JP2004303223A - Image recognition apparatus and image recognition method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for taking out information stored as codes by incorporating a document with a plurality of bar codes or two-dimensional codes printed, by a scanner, and extracting code parts from the document and decoding them. <P>SOLUTION: This image recognition apparatus comprises a region dividing means for dividing the digitally imaged document having a plurality of patterns storing information, into a plurality of subregions including the respective patterns; an information reading means for carrying out reading of the patterns to the plurality of divided subregions to read information stored in the patterns; and an information output means capable of simultaneously outputting a plurality of information read by the information reading means from the plurality of subregions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic stationery device, a handwriting input device for a computer, and a document management system. In particular, a document on which a plurality of barcodes or two-dimensional codes are printed is read by a scanner, and a code portion is extracted from the document. The present invention relates to an image recognizing apparatus and an image recognizing method for extracting, decoding, and extracting information stored as a code.

  With the progress of computerization of business, the number of electronic documents handled is increasing. However, on the other hand, the quality of document display on displays such as CRTs and LCDs is still often inferior to the print quality of documents printed on paper. For this reason, electronically created documents are often printed on paper as paper documents.

  However, as the time elapses after printing the paper document, the frequency of access to the paper document or the original electronic document corresponding thereto decreases. When a paper document is viewed after a long period of time, it often happens that the location of the electronic document is unknown in order to access the original electronic document corresponding to the paper document.

  In order to avoid such a situation, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of printing a two-dimensional code that stores the ID of an electronic document and various bibliographic information of the document on a paper document when printing the paper document. Discloses a multifunction machine that prints at the same time. Then, by reading the two-dimensional code printed on the paper document later, it is possible to easily access the original electronic document from the paper document.

  In addition, in Patent Document 2, in addition to the above, the contents written on a paper document are superimposed on the original electronic document, or the written contents are subjected to character recognition or mark recognition in accordance with the attributes of the original electronic document. There is disclosed a system that can easily perform statistical processing.

  In addition, demand for printing information other than the above as a code on paper has been increasing. For example, multiple bar codes are often printed on a document. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for reading a plurality of types of barcodes with a barcode reader. However, the barcode reader itself can only read one barcode at a time. For example, a lot of barcodes are printed on utility bills and mail-order transfer paper that can be used in convenience stores and the like. Therefore, in order to perform the payment process, it is necessary for the store clerk to use a handy barcode reader to read the barcode by the number of times equal to the number of printed barcodes.

  Further, the barcode is superimposed and printed on the paper document as described above, and the barcode is further developed for the purpose of linking the electronic document and the paper document and inputting information from the paper document. When the information to be embedded in the URL is increased, the following problems occur.

  First, there is a problem of limitation of a document layout. It is also conceivable to embed all necessary information in one barcode or two-dimensional code and print it together with the document. In such a case, the code becomes large in order to embed a lot of information in the code. For example, in the case of a barcode, the barcode may be very long in the horizontal direction, or one more barcode may be required because all the data cannot be stored. In such a case, the area that can be used as a document decreases, the amount of information that can be printed on paper decreases, and the code becomes obtrusive and is not a legible document. In addition, since a widely spread two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code) has a higher information density that can be embedded than a bar code, if the same amount of information is embedded, the size of the two-dimensional code can be increased by using a two-dimensional code. Is small, which is advantageous. However, such a two-dimensional code has a square outer shape, and the size of the square increases according to the amount of information to be embedded. That is, a large square is located in the document, and the degree of freedom of the document layout is reduced. There are also disadvantages in that three larger finder patterns must be prepared, the area of the pattern for determining the direction of the code increases, and the code size increases in order to embed data of the same capacity.

  Second, there is the problem of protecting confidential documents. Placing the ID of an electronic document and bibliographic information on a paper document has the advantage that access to the original document is facilitated. However, when the electronic document or the paper document is a confidential document, it is necessary to restrict the copy of the paper document or access to the original electronic document. When using a standardized code, it is necessary to use a unique code because information is easily stolen. With the unique code, it is possible to minimize the influence on the layout of the document.

Third, printing all information on paper wastes resources. Printing all the information of an electronic document on paper wastes resources and adversely affects the environment. It is very wasteful to print information necessary for everyone on a paper document. However, if only the main points of the document, for example, only the introductory part, are printed on paper, the document will contain only information that is insufficient for all persons.
JP 2000-224353 A JP-A-2002-31478 Japanese Patent No. 0603702

  Placing the ID of an electronic document and bibliographic information on a paper document has the advantage that access to the original electronic document is facilitated. However, there is a disadvantage that not only the original electronic document but also other confidential matters can be easily accessed. Therefore, information such as a password is printed on a paper document by using a unique and highly confidential code different from a general standardized barcode or two-dimensional code, whereby the paper document is converted into an electronic document. Or restrict access to the site.

  In addition to accessing the electronic document from the paper document, for example, when the description of the processing procedure (program) of the paper document is printed on the paper document by using another code, the paper document is converted into a digital form. Various codes on a paper document can be read simply by placing on a copier and scanning, and if a password is required for subsequent processing, the user is prompted to enter the password, and the processing procedure is described. If so, the digital copier can perform automatic processing.

  An object of the present invention is to recognize and read an area of each barcode when scanning a paper document on which a unique code storing a different information as described above, a plurality of barcodes or a two-dimensional code is printed, The present invention provides an image recognition device and an image recognition method capable of performing extremely high-level processing in which all processes of outputting the read code type, position information, information stored in the code, and the like are performed automatically. It is in.

  According to the present invention, the paper document including the unique code and the image recognition device and the image recognition method can alleviate the restriction of the document layout, protect the confidential document, and use the paper on which only necessary information is printed. The purpose is to provide useful information to people.

  The above object is solved by the present invention described below.

  In the invention according to claim 1, a digitally imaged document having a plurality of patterns storing information, including a rectangular pattern storing information two-dimensionally, is converted into a plurality of small areas including the respective patterns. Area dividing means, and for the plurality of divided small areas, read the pattern, and information reading means for reading information stored in the pattern, from the plurality of small areas, It is possible to provide an image recognition device comprising an information output unit capable of simultaneously outputting a plurality of pieces of information read by the information reading unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information output unit of the image recognition device outputs the position of the pattern in addition to the read information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information output means of the image recognition device outputs the type of the pattern in addition to the information that can be read.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the information reading unit of the image recognition device includes a reading setting unit that sets a type of a pattern to be read.

