JP2000293621A - Bar code and its reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a self-check function that is not influenced by bar and space widths at all and to rapidly increase amount of information by making the magnitude correlation between the optical reflectance of a trigger inserted between respective information bars of a bar code and the optical reflectance of a mixed color opposite. SOLUTION: In a bar code, numeric values 1 and 2 are allocated to a 1st module, numeric values 3 and 6 are allocated to the 2nd module, numeric values 9 and 18 are allocated to a 3rd module, numeric values 27 and 54 are allocated to a 4th module, and the respective modules are divided by a trigger T. Then, significant numeric values of even value lines are colored with cyan, significant values of odd value lines are colored with magenta, and zero numeric values are colored with cyan and magenta. The trigger T becomes double plus because white has high reflectance, e.g. in the case of white paper, etc. Therefore, the zero module of a zero numeric value is made double minus by mixing and coloring cyan and magenta to make optical reflectance almost zero.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code, especially a color bar code, and a method and an apparatus for reading a color bar code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional bar codes include CODE39,
2. Description of the Related Art Binary level barcodes represented by thick and thin, such as ITF, and multilevel barcodes represented by several types of bars, such as JAN and CODE128, are known.

[0003] A bar code is composed of several black lines called bars and a white portion called a space between the black lines. Of these, a thick black line is called a wide bar, a thin line is called a narrow bar, a thick space is called a wide space, and a thin line is called a narrow space. Therefore, in order to read these bars and load spaces having different thicknesses and widths with a machine, there are problems in use and in code creation.

[0004] Bar code symbols are rarely printed by themselves, and in fact, other characters, figures, and photographs are often printed around them. Therefore, when the barcode symbol is read, signals other than the barcode are input to the barcode reader. Therefore, it is necessary to extract data related to the barcode from them.

[0005] As this method, a blank (quiet zone) before and after a bar code symbol is used. Among the data input to the barcode reader, the data after the blank with no signal is recognized as a barcode,
Further, it recognizes that the bar code is present before the next blank space. Therefore, if the margin is small, the barcode cannot be recognized at all, and reading becomes impossible.

When the bar code symbol cannot be read despite its high printing accuracy, the margin is often small. Even if the barcode can be identified from the data input to the barcode reader, it is not clear from which direction the barcode was read. Since the barcode can be read from both the left and right, it is necessary to identify the start code and the stop code from this data and find out the data in the start code and the stop code. The patterns of the start code and the stop code differ depending on the type of the symbol. Therefore, the bar code symbol type and the start / stop code can be identified by sequentially applying some of these patterns.

After the identification of all the characters is completed in this way, the check digit is calculated for a bar code symbol that requires a check digit check. If the check result is not correct, the decoding is stopped. When decoding is completed correctly, the data is converted into an ASCII code or the like, and an output signal is written to a buffer. Then, the data is transferred to the host computer or the terminal according to the data transfer procedure of the selected interface.

The signal input to the bar code reader is set to 0
In order to convert to 1, a bar or space time must be measured. A timer is used for this measurement, and the timer is counted by a basic time called a clock.

For example, this thin bar has 10 counts, and the next thick space has 25 counts. . At this time, if the clock is slow, the number of bar and space counts decreases, and the measurement error increases accordingly. The clock speed depends on the scanning speed and the minimum bar width of the barcode to be read. In a laser scanner, this clock must be fast because of the fast scanning speed.

In the case of a high-resolution product that reads a bar code of 0.1 mm or less even with a pen scanner, the clock must be made faster. In order to determine whether the bar is a thin bar or a thick bar, the respective time widths are measured, and the determination is made based on a certain reference value (threshold).

Since the measured time width varies depending on the scanning speed and the size of the bar, the reference value cannot be fixed. Therefore, usually, the time width of the first bar is measured, and then the threshold value is determined. If the scan is at the same speed throughout the bar code symbol, this threshold may be the same value, but not possible with a pen scanner. Therefore, after measuring the width of the next bar, the threshold is changed based on that value.

As a result, the change in the scanning speed can be followed, and when the width of each bar is measured with time, the first bar generally tends to be smaller than the other bars.

The ratio varies depending on the type and manufacturer of the barcode scanner, and how to predict this tendency is a key to improving the reading rate. In printing a barcode module, if the bar is fat, the space between the bars is narrowed.

