JP2005063143A - Method and device for forming two dimensional code - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forming a two-dimensional code of a desired size with high precision regardless of the quantity of information by using a simple device. <P>SOLUTION: This method for forming a two-dimensional code is provided with: a process to input the code size and storage information of a two-dimensional code to an information acquiring means 32; a process in which an arithmetic means 31 calculates the cell size of a unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code according to the code size and storage information; a process to input either the step size of dots arranged vertically and horizontally in a n×n or m×n array in a unit cell or the number of dots to the information acquiring means 32; a process in which the arithmetic means 31 generates laser marking information on the basis of the code size, storage information, cell size, step size and the number of dots; and a process in which a laser marking means 40 performs laser marking to the two-dimensional code on the basis of the laser marking information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for forming a two-dimensional code formed by laser marking and a two-dimensional code forming apparatus, and in particular, a two-dimensional code capable of changing the size of the two-dimensional code according to the marking location and application. The present invention relates to a code forming method and a two-dimensional code forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in order to perform manufacturing management at a factory, product management at a store, or sales calculation at the time of sales, a barcode storing information such as a product number has been attached to the product surface. In recent years, a two-dimensional code formed of a matrix with a bright and dark pattern has been used in place of a conventional bar code consisting of striped stripes.

  The two-dimensional code has an advantage that the amount of information stored per unit area is much larger than that of a conventional bar code, a large amount of information can be recorded, and it can be read by a reading device from any direction of 360 degrees. Furthermore, even if a part of the code is damaged or dirty, it has a function to recover data, and since the data can be secretly managed by encrypting the data, its use has expanded. Yes.

  The code size of the two-dimensional code is changed according to the amount of information. For example, when the cell size is 1 mm and the data to be encoded is “01234”, the generated two-dimensional code is as shown in FIG. The two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 16A has 10 vertical cells × 10 horizontal cells, and the overall size is 10 mm × 10 mm. On the other hand, when the data to be encoded is “012345789”, the generated two-dimensional code is as shown in FIG. The two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 16B has 12 vertical cells × 12 horizontal cells, and the overall size is 12 mm × 12 mm. Thus, the two-dimensional code has a different size depending on the amount of information stored.

  In order to mark different data with the same size, a technique has been proposed in which a code size is first specified and a two-dimensional code having a desired size can be formed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 11-167602 A (page 4-5, FIG. 7)

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the operation control of the laser device is complicated because the laser marking is performed on the cells to be black cells with a spiral drawing pattern. In addition, a two-dimensional code of a desired size can be formed by specifying the code size. However, since the laser is burned in a spiral shape, the laser operation control is highly accurate in order to obtain the specified size. It is necessary to do in. Furthermore, since laser marking is performed with a spiral drawing pattern, there is a problem that it is difficult to create an ultrafine two-dimensional code.

  In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to form a two-dimensional code of a desired size with high accuracy with a simple apparatus configuration, regardless of the amount of information such as characters and images written on the code. Another object is to provide a two-dimensional code forming method and a two-dimensional code forming apparatus.

  According to the method of forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1 of the present invention, the subject includes a step of specifying a code size of the two-dimensional code, and a step of specifying storage information to be written in the two-dimensional code. A step of determining a cell size of a unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code, and a step of designating a step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or m × n in the unit cell A step of generating laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the step size or the number of dots, and a two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information. And the step of marking. The cell size of the unit cell may be changed according to the code size and stored information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a two-dimensional code forming method based on information acquisition means, calculation means for performing calculation based on information input from the information acquisition means, and calculation results of the calculation means. A method of forming a two-dimensional code using a laser marking means for performing laser marking, and a step of inputting a code size of the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means; A step of inputting storage information to be written into the two-dimensional code to the acquisition means, and the arithmetic means calculates the cell size of the unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code according to the code size and the storage information. A step of inputting the step size or the number of dots of dots arranged vertically and horizontally into the unit cell in the unit cell; The computing means generates laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the step size or the number of dots, and the laser marking based on the laser marking information And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code by the means.

  As described above, according to the two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention, the cell size is determined according to the designated code size and the designated information, and thus designated regardless of the amount of information. A two-dimensional code of a size can be formed. In the two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention, the cell to be laser-marked is divided into n rows and n columns or m rows and n columns according to the designated step size or the number of dots. A dot is laser marked in it. As described above, since the laser marking of the unit cell is performed by dot marking, marking mistakes such as the marking portion jumping out from side to side or a blank portion are generated are prevented. Furthermore, since the cell size is changed, different amounts of information can be stored in the two-dimensional code of the same size, so that the desired information is attached as a two-dimensional code without being limited by the area of the marking portion. It becomes possible. Further, since laser marking is performed with dots, for example, if one cell is one dot, it is possible to create a two-dimensional code of a minimum size.

