JP2005316972A - Method and program for creating image including two-dimensional code - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow anyone to easily color two-dimensional codes to form patterns or arrange the codes in combination with other image elements such as pictures or illustrations without impairing the function of reading the codes, so as to utilize the codes as design elements. <P>SOLUTION: Images are read into a layer 1 and placed in designated positions in the specified size. Images in which input characters are converted into two-dimensional codes are created in a layer 2, aligned in designated positions in the specified size, and colored. Illustration images are created in a layer 3. The order and transparency of the layers are set to synthesize the images. The black cells of the two-dimensional codes are colored in a color selected from a black-cell coloring pallet and the white cells thereof are colored in a color selected from a white-collar coloring pallet. For each pallet, the brightness selectable range is set based on the colors in which other cells have been colored so far. In addition, the automatic brightness correction function is provided to compute a brightness histogram for the synthetic image and checks code reading so as to correct the brightness. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and program for generating an image including a two-dimensional code, and is particularly suitable when, for example, an image including a two-dimensional code is used as an image to be printed on a product or clothes for advertisement of a product or service The present invention relates to an image generation method and program including a simple two-dimensional code.

In recent years, an advertising technique for printing an advertisement image on a product or clothes for advertisement of the product or service has come to be used on a daily basis. If this is entered, it will give a complicated impression to the user and adversely affect the advertising effect. Therefore, enter the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the website operated by the company or the telephone number of the free dial, etc. An advertising technique is widely used in which detailed information on a product or service can be obtained by accessing a URL or a telephone number, or an order for a product or service can be ordered.
However, in order to access URLs and telephone numbers printed on products, clothes, etc., the user needs to record the information and input it from a personal computer or telephone, which may cause errors and is troublesome. In many cases, it was not used much and the expected results were not obtained.

On the other hand, since the two-dimensional code that greatly increases the amount of information that can be included by converting the barcode into two dimensions has become widespread, information on products and services, URLs, telephone numbers, etc. The two-dimensional code converted into a two-dimensional code is posted, and the user captures the two-dimensional code in the advertisement image with the camera of the mobile phone, so that the content of the two-dimensional code is decoded and displayed on the mobile phone screen. If the URL or telephone number is described in the two-dimensional code, the corresponding website can be automatically accessed simply by selecting the URL or telephone number displayed on the screen. In addition, an information providing service that can call a free dial has been put into practical use (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Two-dimensional codes include Veritec from Veritec, Data Matrix from IDMatrix, QR Code (registered trademark) from Denso Corporation, ST code from Olympus Corporation (trademark registration pending) Has been developed.

A simple example of an advertisement image using such a two-dimensional code is shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is the headline character image of the advertisement, 2 is the image of the object of the advertisement, and 3 is a two-dimensional code image obtained by QR-coding the detailed content of the advertisement and the URL of the website. In this example, it is an advertisement image that promotes “Wakayama Mikan” as the menu of today, the heading character 1 is at the top of the screen, the image 2 of the target orange is the bottom left of the screen, and the two-dimensional code image 3 is They are located at the bottom right of the screen. Here, when the user captures the two-dimensional code image 3 with the camera of the mobile phone and performs a reading operation, information on the product is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone, and the URL of the Web site displayed on the screen is displayed by the user. By selecting, it is possible to access the Web site and obtain detailed information.
JP 2002-111909 A

However, in general, a two-dimensional code is a tasteless symbol that three-dimensionally combines a black cell and a white cell. Therefore, even if the design of the corner advertisement image is devised, inserting the two-dimensional code There is a problem that the design is ruined and the user is uncomfortable and the advertising effect is impaired.
From the viewpoint of design, the 2D code is often placed in the corner of the advertisement image. Even if the user is interested in the advertisement image and shoots with the camera of the mobile phone, the 2D code is included in the subject. In many cases, the 2D code is often used only by users who want to actively capture the 2D code and acquire information on products and services, and the expected advertising effect cannot be obtained. was there.
On the other hand, if the two-dimensional code is colored so as to fit the advertisement image to form a pattern, or arranged in combination with other image elements such as photographs and illustrations in order to increase the usage rate of the two-dimensional code by the user, 2 There is a problem in that the dimension code cannot be read correctly and the original function of the two-dimensional code may not be performed. It is possible to form a pattern by coloring a two-dimensional code image using a general paint process, or to place it in combination with other image elements such as photographs and illustrations. It has been extremely difficult to do these things without compromising function.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to create a pattern by coloring the two-dimensional code without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code, or to arrange it in combination with other image elements such as photographs and illustrations. However, it should be easy to do so that a two-dimensional code can be used as a design element.