  In the invention according to claim 5, a digitally imaged document having a plurality of patterns storing information, including a rectangular pattern storing information two-dimensionally, is converted into a plurality of small areas including the respective patterns. An area dividing step of dividing, for the plurality of divided small areas, reading of the pattern, an information reading step of reading information stored in the pattern, and, from the plurality of small areas, There can be provided an image recognition method characterized by comprising an information output step capable of simultaneously outputting a plurality of pieces of information read in the information reading step.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information output step of the image recognition method described above, the position of the pattern is output in addition to the read information.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the information output step of the image recognition method outputs the type of the pattern in addition to the read information.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image recognition method, the information reading step includes a reading setting step of setting a type of a pattern to be read.

  According to the present invention, by reading a document on which a plurality of types of barcodes or two-dimensional codes are printed with a scanner, decoding each code, and outputting the content, based on the information read from the code, Advanced document information processing related to the read document can be performed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The first embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment of an image recognition device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of types of barcodes are printed on a document 101. In FIG. 1, three types of codes 102, 103 and 104 are printed. For example, the code 102 is a unique code, the code 103 is a QR code, and the code 104 is a CODE 39. The unique code of the code 102 stores the password, the QR code of the code 103 stores the document processing procedure, and the CODE 39 of the code 104 stores the document ID.

  When each piece of information is stored separately in three codes as in the example shown in FIG. 1 as compared with a case where each piece of information is stored together in one code, for example, Has advantages.

  First, each code becomes smaller, and the degree of freedom in document layout is improved.

  Second, the use of standardized codes also increases readability in other systems and increases the versatility of documents.

  Third, security can be improved by using a unique code only for a portion requiring confidentiality.

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of an image recognition device 200 according to the present invention. The image recognition device 200 shown in FIG. 2 mainly includes an area divider 201, an information reader 202, a memory 203, and an information output unit 204. A document converted into a binary digital image using an image scanner, a digital camera, or the like is input to an input 210, which is an input of the image recognition device 200. The binary digital image input to the input 210 is supplied to the area divider 201.

  The region divider 201 extracts small regions that meet predetermined conditions, including black pixels surrounded by white pixels, from the input image 210.

  Next, a code is read by the information reader 202 for each of the small regions extracted by the region divider 201. If the reading of the code is successful, the type of the read code, the position of the code in the paper document, and the information stored in the code are written in the memory 203.

  FIG. 3 shows a data configuration of data stored in the memory 203. As shown in FIG. 3, the data configuration in the memory 203 includes a part 301 (two-byte integer type) for storing the total number of codes that can be decoded, and a final address 302 (a four-byte integer type) of the written memory. , And information 310 and 320 relating to each code. For example, the information 310 about the code 1 includes a code type 311 (2-byte integer type), code positions 312, 313, 314, and 315 (the horizontal and vertical positions of each vertex are represented by a 4-byte floating point type with a unit of mm each). ), The number of information bytes K1 (4 byte integer type) 316, and the information content 317 (K1 byte). Information 320 about Code 2 also has portions 321 through 327.

  The information output unit 204 reads stored information as shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of each unit of the image recognition device 200 in FIG. 2 will be described in detail below.

  First, the operation of the area divider 201 will be described. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the region divider 201. The region divider 201 in FIG. 4 mainly includes a labeling unit 401, a circumscribed rectangle detector 402, a circumscribed rectangle combiner 403, and a rectangle size determination unit 404.

  FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the algorithm of the area dividing operation. 6 shows the operation of step 502 of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 shows the operation of step 503 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 shows the operation of step 504 of FIG.

  The algorithm of the region dividing operation shown in FIG.

  Next, at step 502, the labeling unit 401 labels the connected black pixels. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the labeling operation. The labeler 401 scans the input image from the upper left origin.

  If the upper left pixel, the upper left pixel, and the left pixel of the currently focused pixel are white pixels, and the currently focused pixel is a black pixel, a new pixel is added to the currently focused black pixel. Label it. For example, the leftmost pixel in the top row of FIG. 6 is labeled "1". Also, the second pixel from the right in the top row of FIG. 6 is labeled “2”.

  Otherwise, that is, if any of the upper left, upper, or left pixels of the current pixel of interest is not a white pixel, the upper left or upper or upper or left of the black pixel Attach a label to the current pixel of interest. For example, the second pixel from the left in the top row of FIG. 6 is labeled "1".

  If there are two or more black pixels with different labels among the three pixels on the upper left, upper, and left sides of the current pixel of interest, the label is written in the order of top, then upper left, and then left. A priority is assigned, and a label having a higher priority is adopted as a label of a pixel of interest at present. For example, the second pixel from the right in the third row from the top in FIG. 6 has the label of the pixel on the left thereof being “1”, but the label of the pixel on it is “2”. Similarly labeled "2".

  Next, in step 503, the circumscribed rectangle detector 402 detects circumscribed rectangle coordinates surrounding the black pixel group having the same label. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of detecting circumscribed rectangular coordinates. The circumscribed rectangle detector 402 detects the circumscribed rectangle 701 and the circumscribed rectangle 702 in FIG.

  Next, in step 504, the circumscribed rectangle integrator 403 integrates the circumscribed rectangles detected by step 503, which overlap, touch, or are within a predetermined distance, to form a new circumscribed rectangle. To form FIG. 8 shows an example in which the detected circumscribed rectangle 701 and circumscribed rectangle 702 are integrated into one circumscribed rectangle 801 as shown in FIG.

  Finally, in step 505, the rectangle size determination unit 505 extracts a circumscribed rectangle having a size within a predetermined range in order to exclude a circumscribed rectangle having a size that is impossible as the size of the barcode or the two-dimensional code. I do. As described above, a small area including a black pixel surrounded by white pixels can be detected.

Next, the operation of the information reader 202 of FIG. 2 will be described below.
FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the information reader 202. The information reader 202 shown in FIG. 9 includes a setting unit 901, a barcode decoder (1) 902, a barcode decoder (2) 903, a barcode decoder (N) 904, a two-dimensional code decoder (1) 905, It comprises a two-dimensional code decoder (M) 907 and a two-dimensional code decoder (M) 906. The information reader 202 receives from the region divider 201 the coordinates of a small region including black pixels surrounded by white pixels and the image 211 thereof.

