JP2009169931A - Optical information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration capable of quickly grasping the printing quality of an information code attached to an object and quickly, satisfactorily and effectively using the printing quality information. <P>SOLUTION: An information code reader 20 is configured so as to detect the position detection pattern of a QR code Q on the basis of light-receiving results by a light-receiving sensor 23 and to calculate the luminance of bright color cells and dark color cells of the detected position detection pattern. Furthermore, the information code reader 20 is configured so as to calculate contrast of the position detection pattern, on the basis of the luminance detection result and to notify a user or record in a recording means a margin (printing quality information), obtained by reflecting the calculated contrast of the position detection pattern and a threshold (reference information) to be reference in evaluating the contrast. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reader.

Information codes such as barcodes and QR codes are widely used in various industries such as the distribution industry. This type of information code is used by being attached to various objects by printing with a printer, direct marking, etc. As a device for optically reading such an information code, a bar code reader or the like is used. Optical information readers are widely used.
JP-A-9-128469

  The information code as described above is formed by, for example, a method of printing on a printing medium such as paper by a printer or the like, or a method of performing a direct marking process on a metal or resin material product. Various methods for forming the information code are considered in this way, and the print quality of the formed information code may vary greatly due to the influence of the forming method and the object.

  The printing quality of the information code has a great influence on the reading process of the information code. For example, when the printing quality of the information code is extremely bad, it is difficult to perform the reading process normally. Therefore, in the field of the optical information reading apparatus, a configuration capable of evaluating the print quality of the information code as desired is desired. For example, a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided. According to the technique of this patent document 1, it is possible to perform a comprehensive evaluation of a printing state using contrast as one evaluation item. However, there is a concern that the evaluation process may be long and complicated, and the contrast is specific. There is also a problem that it is difficult to judge whether it is a degree.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and provides a configuration capable of quickly grasping the print quality of an information code attached to an article and quickly and effectively using the print quality information. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that the information is received based on a light receiving means for receiving reflected light from an information code comprising a plurality of light-colored cells and a plurality of dark-colored cells, and a light reception result by the light receiving means. An optical information reader comprising: generating means for generating code image data; and decoding means for performing decoding processing based on the image data generated by the generating means, wherein the light receiving means receives light Based on the specific part detecting means for detecting a specific part constituting a part of the information code based on the result, and at least one of the light cell and the dark color cell in the specific part detected by the specific part detecting means A calculation means for calculating an evaluation value indicating an image state of the specific portion according to a predetermined evaluation method, and based on the evaluation value obtained by the calculation means The printing quality information of said information code obtained by reflecting the evaluation value, characterized in that and a calculation result utilization means for recording the notification or the recording means to the user.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the calculation means calculates the luminance of the light cell and the dark cell in the specific portion detected by the specific portion detection means. A luminance detection means to be obtained; and a contrast calculation means for calculating a contrast of the specific part as the evaluation value of the specific part based on a detection result by the luminance detection means, wherein the calculation result utilization means is the contrast calculation The print quality information of the information code obtained by reflecting the contrast of the specific part calculated by the means and the contrast reference value used as a reference for evaluating the contrast is notified to the user or the It records on a recording means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the contrast reference value is a predetermined threshold value, and the calculation result using means is calculated by the contrast calculating means. The contrast of the specific part is compared with the threshold value, and the difference between the contrast of the specific part and the threshold value is notified as the print quality information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the contrast calculating means sets the brightness of the bright cell in the specific portion as X, and the dark color in the specific portion. When the luminance of the cell is Y, a value obtained by the following expression (XY) / X is calculated as the contrast of the specific portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the luminance detecting means is at least one position of the light cell arranged in the specific portion. And the brightness of at least one position of the dark color cell arranged in the specific portion is extracted to detect the brightness of the light cell and the dark color cell of the specific portion, respectively. And

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the brightness detecting means is any one of the light-colored cells arranged in the specific portion, and In each of the dark cells, the brightness of a predetermined center position and both side positions sandwiching the center position is extracted, and the brightness of the light cell of the specific portion is determined in a single light cell. Is detected based on the luminance extraction results at the center position and the both side positions, and the luminance of the dark cell in the specific portion is determined based on the luminance extraction results at the center position and the both side positions in a single dark cell. It is characterized by detecting.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the information code is a QR code, and the specific portion detection means is configured to detect the QR code. A position detection pattern is detected as the specific portion.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the optical information reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the specific portion detection means attempts to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code, and the contrast calculation means includes The contrast is calculated for each of the position detection patterns detected by the specific part detection unit, and the calculation result using unit is configured to print the print based on the contrast for each of the position detection patterns calculated by the contrast calculation unit. Quality information is generated, and the printing quality information is notified or recorded.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the optical information reading device according to the eighth aspect, wherein when all the position detection patterns are not detected by the specific portion detecting means, the image data of the QR code is predetermined. Image processing means for performing one or a plurality of image processing based on one or a plurality of processing settings, and the specific portion detecting means for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting Then, the detection of the position detection pattern is retried, and the contrast calculation means calculates the contrast for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each process setting, and the calculation result using means determines each process setting. And the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the contrast in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting And notifying or recording.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the image data of the QR code includes image processing means for performing a plurality of image processings according to a plurality of predetermined processing settings. The specific portion detection means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting, and the contrast calculation means corresponds to each processing setting. The contrast is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data, and the decoding means includes the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently among the plurality of image processed data, The image-processed data in which the contrast of the position detection pattern is maximized, and a contrast in the plurality of position detection patterns Each of the image-processed data with the smallest variation is decoded, and the calculation result using means has the smallest number of error corrections among the plurality of image-processed data subjected to the decode process. The image processed data is selected, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the image data of the QR code is one or more based on one or more predetermined processing settings. Image processing means for performing the image processing, and when the position detection pattern is detected by the specific part detection means, the image processing means is detected with respect to the detected position detection pattern or the detected position detection pattern. The image processing is performed on the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, and the contrast calculation unit calculates a contrast of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit, and uses the calculation result utilization unit. Is based on the contrast of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing means. It generates a broadcast, characterized by the printed notice the quality information or recording.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the first aspect, the calculation means uses at least one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the specific portion as the evaluation value of the specific portion. A thickness state value calculating unit that calculates a thickness state value that is a value obtained by quantifying the thickness state of the image according to a predetermined thickness state value calculating method, and the calculation result using unit calculates the thickness state value Based on the thickness state value of the specific portion calculated by the means, the print quality information reflecting the thickness state value is generated, and the print quality information is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. It is characterized by that.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twelfth aspect, the calculation result using means has a thickness reference value as a reference for evaluating the thickness state value determined in advance. A value indicating a difference between the thickness state value of the specific portion calculated by the thickness state value calculating unit and the thickness reference value, or a ratio of the thickness state value to the thickness reference value. The indicated value is notified as the print quality information.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the thickness state value calculating means is either one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the specific portion. A value indicating the ratio of one width value W1 to the added value of W1 and W2 when the width value is W1 and the other width value is W2 is calculated as the thickness state value of the specific portion. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the thickness state value calculating unit is configured to store the light cell arranged in the specific portion. A width value for one cell and a width value for one cell of the dark cell arranged in the specific portion are extracted, and a width value for one cell of the light cell and one cell of the dark cell are extracted. The thickness state value is calculated based on a width value.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects, the information code is a QR code, and the specific portion detection unit is configured to detect the QR code. A position detection pattern is detected as the specific portion.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the sixteenth aspect, the specific portion detecting unit is configured to try to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code, and the thickness state value The calculating means calculates the thickness state value for each of the position detection patterns detected by the specific part detecting means, and the calculation result using means calculates the position calculated by the thickness state value calculating means. The print quality information is generated based on the thickness state value for each detection pattern, and the print quality information is notified or recorded.

  The optical information reader according to claim 18 is predetermined for the image data of the QR code when not all the position detection patterns are detected by the specific portion detection unit. Image processing means for performing one or a plurality of image processing based on one or a plurality of processing settings, and the specific portion detecting means for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting The thickness state value calculating means calculates the thickness state value for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and the calculation result The utilization means associates each processing setting with the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the thickness state value in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting. And notifying or recording Te.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical information reading device according to the eighteenth aspect, further comprising image processing means for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data of the QR code according to a plurality of predetermined processing settings. The specific portion detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting, and the thickness state value calculating means The thickness state value is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to the image processing data, and the decoding means detects the position detection pattern most frequently among the plurality of image processed data. Image-processed data, the image-processed data in which the thickness state value of the position detection pattern approaches the most appropriate value, and a plurality of the position detection patterns before Each of the image processed data with the smallest variation in thickness state value is decoded, and the calculation result using means is the error that is the most error among the plurality of the image processed data subjected to the decoding processing. The image processed data having a small number of corrections is selected, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, one or more of the image data of the QR code is determined based on one or more predetermined processing settings. Image processing means for performing the image processing, and when the position detection pattern is detected by the specific part detection means, the image processing means is detected with respect to the detected position detection pattern or the detected position detection pattern. The image processing is performed on the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, and the thickness state value calculating unit calculates the thickness state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit. Then, the calculation result utilization unit is configured to perform the marking based on the thickness state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit. It generates quality information, characterized in that the printing notifies the quality information or recording.

  The invention according to claim 21 is the optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means uses a blurred state value, which is a value obtained by quantifying the blurred state of the specific part, as the evaluation value of the specific part. A blur state value calculating unit that calculates in accordance with a predetermined blur state value calculating method, wherein the calculation result using unit is based on the blur state value of the specific portion calculated by the blur state value calculating unit. The print quality information reflecting the status value is generated, and the print quality information is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means.

  The invention according to claim 22 is the optical information reader according to claim 21, wherein the calculation result using means has a predetermined blur reference value as a reference for evaluating the blur state value, The value indicating the difference between the blurred state value of the specific portion calculated by the blurred state value calculating unit and the blurred reference value, or the value indicating the ratio of the blurred state value to the blurred reference value is the print quality information. It is characterized by notifying.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twenty-first or twenty-second aspect, the blur state value calculating means should be arranged such that the dark color cells or the light color cells in the specific portion are continuously arranged. A dark color portion and a light color portion are extracted in the area, and a value indicating an arrangement ratio of the dark color portion and the light color portion is calculated as the blur state value of the specific portion.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twenty-third aspect, the fading state value calculating means is configured such that the dark color portion or the light color cell is in the region where the dark color cells or the light color cells are to be continuously arranged. The arrangement interval at which the light color portion is arranged and the width value of the dark color portion or the light color portion are extracted, and the value indicating the ratio of the width value of the dark color portion or the light color portion to the arrangement interval, It is calculated as the faint state value of a specific part.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-fourth aspects, the information code is a QR code, and the specific portion detecting unit is configured to detect the QR code. A position detection pattern is detected as the specific portion.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the specific part detecting means is configured to try to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code, and the blur state value calculation is performed. The means calculates the blurred state value for each position detection pattern detected by the specific portion detecting means, and the calculation result utilizing means calculates the position detection pattern calculated by the blurred state value calculating means. The print quality information is generated on the basis of the blurred state value, and the print quality information is notified or recorded.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twenty-sixth aspect, when all the position detection patterns are not detected by the specific portion detecting means, the image data of the QR code is predetermined. Image processing means for performing one or a plurality of image processing based on one or a plurality of processing settings, and the specific portion detecting means for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting Then, the detection of the position detection pattern is attempted again, and the blurred state value calculating unit calculates the blurred state value for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and the calculation result using unit Each processing setting, the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the blurred state value in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, And notifying or recorded with response.

  A twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is the optical information reading apparatus according to the twenty-seventh aspect, further comprising image processing means for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data of the QR code according to a plurality of predetermined processing settings. The specific portion detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting, and the blurred state value calculating means sets each processing setting to each processing setting. The blur state value is calculated for each position detection pattern in each corresponding image processed data, and the decoding means detects the image processing in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently among a plurality of the image processed data. Between the completed data, the image-processed data in which the blurred state value of the position detection pattern approaches the most appropriate value, and a plurality of the position detection patterns. Each of the image-processed data having the smallest variation in the faint state value is decoded, and the calculation result using unit is the most out of the plurality of the image-processed data subjected to the decode process. The image processed data having a small number of error corrections is selected, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded.

  According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth aspect, the image data of the QR code is one or more based on one or more predetermined processing settings. Image processing means for performing the image processing, and when the position detection pattern is detected by the specific part detection means, the image processing means is detected with respect to the detected position detection pattern or the detected position detection pattern. The image processing is performed on the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, and the blurred state value calculation unit calculates the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit, The calculation result using means is based on the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing means. Serial generates print quality information, and notifies or recording the print quality information.

  The invention of claim 30 is the optical information reader according to any one of claims 9 to 11, 18 to 20, and 27 to 29, wherein the QR code Image processing means for performing one or more image processing on image data based on one or more predetermined processing settings, and the calculation result using means after the image processing is performed according to the processing settings When the position detection pattern is detected or the decoding process is performed on the image-processed data, “the number of detections of the position detection pattern is increased than before the image processing”, “error correction than before the image processing” In the case where any of “the number is reduced” and “decoding process is successful”, the result is notified to the user.

  The invention of claim 31 is the optical information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, 18 to 20, and 27 to 30, wherein the image processing means is And a changing means for changing the dynamic range of the image data.

  A thirty-second aspect of the invention is the optical information reading device according to any one of the first to thirty-first aspects, wherein the illuminating means for irradiating illumination light toward the information code and the illuminating means are controlled. Illumination control means, and lighting pattern setting means for setting a lighting pattern of the lighting means, wherein the lighting control means performs lighting with the lighting pattern set by the lighting pattern setting means. It is characterized by controlling.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the thirty-second aspect, the generation unit is configured to store the information code based on the light reception result for each lighting pattern whose setting is changed by the lighting pattern setting unit. The image data is generated for each lighting pattern, and the decoding unit is configured to perform the decoding process on the image data for each lighting pattern, and the calculating unit is configured to perform the image processing for each lighting pattern. Among the data, the evaluation value is calculated for the image data that has been normally decoded by the decoding means, and the calculation result using means is used to calculate the evaluation value for the image data that has been normally executed. The print quality information obtained based on the notification is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means.

  The invention of claim 34 is the optical information reader according to claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the illumination means comprises a plurality of illumination light sources, and the lighting pattern setting means comprises at least a plurality of the illumination pattern setting means. A lighting position in an illumination light source is set, and the lighting control unit controls the lighting unit to perform lighting at the lighting position set by the lighting pattern setting unit.

  The invention of claim 35 is the optical information reader according to any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein the illumination means has a plurality of color light emitting sections, and the lighting pattern setting means. Sets at least lighting colors in the light emitting sections of the plurality of colors, and the lighting control means controls the lighting means to perform lighting with the lighting colors set by the lighting pattern setting means. To do.

  The invention of claim 36 is the optical information reader according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the illumination means comprises a plurality of illumination light sources, and the lighting pattern setting means is The lighting time of each of the plurality of illumination light sources is set, and the lighting control means performs the lighting corresponding to each lighting time of the plurality of illumination light sources set by the lighting pattern setting means. The means is controlled.

  The invention of claim 37 is the optical information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the illumination control means is configured to detect the lighting pattern of the illumination means during exposure of the light receiving means. It is characterized by switching.

  According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to any one of the thirty-second to thirty-seventh aspects, the calculation result using means obtains a plurality of the print quality information obtained in the past. The lighting pattern used in the acquisition of the print quality information is associated with each of the lighting patterns and stored in the storage unit, and the lighting pattern setting unit stores the past prints stored in the storage unit. The past lighting pattern associated with the quality information is set as a new lighting pattern used for the illumination means.

  According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical information reading device according to the thirty-eighth aspect, the lighting pattern setting unit is associated with each of the past print quality information stored in the storage unit. The lighting patterns are ordered in the order of good print quality of the plurality of past print quality information, and the illumination control means performs the lighting in the order of the lighting patterns ordered by the lighting pattern setting means. The lighting unit is controlled, and the decoding unit performs the decoding process on the image data for each of the ordered lighting patterns.