The invention described in claim 1 includes a character input step for inputting characters to be two-dimensionally encoded, a code image generation step for generating a two-dimensional code image from the characters input in the character input step, and a code image generation step. An image generation method including a two-dimensional code comprising a code image coloring step for coloring a generated two-dimensional code image, wherein the code image coloring step selects a color for coloring a black cell of the two-dimensional code image A black cell coloring palette displaying step for displaying a black cell coloring palette, a black cell coloring step for coloring a black cell in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image to a color selected from the displayed black cell coloring palette, and 2 A white cell coloring palette display step for displaying a white cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the white cells of the three-dimensional code image; A white cell coloring step for coloring a white cell in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image to a color selected from the displayed white cell coloring palette, and the black cell of the generated two-dimensional code image is colored A white cell coloring selection range setting step for setting a range that can be selected as a color for coloring the white cell from the color in the white cell coloring palette, and coloring the black cell from the color in which the white cell of the generated two-dimensional code image is colored An image generation method including a two-dimensional code having a black cell coloring selection range setting step for setting a range selectable as a color to be set in a black cell coloring palette.
According to the present invention, the black cell coloring palette for selecting the color for coloring the black cells of the two-dimensional code image and the white cell coloring palette for selecting the color for coloring the white cells are displayed, and the black cells of the two-dimensional code image are displayed. The range that can be selected as the color for coloring the white cell from the colored color is set in the white cell coloring palette, and the range that can be selected as the color for coloring the black cell from the color in which the white cell of the two-dimensional code image is colored Since the black cell coloring palette is set, the black cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are colored with the color selected from the color selectable range of the black cell coloring palette, and the white cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are replaced with white cells. By coloring with a color selected from the color selectable range of the coloring palette, anyone can easily color the two-dimensional code image and form a pattern without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code.
In general, reading of a two-dimensional code is often performed by binarizing an input image based on a difference in brightness between a black cell and a white cell. Set the selectable range in the black cell coloring palette so that a low-lightness color is selected for any color selected as the color to be colored, and the white cell coloring selectable range setting step has The selectable range may be set in the white cell coloring palette so that a color with high brightness is selected for any color selected as the color to be colored.
The black cell coloring palette and the white cell coloring palette display a color selection palette for selecting a color and a brightness selection palette for selecting the brightness in the color selected from the color selection palette, respectively, and a black cell coloring selection range setting step. For the color selected by the color selection palette of the black cell coloring palette, the selectable range is black cell colored so that the brightness is low for any color that has been selected as the color for coloring the white cell so far The white cell coloring selection range setting step is set to the lightness selection palette of the palette, and the color selected by the color selection palette of the white cell coloring palette is changed to any color that has been selected as the color for coloring the black cells so far. The selectable range is set in the brightness selection palette of the white cell coloring palette so that the brightness is high. It may be. This facilitates selection of a color for coloring the two-dimensional code, and makes it easier to form a pattern by coloring the two-dimensional code without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code.
In addition, when a special process is performed for the separation of the white cell and the black cell in the two-dimensional code reader, a color range that can be selected for the white cell and the black cell is obtained in accordance with the process, You may make it set the result to a white cell coloring palette and a black cell coloring palette, respectively.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combined image generating step for generating a combined image to be combined with a two-dimensional code image, a character input step for inputting a character to be two-dimensionally encoded, and a character input step. A code image generation step of generating a two-dimensional code image from input characters and arranging it at a specified position at a specified size, and a code image coloring for coloring the two-dimensional code image generated by the code image generation step An image generation method including a two-dimensional code, comprising: a step; and an image synthesis step of synthesizing the synthesized image generated by the synthesized image generation step and the two-dimensional code image colored by the code image coloring step, The code image coloring step displays a black cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the black cells of the two-dimensional code image. A color coloring palette display step, a black cell coloring step for coloring a black cell in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image to a color selected from the displayed black cell coloring palette, and coloring a white cell of the two-dimensional code image A white cell coloring palette display step for displaying a white cell coloring palette for selecting a color to be selected, and a white cell for coloring a white cell in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image to a color selected from the displayed white cell coloring palette A white cell coloring selection range setting step for setting, in a white cell coloring palette, a range that can be selected as a color for coloring a white cell from a color in which black cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are colored, Black cell arrival setting for setting in the black cell coloring palette a range that can be selected as a color for coloring the black cell from the color in which the white cell of the generated two-dimensional code image is colored An image generation method comprising the 2-dimensional code and a selection range setting step.
According to the present invention, a two-dimensional code is generated in which a two-dimensional code image is generated and a two-dimensional code generated from an input character is arranged at a designated position at a designated position. Generates an image, colors the generated two-dimensional code image, and synthesizes it with the synthesized image, so that the two-dimensional code image can be placed in any combination with the synthesized image, improving the usage rate of the two-dimensional code by the user Can be made.
Further, according to the present invention, the black cell coloring palette for selecting the color for coloring the black cells of the two-dimensional code image and the white cell coloring palette for selecting the color for coloring the white cells are displayed, and the black of the two-dimensional code image is displayed. The range that can be selected as the color for coloring the white cell from the color in which the cell is colored is set in the white cell coloring palette, and the color that can be selected as the color for coloring the black cell from the color in which the white cell of the two-dimensional code image is colored Since the range is set to the black cell coloring palette, the black cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are colored with the color selected from the coloring selectable range of the black cell coloring palette, and the white cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are By coloring with a color selected from the color selection range of the white cell coloring palette, anyone can easily form a pattern by coloring the two-dimensional code without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code.
