JP2003503905A - Recording information - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract In a method for electronically recording information on an information carrier, a position-coding pattern (3) is placed above or below said information carrier. The information on the information carrier and the position-coding pattern (3) are imaged with the aid of a plurality of partial images. The position coding pattern is used to determine the position of the memory area where the partial image is to be stored. Each partial image in the memory area as a whole constitutes an image of the information on the information carrier. The position-coding pattern is filtered out of the partial image. The products, devices and software used to implement the method are further described.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for electronically recording information. The invention also relates to a product intended for use in connection with the electronic recording of information from an information carrier, which product has at least one sheet-like part with a position-coding pattern. The invention further relates to computer-readable media, systems and devices for recording information.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is often desirable for users to digitize text and images on paper so that they can be processed by a computer or sent electronically, such as by facsimile or email message. .

GE 2,288,512 discloses a handheld scanner used for image recording. This scanner includes a line sensor, two wheels arranged on the edge of the line sensor, and a sensor that detects the rotation of these wheels. The scanner is traversed over the portion of the image or text that the user wants to record. The relative position of the line sensor is recorded with the aid of the sensor and wheels. Then, the recorded position is used to determine the position on the image memory where the image data recorded by the line sensor should be recorded. One drawback with this scanner is that it contains moving parts. Yet another drawback is that the wheels only allow the scanner to move in a particular direction.

Applicant's WO 98/20446 describes another type of handheld scanner or reading pen, which is made for selective recording of text. The device comprises a light sensitive area sensor adapted to record an image containing partially overlapping content. A signal processing unit is utilized to combine the partially overlapping contents of multiple images into one composite image. OCR software converts the characters in the composite image into a character encoding format. This scanner has the advantage that no moving parts are required for position determination. However, this device is designed to record only one string of text at a time.

US Pat. No. 5,852,434 describes a structure for recording handwritten text by determining the absolute position on the writing surface. This structure has a writing surface with a position code, a pen type device having a pen tip and a detector capable of detecting the position code, and the position of the device with respect to the writing surface can be determined based on the detected position code. Equipped with a computer. As the user writes on the writing surface, the position code is continuously recorded along the path of the pen tip with the aid of the detector. The recorded position code is transferred to a computer for analysis. Finally, the result is output to the display or printer. However, this structure is not suitable for recording already written text or images.

US Pat. No. 5,852,434 describes three examples of position codes. In one example, the position code consists of multiple dots, with each dot containing 3 dots.
It is composed of two concentric circles. The outermost circle represents the X coordinate, and the center circle represents the Y coordinate. Further, the two outer circles are divided into 16 parts, and different numbers are represented depending on whether each area is filled or not. This means that each pair of coordinates X and Y is coded by a special representation with dots.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks wholly or partly.

[0008] For this purpose, a method of recording information according to claim 1, claim 1
A product configured for use in connection with the electronic recording of information according to claim 2, a computer readable medium according to claim 23, a device according to claim 27, and a system according to claim 29. Achieved by

More specifically, the first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for electronically recording information from an information carrier, which method comprises overlapping a sheet with a position-coding pattern with an information carrier. And arranging the partial images so that the information on the information carrier and the position-coding pattern are imaged with the aid of a plurality of partial images; Integrating the digitized information into the composite image.

According to the invention, the position-coding pattern is aligned with the information carrier by arranging the position-coding pattern above or below the information carrier. Therefore, the information carrier does not initially have a position-coding pattern. Instead, this pattern is later tailored, either temporarily or permanently. This means that any image or text can be recorded with the aid of this position-coding pattern.

Since a position-coding pattern is used to integrate the partial images, no special split position sensor is needed. Further, since the respective positions of the partial images are determined by the position coding pattern, it is not necessary to care about the order or relationship of recording the partial images. For example, the recording of the partial images may overlap and the recording can start from any position on the information carrier. What is important is that the partial images make up all the information that is recorded together, since this allows the partial images to be integrated into one composite image with the aid of the position-coding pattern. .

Furthermore, the integration of the partial images into the composite image can be carried out efficiently with the aid of said position-coding pattern. This requires less processing power than integrating partial images based on partially overlapping content. Furthermore,
The accuracy and predictability of assembling sub-images does not depend on the information itself on the information carrier.

The position-coding pattern can be projected as a pattern of light on the information carrier, can be copier copied onto the information carrier and can be arranged above or below the information carrier in any other suitable way.

However, in a preferred embodiment said arranging step comprises arranging a sheet with a position-coding pattern above or below the information carrier. This method of arranging the position-coding pattern is currently the simplest and cheapest method of arranging the position-coding pattern and the information carrier such that they overlap.

In a preferred embodiment, the sheet provided with the position-coding pattern is transparent, except for the part of the position-coding pattern, and is arranged on the information carrier. This embodiment makes it possible to simultaneously image the information on the information carrier and the position-coding pattern in each partial image. The position-coding pattern can then be used to uniquely determine the position of the portion of the imaged information within each partial image, which allows the partial images to be integrated without distortion.

However, it is also conceivable to record partial images of only information on the information carrier at certain intervals and record partial images of only position-coding patterns at certain intervals. In this example, the information and position coding patterns can be imaged with different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation and have different wavelength characteristics. When a sheet with a position-coding pattern is laid on an information carrier, the sheet and the position-coding pattern are in this example transparent to the electromagnetic radiation imaging the information, but the position-coding pattern It is necessary that it is not transparent to the electromagnetic radiation imaging the.
On the other hand, when the sheet is placed under the information carrier, the information carrier and its information are transparent to electromagnetic radiation imaging the position-coding pattern, but transparent to electromagnetic radiation imaging the information. It is necessary not to be. The device for recording information in this embodiment would be more complex and effective as it would need to be able to deliver different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the position-coding pattern and the information to be recorded are imaged by different partial images, so that the partial image used for determining the position and the position that integrates the partial image into other partial images of said information. Misalignment may occur with subsequent (or previous) sub-images containing information used to.

In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises the step of filtering out the position-coding pattern. In this way, finally, the composite image of information substantially builds the image of information on the information carrier that does not include the position-coding pattern. Filtering can be performed on the composite image, and preferably on the partial image.

When the position-coding pattern is superimposed on the information on the information carrier, part of that information is hidden. In order to recover the original information as much as possible, the filtering of the position-coding pattern is preferably accomplished by replacing the pixel values representing the position-coding pattern with the pixel values obtained by the average pixel value representing said information. To be done.

