JP2000200234A - Information inquiry system for internet using two- dimensional code handy scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make easily inputtable a homepage address. SOLUTION: The system is constituted by combining a handy scanner 2 equipped with an image read part 21 and a read command button 23 with a communication terminal device 1 with a display screen where two-dimensional code decoding software S1 decoding a two-dimensional code read and scanned by the handy scanner 2 into a character code and an Internet browser S2 are previously installed and when the read command button 23 of the handy scanner 2 is operated to start reading and scanning a two-dimensional code while the two-dimensional decoding software S1 and Internet browser S2 are started, a homepage specified with a homepage address is called and displayed on the display screen 12 of the communication terminal device 1 by inputting the homepage address obtained by decoding and converting the code into a character code through the two-dimensional decoding software S1 to the Internet browser S2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system capable of easily inquiring information on the Internet by using a two-dimensional code handy scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet has spread to ordinary households, and information from all over the world can be searched by WWW (World Wide Web). Using a WWW browser (browsing software) from a personal computer in each home, you can easily specify a WWW server (Web server)
You can see the homepage (Web page) registered in.

[0003] In the Internet, the e-mail service allows a sender to send a message even when the other party is absent, like a facsimile or the like. It is used casually.

[0004]

However, conventionally, when accessing the Internet and browsing a homepage, the address (URL (Uniform Resource
If Locator)) is not registered in advance, there is a problem that the input is troublesome. That is, the address of the homepage is usually composed of many characters exceeding 30 characters, and in order to input this, it is necessary to operate while looking at a product or a catalog in which the address is described. Since it is troublesome and the number of input errors increases, it is sometimes impossible to access the homepage by simple and accurate operation. On the other hand, the same can be said for the e-mail address, and it has been desired that the e-mail address can be input by a simple operation.

[0005] As described above, the homepage address and the e-mail address have a relatively large number of characters. Therefore, when these are described in the product itself, a product catalog, a pamphlet, or the like, a large space is required and the appearance is also high. There was a problem of getting worse. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily input a homepage address and an e-mail address and to display the homepage address and the e-mail address in a small space.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first and second aspects of the present invention propose an information inquiry system for the Internet using a two-dimensional code handy scanner. A system according to claim 1, wherein a handy scanner including an image reading unit and a read command button, two-dimensional code decoding software that decodes a two-dimensional code read and scanned by the handy scanner and converts the code into a character code, It is configured by combining with a communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a web television having a display screen in which an Internet browser is installed in advance.

Here, a two-dimensional code is not a one-dimensional code such as a bar code but a code having information in the horizontal (horizontal) and vertical (vertical) directions. There are a stack type code that is stacked, and a matrix type code that looks like a grid. Further, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the two-dimensional code is read and scanned by operating the read command button of the handy scanner with the two-dimensional code decoding software and the Internet browser activated in the communication terminal device, The homepage specified by the homepage address is called and displayed on the display screen of the communication terminal device by inputting the homepage address converted into the character code by the code decoding software into the Internet browser.

[0008] Here, the homepage is registered in a WWW server and is an Internet browser (WWW browser).
This is a screen that can be viewed using a company and that has been set up by each company, etc., for publicity announcements. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the handy scanner includes an image reading unit and a read command button, and two-dimensional code decoding software that decodes a two-dimensional code read and scanned by the handy scanner and converts the code into a character code. , An Internet browser, and a communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a web television having a display screen in which e-mail software is installed in advance.

In the communication terminal device, when the two-dimensional code reading software, the Internet browser, and the e-mail software are activated and the read command button of the handy scanner is operated to read and scan the two-dimensional code,
The home page specified by the home page address is called and displayed on the display screen of the communication terminal device by inputting the home page address and the e-mail address converted by the two-dimensional code decoding software and converted into the character code. It is configured to access the e-mail address specified by the address.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information inquiry system on the Internet. Here, the Internet N2 is used as a communication network, and a homepage can be browsed on the communication terminal device 1. Therefore, the communication terminal device 1
Is composed of a device that can access the Internet N2, such as a personal computer or a Web TV that can use the WebTV service.
A W server 3 is provided.

