JP2001195536A - Code, and method and device for encoding/decoding code - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an encoding method of generating a code of which image is formed in unit of cell for displaying specified information and information, and which is mechanically recognizable, and a decoding method for extracting the information from the code image. SOLUTION: The code, which is formed so as to be mechanically read, for displaying prescribed information, includes a data region, with which at least one data cell is formed while encoding and displaying different coloring or gradation corresponding to the contents of the information and a reference region, with which at least one reference cell is formed, for providing reference coloring or reference gradation for judging the coloring or gradation of the data cell formed in the data region. Thus, since not only various and great information can be encoded in comparison with a conventional bar code but also the reference region is provided, erroneous recognition caused by the difference of the operating conditions or product machine type between an output device and an input device can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an encoding method for generating a code image from codes and information recognizable by a machine in which an image is formed in units of cells to indicate specific information, and decoding for extracting information from the code image. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, most products on the market are printed with barcodes composed of lines of various thicknesses to indicate product information such as product type and price. . Such a barcode is composed of a thick line, a thin line, and a double line as shown in FIG. 1, and indicates numeric data in which product information is encoded.

[0003] On the other hand, for general business purposes, a business card contains the URL (Unifor
m Resource Location) or email address. Such an Internet home page contains the contents of the company's publicity, and Internet users who are interested in the company read the company's publicity contents listed on the Internet homepage and have any inquiries Attempts to contact you using your email address. In addition to a business card, an Internet homepage address or other URL of a specific company may be printed in an advertisement section of a magazine or a newspaper, and sometimes an Internet homepage address may be printed on a published book.

[0004] At this time, if a user tries to connect to the URL printed on the business card, the URL printed on the business card is used.
(Eg, http://comsciyonsei.ac.kr/~nklee) must be typed on the keyboard. Or, if an e-mail address (for example, nklee@yonsei.ac.kr) is printed on the business card, the user trying to send an e-mail to that e-mail address must type all the e-mail addresses. No.

[0005] However, an Internet homepage address or an e-mail address is not composed of one or two characters, but is generally composed of ten to several tens of characters. Therefore, the operation of inputting the address by the user is very troublesome and should be solved.

A bar code that is widely used at present can express only a small amount of simple data. In other words, barcodes have a limit to the characters that can be encoded,
Free expression is impossible.

In order to solve such disadvantages, US Pat. No. 5,869,828 (title of the invention: Color and sha)
pe system for encoding and decoding data) was proposed. US Pat. No. 5,869,828 is a method and system for encoding / decoding character data using a graphic having a color, and is capable of printing a color graphic having a simple structure on the surface of a product to indicate product information. it can.

When one color figure is printed by a plurality of different printers due to differences in printing characteristics among the printers, a printing result having different colors is obtained according to the characteristics of the printer. That is, when certain data is encoded into a color graphic and the color graphic is printed by a plurality of printers of different companies, a difference occurs in the color tone of the color graphic depending on the characteristics of each printer. Therefore, USP 5,869,8
According to No. 28, due to such a difference in printing environment, an error may occur that original information cannot be perfectly restored when decoding a printed color graphic even if the same color graphic is used. There is.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is different from a conventional barcode encoding technique. It is an object of the present invention to provide an encoding method and system with improved decoding accuracy, and a decoding method and apparatus for interpreting what is encoded by the method.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a machine-readable code for displaying predetermined information, wherein at least one of the machine-readable codes represents predetermined information. As at least two regions including one cell, a data region formed of at least one data cell that is displayed with a color or shading differently encoded according to the content of the information,
A reference area formed of at least one reference cell for providing a reference color or a reference density for determining a color or a density of a data cell formed in the data area.

According to the present invention, there is provided a code image encoding method comprising the steps of: setting a code conversion table in which colors or shades are mapped differently according to each recognizable character including numbers and symbols. Setting target data to be encoded, encoding the target data according to the code conversion table to generate an image displayed in a data area, and interpreting a color or shade displayed in the data area. Setting a reference area in which a reference color or a reference shade providing a reference is displayed, and generating a physical or electronic code image from the image including the data area and the reference area. Features.

