sound (e.g., "peep") that
indicates that only the barcode label 61 is read and a benefit
indication label is not read.
[0062] If the information output unit 54 outputs the composite data
C3 to the POS terminal 3, the notifying unit 55 drives the buzzer
25 to emit second buzzer sound (e.g., "peep peep") that indicates
that both the barcode label 61 and a benefit indication label are
read.
[0063] Information output processing performed by the code reading
apparatus 2 is explained below with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14
is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of the information output
processing performed by the code reading apparatus 2.
[0064] If the start of a job is instructed by a command from the
POS terminal 3, the CPU 50 of the code reading apparatus 2 starts
the information output processing. The image-data capturing unit 51
outputs an imaging ON signal to the camera controller 49 and starts
an imaging operation by the camera 20 (Act 1).
[0065] The image-data capturing unit 51 captures the image data D
(Da, Db, and Dc) picked up by the camera 20 into the image work
area of the RAM 43 (Act 2). The barcode reading unit 52 starts the
barcode reading processing (Act 3).
[0066] The barcode reading unit 52 determines whether the barcode
62 is detected in the barcode reading processing in Act 3 (Act 4).
If the barcode 62 is not detected (No in Act 4), the barcode
reading unit 52 continues the imaging by the camera 20 (Act 2).
[0067] If the barcode 62 is detected (Yes in Act 4), the label
reading unit 53 starts the timer 56 for limiting time of the label
reading processing (Act 5). The notifying unit 55 outputs the
barcode ON signal to turn on the display LED 24 (Act 6) and
notifies the operator that the barcode 62 is detected.
[0068] Subsequently, the label reading unit 53 starts the label
reading processing applied to the image data captured into the
image work area of the RAM 43 in Act 2 (Act 7). The label reading
unit 53 determines whether a benefit indication label is detected
in the label reading processing in Act 7 (Act 8).
[0069] If a benefit indication label is detected (Yes in Act 8),
the information output unit 54 generates the composite code C3 (see
FIG. 13) from the barcode data C1 stored in the barcode work area
of the RAM 43 and the benefit code C2 stored in the benefit code
work area of the RAM 43 (Act 9). The information output unit 54
outputs and transmits the generated composite code C3 to the POS
terminal 3 via the communication interface 44 (Act 10). The
notifying unit 55 drives the buzzer 25 to emit the second buzzer
sound (Act 11). Further, the notifying unit 55 outputs the barcode
OFF signal to turn off a display such as an LED that notifies the
operator that the barcode 62 is read (Act 12).
[0070] Thereafter, the CPU 50 determines whether the end of the job
is instructed by a command from the POS terminal 3 (Act 18). If the
end of the job is not instructed (No in Act 18), the CPU 50 returns
to Act 2 and repeats Acts 2 to 18 until the sales registration for
all commodities ends. If the end of the job is instructed (Yes in
Act 18), the CPU 50 outputs an imaging OFF signal to the camera
controller 49 (Act 19) and ends the imaging operation by the camera
20.
[0071] On the other hand, if a benefit indication label is not
detected (No in Act 8), the label reading unit 53 determines
whether the timer 56 started in Act 5 times out (Act 14).
[0072] If the timer 56 does not time out (No in Act 14), the label
reading unit 53 controls the image-data capturing unit 51 to
perform capturing of image data anew (Act 13). The label reading
unit 53 executes the label reading processing on an image captured
anew (Act 7).
[0073] If the timer 56 times out (Yes in Act 14), the information
output unit 54 outputs and transmits the barcode data C1 stored in
the barcode work area of the RAM 43 to the POS terminal 3 via the
communication interface 44 (Act 15). The notifying unit 55 drives
the buzzer 25 to emit the first buzzer sound (Act 16). The
notifying unit 55 outputs the barcode OFF signal to turn off the
display such as the LED that notifies the operator that the barcode
62 is read (Act 17). Thereafter, the CPU 50 shifts to Act 18.
