JP2000322531A - Identification code, identification code producing device and identification code reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an identification code which can represent more information than a 'CALRA' code. SOLUTION: An identification code 20 include a part having three or more colors for identification in a two-dimensional area 22 formed on a seal 21 and represents the information for identifying the commodities. The area 22 is divided into nine square blocks G-O and a single color is assigned to each of these blocks.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an identification code for expressing information in two dimensions, an identification code creating device for creating the identification code, and an identification code reading device for extracting the information from the identification code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Bar codes are used for reading speed and accuracy.
And from the viewpoint of good operability, it is widely used.
Further, an identification code capable of expressing more information than a bar code, for example, a Karla code has been invented. Carla codes can store about 80 times as much information as conventional barcodes.

[0003]

In the Carla code,
Since a predetermined rectangular area is divided into a plurality of square blocks and a color of white or black is arranged, information of "0" or "1" can be stored in each block. FIG. 8 shows the amount of information that can be stored in the predetermined rectangular area. FIG. 8 shows the number of blocks in the predetermined rectangular area, the length of one side of the predetermined rectangular area, and the number of data that can be represented by the Karla code. Here, the size of one side of each block is 0.25 mm.

In the Karla code, each block has "
Since binary information of "0" or "1" is stored, the amount of information that can be stored in the predetermined rectangular area is limited, and an identification code capable of expressing more information is desired. An object of the present invention is to provide an identification code capable of expressing more information than a Carla code, and a second object of the present invention is to provide an identification code creation device capable of creating the identification code. A third object of the present invention is to provide:
An object of the present invention is to provide an identification code reading device capable of extracting the information from the identification code.

[0005]

An identification code according to the present invention has a portion in which a three-dimensional or more color for identification is added to a two-dimensional area, and preferably, the identification code is information for identifying goods. Represents

According to the present invention, there is provided an identification code creating apparatus comprising: an input device to which information is input; a conversion unit for generating image data based on the information input to the input device; A color printer that arranges a predetermined two-dimensional area of the print medium in three or more colors based on the image data and prints an identification code including the three or more colors in color. In the identification code creation device according to the present invention, preferably, the conversion means converts the information into hexadecimal data, generates the image data based on the hexadecimal data, and the color printer has 16 colors. The two-dimensional area is colored using the above colors.

[0007] An identification code reading device according to the present invention reads an identification code having a portion having three or more colors for identification in a two-dimensional area and generates image data, and the image input device. Converting means for detecting the three or more colors constituting the coloration of the identification code based on the image data from, and converting the detected color into numerical or character information; and the information generated by the converting means. And an output device that outputs In the identification code reading device according to the present invention, the two-dimensional area is colored using 16 colors, and the conversion unit detects the 16 colors based on the image data, and detects the detected color. Convert to hexadecimal data information.

[0008] The identification code has a portion having three or more colors for identification in a two-dimensional area, so that the arrangement of the three or more colors allows more information than the two-color arrangement of black and white. It is possible to express.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of an identification code according to the present invention, and is a schematic block configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an identification code creation device.

An identification code 20 for expressing identification code information in two dimensions is provided with a seal 21.
It is formed by being printed on the upper rectangular two-dimensional area 22. The two-dimensional area 22 is divided into x (x> 1) in the horizontal direction and y (y> 1) in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, nine square blocks G to O, and three or more colors are arranged. In each of the nine blocks G to O, one color corresponding to the configuration information constituting the information is arranged.

For example, in the three corner blocks G, M, and O of the two-dimensional area 22, the same color is arranged and the identification code 20 is assigned.
Are determined in the vertical and horizontal directions, and information is expressed using the remaining blocks H, I, J, K, L, and N. Black may be arranged in the three corner blocks G, M, and O,
Other colors may be arranged, so that the blocks G, M, and O at the three corners may have more information. A color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the identification code 20 is arranged at a corner or an edge of the two-dimensional area 22, and the color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is different from the color around the two-dimensional area 22. Different colors may be used, and the color indicating the up / down direction or the left / right direction may have inspection information for error check such as parity check.

Identification Code Creation Device On the other hand, identification code creation device 10 for creating an identification code
Is an input device 11, an operation means 12, and an encoder 13
And a color printer 15. The identification code creation device 10 has a computer main body 14 provided with a calculating means 12 and an encoder 13. The computer main body 14 is connected to the input device 11 and the color printer 15.

The input device 11 may be, for example, a keyboard for inputting character or numeric information, or a reading device for reading information stored on a floppy disk. The input device 11 supplies character information or numerical information input by the operator to the calculating means 12.