In the first aspect, the cell size of the unit cell may be calculated based on a predetermined number of cells.
A two-dimensional code forming method according to claim 5 of the present invention is based on information acquisition means, calculation means for performing calculation based on information input from the information acquisition means, and calculation results of the calculation means. A method of forming a two-dimensional code using a laser marking means for performing laser marking, and a step of inputting a code size of the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means; A step of inputting storage information to be written in the two-dimensional code to the acquisition unit; a step of inputting the number of cells of the unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition unit; and the information acquisition unit The step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or m × n in the unit cell, and the calculation means includes the code size And calculating the cell size based on the number of cells, and generating the laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the step size, or the number of dots. And a step of laser marking a two-dimensional code by the laser marking means based on the laser marking information.

  As described above, according to the two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention, the code size, the stored information, and the number of cells are designated, and the two-dimensional code having the designated code size and the number of cells is specified regardless of the amount of information. Can be formed. By specifying the code size and the number of cells in this way, the unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code are unified in size, so the reader only needs to read cells of the same size. It is possible to perform reliably.

Further, in the two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention, the laser marking information is generated by providing a step of designating a laser parameter corresponding to a material to be marked before the step of generating the laser marking information. In this process, if the calculation means generates the laser marking information based on the condition including the laser parameter, it is possible to perform the laser marking most suitable for the material of the material to be marked. is there.
Further, in the method of forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1 or 4, before the step of generating the laser marking information, a step of acquiring change information of the stored information, and based on the change information A step of changing the cell size of the unit cell, and even if the storage information is changed, a two-dimensional code having the same size can be formed by changing the cell size of the unit cell. is there.
Further, in the method for forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1 or 5, before the step of generating the laser marking information, a step of acquiring change information of the number of cells, and based on the change information A step of changing the cell size of the unit cell, and even if the number of cells is changed, a two-dimensional code having the same size can be formed by changing the cell size of the unit cell. is there.

  The two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention includes a step of acquiring change information of the step size or the number of dots before the step of generating the laser marking information, and the step size or the number of dots is changed. By doing so, it is possible to adjust the density of the two-dimensional code.

  11. The two-dimensional code forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the two-dimensional code forming apparatus is configured to store a code size of a two-dimensional code, storage information written in the two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code. Information acquisition means for acquiring the step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally by n × n or m × n within the unit cell to constitute, and based on the code size and storage information, the unit cell Calculation means for performing processing for calculating a cell size, processing for generating laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the step size, or the number of dots, and the laser marking information And laser marking means for laser-marking a two-dimensional code based on the above.

  In the calculation means, when the process of changing the cell size of the unit cell is performed based on the change information of the storage information acquired by the information acquisition means, even if the storage information is changed, the unit By changing the cell size of the cell, it is possible to form a two-dimensional code having the same size, which is preferable.

  13. The two-dimensional code forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the two-dimensional code size, the storage information written in the two-dimensional code, the number of unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code. Information acquisition means for acquiring the step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally by n × n or m × n in the unit cell constituting the cell, and the cell size is calculated based on the code size and the number of cells And processing means for generating laser marking information based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the step size or the number of dots, and 2 based on the laser marking information And laser marking means for laser-marking the dimension code. At this time, if the calculation means performs a process of changing the cell size of the unit cell based on the change information of the number of cells acquired by the information acquisition means, even if the number of cells is changed By changing the cell size of the unit cell, it is possible to form a two-dimensional code having the same size, which is preferable.

  A laser parameter corresponding to the material to be marked is input to the information acquisition means, whereby laser marking most suitable for the material of the material to be marked is performed. Further, in the calculation means, based on the change information of the step size or the number of dots acquired by the information acquisition means, processing to generate different laser marking information, when the step size or the number of dots is changed A two-dimensional code with different concentrations is created.

According to the present invention, it is possible to form a two-dimensional code with a designated code size with a simple apparatus configuration regardless of the amount of information such as characters and images written in the code. Therefore, it is possible to attach a two-dimensional code having an appropriate size according to the object to be marked.
When the cell size is changed, different amounts of information can be stored in the two-dimensional code having the same size, so that the desired information is attached as a two-dimensional code without being limited by the area of the marking portion. It becomes possible.
Further, when the code size and the number of cells are designated, a two-dimensional code having the designated code size and cell size is formed regardless of the amount of information, and the reading accuracy can be improved.

