JP2007122541A - Bar code - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar code capable of giving playful nature to a bar code display area itself, providing improved designability of a commodity package, and visually pleasing a customer, as well as capable of being used for attraction purposes or for prize winning lottery tickets, etc. <P>SOLUTION: In a bar code comprising narrow and wide bars 2 and spaces 4 separating the bars 2 arranged in parallel and appropriately, a picture or pattern 3 or the like is drawn using a color or colors determined so as to be different from the color of the bars 2 and far different in color reflectance from the color of the spaces 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a barcode specially designed for design.

  A barcode is printed in a color such as black, and is displayed by appropriately arranging bars with different widths and spaces with different widths and spaces, and according to a predetermined order as a barcode symbol display body. The information is printed and predetermined information is expressed from a certain combination thereof. In general, it is often expressed by “white space and black bar”, but there is no provision for color in the standard, and it is not necessary to be “white and black” as long as the reflectance is within the prescribed range. Further, the recorded information of the barcode is read by irradiating visible light or infrared light with a barcode reader such as a scanner.

As for the optical characteristics of the bar code, a PCS value (Print Contrast Signal) is defined by the JIS standards of JIS-X0501 and JIS-X0502.
A barcode reader that reads a barcode reads the barcode with the intensity of irregular reflection of the irradiated laser light (visible light or infrared light). If the difference in strength is large, the barcode is easy to read. Conversely, if there is not much difference in strength, it is difficult to read. A standard indicating the intensity of this irregular reflection is the PCS value.

In the JIS standard, in JIS-X0502, a space can be a base color such as corrugated cardboard, so the minimum PCS value required as a looser standard than JIS-X0501 is defined as 0.75. The PCS value is measured using, for example, a reflection densitometer Macbeth PCM-2 machine (trade name, manufactured by Macbeth). The PCS value approaches 1 when the space is pure white and the reflectivity is as close as possible to 100%, and the bar is black and the reflectivity is as close as possible to 0%.

The reflectance can be grasped as a spectral reflectance curve by a spectrophotometer. The reflectance in the case of white is about 85%, and the reflectance in the case of black is about 2-3% (not shown). The method of obtaining the PCS value is represented by a value obtained by dividing (space reflectance) − (bar reflectance) by (space reflectance), as shown in FIG. For example, an example of a barcode printed with the white space and the black bar described above is (85% -2%) ÷ 85% ≈0.97, which is a value very close to 1. That is, the closer the PCS value is to 1, the better the bar code accuracy is because the reflectivity of the bar and space is further away. In recent years, barcode readers that can read even barcodes with a PCS value of 0.45 have appeared. Even if the PCS value, which is the ratio of the difference in color reflectance, is 0.45 or more, that is, a bar code in which the reflectance between the bar and the space is not so far away, the barcode can be read.
The bar code is indispensable for merchandise management of supermarkets and distribution goods in recent years (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-39447

However, the bar code that is indispensable for the merchandise management of supermarkets and distribution goods is made by arranging bars and spaces with different widths and widths in parallel and appropriately as you can see. It is a tasteless dry “sign”. Recently, in order to give the product a high-class feel and attract attention, packages that require design have appeared, and when the tasteless dry barcode is printed on a design-friendly package, it is printed. In some cases, the high quality of the package is lost due to the barcode, and the design is impaired. Therefore, the bar code that must be displayed for product management has a playful requirement, enhances the design of the product, not only delights the eyes of the customer, but also uses it as an attraction or wins a prize. There is a need for barcodes that can be used in lotteries.

In a bar code read by a bar code reader in which narrow and wide bars and spaces separating the bars are arranged in parallel and appropriately, a color different from the color of the bar and the space A color having a reflectance that is far from the color of is used, and a picture or a pattern is drawn on the bar.

In addition, a color different from the color of the space and a reflectance color far from the color of the bar is used, and a picture or a pattern is drawn in the space between the bars.

  Further, the color of the bar, the color of the space, and the color of the pattern are such that the PCS value obtained from the reflectance in the reading wavelength region of the barcode reader is equal to or greater than the PCS value determined by the barcode reader. Can be selected.

  Further, the color of the bar, the color of the space, and the color of the pattern are such that the PCS value obtained from the reflectance in the reading wavelength region of the barcode reader is equal to or higher than the standard established by JIS. Can be selected.

The color of the bar and the pattern drawn on the bar can be selected by combining at least three colors.
The bar may be black, and the pattern may be drawn by selecting one or more colors from the wavelength range of purple, blue, and green.

