JP2006190110A - Information reader, information printer, and information transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print on a transfer medium information which both humans and information devices can read reliably and accurately and to reliably and accurately read the information printed on the transfer medium. <P>SOLUTION: A sending personal computer 1 prints the characters 13 of a text 10 on the transfer medium 4 via a printer 3 using either ink or a printing technique that greatly affects human vision. Also, the picture 12 of a two-dimensionally coded image 11 obtained by coding the text 10 and subjecting it to image conversion is printed on the characters 13 or in an area containing the characters, using ink or a printing technique that affects human vision little. A receiving personal computer 6 reads only the picture 12 of the two-dimensionally coded image from the transfer medium 4 using a scanner 5 and restores the text 10 from the picture 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus that reads information printed on, for example, paper or a medium similar to paper, an information printing apparatus that prints information on the paper or a medium similar to paper, and the information printing apparatus and the information reading apparatus. It is related with the information transmission system provided with.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, information devices such as personal computers often cannot accurately read, for example, characters printed on paper or the like, that is, characters normally read and written by humans. In an information transmission system for exchanging information such as characters between information devices by using the same medium), for example, as shown in FIG. 19, each information device is easy to handle and Information transmission is performed using code words of a predetermined format that are easy to read from a transmission medium.

  In the information transmission system shown in FIG. 19, the personal computer 101, which is an example of information equipment on the information sender side, already has, for example, “A”, “B”, It is assumed that the text “C” 110 is input or edited using a keyboard or the like.

  In the information transmission system shown in FIG. 19, the information of the texts “A”, “B”, and “C” is transmitted to another information device (in this example, the personal computer 106) via a transmission medium. First, as a first step, the personal computer 101 on the sender side is a predetermined process in which the text 110 of “A”, “B”, and “C” is easily read and handled by the personal computer 106 on the receiver side from the transmission medium. Encode to format information. Here, as the type of code, for example, a code corresponding to binary information such as a so-called QR (Quick Response) code can be used. In the example of FIG. 19, information obtained by encoding the texts “A”, “B”, and “C” in the personal computer 101 on the sender side (hereinafter referred to as a two-dimensional encoded image 111). The two-dimensional encoded image 111 is displayed on the display 102 together with the text 110.

  Next, as a second step, the personal computer 101 on the sender side sends the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 111 to the printer 103, for example, so that the two-dimensional encoded image 111 is transmitted from, for example, paper. 104 is printed. As a result, an image 112 of the two-dimensional encoded image 111 (hereinafter referred to as a two-dimensional encoded image image 112) is formed on the transmission medium 104. Note that the two-dimensional encoded image 112 at this time is a visualized image that can be seen by the human eye.

  Next, the transmission medium 104 on which the two-dimensional encoded image 112 is printed is transferred to the personal computer 106 on the receiver side through the user, for example. Note that the transmission of the two-dimensional encoded image image 112 from the sender side to the receiving side is not only transmission by printed matter by the printer 103 but also transmission by printed matter used for publications, etc., or via a telephone line by facsimile. Alternatively, the image may be transmitted or the image may be transmitted by copying.

  Next, as a third step, the personal computer 106 on the receiver side reads the two-dimensional encoded image image 112 formed on the transmission medium 104 using, for example, the scanner 105. The reading of the two-dimensional encoded image 112 may be performed by a digital camera or the like.

  Then, as a fourth step, the personal computer 106 on the receiver side decodes the two-dimensional encoded image 111 read from the two-dimensional encoded image image 112 by the scanner 105, whereby the above "A", "B" , “C” text 110 information is restored. In the example of FIG. 19, the restored text 110 of “A”, “B”, and “C” is displayed on the display 107 in the personal computer 106 on the receiver side.

  FIG. 20 shows a schematic block configuration of the information device on the sender side that constitutes an information transmission system for exchanging information such as characters using the transmission medium 104 as in the example of FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 20, the functions of the character and layout information storage unit 120, the character information encoding unit 122, and the real print image conversion unit 123 are executed by the personal computer 101 of FIG. The function is realized by the printer 103 in FIG.

  20, in the character and layout information storage unit 120, as shown in FIG. 19, the character information input and edited in the personal computer 101 on the sender side and displayed on the display 102 and the arrangement of the characters are displayed. Is stored. It is assumed that the character information includes font information and decoration information in addition to text information. The character information read from the character and layout information storage unit 120 is sent to the character information encoding unit 122.

  The character information encoding unit 122 generates information of the two-dimensional encoded image 111 as shown in FIG. 19 by encoding the character information. Information of the two-dimensional encoded image 111 is sent to the real print image conversion unit 121.

  The real print image conversion unit 121 generates a two-dimensional encoded image image 121 to be printed on the transmission medium 104 based on the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 111. In addition, layout information corresponding to the character information encoded by the character information encoding unit 122 is supplied from the character and layout information storage unit 120 to the real print image conversion unit 121. The real print image conversion unit 121 sends information on a real print image in which the two-dimensional encoded image image 121 is arranged based on the layout information to the real print unit 123.

  The real print unit 123 prints a real print image including the two-dimensional encoded image image 121 on the transmission medium 104 based on the layout information.

  FIG. 21 shows a schematic block configuration of a receiver-side information device that reads a real print image printed on the transmission medium 104 and restores character information. In the configuration of FIG. 21, the functions of the real scanner unit 131 are realized by the scanner 105 of FIG. 19, and the functions of the code reading unit 132, the code decoding unit 133, and the character and layout information storage unit 134 are as shown in FIG. This is executed by the personal computer 106.

  In FIG. 21, the real scanner unit 131 reads a real print image from the transmission medium 104 and sends information about the real print image to the code reading unit 132.

  The code reading unit 132 reads the two-dimensional encoded image 111 and its layout information from the real print image information, and sends the information to the code decoding unit 133.

  The code decoding unit 133 decodes character information from the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 111. The character information is sent to the character and layout information storage unit 134 together with the layout information.

  The character and layout information storage unit 134 stores the character information and layout information.

  In addition, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-256775 (Patent Document 1), a character code image pattern for expressing a character code of a predetermined format corresponding to a character is generated and one character is used. A special pictogram generation device for generating a special pictogram corresponding to the character code by combining the character code image pattern and the basic image pattern, and a printed special pictogram The image including the image is taken in, the special pictograms in the image are specified one by one based on the basic image pattern, and then the character code corresponding to the special pictogram is recognized based on the character code image pattern of the specified special pictogram. An information transmission system having a special pictogram recognition device is disclosed.

JP-A-7-131372 (FIGS. 11 and 24)

  By the way, in the above-described conventional information transmission system, the two-dimensional encoded image 112 printed on the transmission medium 104 is an image of a code word that is read by an information device. I can't read what is written.

  On the other hand, when only human-readable characters are printed on the transmission medium 104, the information device can accurately reproduce the content of the printed information because of the low character recognition rate of the information device. Therefore, accurate information transmission between information devices becomes difficult.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and is an information reading device that can reliably and accurately read information printed on a transmission medium, and both humans and information devices can reliably and accurately read the information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information printing apparatus that prints information that can be read on a transmission medium, and an information transmission system including the information printing apparatus and the information reading apparatus.