  According to the present invention, since the laser marking is performed with dots, marking mistakes such as the marking portion jumping out to the left and right or a blank portion is prevented, and a high-quality two-dimensional code can be created. . Further, since laser marking is performed with dots, for example, if one cell is one dot, it is possible to create an ultra-fine two-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code can be attached even to an extremely small electronic component. Is possible. Furthermore, since laser marking is performed with dots, it is possible to create a two-dimensional code with a desired density by specifying the step size or the number of dots. Furthermore, since laser marking is performed with dots, the impact on the material can be reduced compared to vector marking, where laser marking is continuously performed on the material to be marked, and weather resistance and corrosion resistance. It is possible to have a marking finish with excellent impact resistance.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The members and arrangements described below do not limit the present invention and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a two-dimensional code forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a laser marker, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a two-dimensional code, and FIG. 5 is n × n. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a cell marked with n × n, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cell marked with m × n, and FIG. 8 is a vector marking with m × n. 9 is an explanatory diagram of information encoded in a two-dimensional code, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code created based on input information, and FIGS. 11 and 12 Is an explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code having the same code size and different number of cells and stored information, FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code having the same code size and stored information and different number of cells, FIG. 14 and FIG. Settings for creating dimension codes Flowchart showing a flow of processing of the input, 16 to 18 is an explanatory view showing an example of an information input screen for the two-dimensional code creation, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a dot marking process.

  FIG. 1 shows a two-dimensional code forming apparatus 10 of this example. The two-dimensional code forming apparatus 10 includes a laser marker 40 as a laser marking unit and a data control unit 30 of the laser marker 40. The format of the two-dimensional code formed in this example is not limited, and all two-dimensional codes such as a data matrix, Veri code, QR code, Aztec code, PDF417, and micro PDF can be formed.

  3 and 4 show an example of a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code displays data representing a light and dark pattern by a combination of white and black cells arranged in a matrix. The two-dimensional code forming apparatus 10 of this example employs a so-called dot marking method in forming black cells constituting a two-dimensional code. When the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 3 is created by dot marking, since the unit cell is a square, as shown in FIG. 5, a circular dot is set to n × n (however, n , M is an integer). Circular dots can be arranged in cells by intermittently irradiating the laser beam while controlling the irradiation position of the laser beam.

  Instead of arranging one or a plurality of dots in one cell, more than the number of dots that fit in one cell may be set, and marking may be performed by a so-called vector marking method. As shown in FIG. 6, the vector marking is formed by irradiating a laser so that dots overlap. Alternatively, it is formed by filling the cell with a line having a beam width by scanning the irradiation position of the laser beam vertically or horizontally in the cell while continuously irradiating the laser beam.

  In addition, when the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 4 is created by dot marking, the unit cell is a rectangle, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Where m and n are integers). At this time, vector marking may be performed as shown in FIG.

  The laser marker 40 is conventionally known and includes, for example, a YAG laser, a CO2 laser, a YVO4 laser, a UV laser, and a green laser. In this example, a configuration in which the data control unit 30 and the laser marker 40 are installed on a one-to-one basis is shown. However, a plurality of laser markers 40 are connected to the data control unit 30 to be marked. The laser marker 40 that emits an appropriate laser beam may be selected according to the above. FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a YAG laser device as an example of the laser marker 40. In the laser marker 40, the laser beam oscillated from the laser oscillator is changed in optical path by the leveling mirror 56, narrowed by the apertures 55 and 58, and then expanded by the Galileo expander 57. Further, after being attenuated by the attenuator 46, the optical path is changed / adjusted by the galvanometer mirror 47, condensed by the fθ lens 59, and irradiated to the marking target material 1.

  The YAG laser oscillator 50 is provided with an ultrasonic Q switch element 43 for obtaining pulsed laser light having an extremely high peak output (peak value). The laser marker 20 of this example is configured such that one dot is marked with a predetermined number of Q switch pulses. The laser oscillator 50 further includes a total reflection mirror 51, an internal aperture 52, a lamp house 53, an internal shutter 44, and an output mirror 54, and an external shutter 45 is provided on the output side of the YAG laser oscillator 50.

  The ultrasonic Q switch element 43, the internal shutter 44, the external shutter 45, the attenuator 46, and the galvanometer mirror 47 are controlled by the controller 42. The controller 42 performs the above control based on the information sent from the data control unit 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the data control unit 30 is a computer device. As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 31 is a calculation unit that performs various controls, the input unit 32 is an information acquisition unit, and a display unit that includes a monitor, a liquid crystal screen, and the like. 33, an output unit 34 for outputting information to a printer or an electronic storage medium, a storage unit 35 composed of an HDD, a memory, etc., and input / output of information between the data control unit and an external device An input / output unit 36 is provided.