Therefore, if the threshold values of the bar and the space are set differently, the reading rate is improved. For this purpose, a method is used in which a module is compared with the immediately preceding module, and the space is also compared with the immediately preceding space to determine a new threshold value. One of the problems in use is the restriction that the sensor must be scanned at a constant speed, which has made it difficult to put the handy sensor into practical use.

The following are points to keep in mind when printing barcodes on how to maintain strict printing accuracy in terms of standards during high-speed, mass production and how to print barcodes that do not hinder reading.

[0016] The left and right margins must be secured according to the regulations, characters and pictures should not be inserted in the margins, and furthermore, in consideration of misregistration at the time of printing, an interval of 1 mm or more should be provided in all four directions. .

A film master, which is an original barcode, secures dimensions and precision in accordance with the reproducibility of fine lines in the plate making and printing processes. The breeding is performed so that the accuracy does not deteriorate. In the dimensional characteristics, the printability gauge is constantly checked. In particular, it is necessary to strictly check for crushing during printing.

For intaglio printing, the ink density during printing,
Pay attention to changes in color tone, manage so as not to exceed the allowable limit, and pay attention to streaks, stains, and protrusions. Also,
It is also necessary to check when submitting plate making so that the bar code bar itself is oriented horizontally with respect to the printing flow direction

As described above, there have been various problems with the conventional barcodes that have been widely used. Furthermore, in recent years when a large number of products are available, there is a shortage of data input, and we are worried about the future. Already, books have barcodes printed in two rows, which is becoming an increasingly obstacle in design.

[0020]

At present, barcodes are widely used for distribution and other purposes, but the problem with barcodes is that the ratio of the space width (white) to the width of the module (black bar) is detected. Since the information was recognized, it was necessary to print the width of the bar accurately.

[0021] For this reason, there is a problem that the bar width cannot be made accurate for a cloth or a corrugated cardboard having a rough surface.

Further, since the scanning speed of the sensor for reading a bar code must be performed at a constant speed, a hand-held type reading sensor for manually scanning cannot be moved at a constant scanning speed, and a reading error is likely to occur. That is why handheld reading sensors have not been widely used.

Another problem of a bar code is to add a self-check function for checking misreading due to chipping or flaws of the bar code itself.

Further, if the barcode is placed in a place with a lot of dust or in an environment where a chemical causing fading is present, the barcode is dusty or stained and causes misreading.

However, despite the various disadvantages, barcodes are widely used for their convenience, but the number of products is rapidly increasing, and the capacity cannot keep up, and the barcodes have to be dealt with. I have. A typical example is that the bar code is printed in two steps on the back cover of a book or the like, impairing the appearance.

Another problem with bar codes is that they are also vulnerable to blurring and displacement.

[0027]

Various problems in the conventional barcode have been caused by the fact that the width of a bar or the width of a space is an important element in analyzing information. The present invention provides a novel color barcode that enables a self-check function and a drastic increase in the amount of information that are completely unaffected by the width of a bar or the width of a space, and also provides a method and apparatus for reading a color barcode. Is what you do.

The pen-type scanner reads a bar code. The pen-type scanner has a light source and a light-receiving element for receiving light inside the pen portion, and the light emitted from the pen tip is a black line portion of the bar code. The light from this bar (black line) is not returned to the light receiving element but strongly reflected light enters the light receiving element from the space (white line) of the bar code.

The intensity of the light incident on the light receiving element is converted by a phototransistor into an ON / OFF electric signal based on a set threshold (th), which is a magnitude or intensity of an electric signal such as a voltage or a current. This is once shaped to obtain a rectangular electric signal (this is called a pulse signal).

As a result, signals corresponding to binary numbers of 0 and 1 are obtained. Assuming that the speed of the pen scanner is constant, the width of the pulse signal detected according to the width of the module is large or small.

These pulse trains are electrically processed and
The information is converted from a decimal number to a decimal number, and the information is collated with memory information of a computer, a product maker or a product name is known, and the corresponding price is displayed on a cashier display.

Conventionally, the base color itself of a base material such as paper on which a barcode is printed (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) has been treated as information.
Although there was information, it was not possible to distinguish whether or not the information was due to lack of printing, and further, it was not possible to distinguish whether or not the information was zero.