Even in this case, if a special process is performed for the separation of the white cell and the black cell in the two-dimensional code reader, colors that can be selected for the white cell and the black cell in accordance with the process. And the results may be set in a white cell coloring palette and a black cell coloring palette, respectively.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite image generation step for generating a composite image to be combined with a two-dimensional code image, a character input step for inputting a character to be two-dimensionally encoded, and the character input step. A code image generation step of generating a two-dimensional code image from the characters input by the step and arranging the two-dimensional code image at a specified position at a specified size, and a combined image and a code image generation step generated by the combined image generation step An image generation method including a two-dimensional code comprising a two-dimensional code image generated by the image synthesis step, wherein the image synthesis step calculates a lightness histogram for the synthesized image and allows it as a white cell. An allowable lightness calculation step for determining a lower lightness value to be set and an upper lightness value allowed as a black cell, and 2 included in the synthesized image In the original code image, the brightness of the white cell that is less than the lower limit lightness calculated in the allowable lightness calculation step is corrected to the upper limit lightness, and the lightness of the black cell that exceeds the upper limit lightness calculated in the allowable lightness calculation step An image generation method including a two-dimensional code having a brightness correction step to be corrected below.
According to the present invention, a two-dimensional code is generated in which a two-dimensional code image is generated and a two-dimensional code generated from an input character is arranged at a designated position at a designated position. Since the image is generated and the generated two-dimensional code image is combined with the generated combined image, the two-dimensional code image can be arranged in any combination with the combined image, and the utilization rate of the two-dimensional code by the user is improved. Can be made.
Further, according to the present invention, a brightness histogram is obtained for the synthesized image, a lower limit brightness allowed as a white cell and an upper limit brightness allowed as a black cell are calculated, and a white cell whose brightness is less than the lower limit brightness is set as the lower limit. Since the correction is made so that the brightness is equal to or higher than that, and the black cell whose brightness exceeds the upper limit brightness is corrected to be lower than the upper limit brightness, anyone can easily color the pattern by coloring the two-dimensional code image without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code. It can be formed or synthesized with the image to be synthesized.
The lightness correction may be performed by simply fixing the lightness of a white cell below the lower lightness to the lower lightness and fixing the lightness of a black cell exceeding the upper lightness to the upper lightness. Gamma correction may be performed so as to obtain the lower limit brightness, and gamma correction may be performed so that the upper limit of the brightness histogram of the black cell becomes the upper limit brightness. Thereby, the brightness difference in the white cells below the lower limit brightness of the two-dimensional code image or the black cells exceeding the upper limit brightness is preserved to some extent, so that a more natural two-dimensional code image can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combined image generating step for generating a combined image to be combined with a two-dimensional code image, a character input step for inputting a character to be two-dimensionally encoded, and a character input step. A code image generation step of generating a two-dimensional code image from input characters and arranging it at a specified position at a specified size, and a combined image generated by the combined image generation step and a code image generation step An image generation method including a two-dimensional code including an image synthesis step for synthesizing the generated two-dimensional code image, wherein the image synthesis step includes a binary image obtained by performing binarization processing on the synthesized image. The binary image generation step to be generated and the binary image generated by the binary image generation step are converted into the two-dimensional code generated by the code image generation step. A code reading confirmation step for extracting a two-dimensional code portion in which an error has occurred in comparison with an image, and a lightness correction step for correcting the lightness of the two-dimensional code portion extracted by the code reading confirmation step of the synthesized image; An image generation method including a two-dimensional code having
According to the present invention, a two-dimensional code is generated in which a two-dimensional code image is generated and a two-dimensional code generated from an input character is arranged at a designated position at a designated position. Since the image is generated and the generated two-dimensional code image is combined with the generated combined image, the two-dimensional code image can be arranged in any combination with the combined image, and the utilization rate of the two-dimensional code by the user is improved. Can be made.
Further, according to the present invention, binarization processing is performed on the synthesized image to generate a binary image, and the generated binary image is compared with the original two-dimensional code image, resulting in an error 2 Since the dimension code part is extracted and the brightness of the two-dimensional code part in which an error has occurred in the synthesized image is corrected, anyone can easily color the two-dimensional code image without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code. Pattern can be formed or synthesized with the image to be synthesized.
The lightness correction may simply increase the lightness of the white cell causing the error until the error does not occur and decrease the lightness of the black cell causing the error until the error does not occur. For example, gamma correction may be performed so that an error does not occur including a cell other than the cell causing the error. As a result, the brightness difference between the cell in which the error of the two-dimensional code image has occurred and the cell in which no error has occurred is preserved to some extent, so that a more natural two-dimensional code image can be obtained.
Further, the binarization processing here may be binarization using a constant threshold for the entire screen, or binarization by dynamically changing the threshold between regions. . In addition, when the two-dimensional code reader performs a special binarization process, a binarization process equivalent to that may be adopted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the synthesized image generation step includes an illustration image generation step for generating an illustration image, and the illustration image generation step displays an illustration coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the illustration. A character image including a palette display step, the step of inputting a character to be displayed, and the step of arranging the input character at a specified position at a specified position using a color selected from the illustration coloring palette An illustration generation step including: a generation step; a step of selecting a pre-registered illustration; and a step of arranging the selected illustration at a specified position at a specified position using a color selected from an illustration coloring palette And draw an illustration using the color selected from the illustration coloring palette. An image generation method comprising a two-dimensional code having at least one strike rendering step.
According to the present invention, a character image in which an input character is arranged at a specified size at a position specified by a color selected from the illustration coloring palette by using an illustration coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the illustration. Generating illustrations, placing illustrations selected from pre-registered illustrations at the specified position in the specified position with the color selected from the illustration coloring palette, and the color selected from the illustration coloring palette Therefore, it is possible to easily generate an illustration image to be combined with the two-dimensional code image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the synthesized image generation step harmonizes with the extracted color, an image reading step for reading an image, a color extraction step for extracting the color of the image read by the image reading step, and the extracted color. A black cell coloring palette display step and / or a white cell coloring palette display step includes a two-dimensional code having a step of displaying the color selected by the harmonic color setting step. This is an image generation method.
According to the present invention, an image is read as a composite image, the colors of the read image are extracted and harmonized colors are selected and set in the black cell coloring palette or the white cell coloring palette. A harmonized two-dimensional code image can be easily generated.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the synthesized image generation step harmonizes with the extracted color, the image reading step for reading the image, the color extracting step for extracting the color of the image read by the image reading step, and the extracted color. A color selection step for selecting a color, and the illustration coloring palette display step is an image generation method including a two-dimensional code including a step of displaying the color selected in the harmonic color setting step.
According to the present invention, an image is read as a composite image, the colors of the read image are extracted and the harmonized colors are selected and set in the illustration coloring palette. Therefore, the harmonized illustration image with respect to the read image Can be easily generated.

