Code reading device and code reading method

According to one embodiment, a code reading device includes: a camera including an image sensor with a plurality of image pickup elements, the camera being configured to pick up an image of a symbol attached to merchandise; a decision unit configured to decide a position of clipping in the image sensor, based on change information for changing a set position of clipping in the image sensor, when the change information is inputted; and an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the symbol, based on an image by the image sensor corresponding to the decided position of clipping.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-143678, filed on Sep. 3, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a code reading device and a code reading method.

BACKGROUND

According to the related art, for example, in a store that sells merchandise, a symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code is printed on the merchandise or a label with such a symbol printed thereon is attached to the merchandise. A code reading device picks up an image of the symbol attached to the merchandise by a camera, performs image processing on (decodes) the picked-up image, and thus reads information about the merchandise. The camera has an image sensor. The image sensor is a semiconductor sensor having a large number of image pickup elements and receives light entering from the lens of the camera. The code reading device performs image processing on the light received by the image sensor and thus converts the light into an electrical signal.

Recently, due to the emergence of an image sensor of a high-image-quality model having a greater number of image pickup elements (that is, a greater “number of pixels”) per predetermined area, image processing may take a longer time. Therefore, processing of clipping (or cutting out) a part of the image pickup elements and performing image processing for the clipped image pickup elements is employed, instead of using all the image pickup elements of the image sensor. Clipping a part of the image pickup elements results in a reduction in the time taken for image processing.

Incidentally, a merchandise registration device with a code reading device incorporated therein is used either for a rightward passage, where customers move from left to right, or for a leftward passage, where customers move from right to left, depending on the layout or the like in the store. The direction in which merchandise is moved for the code reading device to read the symbol is reversed between the rightward passage and the leftward passage. In order to increase the efficiency of scanning (or the efficiency of reading) by the code reading device in the clipped state, it is desirable that a read area where the symbol can be read is located upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise so as to start reading the symbol early. However, the clipping position in the image sensor is fixed at the center and therefore the read area cannot be moved. Thus, the efficiency of scanning by the code reading device in the clipped state is not high.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment described herein is to provide a code reading device and a code reading method in which the efficiency of scanning in the clipped state can be increased.

In general, according to one embodiment, a code reading device includes: a camera including an image sensor with a plurality of image pickup elements, the camera being configured to pick up an image of a symbol attached to merchandise; a decision unit configured to decide a position of clipping in the image sensor, based on change information for changing a set position of clipping in the image sensor, when the change information is inputted; and an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the symbol, based on an image by the image sensor corresponding to the decided position of clipping.

An embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a POS terminal is described as an example of a merchandise sales data processing device. The embodiment is one embodiment of the code reading device and the code reading method. The configurations, functions, and the like in the embodiment are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

FIG.1shows the connecting relationship between a code reading device, a merchandise registration device, and a POS terminal according to the embodiment. As shown inFIG.1, a code reading device1is connected to a merchandise registration device3via a connection line5. The code reading device1is incorporated in and attached to the casing of the merchandise registration device3. The merchandise registration device3is connected to a POS terminal9via a communication line7.

The code reading device1is a device that reads a symbol (for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code) attached to merchandise. The code reading device1has a camera19shown inFIG.9. The camera19has an image sensor191inside. The image sensor191is a semiconductor sensor having a large number of image pickup elements in a planar form. The image sensor191receives light entering from the lens of the camera19. This is referred to as “image pickup”. When merchandise passes in front of the code reading device1, the image sensor191receives light including an image of a symbol attached to the merchandise. The code reading device1converts the light received by the image sensor191into an electrical signal. The processing of converting the light received by the image sensor191into an electrical signal is referred to as image processing or decoding. The code reading device1transmits code information of the merchandise on which image processing was performed, to the merchandise registration device3via the connection line5.

The merchandise registration device3acquires a merchandise code that specifies the merchandise, based on the information about the merchandise received from the code reading device1, and executes merchandise registration processing for this merchandise. The merchandise registration processing includes processing of accessing and displaying merchandise information such as the merchandise name and price of the merchandise, based on the acquired merchandise code, and storing the merchandise information in a merchandise information unit331shown inFIG.10. The merchandise registration device3transmits the merchandise information for which merchandise registration processing was performed, to the POS terminal9.

