JP2006079285A - Bar code preparation device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always provide a bar code of a necessary and sufficient size according to given reading conditions, and to prepare a bar code suitable especially for use in recording process of an opinion summarization process. <P>SOLUTION: A parameter expressing the reading conditions of cards 21 to 2i with bar codes are fetched through an input interface 15. Then, the size m of a cell satisfying necessary and sufficient conditions for recognizing a two-dimensional bar code 21B from imaged picture data is calculated based on the fetched parameter, and the calculated cell size m is stored in a data memory 13, and the print data of the two-dimensional bar code 21B are generated based on the calculated cell size m, and the print data of the generated two-dimensional bar code 21B are supplied from an output I/F 16 to an output device 16a and printed to the cards 21 to 2i. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a program for creating a barcode to be displayed on an opinion card used in a system that supports, for example, a meeting or workshop that employs the opinion aggregation method.

  The KJ method is known as one of the opinion gathering methods used in meetings and workshops. The KJ method writes ideas and opinions from brainstorming, etc., and miscellaneous information collected from various survey sites one by one on a small card (out of paper), and those with similar contents from each other In the work of collecting and grouping, we try to generate hints and inspirations that help solve the theme.

  The basic procedure of the KJ method is shown below. First, participants write data such as ideas and collected information on a small card one by one. Next, the created cards are arranged on a desk or the like, and a group is created by collecting cards whose contents written on the cards are similar. In addition, a nameplate summarizing the contents is attached to each created group. In the card group organization, first, a small group is created, then a small group is created as a middle group, and then a middle group is created as a large group. When the KJ method is used in this way, it is possible to collect various opinions while repeating the group organization of cards and derive hints useful for solving the theme (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1 or Non-Patent Document 2). .)

  By the way, recently, in meetings and workshops using the KJ method, an attempt has been made to record the process of collecting opinions and to reuse the recorded information for a virtual meeting or the like later. As a process recording method, for example, a video camera is used to capture an image of a card grouping process, and a movement history of each card is detected and recorded from the captured image data. At that time, a barcode for identifying the card is printed on each card, and the movement history of each card is detected by performing image processing on the captured image data and recognizing the barcode. I have to. As the barcode, a general-purpose one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code having information in the horizontal and vertical directions is used (for the technology of the barcode itself, for example, Non-Patent Document 3 or (See Non-Patent Document 4).

Employment and Ability Development Organization Lifelong Vocational Ability Development Promotion Center, “KJ Law”, [online], “Ability Garden (Lifelong Vocational Ability Development Promotion Center / Homepage)”, [searched on August 31, 2004], Internet <URL: http://nokai.ab-garden.ehdo.go.jp/giho/43.html>

Jiro Kawakita, “KJ Method-Let's Talk”, Chuo Koronsha, 1986, p. 121-169

Keyence Co., Ltd., “Barcode Hotline”, [online], “Basic knowledge of barcodes-How barcodes work” [searched on August 31, 2004], Internet <URL: http: //www.keyence. co.jp/barcode/basic/chishiki1.html>

Keyence Co., Ltd., “Barcode Hotline”, [online], “Basic knowledge of 2D barcodes”, [searched on August 31, 2004], Internet <URL: http://www.keyence.co. jp / barcode / 2jigenbasic / index.html>

  However, when recording the process of collecting opinions, the video camera captures an area of the desk or the entire wall on which cards are distributed. For this reason, depending on the given reading conditions such as the size of the area to be imaged, the resolution of the video camera, and the resolution in image processing, the barcode printed on the card cannot be correctly recognized from the captured image data. The card movement history may not be recorded accurately.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to always provide a bar code of a necessary and sufficient size according to a given reading condition, especially in the recording process of the opinion gathering process. An object of the present invention is to provide a barcode generation apparatus and a program suitable for use.

In order to achieve the above object, a barcode creating apparatus and a program according to the present invention image a medium on which a barcode composed of a collection of cells is displayed under a reading condition given in advance by an imaging device. In the barcode creation device used in the system for recognizing the barcode by performing image processing on the image data of the medium,
The size of a cell that satisfies the necessary and sufficient conditions for recognizing a barcode from the image data is calculated based on the read condition read from the outside, and represents the calculated cell size. The information is output for creating the barcode.

