JP2007188157A - Barcode and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire a barcode and imaging device for restraining generation of useless decoding time. <P>SOLUTION: A real data area 60B for a two-dimensional code 60 for recording coded real data at predesignated first recording density, and an index area 60A for recording coded index information capable of identifying what is indicated by the information of the real data by the second recording density lower than that of the first recording density. In a digital camera, the information corresponding to the index area 60A is decoded, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code 60 is a barcode to be read on the basis of the index information obtained thereby, and the information corresponding to the real data area 60B is decoded only when determined the barcode is to be read. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a barcode and an imaging device, and more particularly to a barcode such as a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional code and an imaging device that images the barcode.

  In recent years, with the increase in resolution of solid-state imaging devices such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) area sensors and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors, digital electronic still cameras, digital video cameras, mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) , Portable information terminals) and other information devices having a photographing function are rapidly increasing. Note that information devices having the above photographing functions are collectively referred to as imaging devices.

  By the way, in the imaging apparatus as described above, various techniques for improving the convenience of the imaging apparatus have been proposed in recent years, and Patent Document 1 enables imaging using a desired mode without performing a complicated operation. For this purpose, a series of operation program data for the video camera is recorded on the barcode data card, while a barcode reading unit for reading the data on the data card is provided on the video camera, A technology for executing control by a microcomputer is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, for the purpose of enabling various functions to be easily set, a storage unit that stores function setting items and a corresponding bar code, an imaging unit that captures an image, and the imaging A technique is disclosed that includes a control unit that determines whether or not an image captured by the unit matches a barcode stored in the storage unit, and sets a function based on the determination result.

  On the other hand, in recent years, two-dimensional codes such as QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) have become widespread as codes capable of recording more information than one-dimensional barcodes, and are disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents. By applying a two-dimensional code to the technology, more complex operation settings can be made with a single code. Here, it is assumed that the barcode includes a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional code, and a three-dimensional code obtained by extending the two-dimensional code. Called 'Cord'.

As a technique that can be applied to improve the confidentiality of the two-dimensional code in this technique, Patent Document 3 records a data cell area in which a data cell as an information unit is arranged and position information of the data cell area. In the two-dimensional code comprising the finder pattern area, and the data cell area and a peripheral area provided around the finder pattern area and dividing the two areas from other areas, the data cell Image data included in at least some of the areas is decomposed into a plurality of image data using visual decryption encryption technology, and at least one of the plurality of image data is recorded. A structured technique is disclosed.
JP-A-5-260355 JP 2003-289350 A JP 2003-331235 A

  Incidentally, when acquiring the information indicated by the barcode by imaging the barcode as described above, it is necessary to decode the entire barcode, so that there is a problem that the decoding takes time. It was. In particular, when a two-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code is decoded, the amount of information to be decoded is significantly larger than that of a one-dimensional barcode, and this problem is serious.

  Although the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 can improve the secrecy of the two-dimensional code, it does not take into account the time required for decoding, and thus cannot solve this problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a barcode and an imaging apparatus that can suppress generation of useless decoding time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the barcode of the present invention includes a first code area in which predetermined information is encoded and recorded at a predetermined first recording density, and a second recording lower than the first recording density. Specific information that can identify what the predetermined information indicates by density, and a second code area that is coded and recorded.

  Therefore, according to the barcode of the present invention, the information corresponding to the second code area whose recording density is lower than that of the first code area is decoded, and the barcode is selected as a reading target based on the specific information obtained thereby. It is determined whether or not the barcode is to be read, and only when it is determined that the barcode is to be read, the information corresponding to the first code area is used for decoding, thereby generating unnecessary decoding time. Can be suppressed.

  The present invention may further include a mark having a predetermined shape provided at a boundary position between the first code area and the second code area.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the code configured by each of the first code area and the second code area may be a two-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code includes a QR code (registered trademark).