  The invention according to claim 40 is the optical information reader according to claim 39, wherein the lighting pattern setting means is the decoding means for the image data for each lighting pattern ordered by the lighting pattern setting means. When the decoding process is performed by the above, if a reading failure occurs for all the image data for each lighting pattern, the lighting patterns other than the plurality of lighting patterns ordered are set as new lighting patterns. The decoding means performs the decoding process on the image data obtained by lighting the illumination means with the new lighting pattern, and the calculating means is the image data obtained by lighting with the new lighting pattern. If the decoding process is successfully performed for the image data, The evaluation value is calculated, and the calculation result utilization unit notifies the user of the print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value for the image data that has been normally performed or records the information on the recording unit. Features.

Note that the invention according to claim 32 may be an independent configuration instead of being dependent on any one of claims 1 to 31.
That is, an optical information reading apparatus including an illuminating unit that irradiates illumination light toward the information code, and an illumination control unit that controls the illuminating unit, wherein the lighting unit sets a lighting pattern of the illuminating unit. A configuration including a pattern setting unit may be employed, and the illumination control unit may control the illumination unit so as to perform lighting with the lighting pattern set by the lighting pattern setting unit.
Furthermore, such a configuration may be configured by adding the configuration of any one of claims 34 to 37 or a plurality of terms.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, attention is paid to a specific part constituting a part of the information code, and an evaluation value indicating the image state of the specific part is calculated. In this way, the processing speed can be increased compared to a configuration in which an image is evaluated based on the entire area of the information code. Also, the print quality information is generated by reflecting the evaluation value of the specific part, and this is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. In this way, it is possible to quickly grasp the print quality of the target information code, and to use it quickly and effectively.

  In the second aspect of the invention, attention is paid to a specific part constituting a part of the information code, and the contrast of the specific part is calculated. In this way, the processing speed can be increased compared to a configuration in which contrast is acquired based on the entire area of the information code. Also, the print quality information is generated by reflecting the contrast of the specific portion and the contrast reference value that is a reference for evaluating the contrast, and the print quality information is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. In this way, it is possible to quickly grasp the print quality of the target information code, and to use it quickly and effectively.

  In the invention of claim 3, the contrast of the specific part calculated by the contrast calculating means is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and the difference between the contrast of the specific part and the threshold value is notified as print quality information. In this way, it is possible to convey to the user in an easy-to-understand manner what the contrast is, and the user can grasp the print quality with high accuracy based on quantitative criteria.

  In the invention of claim 4, when the brightness of the bright cell in the specific part is X and the brightness of the dark cell in the specific part is Y, the value obtained by the following equation (XY) / X is It is calculated as the contrast of a specific part. By doing this, it is possible to obtain a numerical value that favorably reflects the dark color cell and the light color cell of the specific portion.

  In the invention of claim 5, the luminance of at least one position of the light cell arranged in the specific portion is extracted, and the luminance of at least one position of the dark cell arranged in the specific portion is extracted, thereby The brightness of the light cell and the dark cell is detected. In this way, if the luminance at least at one position is extracted as a representative value, the contrast calculation process can be speeded up.

  In the invention of claim 6, the brightness of the light cell in the specific part is detected based on the brightness extraction results at the center position and both side positions in the single light cell, and the brightness of the dark cell in the specific part is simply determined. Detection is based on the luminance extraction results at the center position and both side positions in one dark cell. In this way, the influence of noise can be effectively suppressed when the noise is concentrated at a specific position.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the QR code is to be read, and the position detection pattern of the QR code is detected as a “specific portion”. If the position detection pattern having the prescribed shape is used as a target part for calculating the contrast, the bright cell and the dark cell can be identified with high accuracy without using a complicated detection method, and the contrast can be calculated quickly and satisfactorily. In particular, in the QR code reading process, since the position detection pattern can be specified at an initial stage, the contrast calculation process can be further speeded up.

  The invention of claim 8 attempts to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code, calculates contrast for each detected position detection pattern, and print quality information based on the calculated contrast for each position detection pattern. Is generated. In this way, if the configuration is such that the contrast of a plurality of position detection patterns can be calculated and the print quality information is generated based on these contrasts, a single position detection pattern can be obtained while realizing a quick grasp of the print quality. Compared with the configuration for calculating only the contrast, the print quality information reflecting the print quality of the entire code more appropriately can be obtained.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when all the position detection patterns are not detected, one or a plurality of image processes are performed on the QR code image data based on one or a plurality of predetermined process settings. The position detection pattern is retried for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to the setting. In this way, even if the position detection pattern cannot be detected, the state of the position detection pattern can be grasped based on the image processing. In addition, the contrast is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and each processing setting and the detection result and contrast of the position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting are calculated. The calculation result is notified or recorded in association with each other. By doing this, it is possible to grasp the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the contrast for each processing setting, and it becomes easy to effectively use the appropriate processing setting.

  In the invention of claim 10, among the plurality of image processed data, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, the image processed data in which the contrast of the position detection pattern is maximized, and the plurality of position detections Each of the image-processed data having the smallest contrast variation in the pattern is decoded, and the image-processed data having the smallest number of error corrections is selected, and the processing setting for obtaining the image-processed data is notified or I try to record. As described above, if each of the plurality of image processed data that is considered to have been effectively processed is subjected to decoding processing, and the image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections is selected from among the decoded data, Highly reliable image processed data can be acquired, and processing settings for obtaining the data can be used effectively.

  In the invention of claim 11, when a position detection pattern is detected, image processing is performed on the detected position detection pattern or on the detected position detection pattern and quiet zone, and the image processing is performed. The contrast of the position detection pattern after having been calculated is calculated. Then, print quality information is generated based on the contrast of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed, and the print quality information is notified or recorded. If image processing is not performed on the entire information code in this way, but is performed on the position detection pattern, or the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, and the contrast of the position detection pattern is calculated, image processing can be accelerated. The contrast calculation result of the position detection pattern after image processing can be used.

  In the invention of claim 12, paying attention to a specific part constituting a part of the information code, as an evaluation value indicating the image state of the specific part, the thickness of at least one of the light cell and the dark cell in the specific part A thickness state value, which is a value obtained by quantifying the state, is calculated according to a predetermined thickness state value calculation method. In this way, it is possible to speed up the processing as compared with the configuration in which the thickness state is calculated for the entire area of the information code, and it is possible to quantitatively grasp the thickness state. Further, the print quality information is generated by reflecting the thickness state value of the specific part, and this is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. In this way, it is possible to quickly grasp the print quality of the target information code (specifically, the thickness state of the cell), and to quickly and effectively use it. It becomes like this.

  In the invention of claim 13, the thickness state value of the specific portion calculated by the thickness state value calculating means is compared with a predetermined thickness reference value, and the thickness state value and the thickness reference value of the specific portion are A value indicating the difference between these values or a value indicating the ratio of the thickness state value to the thickness reference value is notified as print quality information. In this way, the thickness of the cell (in other words, how thick the cell is) can be communicated to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. Based on this, the print quality can be grasped with high accuracy.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the width value of one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the specific portion is W1, and the other width value is W2, one width value with respect to the added value of W1 and W2 A value indicating the ratio of W1 is calculated as the thickness state value of the specific portion. In this way, it is possible to appropriately quantify the ratio between the widths of the light cell and the dark cell, and to obtain a numerical value that favorably reflects the thickness state of the dark cell or the light cell. .

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the width value for one cell of the light color cell arranged in the specific portion and the width value for one cell of the dark color cell arranged in the specific portion are extracted, and 1 of the light color cell is extracted. The thickness state value is calculated based on the width value of the cell and the width value of one dark cell. In this way, the thickness state value can be calculated more quickly and effectively.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the QR code is to be read, and the position detection pattern of the QR code is detected as a “specific portion”. If the position detection pattern having a prescribed shape as described above is a target part for calculating the thickness state value, it is possible to specify the light cell and the dark cell with high accuracy without using a complicated detection method. Can be calculated quickly and satisfactorily. In particular, in the QR code reading process, the position detection pattern can be specified in the initial stage, so that the thickness state value calculation process can be further speeded up.

  The invention of claim 17 attempts to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code, calculates a thickness state value for each detected position detection pattern, and calculates the calculated thickness state value for each position detection pattern. Print quality information is generated based on the above. In this way, if the thickness state value of the plurality of position detection patterns is calculated, the thickness state value can be quickly calculated without using complicated processing at a plurality of positions separated from each other in the QR code, Further, if the print quality information is generated based on the thickness status values, the print quality of the entire code is more appropriately compared with the configuration in which only the thickness status value of a single position detection pattern is calculated. Reflected print quality information can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 18 performs one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings when not all position detection patterns are detected. The position detection pattern is retried for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to the setting. In this way, even if the position detection pattern cannot be detected, the state of the position detection pattern can be grasped based on the image processing. In addition, a thickness state value is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and each processing setting and detection of a position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting are detected. The result and the calculation result of the thickness state value are associated with each other and notified or recorded. In this way, the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the thickness state value for each processing setting can be grasped, and it becomes easy to effectively use the appropriate processing setting.

  In the invention of claim 19, among the plurality of image processed data, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, the image processed data in which the thickness state value of the position detection pattern is closest to the appropriate value, Decoding processing is performed for each of the image processed data with the smallest variation in thickness state value in the plurality of position detection patterns. In this way, it is possible to selectively perform decoding processing on a plurality of pieces of image processed data that are considered to have been effectively processed. Further, the image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections is selected from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded. ing. In this way, more reliable image processed data can be acquired, and processing settings for obtaining the data can be used effectively.

  In the twentieth aspect, when a position detection pattern is detected, image processing is performed on the detected position detection pattern, or on the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone. In this way, if the image processing is not performed on the entire information code but is selectively performed on the position detection pattern or the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, the area necessary for obtaining the thickness state value can be obtained. On the other hand, image processing can be performed efficiently, and image processing can be performed appropriately and quickly. Further, since the print quality information is generated based on the thickness state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing and the print quality information is notified or recorded, the thickness of the position detection pattern after the image processing is recorded. The state value can be used effectively.

  The invention of claim 21 pays attention to a specific part constituting a part of the information code, and uses a blurred state value which is a value obtained by quantifying the blurred state of the specific part as an evaluation value indicating the image state of the specific part. The calculation is performed according to a predetermined blurred state value calculation method. In this way, it is possible to speed up the processing as compared with the configuration for calculating the fading state for the entire area of the information code, and it is possible to quantitatively grasp the fading state. Furthermore, the print quality information is generated by reflecting the blurred state value of the specific part, and this is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. In this way, the print quality information of the target information code (Specifically, what kind of faint state the cell is) can be quickly grasped and can be effectively used quickly.

  The invention according to claim 22 is a value indicating a difference between the blurred state value of the specific portion and the blurred reference value by comparing the blurred state value of the specific portion calculated by the blurred state value calculating means with a predetermined blurred reference value. Or a value indicating the ratio of the blurred state value to the blurred reference value is notified as print quality information. In this way, it is possible to convey to the user in an easy-to-understand manner what the cell is in a faint state, and the user can accurately grasp the print quality based on a quantitative standard.

  In the invention of claim 23, a dark color portion and a light color portion are extracted in a region where dark cells or light cells in a specific portion should be continuously arranged, and a value indicating an arrangement ratio of the dark color portion and the light color portion is represented by: It is calculated as a blurred state value of a specific part. In this way, the ratio of the actual dark color portion or light color portion to the dark color region or light color region that should be originally arranged can be appropriately quantified, and a numerical value that accurately reflects the blurred state of the cell can be obtained.

  In the invention of claim 24, in a region where dark cells or light cells should be continuously arranged, an arrangement interval in which the dark color portion or the light color portion is arranged and a width value of the dark color portion or the light color portion are extracted, A value indicating the ratio of the width value of the dark color portion or the light color portion to the arrangement interval is calculated as the blurred state value of the specific portion. In this way, the arrangement ratio of the light color part and the dark color part can be quantified more quickly and satisfactorily.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, a QR code is a reading target, and a position detection pattern of the QR code is detected as a “specific portion”. If the position detection pattern having the prescribed shape is set as a target part for calculating the blur state value, the bright cell and the dark cell can be accurately identified without using a complicated detection method, and the blur state value can be quickly determined. And it can be calculated well. In particular, in the QR code reading process, since the position detection pattern can be specified at an initial stage, the blur state value calculation process can be further accelerated.

  The invention of claim 26 attempts to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code, calculates a blurred state value for each detected position detection pattern, and based on the calculated blurred state value for each position detection pattern. Print quality information. In this way, if it is configured to calculate the blur state value of a plurality of position detection patterns, it is possible to quickly calculate the blur state value without using complicated processing at a plurality of positions separated from each other in the QR code. If the configuration generates print quality information based on the blurred state value, the print quality more appropriately reflects the print quality of the entire code compared to a configuration that calculates only the blurred state value of a single position detection pattern. Information will be obtained.

  According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, when not all position detection patterns are detected, one or a plurality of image processes are performed on the QR code image data based on one or a plurality of predetermined process settings. The position detection pattern is retried for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to the setting. In this way, even if the position detection pattern cannot be detected, the state of the position detection pattern can be grasped based on the image processing. Further, a blur state value is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and each processing setting and a detection result of the position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting And the calculation result of the blurred state value is associated with the notification or recording. In this way, the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the blurred state value for each processing setting can be grasped, and it becomes easy to effectively use the appropriate processing setting.

  The invention of claim 28 is the image-processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently among the plurality of image-processed data, the image-processed data in which the blur state value of the position detection pattern approaches the most appropriate value, Decoding processing is performed for each of the image-processed data that minimizes the variation in the blur state value in the plurality of position detection patterns. In this way, it is possible to selectively perform decoding processing on a plurality of pieces of image processed data that are considered to have been effectively processed. Further, the image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections is selected from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded. ing. In this way, more reliable image processed data can be acquired, and processing settings for obtaining the data can be used effectively.

  In a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, when a position detection pattern is detected, image processing is performed on the detected position detection pattern or on the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone. In this way, instead of performing image processing on the entire information code, if it is performed selectively with respect to the position detection pattern, or the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, the area necessary for obtaining the blurred state value can be obtained. Image processing can be performed efficiently, and image processing can be performed appropriately and quickly. Further, since the print quality information is generated based on the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed and the print quality information is notified or recorded, the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed. Can be used effectively.

  The invention of claim 30 is configured to perform one or more image processing on the QR code image data based on one or more predetermined processing settings, and image processing is performed according to each processing setting. When the position detection pattern is detected or decoded for the image-processed data after that, “the number of detected position detection patterns is increased compared to before image processing”, “the number of error corrections before image processing” In the case where any one of “Decrease” and “Decoding process succeeded” is met, the result is notified to the user. In this way, when the image processing is effectively performed, the fact can be transmitted to the user, and the user can effectively use the result.

  In the invention of claim 31, since the image processing means has a changing means for changing the dynamic range of the image data, the degree of freedom of the image processing is further increased.

  In the invention of claim 32, the lighting unit is controlled to be lit with the lighting pattern set by the lighting pattern setting unit. If it does in this way, the lighting pattern of an illumination means can be switched and used, and the print quality information according to a lighting pattern can be acquired and utilized.

  In the invention of claim 33, an evaluation value is calculated for image data that has been normally decoded among image data for each lighting pattern, and print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value is notified to the user or Recorded on recording means. In this way, even if the decoding process is not normally performed with a certain lighting pattern, the lighting pattern can be changed to increase the probability of a successful decoding process. Furthermore, even if the print quality information cannot be obtained with a certain lighting pattern, it is possible to increase the possibility of acquiring the print quality information by changing the lighting pattern, which is more advantageous in obtaining and using the print quality information. Become.

  In the invention of claim 34, the lighting pattern is set by the lighting pattern setting means, and the lighting means is controlled so that the lighting is performed at the set lighting position. In this case, the possibility of successful decoding can be effectively increased when the image state is easily changed by changing the lighting position (for example, when reading an information code obtained by direct marking). More advantageous.

  In the invention of claim 35, the lighting pattern is set by the lighting pattern setting means, and the lighting means is controlled so that lighting is performed with the set lighting color. This makes it possible to effectively increase the possibility of successful decoding when the image state is easily changed by changing the lighting color, which is more advantageous for such reading.