  Therefore, a bar code in which the cell size is set to a necessary and sufficient size according to a given reading condition is created. For this reason, when this barcode is applied to, for example, the recording process of the opinion aggregation process, it is possible to simultaneously and accurately recognize as many cards with barcodes as possible in the imaging target area.

The present invention is also characterized by having the following various configurations.
In the first configuration, the cell size calculation means is based on the read-in reading condition when the bar code is constituted by a two-dimensional bar code in which a plurality of cells having a square shape are arranged in a two-dimensional direction. In addition, the length of the side of the cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data is calculated.
When configured in this way, a stack type two-dimensional bar code obtained by stacking one-dimensional bar codes or a matrix type two-dimensional bar code such as a QR code is adopted, and the cell size is set according to given reading conditions. A two-dimensional barcode set to a necessary and sufficient size can be created.

In a second configuration, when the bar code is configured by a one-dimensional bar code in which a plurality of types of linear cells having different widths are arranged in a one-dimensional direction, the cell size calculation unit can read the read conditions Based on the above, the width of the linear cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data is calculated.
With this configuration, for example, even when a one-dimensional barcode in which linear cells such as JAN codes are arranged in a one-dimensional direction is adopted, the width of the linear cells is necessary and sufficient according to given reading conditions. A one-dimensional barcode set to a size can be created.

According to a third configuration, the reading condition includes a vertical length H and a horizontal length W of an imaging target area including a medium on which a barcode is displayed, and vertical pixels of an image frame obtained by the imaging device. In the cell size calculation means, the barcode is recognized from the image data when defined by the number PH and the horizontal pixel number PW and the minimum pixel number Pm necessary for recognizing the cell by the image processing. The cell size m that satisfies the necessary and sufficient conditions above,
m = Pm ・ W / PW
Or m = Pm.H / PH
The calculation is performed using at least one of the operations.

  As a result, the barcode generating apparatus can calculate the minimum cell size that can be accurately recognized based on each read condition. In addition, a value calculated based on the horizontal direction can be applied to the width dimension of the cell having the smallest width dimension among the linear cells of the one-dimensional barcode.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to always provide a bar code having a necessary and sufficient size according to a given reading condition, and particularly to provide a bar code creating apparatus and a program suitable for use in a recording process of an opinion gathering process. it can.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a conference support system to which a barcode creating apparatus according to the present invention is applied. This system includes a server device SV, a board imaging device VI, a card imaging device CA, a communication network NW, and user terminals PC1 to PCn. The server device SV has a function as a conference information management device. The server device SV has a function of taking in video data captured by the board imaging device VI via a cable and image data captured by the card imaging device CA. And a function of capturing via a cable.

  The user terminals PC1 to PCn are configured by a personal computer and include a display device and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The user terminals PC1 to PCn are connected to the server device SV via a communication network NW constituted by the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. These user terminals PC1 to PCn communicate with the server device SV via the communication network NW, and are used by a user who is a conference viewer to browse conference information distributed in a virtual place.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how conference information is recorded in the system shown in FIG. In the figure, a board 1 is provided on a desk or a wall, and an opinion gathering process by the KJ method or the like is executed on the board 1. In this process, for example, cards 21 to 2i on which opinions are entered are placed on the board 1, and the participants move the cards 21 to 2i on the board 1 to form groups of people with similar written opinions. This is done by creating. The board 1 may be a commercially available white board, imitation paper, or the like, or may use the wall or desk of the venue as it is.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cards 21 to 2i include an opinion entry area 21A and a card identification area. The opinion entry area 21A is an area where conference participants write their opinions using a pen or the like. A two-dimensional barcode 21B is displayed in the card identification area. The two-dimensional barcode 21B includes individual identification information (hereinafter referred to as a card ID) unique to each card and is written in advance on the card. The cards 21 to 2i are not limited in shape and material as long as an opinion can be entered using a writing instrument such as a pen. For example, commercially available sticky notes with an adhesive can be used.

  The board imaging device VI is composed of, for example, a video camera capable of capturing moving images, and images the entire board 1 on which opinions are aggregated over time. Then, the board video data and digital audio data obtained by this imaging are input to the server device SV connected via, for example, a DV cable.

  The card imaging device CA is constituted by a digital still camera, for example, and images the opinion entry area 21A and the card identification area of the cards 21 to 2i one by one. Then, the card image data obtained by this imaging is input to the server device SV connected via, for example, a USB cable.