The invention according to claim 8 is a program for causing a computer to execute the image generation method including the two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
By causing a computer that generates an image including a two-dimensional code to execute this program, the same effects as the effects provided by each claim can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, anyone can easily perform patterning by coloring a two-dimensional code without impairing the reading function of the two-dimensional code, or arranging it in combination with other image elements such as photographs and illustrations. be able to.

FIG. 1 shows an overall flow of processing for generating an image including a two-dimensional code by image generation processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, as an image reading process, an image to be read is read into layer 1 (S10), arranged in a specified size at a specified position (S12), and image correction is performed such as image correction or enhancement processing as appropriate. A process (S14) and a mask process (S16) for deleting a part of the image or changing to a transparent color are performed. Then, a color of the target image is extracted, a black cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring a black cell of the two-dimensional code image, a white cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring a white cell of the two-dimensional code image, an illustration A color that matches the illustration coloring palette for selecting a color to be colored is set (S18), and the process proceeds to the next code image generation process.
In the code image generation process, a character to be two-dimensionally encoded is input (S20), the input character is converted into a two-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code image is generated in layer 2 (S22). Arrange in the designated size (S24). Thereby, the generated two-dimensional code can be arranged in a desired size at a desired position in the screen, and can be arranged in a designated area in the screen as necessary. Then, a color for coloring the black cell is selected from the black cell coloring palette (S26), and the black cell in the designated area of the two-dimensional code image is colored with the selected color (S28). When the black cell is colored, a range that can be selected as a color for coloring the white cell from the color in which the black cell has been colored is set in the white cell coloring palette (S30). Similarly, a color for coloring the white cell is selected from the white cell coloring palette (S32), and the white cell in the designated area of the two-dimensional code image is colored with the selected color (S34). When the white cell is colored, a range that can be selected as a color for coloring the black cell from the color in which the white cell has been colored is set in the black cell coloring palette (S36). The above black cell coloring and white cell coloring are repeated as many times as necessary (S38), and when the two-dimensional code coloring is completed, the process proceeds to the next illustration image generation process.
In the illustration image generation process, an illustration image is generated in layer 3 (S40), and the process proceeds to the next image composition process. Details of the illustration image generation process will be described later.
In the image composition process, the context in composition of the images of each layer and the transparency in the translucent composition are set (S42), and the images of each layer are composed (S44). Then, a lightness histogram is obtained for the synthesized image and a code reading check is performed (S46), and if there is a two-dimensional code part causing an error, a lightness correction process described later is performed (S48).
The above processing is repeated (S50). When a desired composite image is obtained, the composite image is printed (S52), and the processing is terminated.
Details of each process will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of menu processing of image generation processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the menu processing, individual processing necessary for generating an image including a two-dimensional code is started, and image composition processing, code reading confirmation processing, and brightness correction processing are performed.
First, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (S100). The menu screen includes an image reading button for starting an image reading process for reading a target image such as a photograph of a target product, a code image generation button for starting a code image generation process for generating a two-dimensional code image, and an illustration. An illustration image generation button for starting an illustration image generation process for generating an image, an image combination button for combining the generated images, a code reading check button for checking reading of a two-dimensional code in the combined image, Automatic brightness correction button for correcting the brightness so that the two-dimensional code in the image can be read, an image print button for printing the synthesized image, an image save button for saving each generated image, and an end to end the processing Provide buttons. In addition, a check box for selecting whether the histogram is to be obtained for the entire screen or for individual codes as the histogram calculation condition in the code reading check, and all codes are corrected at once as correction conditions in the automatic brightness correction processing, or only badly read codes And a check box for selecting whether to correct.
When an image reading button is selected on the menu screen (S102), an image reading process described later is started (S104). When a code image generation button is selected (S106), a code image generating process described later is performed. (S108), when an illustration image generation button is selected (S110), an illustration image generation process described later is started (S112). When an image composition button is selected (S114), The images are combined to generate a combined image (S116). When the code reading check button is selected (S118), the brightness histogram calculation of the synthesized image generated according to the designation of the check box of the histogram calculation condition is performed (S120), and the threshold value for reading the two-dimensional code is set. Determine (S122). If the threshold value cannot be determined, an unreadable message is issued (S126). When the threshold value can be determined, the threshold value is used to determine whether each cell is a black cell or a white cell in the two-dimensional code image portion of the composite image, and the two-dimensional code image generation process generates the threshold value. Compared with the two-dimensional code, a defective reading code is detected and displayed (S128). When the automatic brightness correction button is selected (S130), brightness correction processing is performed on the two-dimensional code image portion of the composite image according to the specification of the check box of the correction condition (S132), and when the image print button is selected. (S134), the composite image is printed (S136), when the save image button is selected (S138), the image data of each layer is saved (S140), and when the end button is selected (S142), the processing Exit.

FIG. 11 shows an example of processing for determining the threshold value from the brightness histogram calculation result and performing brightness correction. (A) of the figure is an example in the case where the histogram calculation condition is “individual code”. For each two-dimensional code portion of the composite image, the lightness histogram a of the black cell and the lightness histogram b of the white cell are obtained. , B to set a threshold value m0 from the peaks P1 and P2, and in order to give a certain likelihood to black cell determination and white cell determination, the black cell upper limit lightness m1 is set to a certain level below m0, The white cell lower limit lightness m2 is set to a certain level above m0. Then, in the lightness correction process, gamma correction is performed so that the upper limit lightness of the black cell lightness histogram a is equal to or lower than the black cell upper lightness m1, and the lower lightness of the white cell lightness histogram b is equal to or higher than the white cell lower lightness m2. Gamma correction. In the gamma correction, the brightness histogram of a black cell is corrected, for example, as c, and the brightness histogram of a white cell is corrected, for example, as d. As a result, the black cell and the white cell of the two-dimensional code image portion of the composite image can be correctly determined with a certain likelihood. When the histogram calculation condition is “individual code”, the brightness histogram is calculated individually for each two-dimensional code image portion of the composite image, so the brightness correction processing is performed individually for each two-dimensional code image. The correction condition is inevitably limited to “defect code only”.
On the other hand, (b) in the figure is an example in the case where the histogram calculation condition is “full screen”, the lightness histogram e of the entire composite image is obtained, the peak P1 ′ of the black cell and the peak P2 ′ of the white cell are detected, As in the case of (a), the threshold value m0 ′, the black cell upper limit lightness m1 ′ and the white cell lower limit lightness m2 ′ are set, and the lightness correction process is performed. In this case, the brightness correction processing is performed collectively for all the two-dimensional code portions of the composite image when the correction condition is “all code batch”, and when the correction condition is “only defective code”, reading failure is performed. The brightness correction process is performed only for the two-dimensional code portion in which is detected. As a result, it is possible to generate an image that can correctly read the two-dimensional code image even when the user captures the entire composite image.
If a black cell peak or a white cell peak cannot be detected from the brightness histogram of the entire composite image, or if an appropriate threshold value cannot be determined, an unreadable message is issued.