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that acquires image information indicating a subject image by imaging the subject, and any one of claims 1 to 3. When the barcode is imaged by the imaging means, the first decoding means for decoding information corresponding to the second code area of the image information acquired by the imaging, and the specific information obtained by the first decoding means A determination unit that determines whether or not the barcode is a barcode to be read based on the image, and an image acquired by the imaging when the determination unit determines that the barcode is a barcode to be read Second decoding means for decoding information corresponding to the first code area of information.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, when the barcode of the present invention is imaged by the imaging unit that acquires the image information indicating the subject image by imaging the subject, the barcode is acquired by the first decoding unit by the imaging. Information corresponding to the second code area of the image information is decoded. Note that the imaging means includes a CCD area sensor and a CMOS image sensor.

  In the present invention, the determination unit determines whether the barcode is a barcode to be read based on the specific information obtained by the first decoding unit, and the barcode is to be read. Is determined, the second decoding means decodes information corresponding to the first code area of the image information acquired by the imaging.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, for the barcode of the present invention, the information corresponding to the second code area whose recording density is lower than the first code area is decoded, and the identification obtained thereby It is determined whether or not the barcode is a barcode to be read based on the information, and the information corresponding to the first code area is decoded only when it is determined to be a barcode to be read. Therefore, it is possible to suppress generation of useless decoding time.

  In the present invention, it is assumed that the specific information includes time limit information indicating its own expiration date, and when the barcode is imaged by the imaging means, the image information indicated by the image information acquired by the imaging Decoding prohibiting means for prohibiting decoding by the second decoding means when the expiration date indicated by the time limit information has passed may be further provided.

  According to the barcode of the present invention, the predetermined information is recorded at a first code area in which predetermined information is coded and recorded at a predetermined first recording density, and at a second recording density lower than the first recording density. And a second code area in which specific information that can identify what information is coded is recorded, and corresponds to a second code area whose recording density is lower than that of the first code area Only when it is determined that the barcode is a barcode to be read based on the specific information obtained by decoding the information to be read and whether the barcode is to be read By using the information corresponding to the first code area as decoding, it is possible to suppress the generation of useless decoding time.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the information corresponding to the second code area whose recording density is lower than the first code area is decoded for the barcode of the present invention, and the specific information obtained thereby is decoded. Since it is determined whether or not the barcode is a barcode to be read based on the information, the information corresponding to the first code area is decoded only when it is determined to be a barcode to be read. The effect that generation | occurrence | production of useless decoding time can be suppressed is acquired.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the case where the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”) that captures a still image will be described.

  First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In front of the digital camera 10, a lens 21 for forming a subject image, a strobe 44 that emits light to irradiate the subject when necessary, and a viewfinder used to determine the composition of the subject to be photographed. 20 is provided. Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a release switch (so-called shutter) 56A, a power switch 56B, and a mode changeover switch 56C that are pressed when performing shooting are provided.

  Note that the release switch 56A of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”) and to a final pressed position beyond the intermediate position. A two-stage pressing operation of a state (hereinafter referred to as a “fully pressed state”) can be detected.

  In the digital camera 10, the release switch 56A is pressed halfway to activate the AE (Automatic Exposure) function and set the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state), and then AF (Auto Focus). , Automatic focusing) function is performed to control focusing, and then exposure (photographing) is performed when the button is fully pressed.

  The mode changeover switch 56C is rotated when setting to any one of a shooting mode that is a mode for shooting and a playback mode that is a mode for playing back a subject image on the LCD 38 described later.

  On the other hand, on the back surface of the digital camera 10, an eyepiece of the finder 20, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38 for displaying a photographed subject image, a menu screen, and the like, and a cross cursor switch 56D. And are provided. The cross-cursor switch 56D includes four arrow keys that indicate four moving directions of up, down, left, and right in the display area of the LCD 38.

  Furthermore, on the back of the digital camera 10, a menu switch that is pressed when displaying the menu screen on the LCD 38, a determination switch that is pressed when confirming the operation content up to that point, and the previous operation content are displayed. A cancel switch that is pressed when canceling and a bar code shooting mode setting switch that is pressed when setting a bar code shooting mode to be described later are provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 22 including the lens 21 described above, a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 24 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 21, and an input analog. And an analog signal processing unit 26 that performs various analog signal processing on the signal.