The input unit 32 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is configured to input information for creating a two-dimensional code such as a code size of a two-dimensional code and information written in the two-dimensional code. The input information 35b is performed by displaying an input screen on the display unit 33 and inputting a predetermined numerical value or clicking a display button on the input screen.
The storage unit 35 stores a control program 35a, parameter information 35b used when executing the program, and input information 35d input from the input unit. Further, the storage unit includes a RAM 35c used as a work area.

  Information stored in the storage unit 35 includes parameter information 35b for executing the program as described above. In this information, conditions for performing laser marking are stored for each material of the material to be marked. Conditions include laser wavelength, laser frequency, laser power, dot density, irradiation time, number of printing, beam width, and the like. When vector marking is performed, the printing speed is also added to the conditions. These conditions are read by the CPU 31 when performing laser marking. Then, the laser marker 40 is controlled under conditions according to the material to be marked.

  Further, the storage unit 35 stores information input from the input unit. From the input unit 32, information such as code size, storage information to be written in the code, step size of dots arranged in the unit cell constituting the code, information on the marking target material, and the like are input. The step size is the distance between the centers of dots that are laser-marked on the material to be marked. When the number of cells is constant, information regarding the number of cells is input to the input unit 32. The input information 35d will be described in detail in the description of setting input for creating a two-dimensional code.

  The CPU 31 performs necessary data processing according to the program and controls each unit in the apparatus. The CPU 31 of this example performs a process of calculating the cell size based on the designated code size and storage information, or the designated code size and the number of cells. Further, based on the designated code size, storage information, cell size, and step size, the laser marker 40 performs processing for creating laser marking information for performing laser marking. Furthermore, when there is a change in the stored information or the step size, the laser marking information is changed based on the change information.

  The CPU 31 performs an operation for creating a two-dimensional code with a specified size. The CPU 31 calculates the size of the cells constituting the two-dimensional code based on the designated code size and the amount of information to be stored, or the designated code size and the number of cells. When calculating the cell size from the specified code size and the amount of information to be stored, the cell size is obtained by dividing the specified code size by the number of codes when the stored information is encoded into a two-dimensional code. . For example, it is assumed that the code size is specified as 5 mm × 5 mm and the stored information is “01234”. In this case, when “01234” is encoded into a two-dimensional code, as shown in FIG. 9, it is represented by 10 vertical × 10 horizontal 0 or 1 numbers. The cell size at this time is determined as 5 mm / 10 pieces = 0.5 mm and 5 mm / 10 pieces = 0.5 mm.

  When the code size and the number of cells are specified, the size of the cell is obtained by dividing the specified code size by the number of cells. For example, when the code size is specified as 5 mm × 5 mm and the number of cells is specified as 20 vertical × 20 horizontal, the cell size is 5 mm / 20 vertical = 0.25 mm, and 5 mm / 20 horizontal = 0. It is calculated as .25 mm.

Further, the CPU 31 acquires information regarding the step size of the dot that is laser-marked to each cell, and generates laser marking information based on the code size, storage information, cell size, and step size. The laser marking information is information that instructs the laser marker how to mark the material to be marked. The dot coordinate information, laser wavelength, Q switch frequency, laser power, dot It includes parameter information such as density, dot irradiation time, and number of markings.
The laser marking information created by the CPU 31 is sent to the laser marker 40 via the input / output unit 36. On the laser marker 40 side, each part is controlled by the controller based on the sent laser marking information, and laser marking according to the laser marking information is performed. The laser marker 40 reads the coordinate information of each dot from the received laser marking information, and performs laser marking on the material to be marked based on this coordinate information.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a two-dimensional code created based on information input by the user. In the illustrated two-dimensional code, the code size specified by the user is 5 mm long × 5 mm wide, the cell size calculated according to the input information amount is 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm, and the laser The dot diameter formed by marking is 0.05 mm, and the step size specified by the user is 0.1 mm.

  According to the two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, the two-dimensional code can be generated regardless of the amount of data included in the two-dimensional code. It is possible to make the size constant. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the amount of data is small, the total number of cells constituting the two-dimensional code is reduced, but the size of the unit cell is increased. In this case, the unit cell is constituted by dots arranged in 6 × 6. On the other hand, when the amount of data is large as shown in FIG. 11B, the total number of cells constituting the two-dimensional code increases, but the unit cell size decreases. In this case, the unit cell is composed of dots arranged in 3 × 3. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the size of each dot and the step size are set to be the same.

