KR20070113497A - Method and device for decoding multi-code having code information for plural uses - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for decoding a multi-code having code information for plural uses are provided to divide and use the code information even if using a code normally used, thereby using the code as different functions according to various uses. A decoding apparatus includes a reader(213), a code decoder(215), and a control unit(217). The reader reads a multi-code. The code decoder decodes the multi-code through the reader. The control unit processes some of information out of the decoded code according to a usage purpose. The usage purpose, is previously assigned, which is input through input device.

Description

Method and device for decoding multi-code having code information for plural uses}

1 is a view showing the configuration of a conventional two-dimensional bar code.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overall system using a multi-code according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing the configuration of code information embedded in a multi-code according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a code reading apparatus uses code information read from multicode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a code reading device for reading a multicode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

200: multicode

210: code reading device

211 input unit

213: Leader

215: code information reader

217: control unit

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to codes, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for reading a multicode in which code information for a plurality of applications is embedded.

Recently, information management and information connection services using various types of codes such as one-dimensional, two-dimensional barcodes, radio frequency identifier (RFID) tags, and the like have been provided. In particular, the use of two-dimensional barcodes that are easier to recognize and accommodate a greater amount of information than one-dimensional barcodes has been expanded.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a conventional two-dimensional bar code.

Referring to FIG. 1, a commonly used two-dimensional bar code 10 is composed of a finder pattern 12 and a data pattern 14. The data pattern 14 is embedded with code information, and the finder pattern 12 recognizes the data pattern 14 and recognizes the position and inclination of the two-dimensional barcode 10 by using the finder pattern 12. In addition, the width, height, and the like of the data pattern 14 can be recognized. In addition, one side of the finder pattern may include a parity pattern for determining whether the data pattern 14 is properly represented.

The code information can be read in the two-dimensional barcode 10 by the contrast difference of the data pattern 14 displayed in black and white. For example, the white portion of data pattern 14 may be read as "0" and the black portion as "1". That is, since each cell of the data pattern 14 according to the two-dimensional barcode 10 may have only two values, there is a limit to the variety of code information.

Accordingly, a method of increasing the variety of code information by using various colors such as red and blue in the data pattern 14 and using different values according to the colors is attempted. For example, red can be set to 00, blue to 01, yellow to 10, and green to 11 to represent four values in one cell.

In addition to the two-dimensional bar code described with reference to the drawings, code information having a size of tens of bytes to hundreds of bytes may be embedded in the code according to the type of code. Code information can be in any form, including numbers, letters, and special characters.

The code reading device that reads the code may use the read code information to use an offline connection, an online connection, and other specific services. That is, the code may be used for logistic management in an offline state and for providing related information through a communication network, depending on the intended use. For example, when using a terminal connected to a communication network, a user may read a code with the terminal and receive information corresponding to the code information from a specific server of the communication network. In addition, for offline use, for example, when a mass mail is sent, a separate code is assigned to each individual mail, and a corresponding history is registered. If any mail is returned, a defrost code can be recognized to automatically manage the returned mail. have.

However, the conventional code is designed to be used only for one purpose. That is, codes according to offline use or online use (for wired communication or wireless communication) exist separately. Therefore, if the article to which the code is attached is managed off-line and detailed information is provided online, both the off-line code and the on-line code must be attached to the article, thus reducing waste of resources and inconvenience of management. There was a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reading a multicode incorporating code information for various purposes.

In addition, even if a commonly used code is used, it is another object to provide a method and an apparatus for reading a multicode using codes with different functions according to various uses by dividing and using code information.

Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described below.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an apparatus for reading a multi-code embedded with code information for a plurality of uses, the apparatus comprising: a reader unit for reading the multi-code; A code information reading unit which reads code information of the multi code read by the reader unit; And a control unit which processes only a part of the read-out code information according to the set use according to the use.

Here, the use may be specified in advance. The apparatus may further include an input unit for receiving usage information for setting the usage.

The reader may be any one of a camera module, an infrared sensor, and a frequency generating means.

In addition, the code information may be previously designated an area of information for each purpose, or may include an identifier or a recognition flag for identifying the information for each purpose.

In addition, the use may include any one or more of an offline, a wired Internet connection and a wireless Internet connection.

The code reading device may further include a communication unit for at least one of a wired Internet connection and a wireless Internet connection according to the purpose.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a method for reading a multi-code embedded with code information according to a plurality of uses by the code reading apparatus, comprising the steps of: reading a multi-code in accordance with a multi-code reading command; Reading code information of the multicode read; And a step of processing only a part of the code information according to the set use according to the use, and a recording medium on which a code for executing the method is recorded.