  The invention of claim 36 sets the lighting time of each of the plurality of illumination light sources by the lighting pattern setting means, and the lighting means so as to perform lighting corresponding to each lighting time of the set plurality of illumination light sources. I have control. In this way, the lighting pattern can be switched easily and satisfactorily.

  The invention of claim 37 is configured to switch the lighting pattern of the illumination means during exposure of the light receiving means. In this way, more lighting patterns can be used in a short time.

  In a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of print quality information obtained in the past is stored in the storage means in association with the lighting pattern used in acquiring each print quality information, and the storage is stored. The past lighting pattern is set as a new lighting pattern. In this way, since it is possible to set the lighting pattern after grasping what kind of printing quality information has been obtained in the past with which lighting pattern, it becomes easy to set the lighting pattern that makes it easy to obtain the expected printing quality.

  In the invention of claim 39, each lighting pattern associated with a plurality of past print quality information is ordered in the order of good print quality of the plurality of past print quality information, and lighting is performed in that order. The lighting means is controlled. In this way, it is possible to preferentially turn on a lighting pattern in which better print quality is easily obtained, and it is possible to more quickly acquire image data that is likely to be decoded normally. In addition, since the image data for each lighting pattern thus ordered is decoded, the normal decoding of the information code is performed more quickly, and further the normal decoding is performed. Printing quality information about image data can be acquired and used more quickly.

  In the invention of claim 40, when a reading failure occurs for all the image data for each of the ordered lighting patterns, new lighting patterns other than the plurality of lighting patterns ordered are set. In this way, even if a desired result cannot be obtained by the previously accumulated lighting patterns, other lighting patterns can be tried anew. Further, when the decoding process is normally performed on the image data obtained by lighting with the new lighting pattern, the print quality information about the image data is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. If it does in this way, after trying a new lighting pattern as a next best measure, the result about the new lighting pattern can be used more effectively.

[First embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an optical information reading device of the invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an information code reader 20 according to the first embodiment of the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information code reader 20 mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, a filter 25, and an imaging lens 27, a memory 35, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, and a liquid crystal display. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system such as the device 46 and a power system such as a power switch 41 and a battery 49 are configured. These are mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) or housed in a housing (not shown).

  The optical system includes an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, a filter 25, an imaging lens 27, and the like. The illumination light source 21 functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a diffusion lens, a condensing lens, and the like provided on the emission side of the LED. In the present embodiment, a plurality of illumination light sources 21 are provided, and configured to irradiate the illumination light Lf toward the reading object R through a reading port of a housing (not shown). The reading object R corresponds to a display medium such as a packaging container, packaging paper, or label, for example, and a two-dimensional code is printed on the surface as an information code Q, for example. In FIG. 1, two illumination light sources 21 are illustrated, but other illumination light sources may be arranged at different positions.

  The light receiving sensor 23 is configured to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected on the reading object R and the information code Q. For example, the light receiving sensor 2 is a solid-state image pickup device such as a C-MOS or CCD. An area sensor arranged in a dimension corresponds to this. The light receiving surface 23a of the light receiving sensor 23 is positioned so as to be externally visible through the reading port from the outside of the housing. The light receiving sensor 23 can receive incident light incident through the imaging lens 27 on the light receiving surface 23a. It is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown). In the present embodiment, the light receiving sensor 23 corresponds to an example of “light receiving means”.

  The filter 25 is an optical low-pass filter that allows passage of light that is less than or equal to the wavelength of the reflected light Lr, and that can block passage of light that exceeds the wavelength, and is provided between the reading port of the housing and the imaging lens 27. Is provided. Thereby, unnecessary light exceeding the wavelength equivalent of the reflected light Lr is prevented from entering the light receiving sensor 23.

  The imaging lens 27 functions as an imaging optical system capable of condensing incident light incident from the outside via a reading port and forming an image on the light receiving surface 23a of the light receiving sensor 23. And a plurality of condensing lenses housed in the lens barrel. In the present embodiment, the illumination light Lf emitted from the illumination light source 21 is reflected by the information code Q, and the reflected light Lr incident on the reading port is collected, whereby the information code Q is reflected on the light receiving surface 23a of the light receiving sensor 23. The code image can be formed.

  Next, a configuration outline of the microcomputer system will be described. The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display device 46, and a communication interface 48. Etc. As the name suggests, this microcomputer system is composed mainly of a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing apparatus). The microcomputer system captures the image signal of the information code Q imaged by the optical system described above. It can perform signal processing in terms of hardware and software. The control circuit 40 also performs control related to the entire system of the information code reader 20.

  An image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 23 of the optical system is input to the amplification circuit 31 and amplified by a predetermined gain, and then input to the A / D conversion circuit 33. Converted into a digital signal. When the digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to the memory 35, it is stored in the image data storage area. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 23 and the address generation circuit 36. The address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. Thus, the storage address of the image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The memory 35 is a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to, for example, a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). In addition to the above-described image data storage area, the RAM of the memory 35 is configured to be able to secure a work area and a reading condition table that are used by the control circuit 40 in each processing such as arithmetic operation and logical operation. . In addition, the ROM stores in advance a predetermined program that can execute a reading process, an evaluation process, and the like, which will be described later, and a system program that can control each piece of hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the light receiving sensor 23.

  The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire information code reader 20 and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like. The control circuit 40 can constitute an information processing apparatus together with the memory 35 and has an information processing function. The control circuit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input / output devices (peripheral devices) via a built-in input / output interface. In the present embodiment, the power switch 41, the operation switch 42, the LED 43, A buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display device 46, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected.

  Thereby, for example, monitoring and management of the power switch 41 and the operation switch 42, turning on / off the LED 43 functioning as an indicator, turning on / off the buzzer 44 capable of generating a beep sound and an alarm sound, and further reading the information code Screen control of the liquid crystal display device 46 capable of displaying the code contents by Q on the screen, communication control of the communication interface 48 enabling serial communication with an external device, and the like are enabled. The external device connected to the communication interface 48 includes a host computer HST corresponding to the host system of the information code reader 20 and the like.

  The power supply system includes a power switch 41, a battery 49, and the like. When the power switch 41 managed by the control circuit 40 is turned on and off, the conduction of the drive voltage supplied from the battery 49 to each device and each circuit described above is established. Or shut off is controlled. The battery 49 is a secondary battery that can generate a predetermined DC voltage, and corresponds to, for example, a lithium ion battery. Further, the battery 49 may be configured to receive power supply from an external device such as the host computer HST connected via the communication interface 48 without using the battery 49. In this case, the battery 49 is unnecessary.

  By configuring the information code reader 20 in this manner, for example, when the power switch 41 is turned on and a predetermined self-diagnosis process or the like is normally completed and the information code Q can be read, the illumination light Lf is emitted. The input of the operation switch 42 (for example, a trigger switch) is given. As a result, when the operator presses the trigger switch to turn it on, the control circuit 40 outputs a light emission signal to the illumination light source 21 based on the synchronization signal, so that the illumination light source 21 that has received the light emission signal turns on the LED. Light is emitted to irradiate illumination light Lf.

  Then, the illumination light Lf irradiated to the information code Q is reflected, and the reflected light Lr enters the imaging lens 27 through the reading port and the filter 25, so that the imaging lens is formed on the light receiving surface 23a of the light receiving sensor 23. 27, an image of the information code Q, that is, a code image is formed. Thereby, each light receiving element which comprises the light-receiving surface 23a is exposed, and the signal according to the light reception amount is output from each light receiving element, respectively. The signal output from each light receiving element constitutes the image data of the information code. After the image data is binarized, a character is encoded as the information code Q by performing a predetermined decoding process. Data etc. will be deciphered. The decrypted contents can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 46 or output to the host computer HST via the communication interface 48. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “decoding means”.

Next, an evaluation process using the information code reader 20 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the evaluation process. This evaluation process is executed by the control circuit 40 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 35, and is started with a predetermined operation as a trigger, or is executed as a reading process subroutine. When the evaluation process is started, first, an image acquisition process is performed (S1). The image acquisition process is a process of generating image data of an information code based on the light reception result by the light receiving sensor 23 at the time of executing the process and storing it in the memory 35. The flow of generating the image data of the information code and storing it in the memory 35 is as described above. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “generating means”.

  Next, a process of setting the value of N to the initial state is performed (S2). This N functions as a counter for processing setting when performing image processing. When N = 1, the first processing setting is used in image processing described later, and when N = 2, 2 is set in image processing described later. The second processing setting is used.

Next, a position detection pattern (hereinafter also referred to as FP pattern) detection process is performed (S3). In the present embodiment, a QR code is used as an example of the information code. In S3, processing is performed so as to try to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code. The detection process of the QR code position detection pattern is well known and will not be described in detail. However, as a summary, a part where the arrangement of light cells and dark cells is a specific ratio (1: 1: 3: 1: 1) is used. Processing is performed to detect.
The position detection pattern corresponds to an example of a “specific part”. The control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a “specific part detecting unit”, and a part of the QR code is obtained based on the light reception result by the light receiving sensor 23 (that is, based on the image data obtained by the image acquisition process of S1). It functions to detect the position detection pattern that constitutes it.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of position detection patterns detected by the position detection pattern detection process is “3” (S4). Since three position detection patterns are arranged in the QR code according to the standard, the fact that three position detection patterns are detected means that all position detection patterns have been detected. In this case, the process proceeds to Yes in S4, and the contrast calculation / decoding process is performed in S5.

  In the contrast calculation / decoding process in S5, the contrast is calculated for each position detection pattern for the position detection pattern detected in S3. The contrast is calculated by detecting the brightness of the light cell and the dark cell in each position detection pattern detected in S3 and applying the detection result to a predetermined arithmetic expression.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for enlarging and explaining one position detection pattern FP1 (see also FIG. 6A) in the image data. In the present embodiment, the brightness of a plurality of bright cells and the brightness of a plurality of dark cells arranged in the position detection pattern FP1 are respectively calculated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. A plurality of light-colored cells A1, A2, A3, A4 and a plurality of dark-colored cells B1, B2, B3 arranged on a line in which dark cell arrangements have a specific ratio (1: 1: 3: 1: 1) Paying attention, the brightness of each of the cells A1 to A4 and B1 to B3 is calculated.

  The calculation of the luminance in each cell is performed by extracting the luminance at a predetermined center position and both side positions sandwiching the center position in each cell. FIG. 4 illustrates the detection of the luminance in the light cell A1 as a representative example. As shown in FIG. 4, the luminance X1 at the center position P1 in the cell is extracted and both the left and right sides sandwiching the center position P1. Luminances X2 and X3 at positions P2 and P3 and luminances X4 and X5 at both upper and lower positions P4 and P5 across the center position P1 are extracted. In the example of FIG. 4, in the left-right direction (the direction corresponding to the row direction of the image element in the light receiving sensor 23), the intermediate position between the end Pa on one end side and the center position P1 is the left position P2, and the end on one end side An intermediate position between Pb and the center position P1 is a right position P3. Further, in the vertical direction (direction corresponding to the row direction of the image elements in the light receiving sensor 23), an intermediate position between the end portion Pc on one end side and the center position P1 is set as an upper position P4, and an end portion Pd on one end side and the center position are set. An intermediate position with respect to P1 is a lower position P5.

  Then, based on the luminance extraction result at each position (that is, the center position P1, the left and right side positions P2, P3, the upper and lower side positions P4, P5) in the single light color cell extracted in this way, the position detection pattern. The luminance X of the light cell A1 of FP1 is calculated. Various examples of the method for calculating the luminance X of the light cell A1 based on the luminance values at the respective positions P1 to P5 are conceivable. In the present embodiment, the luminance X1 to X5 at the respective positions P1 to P5 are calculated. The average value (that is, (X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 + X5) / 5) is set as the luminance Xa of the light cell A1. The luminances Xb, Xc, and Xd of the other bright cells A2, A3, and A4 are similarly calculated. The average value (that is, (Xa + Xb + Xc + Xd) / 4) of the luminances Xa, Xb, Xc, and Xd of the light cells A1, A2, A3, and A4 is used as the light cell X.

  The same applies to the luminance Y of the dark cell. For example, in the case of the dark cell B1, the luminance Y1 at the center position in the single dark cell, the luminances Y2 and Y3 at the left and right side positions, and the luminance Y4 and Y5 at the upper and lower side positions. Based on this, the average value (ie, Y1 + Y2 + Y3 + Y4 + Y5) / 5) is set as the luminance Ya of the dark cell B1. The luminances Yb and Yc of the other dark cells B2 and B3 are similarly calculated. The average value (that is, (Ya + Yb + Yc) / 3) of the luminances Ya, Yb, Yc of the dark cells B1, B2, B3 is set as the luminance Y of the dark cell.

  Then, the contrast C1 of the position detection pattern FP1 is calculated on the basis of a predetermined contrast calculation formula using the brightness X and brightness Y of the dark cell thus obtained as parameters. In the present embodiment, the value obtained by (XY) / X is used as the contrast C1 of the position detection pattern FP1. In the above description, the method of detecting the contrast C1 of the position detection pattern FP1 has been described. However, the contrasts C2 and C3 of the other position detection patterns FP2 and FP3 are also detected by the same method.

Then, an average value Ca (Ca = (C1 + C2 + C3) / 3) of the contrasts C1, C2, and C3 of the three position detection patterns FP1, FP2, and FP3 obtained as described above is calculated, and this average value Ca is calculated as QR. Treat as the contrast of code Q.
In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “luminance detection means” and “contrast calculation means”.

  In contrast calculation and decoding processing in S5, not only the contrast Ca of the QR code Q but also a margin is calculated. In the present embodiment, a predetermined threshold Cs (threshold Cs corresponds to reference information for evaluating contrast) is compared with the obtained contrast Ca, and a difference Cs−Ca between the threshold Cs and the contrast Ca is compared. Is a margin Cd. The margin Cd corresponds to an example of “print quality information”.

  In S5, a decoding process is also performed. Specifically, based on current image data (image data acquired in S1, or image processed data if image processed data after image processing is performed in S10 or S11) exists. A decoding process is performed, and the possibility of decoding and the number of error corrections are verified.

  Thereafter, a storage process for storing the obtained margin Cd and the number of error corrections in the memory 35 is performed (S6). FIG. 5A illustrates the storage contents stored in the memory 35 at this time. In this embodiment, the image processing setting, the number of detected position detection patterns, and the position of the data to be processed in S5 are described. The coordinates of the detection pattern, the contrasts C1, C2, and C3 of the position detection pattern, the average value Ca of the contrast of the position detection pattern, the allowance Cd, the availability of the decoding process of S5, and the number of error corrections are stored.

  The storage process of S6 may be performed in a state where image processing (S10 or S11) described later is not performed, or may be performed after image processing described later. Whether it is after image processing can be determined by the current value of N, and N = 1 means a state in which image processing is not performed. Therefore, when N = 1, information “no image processing setting” is also stored as “image processing setting”. On the other hand, when N is 2 or more, it means that image processing has already been performed, and the value of N-1 at that time means the number of the processing setting used in the immediately preceding image processing. . Therefore, in this case, information on the (N−1) -th image processing setting is stored in association with “image processing setting”.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the margin Cd and the like obtained in S5 are stored, but such margin Cd and other information (image processing setting, number of detected position detection patterns, position detection, etc.) The coordinate of the pattern, each contrast C1, C2, C3 of the position detection pattern, the average value Ca of the contrast of the position detection pattern, whether or not decoding of S5 is possible, and the number of error corrections are output to the liquid crystal display 46 The user may be notified.

In the present embodiment, the margin Cd corresponds to an example of “print quality information”, and the margin Cd is calculated based on the calculated contrast for each position detection pattern.
Further, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 and the memory 35 correspond to an example of “calculation result utilization means”, and the contrast (Ca in the above example) of the position detection pattern and the reference for evaluating the contrast Ca The margin Cd of the QR code Q obtained by reflecting the threshold value Cs is stored in the memory 35.
The control circuit 40 and the liquid crystal display 46 function as “calculation result utilization means” and function to notify the user of the margin Cd of the QR code Q.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S4 that the number of detected position detection patterns is not 3, the process proceeds to No in S4, and it is determined whether or not the number of detection is 0 in S7. If it is not 0, the process proceeds to No in S7, and the same contrast calculation / decoding process as S5 is performed in S8. In S5, the respective contrasts C1 to C3 of the three position detection patterns FP1 to FP3 are calculated and the average value Ca is obtained. In S8, the contrast is calculated for the position detection patterns detected in S2. The method for calculating the contrast of each position detection pattern is the same as that in S5, and the average value Cb of the contrast of each position detection pattern is also calculated as in S5.

