Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-14
2001-09-25
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S462080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293466
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bar code image processing apparatus which is capable of identifying the position and the direction of a bar code when reading and decoding a bar code from a document (e.g., mail) image including letters, figures and patterns.
2. Prior Art
Bar codes are widely used for many purposes in various fields.
FIG. 11
shows a conventional bar code reading technique, disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 2-125386 (published in 1990), which enters a two-dimensional image of an object, extracts each bar code region involved in the entered image through image processing, and decodies a bar code.
More specifically, in an image processing arrangement shown in
FIG. 11
, image data are entered through an input terminal
901
into a binary coding section
903
in which the entered image data are changed into binary data. A binary level variation detecting section
904
converts the binary data into a contour image. A black expanding section
905
unites the periodically aligned contour lines of the bar code and paints out the bar code region. Next, a black contracting section
906
erases the background and extracts the bar code region. Numeral
907
represents a regressive straight line calculating section, numeral
908
represents a reading coordinate calculating section, numeral
902
represents an image signal memory section, and reference numeral
909
represents a bar code decoding section. Thus, along a regressive straight line of the extracted region, the image data are read and decoded.
However, according to the above-described conventional bar code image processing apparatus, it is difficult to correctly separate the bar code region from the background image when the length of a bar is short in comparison with a bar pitch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a reliable bar code image processing apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting and decoding a bar code region regardless of the position and the direction of the bar code.
In order to accomplish the above-described and other related objects, the present invention provides an excellent and reliable bar code image processing apparatus characterized by the following features. A labeling means labels a document image including a bar code and detects a feature quantity including a center (e.g. center of gravity) position of each labeled region. A region detecting means makes a group of labeled regions spaced at a predetermined positional relationship based on feature quantities of the labeled regions and detects a bar code candidate region. A decoding means identifies a type of each bar based on the feature quantity involved in the bar code candidate region and decodes the bar code.
Preferably, a small pattern removing means is provided for erasing predetermined small patterns from the document image before the document image is labeled.
Preferably, the labeling means detects a labeled region which requires no rewriting as a result of a detection of identity between labels.
Preferably, the labeling means detects at least one feature quantity selected from the group consisting of an area, a peripheral length and a circumscribed rectangle.
Preferably, the decoding means decodes the bar code based on an area and a center (e.g. center of gravity) position of each bar.
Preferably, the bar code is a 4-state code including a long bar, a semi-long bar and a timing bar, or a JAN code. In this case, the decoding means discriminates a bar type among the long bar, the semi-long bar and the timing bar based on an area of each pattern. Then, the decoding means obtains a line passing center positions of the long and timing bars, and detects a phase relationship of the semi-long bar with respect to the obtained line to decode the bar code based on the obtained phase relationship.
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Asano Toru
Fujita Mikio
Kawahara Toyoki
Komizo Shigeo
Yamamoto Atsuharu
Frech Karl D.
Gopstein Israel
Lee Diane I.
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
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