  The information reading apparatus of the present invention is converted from at least code information representing a predetermined object onto a predetermined object printed by ink or a printing method having a large influence on human vision or a predetermined area including the object. The graphic code of a predetermined format has a little influence on human vision, or the graphic code reading means for reading the graphic code from the transmission medium printed by ink or the printing method, and the graphic code read from the transmission medium is coded. By having code conversion means for converting information and code information storage means for storing code information converted from the graphic code, the above-mentioned problems are solved.

  The information printing apparatus according to the present invention includes an object printing unit that prints a predetermined object on a transmission medium using ink or a printing method that has a great influence on human vision, and code information representing the predetermined object in a predetermined format. Code conversion means for converting into a graphic code, and graphic code printing means for printing the graphic code on a predetermined object or in a predetermined area including the object by an ink or a printing method having little influence on human vision By having it, the above-described problems are solved.

  The information transmission system of the present invention is an information transmission system having an information printing apparatus that prints information on a transmission medium and an information reading apparatus that reads information from the transmission medium on which the information is printed. Then, the information printing apparatus prints the predetermined object on the transmission medium by ink or a printing method having a great influence on human vision, converts the code information representing the predetermined object into a graphic code of a predetermined format, and The code is printed on a predetermined object or a predetermined area including the object by an ink or a printing method having little influence on human vision. On the other hand, the information reading device reads a graphic code printed by an ink or a printing method having little influence on human vision from a transmission medium, converts the read graphic code into code information, and converts the converted code information Accumulate. Thereby, the information transmission system of this invention solves the subject mentioned above.

  That is, according to the present invention, a predetermined object is printed on a transmission medium by ink or a printing method that has a great influence on human vision. Therefore, a human can see a predetermined object printed on the transmission medium, and can know the content of information recorded on the transmission medium from the object. On the other hand, a graphic code converted from code information representing the object is printed on the object printed on the transmission medium or a predetermined area including the object by ink or a printing method having little influence on human vision. ing. Therefore, the information reading device, which is an information device, can read the information recorded on the transmission medium accurately and reliably by reading the graphic code, and the information is recorded on the transmission medium. It is also possible to specify the location or area that is present. Furthermore, since the graphic code on the transmission medium is printed by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision, it does not hinder humans from seeing objects printed on the transmission medium.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably and accurately read information printed on a transmission medium, and it is possible to print information that can be reliably and accurately read by both humans and information devices on the transmission medium. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information reading device, an information printing device, and an information transmission system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Information Transmission System of First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an information transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the information transmission system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a display example of a display 2 is provided on a personal computer 1 which is an example of information equipment having a function as an information sender side, that is, an information printing apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, it is assumed that the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C” has already been input, edited, and the like as information transmission objects (objects) using a keyboard or the like. In the following description, characters are used as an example of the information transmission object. However, the information transmission object according to the present invention may be a figure, a symbol, or the like.

  In the information transmission system shown in FIG. 1, the information of the texts “A”, “B”, and “C” is transmitted to another information device (in this embodiment, the personal computer 6) via the transmission medium. In this case, the personal computer 1 on the sender side first arranges the codes, fonts, character decorations, and characters of the text 10 such as “A”, “B”, and “C” as the first step. Document information such as a layout is encoded into information in a predetermined format that can be easily handled by the personal computer 6 on the receiver side. In this embodiment, the document information is treated as text information such as tags and scripts, and the document information is encoded as a document such as a so-called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or PDF (Portable Document Format). Convert to description language.

  In this embodiment, the document description language information in which the document information is encoded is converted into image information that can be easily read from the transmission medium by the personal computer 6 on the receiver side. At the time of conversion to image information, for example, not only text information but also binary information can be imaged by using a code corresponding to binary information such as a so-called QR code.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the document information is encoded and image-converted together with the texts “A”, “B”, and “C” in the personal computer 1 on the sender side. The image 11 (hereinafter referred to as a two-dimensional encoded image 11) is displayed on the display 2, but the two-dimensional encoded image 11 is not necessarily displayed on the display 2.

  Next, as the second step, the personal computer 1 on the sender side uses the document information of the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C” and the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 11 to, for example, a printer. 3, the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C” and the two-dimensional encoded image 11 are printed on the transmission medium 4 made of paper, for example. As a result, the characters 13 of “A”, “B”, and “C” and the image 12 of the two-dimensional encoded image 11 (two-dimensional encoded image image 12) are formed on the transmission medium 4. become.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when printing on the transmission medium 4, the inks that have a large influence on human vision for the characters 13 of “A”, “B”, and “C” corresponding to the text 10. Alternatively, printing is performed as an image of a real print layer (real print image) printed by a printing method, that is, printing is performed by using a normal ink and a printing method that can be seen by the human eye, that is, a human eye.

  On the other hand, the two-dimensional encoded image 12 is an image of a cyber print layer (cyber print image) that has little influence on human vision, that is, a human being cannot see with the naked eye, or the transmission medium 4. The characters or the like of the real print image printed on the image are printed on the corresponding characters of the real print image or in a predetermined area including the characters by using an ink or a printing technique that does not interfere with human viewing.

  In the present embodiment, when the cyber print image is printed, for example, infrared absorption or reflection ink, ultraviolet absorption or reflection ink, or an ink made of a color that is difficult to see (for example, a yellow component) is used. Printing or a printing method that arranges minute dots that are difficult to see visually is used. As a printing method using the arrangement of minute dots, for example, when printing a photographic image or character on a paper surface, a two-dimensional array of minute dots is arranged in a minute region of about 0.5 mm square on the photographic image or character. A method of printing desired information represented by (for example, so-called D? Touch: registered trademark) or the like can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 3 includes at least ink for printing the real print image and ink for printing the cyber print image, and separately transmits the plurality of inks to the transmission medium 4. It is a printer that can print on top.

  Next, the transmission medium 4 on which the characters 13 of the real print image and the two-dimensional encoded image 12 of the cyber print image are printed is used as an information device on the receiver side, for example, an information reading device of the present invention via a user. To the personal computer 6 which is an example of an information device having the above function. Note that the transmission of the character 13 and the two-dimensional encoded image 12 from the sender side to the receiving side is not limited to the case where the transmission medium 4 printed by the printer 3 is used, but also, for example, a printed material used for a publication or the like. , Transmission of images via a telephone line by facsimile, and transmission of images by copying.

  Next, as a third step, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side reads only the two-dimensional encoded image 12 of the cyber print image formed on the transmission medium 4 using the scanner 5, for example.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the scanner 5 prints the two-dimensional encoded image 12 using, for example, infrared absorption or reflection ink, ultraviolet absorption or reflection ink, or an ink composed of a yellow component that is difficult to see visually. If so, it is a scanner that can detect printing with those inks, that is, a scanner having light detection means that can detect light in a predetermined frequency band that is outside the frequency band of visible light, light of a yellow component, etc. In addition, when the two-dimensional encoded image 12 is printed using a printing method in which minute dots that are difficult to see visually are arranged, the scanner can detect the arrangement of the minute dots. Yes. The scanning by the scanner 5 may be, for example, a partial scan only in a predetermined area including or within the area where the real print image is printed, in addition to the entire scan of the transmission medium 4. The reading of the two-dimensional encoded image 12 may be performed by a digital camera or the like.