FIG. 3 shows a flow of the image reading process (S200) of the image generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, an image reading process screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (S202). The image reading processing screen includes an image reading button for reading a target image such as a product photo, an image processing button for performing image correction processing such as color correction and enhancement processing of the read image, and a part of the read image. Mask processing button to mask and set transparency, Delete button to delete the selected image, Back button to return to the previous state, Select a color that matches the color of the read image A palette setting button for setting the color palette, a layer setting button for setting the layer context, a transparency setting slide bar for setting the transparency for semi-transparent composition of the layers, and an end button for ending the image reading process are provided.
When an image reading button is selected on the image reading processing screen (S204), a target image selected from pre-registered images is read into layer 1 (S206). When the read image is dragged by a mouse or the like (S208), the image is moved and the size is changed according to the drag (S210). When the image processing button is selected (S212), the image correction process is activated to correct the read image (S214). When the mask processing button is selected (S216), the image mask process is performed. Masking of the image that is activated and read is performed (S218). Note that the image correction process and the image mask process are the same as the general retouch process, and a description thereof will be omitted. When the delete button is selected (S220), the selected image is deleted (S222), and when the return button is selected (S224), the previous state is restored (S226). When the palette setting button is selected (S228), the color of the read image is extracted (S230), and the color to be harmonized is selected with reference to the color harmony matrix as shown in FIG. 12 (S232). Selectable colors are set in each of the color selection palettes of a black cell coloring palette, a white cell coloring palette, and an illustration coloring palette described later (S234). When the layer setting button is selected (S236), the context of layer 1 is changed to the specified state (S238). When the transparency setting slide bar is dragged (S240), the transparency of layer 1 is changed. When the transparency is changed to the designated transparency (S242) and the end button is selected (S244), the image reading process is terminated.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the color harmony matrix, a black cell harmony color, a white cell harmony color, and an illustration harmony color are registered in advance for the colors of the synthesized image. Here, a plurality of combinations of colors recommended as the black cell harmony color, the white cell harmony color, and the illustration harmony color are registered with respect to the color extracted as the color of the synthesized image. The cell, white cell, and illustration can be colored in a uniform color, and when a color is selected in the black cell coloring, white cell coloring, or illustration coloring described later, the color of each palette According to the combination registered in the color harmony matrix, the color recommended in the selection palette is displayed at the top.
Note that a number may be assigned to the combination of colors in the color harmony matrix, and the corresponding color may be extracted from the color harmony matrix by setting the number in each palette, and set in each palette. As a result, the recommended combination of colors becomes clear, and the colors that the user can harmonize with can be selected more easily.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of the code image generation process (S300) of the image generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, a code image generation processing screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (S302). On the code image generation processing screen, a character input frame for inputting characters to be encoded, a cell size input frame for inputting the cell size of the two-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code image of the cell size input from the input characters are generated. Code image generation button to perform, black cell coloring button to color black cells in a specified area of a two-dimensional code image, white cell coloring button to color white cells in a specified area of a two-dimensional code image, two-dimensional code image Code image arrangement button that arranges in the specified area, delete button to delete the selected 2D code image, return button to return to the previous state, layer setting button to set the layer context, layer Is provided with a transparency setting slide bar for setting the transparency for semi-transparent synthesis, and an end button for ending the code image generation process. Further, a selection color for coloring a black cell is displayed beside the black cell coloring button, and when this is selected, a black cell coloring palette is displayed, and a color for coloring the black cell can be selected. Similarly, a selection color for coloring a white cell is displayed beside the white cell coloring button, and when this is selected, a white cell coloring palette is displayed, and a color for coloring the white cell can be selected.
FIGS. 10A and 10B show examples of the black cell coloring palette and the white cell coloring palette, respectively. As shown in the figure, the black cell coloring palette and the white cell coloring palette each display a color selection palette for selecting a color and a lightness selection palette for selecting the lightness of the selected color. Select a color using the color selection palette. The selected color is determined by selecting the lightness for the selected color using the lightness selection palette. In addition, in the brightness selection palettes of the black cell coloring palette and the white cell coloring palette, the brightness selection range is displayed as the upper limit brightness and the lower limit brightness. As long as the brightness of the range is selected, the colored two-dimensional code image is usually It can be read correctly as it is. Note that it is possible to select a color other than the brightness selection range specified here, and even in that case, a two-dimensional code can be obtained by correcting the brightness of the two-dimensional code portion of the composite image using the automatic brightness correction process described above. A code reading function can be secured.
Also, the black cell coloring palette and the white cell coloring palette are equipped with an initialization button and an additional color button.When the initialization button is selected, the color selection palette is initialized so that all colors can be selected, and additional colors are added. When the button is selected, a screen for creating a color to be added to the currently displayed color is displayed, and an arbitrary color can be added.

  When the code image generation button is selected on the code image generation processing screen (S304), the characters input in the character input frame are input (S306), and the cell size input in the cell size input frame is input (S308). ), The input characters are two-dimensionally encoded with the input cell size, and a two-dimensional code image is generated in layer 2 (S310). The two-dimensional code image is generated based on the standard of the two-dimensional code to be used. When the generated two-dimensional code image is dragged with a mouse or the like (S312), the image is moved and / or changed in size according to the drag (S314). When the black cell selection color is selected (S316), the black cell coloring palette is displayed (S318), and the color for coloring the black cell is selected from the displayed black cell coloring palette, and the black cell is colored. When the black cell coloring button is selected after setting with the mouse or the like (S320), the black cells in the designated area are colored with the designated selection color (S322). Then, the white cell lower limit lightness is set above a certain level from the highest lightness among the black cell selection colors that have been colored so far (S324). When a white cell selection color is selected (S326), a white cell coloring palette is displayed (S328), and a color for coloring the white cell is selected from the displayed white cell coloring palette, and the white cell is colored. When the white cell coloring button is selected after setting with the mouse or the like (S330), the white cell in the designated area is colored with the designated selection color (S332). Then, the black cell upper limit lightness is set below a certain level from the lowest lightness among the selection colors of the white cells colored so far (S334). Thus, by selecting a color for coloring a black cell from the black cell upper limit lightness or less and selecting a color for coloring the white cell from the white cell lower limit lightness or higher, the colored two-dimensional code image has a certain likelihood. It can be read by holding. When the code image arrangement button is selected (S336), the selected two-dimensional code image is arranged in an area designated by a mouse or the like (S338), and when the delete button is selected (S340), the selection is made. When the return button is selected (S344), the previous state is returned (S346), and when the layer setting button is selected (S348), before and after layer 2 is deleted. When the relationship is changed to the designated state (S350) and the slide bar for transparency setting is dragged (S352), the transparency of layer 2 is changed to the designated transparency (S354), and the end button is selected. (S356), the code image generation process ends.