The POS terminal9executes settlement processing corresponding to the transaction, based on the merchandise information received from the merchandise registration device3. The settlement processing refers to processing of displaying the total amount and the amount of change (hereinafter referred to as “settlement information”) corresponding to the transaction with the customer, based on the merchandise information about the merchandise for which merchandise registration processing was performed. The settlement processing includes processing of dispensing a receipt on which the merchandise information and the settlement information about the settled merchandise are printed.

The structure of the merchandise registration device3will now be described.FIG.2is a perspective view showing the merchandise registration device3. As shown inFIG.2, the merchandise registration device3has a stand unit46standing upward from the top surface of a checkout counter table8, and an operation unit41and a display unit for store staff42provided on top of the stand unit46. The other components of the merchandise registration device3will be described later with reference toFIG.10.

The operation unit41has, for example, numeric keys for inputting the number of merchandise items, a transmission key for ending merchandise registration processing and transmitting merchandise information to the POS terminal9, and the like. The display unit for store staff42displays, for example, the merchandise information about merchandise for which merchandise registration processing was performed, to the store staff operating the merchandise registration device3.

The code reading device1is embedded in the stand unit46at a height position between the checkout counter table8and the display unit for store staff42. The code reading device1has a vertical read window2facing the store staff and picks up an image of a symbol attached to merchandise passing in front of the read window2, by the camera19. InFIG.2, if the code reading device1is set for the rightward passage, the customer moves from left to right along an arrow R. In this case, the merchandise purchased by the customer moves in the direction of the arrow R (from left to right inFIG.2) in front of the read window2. In this case, the left side of the code reading device1, rather than the right side, is upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise. Meanwhile, if the code reading device1is set for the leftward passage, the customer moves from right to left along an arrow L. In this case, the merchandise purchased by the customer moves in the direction of the arrow L (from right to left inFIG.2) in front of the read window2. In this case, the right side of the code reading device1, rather than the left side, is upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise.

In the case of the rightward passage, merchandise moves from the left side of the code reading device1to the right side. Therefore, in order to increase the efficiency of scanning by the code reading device1, it is desirable that the area and position of a clipped area where a symbol can be read are provided upstream (on the left side inFIG.2) in the direction of flow of merchandise, in the code reading device1. This relationship will now be described with reference toFIGS.3and4.FIG.3is an explanatory view showing the image sensor in the code reading device1and the clipped area and position in the rightward passage.FIG.4is an explanatory view showing the position of the clipped read area by the image sensor in the rightward passage. Also, a read area by a related-art code reading device99is shown as a comparative example.FIG.7is a reference explanatory view showing the image sensor and the clipped area and position in the code reading device99in the related-art example.FIG.8is a reference explanatory view showing the position of the clipped read area by the image sensor in the related-art example.

In the comparative example, G is the area available for image pickup by the image sensor191provided in the camera19. K represents the clipped area and position having a smaller area than the area available for image pickup G. Clipping refers to cutting out a region having a smaller area than the area available for image pickup G, in the area available for image pickup G. The code reading device99picks up an image, using image pickup elements located in the clipped area K (hereinafter referred to as clipping K) in the area available for image pickup G. The code reading device99then performs image processing on the image picked up in the area and position of the clipping K.

In the case of the comparative example, the area and position of the clipping K are fixed. Therefore, the code reading device99can read a symbol attached to merchandise, at the clipping K. InFIG.8, if a read area is not clipped (if the area available for image pickup G is employed as the read area), the code reading device99can read a symbol in the range of a read area YG. However, if a read area is clipped (if the clipping K is employed as the read area), the code reading device99can read a symbol in the range of a read area YK. In this case, the read area YK is narrower than the read area YG at both sides. In this case, in both when the flow of merchandise is the rightward passage and when the flow of merchandise is the leftward passage, the merchandise enters the read area later (the reading of the merchandise starts later) than when the clipping is not done. Therefore, the efficiency of scanning by the code reading device99is low.