  In contrast calculation and decoding processing in S8, not only the contrast of the QR code Q (that is, the average value Cb of the contrast of each position detection pattern) but also a margin is calculated. Specifically, similarly to S5, the difference Cs−Cb between the threshold Cs and the obtained contrast (that is, the average value Cb) is set as the margin Cd.

  In S8, the decoding process is also performed. Specifically, the decoding process is performed based on the current image data (the image data acquired in S1, or the image processed data immediately after the previous image processing if the image processing has already been performed in S10 or S11). This is done to verify whether decoding is possible and the number of error corrections.

  Thereafter, similarly to S6, a storage process for storing the obtained margin Cd and the number of error corrections in the memory 35 is performed (S9). FIG. 5B shows an example of storage at this time. For the data to be processed in S8, image processing settings, the number of detected position detection patterns, the coordinates of the position detection pattern, each contrast and position of the position detection pattern. The average value Cb of the contrast of the detection pattern, the margin Cd, the availability of decoding processing in S8, and the number of error corrections are stored.

  The storage process in S9 may be performed in a state where image processing (S10 or S11) described later is not performed, or may be performed after image processing described later. Whether or not it is after image processing can be determined by the value of N, and N = 1 means that image processing is not performed. Therefore, when N = 1, information “no image processing setting” is also stored as “image processing setting”. On the other hand, when N is 2 or more, it means that image processing has already been performed, and the value of N-1 at that time means the number of the processing setting used in the immediately preceding image processing. . Therefore, in this case, as the “image processing setting”, information on the (N−1) th image processing setting is stored in association with each other.

  Thereafter, image processing is performed (S10). In S10, any one of a plurality of processing settings registered in advance is used, and image processing is performed on the image data acquired in S1. The process setting used in S10 is the Nth process setting. If the current N value is 1, the first process setting is used. If the current N value is 2, the second process setting is used. Will be used. Various settings used for image processing can be adopted as the processing settings. In the present embodiment, for example, 3 × 3 smoothing processing, 5 × 5 smoothing processing, 5 × 5 expansion processing, and the like are illustrated. Further, “processing for changing the dynamic range of image data” is also adopted as a processing setting. For example, if the current value of N is 1 and the first processing setting is 3 × 3 smoothing processing, in S10, image processing by 3 × 3 smoothing processing is performed on the image data obtained in S1. Done. If the current value of N is 3 and the third processing setting is 5 × 5 expansion processing, in S10, image processing by 5 × 5 expansion processing is performed on the image data obtained in S1. Will be.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S7 that the number of detected position detection patterns is 0, the process proceeds to Yes in S7 and image processing similar to S10 is performed. This image processing is also the same as S10, and the image processing is performed on the image data acquired in S1 using the Nth processing setting.

  When the image processing in S10 or S11 is completed, the value of N is incremented in S12, and it is determined in S13 whether the image processing has been completed for all processing settings. If the image processing has been completed for all processing settings registered in advance, the process proceeds to Yes in S13, and the evaluation processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the image processing has not been completed for all of the registered processing settings, the process proceeds to No in S13, and the processes in and after S3 are repeated.

  In this embodiment, when all the position detection patterns are not detected in S3 (that is, when No in S4), a plurality of predetermined process settings are performed on the image data of QR code Q in S10 or S11. A plurality of image processing can be performed according to the above, and in S3, the detection of the position detection pattern is tried again for each image processed data after the image processing is performed. In S5 or S8, contrast is calculated for each position detection pattern for each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and in each subsequent S6 or S9, each processing setting and each image corresponding to each processing setting are calculated. The detection result of the position detection pattern in the processed data and the calculation result of the contrast are notified or recorded in association with each other. For example, when the image data shown in FIG. 6A is acquired in the process of S1 and only one position detection pattern FP1 arranged in the region M can be detected in the first process of S3, the value of N is determined in S10. The image processing based on is performed, and the image processed data as shown in FIG. 6B is obtained. Then, the position detection pattern is detected again in S3 for such image processed data, and contrast calculation / decoding processing is performed in S5 or S8. At this time, it can be said that the image processing is effective when the contrast increases before the image processing, the number of error corrections decreases, or the one that cannot be decoded before the image processing can be decoded. In the present embodiment, in consideration of such circumstances, the processing setting used for the image processing and the evaluation result after the image processing based on the processing setting are stored or notified in association with each other. The information can be used when the same reading is performed after the evaluation process.

  In the evaluation process of FIG. 2, a decoding process may be further performed after S13. Specifically, among the plurality of image processed data obtained in the processes of S1 to S13, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently and the image processing in which the contrast between the position detection patterns is maximized. The number of error corrections among the plurality of image-processed data subjected to the decoding process, and the decoded data and the image-processed data with the smallest contrast variation in the plurality of position detection patterns. It is also possible to select image processed data with a small amount and notify or record processing settings for obtaining the image processed data.

  In addition, when the position detection pattern is detected in the subsequent S3 with respect to the image processed data after the image processing is performed in S10 or S11, the number of position detection patterns detected is greater than that before the image processing. Alternatively, the user may be notified of the result using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like. Further, when the image-processed data after the image processing in S10 or S11 is decoded in the subsequent S5 or S8, “the number of error corrections is reduced compared to before the image processing”, “decoding processing is In the case of any of “success”, the result may be notified to the user using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like.

  In the present embodiment, attention is paid to the position detection pattern constituting a part of the QR code Q, and the contrast of the position detection pattern is calculated. In this way, it is possible to speed up the processing as compared with the configuration in which the contrast is acquired based on the entire region of the QR code Q. Also, print quality information (margin) is generated reflecting the contrast of the position detection pattern and the reference information (threshold value) for evaluating the contrast, and this is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. . In this way, it is possible to quickly grasp the print quality of the target QR code Q, and to make effective use quickly.

  Further, the margin indicating the difference between the contrast of the position detection pattern and the threshold is notified as print quality information. In this way, it is possible to convey to the user in an easy-to-understand manner what the contrast is, and the user can grasp the print quality with high accuracy based on quantitative criteria.

  Further, when the brightness of the bright cell in the position detection pattern is X and the brightness of the dark cell in the position detection pattern is Y, a value obtained by the following expression (XY) / X is used as the position detection pattern. It is calculated as the contrast. By doing this, it is possible to obtain numerical values that favorably reflect the dark cells and light cells of the position detection pattern.

  In addition, by extracting the luminance of at least one position of the light cell arranged in the position detection pattern and extracting the luminance of at least one position of the dark cell arranged in the position detection pattern, the light color of the position detection pattern The luminance of the cell and the dark cell is detected. In this way, if the luminance at least at one position is extracted as a representative value, the contrast calculation process can be speeded up.

  In addition, the brightness of the light cell in the position detection pattern is detected based on the brightness extraction results at the center position and both side positions in the single light cell, and the brightness of the dark cell in the position detection pattern is determined as a single dark cell. Detection is based on the luminance extraction results at the center position and the both side positions. In this way, the influence of noise can be effectively suppressed when the noise is concentrated at a specific position.

  Further, the QR code Q is set as a reading target, and the position detection pattern of the QR code Q is detected as a “specific part”. If the position detection pattern having the prescribed shape is used as a target part for calculating the contrast, the bright cell and the dark cell can be identified with high accuracy without using a complicated detection method, and the contrast can be calculated quickly and satisfactorily. In particular, in the QR code Q reading process, the position detection pattern can be specified in the initial stage, so that the contrast calculation process can be further speeded up.

  Further, it tries to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code Q, calculates the contrast for each detected position detection pattern, and print quality information (margin) based on the calculated contrast for each position detection pattern. Is generated. In this way, if the configuration is such that the contrast of a plurality of position detection patterns can be calculated and the print quality information (margin) is generated based on these contrasts, the print quality can be quickly grasped while the print quality information can be quickly grasped. Compared with a configuration that calculates only the contrast of the position detection pattern, print quality information that more appropriately reflects the print quality of the entire code can be obtained.

  Further, when not all the position detection patterns are detected, one or a plurality of image processing is performed on the image data of the QR code Q based on one or a plurality of predetermined processing settings, and the image processing is performed according to each processing setting. In this case, the detection of the position detection pattern is tried again with respect to each image processed data after. In this way, even if the position detection pattern cannot be detected, the state of the position detection pattern can be grasped based on the image processing. In addition, the contrast is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and each processing setting and the detection result and contrast of the position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting are calculated. The calculation result is notified or recorded in association with each other. By doing this, it is possible to grasp the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the contrast for each processing setting, and it becomes easy to effectively use the appropriate processing setting.

  In addition, among the plurality of image processed data, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, the image processed data in which the contrast of the position detection pattern is the largest, and the contrast variation in the plurality of position detection patterns Each of the image processed data having the smallest value is decoded, and the image processed data having the smallest number of error corrections is selected, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded. Yes. As described above, if each of the plurality of image processed data that is considered to have been effectively processed is subjected to decoding processing, and the image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections is selected from among the decoded data, Highly reliable image processed data can be acquired, and processing settings for obtaining the data can be used effectively.

  Further, the image data of the QR code Q is configured to perform one or a plurality of image processing based on one or a plurality of predetermined processing settings, and the image after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting When position detection pattern detection or decoding processing is performed on the processed data, “the number of detected position detection patterns is increased before image processing”, “the number of error corrections is decreased before image processing”, When any of “decoding process is successful” is met, the result is notified to the user. In this way, when the image processing is effectively performed, the fact can be transmitted to the user, and the user can effectively use the result.

  Further, since the image processing means has a changing means for changing the dynamic range of the image data, the degree of freedom in image processing is further increased.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the contents of the evaluation process, and the electrical configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the electrical configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.
In this embodiment, the light receiving sensor 23 in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of “light receiving unit”, and the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “decoding unit”.

  Hereinafter, the evaluation processing performed in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of evaluation processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the calculation of the thickness state value in the position detection pattern. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration stored in the memory in S206, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration stored in the memory in S206 and S209. is there.

  The evaluation process performed in the present embodiment is also executed by the control circuit 40 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 35, and is started with a predetermined operation as a trigger or executed as a reading process subroutine. is there. When the evaluation process is started, first, an image acquisition process is performed (S201), and then a process of setting the value of N to an initial state is performed (S202). The process of S201 is the same process as S1 of FIG. 2, and the process of S202 is the same process as S2 of FIG. Also in the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 (FIG. 1) corresponds to an example of “generating means”.

Next, a position detection pattern (hereinafter also referred to as FP pattern) detection process is performed (S203). In the present embodiment, a QR code is used as an example of an information code, and the process of S203 is performed so as to try to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code, similarly to S3 of FIG.
In the present embodiment, the position detection pattern corresponds to an example of a “specific part”. Further, the control circuit 40 of FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of “specific part detecting means”, and is based on the result of light reception by the light reception sensor 23 (that is, based on the image data obtained by the image acquisition process of S201). It functions to detect a position detection pattern constituting a part.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of position detection patterns detected by the position detection pattern detection process is “3” (S204). When three position detection patterns are detected (that is, when all position detection patterns are detected), the process proceeds to Yes in S204, and the thickness state value calculation / decoding process is performed in S205.

  In the thickness state value calculation / decoding process of S205, first, an evaluation value indicating the image state of the position detection pattern (specific portion) is calculated. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “calculation unit” and “thickness state value calculation unit”, and at least one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the position detection pattern detected in S203. Based on this, it functions to calculate an evaluation value indicating the image state of the position detection pattern according to a predetermined evaluation method. More specifically, the “thickness state value” calculated in S205 or S208 corresponds to an example of “an evaluation value indicating the image state of a specific portion”, and a thickness state value calculation method described later is “predetermined value”. This corresponds to an example of “evaluation method”.

  In the thickness state value calculation / decoding process in S205, the thickness state value is calculated for each position detection pattern for the position detection pattern detected in S203. The “thickness state value” may be a value obtained by quantifying the thickness state of at least one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the specific portion (position detection pattern in the present embodiment). In the example, a value obtained by a thickness state value calculation method described later is used as the thickness state value.

  In calculating the thickness state value for each position detection pattern, first, the width value of the light color cell and the dark color cell is calculated in any of the position detection patterns detected in S203. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, in one of the position detection patterns specified in S203, a width value Wa1 for one bright cell and a width value Wb1 for one dark cell are extracted. . Then, Wb1 / (Wa1 + Wb1) that is a value indicating the ratio of the dark cell width value Wb1 to the added value (Wa1 + Wb1) of the width values Wa1 and Wb1 is calculated, and this value Wb1 / (Wa1 + Wb1) is calculated as the position detection pattern. The thickness state value D1. Similarly, thickness state values D2 and D3 for the remaining two position detection patterns are also calculated, and an average value Da (Da = (D1 + D2 + D3) of the thickness state values D1, D2, and D3 of the three position detection patterns is calculated. ) / 3) is calculated. In the present embodiment, the average value Da thus obtained is used as the thickness state value of the QR code Q.

  In the above example, when calculating the thickness state value of each position detection pattern (specific portion), the width value for one cell of the light cell and the width for one cell of the dark cell in each position detection pattern. The value is extracted, and the thickness state value of the position detection pattern is calculated based on the width value for one cell, and “bright” used when calculating the thickness state value of each position detection pattern. The “color cell width value” may be calculated based on a plurality of light color cells, and similarly, the “dark cell width value” may be calculated based on a plurality of dark color cells. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the light cell width values Wa1 and Wa2 at two predetermined positions are extracted, and the average value Wa (Wa = (Wa1 + Wa2) / 2) is used as the light cell width value. Also good. Similarly, the width values Wb1 and Wb2 of the dark cell at two predetermined positions may be extracted, and the average value Wb (Wb = (Wb1 + Wb2) / 2) may be used as the width value of the dark cell. In this case, Wb / (Wa + Wb), which is a value indicating the ratio of the average value Wb of the dark cell to the added value (Wa + Wb) of the average values Wa and Wb, can be handled as the thickness state value D1 of the position detection pattern. . Then, the thickness state values D2 and D3 of the remaining two position detection patterns can be calculated by the same method, and the average value Da of these D1, D2 and D3 can be handled as the thickness state value of the QR code Q.

  The width values Wa1 and Wb1 can be extracted by detecting the number of pixels, for example. For example, in the example of FIG. 8A, when the width value Wa1 corresponds to a width value for 10 pixels and the width value Wb1 corresponds to a width value for 10 pixels, the thickness state value D1 is set to 10 / (10 + 10). (Ie 0.5). The same applies to the case shown in FIG. 8B. When the width value Wa1 corresponds to a width value for 5 pixels and Wb2 corresponds to a width value for 15 pixels, the thickness state value D1 is set to 15 / ( 15 + 5) (ie 0.75).

  In the present embodiment, the thickness state value Da itself calculated in S205 is used as print quality information, and the thickness state value Da and a thickness reference that serves as a reference for evaluating the thickness state value Da. The print quality information reflecting the thickness state value Da and the thickness reference value is generated based on the value. Specifically, a standard value Db for determining the degree of the thickness state value Da is defined as the “thickness reference value”, and a value (specifically, the thickness state value Da and the standard value Db are parameters). Specifically, a ratio Da / Db) of the thickness state value Da to the standard value Db is calculated as a determination value, and this determination value is also handled as print quality information.

  In S205, a decoding process is also performed. Specifically, based on the current image data (image data acquired in S201, or image processed data if image processed data after image processing is performed in S210 or S211 exists). A decoding process is performed, and the possibility of decoding and the number of error corrections are verified.

  Thereafter, a storage process of storing the thickness state value Da, the determination value Da / Db, the number of error corrections, and the like in the memory 35 is performed (S206). FIG. 9A illustrates the storage contents stored in the memory 35 at this time. In the present embodiment, the image processing setting, the number of detected position detection patterns for the data to be processed in S205, Position detection pattern coordinates, position detection pattern thickness state values D1, D2, and D3, position detection pattern thickness state value average value Da, determination value Dd (= Da / Db), and whether or not decoding processing of S205 is possible The number of error corrections is stored.