FIG. 5 shows a process flow of the illustration image generation process (S400) of the image generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, an illustration image generation processing screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (S402). The illustration image generation processing screen includes an illustration reading button for reading a pre-registered illustration image, a graphic button for generating a graphic as an element of the illustration, a character button for generating a character image by inputting characters, a mouse, etc. Brush button for drawing an illustration using, Eraser button for erasing unnecessary part using mouse etc., Delete button for deleting selected image, Back button for returning to the previous state, Layer Are provided with a layer setting button for setting the front and back relationship, a transparency setting slide bar for setting the transparency for semi-transparent composition of the layers, and an end button for ending the code image generation process. Also, an illustration selection color for selecting a color for coloring the illustration is displayed, and by selecting this, an illustration coloring palette is displayed, and a color for coloring the illustration can be selected.
FIG. 10 (3) shows an example of an illustration coloring palette. The illustration coloring palette displays a color selection palette for selecting colors as well as a black cell coloring palette and a white cell coloring palette, and a brightness selection palette for selecting the brightness of the selected colors. Colors can be selected using the color selection palette. The selected color is determined by selecting and selecting the lightness for the selected color using the lightness selection palette. Also, as with the black cell coloring palette and white cell coloring palette, an initialization button and an additional color button are provided, and when the initialization button is selected, the color selection palette is initialized so that all colors can be selected and added. When the color button is selected, a screen for creating a color to be added to the currently displayed color is displayed, and an arbitrary color can be added.

  When an illustration reading button is selected on the illustration image generation processing screen (S4040), an illustration image selected from pre-registered images is read into layer 3 (S406). When the generated illustration image is dragged by a mouse or the like (S408), the image is moved and / or changed in size according to the drag (S410). When an illustration selection color is selected, an illustration coloring palette is displayed (S414), and illustrations and characters are drawn using the selection color selected by the displayed illustration coloring palette. When a graphic button is selected (S416), a graphic selection screen (not shown) is displayed (S418), and the graphic selected on the graphic selection screen is generated with the selected illustration selection color (S420). When the button is selected (S422), a character input screen (not shown) is displayed (S424), and a character image of the input character is generated with an illustration selection color selected with a designated font (S426). When the brush button is selected (S428), drawing is performed with the illustration selection color selected along the locus dragged by the mouse or the like (S430), and when the eraser button is selected (S432), the mouse or the like is used. The illustration image is erased along the dragged locus (S434). When the delete button is selected (S436), the selected two-dimensional code image is deleted (S438), and when the return button is selected (S440), the previous state is restored (S442). When the setting button is selected (S444), the context of layer 3 is changed to the specified state (S446), and when the transparency setting slide bar is dragged (S448), the transparency of layer 3 is specified. When the transparency is changed (S450) and the end button is selected (S452), the illustration image generation process ends.

By programming the above processing and executing it using, for example, a personal computer, the 2D code can be colored to form a pattern without impairing the 2D code reading function. An image generation apparatus including a two-dimensional code image that can be easily combined with any of the image elements can be configured.
In the above embodiment, the target image is read into layer 1 by the image reading process, the two-dimensional code image is generated at layer 2 by the code image generation process, the illustration image is generated at layer 3 by the illustration image generation process, and the menu By combining the images of each layer by processing, it is possible to generate an image including a two-dimensional code by freely combining a target image and an illustration image with a two-dimensional code image. By using it, you can create a 2D code image by coloring the 2D code image. By using menu processing, code image generation processing, and image reading processing, you can design the 2D code image in combination with the target image. By using menu processing, code image generation processing, and illustration image generation processing, Dimension code image can be generated stylized image in combination with the illustration image.
In the above embodiment, the two-dimensional code image, the target image, and the illustration image are formed on separate layers and combined. However, the images may be combined directly on the same screen without using layers. Good. If layers are used for composition, two-dimensional code images, target images, and illustration images can be generated independently, so images can be combined any number of times by changing the layer context and transparency. Can be redone.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 19 show examples in which an image that actually includes a two-dimensional code is generated. In addition, since the gray image is used in the drawings of the present application, the part designed by the synthesis and coloring of the image is not so clearly visible, but the actually generated image is a color image, and depending on the color difference It has been confirmed that illustrations and characters can be clearly seen and that a two-dimensional code can be read.
FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show a two-dimensional code designed as a single unit by directly coloring a two-dimensional code image. FIG. 14 shows characters and illustrations formed in the two-dimensional code by directly coloring the two-dimensional code image. Here, the black cell is colored green, the white cell is colored bright yellow-green, and the upper part is light pink. The lower part is mainly yellowish green in the lower part, and a horizontally long face made of comics. Fig. 15 shows the emblem in the two-dimensional code by directly coloring the two-dimensional code image. Here, the black cells are colored green, the white cells are colored bright light green, and the emblem is formed in red. doing. In these images, since the two-dimensional code can be read by photographing the entire image with a camera of a mobile phone or the like, the utilization rate of the two-dimensional code by the user is improved. These images are formed by directly coloring the two-dimensional code image, but can also be generated by synthesizing the two-dimensional code image and the illustration image.
FIG. 16 draws attention by arranging a two-dimensional code together with the target image in the balloon. The balloon is generated as an illustration image, and the target image is read and arranged inside the balloon. A two-dimensional code image with a pattern that matches the color of the image is arranged inside the balloon, and character images formed in a color that matches the target image are superimposed. In this way, a two-dimensional code image can be used as a design element by adding a pattern in a color that matches the target image. Arranging two-dimensional code images on the screen increases the design impact and increases the possibility that a two-dimensional code will be included in the subject when the user takes a picture with a mobile phone camera or the like. The utilization rate of the two-dimensional code is improved.
FIG. 17 is a two-dimensional code image in which a two-dimensional code is arranged on a human image, a human image is read as a target image, mask processing is performed on a clothing portion, and a pattern is applied to the portion in a color that matches the target image. Is arranged. In this case as well, the two-dimensional code image with the pattern harmonizes as if it were a clothing design and has a strong impact on the user. When the user takes a picture with a mobile phone camera or the like, the two-dimensional code is applied to the subject. The possibility of being included increases, and the utilization rate of the two-dimensional code by the user improves.
FIG. 18 is an example in which a two-dimensional code is included in a landscape image of an amusement park. A landscape photograph is read as a target image, mask processing is performed on the front shore portion, and an illustration image is displayed in a color that matches the target image in that portion. And a two-dimensional code image in which a pattern is formed in a color in harmony with the target image in the sky. Also in this case, since there is a strong impact on the two-dimensional code image portion, there is a high possibility that the two-dimensional code is included in the subject when the user takes a picture with a mobile phone camera or the like, and the user uses the two-dimensional code. The rate is improved.
FIG. 19 shows an example in which a two-dimensional code is included in an advertisement image of a car. A car picture is read as a target image, a background illustration image is formed in a harmonious color, and mask processing is performed on the front window portion of the target image. A two-dimensional code image with a pattern that matches the target image is arranged on the part, and a two-dimensional code image with a pattern that matches the target image is arranged on a part of the background part. It forms a designed road. In this way, by arranging a two-dimensional code image on the front window of a car or forming a road with a two-dimensional code image, the user has a strong impact, and the user has photographed the car with a mobile phone camera or the like. In this case, there is a high possibility that the subject includes a two-dimensional code, and the utilization rate of the two-dimensional code by the user is improved.
In addition, it is also possible to form a character using a colored two-dimensional code image. When a user takes a character image with a mobile phone camera or the like, the subject necessarily includes a two-dimensional code. As a result, the utilization rate of the two-dimensional code by the user is greatly improved.