In contrast, in the case of the embodiment (where merchandise moves in the rightward passage), as shown inFIG.3, the position of clipping is changed to (moved) upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise (to the left inFIG.3). InFIG.3, G is the area available for image pickup by the image sensor191provided in the camera19. KR represents the clipped area and position having a smaller area than the area available for image pickup G. The area of the clipping KR is decided by inputting the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the clipping KR (the direction of an arrow W) (change information or area information) and the number of pixels in the vertical direction (the direction of an arrow D) (change information or area information). Making the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction variable enables change in the area of the clipping KR. The number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction are equivalent to number-of-pixels information.

The position of the clipping KR is decided by inputting the coordinates of the position of the starting point of the clipping KR (change information or position information). The position of the starting point of the clipping KR has, for example, the coordinates of the position of a top left corner P of the clipping KR.

The number of pixels for deciding the area of the clipping KR and the coordinates for deciding the position of the clipping KR can be set and inputted by operating an operation unit17of the code reading device1, described later. Alternatively, the number of pixels and the coordinates can be set and inputted by operating the operation unit41of the merchandise registration device3. In the embodiment, the number of pixels and the coordinates are inputted by operating the operation unit41of the merchandise registration device3.

The area and position of the clipping KR can also be decided by inputting the coordinates of the four corners of the clipping KR (change information or position information). The area and position of the clipping KR may also be decided by other known methods.

In the case ofFIG.3, merchandise moves in the rightward passage. Therefore, the position of the clipping KR is changed (moved) to the leftmost side (upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise) in relation to the area available for image pickup G. This aims to cause the merchandise to enter the area of the clipping KR at the same time or almost at the same time as moving from the left and entering the area available for image pickup G.

To describe this in more detail, as the position of the clipping KR is changed (moved) to the leftmost side (upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise) in relation to the area available for image pickup G, the merchandise entering the read area YG of the area available for image pickup G simultaneously enters a read area YKR of the clipping KR, as shown inFIG.4. Therefore, the reading of the merchandise moving in the rightward passage can be started early.

Thus, in the code reading device1according to the embodiment, the efficiency of scanning in the clipped state can be increased. In the embodiment, the position of the clipping KR is changed (moved) to the leftmost side (upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise) in relation to the area available for image pickup G. However, the position of the clipping KR may be changed to more upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise than the position of the clipping K shown inFIG.7(more to the left than inFIG.7). That is, the clipping KR may be located in such a way that a center position TKR of the clipping KR is shifted more upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise (more to the left inFIG.3) than a center position TG of the area available for image pickup G. The area of the clipping KR may also be changed according to the processing capability of a CPU installed in the code reading device1.

In the embodiment, the position of the clipping KR is changed to (moved) upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise in relation to the area available for image pickup G. However, if merchandise whose symbol was read is placed near directly below the code reading device1, the position of the clipping KR may be changed to (moved) further upward in order to prevent re-reading of the symbol on the merchandise that was already read.

The embodiment when merchandise moves in the leftward passage will now be described. When merchandise moves in the leftward passage, as shown inFIG.5, the position of clipping is changed to (moved) upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise (to the right inFIG.5). InFIG.5, G is the area available for image pickup by the image sensor191provided in the camera19. KL represents the clipped area and position having a smaller area than the area available for image pickup G. The area of the clipping KL is decided by inputting the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the clipping KL (the direction of an arrow W) (change information or area information) and the number of pixels in the vertical direction (the direction of an arrow D) (change information or area information). Making the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction variable enables change in the area of the clipping KL. The number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction are equivalent to number-of-pixels information.

The position of the clipping KL is decided by inputting the coordinates of the position of the starting point of the clipping KL (change information or position information). The position of the starting point of the clipping KL has, for example, the coordinates of the position of a top left corner P of the clipping KL.

The number of pixels for deciding the area of the clipping KL and the coordinates for deciding the position of the clipping KL can be set and inputted by operating the operation unit17of the code reading device1, described later. Alternatively, the number of pixels and the coordinates can be set and inputted by operating the operation unit41of the merchandise registration device3. In the embodiment, the number of pixels and the coordinates are inputted by operating the operation unit41of the merchandise registration device3.

The area and position of the clipping KL can also be decided by inputting the coordinates of the four corners of the clipping KL (change information or position information). The area and position of the clipping KL may also be decided by other known methods.