  Then, as a fourth step, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side decodes the two-dimensional encoded image 11 read from the two-dimensional encoded image image 12 by the scanner 5, whereby the above “A”, “B”. , “C” text 10 document information can be restored.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, in the personal computer 6 on the receiver side, the restored characters “A”, “B”, and “C” of the text 10 are arranged and displayed on the display 7. Will be able to.

[Sender-side information device of the first embodiment]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic block configuration of a sender-side information device (information printing apparatus according to the present invention) constituting the information transmission system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 2, the functions of the character and layout information storage unit 30, the character and layout information encoding unit 32, the cyber print image conversion unit 33, and the real print image conversion unit 35 are the same as those of the personal computer 1 of FIG. The functions of the cyber print unit 34 and the real print unit 36 are realized by the printer 3 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the character and layout information storage unit 30 includes a character code, font, and decoration displayed on the display 2 after being input and edited in the personal computer 1 on the sender side, as shown in FIG. Document information such as a layout is stored at least. In the following description, text code, font, and decoration information in the document information will be specifically referred to as character information in order to be distinguished from the layout information. The character information read from the character and layout information storage unit 30 and the layout information corresponding to the character are sent to the character and layout information encoding unit 32. The character information and layout information are also sent to the real print image conversion unit 35.

  The character and layout information encoding unit 32 generates information of the two-dimensional encoded image 11 by encoding the character information and the layout information. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, as the two-dimensional encoded image 11 for the character “A”, the two-dimensional encoded image 21 a obtained by encoding the text information “A”, A two-dimensional encoded image 22a obtained by encoding the font information and decoration information of the character “A” and a two-dimensional encoded image 23a obtained by encoding the layout information indicating the arrangement of the “A” are generated. Similarly, as the two-dimensional encoded image 11 for the character “B”, the two-dimensional encoded image 21b obtained by encoding the text information “B” and the font information and decoration information of the character “B” are included. An encoded two-dimensional encoded image 22b and a two-dimensional encoded image 23b obtained by encoding the layout information indicating the arrangement of “B” are generated. As the two-dimensional encoded image 11 for the character “C”, The two-dimensional encoded image 21c obtained by encoding the text information “C”, the two-dimensional encoded image 22c obtained by encoding the font information and decoration information of the character “C”, and the arrangement of the “C” Is generated as a two-dimensional encoded image 23c. Then, the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 11 is sent to the cyber print image conversion unit 33.

  Based on the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 11, the cyber print image conversion unit 33 generates an image of the cyber print layer 25 including the two-dimensional encoded image image 12 to be printed on the transmission medium 4 as shown in FIG. Generate (generate a cyber print image), and send image information of the cyber print image to the cyber print unit 36.

  On the other hand, the real print image conversion unit 35 generates a real print layer 24 including an image of each character 13 to be printed on the transmission medium 4 as shown in FIG. 4 from the character information and layout information (generates a real print image). The image information of the real print image is sent to the real print unit 36.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the real print unit 36 prints each character 13 of the real print image on the transmission medium 4 using the ink for the real print image.

  Further, the cyber print unit 34 uses the cyber print image ink or printing technique, and, as shown in FIG. 5, displays each character 13 of the real print image printed on the transmission medium 4 or the character 13. The two-dimensional encoded image 12 (21a, 22a, 23a, 21b, 22b, 23b, 21c, 22c, 23c) of the cyber print image is printed in a predetermined area.

[Receiver-side information device of the first embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows an outline of a receiver-side information device (information reading apparatus according to the present invention) of the first embodiment that reads a cyber print image printed on the transmission medium 4 and restores character information and layout information. A typical block configuration is shown. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the functions of the cyber scanner unit 40 are realized by the scanner 5 of FIG. 1, and the functions of the code reading unit 41, the code decoding unit 42, and the character and layout information storage unit 43 are as shown in FIG. Are executed by the personal computer 6.

  In FIG. 6, the cyber scanner unit 40 reads only the cyber print image printed on the transmission medium 4 by the ink or the printing method that has little influence on human vision as described above, and uses the information on the cyber print image. The data is sent to the code reading unit 41.

  The code reading unit 41 reads the two-dimensional encoded image 11 from the cyber print image information and sends the information to the code decoding unit 42.

  The code decoding unit 42 decodes character information and layout information from the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 11. Then, the character information and layout information are sent to the character and layout information storage unit 43.

  The character and layout information storage unit 43 stores the character information and layout information. The character information and layout information stored in the character and layout information storage unit 43 are read out as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, each character is displayed on the display 7 by the personal computer 6. Used when displaying and arranging.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the personal computer 6 on the receiver side can restore the character information and the layout information from the cyber print image 12 on the transmission medium 4, the sender side Thus, it is possible to accurately restore the characters and their arrangements inputted by the personal computer 1. On the other hand, since the cyber print image 12 is printed by ink or a printing technique that has little influence on human vision, when the human reads the character 13 of the real print image printed on the transmission medium 4 It won't interfere.

[Information Transmission System of Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of an information transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The information transmission system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 encodes only character information into a two-dimensional encoded image 14 to generate a cyber print image, and does not encode layout information on the receiver side. This is a system that reads from a real print image in an information device. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the information transmission system of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the personal computer 1 on the sender side has only the character information of the text 10 of “A”, “B”, “C” as the first step. Is encoded, and the layout information is not encoded. In the example of FIG. 7, in the personal computer 1 on the sender side, only the character information of the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C” is converted into a two-dimensional encoded image 14, and the two-dimensional Although the encoded image 14 is displayed on the display 2 together with the characters of the text 10, the two-dimensional encoded image 14 is not necessarily displayed on the display 2.

  Next, as a second step, the personal computer 1 on the sender side performs information on the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C”, layout information thereof, and information on the two-dimensional encoded image 14. Is sent to the printer 3, for example, so that the text 10 of "A", "B", and "C" and the two-dimensional encoded image 14 are printed on the transmission medium 4 made of paper, for example. As a result, the characters 13 of “A”, “B”, and “C” and the image 15 of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 (two-dimensional encoded image image 15) are formed on the transmission medium 4.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” corresponding to the text 10 are printed on the transmission medium 4. 13 is printed as an image of a real print layer that can be seen by the human eye, whereas a two-dimensional encoded image image 15 is printed as an image of a cyber print layer that has little effect on human vision. .

  Next, as a third step, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side uses the two-dimensional encoded image 15 of the cyber print image formed on the transmission medium 4 as in the case of the first embodiment. At the same time, the outline frame of the character 13 of the real print image (that is, the character frame) is also read.

  Then, as a fourth step, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side decodes the two-dimensional encoded image 14 read from the two-dimensional encoded image image 15 by the scanner 5, thereby performing the above “A”, “B”. , “C” text 10 information is restored, and layout information of each character 13 is restored from the character frame reading information of the character 13 of the real print image.