  The digital camera 10 also performs an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 that converts an input analog signal into digital data, and performs various digital signal processing on the input digital data. And a digital signal processing unit 30.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 has a built-in line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and also performs control to directly store the input digital data in a predetermined area of the memory 48 described later.

  The output terminal of the CCD 24 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28, and the output terminal of the ADC 28 is connected to the input terminal of the digital signal processing unit 30. . Accordingly, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 24 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26, converted into digital image data by the ADC 28, and then input to the digital signal processing unit 30.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 generates a signal for displaying a subject image, a menu screen or the like on the LCD 38 and supplies the signal to the LCD 38, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10. A memory 48 that temporarily stores digital image data obtained by photographing, and a memory interface 46 that controls access to the memory 48 are included.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes an external memory interface 50 for enabling the portable memory card 52 to be accessed by the digital camera 10, and a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 for performing compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data. It is configured to include.

  In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, a flash memory is used as the memory 48, and a smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)) is used as the memory card 52.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the LCD interface 36, the CPU 40, the memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 40 controls the operation of the digital signal processing unit 30 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, displays various information via the LCD interface 36 to the LCD 38, and the memory interface 46 or the external memory interface to the memory 48 and the memory card 52. 50 can be accessed each.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 24 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 24, and the driving of the CCD 24 is controlled by the CPU 40 via the timing generator 32.

  Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 22 is also controlled by the CPU 40 via the motor drive unit 34. The

  In other words, the lens 21 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor, and these motors are each driven by a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 34 under the control of the CPU 40.

  Further, various switches such as the release switch 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode switch 56C, the cross cursor switch 56D, the menu switch, and the barcode shooting mode setting switch (generally referred to as “operation unit 56” in the figure). The CPU 40 is connected to the CPU 40, and the CPU 40 can always grasp the operation state of the operation unit 56.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a charging unit 42 that is interposed between the strobe 44 and the CPU 40 and charges power for causing the strobe 44 to emit light under the control of the CPU 40. Further, the strobe 44 is also connected to the CPU 40, and the light emission of the strobe 44 is controlled by the CPU 40.

  Incidentally, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a program (here, firmware) that is executed in order to realize various functions is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance. When a predetermined image (in this case, a two-dimensional code) indicating information for changing the processing content of the program is captured by the CCD 24, the digital camera 10 is indicated by image data acquired by the imaging. A bar code shooting mode is prepared in advance, which is an operation mode for changing the processing contents of the program using information.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment is substantially square, and the inside of the two-dimensional code 60 is a total of two areas of the same area in each of the horizontal and vertical directions. The area is divided into four areas, and the upper left area in plan view is an index area 60A (corresponding to the “second code area” of the present invention), and the remaining area is an actual data area 60B (“first code area of the present invention”). ”).) As described above, in the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment, the area of 25% of the entire area is the index area 60A and the remaining 75% of the area is the actual data area 60B. The area ratio of the actual data region 60B is not limited to this, and an arbitrary area ratio can be applied.

  Here, in the actual data area 60B, predetermined information is encoded and recorded at a first recording density determined in advance as being at least a recording density that can be read at the maximum resolution of the CCD 24 of the digital camera 10.

  On the other hand, the index area 60A specifies what the predetermined information indicates at a second recording density lower than the first recording density (in the present embodiment, a recording density that is half the first recording density). Information (corresponding to “specific information” of the present invention) that can be encoded and recorded.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 schematically shows information indicated by the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment includes index information that is information recorded in the index area 60A and real data that is information recorded in the actual data area 60B. ing. The index information includes type information, validity period information, version information, and the like.

  Here, the type information is information indicating the type of information recorded as the actual data. In the present embodiment, the type information indicates any one of firmware, image data, text data, and language data. Information is recorded. The expiration date information is information indicating the expiration date of the two-dimensional code 60, and in the present embodiment, information indicating the date is recorded. Furthermore, the version information is information indicating the version of the information recorded as the actual data. In the present embodiment, numerical information indicating the version is recorded.

  The firmware recorded as the actual data of the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment includes information indicating its own version (hereinafter referred to as “firmware version information”) in a partial area thereof, Information indicating whether it is firmware (hereinafter referred to as “firm type information”) is included in advance. In the present embodiment, a predetermined paper on which the two-dimensional code 60 is printed is provided by the manufacturer of the digital camera 10.