In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 and the memory 35 correspond to an example of “calculation result utilization means”, and print quality information of an information code obtained by reflecting the thickness state value of the position detection pattern is given to the user. It functions to record in a notification or recording means.
The control circuit 40 and the liquid crystal display 46 function as “calculation result utilization means” and function to notify the user of print quality information.

  By the way, the storage process of S206 may be performed in a state where image processing (S210 or S211) described later is not performed, or may be performed after image processing described later. Whether it is after image processing can be determined by the current value of N, and N = 1 means a state in which image processing is not performed. Therefore, when N = 1, information “no image processing setting” is also stored as “image processing setting”. On the other hand, when N is 2 or more, it means that image processing has already been performed, and the value of N-1 at that time means the number of the processing setting used in the immediately preceding image processing. . Therefore, in this case, information on the (N−1) -th image processing setting is stored in association with “image processing setting”.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the thickness state value obtained in S205 is stored in the memory 35 so that it can be used thereafter. However, these pieces of information (image processing setting, number of detected position detection patterns, Position detection pattern coordinates, position detection pattern thickness state values D1, D2, and D3, position detection pattern thickness state value average value Da, determination value Dd (= Da / Db), and whether or not decoding processing of S205 is possible , Any one or a plurality of error correction numbers) may be output to the liquid crystal display 46 to notify the user. Alternatively, a warning may be issued when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, when the difference between the obtained determination value Dd (= Da / Db) and an appropriate value (for example, 1), or the ratio of the determination value Dd to the appropriate value (for example, 1) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the liquid crystal A warning may be issued by the display 46 or the like.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S204 that the number of detected position detection patterns is not 3, the process proceeds to No in S204, and it is determined whether or not the number of detection is 0 in S207. If it is not 0, the process proceeds to No in S207, and the thickness state value calculation / decode processing similar to S205 is performed in S208. In S205, the respective thickness state values D1 to D3 of the three position detection patterns are calculated and the average value Da is obtained. However, in S208, the thickness state values corresponding to the position detection pattern detected in S202 are obtained. Is calculated. The method for calculating the thickness state value of each position detection pattern is the same as that in S205, and the average value Da of the thickness state values of the detected position detection patterns is calculated as in S205.

  Also in the thickness state value calculation and decoding processing of S208, not only the thickness state value of the QR code Q (that is, the average value Da of the thickness state values of each position detection pattern) but also the determination value is calculated. . Specifically, as in S205, the ratio Da / Db of the thickness state value Da to the standard value Db is calculated as a determination value. In S208, the decoding process is also performed. Specifically, the decoding process is performed based on the current image data (the image data acquired in S201, or the image processed data immediately after the previous image processing if image processing has already been performed in S210 or S211). This is done to verify whether decoding is possible and the number of error corrections.

  Thereafter, similarly to S206, a storage process is performed to store the obtained thickness state value, determination value, number of error corrections, and the like in the memory 35 (S209). FIG. 9B shows an example of storage at this time. For the data to be processed in S208, the image processing setting, the number of detected position detection patterns, the coordinates of the position detection pattern, and each thickness state of the position detection pattern. Value, average value Da of the thickness state value of the position detection pattern, determination value Da / Db, availability of decoding processing in S208, and the number of error corrections are stored.

  The storage processing in S209 may be performed in a state where image processing (S210 or S211) described later is not performed, or may be performed after image processing described later. Whether or not it is after image processing can be determined by the value of N, and N = 1 means that image processing is not performed. Therefore, when N = 1, information “no image processing setting” is also stored as “image processing setting”. On the other hand, when N is 2 or more, it means that image processing has already been performed, and the value of N-1 at that time means the number of the processing setting used in the immediately preceding image processing. . Therefore, in this case, as the “image processing setting”, information on the (N−1) th image processing setting is stored in association with each other.

  Thereafter, image processing is performed (S210). In S210, one of a plurality of processing settings registered in advance is used, and image processing is performed on the image data acquired in S201. The process setting used in S210 is the Nth process setting. If the current N value is 1, the first process setting is used. If the current N value is 2, the second process setting is used. Will be used. Various settings used for image processing can be adopted as the processing settings. In the present embodiment, for example, 3 × 3 smoothing processing, 5 × 5 smoothing processing, 5 × 5 expansion processing, and the like are illustrated. Further, “processing for changing the dynamic range of image data” is also adopted as a processing setting. For example, if the current value of N is 1 and the first processing setting is 3 × 3 smoothing processing, in S210, image processing by 3 × 3 smoothing processing is performed on the image data obtained in S201. Done. If the current value of N is 3 and the third processing setting is 5 × 5 expansion processing, in S210, image processing by 5 × 5 expansion processing is performed on the image data obtained in S201. Will be.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S207 that the number of detected position detection patterns is 0, the process proceeds to Yes in S207 and image processing similar to S210 is performed (S211). This image processing is also the same as S210, and the image processing is performed on the image data acquired in S201 using the Nth processing setting.

  When the image processing in S210 or S211 is completed, the value of N is incremented in S212, and it is determined in S213 whether the image processing has been completed for all processing settings. If the image processing has been completed for all processing settings registered in advance, the process proceeds to Yes in S213, and the evaluation processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the image processing has not been completed for all the registered processing settings, the process proceeds to No in S213, and the processing from S203 onward is repeated.

  In the present embodiment, when all the position detection patterns are not detected in S203 (that is, when No in S204), a plurality of predetermined process settings are performed on the image data of QR code Q in S210 or S211. A plurality of image processing can be performed according to the above, and in S203, detection of a position detection pattern is tried again for each image processed data after the image processing is performed. In S205 or S208, a thickness state value is calculated for each position detection pattern for each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and in each subsequent S206 or S209, each processing setting and each processing setting are handled. The position detection pattern detection result and the thickness state value calculation result in each processed image data are notified or recorded in association with each other. For example, if only one position detection pattern can be detected in the first processing of S203, image processing based on the value of N is performed in S210, and the position detection pattern in S203 is applied to the data after such image processing. Is detected again, and the thickness state value calculation / decoding process is performed in S205 or S208. At this time, if the thickness state value is closer to the appropriate value than before image processing, the number of error corrections is reduced, or the one that could not be decoded before image processing can be decoded, image processing is effective It can be said that it was. In the present embodiment, in consideration of such circumstances, the processing setting used for the image processing and the evaluation result after the image processing based on the processing setting are stored or notified in association with each other. The information can be used when the same reading is performed after the evaluation process.

  In the evaluation process of FIG. 7, a decoding process may be further performed after S213. Specifically, among the plurality of image processed data obtained in the processing of S201 to S213, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently and the thickness state value of the position detection pattern are most appropriate. The image processed data that approaches the value and the image processed data that has the smallest variation in the thickness state value in the plurality of position detection patterns are each decoded, and the plurality of image processed data that have undergone the decoding processing Image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections may be selected from the data, and processing settings for obtaining the image processed data may be notified or recorded. In the present embodiment, since the standard value Db described above corresponds to the “appropriate value” of the thickness state value, the image processed data with the determination value Da / Db closest to 1 is “position detection pattern of This corresponds to “image processed data whose thickness state value approaches the most appropriate value”.

  In addition, when the position detection pattern is detected in the subsequent S203 for the image processed data after the image processing is performed in S210 or S211, the number of position detection patterns detected is greater than that before the image processing. Alternatively, the user may be notified of the result using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like. Further, when the image processed data after the image processing in S210 or S211 is decoded in the subsequent S205 or S208, “the number of error corrections is reduced than before the image processing”, “decoding processing is In the case of any of “success”, the result may be notified to the user using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like.

  In the present embodiment, attention is paid to a specific part (position detection pattern) that constitutes a part of the information code (QR code Q), and as an evaluation value indicating the image state of the specific part, a light cell and a dark color in the specific part A thickness state value Da, which is a value obtained by quantifying the thickness state of at least one of the cells, is calculated according to a predetermined thickness state value calculation method. In this way, it is possible to speed up the processing as compared with the configuration in which the thickness state is calculated for the entire area of the information code, and it is possible to quantitatively grasp the thickness state. Further, the print quality information is generated by reflecting the thickness state value Da of the specific portion, and is notified to the user or recorded in the memory 35. In this way, it is possible to quickly grasp the print quality of the target information code (specifically, the thickness state of the cell), and to quickly and effectively use it. It becomes like this.

  Further, the calculated thickness state value Da of the specific portion is compared with a predetermined thickness reference value (standard value Db), and the ratio of the thickness state value Da to the thickness reference value (standard value Db) is shown. The value Da / Db is notified as print quality information. In this way, the thickness of the cell (in other words, how thick the cell is) can be communicated to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. Based on this, the print quality can be grasped with high accuracy. In the above example, the value Da / Db indicating the ratio of the thickness state value Da to the thickness reference value (standard value Db) is notified as the print quality information. However, the thickness state value Da and the thickness reference value are reported. The same effect can be obtained even if a value (for example, Db−Da) indicating a difference from (standard value Db) is notified as print quality information.

  One width value with respect to the added value of W1 and W2 when the width value of one of the light cell and the dark cell in the specific portion (position detection pattern) is W1 and the other width value is W2. A value indicating the ratio of W1 is calculated as the thickness state value of the specific portion. In this way, it is possible to appropriately quantify the ratio between the widths of the light cell and the dark cell, and to obtain a numerical value that favorably reflects the thickness state of the dark cell or the light cell. .

  In this embodiment, the width value for one cell of the light cell arranged in the specific part and the width value of one cell of the dark cell arranged in the specific part are extracted, and 1 of the light cell is extracted. The thickness state value is calculated based on the width value of the cell and the width value of one dark cell. In this way, the thickness state value can be calculated more quickly and effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the QR code is to be read, and the position detection pattern of the QR code is detected as a “specific portion”. If the position detection pattern having a prescribed shape as described above is a target part for calculating the thickness state value, it is possible to specify the light cell and the dark cell with high accuracy without using a complicated detection method. Can be calculated quickly and satisfactorily. In particular, in the QR code reading process, the position detection pattern can be specified in the initial stage, so that the thickness state value calculation process can be further speeded up.

  In addition, it tries to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code, calculates a thickness state value for each detected position detection pattern, and print quality based on the calculated thickness state value for each position detection pattern. Information is generated. In this way, if the thickness state value of the plurality of position detection patterns is calculated, the thickness state value can be quickly calculated without using complicated processing at a plurality of positions separated from each other in the QR code, Further, if the print quality information is generated based on the thickness status values, the print quality of the entire code is more appropriately compared with the configuration in which only the thickness status value of a single position detection pattern is calculated. Reflected print quality information can be obtained.

  When all the position detection patterns are not detected, one or a plurality of image processes are performed on the QR code image data based on one or a plurality of predetermined process settings, and the image process is performed according to each process setting. It is configured to try again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image-processed data that has been made. In this way, even if the position detection pattern cannot be detected, the state of the position detection pattern can be grasped based on the image processing. In addition, a thickness state value is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and each processing setting and detection of a position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting are detected. The result and the calculation result of the thickness state value are associated with each other and notified or recorded. In this way, the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the thickness state value for each processing setting can be grasped, and it becomes easy to effectively use the appropriate processing setting.

In addition, among the plurality of image processed data, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, the image processed data in which the thickness state value of the position detection pattern approaches the most appropriate value, and the plurality of position detection Decoding processing is performed for each of the image processed data with the smallest variation in thickness state value in the pattern. In this way, it is possible to selectively perform decoding processing on a plurality of pieces of image processed data that are considered to have been effectively processed. Further, the image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections is selected from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded. ing. In this way, more reliable image processed data can be acquired, and processing settings for obtaining the data can be used effectively. [Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the contents of the evaluation process, and the electrical configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the electrical configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.
In this embodiment, the light receiving sensor 23 in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of “light receiving unit”, and the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “decoding unit”.

  Hereinafter, the evaluation process performed in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and the like. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of evaluation processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the calculation of the blurred state value in the position detection pattern. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration stored in the memory in S306, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration stored in the memory in S306 and S309. is there.

  The evaluation process performed in the present embodiment is also executed by the control circuit 40 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 35, and is started with a predetermined operation as a trigger or executed as a reading process subroutine. is there. When the evaluation process is started, first, an image acquisition process is performed (S301), and then a process of setting the value of N to an initial state is performed (S302). The process of S301 is the same process as S1 in FIG. 2, and the process of S302 is the same process as S2 in FIG. Also in the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 (FIG. 1) corresponds to an example of “generating means”.

Next, a position detection pattern (hereinafter also referred to as FP pattern) detection process is performed (S303). In the present embodiment, a QR code is used as an example of the information code, and the process of S303 is performed so as to try to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code, similarly to S3 of FIG.
In the present embodiment, the position detection pattern corresponds to an example of a “specific part”. Further, the control circuit 40 of FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of “specific part detecting means”, and is based on the light reception result by the light receiving sensor 23 (that is, based on the image data obtained by the image acquisition process of S301) It functions to detect a position detection pattern constituting a part.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of position detection patterns detected by the position detection pattern detection process is “3” (S304). When three position detection patterns are detected (that is, when all the position detection patterns are detected), the process proceeds to Yes in S304, and the blur state value calculation / decoding process is performed in S305.

  In the blur state value calculation / decoding process of S305, first, an evaluation value indicating the image state of the position detection pattern (specific portion) is calculated. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “calculation means” and “blurred state value calculation means”, and is based on at least one of light cells and dark cells in the position detection pattern detected in S303. The evaluation value indicating the image state of the position detection pattern functions to calculate according to a predetermined evaluation method. Specifically, a “blurred state value” indicating a blurred state of the position detection pattern is calculated by the processing of S305 or S308, and this “blured state value” is “an evaluation value indicating the image state of a specific portion”. The blur state value calculation method described later corresponds to an example of “predetermined evaluation method”.

  In the fading state value calculation / decoding process of S305, the fading state value is calculated for each position detection pattern for the position detection pattern detected in S303. Note that the “blurred state value” may be a value obtained by quantifying the blurred state of at least one of light cells and dark cells in a specific portion (position detection pattern in the present embodiment). The value obtained by the fading state value calculation method is used as the fading state value.

  In calculating the blurred state value for each position detection pattern, first, in any of the position detection patterns detected in S303, an area where dark cells or light cells should be continuously arranged is specified, and A dark color part and a light color part are extracted. In the example of FIG. 11, in any position detection pattern detected in S303, the central area AR1 where dark cells should be continuously arranged is specified, and the widths of the dark color part and the light color part in the central area AR1 are extracted. ing. More specifically, for example, a line L1 of pixels penetrating through the central area AR1 (area where dark color parts should be continuously arranged) is set, and one dark color part area B2 in the pixel line L1 and a dark color part adjacent thereto are set. Region B2 is extracted. Further, the width value Z1 of the one dark color part region B1 is detected, and the arrangement interval Z2 between the one dark color part region B1 and the adjacent dark color part region B2 is detected. Here, the distance from the leading end portion P1 of one dark color portion region B1 to the leading end portion P2 of the next dark color portion region B2 is defined as an arrangement interval Z2. Then, the ratio Z1 / Z2 of the width value Z1 with respect to the distance Z2 is acquired as the blurred state value E1 of the position detection pattern. Then, the blurred state values E2 and E3 of the remaining two position detection patterns are calculated by the same method, and the average value Ea of these E1, E2, and E3 is handled as the blurred state value of the QR code Q.

  In the above example, Z1 / Z2 is acquired as a value indicating the arrangement ratio of the dark color portion and the light color portion in the region where the dark color cell or the light color cell in the position detection pattern should be continuously arranged. The blur state value calculation method is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the ratio of the total value Z3 of the width values Z31 to Z37 of the dark color region arranged on the one side with respect to the width Z4 of one side of the position detection pattern (that is, Z3 / Z4) is blurred. As long as the calculation method can quantitatively specify the blurred state value, another example may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the faint state value Ea itself calculated in S305 is used as the print quality information, and the faint state value Ea and the faint reference value that serves as a reference in evaluating the faint state value Ea. Based on this, print quality information reflecting the blurred state value Ea and the blurred reference value is generated. Specifically, a standard value Eb for determining the degree of the blurred state value Ea is determined as the “blur reference value”, and a value (specifically, a value using the blurred state value Ea and the standard value Eb as parameters) The ratio Ea / Eb) of the blurred state value Ea with respect to the standard value Eb is calculated as a determination value, and this determination value is also handled as print quality information. As the standard value Eb, for example, a value (“1” in the present embodiment) that should be obtained when no blur has occurred can be used.