A code image encoding apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem stores a code conversion table in which colors or shades are mapped differently corresponding to each recognizable character including a number and a symbol. Department and
A data area generating unit for receiving target data to be encoded and encoding the encoded data according to the code conversion table to generate an image displayed in the data area; and a reference color for providing a color or shading interpretation standard displayed in the data area. Or a reference area generating unit for setting a reference area in which a reference gray level is displayed, and a code image generating unit for generating a physical or electronic code image from an image including the data area and the reference area. Features.

[0013] The code image decoding method according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a data area in which target data is encoded by color and shading and displayed as an image, and a color and shading displayed in the data area. Capturing a code image having a reference area in which a reference color or a reference shading is provided to provide an interpretation standard; distinguishing a data area and a reference area from the code image; and displaying the reference area in the reference area. Determining the color or shading of each cell displayed in the data area based on the reference color or shading determined, and decoding the color or shading determined for each cell of the data area according to a code conversion table. Extracting target data consisting of recognizable characters including numbers and symbols Characterized in that it comprises a.

A code image decoding apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems stores a code conversion table in which colors or shades are mapped differently corresponding to each recognizable character including a number and a symbol. An input unit for receiving a code image encoded in accordance with the code conversion table, comprising: a storage unit for storing the target data; a data area in which target data is displayed; and a reference area for providing an interpretation standard of the data area. An information identification unit that identifies an area and a reference area by classifying them, and determines the color or shading of each cell displayed in the data area based on the reference color or shading displayed in the reference area; and Colors or shades determined for each cell of the area are decoded according to the code conversion table, Characterized in that it comprises a data extraction unit for extracting target data made from character to be recognized including No..

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a code according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is formed by an image so that predetermined target information can be read by a machine.

The code includes at least two regions, each region including at least one cell. More specifically, this code includes a data area 21 formed of at least one data cell and a data cell formed in the data area 21, which is displayed with a color or shading differently encoded according to the content of the information. The reference area 22 includes at least one reference cell that provides a reference color or reference shade for determining color or shade.
In addition, the code may further include a control area 23 formed of at least one control cell for displaying an instruction or a service that can be provided using the information displayed in the data area 21.

It is desirable to further include boundary areas 25 and 26 for separating the areas between the areas included in the code. Further, a boundary region for dividing cells may be further provided between cells included in each region. The boundary regions 25 and 26 are configured by lines or cells formed of a specific hue or pattern that does not display target information. On the other hand, by setting the range of colors and shades displayed in each cell of the data area 21, the reference area 22, and the control area 26 separately, these areas can be distinguished. By inserting a special pattern described later in
Each of these regions can be distinguished.

The data area 21 is composed of one or more data cells in which characters are encoded in an image.
Each of the data cells may include a boundary line or a boundary area for separating adjacent data cells. Each boundary line or boundary area is composed of, for example, black or white, and thereby, a scanner or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
When the camera reads the data area, each data cell can be partitioned (similarly for the reference area and the control area).

The data cells may each be configured to indicate a single character, or multiple data cell sets may be configured to indicate one or more pieces of information. For example, the character "A" can be displayed in one cell made of red or two cells made of red and green, respectively.

The purpose information placed in the data area 21 is:
It is composed of letters, numbers and symbols, and the purpose information is, for example,
The name, address, telephone number, fax number, network host address, domain name and IP address used on the Internet, URL, protocol or document name, etc. are determined according to the user's request.

The reference area 22 is used to set a reference color for recognizing a color expressed in a cell in the data area 21 and / or the control area 23. The colors of the cells displayed in the data area 21 and the reference area 22 are determined based on, for example, an RGB (Red, Blue, Green) color model or an HSV (Hue Saturation Value) color model.