In the communication terminal device 1, if an Internet browser (WWW browser) is used and the Internet N2 is connected, a home page (Web page) registered in each server 3 and opened by each company or the like for publicizing an advertisement or the like. ) Can be viewed. In the figure, in the WWW server 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a server computer, and reference numeral 31 denotes a storage unit for registering a homepage and the like.

Here, the communication terminal device 1 can access the Internet N2 through one of the contracted providers P (# 1 to #n) via a public network N1 such as an ISDN or a telephone network. I have. Further, since the communication terminal device 1 can use the electronic mail service of the Internet N2, the server of each provider P has a function of a WWW server and a function of a mail server.

In the present invention, the communication terminal device 1 can use the handy scanner 2 to inquire information on the Internet N2. The communication terminal device 1 includes a signal processing unit 10 including a CPU, a modem, and the like, and executes communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, and POP to connect the Internet N2 and transmit e-mail. A communication control unit 11 and a display unit 12 forming a display screen with a liquid crystal display, a CRT, or the like.
, An operation unit 13 including a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, a storage unit 14 including a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and the like, and a handy scanner 2 for connecting a serial interface such as an RS-232C. And an interface unit 15 for controlling.

On the other hand, the handy scanner 2 includes a signal processing unit 20 including a CPU, an image reading unit 21 including a CCD, and an image read by the image reading unit 21. Image processing unit 22 which converts the image data into multi-valued image data or multi-valued image data expressing multi-tones
, A read command button 23, an operation lamp 24 including an LED, and the like, and an RS-23
Interface unit 25 for controlling serial transmission such as 2C
And

The communication terminal device 1 has two-dimensional code decoding software S1 for decoding two-dimensional codes read and scanned by the handy scanner 2 in advance and converting them into character codes.
And the Internet browser S2 are installed and stored in the storage unit 14. The communication terminal device 1
When the reading command button 23 of the handy scanner 2 is operated and the two-dimensional code is read and scanned with the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 and the Internet browser S2 activated, the two-dimensional code is read by the two-dimensional code decoding software. It is decoded by S1 and converted into a homepage address of a character code. By inputting the homepage address to the Internet browser S2, the display unit 12 calls up and displays the homepage specified by the homepage address.

More specifically, when the read command button 23 is operated in the hand scanner 2, the image reading section 21 reads a two-dimensional code, converts the two-dimensional code into image data in the image processing section 22,
It is transmitted through a C cable or the like. At this time, if the reading of the two-dimensional code is normal, the operation lamp 24 is turned on, and a sound such as “beep” is output from an operation sound output unit (not shown).
The operation lamp 24 is made to blink so that no sound is output from the operation sound output unit. Then, it is easy for the operator to determine whether the reading has been performed normally.

The communication terminal device 1 includes an interface unit 15
When the image data is received through the software, the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 decodes the image data and converts it into character data. Since the converted character data is a homepage address, it is transmitted to the Internet browser S2.
To access the Internet N2. Then, the homepage specified by the address can be browsed.

The home page address usually contains U
RL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used. UR
L is a character string composed of a scheme name (transfer protocol name), a host name, and a file name. L can be used to identify a resource on the Internet, and is used as a homepage address. For example, this address is "http: /
/abc.defghij.co.jp/xxxx.html ". In the case of this example, the number of characters exceeds 30. Therefore, if the system of the present invention can be used to automatically input only by reading the two-dimensional code with the hand scanner 2, access to the Internet N2 can be easily performed. Become. In addition, since the home page of the address of a longer character string in the lower layer can be easily accessed, a page on which product information or the like is posted can be opened with a pinpoint.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned communication terminal device 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart (100 to 106). Here, when the Internet browser S2 is started (10
0) The two-dimensional code decoding software S1 is activated (101), and when the two-dimensional code image data is input from the hand scanner 2 (102), the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 is input. The two-dimensional code is decoded and converted to a homepage address (103). Since the homepage address is automatically entered in the address input field of the browser S2 (104), the homepage can be accessed and browsed based on the address (105, 106).