The color of the space and the pattern drawn in the space can be selected by combining at least three colors.
The space may be white, and the pattern may be drawn by selecting one or more colors from the yellow, orange, and red wavelength regions.

  By using colors with different reflectances on the bar or space of the bar code and drawing pictures and patterns on the bar and space, the tasteless dry bar code itself has playful requirements, and the design of the product package is improved. It not only enhances and delights the eyes of customers, but also has the effect that it can be used as an attraction or used for winning prizes.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a barcode. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the reflectance by the color (purple, blue, green) of the object with respect to the wavelength. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the reflectance depending on the color (yellow, orange, red) of the object with respect to the wavelength. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an equation for obtaining the PCS value.

The bar code 1 includes a bar 2 having a narrow width and a wide width, and a space 4 arranged in parallel and appropriately. Bar 2 is black. In addition, 3 is a pattern, and this pattern 3 uses a blue color different from the color of the bar 2. And the example which drew the smile with the pattern 3 of the blue color in the black bar 2 is shown.

The barcode 1 is read by a barcode reader (not shown). Currently, the most popular barcode reader detects the difference in light reflectance between the bar 2 part and the space 4 part using wavelengths from 600 nm to 1000 nm, which is the wavelength region from red to near infrared. The barcode is recognized. This time, an example using a laser bar code reader of a visible light semiconductor laser (wavelength 650 nm) will be described. By the way, the visible range that humans can see as colors is about 380 nm to 780 nm, and humans can see colors such as purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, etc. depending on how much the absorption wavelength is, Recognize what color is.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the reflectance by the color of the object with respect to the wavelength. As shown in FIG. 2, the colors such as purple, blue, and green are stabilized at a substantially constant value at locations where the reflectance is low, and the colors such as yellow, orange, and red are locations where the reflectance is high as shown in FIG. There is a region where the value stabilizes at a substantially constant value. Since yellow is about 500 nm or more, orange is about 550 nm or more, and red is about 600 nm or more, the reflectance is the highest and stable, so it is easily recognized as a white space. The absorption wavelengths of blue, green, and violet colors can be recognized as black bars because the reflectance is low at about 600 nm or more and less than 700 nm.

This time, a bar code reader having a visible light semiconductor laser wavelength of 650 nm is used, and the dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicate the vicinity of the wavelength of 650 nm. In the vicinity of the wavelength of 650 nm (dotted line portion) in FIG. 2, the reflectances of all the colors of purple, blue, and green are low, and thus are recognized as black bars. In the vicinity of the wavelength of 650 nm (dotted line portion) in FIG. 3, the reflectance of all the colors yellow, orange, and red is high, so that it is recognized as a white space.

That is, when a barcode reader having a wavelength region of about 600 nm to 700 nm is adopted, the wavelength region of black, purple, blue, green, etc. is between about 600 nm and 700 nm as the colors of the pattern 2 drawn on the bar 2 and the bar 2. A color having a low reflectance can be selected (see FIG. 2).

When such a color is selected, the PCS value is close to 1 because the colors have different reflectances, and can be read by a barcode reader having a wavelength region of about 600 nm to 700 nm. In addition, even if it is not close to 1, it may be 0.75 or more, which is a JIS standard value, and as described above, since a barcode reader capable of dealing with a PCS value of 0.45 or more has recently appeared, A PCS value of 0.45 or more may be used.
As described above, it is possible to create a readable barcode including a picture or pattern drawn by selecting a color so as to be equal to or higher than the PCS value corresponding to the reading wavelength region of the barcode reader.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a smile is drawn using the blue pattern 3 on the black bar 2, and the blue color of the pattern 3 has a low reflectance near the wavelength of 650 nm, so that it is recognized as black similar to the bar 2. . Therefore, even if the pattern 3 is drawn, it is possible to create a barcode with excellent design without affecting the function as a barcode.

This time, the color of the bar 2 itself is black, but not limited to this, the bar may be blue, the color to be drawn may be green, and the reading wavelength of the barcode reader such as blue green and dark green not shown in the figure Any combination of colors with low reflectivity in the region may be used.