  The server device SV reads the input board video data and card image data, and decodes the two-dimensional barcode 21B displayed in the card identification area by image recognition. Then, the card IDs included in the board video data and the card image data are compared, and if they match, the position of the card on the board video data is detected. Then, the detected position information of the card is stored in the memory included in the server device SV as movement history information. The conference information data is reconstructed from the card movement history information and the card image data stored in this manner and distributed to the user terminals PC1 to PCn.

  Incidentally, the two-dimensional barcode 21B displayed in the card identification area of the card 21 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of a set of cells C11 to Cij as shown in FIG. The cells C11 to Cij are elements of a minimum unit constituting a code, and are constituted by, for example, a square. Each of the cells C11 to Cij has a 1-bit information amount by being displayed in white or black. The two-dimensional barcode 21B is configured by two-dimensionally arranging these cells C11 to Cij at arbitrary positions, and represents information as the two-dimensional barcode 21B by a combination of information indicated by the respective cells C11 to Cij. Yes.

The two-dimensional barcode 21B is created as follows. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the barcode creating apparatus 3 for creating the two-dimensional barcode 21B.
That is, the barcode creating apparatus 3 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11 such as a microprocessor. A data memory 13 and a program memory 14 are connected to the CPU 11 via a bus 12, and an input interface (input I / F) 15 and an output interface (output I / F) 16 are further connected. An input device 15a such as a keyboard or a mouse is connected to the input I / F 15 and has a function of capturing information input from the user. The output I / F 16 is connected to an output device 16a such as a display device or a printer.

The data memory 13 uses, for example, a RAM or a hard disk as a storage medium. The data memory 13 stores parameters input via the input I / F 15 and calculated results.
The program memory 14 stores a parameter input program 14a, a cell size calculation program 14b, and a code output program 14c as control programs according to the present invention.
The parameter input program 14 a has a function of capturing various parameters representing the reading conditions input by the operator in the input device 15 a and storing them in the data memory 13. The cell size calculation program 14b calculates the cell size of the two-dimensional barcode 21B according to the parameters read from the data memory 13, and stores the calculated result in the data memory 13. The code output program 14c reads the calculated result from the data memory 13 and outputs it to the output device 16a.

The operation of the barcode creating apparatus 3 configured as described above will be described.
First, the CPU 11 of the barcode creation device 3 executes the parameter input program 14a, and takes in parameters representing the reading conditions input by the operator using the input device 15a such as a keyboard via the input I / F 15. Then, the fetched parameters are stored in the data memory 13.

  Here, the reading conditions are configured by the following parameters. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are diagrams for explaining this parameter. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the two-dimensional barcode 21B on the board 1 that is the imaging target region, and FIG. 8 is a diagram in the captured frame image. It is a figure which shows the image data of the said two-dimensional barcode 21B.

  That is, the parameters representing the reading conditions are the length (board height) H in the vertical direction of the board 1, the length (board width) W in the horizontal direction of the board 1, and the number of pixels PH in the vertical direction of the frame image P1. The horizontal pixel number PW of the frame image P1 and the minimum pixel number Pm necessary for recognizing the cells C11 to Cij by image processing. Each maximum value of the number of pixels in the vertical direction PH of the frame image and the number of pixels in the horizontal direction PW of the frame image P1 corresponds to the resolution of the board imaging device VI.

  The parameters of the reading conditions may be read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or downloaded from a server device via a communication network in addition to being input by the operator through a key input operation.

Next, the CPU 11 of the barcode generating apparatus 3 executes a cell size m calculation process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the calculation processing procedure and processing contents.
The CPU 11 of the barcode generating device 3 first reads out the parameter read in advance from the data memory 13 in step S6a. Subsequently, in step S6b, it is determined whether there is a restriction on the length H in the vertical direction or a restriction on the length W in the horizontal direction in the imaging target range. As a result of this determination, if there is a restriction on the length W in the horizontal direction, the process proceeds to step S6c and the arithmetic processing shown in (A) below is executed.