Here, the use may be specified in advance.

In addition, the code information may be previously designated an area of information for each purpose, or may include an identifier or a recognition flag for identifying the information for each purpose.

In addition, the use may include any one or more of an offline, a wired Internet connection and a wireless Internet connection.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term and / or includes a combination of a plurality of related items or any item of a plurality of related items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and, unless expressly defined in this application, are construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings. It doesn't work.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in describing the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals. Duplicate explanations will be omitted.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the entire system using a multi-code according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of code information embedded in a multi-code according to an embodiment of the present invention to be.

Referring to FIG. 2, the entire system includes a multicode 200, a code reading device 210, a wireless communication network 220, a wired communication network 222, a database 230, and an information providing server 240.

The multi-code 200 embeds readable code information in the code reading device 210. For example, all types of codes such as n (any natural number) dimensional barcodes, RFID tags, and image codes may be equally applied. Will be apparent through the following description.

In particular, the multi-code 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention embeds code information that can be utilized for various purposes. The code information embedded in the multi-code 200 may be read by a code reading device 210 such as a barcode reader mainly used in a general store such as a convenience store, and may be used for offline purposes such as goods management. It can also be used for on-line use, which allows the reader to obtain detailed information from the information providing server 240 read by the code reading device 210 and coupled via a communication network. In other words, the code information of the multi-code 200 is divided into respective information corresponding to each purpose (see Fig. 3).

The code reading device 210 performs a function of reading code information embedded in the multicode 200. Code reading device 210 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is any device capable of reading the multi-code 200, such as a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone that reads the code using a barcode reader, RFID reader and camera module and its All devices with devices can equally be applied.

In particular, the code reading device 210 is for off-line processing off-line, on-line processing on-line and online according to the use of the code information read from the multi-code 200 and It can be classified as both online and offline. In particular, it may be classified into a wired Internet connection and a wireless Internet connection according to whether the wired Internet function or the wireless Internet function is used for online use. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an offline barcode reader, an RFID reader for online use, and a mobile terminal for offline-online combination will be described as an example.

The code reading device 210 processes only a part of the entire code information read from the multicode 200 according to the corresponding use. For example, when the code reading device 210 is an offline device, the corresponding function is processed using only the offline information among the code information of the multicode 200. Similarly, the online code reading device 210 performs a corresponding function using only the corresponding information among the code information.

Referring to FIG. 3, the code information embedded in the multicode 200 may include an offline area, a wired internet connection area, and a wireless internet connection area.

Each area may be divided by the number of digits as in Example 1 shown in the drawing. For example, code information is allocated three digits (ie, "123") for the offline area, five digits (ie "45678") for the wired Internet connection, and four digits for the wireless Internet connection. (Ie, "9000") may be assigned.

In addition, each area according to the purpose of the code information may be distinguished by an identifier (*) as shown in Example 2). That is, the code reading device 210 may recognize information according to each use through the identifier. This has the advantage that the information value of each area can be allocated differently than the code information according to Example 1). Of course, the order of the regions according to the respective applications must be specified in advance.

Referring to Example 3), the offline area, the wired Internet connection area, and the wireless Internet connection area according to the purpose of the code information may be distinguished by corresponding recognition flags a, b, and c. Therefore, the code reading device 210 may recognize the corresponding area of the code information according to the purpose through the recognition flag.

Here, although the code information is illustrated as being a number, it is natural that all types of characters represented by binary codes such as general characters and special symbols may be implemented as code information. In addition, the values of the above-described code information, each area, a value assigned to each area, and an identifier and a recognition flag are just one embodiment, and it can be variously changed.

In addition, the code information may include a telephone number. That is, when the code reading device 210 is a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, it may attempt to connect to any device using the read phone number. Since the telephone connection may also be conceptually included for the wired Internet connection or the wireless Internet connection, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring back to FIG. 2, when the code reading device 210 is an offline device, such as a barcode reader, the offline area of the code information of the multi-code 200 may be processed. For example, the code reading device 210 of the mail sending system may perform a function of checking a customer grade of a corresponding subscriber or classifying a sending area by using the read code information of the offline area. .

When the code reading device 210 is an online device such as an RFID reader or a mobile terminal, a specific function may be processed by processing information of the online (for wired or wireless Internet connection) area of the code information of the multi-code 200. Can be performed. For example, when the code reading device 210 of the mailing system is connected to the wired Internet, the code information according to the wired Internet connection area is used to classify the corresponding customer for the returned mail to the customer who has not received the mail. The history information may be transmitted to the combined database 230 through the wired communication network 222, and the related information may be received accordingly.