  In S305, a decoding process is also performed. Specifically, based on current image data (image data acquired in S301, or image processed data if image processed data after image processing is performed in S310 or S311). A decoding process is performed, and the possibility of decoding and the number of error corrections are verified.

  Thereafter, a storage process for storing the blurred state value Ea, the determination value Ea / Eb, the number of error corrections, and the like in the memory 35 is performed (S306). FIG. 12A illustrates the storage contents stored in the memory 35 at this time. In the present embodiment, the image processing setting, the number of detected position detection patterns for the data to be processed in S305, The coordinates of the position detection pattern, the blur state values E1, E2, and E3 of each position detection pattern, the average value Ea of the blur state values of each position detection pattern, the determination value Ed (= Ea / Eb), and whether or not the decoding process of S305 is possible The number of error corrections is stored.

In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 and the memory 35 correspond to an example of “calculation result utilization means”, and notify the user of the print quality information of the information code obtained by reflecting the blurred state value of the position detection pattern. Or it functions to record in the recording means.
The control circuit 40 and the liquid crystal display 46 also function as “calculation result utilization means” and function to notify the user of print quality information.

  By the way, the storage process of S306 may be performed in a state where image processing (S310 or S311) described later is not performed, or may be performed after image processing described later. Whether it is after image processing can be determined by the current value of N, and N = 1 means a state in which image processing is not performed. Therefore, when N = 1, information “no image processing setting” is also stored as “image processing setting”. On the other hand, when N is 2 or more, it means that image processing has already been performed, and the value of N-1 at that time means the number of the processing setting used in the immediately preceding image processing. . Therefore, in this case, information on the (N−1) -th image processing setting is stored in association with “image processing setting”.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the faint state value obtained in S305 is stored in the memory 35 so that it can be used later. However, these pieces of information (image processing setting, number of detected position detection patterns, position Detection pattern coordinates, blurred state values E1, E2, and E3 of the position detection pattern, average value Ea of blurred state values of the position detection pattern, determination value Ed (= Ea / Eb), availability of decoding processing in S305, error correction Any one or more of the number may be output to the liquid crystal display 46 to notify the user. Alternatively, a warning may be issued when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, when the difference between the obtained determination value Ed (= Ea / Eb) and an appropriate value (for example, 1), or the ratio of the determination value Ed to the appropriate value (for example, 1) exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the liquid crystal display A warning may be issued by the device 46 or the like.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S304 that the number of detected position detection patterns is not 3, the process proceeds to No in S304, and it is determined whether or not the number of detection is 0 in S307. If it is not 0, the process proceeds to No in S307, and the blur state value calculation / decoding process similar to S305 is performed in S308. In S305, the blur state values E1 to E3 of the three position detection patterns are calculated to obtain the average value Ea. However, in S308, the blur state value is calculated for the position detection pattern detected in S302. To do. The method of calculating the blurred state value of each position detection pattern is the same as that in S305, and the average value Ea of the blurred state values of the detected position detection pattern is calculated as in S305.

  In the blur state value calculation and decoding process of S308, not only the blur state value of the QR code Q (that is, the average value Ea of the blur state values of each position detection pattern) but also the determination value is calculated. Specifically, as in S305, the ratio Ea / Eb of the blurred state value Ea to the standard value Eb (for example, 1) is calculated as the determination value. In S308, the decoding process is also performed. Specifically, the decoding process is performed based on the current image data (the image data acquired in S301, or the image processed data after the previous image processing if the image processing has already been performed in S310 or S311). This is done to verify whether decoding is possible and the number of error corrections.

  Thereafter, similarly to S306, a storage process for storing the obtained faint state value, determination value, number of error corrections, and the like in the memory 35 is performed (S309). FIG. 11B shows an example of storage at this time. For the data to be processed in S308, the image processing setting, the number of position detection patterns detected, the coordinates of the position detection pattern, and the fading state of the position detection pattern. Value, average value Ea of the blurred state value of the position detection pattern, determination value Ed (= Ea / Eb), whether or not the decoding process of S308 is possible, and the number of error corrections are stored.

  The storage processing in S309 may be performed in a state where image processing (S310 or S311) described later is not performed, or may be performed after image processing described later. Whether or not it is after image processing can be determined by the value of N, and N = 1 means that image processing is not performed. Therefore, when N = 1, information “no image processing setting” is also stored as “image processing setting”. On the other hand, when N is 2 or more, it means that image processing has already been performed, and the value of N-1 at that time means the number of the processing setting used in the immediately preceding image processing. . Therefore, in this case, as the “image processing setting”, information on the (N−1) th image processing setting is stored in association with each other.

  Image processing is performed after the storage processing of S309 (S310). In S310, one of a plurality of processing settings registered in advance is used, and image processing is performed on the image data acquired in S301. The process setting used in S310 is the Nth process setting. If the current N value is 1, the first process setting is used. If the current N value is 2, the second process setting is used. Will be used. Various settings used for image processing can be adopted as the processing settings. In the present embodiment, for example, 3 × 3 smoothing processing, 5 × 5 smoothing processing, 5 × 5 expansion processing, and the like are illustrated. Further, “processing for changing the dynamic range of image data” is also adopted as a processing setting. For example, if the current value of N is 1 and the first processing setting is 3 × 3 smoothing processing, in S310, image processing by 3 × 3 smoothing processing is performed on the image data obtained in S301. Done. If the current value of N is 3 and the third processing setting is 5 × 5 expansion processing, in S310, image processing by 5 × 5 expansion processing is performed on the image data obtained in S301. Will be done.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S307 that the number of detected position detection patterns is 0, the process proceeds to Yes in S307 and image processing similar to S310 is performed (S311). This image processing is also the same as S310, and the image processing is performed on the image data acquired in S301 using the Nth processing setting.

  When the image processing in S310 or S311 is completed, the value of N is incremented in S312, and it is determined in S313 whether the image processing has been completed for all processing settings. If image processing has been completed for all processing settings registered in advance, the process proceeds to Yes in S313, and the evaluation processing ends. On the other hand, if the image processing has not been completed for all the registered processing settings, the process proceeds to No in S313, and the processing from S303 onward is repeated.

  In the present embodiment, when all the position detection patterns are not detected in S303 (that is, when No in S304), a plurality of predetermined processes are performed on the image data of QR code Q in S310 or S311. A plurality of image processes can be performed according to the setting, and in the process of S303 performed again thereafter, the detection of the position detection pattern is tried again for each image processed data after the image process is performed. It has become. Then, in S305 or S308, a blur state value is calculated for each position detection pattern for each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and in each subsequent S306 or S309, each processing setting and each processing setting are handled. The detection result of the position detection pattern in each image processed data and the calculation result of the blurred state value are notified or recorded in association with each other. For example, if only one position detection pattern can be detected in the first processing of S303, image processing based on the value of N is performed in S310, and the position detection pattern is processed in S303 for such image-processed data. Is detected again, and the blur state value calculation / decoding process is performed in S305 or S308. At this time, if the blurred state value is closer to an appropriate value than before image processing, the number of error corrections is reduced, or the one that could not be decoded before image processing can be decoded, image processing is effective. It can be said that there was. In the present embodiment, in consideration of such circumstances, the processing setting used for the image processing and the evaluation result after the image processing based on the processing setting are stored or notified in association with each other. The information can be used when the same reading is performed after the evaluation process.

  In the evaluation process of FIG. 10, a decoding process may be further performed after S313. Specifically, among the plurality of image processed data obtained in the processing of S301 to S313, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, and the blur state value of the position detection pattern is the most appropriate value. Image-processed data that approaches the image data and image-processed data that minimizes the variation in the blurring state value in the plurality of position detection patterns, respectively, and a plurality of image-processed data that has been subjected to the decoding processing are decoded. The image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections may be selected from among them, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data may be notified or recorded. In the present embodiment, since the above-described standard value Eb corresponds to the “appropriate value” of the blurred state value, the image processed data with the determination value Ea / Eb closest to 1 is “the blurred position detection pattern”. This corresponds to “image-processed data whose state value approaches the most appropriate value”.

  In addition, when the position detection pattern is detected in the subsequent S303 for the image processed data after the image processing is performed in S310 or S311, the number of position detection patterns detected is greater than that before the image processing. Alternatively, the user may be notified of the result using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like. Further, when the image processed data after the image processing in S310 or S311 is decoded in the subsequent S305 or S308, “the number of error corrections is reduced than before the image processing”, “decoding processing is In the case of any of “success”, the result may be notified to the user using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, for example, the following effects can be obtained.
In this embodiment, attention is paid to a specific part (position detection pattern) constituting a part of the information code (QR code Q), and the blurred state of the specific part is quantified as an evaluation value indicating the image state of the specific part. The blurred state value Ea that is the calculated value is calculated according to a predetermined blurred state value calculation method. In this way, it is possible to speed up the processing as compared with the configuration for calculating the fading state for the entire area of the information code, and it is possible to quantitatively grasp the fading state. Furthermore, the print quality information is generated by reflecting the blurred state value of the specific part, and this is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. In this way, the print quality information of the target information code (Specifically, what kind of faint state the cell is) can be quickly grasped and can be effectively used quickly.

  Further, the calculated blur state value Ea of the specific portion is compared with a predetermined blur reference value (standard value Eb), and a value Ea / Eb indicating the ratio of the blur state value Ea to the blur reference value Eb is printed quality information. As a notification. In this way, it is possible to convey to the user in an easy-to-understand manner what the cell is in a faint state, and the user can accurately grasp the print quality based on a quantitative standard. The same effect can be obtained by notifying the user of the print quality information (eg, Eb−Ea) indicating the difference between the blur state value Ea of the specific portion and the blur reference value (standard value Eb). .

  Further, the dark color portion and the light color portion are extracted in the region where the dark color cells in the specific portion should be continuously arranged (the center region AR1 of the position detection pattern in the example of FIG. 11), and the arrangement ratio of the dark color portion and the light color portion Is calculated as the blurred state value of the specific portion. In this way, the ratio of the actual dark color portion or the light color portion to the dark color region to be originally arranged can be appropriately quantified, and a numerical value accurately reflecting the blurred state of the cell can be obtained. Specifically, in the central area AR1 where the dark cells should be continuously arranged, the arrangement interval Z2 in which the dark color portion is arranged and the width value Z1 of the dark color portion are extracted, and the width value Z1 of the dark color portion with respect to the arrangement interval Z2 The value Z1 / Z2 indicating the ratio is calculated as the blurred state value of the specific portion. In this way, the arrangement ratio of the light color part and the dark color part can be quantified more quickly and satisfactorily.

  Further, the QR code is set as a reading target, and the position detection pattern of the QR code is detected as a “specific portion”. If the position detection pattern having the prescribed shape is set as a target part for calculating the blur state value, the bright cell and the dark cell can be accurately identified without using a complicated detection method, and the blur state value can be quickly determined. And it can be calculated well. In particular, in the QR code reading process, since the position detection pattern can be specified at an initial stage, the blur state value calculation process can be further accelerated.

  In addition, it tries to detect all position detection patterns in the QR code, calculates a blur state value for each detected position detection pattern, and print quality information based on the calculated blur state value for each position detection pattern. Is generated. In this way, if it is configured to calculate the blur state value of a plurality of position detection patterns, it is possible to quickly calculate the blur state value without using complicated processing at a plurality of positions separated from each other in the QR code. If the configuration generates print quality information based on the blurred state value, the print quality more appropriately reflects the print quality of the entire code compared to a configuration that calculates only the blurred state value of a single position detection pattern. Information will be obtained.

  Further, when all the position detection patterns are not detected, a plurality of image processes are performed on the QR code image data based on a plurality of predetermined process settings, and the image process is performed according to each process setting. It is configured to retry the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data. In this way, even if the position detection pattern cannot be detected, the state of the position detection pattern can be grasped based on the image processing. Further, a blur state value is calculated for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting, and each processing setting and a detection result of the position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting And the calculation result of the blurred state value is associated with the notification or recording. In this way, the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the blurred state value for each processing setting can be grasped, and it becomes easy to effectively use the appropriate processing setting.

  In addition, among the plurality of image processed data, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, the image processed data in which the blur state value of the position detection pattern approaches the most appropriate value, and the plurality of position detection patterns Decoding processing is performed for each of the image-processed data with the smallest variation in the blurred state value. In this way, it is possible to selectively perform decoding processing on a plurality of pieces of image processed data that are considered to have been effectively processed. Further, the image processed data with the smallest number of error corrections is selected from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and the processing setting for obtaining the image processed data is notified or recorded. ing. In this way, more reliable image processed data can be acquired, and processing settings for obtaining the data can be used effectively.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the contents of the evaluation process, and the electrical configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the electrical configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and FIG. 1 will be referred to as appropriate. In this embodiment, the light receiving sensor 23 in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of “light receiving unit”, and the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of “decoding unit”.

  FIG. 14 is a view of the inside of the information code reader 20 of the present embodiment as viewed from the reading port side. The information code reader 20 is provided with a lens 27 at a position close to a reading port (not shown), and is located at a position slightly behind the lens 27 as far as the lens 27 with the reading port as a reference. A plurality of (four in the example of FIG. 14) illumination light sources 21 are annularly arranged so as to surround the lens 27. In the following description, the four illumination light sources 21 are a first illumination light source 21a, a second illumination light source 21b, a third illumination light source 21c, and a fourth illumination light source 21d, respectively.

  Each illumination light source 21 has a configuration including LEDs of a plurality of colors (here, a red LED and a blue LED), and any LED of each illumination light source 21 is turned on in response to a command from the control circuit 40. It has become. These four illumination light sources 21 correspond to an example of “illumination means” and function to irradiate illumination light toward a QR code (information code). The control circuit 40 controls the lighting timing and lighting time of the illumination light source 21, corresponds to an example of “illumination control means”, and lights with a lighting pattern set by “lighting pattern setting means” described later. The illumination light source 21 is controlled to perform

  In the present embodiment, the lighting patterns of the four illumination light sources 21 can be set and changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, data of a plurality of types of lighting patterns are registered in the memory 35, and one of the registered lighting patterns can be selected and a lighting pattern to be actually used can be set. It is like that. The lighting pattern data registered in the memory 35 sets lighting positions in at least four illumination light sources 21, and the control circuit 40 controls the four illumination light sources 21 so as to perform lighting at the set lighting positions. is doing. Note that FIGS. 15A to 15D illustrate how the lighting positions of the four illumination light sources 21 are changed.

  Moreover, each illumination light source 21 has a light emitting part (red LED, blue LED) of a plurality of colors as described above, and the lighting color can be switched for each illumination light source 21. That is, the lighting pattern data in FIG. 16 determines which color of the light emitting unit is to be used for each illumination light source 21, and the control circuit 40 performs lighting with the set lighting color. The illumination light source 21 is controlled. For example, when the lighting position is set as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15D, the lighting color of each illumination light source 21 to be lit is a red LED, a blue LED, or both LEDs. can do. The memory 35 and the control circuit 40 correspond to an example of “lighting pattern setting unit”.

Next, the evaluation process performed in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of evaluation processing according to the fourth embodiment.
The evaluation process performed in the present embodiment is also executed by the control circuit 40 in accordance with a program stored in the memory 35, and is started with a predetermined operation as a trigger or executed as a reading process subroutine. is there. When the evaluation process is started, the lighting pattern is initially set (S401). In this initial setting, for example, the first lighting pattern of the lighting patterns ordered as shown in FIG. 16 is set as the usage pattern.

Next, decryption processing is performed (S402). In this decoding process, first, lighting control of the four illumination light sources 21 is performed so that the lighting pattern set in S401 is obtained, and image data of QR code Q is acquired in the lighting state. Then, a known decoding process is performed on the obtained image data. For example, in the decoding process immediately after the start of the evaluation process, the lighting pattern set in the initial setting in S401 (the lighting pattern for turning on the red LED of the first illumination light source 21a and turning off the other illumination light sources 21b to 21d) ) And the decoding process is performed on the image data acquired in the lighting state.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data of the QR code Q is generated for each lighting pattern based on the light reception result for each lighting pattern whose setting is changed, and the decoding process is performed on the image data for each lighting pattern. It is carried out. In the present embodiment as well, the control circuit 40 (FIG. 1) corresponds to an example of “generating means”.