[Sender-side information device of the second embodiment]
FIG. 8 shows a schematic block configuration of the information device on the sender side constituting the information transmission system of the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the functions of the character and layout information storage unit 30, the character information encoding unit 37, the cyber print image conversion unit 33, and the real print image conversion unit 35 are executed by the personal computer 1 of FIG. The functions of the cyber print unit 34 and the real print unit 36 are realized by the printer 3 in FIG. In FIG. 8, the same constituent elements as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 8, only the character information read from the character and layout information storage unit 30 is sent to the character information encoding unit 37. On the other hand, the character information and the layout information corresponding to the character are sent to the real print image conversion unit 35.

  The character information encoding unit 37 generates information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 by encoding the character information. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the character information encoding unit 37 in the second embodiment encodes the text information of “A” as a two-dimensional encoded image 14 for the character of “A”. The two-dimensional encoded image 21a and the two-dimensional encoded image 22a obtained by encoding the font information and decoration information of the character “A” are generated, and similarly, as the two-dimensional encoded image 14 for the character “B”. Then, a two-dimensional encoded image 21b obtained by encoding the text information “B” and a two-dimensional encoded image 22b obtained by encoding font information and decoration information of the character “B” are generated, and “C” is generated. As the two-dimensional encoded image 14 for the character “2”, the two-dimensional encoded image 21 c obtained by encoding the text information “C” and the font information and decoration information of the character “C” are encoded. Generating a two-dimensional coding image 22c that. The information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 is sent to the cyber print image conversion unit 33.

  Based on the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14, the cyber print image converting unit 33 converts the image of the cyber print layer 25 composed of the two-dimensional encoded image image 15 to be printed on the transmission medium 4 as shown in FIG. The image information of the cyber print image is generated and sent to the cyber print unit 36.

  On the other hand, the real print image conversion unit 35 uses the character information and layout information from the image of each character 13 to be printed on the transmission medium 4 as shown in FIG. The real print layer 24 is generated and the image information of the real print image is sent to the real print unit 36.

  Then, the real print unit 36 prints each character 13 of the real print image on the transmission medium 4 using the ink for the real print image, as shown in FIG.

  Further, the cyber print unit 34 uses the cyber print image ink or the printing technique, and, as shown in FIG. 11, displays each character 13 of the real print image printed on the transmission medium 4 or the character 13 thereof. The two-dimensional encoded image 15 (21a, 22a, 21b, 22b, 21c, 22c) of the cyber print image is printed in a predetermined area. Note that a character frame 26 described later in FIG. 11 is drawn in the drawing for convenience of explanation, but is not actually printed on the transmission medium 4.

[Receiver-side information device of the second embodiment]
In FIG. 12, the cyber print image printed on the transmission medium 4 is read to restore the character information, and the character information is read from the real print image to restore the layout information. 1 shows a schematic block configuration of an information device. 12, the functions of the cyber scanner unit 40 and the real scanner unit 44 are realized by the scanner 5 of FIG. 7, and the code reading unit 41, the code decoding unit 42, the character frame reading unit 45, and the character layout restoration. The functions of the unit 46 and the character and layout information storage unit 43 are executed by the personal computer 6 shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the same constituent elements as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 12, the cyber scanner unit 40 reads only the cyber print image printed on the transmission medium 4 by the ink or the printing method that has less influence on human vision as described above, and reads the information of the cyber print image. The data is sent to the code reading unit 41.

  The code reading unit 41 reads the two-dimensional encoded image 14 from the cyber print image information and sends the information to the code decoding unit 42.

  On the other hand, the real scanner unit 44 reads a real print image printed on the transmission medium 4 and sends the read information to the character frame reading unit 45.

  The character frame reading unit 45 determines the range in which the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are printed on the transmission medium 4 from the read information of the real print image as shown in FIG. 26, and the information of the character frame 26 is sent to the character layout restoring unit 46.

  The character layout restoring unit 46 generates and restores layout information for each character from the information in the character frame 26. The restored layout information is sent to the code decoding unit 42 and the character and layout information storage unit 43.

  The code decoding unit 42 decodes character information from the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 and associates the decoded character information with the layout information and sends the character information to the character and layout information storage unit 43.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side restores the character information from the cyber print image 12 on the transmission medium 4 and at the same time restores the real print image on the transmission medium 4. Since the layout information can be restored from the characters 13, the characters entered in the personal computer 1 on the sender side and their arrangement can be restored accurately.

[Information Transmission System of Third Embodiment]
FIG. 13 shows a schematic configuration of an information transmission system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The information transmission system according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13 encodes only character information into a two-dimensional encoded image 14, while the layout information is not encoded and shows an actual character arrangement area. (Hereinafter referred to as a layout marker 16), and a cyber print image composed of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 and the layout marker 16 is generated. In FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the information transmission system of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the personal computer 1 on the sender side performs only the character information of the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C” as the first step. The layout information is not encoded, and the layout marker 16 is arranged around each character of the texts “A”, “B”, and “C”. In the example of FIG. 13, in the personal computer 1 on the sender side, the two-dimensionally encoded image 14 and the layout marker 16 of the text “A”, “B”, and “C” are each character of the text 10. The two-dimensional encoded image 14 and the layout marker 16 are not necessarily displayed on the display 2.

  Next, as a second step, the personal computer 1 on the sender side receives the information on the text 10 of “A”, “B”, and “C” and the information on the two-dimensional encoded image 14 and the layout marker 16. For example, by sending it to the printer 3, the text 10 of “A”, “B”, “C”, the two-dimensional encoded image 14, and the layout marker 16 are printed on the transmission medium 4 made of paper, for example. Thereby, on the transmission medium 4, the characters 13 of “A”, “B”, “C”, the image 15 of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 (two-dimensional encoded image image 15), and the layout marker 16 are displayed. An image (layout marker image 17) is formed.

  In the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, “A”, “B”, and “C” corresponding to the text 10 are printed on the transmission medium 4. The character 13 is printed as an image of a real print layer that can be seen with the naked eye, while the two-dimensional encoded image image 15 and the layout marker image 17 have a small impact on human vision. Printed as a print layer image.

  Next, as a third step, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side uses the two-dimensional encoded image 15 of the cyber print image formed on the transmission medium 4 as in the case of the second embodiment. At the same time as reading with the scanner 5, the layout marker image 17 of the cyber print image is also read.

  Then, as a fourth step, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side decodes the two-dimensional encoded image 14 read from the two-dimensional encoded image image 15 by the scanner 5, thereby performing the above “A”, “B”. , “C” text 10 information is restored, and the layout information of each character 13 is restored from the read information of the layout marker 17 of the cyber print image.

[Sender-side information device of the third embodiment]
FIG. 14 shows a schematic block configuration of the information device on the sender side constituting the information transmission system of the third embodiment shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 14, the functions of the character and layout information storage unit 30, the character information encoding unit 37, the cyber print image conversion unit 33, the layout marker generation unit 38, and the real print image conversion unit 35 are as shown in FIG. The functions of the cyber print unit 34 and the real print unit 36 are implemented by the printer 3 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the same constituent elements as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 14, the character information read from the character and layout information storage unit 30 is sent to the character information encoding unit 37. In addition, the layout information read from the characters and the layout information storage unit 30 is sent to the layout marker generation unit 38. On the other hand, the character information and the layout information corresponding to the character are sent to the real print image conversion unit 35.