The position-coding pattern can be composed of symbols. In this case, the filter removal preferably comprises, for each symbol, calculating an average of pixel values of pixels adjacent to the periphery of the symbol and replacing pixels representing the symbol with the average of the pixel values. .

As mentioned above, the position-coding pattern makes it possible to integrate said image into a composite image of the information. The image integration preferably comprises determining one position for each sub-image of the information based on the position-coding pattern in the same or adjacent sub-images; On the basis of which the position in the memory area in which the partial image of the information is to be stored is determined. Since the position obtained from the position coding pattern represents the arrangement of the same or adjacent partial images on the information carrier, it is possible to restore the information on the information carrier.

In most cases, the partial images will overlap to some extent. This can be used to enhance the image. When the pixel in the partial image stored in the memory area overlaps with the pixel in the image stored immediately before in the memory area, the average pixel value of those overlapping pixels is preferably calculated and stored immediately before. The calculated pixel value is replaced with this average value.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises imaging the information on the information carrier at a first resolution when a first portion of the position-coding pattern on the sheet is detected, Imaging said information on the information carrier at a second resolution when a second part of the position-coding pattern is detected.

In this way, the user can select the recording speed of the information on the information carrier to some extent, and when the low resolution is sufficient, the recording speed can be increased.

The parts having different position-coding patterns may be, for example, parts having different graphical appearances, or parts having coordinates coded from different coordinate intervals or regions.

All the steps of the method except the step of arranging the position-coding pattern on or under the information carrier preferably comprise a processor implementing software for recording the image and for processing the image as described above. It is performed "automatically" by the equipment provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a product designed for use in connection with the electronic recording of information from an information carrier, which product is in the form of at least one sheet. A portion, the sheet-like portion having a position-coding pattern that extends over the sheet and encodes a plurality of positions of the sheet-like portion. This sheet-like part is transparent except for the position-coding pattern and is adapted to be placed on an information carrier for recording said information from the information carrier.

This product consists, for example, of sheet-like parts or resin holders, on the front of which of which a position-coding pattern is provided, in which the information in the form of a piece of paper with text and images is provided. A carrier can be placed.

The benefits of this product are apparent from the method description above.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each position of the plurality of positions is encoded by a specific part of the position-coding pattern, and each part of such position-coding pattern is also adjacent. It also contributes to position coding. In the prior art, each position is encoded by its own individual code or symbol and is independent of the surrounding position code or symbol. The position resolution is therefore limited by the partial surface occupied by the position symbols and codes. However, according to the invention, a particular part of the position-coding pattern is used for coding a plurality of positions. In this way, a "floating" change between positions is obtained, which improves position resolution. Furthermore, this may reduce the relationship between the size of the portion of the position-coding pattern that needs to be read to enable position determination and the size of the particular portion of the position-coding pattern that encodes the position. it can.

The position coding pattern is a line, figure, or
It may be a surface or other arrangement. However, as mentioned above, the position-coding pattern preferably consists of a plurality of symbols of at least one type. In the most basic embodiment, there is only one type of symbol and the positions are coded with the aid of the spacing between the symbols. Alternatively, the encoding can consist of binarization, with the presence of the symbol representing a 1 and the absence of the symbol representing a 0. However,
This kind of encoding can cause problems with only zero or predominantly zero encoded positions.

In the preferred embodiment, the position-coding pattern is composed of a plurality of symbols of only the first and second types or appearances. Such a pattern can be used for binary encoding. For example, a symbol consisting of two dots of different colors and diameters is so simple that it can be easily applied to a surface. Since the information content of each symbol is small, a product having a surface with such a pattern is therefore easy to manufacture. It also facilitates image processing. Furthermore, the symbols are preferably evenly distributed over the surface, which particularly facilitates pattern generation and interpretation.

Each position in said plurality of positions is preferably of a plurality of symbols, in order to enable the coding of a large number of positions while allowing the pattern to be generated from only a few different types of symbols. Coded with assistance. In this case, the position-coding symbols may be two-dimensionally distributed to achieve the same position resolution in two orthogonal directions on the surface.

Each of the symbols preferably contributes to one or more encodings of the plurality of positions. However, in the case of very few symbols, there may be marginal effects that prevent this realization.

The position-coding pattern is optically readable so that both the position-coding pattern and the information can be recorded by the same sensor. Therefore, the pattern must have the ability to reflect, emit, or absorb light. However, this light need not be in the visible range. The pattern may also be fluorescent, which fluorescence is made available by electromagnetic radiation from the device used to record information from the information carrier.

The symbols in the pattern can be of various types. They are preferably graphics, which do not have to implement character recognition (OCR) in connection with position determination, but may also contain numbers or letters.

Furthermore, the symbols have a roughly regular shape, preferably rotational symmetry, which allows the symbols to be identified in the sub-image substantially independent of the image rotation. The symbol can be, for example, a square, a polygon, a line segment, or preferably a circle.

Furthermore, the symbols are preferably constructed in two contrasting colors, such as black and white or red and green.

Symbols having an inner circle painted in a first color and an outer circle painted in a second color to the edge of this inner circle are particularly preferred. In this way, the symbols may be identified with the aid of a circular border between the first and second colors. This identification method is reliable because it is not distorted by the information on the information carrier on which the position-coding pattern is superposed.

The pattern of symbols described above does not necessarily have to be placed on a transparent sheet. If the partial images alternately record the position-coding pattern and the information on the information carrier, this pattern may also be preferably used on the impermeable sheet.

The position-coding pattern can be arranged randomly so that it does not contain any information in itself about the position to be coded, while the position-coding pattern arranged on the partial surface is The parts must be coordinated with the position-coding pattern of the whole surface so that the position of the partial surface can be determined. However, this has the disadvantage of requiring a great deal of processor power for position determination. Furthermore, it makes it difficult to generate random position-coding patterns without ambiguity without accepting considerable redundancy.

Alternatively, each of said plurality of positions can be defined by first and second coordinates which can be determined by the part of the position-coding pattern arranged on the relevant partial surface, the position-coding pattern being: The address of the position where the first and second coordinates are stored is shown. However, the position-coding pattern constructed by this method requires a large memory capacity.

Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the position-coding pattern is
A position-coding pattern encoding a position is configured to include unique information about the position.