Next, a two-dimensional code read by the hand scanner 2 will be described. A two-dimensional code is not a one-dimensional code such as a bar code, but a code having information in the horizontal (horizontal) and vertical (vertical) directions. There are cords and matrix-type cords that look like grids.

FIG. 3 shows, as an example of a two-dimensional code, a CP code (Computer P code) which is one of matrix type codes.
urpose Code) (registered trademark of Japan ID Tech Co., Ltd.)
Is shown. The two-dimensional code CD shown here is
A cell called a cell is 12 (1 to 12 rows) × 12
(A to L columns). The code CD includes an X axis baseline a (X reference line), a Y axis baseline b (Y reference line), and an X axis baseline a
Marks c and d (tick marks) added at regular intervals to each of X and Y axis base lines b, and auxiliary marks e composed of three cells at diagonal positions of intersections of X and Y axis base lines a and b. (Corner mark).

An X-axis base line a (12 cells in 12 rows) and a Y-axis base line b (12 cells in column A) and timing marks c and d added at regular intervals (here, every other cell).
Thus, the position of each cell (excluding the auxiliary mark e) formed in each row (1 to 10 rows) and each column (C to L columns) in which data is stored can be specified. Further, by detecting the auxiliary mark e, even if the two-dimensional code CD is not printed but is pasted by a sticker or the like, the two-dimensional code CD may be in different directions such as up and down, left and right, Even if the whole is deformed, it can be correctly recognized.

Each of the plurality of cells is composed of a plurality of pixels (for example, 4 pixels or 9 pixels). If the number of black pixels is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the cell is a black cell. And each cell constitutes bit information (binary data). With this bit information, various languages in the world can be expressed, not limited to alphabets, numbers, kanji, and kana. For example, 4 cells (4 bits) have 16
Expresses a hexadecimal number and uses 16 cells (16 bits = 2 bytes)
In the case of expressing an IS kanji code, the code "30
"6C" indicates the kanji "1", code "4673" indicates the kanji "2", and code "3B30" indicates the kanji "3".

In addition to the user data arbitrarily set by each user, the bit information can include error correction data at a predetermined rate with respect to the entire code CD. According to this, data (user data) can be automatically restored even if noise is mixed in or destroyed in the code CD. Further, even if the amount of user data changes, the ratio of the error correction data may be changed, so that the entire size of the two-dimensional code CD can be kept constant.

In the system of the present invention, since the homepage address is expressed by a two-dimensional code, even an address having 30 characters or more can be expressed in a small size.
Therefore, the homepage address can be described in a small space such as a product itself, a product catalog, or a pamphlet. Next, another configuration of the Internet information inquiry system using the two-dimensional code handy scanner will be described.

The communication terminal device 1A shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as the communication terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1, but instead of the interface unit 15, an infrared input unit for performing infrared communication according to a standard such as IrDA. The handy scanner 2A has an infrared output unit 26 instead of the interface unit 25 of the handy scanner 2 in FIG. This eliminates the need to connect the communication terminal device 1A and the handy scanner 2A with a cable.

In the communication terminal 1A, in addition to the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 and the Internet browser S2, e-mail software S3 is installed in advance and stored in the storage unit 14. When the communication terminal device 1A operates the read command button 23 of the handy scanner 2A while scanning the two-dimensional code decoding software S1, the Internet browser S2, and the e-mail software S3 to read and scan the two-dimensional code. , This 2D code is 2
It is decoded by the dimensional code decoding software S1 and converted into a homepage address and an e-mail address of the character code. Then, by inputting a homepage address and an e-mail address, the display unit 12 calls up and displays the homepage specified by the homepage address, and accesses the mail address specified by the e-mail address.