Depending on the model of the printer and the material of the printing paper, one color may be printed in different colors, or the same hue may be recognized slightly differently depending on the characteristics of the scanner or camera. In view of the above, the reference cell in the reference area 22 provides a reference for determining the hue displayed in the data area. That is, even if the output device outputs different colors or the input device such as a scanner inputs different colors, the color tone difference between the color of the reference area 22 and the color of the data area 21 is fixed. Therefore, the hue of the cell represented in the data area 21 can be accurately recognized. Therefore, the hue displayed in the cell of the data area 21 has a relative color difference that is compared with the reference color of the reference area 22. Therefore, the hue is compared with the reference color of the reference area 22 based on the RGB model or the HSV model. By obtaining the color of the cell in the data area 21 by using the above method, the information of the data cell can be accurately recognized even if the image input device or the output device changes.

The user can use the purpose information of the data area 21 to provide various services according to the field of application. For example, if the homepage address (that is, URL) of the Internet is displayed as a code image on a business card, the code image is decoded by a computer, and then the web browser of the computer or a server computer connected to the computer is executed. Then it is programmed to connect to the homepage. Also, if the Internet e-mail address is displayed as a code image, after decoding the code image on a computer, the mailing software of the computer may be executed to send an e-mail to the e-mail address. It can also provide an environment where it can be done. At this time, such an automatic service function may be provided by another program, or may be automatically provided by a decoding program according to the type of target information. In addition, the decoding program automatically provides a service using the control information decoded in the control area 23 including the control area 23 in which another such command word is expressed in the code image. May be.

The control area 23 includes the data area 2
Encoding / decoding is performed in the same manner as in (1), but is an area in which instructions or metadata for controlling purpose information of the computer system or the data area are encoded. For example, the information displayed in the control area 23 is based on a mapping method for the decoding order of the cells formed in the data area 21 or a reference to the reference area 22 which is a criterion for the hue of the data cells formed in the data area 21. Various meta information such as a cell position can be included.

When a code image is displayed on a part of a medium, a boundary line (or a boundary region) for separating a code image region from a non-background region may be set to separate the code image from the background.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a code conversion table for converting various characters (such as alphabets and special characters), numbers, and forms into code images, wherein two color cells are mapped to one character. This is an example.
The target information can be extracted by encoding the target information into a code image or decoding the code image using a code conversion table as shown in FIG.

In the encoding method using the code conversion table shown in FIG. 3, after converting various characters into codes, a code image is generated in a color (color) assigned to each code. In this example, a code image is generated using eight colors, and two consecutive cells are used to indicate one character or number. From "000" for each color
Codes up to 111 "are assigned and each character is encoded in two colors. For example, the number" 3 "is assigned to code" 000011 "and code" 000 ".
, And the color (cyan) assigned to the code “011” is encoded, and a black cell and a cyan cell are imaged by two consecutive cells. Although FIG. 3 shows black and white gray levels due to drawing restrictions, in actual application, black and white gray levels can be used. It is more advantageous for recognition, and the number of hues depends on the performance of a device that prints colors (eg, a printer) and a device that recognizes colors (eg, a scanner).

After encoding various characters and numerals included in the target information by the code conversion table shown in FIG. 3, the color corresponding to the code can be expressed in the form of a square matrix composed of a combination of square cells. . 8 colors (RED, GREEN, BLUE, Y
When one character is expressed by two cells using ELLOW, MAGENTA, CYAN, WHITE, BLACK), a total of 64 characters can be expressed. There are 52 English alphabets, including lowercase and uppercase letters, 10 Arabic numerals, and 1 blank character (64 in total), so there is no problem in expressing English.

However, special codes may be set to display more various characters. For example, if a special code for toggle between Korean and English is assigned to the 64th code, if a cell corresponding to the special code is indicated in the code image, the next successive cell will toggle from English to Hangul or vice versa. Can be interpreted. Or, if special codes are separately assigned to each language type, for example, when expressing English, first display the code image of the English special code, then display the code image of the data, and express Hangul. May display the code image of the Hangul special code first, and then display the code image of the data.