The feature of the present invention resides in that the paper fabric to be printed is inserted between the modules without being colored, to give an effect as a trigger to the background color, and to treat the background color as space information as in the prior art. There is nothing to do. Further, unlike the conventional bar code consisting of only black and white, the module is changed to magenta color A color and cyan color B color.
Color or color C.

[0034] When the information is the zero of the module (hereinafter referred to as M ^0.) In which the fabric color reflects more light threshold, subthreshold light reflecting color, such as mixed color of magenta and cyan or Color with black etc. When the background color is one that only reflect less light threshold Conversely, colored white, the M ⁰ color high lightness containing ash reflects more light threshold.

The spectral reflectance of each printing ink is:
Assuming that the spectral reflectance of the sensor due to the light from the background white is 1, the mixed color of magenta and cyan is blue-violet, the mixed color of magenta and yellow is red, the mixed color of cyan and yellow is green, and magenta is Approximately 0.85, yellow is approximately 0.85, and cyan is 0.73. Blue-purple, which is a subtractive color mixture of magenta and cyan, is 0.27, and red, which is a mixed color of magenta and yellow, is 0.84. Green, which is a mixed color of cyan and yellow, is 0.45.

The module can be colored in any combination of magenta, cyan and yellow, but a combination of magenta and cyan is most preferred.

For example, a case where the present invention is applied to white paper will be described. The trigger (hereinafter referred to as T) is white and M
⁰ needs to be light reflection below the threshold value using the subtractive color mixing principle. Therefore, M ⁰ is magenta is closer to black,
The difference between the spectral reflectances of cyan and yellow is increased, and the accuracy of information reading is increased.

As is apparent from these data, when the combination of magenta and yellow is used, the spectral specific reflectance of magenta, yellow, and the red of the mixed color is 0.8.
It is almost the same as 5, 0.85, and 0.84, so it is not appropriate except when the material of the tire or the like is black.

Similarly, in the case of cyan and yellow and green of a mixed color thereof, yellow is 0.85, cyan is approximately 0.73, green is 0.45, and the spectral reflectance of cyan and green is 0. .73, 0.45, and 0.28, and the degree of information recognition is low.

This is the reason why the combination of a single color of magenta, a single color of cyan, and a blue / purple subtractive color thereof is most preferable. ,

When the brightness of the background color to which the module (M) is attached is high, the C color of the zero module (M ⁰ ) needs to be at least ／ or less of the spectral reflectance of the background color. . Therefore, the C color is not limited to a mixed color of the A color and the B color, and may be black or gray.

Conversely, when the substrate on which the module is attached does not reflect light, for example, a black tire such as a rubber tire, the zero module (M ⁰ ) has a spectral reflectance of white, gray or metal. It is necessary to color with a large one.

The reason that the combination of magenta / cyan, cyan / yellow, or magenta / yellow is selected for coloring the information bar is that the combination of these colors has a complementary color relationship, and a single color has high lightness and reflects light well. But,
These mixed colors are subtractive and become dark, and hardly reflect light. A bar code colored by subtractive color mixing, ie, a color bar code having a complementary color relationship, will be described below with reference to embodiments.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a binary bar code M ¹ having values of 1, 2, 4, and 8 hatched on a base (T).
M ² , M ⁴ , and M ⁸ indicate values of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 15, all of which are filled with black.

[0046] FIG. 1 (2) shows a graph that has been converted into light by the voltage reflected light photosensor from the bar code, which has a constant voltage as a threshold value (th), the information bar B ^1, Since B ² , B ⁴ , and B ⁸ are black, they hardly reflect light, indicating that they are all zero.

FIG. 1 (3) is a schematic diagram in which a base having a large spectral reflectance is represented by +, and a value less than the threshold is represented by-.

Since the recognition below the threshold value is for recognizing the width, the possibility of erroneous reading depending on the scanning speed of the bar reading sensor and the possibility of dust or chipping occurring accidentally despite the fact that there is information actually exist. However, the configuration of a barcode that integrally determines that there is no information may cause erroneous reading or misrecognition for more complicated and sophisticated information, thus impairing the reliability of the information.

One of the features of the present invention is to provide a novel color barcode having a self-check mechanism for automatically checking for the presence of information.