[0074] As explained above, the code reading apparatus 2 provides a
waiting time for the predetermined time to read a benefit
indication label. During the predetermined time, the code reading
apparatus 2 receives new image data picked up by the camera 20
until a benefit indication label is read. Consequently, even if the
camera 20 cannot pick up an image of the barcode 62 and a benefit
indication label in one frame, it is possible to acquire the
barcode data C1 and the benefit code data C2 by picking up images
of the commodity 60 plural times. Therefore, it is possible to
automatically perform benefit granting processing such as discount
processing or point addition processing without requiring discount
processing by the operator.
[0075] As explained above, the notifying unit 55 notifies, by
changing a tone and the number of times of the buzzer sound, the
operator that both the barcode label 61 and a benefit indication
label are read or that only the barcode label 61 is read.
Therefore, the operator can easily discriminate, according to the
difference in the buzzer sound, whether the commodity 60 is a
commodity to which a benefit indication label is attached.
Therefore, if benefit granting such as the discount processing or
the point addition is automatically performed by the POS terminal
3, there is an effect that check work by the operator can also be
easily performed.
Second Embodiment
[0076] Examples of a main commodity as a target of discount include
fresh food processed and sold in a store. In general, as a
commodity code attached to a commodity processed and sold in a
store, an in-store code beginning with a specific numerical value
(in this embodiment, 2) is used. Referring to FIG. 3, the commodity
code "2101234567890" begins with "2". Therefore, the an in-store
code is attached to the commodity 60.
[0077] In the first embodiment, reading of a benefit indication
label is waited for the predetermined time after the barcode
reading processing is applied to all the commodities. However, for
example, in a store that applies discount sales to only commodities
attached with in-store codes, reading of a benefit indication label
has to be waited only for the commodities attached with the
in-store codes.
[0078] Therefore, a code reading apparatus 202 according to a
second embodiment determines whether a read commodity code is an
in-store code. If the read commodity code is not an in-store code,
the code reading apparatus 202 instantaneously outputs only the
barcode data C1 to the POS terminal 3.
[0079] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the configuration of the code
reading apparatus 202 according to the second embodiment. A CPU 250
of the code reading apparatus 202 further includes an in-store code
discriminating unit 57 in addition to the units of the code reading
apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment. The CPU 250 includes
an information output unit 254 different from the information
output unit 54 of the code reading apparatus 2 according to the
first embodiment. Components same as those of the code reading
apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the
same reference numerals and signs and explanation of the components
is omitted.
[0080] The in-store code discriminating unit 57 refers to the
barcode data C1 (see FIG. 11) read by the barcode reading unit 52
and discriminates whether a commodity code indicated by the barcode
data C1 begins with a specific numerical value indicating that the
commodity code is an in-store code (benefit target information) .
For example, if the specific numerical value is set as "2" and the
commodity code indicated by the barcode data C1 begins with "2"
like "2101234567890", the in-store code discriminating unit 57
discriminates that the read barcode data C1 is an in-store
code.
[0081] If the in-store code discriminating unit 57 discriminates
that the barcode data C1 read by the barcode reading unit 52 is not
an in-store code, the information output unit 254 instantaneously
outputs only the barcode data C1 stored in the RAM 43 to the POS
terminal 3 without waiting for reading of a benefit indication
label for a predetermined time.
[0082] Information output processing executed by the code reading
apparatus 202 is explained below with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16
is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of the information output
processing executed by the code reading apparatus 202. Kinds of
processing same as those shown in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same
reference signs and explanation of the processing is omitted.
[0083] The in-store code discriminating unit 57 discriminates
whether the barcode 62 read in Act 3 is an in-store code (Act 20).
If the in-store code discriminating unit 57 discriminates that the
barcode 62 is an in-store code (Yes in Act 20), the CPU 250 shifts
to Act 5 and performs the processing in Act 5 described above and
subsequent acts. On the other hand, if the in-store code
discriminating unit 57 discriminates that the barcode 62 is not an
in-store code (No in Act 20), the information output unit 254
outputs the barcode data C1 stored in the barcode work area of the
RAM 43 to the POS terminal 3 via the communication interface 44
(Act 21). The notifying unit 55 drives the buzzer 25 to emit the
first buzzer sound that indicates that the barcode 62 is read (Act
22). The CPU 250 shifts to Act 18.