The code conversion table is a table that defines a relationship in which various characters, numbers, symbols, and the like are mapped in predetermined colors. As an example of this, not only the example shown in FIG.
There are codes such as barcodes and PDF-417, and matrix images composed of one-dimensional or two-dimensional black and white or color cells (or lines) also correspond to code images. The code image can be printed in visual form on a credit card or the like, or can be included in electronic media in the form of computer-readable file data, and the code image can be decoded according to a code conversion table. For example, original "purpose information" expressed by letters, numbers, and symbols can be obtained.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a color matrix code image in which object information is physically or electronically imaged and represented according to the present invention. According to this example, according to a code conversion table (see FIG. 3) in which target information is mapped to recognizable characters including numbers, symbols, and the like in a predetermined color (or shading), a predetermined shape, hue, pattern, or Into a code image composed of a combination of

The number of cells included in the color matrix code image can be appropriately determined in consideration of the information amount of the target information, and its structure is preferably an N'M size matrix. It can be expressed in any form such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon in consideration of the characteristics of the medium in which the request and the code image are expressed. Also, one code image can be divided into several parts and displayed in a plurality of separated positions.

The higher the quality of the scanner and the CCD camera, the higher the resolution and the higher the recognition rate of the color displayed in the cell. However, the CCD camera has a smaller imaging area and a lower resolution than the scanner. Has a lower color recognition rate than scanners. Therefore, it is desirable that the size of the cell for the code image used in the CCD camera be as large as possible and the number of types of the cells be as small as possible.
However, it is difficult to encode various types of data within a limited area by increasing the size of the cell and decreasing the color type of the cell.

However, by including patterns of various shapes together in the cell, more various data can be expressed in the same space. When one character is represented by one cell, 4 types (2 bits) with 8 types (3 bits) of color
By defining different patterns of
(5 bits) characters can be represented.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating examples of patterns that can be displayed in each cell of a code image according to the present invention. These figures show that when converting information to a code image, a pattern can be added to a color cell using a vector line in addition to color. FIG. 5A is an example showing four-direction vector lines and eight-direction vector lines displayed in a cell. When four-directional vector lines are used, 16 (4 bits) patterns can be added to the color of each cell as shown in FIG. 5B. Therefore, 8 types (3 bits)
Is used, one cell can represent 128 (7-bit) characters.

Further, the present invention, as shown in FIG.
The present invention can also be applied to a case where one cell is divided in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction and another color is arranged to generate more various and precise color code images.

By providing an encoding algorithm capable of converting target information into a code image using various expression methods, it is possible to express various characters (for example, not only Hangul and English but also kanji and Japanese). Can be given flexibility.

FIG. 5D shows an example of generating a code image using a gray scale code according to the present invention. That is, FIG. 5D illustrates that the present invention not only encodes and decodes in color using a color printer and a scanner, but also uses a gray scale code, that is, a black and white shade according to the user's application and situation. This indicates that the present invention can be applied to a case where a code image is generated.

The gray scale code is expressed by black and white luminance instead of the mixture ratio of R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) that constitute a color. Therefore, the reference area is formed of at least one of the reference shades of black, white, and gray, and the cells in the data area have a value coded by a gray scale difference compared with the reference shade of the reference area. Such a gray scale code image can be applied to a medium mainly printed in black and white, such as a newspaper.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which a code image according to the present invention is displayed on a business card. FIG. 6B shows FIGS. 5A and 5B.
An example using a code image including the vector line described in (1) is shown. However, it is preferable that such an additional vector line pattern is implemented by a line having a color different from the background color of the cell. The reason is to distinguish the pattern and the ground color of the cell. FIG. 6C is an example in which a code image is expressed on a flyer. This code image accesses, for example, a homepage address or an e-mail address of an advertiser, or a web page providing detailed information related to the advertisement. Information may be included. Also, it can be seen that one column on the left side of the code images in FIGS. 6B and 6C is a reference area, and a space is provided between the reference area and the data area to distinguish the two areas.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for encoding character information into a code image according to the present invention. The method by which information is converted into a code image by encoding software is as follows. One or more characters, numbers, and symbols included in the objective information are converted by a predetermined code conversion table as shown in FIG. 3 to form a code image having a predetermined shape, hue, pattern, or a combination thereof. Is converted.

First, the following encoding method can be applied depending on the type of information encoded in the code image. Encoding methods are classified into a direct encoding method, an indirect (or index) encoding method, and a mixed encoding method. The direct encoding method is a method of directly encoding target information by a code conversion table to generate a code image. Indirect encoding method is index information to refer to the target information
This method encodes (for example, a database address and a record number) by a code conversion table and changes it into an image form. There is a mixed encoding method in which these two methods are mixed.