In more detail, the position-coding pattern is preferably the first
Of the first symbols containing a predetermined number of symbols of the first symbol and a second predetermined number of (preferably consecutive) symbols from the sequence of the first symbols are taken. The characteristic is that the positions of those symbols in the sequence of symbols are fixed, the first sequence of symbols being used for determining the position of the partial image in the first dimension on the information carrier. . The position code is based on an array of symbols consisting of a finite number of symbols arranged in a predetermined order, which makes it possible to define a "formula" for determining the position in the first dimension on the surface. . In this way, only a minimum memory capacity for storing the sequence of symbols is required, and position determination can be achieved quickly and easily. The position in the first dimension can be indicated, for example, in a Cartesian or polar coordinate system.

As already mentioned, some steps of the method according to the invention are carried out with the aid of a suitably programmed processor. According to a third aspect, the invention thus relates to a computer-readable medium having a computer program for recording information, said computer program comprising both the information to be recorded and a position-coding pattern. Instructions for processing a plurality of partial images, the processing comprising using the position-coding pattern to integrate a partial image of the information into a composite image of the information.

The computer program can be designed for use in a device for recording information or in other devices where an image is transferred for its processing.

A computer-readable medium comprising the computer program has substantially the same advantages as the method.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a device for recording information,
An information carrier and a sensor for recording a partial image of the position-coding pattern, and an image processing unit for processing the partial image recorded by the sensor,
The image processing means is adapted to use the position-coding pattern in the sub-images to determine the position in the memory area where each sub-image is to be stored.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising a product and a device of the type described above. The apparatus and system have substantially the same advantages as the product and the method. The foregoing features of the method and product will also be found in the apparatus and system.

The invention can be used for recording information from any kind of information carrier, on or under which the position-coding pattern is arranged,
Both the information on the information carrier and the position-coding pattern can be recorded simultaneously or alternately.

[0050]

[Description of preferred embodiments]

[Product] FIG. 1 shows a part of a transparent sheet 1 having a surface 2, on which an optically readable position-coding pattern 3 is provided. The sheet 1 may be part of a product, for example a resin holder, but in this example the sheet constitutes the entire product. The position-coding pattern 3 is composed of symbols 4 of the first and second types 4a and 4b, more specifically two dots having different appearances.
a has a white ring around the black center dot, which represents 1 and dot 4b
Has a black ring around the white center dot, which represents 0. The dots are enlarged for clarity. They are the same size and are evenly spaced.

The position-coding pattern allows the position of the partial surface on the sheet surface to be automatically determined by image processing means in the device when the device images dots on the partial surface of a given size. Are arranged in. Dashed lines indicate the first and second partial surfaces 5a and 5b, respectively. The portion of the position-coding pattern arranged on the first partial surface 5a is composed of the first specific portion 6a of the position-coding pattern. This first specific part encodes the first position 7a which corresponds to the central symbol of the surface of this part. Similarly, the second position 7b is coded by the specific part 6b of the position-coding pattern arranged on the second partial surface 5b. The position-coding pattern is thus partly shared by the adjacent positions 7a and 7b.

[Position Coding Pattern-Example 1] A first embodiment of the position coding pattern that enables position determination will be described below. This pattern is adapted for localization by imaging a partial surface containing 5 × 5 symbols. As described above, the symbol represents a binary code.

The sheet has an X direction and a Y direction. To encode the position in the X direction, the first step produces a 32-bit digit sequence of 1s and 0s. Second
In the step of, the last bit of the 32-bit number sequence is deleted to generate a 31-bit number sequence of 1s and 0s. Both of these digit strings (hereinafter referred to as X digit strings) exist at any other place in this digit string when five consecutive digits are selected from any place in the digit string. It must have the property that a unique group of 5 bits is obtained. Also, these digit sequences must have this property if they "join" the end of the digit sequence to the beginning of the digit sequence. Thus, the 5 bit group provides a reliable encoding of the location within the digit sequence.

An example of a 32-bit number string having the above characteristics is "0000100".
0110010100111010110111110 ". Removing the trailing zeros from this sequence of digits yields a 31-bit sequence of digits with the same characteristics.

The first 5 bits of the above-mentioned number string, that is, "00001" becomes the code of position 0 in the number string, and the next 5 bits, that is, "00010", of position 1 in the number string. It becomes a code, and so on. Each position in the X number sequence is 5
Stored in the first table as a function of the group of bits. Naturally, position 31
Exists only in 32-bit digit sequences. Table 1 below shows the position encoding of the above example. Table 1 position 5 bit group 10110 22 01101 23 11011 24 10111 25 01111 26 11111 27 11110 28 11100 29 11000 30 10000 31 0000

Only with the use of a 32-bit digit sequence is it possible to code 32 positions, ie positions 0-31. However, if a 31-bit number string is written 32 times consecutively in the first row and a 32-bit number string is written 31 consecutive times in the second row below the first row, this number string becomes Staggered in relation to each other, thus two groups of 5 bits written one above the other are 31 in the row direction.
It can be used to encode x32 = 992 positions.

For example, suppose the following code is written on the sheet. 000 ... 11111000001000110010100111010110111110 ... 000 ... 11111000010001100101001110101101111100 ...

When these 5-bit groups are converted into positions according to Table 1, the following positions of 32 and 31-bit numerical sequences are represented on the sheet. 0 1 2 ... 30 31 0 1 2 ... 29 30 31 0 1 2 0 1 2 ... 30 0 1 2 3 ... 30 0 1 2 3 4

Therefore, the encoding in the X direction is a numerical sequence consisting of n bits, and when the n bits are m consecutive numbers selected from this numerical sequence,
These m numbers are based on the use of those created in such a way as to uniquely encode the position within the digit sequence. The number of codeable positions is increased by using the second digit sequence. This second number sequence is part of the first number sequence and is therefore of a different length than the first number sequence. In this way, the shift between the number columns in the vertical direction of the row is obtained.

Coding in the Y direction is based on the same principle. A number sequence composed of p numbers (hereinafter referred to as a Y number sequence) is generated, and the number sequence is composed of r consecutive numbers when r numbers are selected from the number sequence. Each number is uniquely created by a method of encoding a position in the number string, that is, a position in the Y direction. The numbers in the Y number sequence are encoded in the pattern on the sheet as the difference between the X position in the two rows calculated in a special way.