[0084] As explained above, the code reading apparatus 202
discriminates from the read barcode 62 whether there is possibility
of a discount. The code reading apparatus 202 waits for reading of
a benefit indication label concerning only a commodity that has
possibility of a discount. Therefore, since a waiting time for
reading of a benefit indication label does not have to be provided
for all commodities, it is possible to finish sales registration
processing for commodities in a shorter time.
[0085] In the example explained above, one benefit indication label
is attached to the commodity 60. However, plural benefit indication
labels may be attached to the commodity 60. In this case, the label
reading unit 53 detects images of the plural benefit indication
labels. The label reading unit 53 reads benefit information
corresponding to benefit indications respectively from the detected
images of the benefit indication labels. The information output
unit 54 or 254 combines the barcode data C1 and plural benefit
codes C2 read from the benefit indication labels to generate the
composite code C3.
[0086] In the above explanation, the label reading unit 53 reads
benefit information from a benefit indication label. However,
information concerning a discount, a price cut, or the like is not
limited to a form of printing on a label. As other examples, the
information concerning a price cut, a discount, or the like may be
directly written or printed on the commodity 60. The label reading
unit 53 is not limited to the identification processing for
character information. The label reading unit 53 may identify the
color, the size, the shape, and the like of a label, a figure, or
the like and read benefit information associated with the
characteristics.
[0087] In the above explanation, the barcode reading unit 52 reads
the barcode 62 attached to the commodity 60. However, the barcode
reading unit 52 is not limited to this. The barcode reading unit 52
may read a two-dimensional code such as a code symbol. In the above
explanation, the barcode 62 is attached to the commodity 60 by the
barcode label 61. However, the barcode 62 may be directly printed
on the commodity 60.
[0088] The code reading apparatus 2 may include plural imaging
units (cameras 20). For example, the code reading apparatus 2 may
include a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit. In this
case, the barcode reading unit 52 detects an image of a code symbol
from an image picked up by the first imaging unit. The label
reading unit 53 detects an image of benefit indication from an
image picked up by the second imaging unit.
[0089] In the above explanation, the barcode reading unit 52 reads
the commodity information (the barcode data C1) from the barcode 62
and then the label reading unit 53 reads the benefit information
from the benefit indication label. However, order of reading
information is not limited to this. As another example, it is also
possible that, after the label reading unit 53 reads the benefit
information from the benefit indication label, the barcode reading
unit 52 reads the commodity information from the barcode 62.
[0090] Computer programs executed in the code reading apparatus 2
and 202 according to the embodiments are provided while being
incorporated in the ROM 42 or the like in advance. The computer
programs executed in the code reading apparatuses 2 and 202
according to the embodiments may be provided while being recorded
in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a
flexible disk (FD) , a CD-R, a digital versatile disk (DVD), or the
like as a file of an installable format or an executable
format.
[0091] The computer programs executed in the code reading
apparatuses 2 and 202 according to the embodiments may be stored on
a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided
by being downloaded through the network. The computer programs
executed in the code reading apparatuses 2 and 202 according to the
embodiments may be provided or distributed through the network such
as the Internet.
[0092] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments per
se. In an implementation stage, it is possible to modify and embody
the elements without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. It is possible to form various inventions according to
appropriate combinations of the plural elements disclosed in the
embodiments. For example, several elements may be deleted from all
the elements disclosed in the embodiments. The embodiments
disclosed in the different embodiments may be combined.
[0093] As explained above, the code reading apparatuses 2 and 202
according to the embodiments perform, for the predetermined time
after one of commodity information and benefit information is read,
capturing of an image of the commodity information or the benefit
information by the imaging unit until the other image not detected
yet is detected. Therefore, even if attaching positions of a
barcode and a discount label are apart from each other, the
operator can pick up an image of a commodity again. Consequently,
it is possible to automatically perform discount processing without
requiring discount processing operation by the operator.
* * * * *