In the direct encoding method, since the target information itself is encoded with a code image, another system or another storage location is not required. However, as the data amount of the target information increases, the physical size of the code image also increases. .

The indirect encoding method encodes position information of a storage location where the target information is stored without encoding the target information itself. Such position information is, for example, a pointer or a memory address of a storage location where the target information is stored, or a URL or an IP address indicating the position of the target information. Therefore, the indirect encoding method requires another system or storage location where the target information exists.

In the mixed encoding method, data of an important part in the entire target information is encoded by a direct encoding method, and other data is encoded by an indirect encoding method.
For example, a name and a telephone number are encoded for each character, data with a large amount of data such as a postal code and an e-mail address are stored in a server, and a memory address of the data stored in the server is encoded and encoded. Generate In such a mixed encoding method, it is desirable to apply a direct encoding method to fixed data such as a name, and to apply an indirect encoding method to variable data such as homepage information.

The encoding method will be described with reference to FIG. 7A. First, a code conversion table is set in which colors or shades (or gray levels) are mapped differently corresponding to each recognizable character including numbers and symbols (71).
An example of a code conversion table is shown in FIG. 3, and as described above, a pattern using a vector line (see FIG. 5B) or a method of dividing an internal region of a cell (see FIG. 5c) is applied to this mapping. Can be.

Next, the user inputs target information to be converted into a code image (72). FIG. 7B shows a screen provided for inputting purpose information. In this example, the personal information displayed on the business card is encoded into a code image, and when the name, affiliation, telephone number, fax number, etc. are entered, this is encoded as described below. It is automatically converted to a code image according to the conversion table. It is common for a server to store information input by a user in a database or a file.

After the input of the target information, it is determined whether to apply the direct encoding method for directly encoding the target information or the indirect encoding method for encoding the position information of the target information stored in the database (73). ). When the direct encoding method is applied, the target information itself is set as target data to be encoded (74b), and when the indirect encoding method is applied, the position information for the target information is set as target data to be encoded (74a). ). For example, in the example of FIG. 7B, when encoding personal information (purpose information) input by a user, a direct encoding method is used, and the personal information is associated with an address of a database stored in a server and the address. When encoding a given index, it is an indirect encoding method. In addition, a mixed encoding method in which a direct encoding method is applied to names and an indirect encoding method is applied to remaining human matters may be applied. Since the telephone number and the e-mail address are information that can be changed at any time, it is desirable to apply an indirect encoding method that allows a user to refer to a database storing user information without directly encoding the information. The user modifies the contents of the server's database when his personal information is changed, and the person who receives the business card with the user's code image is always You can access the latest information.

Next, the target data is encoded according to the code conversion table (75a). Then, the image to be displayed in the data cell is determined by the color and shade corresponding to the characters, numbers, and symbols included in the target data, and the image is formed into an image according to the order in which the characters of the target data are arranged (or a predetermined method). The data cells are arranged to complete the data area.

On the other hand, the target data may be encrypted by an encryption algorithm before being encoded according to the code conversion table. As the encryption method, a method of changing the character order of the target data by a predetermined algorithm, replacing it with another character, or changing the amount and type of information by using a hash algorithm can be used. Further, the encryption may be performed after encoding the target data (the encrypted target data when the target data is encrypted). In the encryption method in this case, for example, the order of the data cells is changed, the form, characters, patterns, hues, etc. displayed in the data cells are changed or replaced with another one.

Next, reference colors or reference shades for providing interpretation standards of colors or shades displayed in the data cells of the data area are determined, and the shape, position or arrangement of the reference cells in which these are displayed are determined. Set the reference area (7
5b). Further, it is possible to further set a control area that encodes control information in which items related to commands and services that can be used using the purpose information included in the data area are set (75c). Such a control area may or may not be set depending on the content or type of the encoded target information.

When the data area, the reference area, and the control area are set, the layout of the code image is set including the form in which the code image is displayed, the relative position and size of each area, and the size of the unit cell. (75d). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case of a square matrix type code image, the reference area can be arranged on the leftmost side of the code image, the control area can be arranged in the lower part, and the other parts can be data areas. .