(A) Calculation of cell size m based on length W in the horizontal direction
When the board 1 to be photographed has a lateral restriction, the ratio of the length of m to W and the ratio of the number of pixels of Pm to PW are equal.
W: m = PW: Pm
It becomes. Therefore, the actual cell size m is
m = Pm ・ W / PW
Is calculated by

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6b that there is a restriction on the length H in the vertical direction, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S6d and executes the arithmetic processing shown in (B) below.
(B) Calculation of cell size m based on vertical direction H
When there is a restriction in the vertical direction on the board 1 to be photographed, the ratio of the length of m to H is equal to the ratio of the number of pixels of Pm to PH.
H: m = PH: Pm
It becomes. Therefore, the actual cell size m is
m = Pm ・ H / PH
Is calculated by

For example, suppose that the board height H is 3 [meter], the board width W is 4 [meter], the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the image frame PH is 1200 [pixel], and the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the image frame is PW. Assume that 1600 [pixel] and the minimum recognizable pixel number Pm is 3 [pixel]. Under this condition, when the cell size m is calculated based on the lateral direction W in (A) above,
m = 3.4 / 1600 = 0.0075 [meter] = 7.5 [millimeter]
It becomes.

On the other hand, when the cell size m is calculated based on the vertical direction H in (B) above,
m = 3.3.1200 = 0.0075 [meter] = 7.5 [millimeter]
It becomes. Thus, the optimum cell size m is calculated based on the horizontal direction W or the vertical direction H, respectively.

When the arithmetic processing is completed, the CPU 11 of the barcode creating device 3 stores the value of the cell size m calculated in the step S6c or step S6d in the data memory 13 in step S6e.
Finally, the CPU 11 of the barcode creating apparatus 3 executes the code output program 14b and generates print data of the two-dimensional barcode 21B whose size is set based on the calculated cell size m. The generated print data is supplied to the output device 16a via the output I / F 16. The output device 16a is composed of a printer, for example, and prints a two-dimensional barcode 21B on each of the cards 21 to 2i in accordance with the supplied print data.
The two-dimensional barcode 21B may be printed on, for example, a sticker and this sticker may be attached to the cards 21 to 2i.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in the barcode creating apparatus 3, parameters representing the reading conditions of the barcode-added cards 21 to 2 i are taken in via the input interface 15. Based on the captured parameters, a cell size m that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing the two-dimensional barcode 21B is calculated from the captured image data, and the calculated cell size m is used as data. The print data of the two-dimensional barcode 21B is generated based on the calculated cell size m, and the generated print data of the two-dimensional barcode 21B is output from the output I / F 16 to the output device. 16a to be printed on the cards 21 to 2i.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode 21B is created in which the cell size is set to a necessary and sufficient size according to the given reading conditions. Therefore, when the cards 21 to 2i on which the two-dimensional barcode 21B is printed are applied to the recording process of the opinion aggregation process, as many barcoded cards 21 to 2i as possible can be recognized simultaneously and accurately in the imaging target area. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, the space of the two-dimensional barcode 21B can be saved, and more cards can be arranged on the limited board 1. Further, since the area occupied by the two-dimensional barcode 21B in the cards 21 to 2i can be reduced, the card entry area 21A is relatively increased, and the participants can easily write their opinions.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, it can apply also in preparation of a one-dimensional barcode other than the two-dimensional barcode 21B. That is, the one-dimensional barcode is a one-dimensional direction in which a plurality of types of linear cells having different widths are arranged in a one-dimensional direction. Accordingly, the width dimension of the cell having the smallest width dimension among the plurality of types of linear cells is calculated based on the reading condition, and one-dimensional barcode print data is generated according to the calculated dimension. Print on 21-2i. In this way, it is possible to record the opinion aggregation process using a one-dimensional barcode having a necessary and sufficient size according to the reading conditions.

Further, the server device SV may be configured to have a code creation function in the barcode creation device 3. In this case, since a new barcode creation device 3 is not required, it can be realized at low cost simply by installing a program group having a code creation function.
Further, items such as parameters stored in the data memory, processing procedures and processing contents of the parameter input program 14a, the cell size calculation program 14b, and the code output program 14b stored in the program memory 13 are within the scope of the present invention. Various modifications can be made.