In the case ofFIG.5, merchandise moves in the leftward passage. Therefore, the position of the clipping KL is changed (moved) to the rightmost side (upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise) in relation to the area available for image pickup G. This aims to cause the merchandise to enter the area of the clipping KL at the same time or almost at the same time as moving from the right and entering the area available for image pickup G.

To describe this in more detail, as the position of the clipping KL is changed (moved) to the rightmost side (upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise) in relation to the area available for image pickup G, the merchandise entering the read area YG of the area available for image pickup G simultaneously enters a read area YKL of the clipping KL, as shown inFIG.6. Therefore, the reading of the merchandise moving in the leftward passage can be started early.

Thus, in the code reading device1according to the embodiment, the efficiency of scanning in the clipped state can be increased. In the embodiment, the position of the clipping KL is changed (moved) to the rightmost side (upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise) in relation to the area available for image pickup G. However, the position of the clipping KL may be changed to more upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise than the position of the clipping K shown inFIG.7(more to the right than inFIG.7). That is, the clipping KL may be located in such a way that a center position TKL of the clipping KL is shifted more upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise (more to the right inFIG.5) than a center position TG of the area available for image pickup G. The area of the clipping KL may also be changed according to the processing capability of the CPU installed in the code reading device1.

In the embodiment, the position of the clipping KL is changed to (moved) upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise in relation to the area available for image pickup G. However, if merchandise whose symbol was read is placed near directly below the code reading device1, the position of the clipping KL may be changed to (moved) further upward in order to prevent re-reading of the symbol on the merchandise that was already read.

The hardware of the code reading device1will now be described.FIG.9is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the code reading device1. As shown inFIG.9, the code reading device1has a CPU (central processing unit)11, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (read-only memory)12, a RAM (random-access memory)13, and a memory unit14or the like. The CPU11is a main controller. The ROM12stores various programs. In the RAM13, programs and various data are loaded. The memory unit14stores various programs. The CPU11, the ROM12, the RAM13, and the memory unit14are connected to each other via a bus15. The CPU11, the ROM12, and the RAM13together form a control unit100. That is, the control unit100executes control processing for the code reading device1, described later, by having the CPU11operate according to a control program stored in the ROM12or the memory unit14and loaded in the RAM13.

The RAM13has an image memory unit131and a decoded information memory unit132. The image memory unit131stores an image of merchandise picked up by the camera19. The decoded information memory unit132stores code information formed by image processing (decoding) based on the image stored in the image memory unit131.

The memory unit14is formed by a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or a flash memory, which holds the information stored therein even if the power is turned off. The memory unit14has a control program unit141storing a control program for controlling the code reading device1, and a change memory unit142. The change memory unit142stores change information (area information and position information) inputted from the merchandise registration device3.

The control unit100is connected to the operation unit17, a display unit18, and the camera19via the bus15and a controller16. The camera19has the image sensor191, where a large number of image pickup elements are arranged in a planar form.

The operation unit17is a keyboard or a touch panel, for example, and is operated by the operator of the code reading device1. The display unit18is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays information to the operator of the code reading device1.

The control unit100is also connected to a communication unit20via the bus15. The communication unit20is connected to the merchandise registration device3via the connection line5and transmits and receives information to and from the merchandise registration device3.

The hardware of the merchandise registration device3will now be described.FIG.10is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the merchandise registration device3. As shown inFIG.10, the merchandise registration device3has a CPU31, which is an example of a processor, a ROM32, a RAM33, and a memory unit34or the like. The CPU31is a main controller. The ROM32stores various programs. In the RAM33, programs and various data are loaded. The memory unit34stores various programs. The CPU31, the ROM32, the RAM33, and the memory unit34are connected to each other via a bus35. The CPU31, the ROM32, and the RAM33together form a control unit300. That is, the control unit300executes control processing for the merchandise registration device3, described later, by having the CPU31operate according to a control program stored in the ROM32or the memory unit34and loaded in the RAM33.

The RAM33has the merchandise information unit331and a change setting unit332. The merchandise information unit331stores merchandise information (such as merchandise code, merchandise name, and price of merchandise) about merchandise for which merchandise registration processing was performed. The change setting unit332stores area information representing the area of inputted clipping and position information representing the position of the clipping.