  Next, an overall operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  First, the CCD 24 performs imaging through the optical unit 22 and sequentially outputs analog signals for R (red), G (green), and B (blue) indicating the subject image to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 performs analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling processing on the analog signal input from the CCD 24 and sequentially outputs the analog signal to the ADC 28.

  The ADC 28 converts the R, G, and B analog signals input from the analog signal processing unit 26 into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and sequentially outputs them to the digital signal processing unit 30. To do. The digital signal processing unit 30 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 28 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data directly in a predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 is read out by the digital signal processing unit 30 according to the control by the CPU 40, and is subjected to white gain by applying a digital gain for each of R, G, and B according to a predetermined physical quantity. In addition to performing balance adjustment, gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 performs YC signal processing on the generated 8-bit digital image data to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”), and the YC signal. Are stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The LCD 38 is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 24 and can be used as a finder. When the LCD 38 is used as a finder, the LCD 38 is generated. The YC signals thus output are sequentially output to the LCD 38 via the LCD interface 36. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38.

  Here, at the timing when the release switch 56A is half pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and the focus control is performed, and then the fully pressed state is continued. The YC signal stored in the memory 48 at that time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, JPEG format) by the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 and then the external memory interface 50 is To the memory card 52 as an electronic file (image file).

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 when the barcode shooting mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a barcode shooting mode processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 when the barcode shooting mode setting switch is pressed, and the program is stored in the memory 48. It is stored in advance in a predetermined area. Also, here, in order to avoid complications, it is assumed that the barcode shooting mode processing program supports only version upgrade (update) of a predetermined firmware (hereinafter referred to as “update target firmware”). explain.

  First, in step 100, the CCD 24, the analog signal processing unit 26, the digital signal so as to perform imaging at a resolution at which the code of the index area 60A recorded at the second recording density can be read and at a minimum resolution. Each unit related to the imaging resolution such as the processing unit 30 is set. Here, the user photographs the two-dimensional code 60 to be processed by the digital camera 10 after pressing the barcode photographing mode setting switch.

  Therefore, in the next step 102, the user waits for the completion of shooting, and in the next step 104, the digital image data stored by the shooting is read from the memory 48 to acquire the image data, and the next step 106. The two-dimensional code effective for the image indicated by the acquired digital image data (here, the two-dimensional code configured as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as an example, and hereinafter referred to as “processing target image”) .) Is included, and if the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, the code of the index area 60A in the processing target image is decoded, and in the next step 110, it is determined whether or not the type information obtained by the decoding indicates firmware. It is determined whether or not the image is for firmware upgrade (update). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, the firmware version information of the update target firmware already stored (installed) in the memory 48 is read, and in the next step 114, the version indicated by the version information is the version information obtained by the decoding. It is determined whether or not the firmware included in the processing target image is a new version of firmware by determining whether or not the version is less than or equal to the version indicated by step S <b> 116. Transition.

  In step 116, it is determined whether or not the current time is within the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information obtained by the decoding. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 120.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in any of Step 106, Step 110, Step 114, and Step 116, the process proceeds to Step 118 and the LCD interface 36 is controlled to display a predetermined warning screen. Thereafter, the barcode shooting mode processing program is terminated.

  FIG. 6A shows the display state of the warning screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the processing of step 118 described above. As shown in the figure, on the warning screen according to the present embodiment, a message indicating that the firmware could not be updated is displayed along with the reason. Therefore, the user can grasp these facts by referring to the screen.

  On the other hand, in step 120, the LCD interface 36 is controlled to display a predetermined confirmation screen, and in the next step 122, input of predetermined information is waited.

  FIG. 6B shows the display state of the confirmation screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the process of step 120 described above. As shown in the figure, on the confirmation screen according to the present embodiment, a message for prompting an instruction to update the firmware is displayed together with an execution button and a cancel button. When the confirmation screen shown in the figure is displayed, the user designates an execution button when updating the firmware and a cancel button when updating the firmware by operating the cross cursor switch 56D. To do. In response, step 122 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 124.