  The character information encoding unit 37 generates information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 by encoding the character information. Further, the layout marker generation unit 38 generates information on the layout marker 16 that is an image image showing the actual character placement areas of the “A”, “B”, and “C” based on the layout information. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, in the case of the third embodiment, the character information encoding unit 37 generates information of each two-dimensional encoded image 21a, 22a, 21b, 22b, 21c, 22c, The layout marker generator 38 generates information on the layout marker 16. The information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 and the layout marker 16 is sent to the cyber print image conversion unit 33.

  Based on the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14, the cyber print image conversion unit 33, as shown in FIG. 16, the two-dimensional encoded image 15 to be printed on the transmission medium 4 and the image 17 (layout of the layout marker 16). An image of the cyber print layer 27 including the marker image 17) is generated, and image information of the cyber print image is sent to the cyber print unit 36.

  On the other hand, as in the case of the first and second embodiments described above, the real print image conversion unit 35 uses the character information and layout information to print each character 13 to be printed on the transmission medium 4 as shown in FIG. A real print layer 24 composed of the image is generated, and image information of the real print image is sent to the real print unit 36.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the real print unit 36 prints each character 13 of the real print image on the transmission medium 4 using the ink for the real print image.

  Further, the cyber print unit 34 uses the cyber print image ink or printing technique, and, as shown in FIG. 17, displays each character 13 of the real print image printed on the transmission medium 4 or the character 13 thereof. The two-dimensional encoded image 15 (21a, 22a, 21b, 22b, 21c, 22c) of the cyber print image and the layout marker image 17 are printed in a predetermined area.

[Receiver-side information device of the third embodiment]
FIG. 18 shows a schematic block configuration of the information device on the receiver side of the third embodiment that reads the cyber print image printed on the transmission medium 4 and restores the character information and the layout information. In the configuration of FIG. 18, the function of the cyber scanner unit 40 is realized by the scanner 5 of FIG. 13, and the code reading unit 41, the code decoding unit 42, the layout marker image reading unit 47, the character layout restoring unit 46, The functions of the layout information storage unit 43 are executed by the personal computer 6 shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, the same constituent elements as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 18, the cyber scanner unit 40 reads only the cyber print image printed on the transmission medium 4 by the ink or the printing method that has little influence on human vision as described above, and reads the information of the cyber print image. The data is sent to the code reading unit 41.

  The code reading unit 41 reads the two-dimensional encoded image 14 from the cyber print image information and sends the information to the code decoding unit 42.

  On the other hand, the layout marker image reading unit 47 reads the layout marker image 17 from the information of the cyber print image and sends the information to the character layout restoring unit 46.

  The character layout restoring unit 46 restores layout information for each character from the information of the layout marker image 17. The restored layout information is sent to the code decoding unit 42 and the character and layout information storage unit 43.

  The code decoding unit 42 decodes character information from the information of the two-dimensional encoded image 14 and associates the decoded character information with the layout information and sends the character information to the character and layout information storage unit 43.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the personal computer 6 on the receiver side restores the character information from the cyber print image image 12 on the transmission medium 4 and at the same time restores the cyber print image on the transmission medium 4. Since the layout information can be restored from the layout marker image 17, it is possible to accurately restore the characters input by the sender's personal computer 1 and their arrangement.

[Fourth Embodiment]
When a cyber print image is printed on the transmission medium 4 as described in the first to third embodiments, the cyber print image is printed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A predetermined icon or tag information is printed on the transmission medium 4 as information for enabling the receiver to recognize the receiver.

  In the case of the fourth embodiment, the predetermined icon and tag information are stored in the character and layout information storage unit 30 in FIGS. 2, 8, and 14 described above, and the real print image conversion unit 35 stores them. A predetermined icon or tag information is inserted into a predetermined position of the real print image, and the image information of the real print image is sent to the real print unit 36.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the predetermined icon and tag information are printed at a predetermined position on the transmission medium 4, the receiver side determines whether or not to print a cyber print image based on the predetermined icon and tag information. And the print position can be known.

[Fifth Embodiment]
When a cyber print image is printed on the transmission medium 4 as in the first to fourth embodiments described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, read control information when reading information from the transmission medium 4 and The related link information is printed as additional information of the character information described above.

  In the case of the fifth embodiment, the character and layout information storage unit 30 shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 14 stores reading control information and related link information together with the character information described above. In addition, the character and layout information encoding unit 32 and the character information encoding unit 37 encode the read control information and link information associated therewith together with encoding of character information and the like. Then, the cyber print image converting unit 33 sends the image information of the cyber print image including the read control information and the two-dimensional encoded image of the link information to the cyber print unit 34 together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information. As a result, the character information and the reading control information and the link information are printed on the transmission medium 4 by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision.

  On the other hand, in the information device on the receiver side, in the code reading unit 41 shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 18, read control information and link information together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information from the read information of the cyber scanner unit 40. The code decoding unit 42 also decodes the two-dimensional encoded image of the read control information and the link information together with the decoding of the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the information device on the sender side can add desired read control information and link information to the character information printed on the transmission medium 4, while the information device on the receiver side. Can restore the read control information and link information together with the character information. Then, the information device on the receiver side can perform read control based on the restored read control information, and other information indicated by the restored link information (for example, information prepared on the Internet, It is possible to refer to and acquire information such as images and characters printed at positions different from the characters on the transmission medium. When the link information is linked to information on the Internet, the receiver side information device is provided with means for connecting to the Internet.

[Sixth Embodiment]
When a cyber print image is printed on the transmission medium 4 as in the first to fifth embodiments described above, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, copying of character information read from the transmission medium 4 is controlled ( For example, copy control information and link information related to copy permission / inhibition control and copy number control are printed as additional information of the character information described above.

  In the case of the sixth embodiment, the character and layout information storage unit 30 shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 14 stores not only the character information described above but also copy control information and link information related thereto. In addition, the character and layout information encoding unit 32 and the character information encoding unit 37 encode the replication control information and the link information related thereto in addition to encoding of character information and the like. Then, the cyber print image conversion unit 33 sends the image information of the cyber print image including the two-dimensional encoded image of the copy control information and the link information to the cyber print unit 34 together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information. As a result, the character information, the duplication control information, and the link information are printed on the transmission medium 4 by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision.

  On the other hand, in the information device on the receiver side, in the code reading unit 41 of FIG. 6, FIG. 12, and FIG. 18, copy control information and link information together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information from the read information of the cyber scanner unit 40 The code decoding unit 42 also decodes the two-dimensional encoded image of the copy control information and the link information together with the decoding of the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information.

  According to the sixth embodiment, the information device on the sender side can set a desired number of copies and link information for the character information printed on the transmission medium 4, while the information device on the receiver side The copy control information and link information can be restored together with the character information. The information device on the receiver side can perform the duplication control of the character information according to the restored duplication control information, and is also provided with other information linked by the restored link information (for example, prepared on the Internet). Information or information printed at a position different from the characters on the transmission medium) can be referred to and acquired. When the link information is linked to information on the Internet, the receiver side information device is provided with means for connecting to the Internet.

[Seventh Embodiment]
When a cyber print image is printed on the transmission medium 4 as in the first to sixth embodiments described above, in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the character information read from the transmission medium 4 is encrypted. Encryption control information and related link information are printed as additional information of the character information described above.