Specifically, alternating rows of 31-bit number sequences and 32-bit number sequences are written as follows. Line 1: (31) (31) (31) (31) .. Line 2: (32) (32) (32) (32) .. Line 3: (31) (31) (31) (31). Line 4: (32) (32) (32) (32) .. Line 5: (31) (31) (31) (31) .. ..

Naturally, on the sheet, those digit sequences are written using two differently sized points. The rows start at different positions within the X digit sequence. Specifically, the difference between the numbers at the two positions arranged vertically is calculated modulo 32, and the difference is represented by a 5-bit binary number, and the 2-digit of the most significant bit of the 5-bit binary number is given. If taken, this number begins two consecutive rows so that it is the same no matter where this column is. In other words, the digit sequence is started so that the offset between the digit sequences in two consecutive rows is within a certain interval across the row. In this example, the maximum offset is 31 positions, or bits, and the minimum offset is 0 positions, or 0 bits. Therefore, the offset between each set of rows will be one of the position / bit intervals 0-7, 8-15, 16-23 or 24-31.

For example, it is assumed that the following number sequence is written (represented by the number of position). Row 1: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .... 30 0 1 2 3 Row 2: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .... 30 31 0 1 2 Row 3: 25 26 27 28 29 30 0 1 .... 24 25 26 27 28 Row 4: 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 .... 16 17 18 19 20 Row 5: 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 0 .... 23 24 25 26 27

If the difference is determined in the above manner, the difference between row 1 and row 2 is 0.
, Between rows 2 and 3 is 0, between rows 3 and 4 is 1 and between rows 4 and 5 is 3
become. For example, if you take 26-18 between rows 3 and 4, the difference will be 8 and 2
It will be 01000 in radix. The highest two digits are 01. If, instead, 0-23 between the same lines is taken, the remainder modulo 32 is 32, and the two most significant digits are 01, the same as in the previous example. In this example, four different numbers 0, 0, 1,
3 will be obtained. Next, in the same manner as in the X direction, when four consecutive numbers are taken from the number string, the Y number string having the characteristic that the position within the number string is uniquely determined is numbered 0, 1, 2 If it is created from 3 and 3, the position in the Y direction can be uniquely determined by looking up the number 0013 in Table 2. In this way, 2 in the Y direction
It is possible to determine 56 unique positions.

The following is an example of the beginning and end of a Y number sequence containing the numbers 0-3. Table 2 0 0000 1 0001 2 0010 3 0100 4 1000 5 0002 6 0020 7 0200 8 2000 2000 9 0003 10 0030 .. 251 2333 252 3333 253 3330 254 3300 255 255 3000

The following is a description of a method for determining position. The above mentioned sheet,
That is, consider a pattern having a pattern composed of a first symbol representing 1 and a second symbol representing 0 over the surface. The symbols are arranged in rows and columns, and also in a 32-bit number sequence and a 31-bit number sequence as described above. Now consider the case of determining the position on the sheet where a device equipped with a sensor for recording an image containing a 5 × 5 symbol is placed.

The image recorded by the sensor is as follows.                1 1 1 1 1                1 1 1 1 1                0 1 0 1 0                0 0 1 0 1                0 0 1 0 1

First of all, the device stores these 5 bit groups in table 1
Convert to a position using. The next position is obtained. 26 (11010) 26 (11010) 11 (01011) 10 (01010) 05 (00101)

Subsequently, the magnitude of the shift between the numbers on the different row positions is determined by taking the difference modulo 32. When the two most significant digits of the difference determined by this method are represented by a 5-bit binary number, they are 0, 1, 0, 0. According to Table 2, this difference number is equal to position 3 in the Y direction. Thus, the second on the sheet
The coordinate of the dimension of becomes 3.

The third table stores the starting position of each row, that is, the position within the X-number sequence at which each row begins. In this example, the Y coordinate 3 is used to record 5
It is possible to find the starting position of the row where the group of bits was taken. Top 2
By knowing the starting position of the row in which the five 5-bit groups were taken, and the position in the X direction to which these two 5-bit groups correspond, ie position 26 and position 26, the X coordinate of the recorded image, That is, it becomes possible to determine the position of the first dimension. For example, the start positions of the two top rows are 21 and 20, respectively. Thus, in this case, the two rows of the two most significant 5 bit groups of the recorded image are: Line 3: 21 22 23 .... 29 30 31 0 1 2 ... 25 26 27 .. Line 4: 20 21 22 .... 28 29 30 0 1 2 ... 25 26 27 ..

Judging from the Y coordinate of 3, the two first groups of 5 bits are taken from rows 3 and 4. Judging from the fact that the odd-numbered rows are composed of 32-bit numeral strings and the even-numbered rows are composed of 31-bit numeral strings, row 3 is composed of 32-bit numeral strings, while row 4 is composed of 31-bit numeral strings. Will be done.

Based on this information, the X coordinate can be determined to be 35. This can be confirmed by repeating the above procedure for the remaining combinations of 5 bit groups of recorded images. Therefore, there is a certain amount of tolerance.

The accuracy of the position determination can be further improved by determining the location of the center point of the 5 × 5 group in relation to the center of the image. The position resolution is
Better than the distance between two symbols.

Naturally, the above procedure is carried out by software, which in this example gives the coordinates 3 and 35 as its output signals.

The position-coding pattern can also be used to determine the position in the third dimension with respect to the surface. This determines the size of the symbol in the recorded image and determines it as a reference value, i.e. the size of the symbol when imaged by bringing the information recording device close to the surface on which the position-coding pattern is located. It is achieved by comparing with the expressed value. In this way, the device automatically determines whether the device is in proximity to the surface (in which case an image should be recorded) or away from the surface (in which case an image should not be recorded). The determination can be made, and the recording of the image can be started based on the determination.

The above description describes one example and can therefore be generalized. The first string of X digits does not have to be 32 digits. The number depends on how many symbols will be used in the pattern in combination with the number of symbols recorded in the X direction in relation to position determination. For example, when the number of different symbols is 3 and the number of recorded symbols is 3, the maximum value of the numbers in the X number sequence is not 32 but 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. The same kind of reasoning is Y
Applies to digit strings. Therefore, the radix of these digit sequences is different, and the number of symbols coding positions and, consequently, the number of positions encoded by the digit string can be varied. Further, the number sequence can be based on symbols other than numbers and thus can be described as a sequence of symbols.

As mentioned above, the symbols can be of many different types. It is also possible for the symbols to be numbers, but in that case OCR software is required for position determination, which makes the image recording device expensive and complex. This also leads to the need for increased sensitivity to error.

The above method of encoding position on the surface and performing position determination on the surface is advantageous because it requires very little memory and processor power. In the above example, it is only necessary to store 32 rows of table 1, 256 rows of table 2 and 256 rows of table 3. Position determination can be performed with reference to three types of tables and simple calculation.

Furthermore, the method of coding the position on the surface is advantageous in that the image on which the position is determined can be captured at any rotation with respect to the surface on which the position is determined. First, the image has many rows that should be horizontal.
This means that there are only four orientations to consider. In 98% of all cases, the position is determined by only one of the four orientations. If in doubt, two adjacent images are recorded and the position is determined based on the two images from all possible orientations for the symbols in the two images. Then, the suspicion is resolved based on whether or not two adjacent positions have been obtained by the position determination.

The position can be determined by a method other than the above based on the above code.

The image recorded on the partial surface of the position-coding pattern and the image of the entire position-coding pattern can be matched. However, this requires a significant amount of processor capacity.

Alternatively, it is possible to convert the symbol in the image into the address of the table in which the coordinates are stored. However, this requires a considerable amount of memory.

[Position Coding Pattern-Example 2] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the position coding pattern will be described. The pattern of this example has substantially the same attributes as the pattern described above.

This second position-coding pattern is a virtual raster which is invisible to the human eye and cannot be directly detected by the device for determining the position on the surface, and the four values "each of which will be explained next. 1 to 4 ”can be assumed.

2a-2d show one embodiment of the symbols used in the position-coding pattern according to the invention. The symbol comprises a virtual raster point 106 represented by the intersection of raster lines and a marking 107 in the shape of a point. The value of the symbol depends on where the marking is placed. In the example of FIG. 2, four types of positions are possible, each on a raster line extending from the raster point.
The deviations from the raster points are all the same. The symbol in FIG. 2a has the value 1 as follows:
2b, the value 2 in FIG. 2c, the value 3 in FIG. 2c, and the value 4 in FIG. 2d. In other words, there are four different forms of symbol.

Therefore, each symbol can represent four values "1 to 4". This means that the position coding pattern can be divided into a first position code for the X coordinate and a second position code for the Y coordinate. This division is as follows.

[0087]

[Table 1]

Thus, each symbol value is converted into a first number (in this case bits) for the X code and a second number (in this case bits) for the Y code.
In this way two completely independent bit patterns are obtained. This bit pattern can be integrated into the overall pattern which is graphically encoded by the symbols according to FIG.

Each position is encoded by a plurality of symbols. In this example,
A 4x4 symbol is used to encode the position in two dimensions, the X and Y coordinates.

The position code is composed of a numerical sequence of 1s and 0s, and the numerical sequence has a characteristic that the same 4-bit sequence appears only once in the numerical sequence. The sequence of numbers is cyclic, and the same applies to the case where the end of the sequence of numbers is joined to the beginning of the sequence of numbers. Therefore, the 4-bit array always has a uniquely fixed position in the number string.

If the number sequence has the characteristics described above for a 4 bit sequence, the number sequence can be up to 16 bits long. However, in this example, a 7-bit long digit string is used as follows. "0001010"

This sequence of numbers contains seven unique 4-bit sequences that encode positions within the sequence of numbers:

[0093]

[Table 2]

In X-coordinate encoding, a sequence of numbers is written in columns in sequence over the entire surface to be encoded. The encoding is based on the difference in the numbers between adjacent columns, ie the displacement of the positions. The magnitude of the difference depends on the position within the starting column number sequence (ie, which sequence is used). Specifically, the modulo 7 difference between the number encoded by the 4-bit sequence in the first column and the corresponding number in the adjacent column (same "level" sequence) is If you take, the result is
It will be the same regardless of the position in the two columns being compared. Therefore, the difference between two columns can be used to encode an X coordinate that is constant for all Y coordinates.

In this example, since each position on the surface is coded using 4 × 4 symbols, the three differences (having the values 0 to 6) are the X coordinates as described above. It can be used for encoding. Then, the encoding is performed so that the three differences have one value that is always 1 or 2 and the other two values that are in the range of 3 to 6. As a result, zero differences are not allowed in the X code. In other words, the difference between the X codes is (3-6) (3-6) (1-2) (3-6) (3-6) (1-2) (3-6) (3-6). ) (1-2) ... Therefore, each X coordinate is encoded using two numbers between 3 and 6, followed by one number, 1 or 2. Subtracting 3 from the larger number and 1 from the smaller number gives the mixed radix number, which gives the position directly in the X direction. From this position, the X coordinate can then be determined directly, as shown in the example below.

According to the above-mentioned principle, X coordinates 0, 1, 2. ． ． Can be encoded using numbers representing the three differences. These differences are encoded using a bit pattern based on the above digit sequence. The bit pattern is finally graphically encoded using the symbols of FIG.

In many cases, when reading a 4 × 4 symbol, it is not possible to make a complete number that encodes the X coordinate, even if some of the two numbers can be made. However, the lowest part of these numbers is always 1 or 2, so the complete number can be easily reconstructed.

The Y coordinate is encoded according to the same principles used for the X coordinate. The circular digit sequence is written repeatedly in a horizontal row across the surface encoding the position. Just as for the X coordinate, this row can start at a different position within the digit sequence, ie, using a different sequence. However, it does not use the difference for the Y coordinate, but encodes the coordinate using a number based on the starting position of that number column in each row. After the X coordinate of the 4x4 symbol is determined, 4x
One can actually determine the starting position in the digit sequence of the row contained in the Y code in the 4 symbol. In the Y code, the most significant digit is determined by making it the only number with a value within the specified range. In this example, one of the four rows starts at position 0-1 in the digit string and then the other three rows to indicate that the row is associated with the least significant digit of the Y coordinate. Rows start at positions 2-6 in the digit column. Therefore, in the Y direction, (2 to 6) (2 to 6) (2 to 6) (0 to 1) (2 to 6) (2 to 6) (2 to 6) (0 to 1) (2 to 6) ) ... there is a sequence of numbers. Therefore, each Y coordinate is encoded using three numbers between 2 and 6, followed by a number between 0 and 1.

By subtracting 1 from the small number and subtracting 2 from the large number, the position in the Y direction can be obtained in the same manner as in the X direction, and the Y coordinate of the mixed radix can be directly determined from this position.

The above method can be used to encode 4 × 4 × 2 = 32 positions in the X direction. Each such position corresponds to 3 differences, 3 × 3
2 = 96 positions are given. Furthermore, 5 × 5 × 5 × 2 = 250 positions can be encoded in the Y direction. Each such position corresponds to 4 rows, 4 × 250 = 10
Give 00 positions. Thus, a total of 96000 positions can be encoded. However, since the encoding of X is based on the difference, it is possible to choose the position where the first digit sequence starts. Considering that this first sequence of digits can start at 7 different positions, 7 × 96000 = 672000 positions can be encoded. When the X coordinate is determined, the starting position of the first number sequence in the first column can be calculated. First
The above-mentioned seven different starting positions of the sequence of numbers make it possible to encode writing surfaces on different papers or products.

Further, in order to show the position coding pattern of the present embodiment, a specific example based on the above-described position code embodiment will be shown next.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an image containing 4 × 4 symbols read by a position determining device.

These 4 × 4 symbols have the following values.      Four four four two      3 2 3 4      Four four two four      1 3 2 4

These values represent the following binary X code and Y code. X code : Y code : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0

The X array in the vertical direction encodes positions 2 0 4 6 in the number string. The difference between the columns is -42, and the remainder modulo 7 is 542. This is a mixed radix of (5-3) × 8 + (4-3) × 2 + (2-1) = 16.
The position of + 2 + 1 = 19 is encoded. Since the position of the first coded X is position 0, it is in the range of 1-2 and this difference seen in a 4x4 symbol is 20
Will be the second difference. Furthermore, there is a sum of three columns for each such difference, and there is a starting column, so the rightmost vertical sequence of 4x4 X-codes is the 61st (3x3) X-code. 20 + 1 = 61), and the leftmost vertical array belongs to the 58th column.

The horizontal Y sequence encodes positions 0 4 1 3 in the digit sequence. These numbers start at the 58th column, so the starting position for the row is the remainder of these numbers minus 57 modulo 7 with a starting position of 6 30
It becomes 2. Converted to mixed radix numbers, this is 6-2, 3-2, 0-0, 2-2
= 4 1 0 0. Here, the third digit is the lowest digit in the number of interest. Then, the fourth digit is the most significant digit in the next digit. In this case it must be the same as in the number of interest (an exception is raised if the number of interest consists of the largest possible number of positions). In that case, it can be seen that the start of the next number is one greater than the start of the number of interest).

Next, the position of the 4-digit number is the mixed radix, 0 × 50 + 4 × 10.
+ 1 × 2 + 0 × 1 = 42. Therefore, the third line of the Y code becomes the 43rd line, which has a starting position of 0 or 1, and there are a total of 4 lines for each such line, so the 3rd line is 43 × 4 = 172. Therefore, in this example, the position of the upper left corner for the 4 × 4 symbol group is (58,170).

Since the 4 × 4 group X sequence begins on row 170, the X columns of all patterns are at the position of the digit sequence ((2 0 4 6) -169) mod 7 = 1 6
It starts from 35. Numbers 0 to 1 between the last start position (5) and the first start position
9 is encoded in mixed radix and by summing the representation of the numbers 0 to 19 in mixed radix we get the total difference between these columns. A simple algorithm to do this would generate these 20 numbers and sum those numbers directly. The sum of the results is called s. Thus, the paper or writing surface is obtained with (5-s) mod 7.

In the above example, one embodiment is described, in which each position is 4 ×
It was coded using 4 symbols and a 7-bit digit sequence was used. Of course, this is just one example. Positions can be encoded using a greater or lesser number of symbols. The number of symbols need not be the same in both directions. The number strings may have different lengths, other than binary numbers, or may be based on other bases. Different digit sequences can be used for X-direction encoding and Y-direction encoding. Symbols can have numbers with different values.

In the above example, the markings are dots, but of course other shapes are possible. For example, the markings can consist of dashes starting at a virtual raster point and extending into place. It may preferably consist of the above-mentioned dots having an inner circle painted in a first color and an outer circle painted in contrast to this to a rim of this inner circle.

In the example above, the symbols within the square-shaped partial surface are used for position coding. The partial surfaces can also have another shape, for example a hexagon. The symbols do not have to be arranged along rows and columns of 90 degrees to each other, but may be arranged differently.

To detect the position code, a virtual raster has to be determined. This is done by examining the distance between the different markings. The shortest distance between two markings has to be derived from two adjacent symbols with values 1 and 3. This places the markings on one raster line between the two raster points. When such a set of markings is detected, the relevant raster points can be determined using knowledge of the distance between the raster points and the amount of marking deviation from the raster points. Once the two raster points have been placed, knowledge of the measured distance to the other marking and the distance between the raster points can be used to determine the next raster point.

In the actual implementation of the second position-coding pattern, a nominal space of 0.3 mm was used between the rasters. If each point was coded using 6x6 symbols, a 1.8mmx1.8mm surface would be required for one position. By determining the position of the 6x6 symbol on the sensor of the recording device used for recording the information, the position can be calculated with a resolution of 0.03 mm.

[Device for Recording Information] An outline of an embodiment of a device for recording information is shown in FIG. The device comprises a case 11 approximately in the shape of a pen. There is an opening 12 on one short side of the case. This short side is intended to be located at or near the information carrier with the information to be recorded.

The case basically contains optical parts, electronic circuit parts and a power supply.

The optical components include at least one light emitting diode (LED) 13 that illuminates the surface to be imaged, and a CCD or CMOS sensor that records two-dimensional black and white or grayscale images. The photoelectric area sensor 14 of FIG. The device may also include an optical system such as a mirror system or a lens system. It should be noted that the sensor 14 should be designed such that it can simultaneously image the image of the information carrier and the position-coding pattern superimposed on it. The light emitting diode may be an infrared diode that emits light at about 880 nm.

The device is powered by a battery 1 mounted in a separate compartment of the case.
It is supplied from 5.

The electronic circuit component comprises an image processing means 16 comprising a processor unit comprising a processor, said processor reading a partial image from said sensor, identifying the position-coding pattern in this partial image and identifying it. It is programmed to determine a position based on the position-coding pattern and to store this sub-image at a position within the memory shaping part of the image processing means indicated by the position determined from the position-coding pattern.

Further, the device is provided with a button 18 as a means for the user to operate and control the device. The device also includes a transceiver 19 for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information using infrared light or radio waves. The device can also include a display 20 for displaying the recorded information.

Applicant's Swedish Patent No. 9604008-4 describes a device for recording text. This device, if programmed in a suitable manner, can be used to record information using the method of the invention.

As mentioned above, the device can be divided into multiple physical cases,
The first case takes an image of the information carrier with the position-coding pattern superimposed on it, and transfers these to a component arranged in the second case which performs the positioning and the image storage in memory. It contains the necessary parts for.

[Operation] Now suppose that the user has an information carrier in the form of a piece of paper with text and images and wishes to send an e-mail message to another person. . In this example, the user places the above-mentioned transparent sheet 1 with the first position-coding pattern 3 (Example 1) on the paper. The user then activates the device described above to record information, positions the device so that its opening 12 abuts the information carrier, and places the device on the information carrier containing the text and images to be recorded. Pass it back and forth across the area. It is important to "scan" the entire area of interest to the user so that the partial images recorded by the device collectively cover this entire area.

FIG. 5 shows diagrammatically an example of how a partial image is recorded from an information carrier. Position coding patterns are not shown for clarity purposes. The information on the information carrier is shown as suns and clouds by dashed lines. The partial images 30 to 33 are recorded in such a manner that they overlap each other due to the movement from left to right. Subsequently, the user lifts the device and places it slightly to the right of the partial image 33, after which the partial images 34-39 are recorded by the back and forth movement. The user continues to pass the device across the information carrier until all the area he desires has been scanned. During this scan, the device records an image at a predetermined cycle, and the LED 13 has the same cycle (for example, 1
Strobe light is emitted at (00 Hz).

When the sensor records a partial image, it is read by the image processing means 16 and is processed immediately or later for buffering in memory. The sub-images are preferably recorded with a period in which they partially overlap, which facilitates scanning the area in which the information is to be recorded.

Each recorded image is processed by the software in the apparatus as follows. See the flow chart in FIG.

First, a partial image is captured (step 40). This image is scanned in a first pass where the processor searches for a symbol 4a with a white ring around the black center dot (step 41). Once the first such dot is found, the search is simplified because the spacing between the dots in the position-coding pattern is known.

This sub-image is then scanned again in the second pass where the processor searches for symbols with a black ring around the white center dot (
Step 42). The identified location of the black dots can be used as the starting point for this search, and the processor again uses the known spacing between the dots.

In this way, when the portion of the position-coding pattern arranged in the partial image is identified, the processor indicates which position the position-coding pattern in the partial image represents by the method described above. It is determined (step 43). The position is shown as a pair of coordinates. The rotation of the partial image with respect to the information carrier can be determined based on knowledge of the arrangement of symbols in the position-coding pattern. Furthermore, the position of the partial image can be more accurately determined by determining the position of the position-coding pattern on the sensor.

In the next step 44, the position-coding pattern is filtered out of the partial image. This is accomplished by the processor determining, for each dot that forms part of the position-coding pattern, the value of the pixel proximate to the surrounding dots. The processor then reconstructs the image by replacing, for each symbol, or dot, all the pixels in the partial image that make up the dot with the average pixel value of the pixels in close proximity to the dot. Alternatively, the processor may replace the area with the pixels within the dot with the average pixel value of the pixels adjacent to this area.

When the position-coding pattern is filtered out, the partial image becomes
It is stored in the position in the memory determined by the position coordinates (step 45). In this connection, it occurs that the partial image completely or partially overlaps with the previously stored partial image. In this case, the average value of the overlapping pixels is calculated and this average value is stored at that position for each pair of overlapping pixels.

The position in the memory where the partial image is stored need not be absolutely determined based on the position coordinates. That is, the position coordinates can be used to derive a rough position, and the accurate position can be derived by registering (arranging) the partial images in the previously stored partial images using the content of the overlapping of the partial images. You can

Once all the partial images have been stored, the memory contains a composite digital image of the area on the information carrier scanned by the device. This digital image can be incorporated into faxes, documents, email messages and more. This image can also be used as an input signal to OCR or ICR software, where the text in the image is interpreted and stored in character code form.

Furthermore, the stored partial images can be displayed on the display 20 so that the user can see the uncovered areas on the information carrier. For this purpose, the pixels on the display 20 should correspond to the corresponding areas on the transmissive sheet, which should be reflected as soon as the corresponding areas are covered. As another example, the information recorded from the information carrier can also be displayed on the screen of a stationary computer in which partial images are sent continuously, where the user can combine the information on the information carrier. You can see how the images are being created.

Other Embodiments In the above embodiments, information and position-coding patterns are recorded simultaneously with the help of electromagnetic radiation from one or more LEDs. Alternatively, the pattern and the information may be recorded alternately such that the partial image comprises the pattern at one time and the partial image at the other time. In this case, these information and patterns are
It must be recorded by electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths. This embodiment has the advantage that the position-coding pattern may be placed underneath the information carrier and therefore need not be transparent. Another advantage is that there is no position-coding pattern to be filtered out in the partial image of the information.

Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment according to which information can be recorded at different resolutions. The sheet 70 of FIG. 7 is a large image covered by the position-coding pattern as shown in FIG. 1 (the coding pattern is shown with only a few dots for the sake of simplicity of the figure). It comprises a recording area 71 and two small image index boxes 72, 73, which are also covered by a position-coding pattern. The pattern in the box encodes specific coordinates, i.e., the coordinates assigned for different resolution indices. When the user wants to record information at a resolution of 100 dpi, the recording device is placed in the box 71. The device recognizes the coordinates encoded by the pattern in the box 71 as indicating a resolution of 100 dpi, and executes recording at this resolution.

FIG. 8 schematically shows another embodiment of the apparatus for recording information, in which the sensor for recording the partial image is housed in the first case 80 and the image processing means is the first. It is accommodated in the second case 81. The first case may be the same as that shown in FIG. 4 and contains almost the same parts. However, the recorded partial image is not processed in the first case 80, and is recorded in the second case 81 (for example, a stationary personal computer having the image processing means 82 schematically shown by a broken line). It is transferred to execute the processing of the recorded partial image.

[Brief description of drawings]

The invention will be explained in more detail in the form of an optimum embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet-shaped product provided with a position-coding pattern.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of how symbols are designed according to an embodiment of a position-coding pattern.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of 4 × 4 symbols used to encode a position.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of partial images that can be recorded from an information carrier.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of processing a partial image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sheet having a position-coding pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the device.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/04 A (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK) , ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR) , NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ , LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZWF F term (reference) 5B047 AA01 BA03 BB04 BC05 BC09 BC11 BC20 BC30 CB09 CB16 CB23 DC07 5B057 AA11 BA02 CA01 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB12 CB16 CE06 CE10 CH07 DA07 DB02 DB06 DC16 DC32 DC36 5B072 CC21 DD01 LL07 LL13 LL19 5C072 AA01 BA02 CA05 DA02 DA04 EA05 EA06 EA08 PA02 PA04 PA10 RA07 UA20 5A14 CA05 A02

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A method for electronically recording information from an information carrier, comprising arranging a position-coding pattern and an information carrier so that they overlap each other, and information on the information carrier and the position-coding. Imaging the pattern with the assistance of a plurality of partial images; and using the position-coding pattern to integrate the partial images into a composite image of the imaging information. And how to. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the placing step comprises placing a sheet with the position-coding pattern above or below the information carrier. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sheet with the position-coding pattern is transparent except for the position-coding pattern, the sheet being arranged on the information carrier. 4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein both the information on the information carrier and the position-coding pattern are imaged in each sub-image. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of filtering out the position-coding pattern. 6. The step of filtering out the position-coding pattern comprises replacing a pixel value representing the position-coding pattern with a pixel value obtained by an average pixel value representing the information. The method described in. 7. The position coding pattern is composed of symbols, and the step of filtering out the position coding pattern averages pixel values of pixels adjacent to the periphery of the symbol for each symbol, 7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, comprising replacing pixels in a symbol with the average of the pixel values. 8. The step of using the position-coding pattern to integrate the partial image into a composite image of the imaging information is based on the position-coding pattern in the same or adjacent partial images. 1 for each partial image of the above information
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: determining one position, and determining the position in the memory area in which the partial image of the information is to be stored, based on the determined position. the method of. 9. The step of using the position-coding pattern to integrate the partial image into a composite image of the imaging information comprises identifying the position-coding pattern within each partial image; With the help of position-coding patterns,
Determining a position representative of the position of the imaged information in the partial image on the information carrier; filtering out the position coding pattern from the partial image; supporting the position coding pattern Storing the partial image at a location on the memory area determined by the location determined by the method according to claim 1. 10. When the pixels in the partial image to be stored in the memory area overlap the pixels of the partial image previously stored in the memory area, the pixel values of the overlapping pixels are 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the steps of determining an average value and replacing the previously stored pixel value with the average value. 11. A step of imaging said information on said information carrier at a first resolution when a first portion of said position-coding pattern on said sheet is detected, said position-coding pattern. Of said information on said information carrier when a second part of said is detected, the method according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. A product intended to be used in connection with the electronic recording of information from an information carrier, comprising at least one sheet-like part (1), said sheet-like part comprising: A position-coding pattern (3) that spreads over a sheet and codes a plurality of positions on the sheet, and the sheet-shaped portion is transparent except for the position-coding pattern (3); To record the information from the carrier,
A product adapted to be placed on the information carrier. 13. Each position of the plurality of positions is encoded by a predetermined portion (5a, 5b) of the position-coding pattern, and each such position of the position-coding pattern is also adjacent to the position. 13. A product according to claim 12, which also contributes to the coding of. 14. A product as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the position-coding pattern is composed of at least a plurality of symbols (4a, 4b) of the first type. 15. A product as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the position-coding pattern is composed of a plurality of symbols (4a, 4b) of only the first and second types. 16. Each position of the plurality of positions corresponds to the plurality of symbols (4a,
Product according to claim 14 or 15 encoded with the aid of 4b). 17. A product as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein each of the plurality of symbols (4a, 4b) contributes to the encoding of one or more positions of the plurality of positions. 18. The position-coding pattern is based on an array of first symbols including a first predetermined number of symbols, and a second predetermined number of symbols is taken from the sequence of the first symbols. Has the property that the positions of those symbols in the first sequence of symbols are determined, and the first sequence of symbols determines the position of the partial image in the first dimension on the information carrier. 18. A product according to any one of claims 12 to 17 used for determining. 19. The product according to claim 14, wherein the symbol has a regular shape and preferably has rotational symmetry. 20. A product as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 in which the symbol is composed of two contrasting colors. 21. Each symbol comprises a raster point (5) and at least one marking (6), said raster point being contained in a raster extending over a surface, the value of each symbol being a raster. 19. A product as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 which is indicated by the position of the marking with respect to a point. 22. A first area having a first portion of the position-coding pattern that contributes to the recording of the information at a first resolution, and the position that contributes to the recording of the information at a second resolution. 22. A product as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 21 further comprising a second area having a second part of the coding pattern. 23. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program for recording information, the computer program being capable of generalizing a plurality of partial images each having both the information to be recorded and a position-coding pattern. A computer readable medium comprising instructions for causing a computer to process, the process comprising the step of using the position-coding pattern to integrate a partial image of the information into a composite image of the information. 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the processing further comprises filtering out position-coding patterns. 25. The step of filtering out the position-coding pattern comprises replacing a pixel value representing the position-coding pattern with a pixel value obtained by an average pixel value representing the information. The computer-readable medium according to. 26. The position coding pattern is composed of symbols, and the step of filtering out the position coding pattern averages pixel values of pixels adjacent to the periphery of the symbol for each symbol, 26. Replacing pixels in the symbol that hide information with the average of the pixel values.
The computer-readable medium according to. 27. A device for recording information, comprising at least one sensor (14) for recording sub-images of an information carrier and a position-coding pattern (3) which are superposed on each other, and recorded by said sensor. Image processing means (16) for processing said partial images, said image processing means said position code for determining a position in a memory area where at least some of said partial images are to be stored. A device that is adapted to use activation patterns. 28. The sensor (14) for recording a partial image is housed in a first case and the image processing means for processing the partial image is housed in a second case. 27. The device according to 27. 29. The product according to any one of claims 12 to 22, and
A system comprising the device according to 7 or 28.