  Thus, since the size of the two-dimensional code can be made constant regardless of the amount of data, the size of the two-dimensional code may increase depending on the amount of data even when there is a limited marking space. Therefore, the necessary data can be surely included in the two-dimensional code. Although the above embodiment is an example in which the dot size and the step size are made constant, it is needless to say that the unit cell can be appropriately set by changing the dot size and the step size. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, when 3 × 3 dots are arranged in one cell, the cell size is reduced as shown in FIG. 12B by reducing the step size. Can be. Thus, by changing the step size, it is possible to cope with an increase or decrease in the number of unit cells.

  If the step size is changed, the dot density becomes coarser as the step size increases, so that the code density can be reduced. Further, since the dot density becomes dense as the step size becomes small, the code density can be increased. Thus, even for the same two-dimensional code, the code density can be adjusted depending on the step size.

In addition, when the step size is zero, that is, when one dot is one cell as shown in FIG. 11C, the number of unit cells can be increased by reducing the cell size. A lot of information can be stored. If the dot size is reduced in this state, the number of unit cells can be further increased, and a large amount of information can be stored. By performing laser marking with one dot per cell, it becomes possible to form a two-dimensional code at high speed.
In addition, when it is set as 1 dot per cell, it is necessary to carry out dot marking in a unit cell so that a unit cell can be recognized. That is, as the cell size increases, the dots formed in the unit cell also need to be increased. For this reason, according to the material and cell size of the material to be marked, the optimum values such as laser wavelength, laser power, Q switch frequency, dot irradiation time, number of markings, etc. are designated, or the lens is replaced at the laser marker 40. It is preferable that dots of an appropriate size are formed in the unit cell.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code in which the code size and the number of cells are determined in advance. 13 (a) and 13 (b), 13 (c) and 13 (d) have the same code size and stored information, but differ in the number of cells. That is, the same information “01234” is stored in FIGS. 13A and 13B, but the number of cells in FIG. 13A is 10 vertical × 10 horizontal, FIG. ) Cell number is 22 vertical × 22 horizontal. 13 (c) and 13 (d) store the same information “01234456789”, the number of cells in FIG. 13 (c) is 10 vertical × 10 horizontal, FIG. 13 (d). ) Cell number is 22 vertical × 22 horizontal. As described above, when the number of cells is designated in advance, the two-dimensional code can display the same information within the range of the designated number of cells. However, when the number of cells is specified, there is a restriction on the upper limit of the amount of information to be stored.
By specifying the number of cells when forming a two-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code having the same number of cells can be obtained at any time regardless of the amount of information. Therefore, when reading a two-dimensional code, it is only necessary to always read a code having the same cell size on the reader side, and the adjustment at the time of reading is easy, and data can be read reliably.

  The calculation result in the CPU 31 is sent to the laser marker 40 via the input / output unit 36. On the laser marker 40 side, each part is controlled by the controller 42 based on the laser marking information sent from the CPU 31, and laser marking according to the acquired information is performed. The input / output unit 36 is also connected to an information communication network including a LAN and the Internet, and is configured to exchange information with the external computer 20 via the input / output unit 36. ing. Therefore, the data control unit 30 can accept an instruction from another place or a remote place in the formation of the two-dimensional code. Alternatively, information regarding the two-dimensional code created by the data control unit 30 can be sent to the external computer 20.

  Here, setting input for creating a two-dimensional code in this example will be described. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the processing of the CPU 31 in setting input. When setting input is performed, the input screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit 33 of the data control unit 30. The input screen includes an information input unit 61 regarding the material of the marking material, an information input unit 62 regarding the code size and the number of cells, an information input unit 63 regarding stored information, and an information input unit 64 regarding the step size. Is entered. The information input unit 64 displays an appropriate value for the step size in accordance with the material of the material to be marked and the conditions for performing laser marking. As the step size, for example, in the case of laser marking in which a dot having a diameter of 0.003 mm is formed on a metal surface, 0.005 mm to 0.01 mm for ceramic, 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm for resin, and paint. 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm for aluminum, 0.003 mm to 0.01 mm for aluminum, 0.003 mm to 0.01 mm for stainless steel, 0.006 mm to 0.02 mm for glass, In the case of paper, 0.006 mm to 0.02 mm is presented as an appropriate value. The user inputs a predetermined step size while referring to an appropriate value.

  For example, if the material to be marked is ceramic, a step size of 0.005 mm is specified when you want to mark the dots with a high density, and a step size of 0.01 mm when you want to mark the dots with a low density. The The step size is not limited to an appropriate value range, and a numerical value outside the range can also be specified. For example, when the step size is zero, as shown in FIG. 8C, laser marking is performed with one dot per cell.