  After the decoding process in S402, a process for determining whether or not the decoding process is successful is performed (S403). If an appropriate decoding result is obtained in S402, it is determined that the decoding is successful, the process proceeds to Yes in S403, and a print determination process is performed in S404. In this print determination process, an evaluation value calculation process similar to at least one of S5 in FIG. 2, S205 in FIG. 7, and S305 in FIG. 10 is performed, and an evaluation value indicating the image state of the position detection pattern of the QR code Q is obtained. To be acquired. For example, when the contrast is calculated in S404 as in S5 of FIG. 2, the contrast Ca for the QR code Q is calculated by the same method as in the first embodiment, and a margin is obtained by the same method as in the first embodiment. Calculate the degree. In S404, when the thickness state value is calculated as in S205 of FIG. 7, the thickness state value Da for the QR code Q is calculated by the same method as in the second embodiment, and the second embodiment The determination value Dd is calculated by the same method as described above. Alternatively, when the blurred state value is calculated in S404 as in S305 of FIG. 10, the blurred state value Ea for the QR code Q is calculated by the same method as in the third embodiment, and the same as in the third embodiment. The determination value Ed is calculated by the method. The print quality information is stored in the memory 35 in association with the lighting pattern information used in S402. In other words, it is stored in the memory 35 in a data state that can specify what kind of print quality information is obtained with which lighting pattern.

As described above, in the present embodiment, among the image data for each lighting pattern, an evaluation value (for example, contrast, thickness state value, blurred state value) is calculated for image data that has been normally decoded. Print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value of the image data that has been normally performed is recorded in the memory 35 (recording means). In S404, such print quality information may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 46 or the like to notify the user.
Also in the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 can correspond to an example of a specific part detecting unit, a luminance detecting unit, a contrast calculating unit, a thickness state value calculating unit, and a blurred state value calculating unit.

  Further, in S405, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the print determination process (S404) exceeds the determination criterion. Here, it is determined whether or not the printing state of the obtained image data is in a good state exceeding the determination criterion. For example, when using the method of calculating the contrast and margin in S404, for example, margin Is greater than a predetermined threshold (margin threshold), it is determined that the print determination criterion has been exceeded. When the method of calculating the thickness state value Da and the determination value Dd is used in S404, for example, when the determination value Dd is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold and less than the predetermined second threshold, the print determination criterion is used. Judge that it exceeded. Further, when the method of calculating the blurred state value Ea and the determination value Ed is used in S404, for example, when the determination value Ed exceeds a predetermined threshold value (determination value threshold value), it is determined that the print determination criterion is exceeded.

  If it is determined that the print quality information obtained in S404 exceeds the determination criterion, the process proceeds to Yes in S405. When the process proceeds to Yes in S405, the process after S401 for other information codes may be performed after the reading operation for other information codes may be performed, or the evaluation process may be terminated as it is. .

  If it is determined in S405 that the determination criterion is not exceeded, the process proceeds to No in S405, and the lighting pattern setting is changed in S406. For example, when the previous lighting pattern is the first lighting pattern shown in FIG. 16, the second lighting pattern after that is newly set as the usage pattern.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S403 that the decoding is not successful, the process proceeds to No in S403 and changes the lighting pattern setting in the same manner as in S406 (S407).

  After S406 and S407, it is determined whether all registered patterns have been implemented (S408). That is, if all patterns have already been completed before the setting change in S406 and S407, and a new setting pattern cannot be created in S406 and S407, the process proceeds to Yes in S408 and the evaluation process is terminated. On the other hand, if all the patterns have not been completed, the process proceeds to No in S408, and the processes after S402 are repeated using the newly set usage pattern.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the print quality information obtained in S404 is stored in the memory 35 in association with the lighting pattern, and the correspondence data in which the print quality information and the lighting pattern are associated with each other is as follows. Unless the erasing process is performed, the data is accumulated every time the process of S404 is performed. The past correspondence data obtained in this way (data in which a plurality of pieces of print quality information obtained in the past are associated with the lighting patterns used in acquiring each print quality information) are used later. You may use for the setting of a new lighting pattern, and you may use the past print quality information in those past corresponding data for the order setting of a lighting pattern. Hereinafter, a method for effectively using such past correspondence data will be described.

  As a method of effectively using past correspondence data, for example, each lighting pattern associated with a plurality of past print quality information stored in the memory 35 is used for the print quality of the plurality of past print quality information. The illumination light source 21 is controlled to perform lighting in the order of the ordered lighting patterns in S402. In this case, in S402, decoding processing is performed on the image data for each of the ordered lighting patterns.

  FIG. 17A shows an example of accumulation of past correspondence data, and the degree of contrast margin (print quality information) obtained in the past is stored in association with the lighting pattern when the margin is obtained. Shows things. When a plurality of margins for the lighting pattern A are acquired, an average value of the margins may be stored as a past margin for the lighting pattern A, and a plurality of past margins for the lighting pattern A are obtained. Of the margins, the value with the best print quality or the value with the worst print quality may be stored as the past margin. Such a storage method is the same for the other lighting patterns B to E.

  When such past correspondence data is obtained, as shown in FIG. 17B, lighting patterns can be ordered in order of good margin value, and the decoding process of S402 can be performed in accordance with the order. . In this case, a past lighting pattern (that is, a previously used lighting pattern associated with past print quality information) stored in the memory 35 is set as a new lighting pattern used for the illumination light source 21. Become. Note that the ordering process as described above can be performed separately from the evaluation process of FIG. 13, or can be performed as a part of the evaluation process of FIG.

  Further, in S402, when the decoding processing is performed on the image data for each lighting pattern ordered as described above, if reading failure occurs for all the image data for each lighting pattern, the ordering is performed. A lighting pattern other than the plurality of lighting patterns that have been set can be set as a new lighting pattern. That is, when past lighting patterns are accumulated as shown in FIG. 17B, the past lighting patterns are preferentially decoded, and the past lighting patterns are not successfully decoded. The lighting pattern data stored separately from the past lighting pattern data (for example, data as shown in FIG. 16) is used to newly turn on lighting patterns other than the past lighting patterns that have already been decoded. A method of setting as a lighting pattern can be used. In this case, in S402, the decoding process is performed on the image data obtained by lighting the illumination light source 21 with the new lighting pattern. In S404, the decoding process on the image data obtained by lighting with the new lighting pattern is normally performed. If it is performed, an evaluation value (contrast, thickness state value, blurred state value, etc.) is calculated for the image data, and print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value for the image data that has been normally performed is displayed by the user. Or is recorded in the memory 35.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, for example, the following effects can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the illumination light source 21 is controlled to be turned on with the lighting pattern set by the “lighting pattern setting means”. If it does in this way, the lighting pattern of the illumination light source 21 can be switched and used, and the print quality information according to the lighting pattern can be acquired and used.

  Further, among the image data for each lighting pattern, the evaluation value is calculated for the image data that has been normally decoded, and the print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. ing. In this way, even if the decoding process is not normally performed with a certain lighting pattern, the lighting pattern can be changed to increase the probability of a successful decoding process. Furthermore, even if the print quality information cannot be obtained with a certain lighting pattern, it is possible to increase the possibility of acquiring the print quality information by changing the lighting pattern, which is more advantageous in obtaining and using the print quality information. Become.

  In addition, the “lighting pattern setting means” sets lighting positions in a plurality of illumination light sources, and controls the illumination light source 21 to perform lighting at the set lighting positions. In this case, the possibility of successful decoding can be effectively increased when the image state is easily changed by changing the lighting position (for example, when reading an information code obtained by direct marking). More advantageous.

  Further, the “lighting pattern setting means” sets lighting colors in the illumination light sources 21 of a plurality of colors, and the illumination light source 21 is controlled so as to perform lighting with the set lighting colors. This makes it possible to effectively increase the possibility of successful decoding when the image state is easily changed by changing the lighting color, which is more advantageous for such reading.

  In addition, a plurality of print quality information obtained in the past is stored in the memory 35 in association with the lighting patterns used at the time of acquiring each print quality information, and the stored past lighting patterns are stored. The new lighting pattern is set. In this way, since it is possible to set the lighting pattern after grasping what kind of printing quality information has been obtained in the past with which lighting pattern, it becomes easy to set the lighting pattern that makes it easy to obtain the expected printing quality.

  In addition, the lighting patterns associated with the plurality of past print quality information are ordered in the order of good print quality of the plurality of past print quality information, and the illumination light source 21 is controlled to perform lighting in that order. is doing. In this way, it is possible to preferentially turn on a lighting pattern in which better print quality is easily obtained, and it is possible to more quickly acquire image data that is likely to be decoded normally. In addition, since the image data for each lighting pattern thus ordered is decoded, the normal decoding of the information code is performed more quickly, and further the normal decoding is performed. Printing quality information about image data can be acquired and used more quickly.

  Further, when a reading failure occurs for all the image data for each ordered lighting pattern, a new lighting pattern other than the plurality of ordered lighting patterns is set. In this way, even if a desired result cannot be obtained by the previously accumulated lighting patterns, other lighting patterns can be tried anew. Further, when the decoding process is normally performed on the image data obtained by lighting with the new lighting pattern, the print quality information about the image data is notified to the user or recorded in the recording means. If it does in this way, after trying a new lighting pattern as a next best measure, the result about the new lighting pattern can be used more effectively.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the QR code Q is illustrated as an example of the information code. However, the information code is not limited to this as long as it is an information code including a plurality of bright cells and a plurality of dark cells. For example, it may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode. In this case, the information code reader 20 may function as a reader that reads a single type of code (that is, only a barcode), or a reader that can read a plurality of types of codes (that is, a barcode and another type of information code) together. It may be made to function as. In this case, for example, the part constituting the start character and the part constituting the stop character can be set as the “specific part”.
The information code may be another two-dimensional code such as a data matrix. The same applies to this case, and only one type of information code may be read, or a plurality of types of information code may be read. When reading a data matrix or the like, for example, the alignment pattern can be a “specific portion”.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the position detection pattern is exemplified as the “specific part” of the QR code. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the timing pattern or the alignment pattern may be the “specific part”.

  In the first embodiment, by extracting the luminance at a plurality of positions of bright color cells arranged in each position detection pattern and extracting the luminance at a plurality of positions of dark cells arranged in each position detection pattern, The brightness of the light color cell and the dark color cell of the detection pattern is detected, but the present invention is not limited to this method. For example, the luminance at one position (for example, the center position) of the light cell arranged in each position detection pattern is extracted, and the luminance at one position (for example, the center position) of the dark cell arranged in each position detection pattern is extracted. Thus, the brightness of the light color cell and the dark color cell of each position detection pattern may be detected.

  In the first embodiment, the “margin” that is the difference between the threshold value and the calculated contrast is exemplified as the “print quality information”. However, any information obtained by reflecting the contrast and the reference information may be used. It is not limited to. For example, print quality information based on a value indicating the degree of contrast variation of three position detection patterns and a threshold value may be generated, stored, or notified. Specifically, a difference Cn between the maximum value and the minimum value is obtained for each contrast (for example, C1, C2, C3) of the plurality of position detection patterns detected in S3, and a predetermined threshold Cm (reference information) is obtained. ) And the difference Cn (Cm−Cn) may be stored or notified as print quality information. In this case, the degree of contrast variation can be grasped and used effectively.

  In the second embodiment, an example of the thickness state value is shown. However, as long as the value indicates the thickness state of the specific portion, the thickness state value may be calculated by another calculation method. As an example, for example, the ratio of the dark color area to the total area of the extracted specific part or the ratio of the light color area to the area of the extracted specific area is set to the thickness state value. It is good also as a value to show. That is, when the specific part represented by the QR code position detection pattern has a regular shape, the ratio of the dark color area to the total area of the specific part becomes a constant value. For example, the dark color part becomes fat. This ratio tends to increase. Therefore, if such a ratio is used as a thickness state value, the degree of thickening of the dark portion of the specific portion can be quantitatively indicated.

  In the third embodiment, an example of the fading state value is shown. However, as long as the value indicates the fading state of the specific portion, a value calculated by another calculation method may be used as the fading state value. As an example, for example, the ratio of the dark-colored portion area in the total area of the extracted specific portion may be used as the blurred state value. That is, if the specific portion represented by the QR code position detection pattern has a regular shape, the ratio of the dark color portion area to the total area of the specific portion is a constant value, and the dark color portion is blurred. This ratio tends to decrease. Therefore, if such a ratio is used as a blurred state value, the degree of blurring of a specific portion can be quantitatively indicated.

In the first embodiment, when the position detection pattern is detected in S3 and the number of detection is less than 3, the image processing is performed on the entire image of the QR code Q. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined No in S7, the image processing is performed on the detected position detection pattern or on the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone in the image processing of S10. May be. In subsequent S5 or S8, the contrast of the position detection pattern is calculated for the data after the image processing (image processed data), and this contrast (that is, the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed). The margin (print quality information) is generated on the basis of the (contrast) and stored in the memory 35 or notified to the user using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like.
In this way, the image processing is not performed on the entire QR code Q in this way, but the position detection pattern or the position detection pattern and the quiet zone are performed, and the contrast of the position detection pattern after the image processing is calculated. By doing so, it is possible to use the contrast calculation result of the position detection pattern after the image processing while speeding up the image processing.

  In the second embodiment, when the number of position detection patterns detected in S203 is less than 3, image processing is performed on the entire QR code Q image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined No in S207, the image processing is performed on the detected position detection pattern or on the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone in the image processing of S210. May be. In subsequent S205 or S208, the thickness state value of the position detection pattern and the thickness state value (that is, image processing has been performed) on the data after the image processing (image processed data). A determination value or the like based on the subsequent position detection pattern thickness state value) is generated as print quality information and stored in the memory 35 or notified to the user using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like. Thus, if image processing is not performed on the entire QR code Q, but is selectively performed on the position detection pattern or the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, an area necessary for obtaining the thickness state value is obtained. Image processing can be performed efficiently, and image processing can be performed appropriately and quickly. Further, since the print quality information is generated based on the thickness state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing and the print quality information is notified or recorded, the thickness of the position detection pattern after the image processing is recorded. The state value can be used effectively.

  In the third embodiment, when the number of position detection patterns detected in S303 is less than 3, image processing is performed on the entire QR code Q image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined No in S307, the image processing is performed on the detected position detection pattern or on the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone in the image processing of S310. May be. In subsequent S305 or S308, the data after the image processing (image processed data) is applied to the blurred state value of the position detection pattern and the blurred state value (that is, after the image processing is performed). A determination value or the like based on the position detection pattern fading state value) is generated as print quality information and stored in the memory 35 or notified to the user using the liquid crystal display 46 or the like. Thus, if image processing is not performed on the entire QR code Q, but is selectively performed on the position detection pattern or the position detection pattern and the quiet zone, the area necessary for obtaining the blurred state value is obtained. On the other hand, image processing can be performed efficiently, and image processing can be performed appropriately and quickly. Further, since the print quality information is generated based on the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed and the print quality information is notified or recorded, the blurred state of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed. The value can be used effectively.