  Since the area divider 201 detects small areas as shown in FIG. 8, the information reader 202 reads a code from those small areas.

  The detected small area is input from the barcode decoder (1) 902 to the barcode decoder (N) 904, and from the two-dimensional code decoder (1) 905 to the two-dimensional code decoder (M) 907. Each of the barcode decoders 902 to 904 is a one-dimensional barcode decoder, and is a decoder for exclusively decoding CODE39, CODE128, and the like.

  In addition, the two-dimensional code decoders 905 to 907 include a dedicated decoder for decoding a standardized two-dimensional code such as a QR code or a data matrix, and also include a decoder for decoding a unique two-dimensional code. Each decoding algorithm can be easily realized because the sample algorithm is described in the specifications of various bar codes issued by the AIM (Automatic Recognition Association) or a program is distributed from the AIM. . Details of the unique two-dimensional code will be described later.

  Each of the decoders 902 to 907 is configured to execute an operation according to a setting signal 910 from the setting unit 901. That is, by providing a signal 911 from outside the information reader 202 using the setting unit 901, the type of a barcode or a two-dimensional code that causes the information reader 202 to perform recognition can be set. This is to specify a pattern to be read. Then, the setting signal 910 is input to each of the decoders 902 to 907. Each of the decoders 902 to 907 interprets the setting signal 910 to determine whether to operate or not.

  Since each decoder receives the image divided into small areas supplied from the area divider 201, the group of black pixels in the area is a barcode or a two-dimensional code, and the code cannot be correctly decoded. In this case, the type of the code, the position of the code on the document (this can be calculated from the image coordinates of the code and the image reading resolution), and the information stored in the code can be obtained.

  After successful decoding, the information reader 202 applies exclusive control to the memory 203 and writes data from each decoder. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the memory 203 includes a portion 301 for storing the total number of correctly decoded codes, a final address 302 of the written memory, a code type 311, code positions 312 to 315, information And a part for storing an array of information contents 317.

  The decoders 902 to 907 write the type of the decoded code, the code position, the number of information bytes, and the information content from the next address indicated by the last address 302 of the memory shown in FIG. Then, the total number 301 of the codes is incremented by one, the last address 302 of the written memory 203 is updated, and the exclusive control ends.

  Finally, the information output unit 204 shown in FIG. 2 is written into the memory 203 when the information reader 202 finishes decoding all of the plural types of codes printed on the document 101 shown in FIG. The information is read and output to a device that needs the information.

  Next, a method for creating a unique two-dimensional code (hereinafter, unique code) used in the present invention and an information reader 202 shown in FIG. 2 for reading such a unique two-dimensional code are configured. An embodiment of a two-dimensional code decoder (M), which is one of the elements to be executed, is shown.

  FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the unique two-dimensional code 1000. The unique code of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 has 12 × 6 cells 1002 and the like surrounded by a black frame 1001, and the 4 × 2 cells in the central part are called a finder pattern 1003, and the unique code 1000 Has a pattern that uniquely determines the direction of The finder pattern 1003 and the white cell 1002 surrounded by the black frame 1001 have various patterns according to the data stored in the unique code 1000. In this embodiment, only the unique code having a cell size of 12 × 6 is described. However, the cell size can be changed, and the amount of data that can be embedded in the code can be increased by increasing the cell size. . By doing so, you can create your own code that has minimal impact on the layout of the document. For example, it is possible to increase the size to minimize the influence on the document layout, such as fixing the size in the vertical direction to 6 cells and increasing the size in the horizontal direction. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method of creating a unique code.

  The unique code can store, for example, a ten-digit numeric password. Next, a method of creating a unique code for storing a password will be described.

  The method for creating a unique code in FIG. 11 starts in step 1101.

  Next, in step 1102, since the password is a numeral, first, a numeral character string is input.

  Next, in step 1103, the input numeric character string is converted into 4-byte integer type data that can be handled by a computer by format conversion.

  Next, in step 1104, data for the finder pattern 1003 is input. In the case shown in FIG. 10, the finder pattern 1003 is “11001111”.

  Next, in step 1105, a 4-byte error correction code is generated from the data for the finder pattern 1003 and the 4-byte data of the password. As a result, a total of 9 bytes of data is generated. As the error correction code, for example, a Reed-Solomon code capable of performing error correction in byte units is used.

  Finally, in step 1106, a unique code image is generated. FIG. 12 shows cell numbers of the unique code image. First, the above-described 9-byte data is decomposed into 72-bit data. The decomposed 72-bit bit data is sequentially written in the order of the cell numbers shown in FIG. 12 as "black" if the data bit is 1, and "white" if the data bit is 0. , An image representing the unique code is generated. Then, this image is printed on the document.

  The password may be encrypted after being converted into a numerical value by format conversion.

  Next, an apparatus for reading and decoding the unique code will be described. FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of the two-dimensional code decoder (M) 907 shown in FIG. 9 for reading and decoding unique codes. The two-dimensional code decoder (M) 907 shown in FIG. 13 mainly includes a vertex candidate detector 1301, a code frame detector 1302, a projection converter 1303, a finder detector 1304, a data sampler 1305, and an error corrector 1306. , A format converter 1307, and a decoder information output unit 1308.

  First, the operation of the vertex candidate detector 1301 will be described. A binary image including a two-dimensional code output from the region divider 201 is input to a vertex candidate detector 1301 that detects a vertex candidate of the two-dimensional code.

  FIG. 14 shows an operation of detecting a vertex by the vertex candidate detector 1301. As shown in FIG. 14, the vertex candidate detector 1301 scans the input image 1401 diagonally in order from four corners, and detects black pixels at each vertex of the image 1402. Each arrow indicates the direction of the scan performed to detect a vertex candidate. The pixels detected by performing the scanning diagonally in this manner are black pixels A, B, C, and D.