  Examples of the material for the marking material include ceramic, resin, painted surface, aluminum, silicon, glass, stainless steel, paper, wood, leather, cloth, and jewelry. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a predetermined material has been selected. When it is confirmed that a predetermined material has been selected (step S1; Yes), the CPU 31 reads conditions for performing laser marking from the parameter information 35b stored in the storage unit 35 (step S2). If it is not confirmed that a predetermined material has been selected (step S1; No), the process is repeated until it is confirmed.

  Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not a code size has been designated. In order to specify the code size, the user inputs numerical values of the width and the height into the information input unit 62 regarding the code size on the display screen shown in FIG. When the code size is designated (step S3; Yes), the input data is received by the data control unit 30, stored in the storage unit 35, and recognized by the CPU 31 (step S4). If the code size designation is not confirmed (step S3; No), the process is repeated until it is confirmed.

  In step S5, it is confirmed whether information to be written in the two-dimensional code has been input. When the storage information is input (step S5; Yes), the input data is received by the data control unit 30, stored in the storage unit 35, and recognized by the CPU 31 (step S6).

  Next, in step S7, it is confirmed whether or not the number of cells is designated. When the number of cells is designated (step S7; Yes), the input data is accepted by the data control unit 30, stored in the storage unit 35, and recognized by the CPU 31 (step S8). If the number of cells is not specified (step S7; No), the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the size of the cell constituting the two-dimensional code is calculated. When the number of cells is designated in step S7, the cell size is calculated based on the code size and the number of cells. If the number of cells is not specified in step S7, the cell size is calculated based on the code size and the storage information.

  Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not a step size is designated (step S10). When the step size is designated (step S10; Yes), this information is accepted by the data control unit 30, stored in the storage unit 35, and recognized by the CPU 31 (step S11). If the step size is not specified (step S10; No), it is determined that the image is formed with the standard density, an intermediate value in the appropriate range is set, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the CPU 31 forms laser marking information for the laser marker 40 to perform laser marking according to the code size, storage information, cell size, and step size.
In step S <b> 13, the two-dimensional code determined by the above process is displayed on the display unit 33 of the data control unit 30. At this time, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display unit 33. Such display on the display unit 33 may be automatically performed when the setting is completed, or may be displayed only when the user requests a preview. The user looks at the display unit 33 and examines whether or not this two-dimensional code is acceptable. In step S14, it is determined whether the stored information or the step size needs to be corrected. If there is no correction or the like and the user clicks the OK button (step S14; No), the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, when a correction request is made by the user (step S14; Yes), and correction information is input for storage information or step size, the correction information is recognized by the data control unit 30, and a correction screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. (Step S15).

On the correction screen, storage information and step size correction information are input. When the correction information is input, this information is received by the data control unit 30, stored in the storage unit 35, and recognized by the CPU 31 (step S16).
On the correction screen, if the displayed two-dimensional code is changed each time a change instruction is issued from the user, it is preferable that the user can perform correction processing while checking the state of the two-dimensional code.

  Then, a correction process is performed (step S17), and it is determined whether the correction is completed (step S18). If the correction has not been completed (step S18; No), the processing from step S15 to step S17 is repeated. When it is determined that the correction is completed (step S18; Yes), the CPU 31 corrects the laser marking information based on the changed storage information and step size in step S19. In step S20, the laser marking information is sent to the laser marker side. The controller 42 of the laser marker 40 controls the ultrasonic Q switch element 43, the internal shutter 44, the external shutter 45, the attenuator 46, and the galvanometer mirror 47 based on the sent information, These two-dimensional codes are formed by laser marking. When laser marking is performed, marking is performed in the order shown in FIG. Moreover, the marking in each cell performs dot marking in the direction shown in FIG.

  Thus, according to the two-dimensional code forming method of the present invention, when the number of cells is 10 × 10, for example, when the number of cells is 10 × 10, 6 characters are used for numbers, 3 characters are used for alphanumeric characters, In the case of binary, it is possible to store one character. Even with the same code size, if the number of cells is 144 × 144, a huge amount of information such as 3116 characters for numbers, 2335 characters for alphanumeric characters, 1556 characters for binary characters, etc. Can be stored. Therefore, even if the space for marking is limited, a large amount of information can be written in a small space. In addition, among the unit cells, those that become black cells are formed by dot marking, so it is possible to accommodate any size cell by adjusting the step size, which is the distance between dots. is there. Also, by adjusting the step size, a two-dimensional code can be formed with a desired density.