  In the case of the seventh embodiment, the character and layout information storage unit 30 in FIGS. 2, 8, and 14 stores not only the character information described above but also the encrypted information and link information related thereto. The character / layout information encoding unit 32 and the character information encoding unit 37 encode the encryption control information and the related link information together with the encoding of the character information and the like. Then, the cyber print image conversion unit 33 sends to the cyber print unit 34 the image information of the cyber print image including the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information together with the encryption control information and the two-dimensional encoded image of the link information. As a result, the character information, the encryption control information, and the link information are printed on the transmission medium 4 by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision.

  On the other hand, in the information device on the receiver side, in the code reading unit 41 of FIGS. 6, 12, and 18, the encryption control information and the link are read together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information from the read information of the cyber scanner unit 40. The two-dimensional encoded image of the information is also read, and the code decoding unit 42 also decodes the two-dimensional encoded image of the encryption control information and the link information together with the decoding of the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information.

  According to the seventh embodiment, the receiver-side information device can restore the encryption control information together with the character information. The information device on the receiver side can encrypt the character information based on the restored encryption control information, that is, prevent unauthorized use of the character, and can be linked by the restored link information. Other information (for example, information prepared on the Internet or information printed at a position different from the characters on the transmission medium) can be referred to and acquired. When the link information is linked to information on the Internet, the receiver side information device is provided with means for connecting to the Internet.

  When the character information is encrypted, the information may be decrypted by inputting the decryption key such as a password in the information device on the receiver side.

[Eighth Embodiment]
When a cyber print image is printed on the transmission medium 4 as in the first to seventh embodiments described above, in the eighth embodiment of the present invention, copyright information such as character information printed on the transmission medium 4 is displayed. And the link information related thereto are printed as additional information of the character information described above.

  In the case of the eighth embodiment, the character and layout information storage unit 30 shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 14 stores copyright information and link information related to it together with the character information described above. The character / layout information encoding unit 32 and the character information encoding unit 37 encode the copyright information and the related link information as well as the character information. Then, the cyber print image conversion unit 33 sends the image information of the cyber print image including the two-dimensional encoded image of the copyright information and the link information to the cyber print unit 34 together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information. As a result, the character information and the copyright information and the link information are printed on the transmission medium 4 by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision.

  On the other hand, in the information device on the receiver side, in the code reading unit 41 of FIG. 6, FIG. 12, and FIG. 18, the copyright information and link information together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information from the read information of the cyber scanner unit 40. The code decoding unit 42 also decodes the two-dimensional encoded image of the copyright information and the link information together with the decoding of the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information.

  As a result, the information device on the receiver side can restore the copyright information together with the character information, and other information indicated by the restored link information (for example, information or transmission prepared on the Internet). Information printed at a position different from the characters on the medium) can be referred to and acquired. When the link information is linked to information on the Internet, the receiver side information device is provided with means for connecting to the Internet.

  According to the eighth embodiment, the information device on the sender side can notify the receiver side of copyright information and the like regarding information printed as a real print image on the transmission medium 4, while the information on the receiver side The device can acquire copyright information of information printed as a real print image on the transmission medium 4.

[Ninth Embodiment]
When a cyber print image is printed on the transmission medium 4 as in the first to eighth embodiments described above, in the ninth embodiment of the present invention, another language corresponding to the character information printed on the transmission medium 4 is used. Information (another language information, that is, translation information) and link information related thereto are printed as additional information of the character information described above.

  In the case of the ninth embodiment, the character and layout information storage unit 30 in FIG. 2, FIG. 8, and FIG. 14 also stores other language information and link information related thereto in addition to the character information described above. The character and layout information encoding unit 32 and the character information encoding unit 37 encode not only the character information but also the other language information and link information related thereto. Then, the cyber print image conversion unit 33 sends the image information of the cyber print image composed of the two-dimensional encoded image of the other language information and the link information to the cyber print unit 34 together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information. As a result, the character information and the above-mentioned foreign language information and link information are printed on the transmission medium 4 by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision.

  On the other hand, in the information device on the receiver side, in the code reading unit 41 shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 18, other language information and link information together with the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information from the read information of the cyber scanner unit 40. The code decoding unit 42 also decodes the two-dimensional encoded image of the other language information and the link information together with the decoding of the two-dimensional encoded image of the character information.

  As a result, the information device on the receiver side can restore the foreign language information together with the character information, and can also restore other information indicated by the restored link information (for example, information and transmission provided on the Internet). Information printed at a position different from the characters on the medium) can be referred to and acquired. When the link information is linked to information on the Internet, the receiver side information device is provided with means for connecting to the Internet.

  According to the ninth embodiment, the information device on the sender side can inform the receiver side of other information such as other language information on the information printed as a real print image on the transmission medium 4, while the receiver side In this information apparatus, it is possible to acquire other language information on information printed as a real print image on the transmission medium 4.

[Tenth embodiment]
In the tenth embodiment of the present invention, each of two encoded character information text information, font and decoration information, layout information, and other additional information as described in the first to ninth embodiments. When printing a dimensional encoded image on the transmission medium 4, for example, the two-dimensional encoded image is multiplexed and printed by using different types of inks having different reflection frequency bands or absorption frequency bands of light.

  That is, as an example, a two-dimensional encoded image generated from text information, a two-dimensional encoded image generated from font and decoration information, a two-dimensional encoded image generated from layout information, and additional information When the generated two-dimensional encoded image is recorded on the transmission medium 4, the font and decoration information are used for the two-dimensional encoded image of text information using ink having the first reflection or absorption frequency band. For the two-dimensional encoded image, the ink having the second reflection or absorption frequency band is used. For the two-dimensional code image of the layout information, the ink having the third reflection or absorption frequency band is used. Is transmitted using ink having a reflection or absorption frequency band of the fourth, fifth,... Do things like multiplexed printing to medium 4.

  In the case of the tenth embodiment, the above-described character information and layout information are used in the cyber print unit 34 shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 14 using a plurality of inks corresponding to the plurality of reflection or absorption frequency bands. Each two-dimensional encoded image such as other additional information is printed on the transmission medium 4. That is, the above-described printer 3 is a printer that includes a plurality of inks corresponding to the plurality of reflection or absorption frequency bands and is capable of separately printing the inks on the transmission medium 4.

  On the other hand, the cyber scanner unit 40 shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 18 reads each of the two-dimensional encoded images printed with the plurality of inks in the reflection or absorption frequency band. That is, the above-described scanner 5 is a scanner having a plurality of sensing elements each having a light receiving sensitivity characteristic corresponding to each light in a plurality of frequency bands.

  According to the tenth embodiment, since the two-dimensional encoded image can be multiplexed and printed, more information can be recorded on the transmission medium 4.

[Eleventh embodiment]
In the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, each two-dimensional encoding of text, font and decoration information, layout information, other additional information, etc., as described in the first to tenth embodiments. When printing an encoded image on the transmission medium 4, a plurality of two-dimensional encoded images corresponding to one character information, a plurality of two-dimensional encoded images corresponding to one layout information, and one additional information are supported. A plurality of two-dimensional encoded images are generated and printed on the transmission medium 4.