In the above embodiment, the case where an image including a two-dimensional code is generated on a printed matter has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a two-dimensional code using a light emitter such as a computer screen. The present invention can also be applied when displaying an image.
Therefore, in this specification and the claims, the brightness is a concept including brightness indicating the brightness of the light emitter in addition to the narrow brightness indicating the brightness of the reflected light.
Here, when generating an image including a two-dimensional code on a printed matter, for example, the lightness Y of the YIQ color system can be used as the lightness of the present invention, and an image including the two-dimensional code is displayed on a computer screen or the like. For example, the luminance Y of the RGB color system can be used as the brightness of the present invention.
In general, an RGB color system is used in computer image processing, and colors are designated by designating red, green, and blue levels (R, G, B), but a printed image is displayed on a computer screen. In the case where the color is set to produce a color equivalent to the displayed image (so-called DTP; Desk Top Publishing), the brightness Y of the YIQ color system and the luminance Y of the RGB color system are both approximate. Therefore, the allowable range of lightness in the selected color may be determined by using the following conversion formula.
Y = 0.30R + 0.59G + 0.11B

  In addition, when the device that reads the two-dimensional code of the image generated by the method of the present invention reads the two-dimensional code using a specific wavelength region including infrared rays, the specific wavelength is used as the brightness. It is desirable to correspond to the brightness of the reflected light in the region and the brightness of the light emitter, so that the lightness corresponding to the specific wavelength region is obtained and the color range that can be colored is set based on the lightness. Good.

In the above embodiment, in the brightness correction process, a brightness histogram of the synthesized image is obtained, a threshold value for reading the two-dimensional code is determined, and based on this, the allowable brightness of the white cell and the black cell is set and the brightness is set. Although the present invention has been described as correcting, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lightness is corrected so as to obtain an appropriate likelihood corresponding to the recognition algorithm used in the two-dimensional code reader. You may do it. In the lightness correction process, it is not always necessary to perform lightness correction for all cells, and lightness correction may be performed only in a necessary range in consideration of an error correction function and the like possessed by the two-dimensional code reader.
Further, in the above embodiment, in the code reading check, it is assumed that the synthesized image is binarized to generate a binary image, and the generated binary image is compared with the original two-dimensional code image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the code reading check is performed by reading the two-dimensional code from the synthesized image based on the recognition algorithm used in the two-dimensional code reader. May be.

As described above, according to the present invention, a two-dimensional code can be easily colored to form letters, numbers, logo marks, patterns, etc., and an image including the generated two-dimensional code can be displayed on a television screen or a personal computer. By displaying on a light-emitting body such as a screen or printing on a print medium such as paper, it is possible to obtain an excellent advertising effect and information providing effect that could not be obtained by conventional monochrome display alone.
In particular, TVs are also becoming more digitalized, and it is thought that the use of mobile radio terminals such as mobile phones will lead to further bi-directionality. Even when it is crowded and difficult to connect, information can be entered and exchanged with simple operations from the homepage, making it possible to build an information site that is easy and convenient for children and the elderly, and that can be used in emergencies.
In this case, by coloring the two-dimensional code, for example, even when a plurality of two-dimensional codes are displayed on one screen during the broadcast of a television advertisement, each can be easily distinguished, so that necessary information is incorrect. It can be obtained and exchanged without any problem, and a large amount of information can be transmitted in a short time, and further detailed product descriptions and guidance can be displayed on a mobile phone or the like outside the commercial hours.
The invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope described in each claim, the order of the configurations described in the embodiments is changed, a new configuration is added, or some of the configurations are added. It goes without saying that various modifications such as deleting or changing the configuration can be made.