  In step 124, it is determined whether or not the firmware is to be updated by determining whether or not the execution button has been designated by the user on the confirmation screen. After ending the code shooting mode, the barcode shooting mode processing program is ended.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 124 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 128, at a resolution at which the code of the actual data area 60B recorded at the first recording density can be read, and at a minimum resolution. Each unit related to the imaging resolution such as the CCD 24, the analog signal processing unit 26, and the digital signal processing unit 30 is set so as to perform imaging. Here, the user re-photographs the two-dimensional code 60 to be processed by the digital camera 10.

  Therefore, in the next step 130, the user waits for the completion of shooting, and in the next step 132, the digital image data stored by the shooting is read from the memory 48 to acquire the image data, and the next step 134. Then, the code of the actual data area 60B in the image indicated by the acquired digital image data is decoded.

  In the next step 136, the firmware obtained by the process in step 134 is overwritten on the firmware to be updated in the memory 48 to update the version of the firmware to be updated. The LCD interface 36 is controlled to display the updated update completion screen.

  FIG. 6C shows the display state of the update completion screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the process of step 138. As shown in the figure, a message indicating that the firmware update is completed is displayed on the update completion screen according to the present embodiment.

  Then, at the next step 140, the digital camera 10 main body is rebooted (Reboot), and the barcode photographing mode processing program is terminated.

  As described above in detail, in the two-dimensional code according to the present embodiment, the first code area (in this case, actual data) is encoded and recorded with a predetermined first recording density (the actual data). Here, the actual data area 60B) and specific information (here, index information) that can specify what the predetermined information indicates at a second recording density lower than the first recording density are encoded. And the recorded second code area (here, index area 60A), the information corresponding to the second code area whose recording density is lower than that of the first code area is decoded, thereby Based on the obtained specific information, it is determined whether or not the barcode is a barcode to be read. Only when it is determined that the barcode is a barcode to be read, the first code is read. By utilizing as decoding the information corresponding to the region, it is possible to suppress the wasteful decoding time.

  In the present embodiment, since the two-dimensional code is applied as the barcode of the present invention, more information can be recorded as compared with the case of the one-dimensional barcode, and more complicated processing can be performed. Can respond.

  And in the imaging device (here, the digital camera 10) according to the present embodiment, the information corresponding to the second code area whose recording density is lower than the first code area is decoded for the two-dimensional code, Based on the specific information obtained by this, it is determined whether or not the barcode is a barcode to be read, and only when it is determined to be a barcode to be read, it corresponds to the first code area. Since information is decoded, generation of useless decoding time can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, the specific information includes expiration date information indicating its own expiration date, and is acquired by the imaging when the barcode is imaged by the imaging means. Since the decoding of information corresponding to the first code area is prohibited when the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information indicated by the image information has passed, the first code area of the barcode whose expiration date has passed is prohibited. The decoding of the corresponding information can be avoided beforehand.