  FIG. 15 shows a method of determining whether a detected black pixel is a vertex candidate. For example, in order to determine whether the black pixel A of the image 1402 is a vertex candidate, the tracking of the black pixel by a predetermined number of pixels from the point of the black pixel A diagonally downward and to the right (in the direction of the arrow). I do. Here, the predetermined size is a value obtained by multiplying the number of pixels on one side of one cell by 3/4, which is estimated from the distance between each black pixel and the number of cells of the unique code.

  If all the pixels tracked in this manner are black pixels, the black pixel A is set as a vertex candidate. In the same manner, it is determined whether the black pixels B, C, and D of the vertex candidates are vertex candidates. When the black pixels A, B, C, and D of the vertex candidates are detected in this way, the code frame detector 1302 performs processing. On the other hand, when the black pixel of the vertex candidate is not detected, the operation of detecting the unique code is stopped in that region, and the operation of detecting the unique code in the next unprocessed region is performed from the beginning.

  Next, the operation of the code frame detector 1302 will be described.

  FIG. 16 shows a code frame detection method by the code frame detector 1302. In FIG. 16, the portions indicated by black portions in FIG. 15 are indicated by hatched portions for clarity of description. That is, the hatched portions in FIG. 16 correspond to the black portions in FIG.

  A straight line connecting the end points 1601, 1602, 1603, and 1604 (tips of each arrow) tracked from the black pixels A, B, C, and D of the vertex candidates is defined as a black frame determination line 1605. If the pixels on the black frame determination line 1605 are black pixels at a predetermined ratio or more, for example, 90% or more, the black pixels A, B, C, and D of the vertex candidates are the vertices of the code, and , The black frame determination line 1605 is determined to be part of the code frame surrounding the unique code.

  When the code frame is detected by the code frame detector 1302, the projective transformation coefficient is next calculated by the projective transformation unit 1303, and each of the electronically created unique codes when the unique code is created. The cell coordinates (see FIG. 17) are projectively transformed to calculate the cell coordinates inside the unique code read by scanning. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the coordinates of each cell of a unique code created electronically. For example, (0,0) shown in the upper left cell indicates that both the horizontal and vertical coordinates are zero.

  If the code frame is not detected, the operation of detecting the unique code is stopped in that area, and the operation of detecting the unique code in the next unprocessed area is performed from the beginning.

  The image read by the scanner does not necessarily resemble the form of the electronically created code due to mechanical fluctuations such as skew during printing and scanning, or uneven paper feeding speed, etc. There are cases. For this reason, the position of the created unique code may not correspond to the position of the image of the code read by the scanner. Therefore, in order to accurately grasp the position of each cell in the unique code and to read correct data, it is necessary to perform projective transformation.

  Next, the operation of the projection converter 1303 will be described.

  18 to 20 show the projective transformation. FIG. 18 shows the read code image, FIG. 19 shows the electronically generated code, and FIG. 20 shows the conversion of the electronically generated code coordinates to the read code image coordinates. This shows a conversion formula. In the projective transformation shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, an example is shown in which the original original code created for printing is a rectangle and the read code image is a trapezoid.

  In FIG. 19, Ar, Br, Cr and Dr indicate each vertex when the code is generated. (Xr1, yr1), (xr2, yr2), (xr3, yr3), and (xr4, yr4) indicate the coordinates of each vertex. Prk is a point determined at the time of code generation, and (xprk, yprk) indicates its coordinates.

  In FIG. 18, As, Bs, Cs, and Ds are vertices detected by the above-described vertex candidate detector 1301. (Xs1, ys1), (xs2, ys2), (xs3, ys3), and (xs4, ys4) indicate the coordinates of each vertex.

  The coordinates (xr1, yr1), (xr2, yr2), (xr3, yr3), (xr4, yr4) and (xr4, yr4) of each vertex when the code is generated shown in FIG. 19, and a vertex candidate detector 1301 The coordinates (xs1, ys1), (xs2, ys2), (xs3, ys3), and (xs4, ys4) of each vertex detected by are substituted into the equation shown in FIG. Then, by solving the eight-dimensional linear simultaneous equations, the projective transformation coefficients b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, b7, and b8 of the equation shown in FIG. 20 can be obtained.

  Since the projective transformation coefficient has been obtained, the coordinates of each cell when the unique code was created can be projectively transformed to obtain the coordinates of the corresponding cell of the code image. For example, the coordinates (xsk, ypsk) of Psk in FIG. 18 can be calculated from the coordinates (xprk, yprk) of Prk in FIG. This makes it possible to acquire the data of the cell of the read code image.

  Next, the operation of the finder detector 1304 will be described. The data image subjected to the projection transformation by the projection transformation unit 1303 is sent to the finder detector 1304. The finder detector 1304 performs finder detection.

  The finder detection detects the finder pattern 1003 shown in FIG. 10 and detects in which direction the unique code is directed up, down, left, or right.

  For this purpose, data of each cell of the finder pattern 1003 is detected. First, the sum of the pixel values of 3 × 3 pixels centered on the coordinates obtained by the projective transformation is calculated. When the sum is 5 or more, the cell is determined to be "1", and otherwise, it is determined to be "0".

  Next, the finder pattern determined from the detected value is compared with an ideal finder pattern. Then, the direction in which the number of matching patterns is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 7) and the number of matching matches is the largest is detected.

  If the finder pattern cannot be detected, it is determined that the detected code is not the unique code used in the present system.

  If a finder pattern is detected, then the code image is supplied to data sampler 1305.

  Next, operations of the data sampler 1305, the error corrector 1306, and the format converters 1307 and 1308 will be described.

  As described above, when the finder pattern is detected, next, the data sampler 1305 extracts and arranges the data of each cell according to the data arrangement order shown in FIG. The method of extracting data is the same as the method of extracting data in finder pattern detection.

  Next, the error corrector 1306 performs error correction on the extracted data and decodes the encoded integer value.

  Next, the format converter 1307 performs format conversion of the integer value decoded by the error corrector 1306, and converts the integer value into a numeric character string. Before format conversion, if necessary, the encrypted integer value is decrypted.

  Finally, the decoder information output unit 1308 outputs the numeric character string together with the code information and the information such as the code position to the memory 203, and ends reading the unique code.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment has a configuration for executing the present invention by software, and also includes means for reading a unique two-dimensional code (unique code).

  FIG. 21 shows a basic flowchart of an embodiment of the software of the present invention.

  First, in step 2101, a document obtained by converting a document into a binary digital image using a scanner, a digital camera, or the like is input.