FIG. 2A shows an example of the present invention. M ¹ M ² M ⁴ M ⁸ is an information bar colored with cyan, which is a sensor comprising light emitting and receiving elements shown in FIG. 2 (2) and FIG. 2 (3) show the results detected in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a color bar code reader 36 comprising a light conversion element 32 such as a phototransistor covered with a cyan filter 31, a light conversion element 34 such as a phototransistor covered with a magenta filter 33, and a white light source 35. An explanatory diagram for detecting an information bar 38 colored with magenta on a base 37 is shown.

FIGS. 2 (2) and 2 (3) are those detected by FIG. 3, and FIG. 2 (2) is the result of detection by a magenta filter. The trigger (T) of the base has a large spectral reflectance. Therefore, the information bar exceeding the threshold value and colored with cyan (M
^{1 M} 2 ^M 4 ^{M 8)} is light because the light is not transmitted is a zero not detected.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 (3) shows the result detected by the cyan filter. The trigger ( T ) of the background (white paper) exceeds the threshold value because the spectral reflectance is large, and the information bar (cyan) is colored. M ¹ M ² M ⁴ M ⁸ ) also indicate that the light has passed through the threshold and has been detected.

FIG. 2 (4) schematically shows a case where light having a threshold value or more is detected as plus (+), and a case where light is equal to or less than the threshold value is defined as minus (-).

As is apparent from FIG. 2D, pairs of information bars (M ¹ / M ¹ , M ² / M ² , M ⁴ / M ⁴ , M ⁸ /
M ⁸ ) is always a pair of + and-. The other B ¹ if B ¹ is + is - as opposed to one of the ^{B 1} is - if the other B ¹
If is not always +, this information has a self-determining function (self-checking function) for determining that this information is erroneous.

The self-check function, as shown in FIG. 3, recognizes the color bar code as a first light detection sensor 32 covered with a light filter 31 that transmits A (magenta). A color bar code reader comprising a second light detection sensor covered with another light filter 33 transmitting the other color B (cyan), and at least one light source. This was made possible for the first time with the device 36 .

Other reading devices for color bar codes37
Transmits the color A (magenta) as shown in FIG.
Light source 39 covered with an optical filter 31
(Cyan)
Light source 40, the first light source 39 and the second light source 4
The bar code is irradiated from 0 and reflected from the bar code
A first optical sensor 32 and a second optical sensor
Color bar code reading device composed of
41Is also possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the other reading device 42 for the color bar code includes the first light source 39 and the A light source.
A first light receiving / emitting element composed of an optical sensor 32 covered with an optical filter 31 transmitting a color (magenta), a second light source 40 and an optical filter 33 transmitting a B color (cyan)
It is also possible by a color bar code reader comprising a second light receiving / emitting element comprising a second optical sensor 34 covered with a light emitting element. .

FIG. 5A shows an example of a color barcode representing a numerical value 11 on a blank sheet to explain a further function of the present invention. The color bar code, is a cyan M ¹ to M ² and M ⁸ are colored magenta. Since the trigger (T) is blank, it reflects light well. Colors If the present invention is a trigger for reflecting light, the color M ⁴ is zero to absorb light, when the trigger in the opposite does not reflect light, the M ⁴ is zero to reflect light in the opposite It is characterized by the following.

[0060] Thus, in the case of a color bar code using cyan and magenta M ₄ is zero colored with mixed colors cyan and magenta.

[0061] FIG. 5 (2) includes a ^{M 2} and ^{M 8} colored with blank trigger (T) and magenta as the underlying indicates a value greater than the threshold value, ^{M 1} and ^{M 0} is equal to or less than the threshold value ing.

[0062] FIG. 5 (3) shows a blank trigger (T) and M ¹ colored with cyan is not less than the threshold value as a base, ^M 2, ^{M 8} and M ⁰ is equal to or lower than the threshold value I have.

FIG.
These are summarized and shown in (4). According to this, the trigger (T) always exceeds the threshold value and the outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor are both positive, and the outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor are always negative on the contrary to the zero information bar. However, the data M ¹ , M ² , and M ⁸ are evidence that it is correct that the first sensor and the second sensor are + −.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which a trigger (T) for separating the color barcode module (M) is inserted one by one. The pair of T and T of the trigger (T) is the same as ++. Sign, module pair M ¹ M ¹ to cyan, M ² M ²
And M ^{8 with} M ⁸ as magenta and M ⁰ with cyan and magenta, respectively, and a spectral reflectance of white paper of 1 (white paper reflects light, so the spectral reflectance is considerably large. When a blank sheet is used as a trigger), the first threshold value when the threshold (th) is set to 0,75
FIG. 6 shows the amounts of light received by the sensor 32 and the second sensor 34.
The results are shown in (2) and (3).