  In the information device on the receiver side, the character information is restored by reading any one of the plurality of two-dimensional encoded images corresponding to the one character information, and the plurality of characters corresponding to one layout information. The layout information is restored by reading any one of the two-dimensional encoded images, and the additional information is read by reading any one of a plurality of two-dimensional encoded images corresponding to the one additional information. To restore.

  According to the eleventh embodiment, since a plurality of two-dimensional encoded images representing the same information are printed on the transmission medium 4, even if reading one two-dimensional encoded image fails for some reason, The information can always be restored.

[Summary]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when information such as characters is printed on the transmission medium 4, the characters and the like are displayed together with the real print image composed of normal characters that can be read visually by humans. Cyber printing images formed by encoding the same document information, using ink and printing methods that have little impact on human vision (cannot be seen with the naked eye or interferes with human viewing) By printing on each corresponding character of the real print image or in a predetermined area including the character, it is possible to realize the transmission medium 4 that can be handled in the same way as a normal printed matter when viewed from the human side. Then, information can be input electronically to the transmission medium 4 and the information is read reliably and accurately when reading information from the transmission medium 4. Rukoto has become possible. That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the information printed on the transmission medium 4 can be surely and accurately compared with the conventional information reading method using, for example, so-called OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Optical Character Reader). In addition, it is possible to greatly read out the trouble of digitizing information printed on the transmission medium 4.

  Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when information is transmitted using the transmission medium 4, for example, even when a part of information is cut and pasted or duplicated, all the information processing at the time of the pasting and duplication is performed. Since it can be performed by data processing, it is possible to eliminate deterioration of information due to cutting and pasting or duplication.

  In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, encryption control information, duplication control information, other language information, link information, and the like can be added to the character information. Encryption, duplication control, translation into other languages, etc. become possible.

  The description of each embodiment described above is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made according to the design or the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated.

  In the present embodiment, a personal computer is cited as an example of the information reading apparatus and information printing apparatus of the present invention. Of course, the content described here is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example. Yes.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the information transmission system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the sender side information apparatus in the information transmission system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the two-dimensional encoding image corresponding to a character in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the relationship between the real print layer and the cyber print layer in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram used for explaining a relationship between a real print image printed on a transmission medium and a cyber print image in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the receiver side information apparatus in the information transmission system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the information transmission system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the sender side information apparatus in the information transmission system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of a character and the two-dimensional encoding image corresponding to it in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the relationship between a real printing layer and a cyber printing layer in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the relationship between a real print image printed on a transmission medium and a cyber print image in the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the receiver side information apparatus in the information transmission system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the information transmission system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the sender side information apparatus in the information transmission system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the two-dimensional encoding image corresponding to a character in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the relationship between a real printing layer and a cyber printing layer in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram used for explaining a relationship between a real print image printed on a transmission medium and a cyber print image in a third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the receiver side information apparatus in the information transmission system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the conventional information transmission system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the sender side information apparatus in the conventional information transmission system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the receiver side information apparatus in the conventional information transmission system.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Personal computer on sender side, 2, 7 display, 3 printer, 4 transmission medium, 5 scanner, 6 personal computer on receiver side, 10 text on display, 11, 14, 21a, 22a, 23a, 21b, 22b, 23b, 21c, 22c, 23c 2D encoded image, 12, 15 Image of 2D encoded image printed on transmission medium, 13 Character printed on transmission medium, 16 Layout marker, 17 Layout marker image, 24 Real Print Layer, 25, 27 Cyber Print Layer, 26 Character Frame, 30, 43 Character and Layout Information Storage Unit, 32 Character and Layout Information Encoding Unit, 33 Cyber Print Image Conversion Unit, 34 Cyber Print Unit, 35 Real Print Image converter, 3 6 real print unit, 37 character information encoding unit, 38 layout marker generating unit, 40 cyber scanner unit, 41 code reading unit, 42 code decoding unit, 44 real scanner unit, 45 character frame reading unit, 46 character layout restoring unit, 47 Layout marker image reader

Claims (43)