  Next, in step 2102, a region division step is executed, and a small region that meets predetermined conditions including black pixels surrounded by white pixels is extracted from the input image.

  Next, in step 2103, an information reading step is executed, and code reading is executed for each of the small areas extracted in step 2102. When the code is successfully read, the type of the read code, the position of the code in the paper document, and the information stored in the code are written to the memory 203 in FIG. 2, for example.

  The data configuration of the data stored in the memory 203 is the same as the configuration described above with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step 2104, an information output step is executed, and the stored information is read out from the memory 203 using the data configuration as shown in FIG.

  Then, finally, in step 2105, the processing by the software ends.

  Next, the operation of each step in FIG. 21 will be described in detail below.

  First, the area division step of step 2102 in FIG. 21 will be described. The area dividing step of step 2102 in FIG. 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the algorithm of the area dividing operation. 6 shows the operation of step 502 of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 shows the operation of step 503 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 shows the operation of step 504 of FIG.

  The algorithm of the region dividing operation shown in FIG.

  Next, at step 502, a labeling step is performed to label the connected black pixels. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the labeling operation. The labeling step scans the input image from the upper left origin.

  If the upper left pixel, the upper left pixel, and the left pixel of the currently focused pixel are white pixels, and the currently focused pixel is a black pixel, a new pixel is added to the currently focused black pixel. Label it. For example, the leftmost pixel in the top row of FIG. 6 is labeled "1". Also, the second pixel from the right in the top row of FIG. 6 is labeled “2”.

  Otherwise, that is, if any of the upper left, upper, or left pixels of the current pixel of interest is not a white pixel, the upper left or upper or upper or left of the black pixel Attach a label to the current pixel of interest. For example, the second pixel from the left in the top row of FIG. 6 is labeled "1".

  If there are two or more black pixels with different labels among the three pixels on the upper left, upper and left sides of the current pixel of interest, the labels are arranged in the order of top, then top left, then left , And a label having a higher priority is adopted as a label of a pixel of interest at present. For example, the second pixel from the right in the third row from the top in FIG. 6 has the label of the pixel on the left thereof being “1”, however, since the label of the pixel on it is “2”, Similarly labeled "2".

  Next, in step 503, a circumscribed rectangle detection step is executed to detect circumscribed rectangle coordinates surrounding a black pixel group having the same label. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of detecting circumscribed rectangular coordinates. The circumscribed rectangle detection step detects the circumscribed rectangle 701 and the circumscribed rectangle 702 in FIG.

  Next, in step 504, a circumscribed rectangle integration step is performed, and the circumscribed rectangles detected in step 503 overlap, touch, or integrate circumscribed rectangles within a predetermined distance to form a new circumscribed rectangle. Form a rectangle. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the detected circumscribed rectangle 701 and circumscribed rectangle 702 are integrated into one circumscribed rectangle 801 as shown in FIG.

  Finally, in step 505, a rectangle size determination step is performed to remove a circumscribed rectangle having a size within a predetermined range in order to exclude a circumscribed rectangle having a size that is impossible as the size of a barcode or a two-dimensional code. Extract. As described above, a small area including a black pixel surrounded by white pixels can be detected.

  Next, the information reading step of step 2103 in FIG. 21 will be described. Since the small areas have been detected, the information reading step performs code reading on them.

  FIG. 22 shows details of the information reading step.

  First, the process starts at step 2201.

  Next, in step 2202, a decoding setting step is executed to define a decoding method to be operated.

  Next, in step 2203, the area number j for the small area is set to 1.

  Next, in step 2204, the small areas j detected in the area dividing step of step 2102 in FIG. 21 are sequentially input by designating the area number j.

  Next, in step 2205, the decoding method i is set to 1.

  Next, in step 2206, it is determined whether the small area j can be decoded using the currently set decoding method i. If the decoding method i is operable, the process proceeds to step 2207.

  Next, in step 2207, the decoding method i operates to detect and decode a code from the input image of the small area j. If the decoding is successful, the code type, the code position (can be calculated based on the code coordinates and the image reading resolution), and the information stored in the code can be obtained. Then, those data are written to the memory 203.

  Each decoding method i executed in step 2207 corresponds to the bar code decoder (1) 902 to the bar code decoder (N) 904 and the two-dimensional code decoder (1) 905 to the two-dimensional code decoder (M) 907 in FIG. I do. As described above, Code39, Code128, QR code, DataMatrix, unique two-dimensional code, and the like are used as the barcode and two-dimensional code. The method of creating the unique two-dimensional code is the same as the method described above.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the memory 203 includes a portion 301 for storing the total number of correctly decoded codes, a final address 302 of the written memory, a code type 311, code positions 312 to 315, information And a part for storing an array of information contents 317.

  Each decoder writes the type of the decoded code, the code position, the number of bytes of information, and the information content from the next address indicated by the last address 302 of the memory in FIG. Then, the total number 301 of the codes is incremented by one, the last address 302 of the written memory 203 is updated, and the process ends.

  Finally, when decoding is completed for all the small areas, in step 2104 in FIG. 21, the information output step reads and outputs the contents written in the memory 203.

  In step 2206 described above, if the decoding method i cannot decode, the process proceeds to step 2208.

  Next, in step 2208, the decoding method i is increased by 1 and the next decoding method is selected.

  Next, in step 2209, it is determined whether or not the number i of the decoding method is larger than the sum (M + N) of the total number N of barcode decoders and the total number M of two-dimensional decoders described with reference to FIG. If i is not larger than (M + N) in step 2209, the process returns to step 2206 and repeats the above-described process. On the other hand, if i is greater than (M + N), the process proceeds to step 2210.

  Next, in step 2210, the area number j is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step 2211.

  Next, in step 2211, it is determined whether or not the area number j is larger than the number L of the areas detected in the area dividing step in step 2101 in FIG. If the area number j is not larger than the number L of areas, the process returns to step 2204 and repeats the above processing. On the other hand, if the area number j is larger than the number L of areas, the process proceeds to step 2212.

  And finally, the process ends in step 2212.

  Next, details of a method of creating and reading a unique two-dimensional code (hereinafter, unique code) will be described. Since the method of creating the unique two-dimensional code has already been described, the reading method will be described here.