In FIG. 6 (4), as schematically shown when the amount of light received exceeding the threshold is + and the amount of light received below the threshold is-, the information bar is always +-or-+ with the opposite sign. Become.
The zero information (M ⁰ ) has the same sign of −− and double minus as opposed to the trigger being ++ and double plus. Zero information (M ⁰ ) is a color mixture of cyan and magenta, black,
Any color other than gray, such that the light receiving amount is smaller than the threshold with a certain margin, may be used.

Cyan and magenta are arranged based on a predetermined code rule, and are two single colors of A color and B color and C color.
In a bar code colored with a color (including a mixed color of A color and B color, or black, gray, and white), the light reflectance of a trigger inserted between each bar of the bar code and the information color of C color The present invention proposes a color barcode characterized in that the magnitude relationship with the light reflectance is opposite.

In a bar code colored with two single colors of A color and B color and C color (including a mixed color of A color and B color or black, gray and white) arranged based on a predetermined code rule, The magnitude relationship between the light transmittance of the trigger inserted between each information bar of the bar code and the light transmittance of the C color (including the mixed color of A, B or black, gray, and white) is reversed. The present invention proposes a color barcode characterized by a certain feature.

[0068] which are arranged based on a predetermined code rule A color, B color and C ₁ color (including, mixed color or black color A B color, gray) in the colored bar code out with, of the bar code light reflectance color a trigger that is inserted between each information bar, color 2 monochromatic reflectance and when more than comparable B, the reflection of the light reflectance of the C ₁ colors a color and B color The present invention proposes a color barcode characterized by being at most 2/3 of the rate.

[0069] which are arranged based on a predetermined code rule A color, B color and C ₂ colors (including, mixed color or gray color A B color, white) in the de colored bar code, the trigger of the light reflecting when the rate is less than 2/3 of the a color and B color, light reflectance of the C ₂ colors a color present invention a color bar code, characterized in that at least comparable to the reflectivity of the B color is It is a suggestion.

The case where the present invention is used for production control of tires for automobiles and the like will be described. When the trigger is not colored, the trigger is black and the light reflectance is almost zero. T
Since the amount of light received by the first sensor and the second sensor of T is equal to or less than the threshold value, the value is double minus minus.

The problem here is that the zero module (M ⁰ )
Also, it cannot be distinguished from the trigger because it is a double minus. However, in this regard, the present invention has provided a complete solution. Since the light reflectance of T and T is close to zero, the zero module (M ⁰ ) is also erroneously recognized as a double minus minus. Therefore, when the spectral reflectance of T and T is close to zero, The double plus of ++ is an essential condition for implementing the present invention.

The coloring of the zero module is selected according to the ground color, material, etc. of the material on which the barcode is printed.
For example, when using white paper, white has a high reflectance, so the trigger is double plus, so the zero module is double minus, and the reflectance of light is black and very low like a tire. In such a case, the zero module needs to be colored with a high light reflectance.

FIG. 7A shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a tire. As shown in FIG. 7 (1), there is a trigger (T) between the modules. This trigger will be described in the case of using the tire fabric color itself (black) as it is. Since the outputs of the sensor and the second sensor are almost zero, the zero module (M ⁰ ) is used to distinguish between the trigger and the zero module (M ⁰ ).
^{For 0} ), a color or material (including metal powder or the like) having a high light reflectance is colored or attached.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 (2) and 7 (3), the pair of T and T of the trigger (T) becomes zero, and the module pair M ¹ M ^{1 is changed} to cyan and M ² to M ^2. M
² and M ⁸ M ⁸ is colored magenta, M ⁰ is colored with a color having a large reflectance such as white, the spectral reflectance of the tire is set to 0, and the threshold (th) is set to 0,75. The light reception amounts of the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 34 are shown.