A graphic code of a predetermined format converted from at least code information representing the predetermined object on a predetermined object printed by ink or a printing method having a large influence on human vision or a predetermined area including the object, Graphic code reading means for reading the graphic code from ink or a printing medium printed by a printing method having little influence on human vision;
Code conversion means for converting the figure code read by the figure code reading means from the transmission medium into the code information;
An information reading apparatus comprising: code information storage means for storing code information converted from the graphic code by the code conversion means. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The predetermined object is a character,
The code information is document information about the character,
The graphic code printed on the transmission medium is a graphic code obtained by converting the document information from information encoded in a predetermined document description language.
The information reading apparatus, wherein the code converting means restores the document description language from the graphic code read by the graphic code reading means, decodes the document description language, and converts it into the document information. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The graphic code is printed on the transmission medium with ink that absorbs or reflects light in a predetermined frequency band outside the visible light frequency band,
The graphic code reading means has light detecting means capable of detecting light in a predetermined frequency band outside the visible light frequency band, and the light detecting means extracts light in the predetermined frequency band from the reflected light of the transmission medium. An information reading apparatus, wherein the graphic code printed on the transmission medium is read by detecting the graphic code. The information reading device according to claim 1,
A plurality of graphic codes are printed on the transmission medium separately for each of a plurality of types of inks that absorb or reflect a plurality of light of different frequency bands,
The graphic code reading means has light detecting means capable of detecting light in the plurality of different frequency bands, and the light detecting means has a frequency band for each type of ink from the reflected light of the transmission medium. An information reading device characterized by individually detecting a plurality of graphic codes printed on the transmission medium by detecting light individually. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The graphic code is printed on the transmission medium by a printing method in which minute dots are arranged in a minute region according to a predetermined rule.
The graphic code reading means has an arrangement detecting means for detecting the arrangement rule of the minute dots, and the arrangement detection means detects the arrangement rule of the minute dots from the reflected light of the transmission medium, thereby transmitting the transmission. An information reading apparatus for reading the graphic code printed on a medium. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The graphic code is printed on the transmission medium with ink of a predetermined color that has little influence on human vision,
The graphic code reading means has light detection means capable of detecting the light of the predetermined color, and the light detection means detects the light of the predetermined color from the reflected light of the transmission medium. An information reading apparatus for reading the printed graphic code. The information reading device according to claim 1,
An outer frame detection means for detecting an outer frame of the object printed on the transmission medium by ink or a printing technique having a large influence on the human vision;
Layout generation means for generating layout information of an object corresponding to code information converted from the graphic code by the code conversion means based on the outline frame of the object detected by the outline frame detection means. Characteristic information reader. The information reading device according to claim 1,
Around the figure code printed on the transmission medium, a layout figure showing the outline of the object corresponding to the figure code is printed by an ink or a printing method having little influence on the human vision,
Layout graphic detection means for detecting the layout graphic printed on the transmission medium by an ink or a printing method having little influence on the human vision;
Layout generating means for generating layout information of an object corresponding to code information converted from the graphic code by the code converting means based on the layout graphic detected by the layout graphic detecting means. Information reader. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The graphic code reading means receives the additional information from the transmission medium on which the graphic code of a predetermined format converted from the additional information related to the object is printed by an ink or a printing method having little influence on the human vision. Read the figure code corresponding to
The code conversion means converts the graphic code read by the graphic code reading means into additional information,
An information reading apparatus comprising a control means for performing predetermined processing based on additional information converted from the graphic code by the code conversion means. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The additional information is reading control information when reading the graphic code from the transmission medium,
The control means controls reading of another graphic code from the transmission medium by the graphic code reading means on the basis of the read control information converted from the graphic code by the code converting means. apparatus. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The additional information is copy control information of the code information,
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs copy control of the code information based on the copy control information converted from the graphic code by the code conversion means. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The additional information is encryption control information of the code information,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the control means performs encryption control of the code information based on encryption control information converted from the graphic code by the code conversion means. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The information reading apparatus, wherein the additional information is copyright information regarding the object. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The predetermined object is a character,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the additional information is other language information for the character. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The additional information is link information related to the object,
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means refers to link destination information corresponding to the link information converted from the graphic code by the code conversion means. An information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The information reading device, wherein the graphic code corresponding to the additional information is printed on one object or a predetermined area printed on the transmission medium. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the graphic code reading means reads at least one graphic code from a transmission medium on which a plurality of identical graphic codes are printed for the predetermined object. An object printing means for printing a predetermined object on a transmission medium by ink or a printing technique having a great influence on human vision;
Code conversion means for converting code information representing the predetermined object into a graphic code of a predetermined format;
An information printing apparatus comprising: a graphic code printing unit that prints the graphic code on the predetermined object or a predetermined area including the object by an ink or a printing method having little influence on human vision. . The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The predetermined object is a character,
The code conversion means includes encoding means for encoding the code information, which is document information relating to the character, into a predetermined document description language, and conversion means for converting the predetermined document description language into the graphic code. An information printing apparatus characterized by the above. The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The graphic code printing means prints the graphic code on the transmission medium with ink that absorbs or reflects light in a predetermined frequency band outside the visible light frequency band. The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The graphic code printing means prints a plurality of graphic codes individually on the transmission medium separately for each of a plurality of types of inks that absorb or reflect a plurality of light in different frequency bands. . The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The information printing apparatus, wherein the graphic code printing means prints the graphic code on the transmission medium by a printing method in which minute dots are arranged in a minute region according to a predetermined rule. The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The information printing apparatus, wherein the graphic code printing unit prints the graphic code on the transmission medium with ink of a predetermined color that has little influence on human vision. The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
Layout graphic generation means for generating a layout graphic indicating the outline of the object corresponding to the graphic code;
The graphic code printing means prints the layout graphic generated by the layout graphic generating means on the periphery of the graphic code printed on the transmission medium by an ink or a printing technique that has little influence on the human vision. Information printing device. The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The code conversion means converts additional information related to the predetermined object into a graphic code of the predetermined format,
The graphic code printing means applies the graphic code converted from the additional information by the code conversion means to the predetermined object or a predetermined area including the object by using an ink or a printing technique having little influence on human vision. An information printing apparatus for printing. The information printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
The graphic code printing unit prints a plurality of identical graphic codes on the predetermined object or in a predetermined area including the object. In an information transmission system having an information printing apparatus that prints information on a transmission medium and an information reading apparatus that reads information from the transmission medium on which the information is printed,
The information printing apparatus prints a predetermined object on a transmission medium by ink or a printing method having a great influence on human vision, converts code information representing the predetermined object into a graphic code of a predetermined format, and Printing the code on the predetermined object or on a predetermined area including the object by ink or a printing method that has little influence on human vision,
The information reading device reads the graphic code printed by the ink or the printing technique having little influence on the human vision from the delivery medium, converts the read graphic code into the code information, and performs the conversion An information transmission system characterized by storing code information. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The predetermined object is a character,
The information printing apparatus encodes the code information, which is document information relating to the character, into a predetermined document description language, converts the predetermined document description language into the graphic code,
The information reading system restores the document description language from the graphic code read from the transmission medium, decodes the document description language, and converts it into the document information. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing apparatus prints the graphic code on the transmission medium with ink that absorbs or reflects light in a predetermined frequency band outside the visible light frequency band,
The information reading system reads the graphic code printed on the transmission medium by detecting light in the predetermined frequency band from the reflected light of the transmission medium. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing device is divided into a plurality of types of inks that absorb or reflect a plurality of light in different frequency bands, and a plurality of graphic codes are individually printed on the transmission medium,
The information reading device individually reads a plurality of graphic codes printed on the transmission medium by individually detecting light in each frequency band for each type of ink from the reflected light of the transmission medium. An information transmission system characterized by The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing apparatus prints the graphic code on the transmission medium by a printing method in which minute dots are arranged in a minute region according to a predetermined rule.
The information transmission system reads the graphic code printed on the transmission medium by detecting the arrangement rule of the minute dots from the reflected light of the transmission medium. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing apparatus prints the graphic code on the transmission medium with ink of a predetermined color that has little influence on human vision.
The information reading system reads the graphic code printed on the transmission medium by detecting the light of the predetermined color from the reflected light of the transmission medium. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information reading device detects an outline frame of the object printed on the transmission medium by ink or a printing method having a large influence on the human vision, and based on the detected outline frame of the object, An information transmission system for generating layout information of an object corresponding to the code information. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing apparatus generates a layout graphic indicating an outline of an object corresponding to the graphic code, and has little influence on the human vision around the graphic code printed on the transmission medium. Print by ink or printing method,
The information reading device detects the layout graphic printed on the transmission medium by using an ink or a printing technique that has little influence on the human vision, and corresponds to the code information based on the detected layout graphic. An information transmission system characterized by generating layout information of an object. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing apparatus converts the additional information related to the predetermined object into a graphic code of the predetermined format, and converts the graphic code converted from the additional information by using an ink or a printing method that has little influence on the human vision. Print on the predetermined object or in a predetermined area including the object,
The information reading device reads from the transmission medium a graphic code corresponding to the additional information printed by an ink or printing technique having little influence on the human vision, converts the graphic code into additional information, and An information transmission system for performing predetermined processing based on the converted additional information. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The additional information is reading control information when the information reading device reads a graphic code from the transmission medium,
The information reading system performs reading control of another graphic code from the transmission medium based on reading control information converted from the graphic code. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The additional information is copy control information of code information read from the transmission medium by the information reading device,
The information reading system, wherein the information reading device performs duplication control of the code information based on duplication control information converted from the graphic code. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The additional information is encryption control information of code information read from the transmission medium by the information reading device,
The information reading system, wherein the information reading device performs encryption control of the code information based on encryption control information converted from the graphic code. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The information transmission system, wherein the additional information is copyright information regarding the object. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The predetermined object is a character,
The information transmission system, wherein the additional information is other language information for the character. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The additional information is link information related to the object,
The information reading system refers to link destination information corresponding to link information converted from the graphic code. 36. The information transmission system according to claim 35, comprising:
The information printing apparatus prints a graphic code corresponding to the additional information on one object or a predetermined area printed on the transmission medium. The information transmission system according to claim 27, wherein
The information printing apparatus prints a plurality of the same graphic codes on the predetermined object or in a predetermined area including the object,
The information reading system reads at least one of a plurality of identical graphic codes printed on the predetermined object.

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