The arithmetic means 12 and the encoder 13 are constituted by a microcomputer (microcomputer) in a computer main body 14. The calculation means 12 performs various information processing based on the input information supplied from the input device 11. Further, the arithmetic means 12 converts the input information into hexadecimal data for each configuration information constituting the input information, and converts the input information consisting of hexadecimal data into the encoder 1
Supply 3

The encoder 13 receives the 1
Image data is generated based on the hexadecimal data, and the image data is supplied to the color printer 14. Encoder 13
Generates pixel data according to the configuration information of the input information composed of the hexadecimal data supplied from the arithmetic means 12, for example, and generates image data composed of the pixel data. As described above, the computer main body 14 constitutes a conversion unit that generates image data based on the input information input to the input device 11. In this conversion means, a color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the identification code 20 is arranged at a corner or an edge of the two-dimensional area 22, and the color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is the same as the color around the two-dimensional area 22. Converts the input information into image data so as to have a different color. The outline of the identification code 20 can be determined by the color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. Further, the conversion means may have the color indicating the up-down direction or the left-right direction to have inspection information on the information represented by the identification code 20.

The color printer 14 performs color printing of the identification code 20 by arranging a predetermined two-dimensional area 22 of a printing medium such as a sticker 21 in three or more colors based on the image data from the encoder 13. This color printer 14
For example, the color arrangement of the two-dimensional area 22 may be performed using 16 colors. As the color printer 14, an ink jet printer or a page print printer may be used.

Next, the operation of the identification code creation device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart for explaining an operation example of the identification code creation device 10 of FIG.

First, in step F11, the input device 11
Is input with a character code or a numeric code. The input device 11 outputs the input information to the calculating means 12 of the computer main body 14.

In step F12, the arithmetic means 12 converts the input information from the input device 11 into hexadecimal data for each configuration information to generate input information composed of hexadecimal data, and comprises the hexadecimal data. Input information to encoder 1
Output to 3.

In step F13, the encoder 13
The input information consisting of the hexadecimal data from the arithmetic means 12 is converted into image data, and this image data is output to the color printer 15.

In step F14, the color printer 15
Prints the identification code in color by arranging a predetermined two-dimensional area of the print medium in three or more colors based on the image data from the encoder 13.

The identification code reader will now be described an identification code reader for extracting information from the identification code. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of the identification code reader.

The identification code reading device 60 has an image scanner 61, a calculating means 62, a decoder 63, and an output device 65. The identification code reading device 60 has a computer main body 64 that constitutes a calculating means 62 and a decoder 63. The computer main body 64 is connected to an image scanner 61 and an output device 65.

The image scanner 61 is an example of an image input device. The image scanner 61 reads the identification code 20 printed in color on the two-dimensional area 22 on the sticker 21, generates image data, and supplies the image data to the arithmetic means 62. Image scanner 61
Reads a two-dimensional area 22 composed of nine blocks G to O and a peripheral area of the two-dimensional area 22 in FIG.
Convert to the image data.

The arithmetic means 62 and the decoder 63 are constituted by a microcomputer in a computer main body 64. The calculating means 62 extracts the image data of the identification code 20 from the image data supplied from the image sensor 61, detects three or more colors constituting the color arrangement of the identification code 20, and converts the detected colors into hexadecimal data. The signal is converted and output to the decoder 63. In this way, the calculating means 62 converts the image data of the identification code 20 into 1
The data is converted into hexadecimal data and output to the decoder 63.

The decoder 63 outputs the 16
Numerical or character information is generated based on the binary data, and this information is supplied to the output device 65. As described above, the computer main body 64 detects three or more colors constituting the color arrangement of the identification code 20 based on the image data from the image scanner 61, and converts the detected colors into numerical or character information. Is composed. This conversion means detects the color indicating the vertical or horizontal direction of the identification code 20 arranged at the corner or the edge of the two-dimensional area 22 and detects the vertical or horizontal direction of the identification code 20. It is possible to accurately read the information represented by. Further, by detecting the color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, the outline of the identification code 20 can be detected. Further, the conversion means includes:
The inspection information may be detected from the color indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and an error check of the information represented by the identification code 20 may be performed.

The output device 65 is composed of a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, or a printer.
Based on the output information of No. 3, the numerical or character information is output so as to be understood by the operator.

Next, the operation of the identification code reader will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an operation example of the identification code reading device 60 of FIG.

First, in step F21, the identification code 20 is input from the image scanner 61, and the image scanner 61 converts the identification code 20 and its surrounding area into image data and outputs the image data to the arithmetic means 62.

In step F22, the calculating means 62 recognizes the pattern of the identification code 20 from the image data from the image scanner 61 and extracts the image data of the identification code 20. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a color indicating the vertical or horizontal direction of the identification code 20 and the outline of the identification code 20 are pattern-recognized. And the calculating means 62
Converts the image data of the identification code 20 into hexadecimal data and outputs it to the decoder 63.

In step F23, the decoder 63 converts the hexadecimal data from the arithmetic means 62 into numerical or character information and outputs this information to the output device 65. In step F24, the output device 65 displays the numerical or character information from the decoder 63 on a display screen or the like, and outputs the information so that the operator can easily recognize it.

Color of Identification Code FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of colors that can be arranged in each block of the two-dimensional area where the identification code is formed. In the conventional Karla code, one of white and black is arranged in each block of the two-dimensional area, and one block can express binary information. In the identification code 20 of the present embodiment, each block of the two-dimensional area 22 includes:
For example, any one of 16 colors is arranged, and at this time, one block can express 16-value information. Therefore, when a two-dimensional area having the same area is used, the identification code of the present embodiment can express more information than the Karla code. As the 16 colors, for example, white, black, red, green, purple, yellow, pink, light blue, brown, dark green, dark blue, camel, magenta, yellow green, flesh color, and blue are used. You may.