In FIG. 7 (4), as shown schematically in the case where the amount of light received exceeding the threshold is +, and the amount of light received below the threshold is-, the information bar always has the opposite sign to +-or-+. Become.
On the other hand, the zero light (M ⁰ ) has a light reception amount larger than the threshold with a certain margin such as white, gray or the like so that it has the same sign as ++ and double plus.

Another major feature of the present invention is that the amount of information in the same space can be significantly increased, which will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8A, the first module has numerical values 1 and 2, and the second module has numerical values 3 and 6,
The fourth module has barcodes assigned numerical values 9 and 18, and the fourth module has barcodes assigned numerical values 27 and 54. Each module is separated by a trigger (T), and the significant values in even-numbered rows are temporarily changed to cyan. Assuming that there is a color barcode colored cyan and magenta, and a significant value in the odd-numbered row is magenta, and the zero furnace value is a color barcode colored cyan and magenta, a specific example of reading the barcode by the reading method of the present invention will be described below. .

FIG. 8 (2) shows the colored state for easy understanding. FIGS. 8 (3) and 8 (4) show the amount of light received by the magenta-side light conversion element when the reflected light is filtered by magenta and cyan. FIG. 8 (3) shows the light reception amount of the cyan-side light conversion element. The amounts are shown in FIG. 8 (4). Modules with a light reception amount below a predetermined threshold are treated as zero,
Modules having a light reception amount equal to or larger than the threshold value are processed as significant values. If both the amount of received light on the cyan side and the amount of received light on the magenta side are equal to or less than the threshold value, the module performs processing as zero.

FIG. 8 (5) shows the results of organizing and reading FIGS. 8 (3) and (4). According to this, the sum of the numbers is 2
+ 3 + 54 = 59, which is 59.

The present invention has not only solved the problems of the conventional barcode, but has also produced a number of new and beneficial effects which have never been seen before. One of them could be binarized by painting one module in either cyan or magenta.

In the present invention, since the unit module itself has a built-in self-check function, it is possible to discriminate between zero and no code.

The present invention also provides a ternary color bar code and a method and apparatus for reading the ternary color bar code, and realizes highly integrated data in a small space.

According to the present invention, a trigger for partitioning each module is provided, so that a measurement error is eliminated without clock count, there is no standard for a quiet zone, code can be additionally written, and the reading direction can be changed. It can be read in both forward and reverse directions.

In the present invention, since colors are used, there is little influence on the code due to the deformation of the medium or the code shape, so that misreading due to voids or spots of the character is reduced.

Since the present invention has many advantages as described above, it is widely used for distribution, production control, quality control and other automatic controls, and contributes to industrial development.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of a conventional bar code.

FIG. 1 (2) is a diagram showing the relationship between the light detection degree and the threshold value in FIG.

FIG. 1 (3) is a schematic diagram of the magnitude relationship between the light detection degree and the threshold value in FIG.

FIG. 2A is an example of the barcode of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (2) is a diagram showing the relationship between the Sm light detection degree and the threshold in FIG. 2 (1).

FIG. 2 (3) is a diagram showing the relationship between the Sc light detection degree and the threshold value in FIG. 2 (1).

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of the magnitude relationship between the light detection degree and the threshold value in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the color barcode reader of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is another schematic plan view of the color bar code reader of the present invention.

FIG. 4 (2) is another schematic plan view of the color barcode reader of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the present invention in which a trigger is inserted between modules.

FIG. 7 is another explanatory view of the present invention in which a trigger is inserted between modules.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a ternary color barcode of the present invention and its reading principle.

[0085]

[Explanation of symbols]

T trigger th threshold value 31 magenta filter 32 light conversion element 33 magenta filter 34 light conversion element 35, 39, 40 white light source 36,
41 , 42 light emitting / receiving element 37 base material such as paper 38 colorant m representing magenta C representing cyan M ¹ module representing ¹ numerical value M ² numerical value 2
Module representing M ⁴ Module ⁴ representing number M ⁸ Number 8
Module ¹ representing the numerical value 1 Module representing the numerical value 1 M ₂ Numerical value 2
Module ³ representing the numerical value 3 Module representing the numerical value 3 M ₆ Numerical value 8
Module M ₁₈ numerical 18 module M-1 1st module M-2 the second module M-3 representing modules M ₅₄ numerical 54 represents the module ²⁷ M numerical 27 represents the representative of the module ⁹ M numerical 9 representing the third module M-4 of the fourth module Fm magenta filter Fc cyan filter m ₁ optical conversion element magenta filter side of the M ¹ outputs m ₂ M of the ^second magenta filter side optical conversion element output m ₄ M ⁴ Light conversion element output on magenta filter side m ₈ M ⁸ Light conversion element output on magenta filter side c ₁ M ¹ Light conversion element output on cyan filter side c ₂ M ² Light conversion element output on cyan filter side c ₄ M ⁴ light conversion element output on the cyan filter side c ₈ M ⁸ light conversion element on the cyan filter side Child output