According to the layout set in step 75d, a code image including a data area, a reference area and a control area is generated (76). The code image may be automatically generated according to an algorithm of a program, or may be manually produced by a graphic editor according to a code conversion system. The code image thus generated is displayed on a predetermined medium or stored as an image file.

FIG. 7C is a view showing an example of a system for implementing the encoding method according to the present invention. The computer 77 takes in the target information, generates a code image by the encoding method as described above, prints the code image by the printer 78, and physically displays the code image on a medium 79a such as a business card, Code image file 7 of form
9b. Here, the medium on which the code image is displayed includes any medium for displaying predetermined information, such as a business card, the surface of a product, or the advertisement surface of a magazine. Further, the code image may be output to a display device such as a monitor, stored as a computer file, or transmitted as an electrical signal on a communication line.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart for explaining an example of a decoding method for extracting original target information composed of characters including numbers and symbols from a code image according to the present invention. The procedure for converting the code image into the target information by the decoding software is as follows.

Each cell of a code image composed of a predetermined shape, hue, pattern or a combination thereof is converted into characters including numerals and symbols according to a predetermined code conversion table as shown in FIG. Is extracted.

In order to decode the code image of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
It should be provided with an image input device 92 such as a scanner, a digital camera, a CCD camera or the like for reading 1, or a code image should be provided in the form of a code image file which can be directly used by the computer 93. A computer system (a personal computer or a server computer connected to the personal computer) for decoding the code image should be provided.

First, a code image formed by a data area and a reference area is fetched by an image input device such as a scanner or a CCD camera (81). The user takes in the code image displayed on the medium into the user's computer through the image input device 92. The user's computer can capture a code image in real time using an image input device, or can load an already created image file into a memory through a storage device such as a disk or a buffer.

For example, in the case of a flyer on which a code image is printed as shown in FIG. 6C, a user who reads the flyer can scan the code image to obtain information corresponding to the code image. When the code image is displayed on a portion of the medium as shown in FIG. 6C, the code image can be distinguished from the background by detecting a boundary line that separates the code image region from the background region.

Depending on the operation state of the scanner or the position where the code image is printed on the medium, the code image may be read distorted or inclined as shown in FIG. 8C. In such a case, since the code image may be erroneously decoded, the position or direction of the code image is correctly corrected by detecting the rotated state of the code image (82).

For example, the data area and the reference area can be distinguished from the code image by using information of a boundary area set between the areas or information of a cell in which specific information is placed. (8
3). Here, if the control region is also encoded in the code image, the control region is also distinguished and identified.

When the code image is recognized by the computer, decoding for extracting original information is performed based on the code image. Decoding is to reproduce original information from a code image according to the definition in the code conversion table. The decoding method includes
There are a direct decoding method and an indirect decoding method according to a method in which information is encoded. In the direct decoding method, when a code image is decoded, actual target information such as a name and an address is immediately extracted. In the indirect decoding method, a decoded result has key value index information for accessing a database in which actual purpose information such as a name and an address is stored.

Decoding requires a process of extracting characters from the form, color, and pattern included in the code image, and may also require a process of correcting a distorted image. Where RGB (Red, Gre
en, Blue) Model, HSV (Hueangle, Saturation, Value)
Model, CMY (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) model, HLS (Huea
(ngle, Lightness, Saturation) in one model or more. Also, morphologies and patterns can be detected using boundary detection and thinning algorithms.

For decoding, first, the code value of each cell in the data area and the control area is extracted based on the color displayed in the reference area (84). That is, by detecting the color (or shading) of the reference cell in the reference area, the reference color (or shading) serving as a reference for interpreting information in the data area.
Then, the colors of the cells in the data area and the control area are detected, the color difference from the reference color is detected, and each cell in the data area and the control area is converted into a code value.