FIG. 6 is a reference diagram in which the identification code according to the present invention is converted on the basis of lightness indicating brightness, and the converted monochrome identification code is expressed. This identification code 30
Are formed in a predetermined two-dimensional area on the seal 31.

FIG. 7 shows the amount of information that can be stored in a predetermined rectangular area for the identification code of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the number of blocks in the predetermined rectangular area, the length of one side of the rectangular area, and the number of data that can be represented by the identification code of the present embodiment. Here, the size of one side of each block is set to 0.25 mm as an example.

When the predetermined rectangular area is equally divided vertically and horizontally, one side of the predetermined rectangular area has a length of 2.
50 mm, and the number of data that can be represented is 1600. When the predetermined rectangular area is vertically and horizontally divided into 11 equal parts, the length of one side of the predetermined rectangular area is 2.75 mm
And the number of representable data is 1936. When the predetermined rectangular area is equally divided vertically and horizontally into 12, the length of one side of the predetermined rectangular area is 3.00 mm, and the number of data that can be expressed is 2304. When the predetermined rectangular area is divided into 13 parts vertically and horizontally, the length of one side of the predetermined rectangular area is 3.25 mm, and the number of data that can be expressed is 2704.

Similarly, when the predetermined rectangular area is equally divided vertically and horizontally by n, the length of one side of the predetermined rectangular area is n × 0.25 mm, and the number of data that can be represented is 16 × n ² . The predetermined rectangular area is 100
In the case of equal division, the length of one side of the predetermined rectangular area is 25.0 mm, and the number of representable data is 160
000. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when rectangular regions having the same area are used, the identification code of the present embodiment can express eight times as much information as the Carla code.

According to the identification code of the present embodiment, a lot of information can be stored in the two-dimensional area. The seal can be downsized,
In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of steps for searching and inputting information of the identification code. Also, by using the identification code, the size of the product slip can be reduced.

Although the case where the two-dimensional area 22 of the identification code 20 is divided into nine blocks is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the colors may be assigned to more blocks. The decoder 63 converts character or numeral information into
The data may be converted to ASCII, shift JIS, or binary code and output to the output unit 65. The color printer 15 may print the identification code in color on, for example, the packaging of the product other than the seal 21. The above embodiment is an exemplification of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0039]

The identification code according to the present invention has a two-dimensional area in which three or more colors are arranged, and according to the present invention, the identification code capable of expressing more information than the Karla code. Can be provided.

[0040] An identification code generating apparatus according to the present invention generates image data based on information input to an input device,
Based on the image data, a predetermined two-dimensional area of the print medium is arranged in three or more colors, and the identification code is printed in color. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an identification code creation device capable of creating the identification code according to the present invention.

An identification code reader according to the present invention reads an identification code using three or more colors by an image input device to generate image data, and forms a color arrangement of the identification code based on the image data. The three or more colors are detected, and the detected colors are converted into numerical or character information and output to an output device. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an identification code reading device capable of extracting information from the identification code according to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an identification code and identification code creation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an operation example of the identification code creation device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an identification code reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an operation example of the identification code reading device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of colors that can be arranged in each block of a two-dimensional area where an identification code is formed.

FIG. 6 is a reference diagram in which an identification code according to the present invention is converted on the basis of brightness, and the converted monochrome identification code is represented.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the amount of information that can be stored in a predetermined rectangular area for an identification code according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the amount of information that can be stored in a predetermined rectangular area for a conventional Karla code.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Identification code creation apparatus, 11 ... Input device, 12 ... Operation means, 13 ... Encoder, 14, 64 ... Computer main body, 15 ... Color printer, 20, 30 ... Identification code, 21, 31 ... Seal, 22 ... Two-dimensional Area: 60: identification code reading device; 61: image scanner (image input device); 62: computing means; 63: decoder; 65: output device; G to O: blocks (cells).

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An identification code having a two-dimensional area with three or more colors for identification. 2. The identification code according to claim 1, wherein the identification code represents information for identifying a product. 3. An input device to which information is input, a conversion unit for generating image data based on the information input to the input device, and a print medium based on the image data generated by the conversion unit. And a color printer for arranging the predetermined two-dimensional area in three or more colors and printing the identification codes of the three or more colors in color. 4. The conversion means converts the information into hexadecimal data, generates the image data based on the hexadecimal data, and the color printer uses 16 colors to color the two-dimensional area. The identification code creation device according to claim 3, wherein 5. An image input device for reading an identification code having a portion having three or more colors for identification in a two-dimensional area to generate image data, and based on the image data from the image input device, A conversion unit that detects the three or more colors constituting the coloration of the identification code and converts the detected color into numerical or character information; and an output device that outputs the information generated by the conversion unit. Identification code reader. 6. The two-dimensional area is arranged using 16 colors, and the conversion means detects the 16 colors based on the image data, and converts the detected colors into information of hexadecimal data. 6. The identification code reader according to claim 5, wherein the identification code is converted into a code.