  FIG. 23 shows a flowchart of a method for decoding a unique code.

  The processing of the method of decoding the unique code starts in step 2301.

  Next, in step 2302, the binary image including the two-dimensional code output from the region dividing step in step 2102 in FIG. 21 is input to a vertex candidate detecting step for detecting a vertex candidate of the two-dimensional code.

  Next, in step 2303, a vertex candidate detection step is executed. As described with reference to FIG. 14, oblique scanning is performed sequentially from the four corners of the input image 1401, and black pixels at each vertex of the image 1402 are detected. Each arrow indicates the direction of the scan performed to detect a vertex candidate. The pixels detected by performing the scanning diagonally in this manner are black pixels A, B, C, and D.

  FIG. 15 shows a method of determining whether a detected black pixel is a vertex candidate. For example, in order to determine whether the black pixel A of the image 1402 is a vertex candidate, the tracking of the black pixel by a predetermined number of pixels from the point of the black pixel A diagonally downward and to the right (in the direction of the arrow). I do. Here, the predetermined size is a value obtained by multiplying the number of pixels on one side of one cell by 3/4, which is estimated from the distance between each black pixel and the number of cells of the unique code.

  If all the pixels tracked in this manner are black pixels, the black pixel A is set as a vertex candidate. In the same manner, it is determined whether the black pixels B, C, and D of the vertex candidates are vertex candidates. When the black pixels A, B, C, and D of the vertex candidates are detected in this manner, the process proceeds to step 2304.

  In step 2304, a code frame detecting step is executed. FIG. 16 shows a code frame detection method in the code frame detection step of step 2304, which is the same as the above-described code frame detection method.

Next, in step 2305, it is determined whether a vertex candidate has been detected.
If no vertex candidate is detected, the process proceeds to step 2313, where the unique code detection operation is stopped for that region, and the operation of detecting the unique code in the next unprocessed region is performed from the beginning.

  If a vertex candidate is detected in step 2305, the process proceeds to step 2306.

  In step 2306, projective transformation is performed. In step 2306, the same projective transformation as described above with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20 is performed.

  Since the projective transformation coefficient is obtained by performing the projective transformation in step 2306, the coordinates of each cell at the time of creating the unique code can be projectively transformed to obtain the coordinates of the corresponding cell of the code image. This makes it possible to acquire the data of the cell of the read code image.

  Next, in step 2307, a finder detection step of performing finder detection is performed.

  The finder detection detects the finder pattern 1003 shown in FIG. 10 and detects in which direction the unique code is directed up, down, left, or right.

  For this purpose, data of each cell of the finder pattern 1003 is detected. First, the sum of the pixel values of 3 × 3 pixels centered on the coordinates obtained by the projective transformation is calculated. When the sum is 5 or more, the cell is determined to be "1", and otherwise, it is determined to be "0".

  Next, the finder pattern determined from the detected value is compared with an ideal finder pattern. Then, the direction in which the number of matching patterns is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 7) and the matching degree is the highest is detected.

  Next, in step 2308, it is determined whether a finder pattern has been detected. If the finder pattern cannot be detected, it is determined that the detected code is not the unique code used in the present system, and the process proceeds to step 2313 and ends. On the other hand, if a finder pattern is detected, the process proceeds to step 2309.

  In step 2309, a data sampling step is performed. In step 2309, the data of each cell is extracted and arranged in accordance with the data arrangement order shown in FIG. The method of extracting data is the same as the method of extracting data in finder pattern detection.

  Next, in step 2310, an error correction step is performed. In step 2310, error correction is performed on the extracted data to decode the encoded integer value.

  Next, in step 2311, a format conversion step is performed. In step 2311, format conversion is performed on the integer value decoded in step 2310 to convert it into a numeric character string. Before format conversion, if necessary, the encrypted integer value is decrypted.

  Then, in step 2312, a decoder information output step is executed. In step 2312, the numerical character string is output to the memory 203 together with the code information and the information such as the code position, and the reading of the unique code ends.

  Finally, in step 2313, the process ends.

  Next, examples to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  First, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the present invention, which is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied, for example, a terminal of a convenience store is used to pay a utility bill or the like.

  Normally, a payout sheet such as a utility bill that can be paid at a convenience store has a plurality of detachable slips, and one or more barcodes are printed on each slip. When paying using the form, the cashier reads the barcodes one by one using a handy terminal that can read the barcodes, and checks them. Then, when all of the barcodes are read, information such as the payment amount is displayed on the display screen of the POS terminal of the cash register. Then, after that, the transfer of money is performed, and the payment is completed.

  FIG. 24 shows an example of a device in which the code reading device of the present invention is incorporated in a network terminal of a convenience store that is currently in widespread use and a scanner for reading slips and documents is provided. The net terminal 2401 shown in FIG. 24 includes a display screen (touch panel) 2402, a coin slot 2403, a bill slot 2404, a prepaid card slot 2405, a credit card slot 2406, a coin change slot 2407, and a document sheet slot 2408. And a receipt issuing port 2409. The payment form to be used has a format as shown in FIG. 1. The ID of this form is stored in the barcode 104, and the creditor name, amount, debtor name, and usage statement information are stored in the QR code 103. The URL of the access destination is recorded. Further, in the unique code 102, a password for inquiring a usage statement is recorded. The human-readable text contains only general information such as creditor name, amount, debtor name, and payment deadline. When the user wants to know the detailed usage statement information, the user inputs the password recorded in the unique code 102 to perform authentication, and acquires the usage statement information via the network.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a flow of payment of a fee. This flow starts first in step 2501.

  Next, in step 2502, the customer who has come to the store to pay the fee selects a fee payment menu from the display screen 2402 of the net terminal 2401.

  After selecting the payment menu, the payment paper is inserted into the document paper insertion slot 2408 at step 2503.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 2504. The document sheet insertion port 2408 is directly connected to the sheet scanner, and the scanner unit inputs an image of the payment sheet. A plurality of barcodes in the image are read by a code reading device, and information such as a document ID, a creditor name, an amount, and a URL encoded in the barcode or the QR code are read. In addition, it decodes its own code and obtains a password.

  Next, in step 2505, information on the creditor name, the amount, and the debtor name is displayed on the display screen 2402 of the net terminal 2401. At the same time, a "display usage details" button and a "confirmation without looking at details" button are displayed.