In addition, if the code reading device 210 has a wireless Internet connection, the code reading device 210 is coupled to the information providing server 240 corresponding to the information according to the corresponding area of the code information through a communication network to perform a specific function. Can be done. That is, the code reading device 210 recognizes the connection information (for example, a URL such as "www.magicn.com/") of the information providing server 240 according to the information for the wireless Internet connection among the code information, and The detailed information corresponding to the corresponding multicode 200 may be obtained by accessing the information providing server 240 through the information providing server 240. Of course, the access information may be a detailed address (eg, “www.magicn.com/~multicode=1234”) of the information providing server 240 in which data to be obtained is stored. Alternatively, the connection information to the information providing server 240 may be stored in advance in the code reading device 210 or provided in a separate device (eg, a gateway server), and the code reading device 210 may read the multicode 200. Corresponding information among the code information of the) may be transmitted to the information providing server 240.

Here, the profile of the code reading device 210 set to connect to any server such as the information providing server 240 by using the read code information may be updated through a specific server. In addition, a plurality of profiles set to connect to any server using the read code information may be stored in the code reading device 210 in advance, and one of them is selected (by the user or the type of communication network to be connected ( Automatically selectable according to a wireless Internet network, a mobile communication network, etc.). Of course, preferably, if one profile is selected by the user, a user interface screen (for example, a screen for displaying list information about the profile and allowing the user to select it) may be provided.

Reading the code to perform an offline function, or to perform a wired Internet function or a wireless Internet function is a technique that is still used today, more detailed description will be omitted. However, the above-described processing example using the code information of the offline device and the online device is just one embodiment, and in addition, all the methods of reading the code information of the multi-code 200 and performing a corresponding function are the same. Applicable would be obvious.

The above-described examples are taken as an example in which one code reading apparatus 210 may use code information of the multicode 200 for only one purpose. Hereinafter, a processing method in the case where one code reading device 210 (for example, a mobile terminal) can perform a plurality of functions using one multicode 200 will be described.

4 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a code reading apparatus uses code information read from a multicode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a case where the code reading device 210 is a mobile terminal having a camera module will be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 410, the mobile terminal receives a read command of the multicode 200. For example, an execution command for the multicode 200 reading function among the functions of the camera module included in the mobile terminal may be input.

In step 420, the mobile terminal receives usage information on the usage purpose of the multi-code 200. The usage information may be input separately from the multicode 200 read command, but more preferably, may be input together for convenience of use. For example, a function key for each purpose is provided (for example, key 1 for offline, key 2 for wired Internet connection, key 3 for wireless Internet connection), and code reading device 210 ) Recognizes the application according to the input key signal and accepts the multicode 200 as a read command.

In this case, the mobile terminal may determine whether the wired internet connection is possible or the wireless internet connection, and display the information on the display unit (for example, liquid crystal) provided with information on the possible functions. Thus, the user can select a use according to the currently available functions. In addition, when there are a plurality of connectable wireless Internet networks or wired Internet networks, the mobile terminal may select one network according to a predetermined priority or a predetermined priority and access the same.

 When the connection is accessible to the Internet, one may be selected according to a specific place corresponding to the location after measuring the current location information.

In step 430, the mobile terminal reads code information of the multi-code 200. That is, the mobile terminal photographs the multi-code 200 through the provided camera module, reads the captured image, and reads out the code information. Since the mobile terminal recognizes the code using the camera module and reads the code information from the code, it is well known to those skilled in the art, and the code reading device 210 such as the mobile terminal reads the code information of the code. Naturally, all methods can be applied equally.

Here, although the use information is first input, the code information of the multi-code 200 is shown, but the order may be changed.

In step 440, the mobile terminal recognizes an area of code information corresponding to a use according to the input use information, and extracts information of the corresponding area.

The information extracted in operation 450 is used to perform a function according to the corresponding use. For example, when the offline use is selected, the corresponding information read in the data stored in the internal storage means may be stored, or the corresponding data may be extracted from the storage means and displayed on the display unit. When the use according to the wireless Internet connection is selected, it may be connected to the corresponding information providing server 240 to obtain and display detailed information on the article with the multi-code attached thereto.

Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that only one use is selected, but a plurality of uses may be selected to extract information according to each use, and a function according to each use may be performed. For example, when the offline function and the wireless internet connection function are selected, the mobile terminal performs the offline function according to the information for offline use among the code information, and performs the wireless internet function according to the information for the wireless internet connection use. Of course, the execution order may be set in advance according to the priority, or may be randomly selected.