In the fourth embodiment, one lighting pattern is used in one decoding process (that is, one lighting pattern is used in one acquisition of image data). The lighting pattern may be switched and used. The middle example in FIG. 18 is for the example described in the fourth embodiment, and shows a case where one lighting pattern is used in one decoding process. On the other hand, the lower example in FIG. 18 shows an example in which a plurality of lighting patterns are used in one decoding process, and the lighting pattern of the illumination light source 21 is switched during the exposure of the light receiving sensor 23. In this example, the lighting time of each of the plurality of illumination light sources 21a to 21d is set by the memory 35 and the control circuit 40 functioning as “lighting pattern setting means”, and the control circuit 40 sets each of the set lightings. The illumination light sources 21a to 21d are controlled to perform lighting corresponding to time.
Specifically, irradiation with the illumination light source 21 is performed using the lighting pattern A (lighting pattern for turning on only the first illumination light source 21a) in the first half of the exposure period, and the lighting pattern B (second pattern) in the second half of the exposure period. Irradiation by the illumination light source 21 is performed using a lighting pattern that turns on only the illumination light source 21b. Note that the method of switching and using a plurality of lighting patterns during the exposure period is not limited to this method. For example, three or more lighting patterns may be switched and used.
Also in such a method, the lighting order can be set using data as shown in FIG. 16, for example, in the first decoding process of S402, the decoding process is performed using the lighting patterns of order 1 and 2, and the next In the second decoding process arriving at, there is a method of performing the decoding process using the lighting patterns of order 3 and 4.
In this way, the lighting patterns can be switched easily and satisfactorily, and more lighting patterns can be used in a short time. In addition, a plurality of lighting patterns can be used in combination in a single exposure period, and lighting variations can be further increased.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an information code reader 20 according to the first embodiment of the optical information reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the evaluation process. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contrast calculation in the position detection pattern. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating luminance extraction in each cell of the position detection pattern. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration stored in the memory in S6, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration stored in the memory in S6 and S9. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram for explaining image data of an information code before image processing, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example in which image processing is performed on the image data of FIG. 6A. . FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of evaluation processing performed in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the calculation of the thickness state value in the position detection pattern. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration stored in the memory in S206, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration stored in the memory in S206 and S209. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the evaluation process performed in the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the calculation of the blurred state value in the position detection pattern. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration stored in the memory in S306, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration stored in the memory in S306 and S309. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of evaluation processing performed in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a view of the inside of the information code reader of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the reading port side. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a lighting pattern. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of setting data of a lighting pattern. FIG. 17A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of past correspondence data, and FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of data obtained by ordering past correspondence data. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of switching the lighting pattern during exposure.

Explanation of symbols

20. Information code reader (optical information reader)
21 ... Illumination light source (illumination means)
23. Light receiving sensor (light receiving means)
35. Memory (calculation result utilization means, lighting pattern setting means)
40... Control circuit (generating means, decoding means, specific part detecting means, luminance detecting means, contrast calculating means, calculation result using means, image processing means, changing means, thickness state value calculating means, blurred state value calculating means, lighting Pattern setting means)
46 ... Liquid crystal display (calculation result utilization means)
Q ... QR code (information code)

Claims (40)

A light receiving means for receiving reflected light from an information code comprising a plurality of light-colored cells and a plurality of dark-colored cells;
Generating means for generating image data of the information code based on a light reception result by the light receiving means;
Decoding means for performing decoding processing based on the image data generated by the generating means;
An optical information reader comprising:
Specific part detecting means for detecting a specific part constituting a part of the information code based on a light reception result by the light receiving means;
Calculating means for calculating an evaluation value indicating an image state of the specific portion based on at least one of the light color cell and dark color cell in the specific portion detected by the specific portion detection means according to a predetermined evaluation method; ,
Based on the evaluation value obtained by the calculation means, the calculation result utilization means for notifying the user of the print quality information of the information code obtained by reflecting the evaluation value or recording it in the recording means;
An optical information reading apparatus comprising: The calculating means includes
Luminance detection means for determining the brightness of the light cell and the dark cell in the specific part detected by the specific part detection means;
Contrast calculation means for calculating the contrast of the specific part as the evaluation value of the specific part based on the detection result by the luminance detection means;
Consists of
The calculation result utilization means includes:
The print quality information of the information code obtained by reflecting the contrast of the specific portion calculated by the contrast calculation means and the contrast reference value that is a reference for evaluating the contrast, to the user The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the optical information reader is recorded in the notification or the recording unit. The contrast reference value is a predetermined threshold value,
The calculation result utilization unit compares the contrast of the specific part calculated by the contrast calculation unit with the threshold value, and notifies the difference between the contrast of the specific part and the threshold value as the print quality information. The optical information reader according to claim 2. The contrast calculating means includes
The brightness of the light cell in the specific part is X,
When the luminance of the dark cell in the specific portion is Y, the following formula:
(XY) / X
4. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the value obtained in (2) is calculated as a contrast of the specific part. The luminance detecting means includes
The brightness of at least one position of the light color cell arranged in the specific portion is extracted, and the brightness of at least one position of the dark color cell arranged in the specific portion is extracted, thereby the light of the specific portion is extracted. The optical information reader according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the luminance of each of the color cell and the dark cell is detected. The luminance detecting means includes
In each cell of any one of the light cells and any one of the dark cells arranged in the specific part, extract the luminance of a predetermined center position and both side positions sandwiching the center position, respectively.
Detecting the brightness of the light cell of the specific part based on the brightness extraction results at the center position and the both side positions in a single light cell;
6. The brightness of the dark cell in the specific portion is detected based on a brightness extraction result at the center position and the both side positions in a single dark cell. The optical information reading device described. The information code is a QR code,
The optical information reader according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the specific part detecting unit detects a position detection pattern of the QR code as the specific part. The specific part detection means is configured to try to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code,
The contrast calculation means calculates a contrast for each of the position detection patterns detected by the specific part detection means,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information based on the contrast for each position detection pattern calculated by the contrast calculation unit, and notifies or records the print quality information. Item 8. The optical information reader according to Item 7. Image processing that performs one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings when all the position detection patterns are not detected by the specific part detection unit With means,
The specific part detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting,
The contrast calculation means calculates a contrast for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting,
The calculation result utilization means notifies or records each processing setting in association with the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the contrast in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting. The optical information reader according to claim 8, wherein Image processing means for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data of the QR code according to a plurality of predetermined processing settings;
The specific part detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting,
The contrast calculation means calculates a contrast for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting,
The decoding means includes, among the plurality of image processed data, the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently, the image processed data in which the contrast of the position detection pattern is maximized, Each of the image-processed data with the smallest contrast variation in the position detection pattern, and a decoding process,
The calculation result utilization means selects the image processed data having the smallest number of error corrections from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and obtains the image processed data. 9. The optical information reader according to claim 8, wherein the setting is notified or recorded. Image processing means for performing one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings;
When the position detection pattern is detected by the specific part detection unit, the image processing unit is configured to detect the detected position detection pattern, or detect the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone. Image processing,
The contrast calculating means calculates a contrast of the position detection pattern after the image processing by the image processing means;
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information based on the contrast of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit, and notifies or records the print quality information. The optical information reading device according to claim 7 or 8. The calculation means uses a thickness state value, which is a value obtained by quantifying the thickness state of at least one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the specific portion, as the evaluation value of the specific portion. The thickness state value calculating means for calculating according to the thickness state value calculating method,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information reflecting the thickness state value based on the thickness state value of the specific portion calculated by the thickness state value calculation unit, and performs the printing The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the quality information is notified to the user or recorded in the recording unit.   In the calculation result utilization means, a thickness reference value serving as a reference for evaluating the thickness state value is determined in advance, and the thickness of the specific portion calculated by the thickness state value calculation means is determined. The value indicating a difference between the state value and the thickness reference value or a value indicating a ratio of the thickness state value to the thickness reference value is notified as the print quality information. Optical information reader. The thickness state value calculating means includes
The ratio of one width value W1 to the added value of W1 and W2 when the width value of one of the light color cell and the dark color cell in the specific portion is W1 and the other width value is W2. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a value to be indicated is calculated as the thickness state value of the specific portion. The thickness state value calculating means includes
A width value for one cell of the light color cell arranged in the specific portion and a width value for one cell of the dark color cell arranged in the specific portion are extracted, and one cell portion of the light color cell is extracted. 15. The optical information reading device according to claim 12, wherein the thickness state value is calculated based on a width value of the dark cell and a width value of one cell of the dark color cell. . The information code is a QR code,
16. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the specific part detection unit detects a position detection pattern of the QR code as the specific part. The specific part detection means is configured to try to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code,
The thickness state value calculating unit calculates the thickness state value for each of the position detection patterns detected by the specific part detecting unit,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information based on the thickness state value for each of the position detection patterns calculated by the thickness state value calculation unit, and notifies or records the print quality information. The optical information reader according to claim 16, wherein the optical information reader is performed. Image processing that performs one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings when all the position detection patterns are not detected by the specific part detection unit With means,
The specific part detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting,
The thickness state value calculating means calculates the thickness state value for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting,
The calculation result utilization unit notifies or records each processing setting in association with the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the thickness state value in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting. The optical information reader according to claim 17. Image processing means for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data of the QR code according to a plurality of predetermined processing settings;
The specific part detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting,
The thickness state value calculating means calculates the thickness state value for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting,
The decoding means includes: the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently among the plurality of image processed data; and the image in which the thickness state value of the position detection pattern is closest to an appropriate value. Each of the processed data and the image processed data with the smallest variation in the thickness state value in the plurality of position detection patterns is decoded,
The calculation result utilization means selects the image processed data having the smallest number of error corrections from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and obtains the image processed data. The optical information reading device according to claim 18, wherein the setting is notified or recorded. Image processing means for performing one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings;
When the position detection pattern is detected by the specific part detection unit, the image processing unit is configured to detect the detected position detection pattern, or detect the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone. Image processing,
The thickness state value calculating unit calculates the thickness state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information based on the thickness state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit, and notifies or records the print quality information. The optical information reading device according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein: The calculating means comprises a blurred state value calculating means for calculating a blurred state value that is a value obtained by quantifying the blurred state of the specific part as the evaluation value of the specific part, according to a predetermined blurred state value calculating method,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information reflecting the blur state value based on the blur state value of the specific portion calculated by the blur state value calculation unit, and uses the print quality information. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein the optical information reader is notified to a user or recorded in the recording unit.   The calculation result utilization unit has a predetermined blur reference value as a reference for evaluating the blur state value, and the blur state value of the specific portion calculated by the blur state value calculation unit and the The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a value indicating a difference from a blurred reference value or a value indicating a ratio of the blurred state value to the blurred reference value is notified as the print quality information.   The faint state value calculating means extracts a dark color portion and a light color portion in a region where the dark color cell or the light color cell in the specific portion should be continuously arranged, and arrangement of the dark color portion and the light color portion 23. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a value indicating a ratio is calculated as the blurred state value of the specific portion.   The faint state value calculating means includes an arrangement interval in which the dark color portion or the light color portion is arranged in an area where the dark color cell or the light color cell should be continuously arranged, and the dark color portion or the light color portion. The width value is extracted, and a value indicating a ratio of the width value of the dark color portion or the light color portion to the arrangement interval is calculated as the blurred state value of the specific portion. Optical information reader. The information code is a QR code,
25. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the specific part detection unit detects a position detection pattern of the QR code as the specific part. The specific part detection means is configured to try to detect all the position detection patterns in the QR code,
The blurred state value calculating unit calculates the blurred state value for each of the position detection patterns detected by the specific part detecting unit,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information based on the blur state value for each position detection pattern calculated by the blur state value calculation unit, and notifies or records the print quality information. The optical information reading device according to claim 25. Image processing that performs one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings when all the position detection patterns are not detected by the specific part detection unit With means,
The specific part detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting,
The blurred state value calculating means calculates the blurred state value for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting,
The calculation result utilization means notifies or records each processing setting in association with the detection result of the position detection pattern and the calculation result of the blurred state value in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting. 27. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 26. Image processing means for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data of the QR code according to a plurality of predetermined processing settings;
The specific part detecting means tries again the detection of the position detection pattern for each image processed data after the image processing is performed according to each processing setting,
The blurred state value calculating means calculates the blurred state value for each position detection pattern in each image processed data corresponding to each processing setting,
The decoding means includes: the image processed data in which the position detection pattern is detected most frequently among the plurality of image processed data; and the image processing in which the blur state value of the position detection pattern is closest to an appropriate value. Each of the processed data and the image-processed data with the smallest variation in the blurred state value in the plurality of position detection patterns,
The calculation result utilization means selects the image processed data having the smallest number of error corrections from the plurality of image processed data subjected to the decoding process, and obtains the image processed data. The optical information reading device according to claim 27, wherein the setting is notified or recorded. Image processing means for performing one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings;
When the position detection pattern is detected by the specific part detection unit, the image processing unit is configured to detect the detected position detection pattern, or detect the detected position detection pattern and the quiet zone. Image processing,
The blurred state value calculating unit calculates the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit,
The calculation result utilization unit generates the print quality information based on the blurred state value of the position detection pattern after the image processing is performed by the image processing unit, and notifies or records the print quality information. 27. The optical information reader according to claim 25 or claim 26. Image processing means for performing one or more image processing on the image data of the QR code based on one or more predetermined processing settings;
When the position detection pattern is detected or the decoding process is performed on the image-processed data after the image processing is performed according to the processing setting, the calculation result utilization unit is If the number of detected position detection patterns increases, the number of error corrections decreases before image processing, or the decoding process succeeds, the result is notified to the user. An optical information reader according to any one of claims 9 to 11, 18 to 20, and 27 to 29.   The said image processing means has a change means to change the dynamic range of the said image data, The any one of Claims 9-11, Claims 18-20, and Claims 27-30 The optical information reader according to one item. Illumination means for irradiating illumination light toward the information code;
Illumination control means for controlling the illumination means;
Lighting pattern setting means for setting a lighting pattern of the illumination means;
With
The said illumination control means controls the said illumination means to perform lighting with the said lighting pattern set by the said lighting pattern setting means, The Claim 1 to Claim 31 characterized by the above-mentioned. Optical information reader. The generation means generates the image data of the information code for each lighting pattern based on the light reception result for each lighting pattern that is changed by the lighting pattern setting means,
The decoding means is configured to perform the decoding process for the image data for each lighting pattern,
The calculation means calculates the evaluation value for the image data in which the decoding process by the decoding means is normally performed among the image data for each lighting pattern,
The calculation result utilization unit notifies the user of the print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value of the image data that has been normally performed or records the print quality information on the recording unit. The optical information reading device described. The illumination means includes a plurality of illumination light sources,
The lighting pattern setting means sets at least lighting positions in the plurality of illumination light sources,
34. The optical information reader according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the illumination control unit controls the illumination unit to perform lighting at the lighting position set by the lighting pattern setting unit. . The illuminating means has a plurality of color light emitting portions,
The lighting pattern setting means sets at least lighting colors in the light emitting portions of the plurality of colors,
The said illumination control means controls the said illumination means so that it lights with the said lighting color set by the said lighting pattern setting means, The Claim 31 to 34 characterized by the above-mentioned. Optical information reader. The illumination means includes a plurality of illumination light sources,
The lighting pattern setting means sets the lighting time of each of the plurality of illumination light sources,
The lighting control unit controls the lighting unit to perform lighting corresponding to the lighting time of each of the plurality of illumination light sources set by the lighting pattern setting unit. 36. The optical information reading device according to any one of 35.   37. The optical information reader according to claim 32, wherein the illumination control unit switches the lighting pattern of the illumination unit during exposure of the light receiving unit. The calculation result utilization unit is configured to store a plurality of print quality information obtained in the past in the storage unit in association with the lighting patterns used when acquiring the print quality information. And
The lighting pattern setting unit sets the past lighting pattern associated with the past print quality information stored in the storage unit as a new lighting pattern used for the lighting unit. The optical information reading device according to any one of claims 32 to 37. The lighting pattern setting means sequentially orders the lighting patterns associated with a plurality of past print quality information accumulated in the storage means in order of good print quality of the plurality of past print quality information. And
The illumination control means controls the illumination means to perform lighting in the order of the lighting patterns ordered by the lighting pattern setting means,
39. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the decoding unit performs the decoding process on the image data for each of the ordered lighting patterns. The lighting pattern setting means, when the decoding process is performed by the decoding means for the image data for each lighting pattern ordered by the lighting pattern setting means, all the image data for each lighting pattern. When a reading failure occurs, the lighting pattern other than the ordered lighting patterns is set as a new lighting pattern,
The decoding means performs the decoding process on the image data obtained by lighting the illumination means with the new lighting pattern,
The calculation means calculates the evaluation value for the image data when the decoding process is normally performed on the image data obtained by lighting with the new lighting pattern, and the calculation result utilization means includes: 40. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the print quality information obtained based on the evaluation value of the image data performed normally is notified to a user or recorded in the recording means. .