More specifically, in the hand scanner 2A,
When the read command button 23 is operated, the image reading unit 21
The dimensional code is read, converted into image data in the image processing unit 22, and output from the infrared output unit 26 by infrared rays. When the communication terminal device 1A receives the image data through the infrared input unit 16, the two-dimensional code decoding software S
1 decodes the image data and converts it into character data. If the converted character data is a homepage address, it is input to the Internet browser S2 to access the Internet N2. Then
You can browse the homepage of the address.

The character data received by the communication terminal device 1A and decoded by the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 is
If it is an e-mail address, the e-mail is input to the e-mail software S3 so that the e-mail can be transmitted via the Internet N2. An e-mail address is a character string composed of a user name (e-mail account), an at sign "@", a server name, an organization name, a country name, and the like. For example, the e-mail address is displayed in a format such as "abcd@efghijk.co.jp". Is done. In this example, the number of characters is close to 20 characters.
Sending an e-mail will be easier if it becomes possible to input automatically by simply reading the dimension code.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (200 to 206) showing the operation of the communication terminal apparatus 1A. Since browsing the homepage is the same as the operation shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 shows only the operation at the time of sending an e-mail. Here, when the e-mail software S3 is started (200), 2
The two-dimensional code decoding software S1 is activated (201), and when image data of a two-dimensional code is input from the hand scanner 2A (202), the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 outputs the input two-dimensional code. Is decrypted and converted into an e-mail address (203). The e-mail address is automatically entered in the address input field processed by the e-mail software S3 (204), so that if a message to be transmitted as an e-mail is created (205),
An e-mail can be sent to that address (20
6).

The message transmitted as an electronic mail may be included in the two-dimensional code read by the handy scanner 2A. Therefore, if a product management code such as a product maker code and a product item code, such as a JAN symbol of a barcode, is included as a two-dimensional code in addition to the email address, the product management on the receiving side of the email can be performed. (Inventory management, order management). Further, the two-dimensional code may include a serial number of a specific catalog, magazine, pamphlet, or the like.

As described above, the two-dimensional code can be configured in a small size even if it includes data other than the homepage address and the e-mail address (see FIG. 3), and these are described in a small space such as a product. be able to. Next, an example of a handy scanner is shown in FIG. This scanner is a pen type,
This is called a scanning pen.

In the scanning pen SP, the detecting unit 21a
And the CCD camera section 21b constitute an image reading section, and the click button 23a corresponds to a reading command button. In the figure, cv indicates a body cover, and c indicates a cable connected to the communication terminal device 1. Note that the scanning pen SP is not limited to the one that is connected to the communication terminal device 1 via a cable, and may be one that performs infrared communication as shown in FIG.

In the scanning pen SP, when the click button 23a is operated, an activation signal is transmitted, and the two-dimensional code decoding software S of the communication terminal device 1 is transmitted.
1. Internet browser S2, e-mail software S
3 can be activated. In this case, when the click button 23a is operated, first, an activation signal is transmitted to the communication terminal device 1. If the detection unit 21a is applied to the two-dimensional code while maintaining the operation of the click button 23a, the two-dimensional code is transmitted to the CCD camera. The data is read by the unit 21b and transmitted through the cable c.

In this scanning pen SP, an e-mail address can be stored in a built-in memory. The operation of the scanning pen SP in this configuration is shown in a flowchart (300 to 303) in FIG. If the click button 23a is operated and maintained (300), after the start signal is transmitted (301), the two-dimensional code which converts the destination address is read (3).
02), the two-dimensional code and the stored e-mail address (source address) are sent to the communication terminal device 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (310 to 316) showing the operation of the communication terminal device 1 to which the scanning pen SP operating as shown in FIG. 7 is connected. Therefore, here, only the time when an electronic mail is transmitted is shown. When the communication terminal device 1 receives the activation signal from the scanning pen SP (310), the electronic mail software S
3 and 2D code decoding software S1 are started (311,
312). When the two-dimensional code and the source address are input from the scanning pen SP (313), the input two-dimensional code is converted into the destination address by the two-dimensional code decoding software S1 (314), and the electronic mail software is used. In S3, the destination address and the source address are automatically input (315), and then the e-mail is transmitted (316).