In addition, the code reading apparatus 210 capable of processing according to a plurality of uses may be set to perform a function according to all uses without receiving a separate use.

5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a code reading apparatus for reading a multi-code according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a code reading device 210 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 211, a reader unit 213, a code information reading unit 215, and a control unit 217.

The input unit 211 is a means for receiving a read command for reading the multicode 200 and may be implemented as a keypad or the like, which is typically provided in a mobile terminal. In addition, all input means such as a touch pad and a voice input sensor for receiving specific information may be implemented as the input unit 211 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the code reading apparatus 210 may receive usage information on the purpose of utilizing the multi-code 200 through the input unit 211.

The reader unit 213 performs a function of reading the multicode 200, and may be a camera module of a mobile terminal, a frequency generating means of an RFID reader for reading an RFID tag, an infrared sensor for reading a barcode, and the like. That is, the reader unit 213 is a means for the code reading device 210 to recognize the multi-code 200 printed on an article such as paper.

The code information reading unit 215 reads code information embedded in the multicode 200 read by the reader unit 213.

The control unit 217 reads the multi-code 200, the area of the read code information according to the set use (can be specified in advance, or may be set according to the use information input through the input unit 211) By using the information, the input unit 211, the reader unit 213 and the code information reading unit 215 are controlled so as to be processed according to the corresponding use. In particular, the control unit 217 of the code reading device 210 which performs a function according to a plurality of uses recognizes the use according to the use information input through the input unit 211, and the information according to the corresponding use among the read code information. Extracts and performs a function according to the intended use using the extracted information.

Although not shown in the drawing, the code reading device 210 may include a display unit (not shown) that displays read code information, information on a current processable use, detailed information of performing a specific function using code information, and the like. It may further include. In addition, the code reading device 210 may further include a wired communication unit (not shown) for wired communication through the wired communication network 222 and / or a wireless communication unit (not shown) for wireless communication through the wireless communication network 220. It may be.

In addition, the code reading device 210 may further include a storage unit (not shown) for storing code information read from the multi-code 200 to be used at another time. Accordingly, the code reading device 210 stores the read code information (or some information according to the set purpose) in the storage unit, and provides a list of stored code information according to a control signal input through the input unit 211 from the user. The selected code information can be processed according to the set purpose (it can be set in advance or re-input).

In addition, the code reading device 210 may change a preset use or update a profile in which connection information is set according to a wireless Internet connection, etc., in association with a predetermined server (hereinafter, referred to as an update server) (not shown). May further include). That is, the code reading device 210 may download and update a new profile from the connected update server, and may also receive information on the use and change the preset use.

The method of the present invention as described above may be implemented in a program and stored in a computer-readable recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.).

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect capable of providing a method and apparatus for reading a multicode embedded with code information for various uses.

In addition, the present invention has the effect that by using the code that is commonly used, by using the code information is divided into different functions according to various uses.

Although described above with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below And can be changed.

Claims (13)

An apparatus for reading a multicode embedded with code information according to a plurality of uses, A reader unit for reading a multicode; A code information reading unit which reads code information of the multi code read by the reader unit; And And a control unit for processing only some of the read code information according to the set use according to the use. The method of claim 1, And said use is specified in advance. The method of claim 1, And an input unit for receiving usage information for setting the usage. The method of claim 1, And the reader unit is any one of a camera module, an infrared sensor, and a frequency generating means. The method of claim 1, The code information is a code reading device characterized in that the region of the information for each purpose is specified in advance, or comprises an identifier or recognition flag for identifying the information for each purpose. The method of claim 1, The application includes any one or more of: offline, wired Internet connection, and wireless Internet connection. The method of claim 6, Code reading device further comprises a communication unit for any one or more of the wired Internet connection and wireless Internet connection according to the use. A method of reading a multi-code embedded with code information according to a plurality of uses by a code reading device Reading a multicode according to a multicode read command; Reading code information of the multicode read; And And processing only some of the code information according to the set use according to the use. The method of claim 8, And said use is specified in advance. The method of claim 8, And receiving usage information for setting the usage. The method of claim 8, The code information is a code reading method characterized in that the region of the information for each purpose is specified in advance, or comprises an identifier or recognition flag for identifying the information for each purpose. The method of claim 8, And said use comprises at least one of: offline, wired internet connection and wireless internet connection. In a recording medium in which code information according to a plurality of uses is implemented so as to be executed in a code reading device for reading embedded multicode, a program which can be read by the code reading device is recorded. Reading a multicode according to a multicode read command; Reading code information of the multicode read; And And processing only a part of the code information of the code information according to the set use according to the use.

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