Also, the space 4 is not limited to white, but the above-described yellow, orange, red (FIG. 2), and other absorption wavelengths such as pink and vermilion not shown in the figure are approximately 600 nm or more and less than 700 nm (reading of the barcode reader adopted) A color having a high reflectance in the wavelength region can be selected.
That is, an ideal combination is a combination of colors in which the reflectance of the bar 2 is close to 0% of black, and a combination of colors in which the reflectance of the space 4 is close to 100% of pure white. As described above, since the difference in reflectance is separated, the PCS value approaches the ideal “1” as much as possible.
As described above, if the PCS value defined by the JIS standard is 0.75 or more, reading is possible, so that the above-described color (one example) can be adopted.
In recent years, bar code readers that can be read when the PCS value is 0.45 or more that deviates from the above-mentioned JIS standard have appeared, so it is possible to select various colors and densities.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following description, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in the figure, the bar code 5 is configured by arranging bars 2 having different thicknesses and white spaces 4 in parallel and appropriately. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pattern, and the pattern 6 uses a yellow color different from the color of the space 4. And the example which drew the smile with the yellow pattern 6 in the white space 4 is shown.
In the previous embodiment, a pattern is drawn on the bar 2, but in this embodiment, a smile is drawn with a yellow pattern 6 in a white space 4.

When reading the bar code 5 drawn with the yellow pattern 6 in the white space 4 as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, in a bar code reader (not shown) having a reading wavelength of 650 nm, yellow has a high reflectance. It can be seen that the yellow pattern 6 drawn in the white space 4 is recognized in the same manner as the white of the space 4. Therefore, it is possible to select white for the color of the space 4 and yellow for the color of the pattern 6 to be drawn.

Similar to the previous embodiment in which pattern 3 is drawn on bar 2, a barcode with excellent design can be created without affecting the function as a barcode even if it is drawn with yellow pattern 6 in space 4 It becomes possible to do.
About another structure, an effect | action, and an effect, since it is the same as that of previous embodiment, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In addition, although the color of the space 4 itself is white this time, it is not limited to this, the space may be yellow, and the color to be drawn may be orange, and the barcode reader such as blue green and dark green not shown in the figure may be used. Any combination of colors with high reflectance in the reading wavelength region may be used.
Also, the bar 2 is not limited to black, and the reflectivity of the bar 2 and the reflectivity of the space 4 are PCS values near 1, or 0.75 or more of the JIS standard, or a bar code reader commercially available in recent years. Any color can be used as long as the PCS value can be set to 0.45 or more. For example, the bar 2 may be blue or green, or may be pink or vermilion not shown in the figure.

Next, a third embodiment will be described mainly using FIG.
In the following description, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a barcode showing the third embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the barcode 7 is configured by arranging bars 2 having different thicknesses and spaces 4 in parallel and appropriately arranged. The color of bar 2 is black. Further, in the embodiment, as the “pattern” drawn on the bar 2, patterns 8, 9, 10 of different colors are used, respectively, and the example of drawing with the patterns 8, 9, 10 of different colors is shown. The black bar 2 is drawn like a rainbow with a purple pattern 8, a blue pattern 9, and a green pattern 10 superimposed on an arc.
Since each of the purple, blue and green colors has a low reflectance near 650 nm, it is recognized as the same black as the color of the bar 2 (see FIG. 2). As in the previous embodiment, even if a picture or pattern is drawn on the bar 2, it can be read without causing any trouble in the barcode function, and a barcode with excellent design can be created. It becomes.

Thus, when drawing a picture or a pattern on the bar 2, the bar 2 or the color to be drawn includes a low reflectance color (black, purple, blue, blue, etc.) recognized as black at the wavelength of the barcode reader (650 nm). (Wavelength region such as green) may be selected, and any combination of colors may be used as long as the combination is selected. Furthermore, it goes without saying that colors with low reflectivity, such as blue-green and dark green, not shown in the figure can be selected.
Also, the space 4 is not limited to white, and the reflectivity of the bar 2 and the reflectivity of the space are such that the PCS value is near 1, or JIS standard 0.75 or higher, or the PCS value of a barcode reader that is commercially available in recent years. Any color can be used as long as it can be set to 0.45 or more. For example, yellow or orange, pink or vermilion not shown in the figure may be used as the space.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
In the following description, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing a fourth embodiment of the barcode.
As shown in the figure, the barcode 11 is configured by arranging bars 2 having different thicknesses and spaces 4 in parallel and appropriately arranged. The color of space 4 is white. Further, in the embodiment, as the “pattern” drawn in the space 4, patterns 12, 13, and 14 having different colors are used, and a rainbow is drawn with the patterns 12, 13, and 14 having different colors. In a white space 4, a rainbow is drawn by overlapping an arc with a yellow pattern 12, an orange pattern 13, and a red pattern 14.
Since each of yellow, orange, and red has a high reflectance near 650 nm, it is recognized as the same white as the color of the space 4. As in the previous embodiment, even if a picture or pattern is drawn in the space 4, it can be read without affecting the function as a barcode, and a barcode with excellent design can be created. It becomes.