  Next, proceeding to step 2506, when the customer presses a button for displaying usage details, a password input screen is displayed, and the customer inputs a password.

  Next, proceeding to step 2507, if the password matches the password in the unique code, the net terminal 2401 accesses the URL, acquires a usage statement, and displays it on the display screen 2402. At the same time, a "Confirm payment" button is displayed.

  Next, proceeding to step 2508, the customer presses the “confirm payment” button to confirm the payment, and then inserts cash from the bill insertion slot 2404 and the coin insertion slot 2403, or inserts a prepaid card into the prepaid card insertion slot 2405. Or a credit card is inserted into the credit card insertion slot 2406.

  Then, in step 2509, the net terminal performs settlement and issues a receipt.

  On the other hand, if the customer presses the "confirm without looking at the statement" button in step 2506, the process proceeds to step 2510, where cash is inserted from the bill insertion slot 2404 and the coin insertion slot 2403, or the prepaid card insertion slot 2405 is inserted. A prepaid card or a credit card is inserted into the credit card insertion slot 2406. Then, the net terminal 2401 performs settlement.

  Next, in step 2511, the net terminal 2401 issues a receipt from the receipt issuing port 2409.

  Finally, the process proceeds to step 2512, and the flow ends.

  As described above, in the handy terminal, even when a familiar clerk needs to perform complicated operations, the customer simply inserts the payment form using an unattended terminal by using the net terminal 2401 incorporating the device of the present invention. Payment can be completed with simple processing, which is very advantageous in terms of reducing congestion at cash registers, protecting personal privacy, and the like.

  Next, the present invention is applied to, for example, a copying machine with a security function (MFP) and a document management device (for example, copying, printing of an original document, and editing of an electronic document can be performed only when the password of a document with a code matches. A fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a connection between a copier (MFP) 2602 with a security function and a document management device 2601 via a network according to the fourth embodiment of this invention. The database 2604 is connected to the document management device 2601 and manages the electronic document and the document ID in association with each other. The document editing device 2605 is a device capable of creating, browsing, editing, and saving an electronic document. The document editing device 2605 is connected to the database 2604 of the document management device 2601 to operate a document registered in the database 2604 and edit the document. The document edited by the device 2605 can be registered in the database 2604. First, the document editing apparatus 2605 gives a password when printing an electronic document. The password is embedded in a unique two-dimensional code (two-dimensional code 102) (see FIG. 1). The document ID is also embedded in a one-dimensional barcode (barcode 104), and other information related to the document is also embedded in a QR code (QR code 103) and printed at the same time.

  Next, a processing flow when the paper document is copied by a copying machine (MFP) 2602 having a security function will be described with reference to FIG.

  The flow in FIG. 27 starts in step 2701, and in step 2702, it is detected that the document is set in the scanner.

  Next, in step 2703, it is detected that the start button of the copying machine has been pressed.

  Next, in step 2704, the scanner operates to input a paper document as an image. Then, the scanned document image is temporarily stored in a memory or a hard disk in the copying machine.

  Next, in step 2705, the code reading device operates in the copying machine to read the code in the image.

  In step 2706, if the unique code exists in the image, after decoding the unique code, a dialog prompting the input of the password is displayed on the operation panel.

  Next, in step 2707, the user enters a password.

  If the passwords match in step 2708, the flow advances to step 2709 to start printing the temporarily stored image. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step 2710, where the stored image is deleted and the document is not copied.

  Then, the flow ends in step 2711.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 28, a flow of an operation of extracting an original electronic document when connected to the document management apparatus 2601 will be described.

  The flow in FIG. 28 starts in step 2801, and in step 2802, it is detected that the document is set in the scanner.

  Next, in step 2803, the user detects that the “electronic document retrieval” button on the operation panel of the copying machine has been pressed.

  Next, in step 2804, the scanner operates to input a paper document as an image. Then, the scanned document image is temporarily stored in a memory or a hard disk in the copying machine.

  Next, in step 2805, the code reading device operates in the copying machine to read the code in the image. The decoding of the document ID embedded in the barcode and the decoding of the original code if present in the image are performed. After decoding the unique code, display a dialog on the operation panel to prompt for a password.

  Next, in step 2807, the user enters a password.

  Next, if the passwords match in step 2808, the flow advances to step 2809 to request the document management apparatus 2601 to print an electronic document having a document ID.

  Next, in step 2810, if an electronic document having a document ID exists in the database managed by the document management apparatus 2601, the document management apparatus 2601 prints the electronic document to the requesting copier. Issue an instruction.

  Next, in step 2811, the document is printed, and in step 2812, the image stored is deleted.

  Then, the flow ends in step 2813.

  Next, FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a flow in a case where an electronic document as a source of a paper document is further taken out, displayed on the document editing apparatus 2605, and made editable.

  The flow in FIG. 29 starts in step 2901 and detects in step 2902 that a document has been set on the scanner.

  Next, in step 2903, it is detected that a button "document edit" on the operation panel of the copying machine has been pressed.

  Next, in step 2904, the paper document is read and stored.

  Next, in step 2905, the copying machine decodes the code from the read document image, and extracts the password from the document ID and the unique code.

  Next, in step 2906, if the unique code exists, the process advances to step 2907 to display a dialog for prompting the user to input a password on the operation panel.

  Next, if the passwords match in step 2908, then in step 2909, the copier displays a dialog for selecting a terminal name to edit the document, and prompts the user to select a terminal to display and edit the document.

  Next, in step 2910, the copier transmits the document ID and the display destination terminal name to the document management device 2601.

  Next, in step 2911, the document management device 2601 transmits the received electronic document associated with the document ID to the document editing device 2605.

  Next, in step 2912, the document editing device 2605 opens and displays the received document to make it editable. If the passwords do not match, the document cannot be edited, but the electronic document can be viewed on the terminal.

  If it is determined in step 2906 that the unique code does not exist, the process proceeds to step 2913. The operation from step 2913 to step 2916 is the same as the operation from step 2909 to step 2912, except that the document can be edited.

  Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is an embodiment of a mail-order member service using a net terminal of a convenience store, to which the present invention is applied.