The memory unit34is formed by a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or a flash memory, which holds the information stored therein even if the power is turned off. The memory unit34has a control program unit341storing a control program for controlling the merchandise registration device3, and a merchandise master342. The merchandise master342stores merchandise information (such as merchandise name and price of merchandise) about merchandise sold at the store, in correlation with a merchandise code that specifies the merchandise.

The control unit300is connected to the operation unit41, the display unit for store staff42, a display unit for customer43, a card reading unit44, and the code reading device1via the bus35and a controller36.

The operation unit41is a keyboard or a touch panel, for example, and is operated by the operator of the merchandise registration device3. The display unit for store staff42is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays information to a staff member who is the operator of the merchandise registration device3. The display unit for customer43is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and display information to the customer. The card reading unit44reads a member code that specifies a member from a card (for example, a member card showing that the customer is the member, or the like) used for settlement. The code reading device1is connected to the controller36via the connection line5.

The control unit300is also connected to a communication unit47via the bus35. The communication unit47is connected to the POS terminal9via the communication line7and transmits and receives information to and from the POS terminal9.

The functional configuration of the code reading device1will now be described.FIG.11is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the code reading device1. The control unit100of the code reading device1operates according to the control program stored in the ROM12or the control program unit141of the memory unit14and thus functions as a decision unit101and an image processing unit102.

When area information and position information for changing a set area and position of clipping a part of the image sensor191are inputted, the decision unit101decides an area and position of clipping in the image sensor191, based on the area information and the position information. Specifically, when number-of-pixels information, which is the area information, and coordinate information, which is the position information, set by the operation unit41of the merchandise registration device3are inputted, the decision unit101decides an area and position of clipping in the image sensor191, based on the number-of-pixels information and the coordinate information.

The decision unit101decides the position of clipping in such a way that the center point (TKR or TKL) of the area of clipping is located upstream in the direction of movement of merchandise from the center position TG of the image sensor191.

The image processing unit102performs image processing on a symbol that is picked up as an image, based on an image from the image sensor191corresponding to the decided position of clipping.

The control of the code reading device1will now be described.FIG.12is a flowchart showing an example of control processing for the code reading device1. The control unit100of the code reading device1determines whether change information for changing the area and position of clipping (area information for changing the area of clipping (number-of-pixels information) and position information (coordinate information of the corner P, that is, the starting point)) is inputted from the merchandise registration device3or not (ACT11). If the control unit100determines that the change information is inputted (Yes in ACT11), the decision unit101stores the inputted change information in the change memory unit142and thus decides an area and position of clipping in the image sensor191(ACT12). The control unit100then returns to ACT11.

If the control unit100determines that the change information is not inputted (No in ACT11), the control unit100determines whether an image of a symbol is picked up by the camera19or not (ACT21). If information about a pattern of an image showing a symbol is registered in advance and an image showing the registered pattern of the symbol is included the image picked up by the camera19, the control unit100determines that the image of the symbol is picked up.

If the control unit100determines that the image of the symbol is picked up (Yes in ACT21), the control unit100determines whether the image sensor191is clipped or not (ACT22). For example, if change information about clipping is stored in the change memory unit142, the control unit100determines that the image sensor191is clipped. Also, for example, if an instruction to clip (for example, an operation on a button or an instruction from the merchandise registration device3) is given, the control unit100determines that the image sensor191is clipped. If the control unit100determines that the image sensor191is clipped (Yes in ACT22), the control unit100causes the image sensor191at the clipped position and in the clipped area (clipping KR inFIG.3, clipping KL inFIG.5) to receive the picked-up image (ACT23). Meanwhile, if the control unit100determines that the image sensor191is not clipped (No in ACT22), the control unit100causes the entirety of the image sensor191(area available for image pickup G) to receive the picked-up image (ACT24).

Next, the image processing unit102performs image processing on (decodes) the image received by the image sensor191(ACT25). The control unit100then stores the image-processed code information in the decoded information memory unit132(ACT26). The control unit100then outputs the code information stored in the decoded information memory unit132to the merchandise registration device3(ACT27). The control unit100then returns to ACT11. Also, if the control unit100determines that the image of the symbol is not picked up (No in ACT21), the control unit100returns to ACT11.

In such a code reading device1according to the embodiment, the area and position of clipping can be changed, based on the inputted change information. Inputting the change information enables the area and position of clipping to be changed to (moved) upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise in advance. Therefore, the efficiency of scanning in the reading of a symbol by the code reading device1can be increased.