When the e-mail is transmitted in this way, the destination replies the material or the like by e-mail to the e-mail address stored in the scanning pen SP. As a result, the own address is not registered in the communication terminal device 1 or the scanning pen S
Even if only P is carried around and this pen SP is connected to another communication terminal and used, it is possible to request a reply of an e-mail to its own address.

The returned e-mail can be received by the communication terminal device 1 by operating the click button 23b of the scanning pen SP in addition to the operation using the normal e-mail software S3. Further, the returned e-mail may be forwarded to another e-mail address that is commonly used. The registration of the e-mail address in the scanning pen SP is performed by sending the address from the communication terminal device 1 or by registering the pen SP.
After setting the registration mode by operating the switch, the two-dimensional code can be read.

[0039]

As can be understood from the above description, in the Internet information inquiry system using the two-dimensional code handy scanner according to the first aspect of the present invention, only the two-dimensional code is read and scanned by the handy scanner. Then, in the communication terminal device, the home page address is automatically input, and the home page of the address is called and displayed, so that it is not necessary to input a long character string as in the related art, and the home page can be easily browsed.

Further, since the homepage address is represented by a two-dimensional code, the homepage address can be described in a small space such as the product itself or a product catalog, and the appearance is not complicated. 2. The method according to claim 2,
In an Internet information inquiry system using a dimensional code handy scanner, simply by reading and scanning a two-dimensional code with a handy scanner, a communication terminal device automatically inputs a homepage address and calls and displays the homepage of the address. Since the user can input an e-mail address and access the address, there is no need to input a long character string as in the related art, so that the homepage can be easily browsed and e-mail can be used.

Further, since the homepage address and the e-mail address are represented by a two-dimensional code, the homepage address and the e-mail address can be described in a small space such as a product itself or a product catalog.
There is no complicated appearance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an Internet information inquiry system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the communication terminal device in the system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional code.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of another configuration of the Internet information inquiry system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the communication terminal device in the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway external view of a scanning pen (handy scanner).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the scanning pen of FIG. 6;

8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the communication terminal device when the scanning pen of FIG. 6 is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A Communication terminal device 12 Display unit S1 Two-dimensional code decoding software S2 Internet browser S3 E-mail software 2, 2A Handy scanner 21 Image reading unit 23 Read command button N2 Internet CD Two-dimensional code SP Scanning pen

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A handy scanner having an image reading unit and a read command button, two-dimensional code decoding software for decoding a two-dimensional code read and scanned by the handy scanner and converting it into a character code, and an Internet It is configured by combining a communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a web television having a display screen in which a browser is installed in advance, and in a state where the two-dimensional code decoding software and the Internet browser are activated, a reading command of the handy scanner is issued. When a button is operated and a two-dimensional code is read and scanned, a homepage address decoded by the two-dimensional code decoding software and converted into a character code is input to the Internet browser, thereby displaying the display screen of the communication terminal device. , Specified by homepage address Internet information inquiry system using 2D code handy scanner has a configuration which calls displays the home page. 2. A handy scanner having an image reading section and a read command button, two-dimensional code decoding software for decoding a two-dimensional code read and scanned by the handy scanner and converting it into a character code, and an Internet It is configured by combining a browser and a communication terminal device such as a personal computer or a web TV having a display screen on which e-mail software is pre-installed, and starts the two-dimensional code decoding software, the Internet browser, and the e-mail software. In this state, when the read command button of the handy scanner is operated and the two-dimensional code is read and scanned, the user inputs the homepage address and the e-mail address which are decoded by the two-dimensional code decoding software and converted into character codes. Display on the display screen of the communication terminal The home page specified by the page address causes a paging instance, Internet information inquiry system using 2D code handy scanner which is configured to access the e-mail address specified by the e-mail address.