  The mail order service using convenience store online terminals is a mail order service for members who cannot use a PC or network at home, especially those who use it frequently or who purchase high prices Mail-order companies provide campaigns and special services for members, and members use them. The provision of the service is notified by a direct mail from the mail order company to the member.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a connection among the network terminal 3001, the Internet 3002, and the mail order company 3003. The network terminal 3001 is connected to the Internet 3002 via a network, and the server of the mail order company 3003 can be connected to the network terminal 3001 via the Internet 3002. For example, the paper document used here is catalog paper for mail-order members. The barcode on the catalog sheet stores the document ID, the QR code stores the URL, and the unique code stores the member number and password. The document ID and URL of this catalog are linked to a program that provides special services for frequently used members and members who purchase in large quantities. You can receive special services provided by the traders. This catalog sheet is sent by direct mail, and the member number and password are encoded in the catalog sheet, so that only specific members can use it. In addition, it is possible to customize and provide information that is considered optimal for the member based on the product purchase history of the member to be used and the registered taste. The member does not need a membership card or the like, and only needs to bring this catalog sheet to the convenience store to use the service.

  Next, a flow of a mail-order member service using a net terminal will be described with reference to FIG.

  The flow in FIG. 31 starts in step 3101.

  Next, in step 3102, the member selects a member service of the mail-order company 3003 from the screen of the net terminal 3001.

  Next, in step 3103, the catalog sheet is inserted into the scanner of the net terminal 3001.

  Next, in step 3104, the scanner inputs a document image and decodes each code.

  Next, in step 3105, when the unique code is decoded, a dialog for prompting the input of the member name and the password is displayed on the screen. The member enters the member name and password from the terminal.

  Next, in step 3106, if the input information matches, in step 3107, the net terminal 3001 accesses the URL (service provider) obtained by reading the code and transmits the member information. .

  Next, in step 3108, the document issuer (mail order company 3003) selects the most appropriate information based on the details of the catalog information, the member information, and the purchase history, and provides the purchase guidance and information of the product considered to be most suitable for the member. To the Internet terminal.

  Next, in step 3109, information and services are provided to the member.

  Then, the flow ends in step 3110.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of types of barcodes are printed on a document. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an image recognition device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a memory. It is a figure showing an area divider. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of an area dividing operation. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the labeling by a labeling device. It is a figure showing operation which detects a circumscribed rectangle coordinate. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a detected circumscribed rectangle is integrated into one circumscribed rectangle. It is a figure showing the block diagram of an information reader. It is a figure showing an example of an original code. It is a flowchart which shows the original code creation method. It is a figure which shows the cell number of an original code image. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a reader for reading and decoding unique codes. It is a figure which shows the vertex detection operation | movement by a vertex candidate detector. It is a figure showing the method of judging whether it is a vertex candidate. It is a figure which shows the code frame detection method by a code frame detector. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing cell coordinates of an electronically created unique code. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a read code image. FIG. 3 illustrates an electronically generated code. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conversion formula for converting coordinates of an electronically generated code into coordinates of a read code image. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic flowchart of an embodiment of software of the present invention. It is a figure showing the details of an information reading step. It is a figure showing the flow chart of the method of decoding an original code. An example of a device in which the code reading device of the present invention is built in a network terminal of a convenience store that is now in widespread use and a scanner for reading a slip or a document is added will be described. It is a figure which shows the flow of payment of a fee. FIG. 2 illustrates a connection between a copier (MFP) with a security function and a document management device via a network. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow when a paper document is copied by a copying machine (MFP) with a security function. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of an operation of extracting an original electronic document when connected to a document management apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow in a case where an electronic document as a source of a paper document is taken out, displayed on a document editing device, and edited. It is a figure which shows the connection between a net terminal, the internet, and a mail order company. It is a figure which shows the flow of the member service of mail-order sales using a net terminal.

Explanation of reference numerals

200 Image Recognition Device 201 Area Divider 202 Information Reader 203 Memory 204 Information Output Unit 210 Input Image 401 Labeling Device 402 Circumscribed Rectangle Detector 403 Circumscribed Rectangle Combiner 404 External Dimension Judge 701, 702, 801 Bounding Rectangle 901 Setting 902 to 904 Barcode decoders 905 to 907 Two-dimensional code decoder 910 Setting signal 1000 Original code 1001 Black frame 1002 Cell 1003 Finder pattern 1301 Vertex candidate detector 1302 Code frame detector 1303 Projection converter 1304 Finder detector 1305 Data sampling device 1306 Error corrector 1307 Format converter 1308 Decoder information output unit 1605 Black frame determination line 2401 Net terminal 2402 Display screen 2403 Coin slot 2404 Bill insertion 2405 prepaid card insertion slot 2406 credit card insertion slot 2407 coin change opening 2408 document paper insertion port 2409 receipt issue port 2601 document management apparatus 2602 security features with the copier (MFP)
2603 network 2604 database 2605 document editing device 3001 net terminal 3002 internet 3003 mail order company

Claims (8)

Area dividing means for dividing a digitally imaged document having a plurality of patterns storing information, including a rectangular pattern storing information two-dimensionally, into a plurality of small areas including the respective patterns;
Information reading means for performing reading of the pattern for the plurality of divided small areas, and reading information stored in the pattern,
An image recognition apparatus, comprising: an information output unit that can simultaneously output a plurality of pieces of information read by the information reading unit from the plurality of small areas. 2. The image recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit outputs the position of the pattern in addition to the read information. 2. The image recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit outputs the type of the pattern in addition to the information that can be read. 2. The image recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information reading unit includes a reading setting unit that sets a type of a pattern to be read. An area dividing step of dividing a digitally imaged document having a plurality of patterns storing information into a plurality of small areas including the respective patterns, including a rectangular pattern storing information two-dimensionally;
An information reading step of reading the pattern for the plurality of divided small areas and reading information stored in the pattern,
An information output step of simultaneously outputting a plurality of pieces of information read in the information reading step from the plurality of small areas. 6. The image recognition method according to claim 5, wherein the information output step outputs the position of the pattern in addition to the information that can be read. 6. The image recognition method according to claim 5, wherein the information output step outputs the type of the pattern in addition to the information that can be read. 6. The image recognition method according to claim 5, wherein the information reading step includes a reading setting step of setting a type of a pattern to be read.

Images