  In this example, the two-dimensional code is directly laser-marked on the material to be marked in a good state. For this reason, it is possible to hold information over a long period of time without causing peeling or fading due to aging, as compared to a case where a two-dimensional code printed on another member is attached or formed by printing.

  In addition, since it is dot marking, compared to vector marking in which laser marking is continuously performed on the material to be marked, when laser marking is performed, there is no occurrence of continuous fine scratches, etc. It is excellent in weather resistance, corrosion resistance, and impact resistance, and any material can be suitably attached with a two-dimensional code. In particular, when laser marking is performed on transparent materials such as glass, cracks that occur when marking on transparent materials are enclosed in dot marks, and cracks are generated outside the range of the two-dimensional code formed by dot marking. It is preferable. When marking a metal material, the depth of the dot trace is between 1 μm and 20 μm, and when marking on the coating surface, the depth of the dot trace is between 1 μm and 10 μm. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the marking material.

  In the above embodiment, the method of specifying the step size is shown in order to determine the dot density. However, instead of the step size, a method of specifying the number of dots may be used. The step size and the number of dots are correlated, and if one of them is determined, the other is also determined.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the cell size changes according to the amount of information, and the dot step size in the unit cell is changed. If vector marking is performed with n vertical lines and m horizontal lines instead of dot marking, the cell size can be changed by changing the length of the straight lines or changing the number of straight lines. It is good to adjust.
The technical ideas other than the claims that can be grasped from the embodiment according to the modified example will be described below.
(1) a step of specifying a code size of a two-dimensional code;
A step of specifying storage information to be written in the two-dimensional code;
Determining a cell size of a unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code;
A step of designating an interval or number of straight lines arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or m × n in the unit cell;
Laser marking information is generated based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the interval or number of the straight lines,
And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information.
(2) Using an information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that performs a calculation based on information input from the information acquisition unit, and a laser marking unit that performs a laser marking based on a calculation result of the calculation unit In a method of forming a two-dimensional code for forming a dimensional code,
A step of inputting a code size of the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting storage information written in the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
Calculating the cell size of the unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code according to the code size and stored information;
A step of inputting, into the information acquisition means, the interval or number of straight lines arranged vertically and horizontally in the unit cell in n × n or m × n;
The arithmetic means generates laser marking information based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the interval or number of the straight lines, and
And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code by the laser marking means based on the laser marking information.
(3) Using an information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that performs a calculation based on information input from the information acquisition unit, and a laser marking unit that performs a laser marking based on a calculation result of the calculation unit In a method of forming a two-dimensional code for forming a dimensional code,
A step of inputting a code size of the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting storage information written in the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting the number of unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting, into the information acquisition means, the interval or number of straight lines arranged vertically and horizontally in the unit cell in n × n or m × n;
The computing means calculating a cell size based on the code size and the number of cells;
The arithmetic means generates laser marking information based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the interval or number of the straight lines, and
And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code by the laser marking means based on the laser marking information.
(4) The code size of the two-dimensional code, the storage information written in the two-dimensional code, and the interval between lines arranged vertically and horizontally by n × n or m × n in the unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code, Information acquisition means for acquiring the number,
Processing for calculating the cell size of the unit cell based on the code size and storage information, and generating laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the interval of the straight lines, or the number of lines Processing means for performing processing,
A two-dimensional code forming apparatus, comprising: laser marking means for laser-marking a two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information.
(5) The code size of the two-dimensional code, the storage information written in the two-dimensional code, the number of unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code, and n × n in the unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code Or an information acquisition means for acquiring the interval or number of straight lines arranged vertically and horizontally in m × n;
A process of calculating a cell size based on the code size and the number of cells, and a process of generating laser marking information based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the interval of the straight lines, or the number of lines. Computing means;
A two-dimensional code forming apparatus, comprising: laser marking means for laser-marking a two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the two-dimensional code formation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the laser marker which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing of the cell dot-marked by nxn. It is explanatory drawing of the cell by which the vector marking was carried out by nxn. It is explanatory drawing of the cell by which the dot marking was carried out by mxn. It is explanatory drawing of the cell by which the vector marking was carried out by mxn. It is explanatory drawing of the information encoded into the two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the two-dimensional code created based on the input information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the two-dimensional code from which the number of cells and storage information differ with the same code size. It is explanatory drawing which shows the two-dimensional code from which the number of cells and storage information differ with the same code size. It is explanatory drawing which shows the two-dimensional code from which the code size and storage information are the same, and differs in the number of cells. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a setting input process for two-dimensional code creation. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a setting input process for two-dimensional code creation. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information input screen for two-dimensional code creation. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the confirmation screen of the produced two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the correction information input screen of the produced two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows a dot marking process. It is explanatory drawing which shows a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Marking material, 10 Barcode forming apparatus, 20 External computer, 30 Data control part, 31 CPU, 32 Input part, 33 Display part, 34 Output part, 35 Storage part, 35a Control program, 35b Parameter information, 35c RAM, 35d Input information, 40 Laser marker, 43 Switch element, 44 Internal shutter, 45 External shutter, 47 Galvano mirror, 50 YAG laser oscillator, 51 Total reflection mirror, 52 Internal aperture, 53 Lamphouse, 54 Output mirror, 55 Aperture, 56 Leveling mirror, 57 Galileo expander, 58 aperture, 59 fθ lens