The code value of the cell obtained in step 84 is converted into target data consisting of recognizable characters including numbers and symbols according to a code conversion table (see FIG. 3) (85). The code value of each cell, represented by a correctly read code image,
Decoding is performed in the reverse order of the algorithm at the time of encoding, and converted into original information. Here, if the encryption is performed after the target information is converted into a code value during encoding, the decoding is performed first after decrypting the encryption set in the code value. Code values must be converted to information.
If the encryption is performed before the target information is converted to a code value during encoding, the code value is first converted to information and then the encryption set for the information is converted. It needs to be deciphered.

The contents of the target data obtained in step 85 are determined according to the encoding method (86). If the code image is encoded by the indirect encoding method, that is, if the target data is index information, the target data obtained by decoding corresponds to an address or a pointer of a storage location where the target information is stored. Therefore, the target information stored in the location of the storage device (database) designated by the target data is extracted (87a). On the other hand, if the target data is not index information, the target data obtained by decoding is the desired target information (87
b).

It is optional to provide a decoding program for performing the above-described decoding in the user's computer in advance. If the decoding program is not provided in the user's computer, the decoding program is used. The computer transmits the code image to the server computer, and causes the server computer to perform decoding.

If the code image includes a control area in which items relating to commands and services that can be used by using the target information are set (88), commands and services are provided by the information set in the control area (89a), and so on. Otherwise, the basic service specified by the program is provided (89b).

The present invention is applicable not only to the case where one code image is embodied on one medium (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), but also to the case where a plurality of code images are embodied on one medium.
(See FIG. 6C). In addition, the present invention can be applied to a case where a plurality of areas including a data area and a reference area exist even when physically represented by one code image. That is, there may be a plurality of reference areas corresponding to the reference for interpreting the plurality of data areas. In this case, after reading a plurality of data areas and a plurality of reference areas separately, the data area and the reference area combined with each other are divided into one set. Data areas partitioned by a set are decoded by reference areas in the same set.

The present invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable storage medium includes any type of storage medium in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer readable storage media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and carrier wave (eg, transmission over the Internet). This includes being embodied in a form. Also, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed in a computer system connected to a network, and may be stored and executed in a computer-readable code in a distributed manner.

[0072]

According to the code according to the present invention, it is possible to encode various and large pieces of information as compared with the conventional barcode, and also to include the reference area so that the operating conditions of the output device and the input device can be improved. Erroneous recognition due to the difference between the products or the product models can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a conventional barcode.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a code according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is formed by an image so that target information can be read by a machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a code conversion table for converting various characters into code images.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a color matrix code image in which object information is imaged and represented according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern that can be displayed in each cell of a code image according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern that can be displayed in each cell of a code image according to the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a view illustrating an example in which one cell region of a code image is divided into a number of portions and colors are displayed according to the present invention.

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a code image using a grayscale code according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which a code image according to the present invention is displayed on a business card.

FIG. 6B shows an example in which a code image according to the present invention is displayed on a business card.

FIG. 6C shows an example in which a code image according to the present invention is displayed on a business card.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating an example of an encoding method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a screen provided for inputting purpose information.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for performing an encoding method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a decoding method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for performing a decoding method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8C is a view illustrating a state in which a code image is read while being distorted or inclined.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Data area 22 Reference area 23 Control area 25, 26 Boundary area

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shen Undong 1207, 101, Kongo-Apart, Siheung-dong, Namcheon-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea No. 403