The control of the merchandise registration device3will now be described.FIG.13is a flowchart showing an example of control processing for the merchandise registration device3. As shown inFIG.13, the control unit300of the merchandise registration device3determines whether code information is inputted from the code reading device1or not (ACT31). If the control unit300determines that the code information is inputted (Yes in ACT31), the control unit300acquires the merchandise code of the merchandise based on the inputted code information (ACT32). The control unit300then executes merchandise registration processing of searching the merchandise master342, based on the acquired merchandise code, acquiring the merchandise information about the merchandise, and storing the merchandise information in the merchandise information unit331(ACT33). The control unit300then returns to ACT31.

If the control unit300determines that the code information is not inputted (No in ACT31), the control unit300determines whether an instruction to change the area and position of clipping is given or not (ACT41). The instruction to change the area and position of clipping is given, for example, by turning the merchandise registration device3into a setting mode and operating the operation unit41. If the control unit300determines that the instruction to change the area and position of clipping is given (Yes in ACT41), the control unit300sets area information representing the area of clipping inputted by operating the operation unit41, in the change setting unit332(ACT42). Next, the control unit300sets position information representing the position of clipping inputted by operating the operation unit41, in the change setting unit332(ACT43). The control unit300then outputs the area information and the position information set in the change setting unit332to the code reading device1(ACT44). The control unit300then returns to ACT31.

If the control unit300determines that the instruction to change the area and position of clipping is not given (No in ACT41), the control unit300determines whether an operation indicating an end to the merchandise registration processing is carried out or not (ACT51). For example, if an end button (not illustrated) provided at the operation unit41is operated, the control unit300determines that the operation indicating an end to the merchandise registration processing is carried out. If the control unit300determines that the operation indicating an end to the merchandise registration processing is carried out (Yes in ACT51), the control unit300transmits the merchandise information stored in the merchandise information unit331to the POS terminal9(ACT52). The control unit300then returns to ACT31. Also, if the control unit300determines that the operation indicating an end to the merchandise registration processing is not carried out (No in ACT51), the control unit300returns to ACT31.

As described above, the code reading device1according to the embodiment includes: the camera19including the image sensor191with a plurality of image pickup elements, the camera19being configured to pick up an image of a symbol attached to merchandise; the decision unit101configured to decide an area and position of clipping in the image sensor191, based on change information for changing an area and position of clipping a part of the image sensor191set by the merchandise registration device3, when the change information is inputted; and the image processing unit102configured to perform image processing on the symbol, based on an image by the image sensor191corresponding to the decided area and position of clipping.

In the code reading device1according to the embodiment having such a configuration, the area and position of clipping can be changed, based on the change information set by the merchandise registration device3. Therefore, the area and position of clipping can be changed to upstream in the direction of flow of merchandise, whether the merchandise registration device3operates for the rightward passage or the leftward passage. Thus, the efficiency of scanning by the code reading device1in the clipped state can be increased.

While an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, this embodiment is presented simply as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. This novel embodiment can be carried out in various other forms. Various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The embodiment and the modifications thereof are included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and also included in the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.

In the embodiment, the image sensor191in the clipped area and position receives the picked-up image and image processing is performed for the image pickup elements of the image sensor191that receive the image. However, this is not limiting. For example, the entirety of the image sensor191may receive the picked-up image and image processing may be executed for the image pickup elements of the image sensor191in the clipped area and position.

In the embodiment, the area information and the position information are set by operating the operation unit41of the merchandise registration device3. However, this is not limiting. For example, the change information (area information and position information) may be set by operating the operation unit17of the code reading device1.

In the embodiment, the area information and the position information are set as the change information for deciding the area and position of clipping. However, this is not limiting. For example, the area of clipping may be fixed and only the position information for deciding (changing) the position of clipping may be set as the change information.

The program executed by the code reading device1according to the embodiment is recorded as a file in an installable format or an executable format in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (digital versatile disk), and provided in this form.

The program executed by the code reading device1according to the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the internet and may be downloaded via the network and thus provided. The program executed by the code reading device1according to the embodiment may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the internet.

The program executed by the code reading device1according to the embodiment may also be stored in the ROM or the like in advance and thus provided.