Claims (15)

A step of specifying a code size of the two-dimensional code;
A step of specifying storage information to be written in the two-dimensional code;
Determining a cell size of a unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code;
A step of designating the step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or m × n in the unit cell;
Laser marking information is generated based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the step size or the number of dots;
And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information. 2. The method of forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein a cell size of the unit cell is changed according to the code size and storage information. The method for forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein the cell size of the unit cell is calculated based on a predetermined number of cells. A two-dimensional code is obtained by using information acquisition means, calculation means for performing calculation based on information input from the information acquisition means, and laser marking means for performing laser marking based on the calculation result of the calculation means. In the forming method of the two-dimensional code to be formed,
A step of inputting a code size of the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting storage information written in the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
Calculating the cell size of the unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code according to the code size and stored information;
The step of inputting the step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally into the unit cell in n × n or m × n in the unit cell;
The computing means generating laser marking information based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the step size or the number of dots;
And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code by the laser marking means based on the laser marking information. A two-dimensional code is obtained by using information acquisition means, calculation means for performing calculation based on information input from the information acquisition means, and laser marking means for performing laser marking based on the calculation result of the calculation means. In the forming method of the two-dimensional code to be formed,
A step of inputting a code size of the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting storage information written in the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
A step of inputting the number of unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code to the information acquisition means;
The step of inputting the step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally into the unit cell in n × n or m × n in the unit cell;
The computing means calculating a cell size based on the code size and the number of cells;
The computing means generating laser marking information based on the code size, the stored information, the cell size, the step size or the number of dots;
And a step of laser marking the two-dimensional code by the laser marking means based on the laser marking information. Before the step of generating the laser marking information, comprising a step of specifying laser parameters corresponding to the material to be marked,
6. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of generating the laser marking information, the calculation means generates the laser marking information based on a condition including the laser parameter. Forming method. Before the step of generating the laser marking information, the step of obtaining the change information of the stored information, and the step of changing the cell size of the unit cell based on the change information The method for forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1 or 4. Before the step of generating the laser marking information, the step of obtaining the change information of the number of cells, and the step of changing the cell size of the unit cell based on the change information The method for forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1 or 5. 6. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, further comprising a step of acquiring change information of the step size or the number of dots before the step of generating the laser marking information. Forming method. The code size of the two-dimensional code, the storage information written in the two-dimensional code, and the step size or number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or m × n in the unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code And an information acquisition means for acquiring
Processing for calculating the cell size of the unit cell based on the code size and the storage information, and generating laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the step size, or the number of dots Processing means for performing processing,
A two-dimensional code forming apparatus, comprising: laser marking means for laser-marking a two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information. The two-dimensional code formation according to claim 10, wherein the calculation unit performs a process of changing a cell size of the unit cell based on the change information of the storage information acquired by the information acquisition unit. apparatus. The code size of the two-dimensional code, the storage information written in the two-dimensional code, the number of unit cells constituting the two-dimensional code, and n × n or m × in the unit cell constituting the two-dimensional code information acquisition means for acquiring the step size or the number of dots arranged vertically and horizontally by n;
A process of calculating a cell size based on the code size and the number of cells, and a process of generating laser marking information based on the code size, the storage information, the cell size, the step size, or the number of dots. Computing means;
A two-dimensional code forming apparatus, comprising: laser marking means for laser-marking a two-dimensional code based on the laser marking information. 13. The two-dimensional code formation according to claim 12, wherein the calculation unit performs a process of changing a cell size of the unit cell based on the change information of the number of cells acquired by the information acquisition unit. apparatus. The two-dimensional code forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 12, wherein a laser parameter corresponding to a material to be marked is input to the information acquisition unit. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the calculation unit performs processing for generating different laser marking information based on the change information of the step size or the number of dots acquired by the information acquisition unit. Dimensional code forming device.

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