Thus, when drawing a picture or a pattern in the space 4, the color of the space 4 or the color to be drawn includes a color having a high reflectance (white or yellow, which is recognized as white at the wavelength of the barcode reader (650 nm)). (Wavelength region such as orange and red) may be selected, and any combination of colors may be used as long as the combination is selected. Needless to say, colors having a high reflectance such as pink and vermilion not shown in the figure can be selected.
Further, the bar 2 is not limited to black, and the reflectance of the bar and the reflectance of the space have a PCS value of around 1, or 0.75 or higher of JIS standard, or a PCS value of a barcode reader commercially available in recent years of 0. Any color can be used as long as it can be set to 45 or more. For example, blue or green, blue green or dark green not shown in the figure may be used as the space.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
In the following description, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view showing a fifth embodiment of the barcode.
As shown in the figure, the bar code 15 is configured by arranging bars 2 having different thicknesses and spaces 4 in parallel and appropriately. Black is used for the bar 2 and white is used for the space 4.
In the same embodiment, patterns 16, 17, and 18 are drawn on the bar 2 using different colors, and patterns 19, 20, and 21 are drawn on the space 4 using different colors. The black bar 2 uses the purple pattern 16, the blue pattern 17, and the green pattern 18, and the white space 4 uses the yellow pattern 19, the orange pattern 20, and the red pattern 21 to overlap the arc. And drawing a rainbow. That is, in this example, a rainbow-like arc is drawn by putting a pattern in both the space 4 and the bar 2 in a continuous manner. The third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined, and detailed description is omitted.

It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In the embodiment, the colors drawn in the space 4 and the bar 2 are continuous, and an arc like a rainbow is drawn, but a rainbow is drawn in the space and a smile is drawn in the bar. Different pictures or patterns may be drawn so that the two pictures or patterns overlap.
Needless to say, numbers, letters, symbols and the like may be drawn.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the barcode which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the reflectance by the color (purple, blue, green) of the target object with respect to a wavelength similarly. It is the figure which showed the reflectance by the color (yellow, orange, red) of the target object with respect to a wavelength similarly. It is the figure which showed the formula which calculates | requires a PCS value similarly. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows 2nd embodiment of a barcode similarly. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows 3rd embodiment of a barcode similarly. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows 4th embodiment of a barcode similarly. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows 5th embodiment of a barcode similarly.

Explanation of symbols

1 Bar code 2 Bar (black)
3 Pattern (blue)
4 space (white)
5 Bar code 6 showing the second embodiment (yellow)
7 Bar code indicating the third embodiment 8 Pattern (purple)
9 Pattern (blue)
10 Pattern (green)
11 Bar code 12 pattern (yellow) which is the fourth embodiment
13 Pattern (orange)
14 Pattern (red)
15 Bar code 16 pattern (purple) according to the fifth embodiment
17 Pattern (blue)
18 patterns (green)
19 Pattern (yellow)
20 patterns (orange)
21 Pattern (red)

Claims (8)

In a barcode read by a barcode reader in which thin and thick bars and spaces separating the bars are arranged in parallel and appropriately,
A barcode characterized by drawing a picture or a pattern on the bar using a color different from the color of the bar and having a reflectance different from the color of the space. In a barcode read by a barcode reader in which thin and thick bars and spaces separating the bars are arranged in parallel and appropriately,
A bar code characterized in that a color different from the color of the space and a color having a reflectance different from the color of the bar is used to draw a picture or a pattern in the space between the bars. The color of the bar, the color of the space, and the color of the pattern are selected so that the PCS value obtained from the reflectance in the reading wavelength region of the barcode reader is equal to or greater than the PCS value determined by the barcode reader. The bar code according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bar code is provided. The color of the bar, the color of the space, and the color of the pattern are selected so that the PCS value obtained from the reflectance in the reading wavelength region of the barcode reader is equal to or higher than the standard established by JIS. The barcode according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The bar code according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein the bar and the color of the pattern drawn on the bar can be selected in combination of at least three colors. 5. The barcode according to claim 2, wherein the space and the color of the pattern drawn in the space can be selected by combining at least three colors. 5. The claim 1, claim 3, or claim 4, wherein the bar is black, and the pattern is drawn by selecting one or more colors from a wavelength range of purple, blue, and green. barcode. 5. The bar code according to claim 2, wherein the space is white, and the pattern is drawn by selecting one or more colors from the wavelength range of yellow, orange, and red.

Images