  The barcode of the present invention includes a striped one-dimensional barcode in which linear cells are arranged in a one-dimensional direction and a two-dimensional barcode in which square cells are arranged in two dimensions. More specifically, JAN code, QR code, DataMatrix, RDF417, MaxiCode, VeriCode, etc. are included. Furthermore, the shape of the cell may be a rectangle, a polygon, or a circle other than a square.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the meeting assistance system with which the barcode preparation apparatus concerning this invention is applied. The figure which shows the mode of the recording of the meeting information in the system shown in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the card | curd shown in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the barcode production apparatus which produces the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the calculation process procedure of the cell size by the barcode production apparatus shown in FIG. 5, and its processing content. The figure which shows a part of two-dimensional barcode in an imaging target. The figure which shows the two-dimensional barcode in the imaged image data.

Explanation of symbols

  SV ... server device, VI ... board imaging device, CA ... card imaging device, communication network ... NW, PC1-PCn ... user terminal, 1 ... board, 21-2i ... card, 21A ... entry area, 21B ... two-dimensional barcode C11 to Cij ... cell, 3 ... barcode creation device, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... bus, 13 ... data memory, 14 ... program memory, 14a ... parameter input program, 14b ... cell size calculation program, 14c ... code output program 15 ... Input I / F, 15a ... Input device, 16 ... Output I / F, 16a ... Output device, H ... Board height, W ... Board width, m ... Cell size, P1 ... Board image, PH ... Vertical Number of pixels, PW ... Number of pixels in the horizontal direction, Pm ... Minimum number of pixels.

Claims (8)

A medium on which a barcode composed of a collection of cells is displayed is imaged under a reading condition given in advance by an imaging device, and image processing is performed on the image data of the imaged medium to recognize the barcode. A barcode generation device used in the system to
Means for capturing the reading conditions from the outside;
Cell size calculation means for calculating a size of a cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data based on the captured reading condition;
And a means for outputting the cell size calculated by the cell size calculating means. When the barcode is composed of a two-dimensional barcode in which a plurality of rectangular cells are arranged in a two-dimensional direction,
The cell size calculation means calculates a side length of the cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data based on the read reading condition. The barcode generating apparatus according to claim 1. When the barcode is constituted by a one-dimensional barcode in which a plurality of types of linear cells having different widths are arranged in a one-dimensional direction,
The cell size calculation means calculates a width of the linear cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data based on the read reading condition. Item 2. The barcode creation device according to Item 1. The reading conditions include a vertical length H and a horizontal length W of an imaging target area including a medium on which the barcode is displayed, a vertical pixel number PH and a horizontal direction of an image frame obtained by the imaging device. Defined by the number of pixels PW and the minimum number of pixels Pm necessary for recognizing a cell by the image processing,
The cell size calculation means calculates a cell size m that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data.
m = Pm ・ W / PW
Or m = Pm.H / PH
The bar code creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bar code creating apparatus is calculated using at least one of the operations. A medium on which a barcode composed of a collection of cells is displayed is imaged under a reading condition given in advance by an imaging device, and image processing is performed on the image data of the imaged medium to recognize the barcode. A computer program for a barcode generation device having an input interface and an output interface used in a system,
Processing for reading the reading conditions from the outside by the input interface;
A process of calculating a size of a cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data based on the captured reading condition;
A program of a barcode creating apparatus that causes the computer to execute a process of outputting the calculated cell size to the outside through the output interface. When the barcode is composed of a two-dimensional barcode in which a plurality of rectangular cells are arranged in a two-dimensional direction,
The process of calculating the cell size calculates a length of a side of the cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data based on the read reading condition. A program for a barcode creating apparatus according to claim 5. When the barcode is constituted by a one-dimensional barcode in which a plurality of types of linear cells having different widths are arranged in a one-dimensional direction,
The process of calculating the cell size is characterized in that the width of the linear cell that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data is calculated based on the captured reading condition. A program for a barcode creating apparatus according to claim 5. The reading conditions include a vertical length H and a horizontal length W of an imaging target area including a medium on which the barcode is displayed, a vertical pixel number PH and a horizontal direction of an image frame obtained by the imaging device. Defined by the number of pixels PW and the minimum number of pixels Pm necessary for recognizing a cell by the image processing,
In the process of calculating the cell size, a cell size m that satisfies a necessary and sufficient condition for recognizing a barcode from the image data is calculated.
m = Pm.H / PH or m = Pm.W / PW
6. The bar code creation apparatus program according to claim 5, wherein the calculation is performed using at least one of the operations.

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