It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the menu process of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the image reading process of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the code image generation process of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the illustration image generation process of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the menu process screen of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image reading process screen of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the code image generation process screen of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the illustration image generation process screen of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the palette display screen of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the processing content of the brightness correction process of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the color harmony matrix used for the color selection process of the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the image containing the conventional two-dimensional code. It is an image which shows the image generation example (the 1) by the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is an image generation example (the 2) by the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is an image generation example (the 3) by the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is an image generation example (the 4) by the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is an image generation example (the 5) by the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is an image generation example (the 6) by the image generation process concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

S10 to S18 Image reading processing S20 to S38 Code image generation processing S40 Illustration image generation processing S42 and S44 Image composition processing S46 Code reading confirmation processing S48 Lightness correction processing

Claims (8)

A character input step for inputting characters to be two-dimensionally encoded, a code image generation step for generating a two-dimensional code image from the characters input in the character input step, and a two-dimensional code image generated by the code image generation step A method of generating an image including a two-dimensional code comprising:
The code image coloring step includes a black cell coloring palette display step for displaying a black cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the black cells of the two-dimensional code image, and black cells in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image A black cell coloring step for coloring a color selected from the displayed black cell coloring palette, a white cell coloring palette display step for displaying a white cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring a white cell of the two-dimensional code image, and A white cell coloring step of coloring a white cell in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image into a color selected from the displayed white cell coloring palette;
A white cell coloring selection range setting step for setting, in the white cell coloring palette, a range selectable as a color for coloring a white cell from a color in which black cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are colored; A two-dimensional code comprising: a black cell coloring selection range setting step for setting, in the black cell coloring palette, a range that can be selected as a color for coloring a black cell from a color in which white cells of the code image are colored An image generation method including: A composite image generation step for generating a composite image to be combined with a two-dimensional code image, a character input step for inputting characters to be two-dimensionally encoded, and a two-dimensional code from the characters input in the character input step A code image generation step of generating an image and arranging the image at a specified position at a specified size; a code image coloring step of coloring the two-dimensional code image generated by the code image generation step; and the synthesized image An image generation method including a two-dimensional code, comprising: a combined image generated by a generation step; and an image combination step of combining the two-dimensional code image colored by the code image coloring step.
The code image coloring step includes a black cell coloring palette display step for displaying a black cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the black cells of the two-dimensional code image, and black cells in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image A black cell coloring step for coloring a color selected from the displayed black cell coloring palette, a white cell coloring palette display step for displaying a white cell coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring a white cell of the two-dimensional code image, and A white cell coloring step of coloring a white cell in a specified area of the two-dimensional code image into a color selected from the displayed white cell coloring palette;
A white cell coloring selection range setting step for setting, in the white cell coloring palette, a range selectable as a color for coloring a white cell from a color in which black cells of the generated two-dimensional code image are colored; A two-dimensional code comprising: a black cell coloring selection range setting step for setting, in the black cell coloring palette, a range that can be selected as a color for coloring a black cell from a color in which white cells of the code image are colored An image generation method including: A composite image generation step for generating a composite image to be combined with a two-dimensional code image, a character input step for inputting characters to be two-dimensionally encoded, and a two-dimensional code from the characters input in the character input step A code image generation step of generating an image and arranging it at a specified position at a specified size; a composite image generated by the composite image generation step; and a two-dimensional code generated by the code image generation step An image generation method including a two-dimensional code comprising an image synthesis step for synthesizing an image,
The image combining step includes a lightness histogram for the combined image and an allowable lightness calculating step for determining a lower limit lightness allowed as a white cell and an upper lightness allowed as a black cell, and is included in the combined image In the two-dimensional code image, the brightness of a white cell that is less than the lower limit brightness calculated in the allowable brightness calculation step is corrected to be equal to or higher than the lower limit brightness, and the black cell exceeding the upper limit brightness calculated in the allowable brightness calculation step A brightness correction step of correcting the brightness to be equal to or less than the upper limit brightness, and an image generation method including a two-dimensional code. A composite image generation step for generating a composite image to be combined with a two-dimensional code image, a character input step for inputting characters to be two-dimensionally encoded, and a two-dimensional code from the characters input in the character input step A code image generation step of generating an image and arranging it at a specified position at a specified size; a composite image generated by the composite image generation step; and a two-dimensional code generated by the code image generation step An image generation method including a two-dimensional code comprising an image synthesis step for synthesizing an image,
The image composition step includes a binary image generation step of generating a binary image obtained by performing binarization processing on the combined image, and the code image generation of the binary image generated by the binary image generation step. A two-dimensional code portion extracted by the code reading confirmation step of extracting the two-dimensional code portion in which an error is generated by comparing with the two-dimensional code image generated by the step; and the code reading confirmation step of the synthesized image And a lightness correction step for correcting the lightness of the image. A method for generating an image including a two-dimensional code. The synthesized image generation step includes an illustration image generation step of generating an illustration image,
The illustration image generation step includes an illustration coloring palette display step for displaying an illustration coloring palette for selecting a color for coloring the illustration, and the step of inputting characters to be displayed and the input character are selected from the illustration coloring palette. A character image generation step including a step of arranging a specified size at a specified position using a specified color, a step of selecting a pre-registered illustration, and the selected illustration from the illustration coloring palette At least a step of creating an illustration using a color selected from the illustration coloring palette, and a step of drawing an illustration using the color selected from the illustration coloring palette. Any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that Image generation method including a two-dimensional code of any one of claim 4. The synthesized image generation step includes an image reading step for reading an image, a color extraction step for extracting a color of the image read by the image reading step, and a harmonized color for selecting a color that matches the extracted color. A selection step,
The two-dimensional code according to claim 2, wherein the black cell coloring palette display step and / or the white cell coloring palette display step includes a step of displaying the color selected in the harmonic color setting step. An image generation method including: The synthesized image generation step includes an image reading step for reading an image, a color extraction step for extracting a color of the image read by the image reading step, and a harmonized color for selecting a color that matches the extracted color. A selection step,
6. The method of generating an image including a two-dimensional code according to claim 5, wherein the illustration coloring palette display step includes a step of displaying the color selected in the harmonic color setting step.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image generation method including the two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 7.