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 14, 1999 (1999.7.1)
4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. In a module colored with two single colors of A, B and C arranged in accordance with a predetermined code rule, the light reflectance of a trigger inserted between each module and the C color A color bar code, wherein the magnitude relationship with the light reflectance is reversed. 2. In a module colored with two single colors of A color, B color and C color arranged based on a predetermined code rule, the light transmittance of a trigger inserted between each module and the C color A color bar code, characterized in that the light transmittance of the color bar code is reversed. 3. A color formed by arranged according to a predetermined code rule, the modules that are colored with two single-color and C ₁ color B color, light reflectivity of the trigger to be inserted between the respective modules A color, when color or comparable to the reflectivity of 2 monochromatic B, color bar light reflectance of C ₁ color is characterized by a color is 2/3 or less of the B color 2 monochromatic reflectance code. 4. A color formed by arranged according to a predetermined code rule, the colored module monochromatic and C ₂ B colors color, less than 2/3 of the light reflectance of the trigger A color and B color Wherein the light reflectance of the _two colors C is substantially equal to or higher than the reflectance of the colors A and B. 5. The color bar code according to claim 1, wherein the odd-numbered row (3- ⁿ , {1, 3, 9, 27})
3n ^-1 ) and even-numbered rows (2 × 3- ⁿ ,..., 2, 6, 18, 54,...)
2 × 3 ^n-1 ), the odd number of the same number in the three progression column is A color, the even number of the same number is B color, and when the same number is 0, it is C color, C ₁ color or C ₂ color. A ternary color barcode characterized by the following: 6. The color barcode according to claim 1, wherein the same column value 0 is C color, C1 color or C2 color, and the trigger inserted between the modules is a color barcode. A color barcode characterized by using the color of the fabric as it is or coloring it. 7. The color bar code according to claim 1, wherein the sensor or the light source is covered with an A color filter, the A color module is provided by a A color light receiving / emitting element, and the sensor or the light source is further provided with a B color filter. A color module characterized by detecting a B-color module by the B-color light-emitting / emitting element covered with a color, and identifying the A-color / light-emitting / emitting element as four data including a zero module and a trigger as data. Barcode reading method. 8. The bar code detection / recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the first light detection sensor covered with a light filter transmitting the A color and the B color light are transmitted. A color bar code reader, wherein a module is detected and read by a light receiving / emitting element including a second light detection sensor covered with an optical filter and at least one light source. 9. The bar code detecting / recognizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light source covered with the optical filter transmitting the A color and the optical filter transmitting the B color. A bar code is radiated from the first and second light sources to the bar code, and the first and second optical sensors detect light reflected from the radiated bar code. A color barcode reader characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The bar code detecting / recognizing device according to claim 1, wherein the first light source and a light sensor covered with a light filter transmitting the A color.
And a second light receiving and emitting element comprising a second light source and a second optical sensor covered with an optical filter transmitting the B color. 11. The ternary color barcode according to claim 5 or claim 6 is read by the color barcode reading apparatus according to claim 8 to claim 10 as 3- ⁿ , {1, 3, 9, 9, 27}.
A significant value in the odd-numbered row consisting of ‥‥‥‥ 3n ^-1 is colored with A color, and this is detected by the A color light receiving and emitting element.
⁻ⁿ ,..., 2, 6, 18, 54}... 2 × 3 ⁿ⁻¹ are colored with significant colors in the even-numbered rows in B color, detected by the B-color light-emitting / emitting element, and detected in C color. or C ₁ Irowaka and Shikuwa C ₂ color 0, which is colored with ternary color bar code reading method characterized by detecting a trigger by the first optical element and the second optical element.