  In the present embodiment, the specific information includes version information indicating its own version, and when the barcode is imaged by the imaging means, the image information indicated by the image information acquired by the imaging is used. Since the firmware update is prohibited when the version indicated by the version information is equal to or lower than the firmware version stored in the storage means, useless installation of firmware that has already been upgraded Can be prevented in advance.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the two-dimensional code 60 (see FIG. 3) in which the boundary position between the index area 60A and the actual data area 60B is known has been described as an example of the barcode of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a two-dimensional code 62 provided with a mark 62C indicating the boundary position between the index area 62A and the actual data area 62B is applied. You can also In this case, the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 detects the position of the mark 62C from the processing target image when executing the barcode shooting mode processing program (see FIG. 5), and sets the index area 62A and the actual data area 62B. It will be divided. In this case, since it is not necessary to know the boundary position between the index area and the actual data area, the use range of the two-dimensional code can be widened, and convenience can be improved. In the figure, rectangular and L-shaped marks are used as the mark, but the mark is not limited to this, and other shapes such as a linear shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape may be applied. Needless to say.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the two-dimensional code 60 is applied as the barcode of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a one-dimensional barcode or a three-dimensional code is used. It can also be set as the form to apply.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the three-dimensional code 64 in this case. Note that the three-dimensional code 64 shown in the figure has a plurality of gradations (in the figure, the codes recorded in the index area 64A and the actual data area 64B are compared to the two-dimensional code 60 according to the above embodiment). The only difference is that it has a density of (3 gradations). In this case, as compared with the two-dimensional code 60, more information can be expressed and can be applied to a wider range of applications. As another example of the three-dimensional code, for the two-dimensional code 60, a code recorded in the index area 60A and the actual data area 60B with a plurality of colors can be exemplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the barcode shooting mode processing program, the user performs two shootings in total, once each for obtaining the information in the index area 60A and for obtaining the information in the actual data area 60B. Although the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the imaging can be performed at a resolution that can read the code of the actual data area 60B recorded at the first recording density, and at the minimum. It is executed only once so as to perform imaging at the resolution, and it is determined whether or not the processing target image is a barcode to be read according to the decoding result of only the index area 60A. Only when it is determined that there is a real data area 60B can be decoded. In this case, since the number of times of photographing can be set to only one, the convenience can be further improved.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the barcode shooting mode processing program is executed when the barcode shooting mode setting switch is pressed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, It is also possible to adopt a form in which the barcode photographing mode processing program is executed at another timing, such as a form that is executed when a specific image such as a two-dimensional code is photographed. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, model information for specifying the model to be processed is included in the index information of the two-dimensional code 60, and the model indicated by the model information is automatically determined by the barcode shooting mode processing program. If the machine is not a machine, the process may be stopped. In this case, it is possible not to process the two-dimensional code unrelated to itself, and to realize the present invention for each model.

  In addition, the hardware configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the above embodiment and the configuration of the two-dimensional code 60 (see FIGS. 1 to 4) are examples, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  The processing flow of the barcode shooting mode processing program described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 5) is also an example, and the processing order of each step can be changed and processed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, it is possible to change the contents, delete unnecessary steps, add new steps, and the like.

  Further, the display states of various screens described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 6) are also examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the imaging device of the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device having a photographing function such as a PDA or a mobile phone. Needless to say.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view (plan view) showing the configuration of the two-dimensional code according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the two-dimensional code which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the barcode imaging | photography mode processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display state of the various screen which concerns on embodiment, (A) is a figure which shows a warning screen, (B) is a figure which shows a confirmation screen, (C) is a figure which shows an update completion screen. . It is an external view (plan view) which shows the modification of the structure of the two-dimensional code which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view (plan view) which shows the other modification (three-dimensional code) of the structure of the two-dimensional code which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 24 CCD (Imaging means)
38 LCD
40 CPU (first decoding means, determination means, second decoding means, decoding prohibition means)
48 memory 60 2D code (bar code)
60A Index area (second code area)
60B Actual data area (first code area)
62 Two-dimensional code (bar code)
62A Index area (second code area)
62B Real data area (first code area)
62C Mark 64 3D code (barcode)
64A Index area (second code area)
64B actual data area (first code area)

Claims (5)

A first code area in which predetermined information is encoded and recorded at a predetermined first recording density;
A second code area in which specific information capable of specifying what the predetermined information is at a second recording density lower than the first recording density is encoded and recorded;
With barcode.   The barcode according to claim 1, further comprising a mark having a predetermined shape provided at a boundary position between the first code area and the second code area. The barcode according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a code configured by each of the first code area and the second code area is a two-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code. Imaging means for acquiring image information indicating a subject image by imaging the subject;
A first decoding for decoding information corresponding to the second code area of the image information acquired by the imaging when the barcode according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is imaged by the imaging means. Means,
Determining means for determining whether or not the barcode is a barcode to be read based on the specific information obtained by the first decoding means;
Second decoding means for decoding information corresponding to the first code area of the image information acquired by the imaging when the determination means determines that the barcode is to be read;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The specific information includes deadline information indicating its own expiration date,
Decoding prohibition that prohibits decoding by the second decoding means when the barcode is imaged by the imaging means and the expiration date indicated by the time limit information indicated by the image information acquired by the imaging has passed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means.