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A machine-readable code for displaying predetermined information, wherein at least two areas each including at least one cell have different colors or shades according to the content of the information. A data area formed of at least one data cell encoded and displayed, and at least one reference providing a reference color or reference shade for determining the color or shade of the data cell formed in the data area. A machine-readable code comprising: a reference area formed of cells. 2. In the data area, a pattern including a vector line as well as a color or shading is used to convert a character or a number into an image for expressing in the data cell. 2. The machine-readable code according to claim 1, wherein colors or shades are expressed differently in a vertical or diagonal direction. 3. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control area formed by at least one control cell for displaying an instruction or a service provided by the information displayed in the data area. Human readable code. 4. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising a boundary region for dividing a region or a cell between the regions or between cells included in the regions. Human readable code. 5. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising a cell for displaying an area identification code for identifying each area or a language display code for displaying a language type. Code readable by. 6. The machine-readable code according to claim 1, wherein each of the regions or cells has one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape. 7. The information includes letters, numbers, symbols, names,
The machine readable code according to claim 1, wherein the code is at least one of an address, a telephone number, a fax number, a network address, a domain name, an IP address, a URL, a protocol, and a document. 8. A step of setting a code conversion table in which colors or shades are mapped differently corresponding to each recognizable character including numbers and symbols, a step of setting target data to be encoded, Generating an image displayed in a data area by encoding the data according to the code conversion table; and a reference area displaying a reference color or reference gray level for providing an interpretation standard of the color or shade displayed in the data area. A code image encoding method, comprising: setting and generating a physical or electronic code image from an image including the data area and the reference area. 9. The code image encoding method according to claim 8, wherein the target data is target information itself or positional information related to a storage location where the target information is located. 10. The code image encoding method according to claim 8, further comprising encoding the target data after encrypting the data, or encrypting the target data after encoding the target data. 11. The code according to claim 8, further comprising, as the information included in the code image, control information in which items related to an instruction and a service that can be used by target data included in the data area are set. Image encoding method. 12. A display form of the code image, a position and a size of the data area and the reference cell area to be displayed, a size of a unit cell, whether or not a vector line is included, and a layout of the code image. The method of claim 8, further comprising setting the following. 13. An information display medium on which a code image generated by encoding target data by the encoding method according to claim 8 is displayed. 14. A storage unit for storing a code conversion table in which colors or shades are mapped differently corresponding to each recognizable character including a number and a symbol, and said code conversion table by fetching target data to be encoded. A data area generation unit that generates an image displayed in the data area by encoding according to the following: a reference that sets a reference color or a reference gray level that provides an interpretation standard of the color or shade displayed in the data area A code image encoding apparatus comprising: an area generating unit; and a code image generating unit configured to generate a physical or electronic code image from an image including the data area and the reference area. 15. A data area in which target data is encoded according to colors and shades and displayed as an image, and a reference area in which a reference color or reference shade which provides an interpretation standard of the colors and shades displayed in the data area is displayed. Capturing a code image comprising: identifying a data area and a reference area from the code image; and displaying the data area and the reference area in the data area based on the reference color or reference shade displayed in the reference area. Determining the color or shading of each cell, and decoding the color or shading determined for each cell of the data area according to a code conversion table,
Extracting target data consisting of recognizable characters including symbols. 16. The code image decoding method according to claim 15, further comprising, after capturing the code image, correcting a position and a direction shift due to a capture state of the code image. . 17. When the extracted target data is position information related to the position of a storage location where the target information is located, extracting the information at the position of the storage location indicated by the target data. The code image decoding method according to claim 15, further comprising: 18. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of providing commands and services according to the control information when the code image further includes control information in which items related to commands and services that can be used using the target data are set. The code image decoding method according to claim 15, wherein: 19. The code image decoding method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the identifying step further comprises detecting a boundary area separating the data area and the reference cell area. 20. A storage unit for storing a code conversion table in which colors or shades are mapped differently corresponding to each recognizable character including a number and a symbol, a data area in which target data is displayed, and the data area An input unit that has a reference area that provides an interpretation standard of the input unit that captures a code image encoded according to the code conversion table; and identifies and distinguishes a data area and a reference area from the code image and displays the data area and the reference area in the reference area. An information identification unit that determines the color or shading of each cell displayed in the data area based on the reference color or shading, and the color or shading determined for each cell of the data area according to the code conversion table. A data extraction unit for decoding and extracting target data consisting of recognizable characters including numbers and symbols A decoding device characterized by the above-mentioned. 21. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing the method according to claim 8 or 15 is recorded. 22. A machine-readable code for displaying predetermined information, comprising an image area formed in any one of a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon. The image area has at least two cells that physically divide the image area. In the cells, recognizable characters including numbers and symbols are encoded and displayed in different colors or shades. Machine-readable code characterized by the presence of 23. The cell of the image area may further include a pattern including a vector line in addition to a color or shading, or may express the color or shading differently by dividing the cell in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. 23. The machine readable code of claim 22, wherein: