JP2004213061A - Optical character reader and reading method of two-dimensional code - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical character reader that can realize a convenient two-dimensional code reading function by a simple and low-cost structure, and a reading method of a two-dimensional code that uses a scanner. <P>SOLUTION: A two-dimensional code detection part 15 uses parameters supplied by a format control management part 13 which indicate the structure of a QR code symbol recorded on a form to be read, to detect an image pattern of the QR code from an image of the form acquired by a scanner part 11 that scans the form, and to acquire numerically patterned code information from a coded area of the QR code, and then supplies the code information to a two-dimensional code reading part 16. The two-dimensional code reading part 16 decodes the code information to output data such as numerals, alphabets and kanji depending on the coding pattern recorded on the coded area of the QR code symbol via a reading output part 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical character reading device that reads information recorded (printed) on a form using format control (FC) information, and a two-dimensional code reading method using a scanner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Barcode symbols are used in various fields as information input means for labor saving and automation. While a barcode has information only in the horizontal direction, a two-dimensional code can record a large amount of data by having information in the vertical and horizontal directions. In recent years, a QR code capable of efficiently recording kanji data and the like has been widely used as the two-dimensional code (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
FIG. 9 shows a symbol configuration example of this QR code. The QR code is composed of an encoding area and a function pattern. The functional patterns include three position detection patterns (Pa) arranged at three corners as shown in FIG. 10, a positioning pattern (Pb) as shown in FIG. 11, and the like. There are a timing pattern, an extension pattern and the like. The alignment pattern (Pb) is used for model 2 and the extended pattern is used for model 1. In addition to the QR code described above, the two-dimensional code includes a matrix type two-dimensional code such as a Vere code and DataMatrix. Conventionally, dedicated bar code readers have been used for the two-dimensional code reading described above (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
Conventionally, when the above-described two-dimensional code recording area is provided in a form of a predetermined format to read a form including the two-dimensional code, conventionally, the form reading and the two-dimensional code reading are separately performed by different reading mechanisms. Had to read.
[0005]
[Non-patent document 1]
http; // www. keyence. co. jp / barcode / 2jigenbacic. html
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-254037 (Fig. 17)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a recording area of a two-dimensional code is provided on a form in a predetermined format to read a form including a two-dimensional code, conventionally, the form reading and the two-dimensional code reading are different from each other. The documents must be read separately by the reading mechanism. Therefore, there is a problem that the handling of the form is not easy and the usability is poor. In addition, the entire reading mechanism becomes large, the cost increases, and a large space is required. There were various problems.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an optical character reading device capable of realizing a convenient two-dimensional code reading function with a simple and inexpensive configuration, and a two-dimensional code reading method using a scanner. The purpose is to do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is characterized by an optical character reading device that enables reading of a two-dimensional code recorded on a form by supporting two-dimensional code reading by a format control (FC).
[0010]
In addition, the present invention is characterized by a two-dimensional code reading method in which a two-dimensional code can be read using a scanner by defining the configuration of the two-dimensional code symbol in advance.
[0011]
That is, the present invention provides a scanner unit that scans a form and reads an image recorded on the form, a format control that defines the configuration of a two-dimensional code symbol recorded on a form to be read by the scanner unit, An optical character reading apparatus comprising: reading means for reading a two-dimensional code recorded on a form from a form image read by the scanner unit based on control information.
[0012]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the optical character reading device further comprises a graphic user interface having a predetermined setting screen for defining the configuration of the two-dimensional code symbol in the format control. .
[0013]
The present invention also relates to a method of reading a two-dimensional code using a scanner, wherein a configuration of a two-dimensional code symbol recorded on a form read by the scanner is stored as read support information, and the read support information is stored in the form. The two-dimensional code recorded on the form is read from the form image read by the scanner.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an optical character reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is related to the present invention.
[0016]
The optical character reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a scanner unit 11, a format control creation unit 12, a format control management unit 13, a format control storage unit 14, a two-dimensional code detection unit 15, and a two-dimensional code reading unit. And a reading output unit 17.
[0017]
The scanner unit 11 scans a form and reads an image recorded on the form. In this embodiment, an image of a QR code symbol as shown in FIG. 9 having a function pattern as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 recorded on a form is read.
[0018]
The format control creating unit 12 creates a format control (FC) used for reading a form by using a GUI (Graphical User Interface). In this embodiment, a printing area, a size, the number of modules, a size of a position detection pattern, a size of a position detection pattern, and a size of a positioning pattern are used by using a GUI screen for a QR code reading field as shown in FIG. A format control (FC) defining a configuration of a QR code symbol including at least one of a position, a model number, and the like is created.
[0019]
The format control management unit 13 manages the format control (FC) created by the format control unit 12 on the format control storage unit 14. In this embodiment, the QR code symbol number, the print area and size of the QR code symbol, the number of modules, the size of the position detection pattern, the size of the position detection pattern, the size of the alignment pattern, and the configuration of the QR code symbol created by the format control creation unit 12 are shown. Various parameters such as the position are recorded in the format control storage unit 14 for each model number, and are managed by the format control management unit 13. The model numbers (versions) of the QR codes handled here are from 21 × 21 modules (1 type) to 177 × 177 modules (40 type).
[0020]
The two-dimensional code detection unit 15 detects the image pattern of the QR code from the acquired image of the form scanned by the scanner unit 11 using the parameter indicating the configuration of the QR code symbol extracted from the format control management unit 13. Then, code information in a numerical pattern is obtained from the coding area of the QR code.
[0021]
The two-dimensional code reading unit 16 decodes the code information acquired by the two-dimensional code detection unit 15, and generates (restores) data according to the coding pattern recorded in the coding area of the QR code symbol.
[0022]
The output unit 17 displays, for example, or prints out data such as numbers, English characters, and Chinese characters decoded by the two-dimensional code reading unit 16.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a setting procedure of the format control for reading a two-dimensional code in the embodiment.
[0024]
FIGS. 3 to 8 are views showing the configuration and state transition of the GUI screen according to the setting procedure of the format control for two-dimensional code reading shown in FIG. The GUI screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 include a field type selection area 101 in which a two-dimensional code field is provided as a selection target in addition to various standard OCR reading fields, and a two-dimensional It has a parameter setting area 103 for setting the configuration of a QR code symbol displayed when a code field is selected, and a form image display area 102 on which the setting contents of the parameter setting area 103 are reflected. Be composed. The field type selection area 101 is provided on a GUI screen for setting the configuration of the QR code symbol, for example, a form size of the form to be read, a form orientation, a scanner resolution, and the like read by the scanner unit 11. By selecting an arbitrary reading field such as a handwriting field, a barcode field, or a two-dimensional code field on the pull-down menu of the field type selection area 101, a GUI screen is displayed for the selected reading field. Parameter setting becomes possible above.
[0025]
Here, the operation in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the above-described drawings.
[0026]
It is assumed that a QR code symbol as shown in FIG. 9 is recorded in a predetermined area of the form to be read by the scanner unit 11. In order to support (help) the scanner reading of the QR code recorded on this form, the format of the QR code symbol is set by the format control creating unit 12, and the format control storage unit is used as a format control (FC) for QR code reading. 14 in advance. A specific example of the registration process at this time will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the GUI screens shown in FIGS.
[0027]
In this embodiment, first, for a form to be read having a QR code symbol recording area read by the scanner unit 11, the form size, form direction, scanner resolution, etc., as in the case of standard OCR form reading. Is set using, for example, a GUI screen (step S1 in FIG. 2).
[0028]
According to this setting, a form image display area 102 is opened on the GUI screen as shown in FIG. 3, and the form image according to the setting contents is displayed in the form image display area 102 (step S2 in FIG. 2). ). This setting can also be made by pre-scanning the form.
[0029]
Further, by selecting a two-dimensional code field on a pull-down menu provided in a field type selection area 101 on the GUI screen, as shown in FIG. 3, parameter setting for defining the configuration of the QR code is performed. The area 103 is opened (FIG. 2, step S3).
[0030]
Using the parameter setting area 103 on the GUI screen shown in FIG. 3, the recording (printing) area of the QR code symbol on the form to be read is set (step S4 in FIG. 2). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, starting points (XSTT, YSTT) and recording areas (WIDTH, HEIGHT) of the QR code symbol are set starting from the upper left of the form. For this setting, it is possible to input coordinates by operating setting means for setting by numerical input on the parameter setting area 103 or operating the display area 102 of the form image with a pointing device such as a mouse. In the coordinate input using the pointing device, the coordinate values input by the operation are immediately reflected in the display area 102 of the form image and the parameter setting area 103 in real time processing. Here, the recording area (see the dashed line in the figure) of the QR code symbol is specified, including the quiet zone (margin) of a predetermined cell unit. Here, in the parameter setting area 103, the name of the parameter to be input next (here, the character string display of the alphabet is shown as an example) is sequentially updated in a preset order for each parameter setting. Although it has a configuration having a guide function for parameter setting, it is also possible to input individually on the parameter setting area 103.
[0031]
Next, the number of modules is set on the GUI screen (step S5 in FIG. 2). Note that a module is a unit square cell that forms a symbol, and one module corresponds to one bit. The number of modules handled (settable) here is from 21 × 21 modules to 177 × 177 modules.
[0032]
The number of modules can be set easily by opening the model number (version) pull-down menu 104 and selecting the module number (VER) from the menu list as shown in FIG. It is possible.
[0033]
Next, the symbol size of the QR code (the size of the symbol excluding the quiet zone) is set on the GUI screen (step S6 in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the vertical and horizontal sizes (XL, YL) of the symbol (substance) are set in the parameter setting area 103 on the GUI screen. For this setting, it is possible to input coordinates by operating setting means for setting by numerical input on the parameter setting area 103 or operating the display area 102 of the form image with a pointing device such as a mouse. In the coordinate input using the pointing device, the coordinate values input by the operation are immediately reflected in the display area 102 of the form image and the parameter setting area 103 in real time processing.
[0034]
Next, the direction and size of the position detection pattern (Pa) provided at the three corners of the QR code symbol shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are set on the GUI screen (step S7 in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a pull-down menu is opened on a parameter input field for setting the direction (ROT) of the position detection pattern on the parameter setting area 103, and the direction (ROT) of the position detection pattern (Pa) is opened. Is set, the position detection pattern (Pa) is displayed in a gray zone or a gray pattern at three corners according to the setting. In the pull-down menu for setting the direction (ROT) of the position detection pattern, an arbitrary direction can be selected from the normal position and the positions rotated in units of 90 degrees. The size (XFP, YFP) of the position detection pattern (Pa) is set by setting means for setting by numerical input on the parameter setting area 103, or by operating the form image display area 102 with a pointing device such as a mouse. It is also possible to enter. In the coordinate input using the pointing device, the coordinate values input by the operation are immediately reflected in the display area 102 of the form image and the parameter setting area 103 in real time processing.
[0035]
Next, the size and coordinates of the alignment pattern (Pb) shown in FIG. 11 are set on the GUI screen (step S8 in FIG. 2). Note that the setting of the alignment pattern (Pb) is only for the QR code symbol of the model 2, and the size is specific to the selected model number. By designating, the respective center coordinate values (XAP, YAP) are set, and the set contents are reflected in the display area 102 of the form image and the parameter setting area 103. In this embodiment, by setting the area of the alignment pattern (Pb), the alignment pattern (Pb) according to the setting is displayed in the form image display area 102 in a gray zone or gray pattern. .
[0036]
In this manner, the format control creation unit 12 defines various types of QR code symbols recorded (printed) on the form to be read by the scanner unit 11 on the GUI screens shown in FIGS. The parameters are set, stored in the format control storage unit 14 as a format control for QR code reading, and managed by the format control management unit 13.
[0037]
Next, a processing operation of reading a QR code from a form on which a QR code symbol is recorded (printed) using the format control for reading a QR code stored in the format control storage unit 14 will be described.
[0038]
The scanner unit 11 scans the form and reads an image recorded on the form. Here, an image of a QR code symbol as shown in FIG. 9 recorded on a form is read.
[0039]
The format control management unit 13 reads the format control of the QR code symbol recorded (printed) on the form from the format control storage unit 14 for the form read by the scanner unit 11 and supplies the format control to the two-dimensional code detection unit 15. I do.
[0040]
The two-dimensional code detection unit 15 uses the format control of the QR code symbol supplied from the format control management unit 13, that is, the scanner unit using the parameter indicating the configuration of the QR code symbol recorded (printed) on the read form. Numeral 11 detects a QR code image pattern from the acquired form image obtained by scanning the form, obtains numerical pattern-coded code information from the QR code encoding area, and reads the code information into a two-dimensional code. To the unit 16.
[0041]
The two-dimensional code reading unit 16 decodes the code information received from the two-dimensional code detection unit 15 and generates data such as numbers, alphabets, and kanji according to the encoding pattern recorded in the encoding area of the QR code symbol. Then, the data is displayed or printed out via the reading output unit 17.
[0042]
As described above, by performing reading support for the QR code symbol read by the scanner unit 11 using the parameter indicating the configuration of the QR code symbol set in advance, highly reliable two-dimensional code reading using the scanner can be performed. It becomes possible.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, all of the QR code symbol print area, size, number of modules, size of the position detection pattern, and size and position of the alignment pattern are set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be set. For example, the size of one cell can be determined from the size of the position detection pattern. If the size of one cell is known, the size of the entire symbol (the number of cells = the number of modules) can be known. As described above, it is possible to omit the setting of the parameters that can be determined based on the standard. Also, as the format control for supporting the QR code reading described above, for example, the character type, the number of digits, the number of fields, the error correction level, the format information, the timing pattern, the other functional patterns, etc. of the encoding area of the QR code symbol are required. , A more reliable two-dimensional code reading using a scanner becomes possible.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an optical character reading device capable of realizing an easy-to-use two-dimensional code reading function with a simple and inexpensive configuration, and a two-dimensional code reading method using a scanner are provided. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an optical character reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is related to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a setting procedure of a format control for reading a two-dimensional code in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration and a state transition of a GUI screen in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration and a state transition of a GUI screen in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a configuration and a state transition of a GUI screen in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a configuration and a state transition of a GUI screen in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration and a state transition of a GUI screen in the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a configuration and a state transition of a GUI screen in the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a QR code symbol applied in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a position detection pattern of a QR code symbol applied in the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a QR code symbol alignment pattern applied in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 scanner unit, 12 format control creation unit, 13 format control management unit, 14 format control storage unit, 15 two-dimensional code detection unit, 16 two-dimensional code reading unit, 17 output unit.

Claims (7)

A scanner unit,
A format control defining a configuration of a two-dimensional code symbol recorded on a form to be read by the scanner unit;
An optical character reading device comprising: reading means for reading a two-dimensional code recorded on a form from a form image read by the scanner unit based on the information of the format control. In the format control, at least one of a print area, a size, the number of modules, a size of a position detection pattern, a size and a position of an alignment pattern, and a model number of the two-dimensional code symbol is defined as a configuration of the two-dimensional code symbol. The optical character reading device according to claim 1. 2. The format control defines at least one of a character type, a digit number, a field number, an error correction level, format information, a timing pattern, and other functional pattern configurations of an encoding area of the two-dimensional code. Or the optical character reader according to 2. 3. The optical character reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a graphic user interface for defining a configuration of the two-dimensional code symbol in the format control. The graphic user interface comprises:
A field type selection area in which an arbitrary field can be selected from a plurality of types of form reading fields including a two-dimensional code field;
A parameter setting area for setting the configuration of the two-dimensional code symbol, which is enabled when the two-dimensional code field is selected in the field type selection area, and a form image on which the setting content of the parameter setting area is reflected. The optical character reading device according to claim 4, further comprising a setting screen having a display area. A two-dimensional code reading method using a scanner,
The configuration of the two-dimensional code symbol recorded on the form read by the scanner is stored as reading support information,
A two-dimensional code reading method, wherein a two-dimensional code recorded on the form is read from a form image read by the scanner based on the read support information. Defining a configuration of a two-dimensional code symbol for the two-dimensional code read by the scanner;
Storing the configuration of the defined two-dimensional code symbol;
Scanning the form with the scanner with reference to the configuration contents of the stored two-dimensional code symbol and reading the two-dimensional code recorded on the form. Reading method.

Images