JP2009033771A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and inexpensively obtain the so-called "stealth dot pattern", in which the presence of a dot pattern on a medium surface cannot be recognized visually only slightly by enhancing the existing printing technologies, and to easily restrict the copy of a copy-inhibited confidential document or copyright-reserved printed patter, by performing copy control on a copy printing device by reading the relevant dot pattern. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which optically reads an original document, generates print data, corresponding to a read image and prints the print data on a medium surface and comprises a means for designating any arbitrary region in the image read, optically reading the original document; a means for allocating an arbitrary dot pattern to the designated arbitrary region; and a print control means for printing the dot pattern, in an arbitrary region when the print data is to be printed on the medium surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique effectively applied to a dot pattern reading system that reads a medium surface on which a dot pattern is printed and outputs data corresponding to the dot pattern.

  A technique for reading a dot pattern printed on a medium surface such as a paper surface and outputting data corresponding to the dot pattern is known.

  Regarding the dot pattern arrangement theory, several methods have been proposed including the present inventors.

  On the other hand, dot pattern printing technology has become highly accurate, and it has become possible to arrange dot patterns at high density on paper.

As a patent document proposed for such a dot pattern reading system, there is JP-T-2003-528387 (Patent Document 1) and the like filed by Anoto Aktie Boraak. Further, as the prior art of the dot pattern used in the present invention, there are PCT / JP03 / 03162 (referred to as GRID-1 for convenience) and PCT / JP03 / 166763 (referred to as GRID-2 for convenience) by the present applicant.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-528387

  However, in any of the systems using the dot pattern described in Patent Document 1 described above, the dot pattern is captured as an image using an optical reading unit, and the dot pattern is recognized from the image. There was a possibility that the dot pattern could be seen by gazing at the surface.

  When the dot pattern is in a visible state, there is a problem that the information meaning the dot pattern is easy to analyze and lacks confidentiality.

  Further, since the dot pattern is visible on the medium surface, there is a problem that the aesthetic appearance of the medium surface is impaired.

  In order to avoid such inconvenience, it is conceivable to print the dot pattern using a transparent special ink that reacts with infrared light or ultraviolet light. It was not right. In particular, a method using these special optical filters is not suitable for a mobile phone terminal to which a photographing function that has been widely used in recent years has been added.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a so-called stealth dot pattern, which cannot be visually recognized by the presence of a dot pattern on the medium surface, can be simply and inexpensively improved only by slightly improving the existing printing technology. In addition, the technical problem is to easily realize the copy restriction of confidential documents prohibited from copying and copyrighted printed matter by reading the dot pattern in the copying printer and performing the copying control. To do.

  The present invention is a printing apparatus that optically reads an original document, generates print data corresponding to the read image, and prints the print data on a medium surface. Means for designating an arbitrary area, means for assigning an arbitrary dot pattern to the arbitrary area specified above, and printing the dot pattern in the arbitrary area when printing the print data on the medium surface A printing apparatus including a printing control unit.

  According to this, in a copy or printing apparatus, it becomes easy to specify the area where the dot pattern is to be formed in the document. As a result, various information and codes desired to be embedded in the printed material can be printed out.

  For example, a dot pattern can be printed by reading a picture book or the like and specifying a free area of the picture in the picture book.

  The present invention is a printing apparatus in which the dot pattern assigned to an arbitrary area is content such as sound, image, moving image, or a code related thereto, or confidential information of the document.

  According to this printing apparatus, it is possible to directly register contents such as voice, image, and moving image as dot patterns, or to set a code for designating addresses of these contents as dot patterns. Furthermore, confidential information can be managed by encrypting the dot pattern or registering a copy prohibition code or the like as the dot pattern.

  The present invention irradiates a medium surface provided with a dot pattern with infrared light or ultraviolet light, reads the reflected light with an optical reading means, recognizes the dot pattern, and converts it into corresponding data. A dot surface forming medium surface used in a dot pattern reading system that outputs characters, sounds, images, etc., and the dots constituting the dot pattern are inks of any color that react in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region Is a printing structure of a medium surface provided by a printing process on the medium surface.

  Here, the ink that reacts in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region (reactive ink) may be exemplified by an ink having a characteristic that reacts with light in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region, more specifically, carbon ink. it can. In the case of inks that do not react in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region (non-reactive inks), when light of wavelengths in these regions is irradiated onto the printing surface (medium surface), light from these ink surfaces is reflected along with visible light. In the case of ink that reacts in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region, the ink surface absorbs (reacts) light in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region and does not generate reflected light from the printed surface.

  The ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region (reactive ink) may be one that does not contain carbon in addition to the carbon ink. As an example, stealth ink can be used as an ink having a characteristic of absorbing (reacting) infrared rays with a molecular structure not containing carbon, and dry rich ink (trade name) can be used as a product name.

  The present invention irradiates a medium surface provided with a dot pattern with infrared light or ultraviolet light, reads the reflected light with an optical reading means, recognizes the dot pattern, and converts it into corresponding data. A dot pattern forming medium surface used in a dot pattern reading system for outputting characters, sounds, images, etc., wherein the dots constituting the dot pattern are made of ink that reacts in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region. It is a printing structure of a medium surface provided by a printing process on the medium surface with a color similar to the color of the medium surface.

  By making the dots similar to the color of the medium surface (paper surface), the presence of the dots cannot be recognized visually, and the infrared wavelength or ultraviolet light is reflected by the reflected light of the infrared light irradiated on the medium surface when reading the dot pattern. It is possible to reliably recognize dot portions printed and formed with ink that reacts in the wavelength region.

  The present invention irradiates a medium surface provided with a dot pattern with infrared light, reads the reflected light with an optical reading means, recognizes the dot pattern, converts it into data corresponding thereto, and converts characters and voices. A dot pattern reading medium used in a dot pattern reading system for outputting an image or the like, wherein the dots constituting the dot pattern are printed and formed on the medium surface using ink that reacts in the infrared region. The upper surface of the dots has a printing structure on the medium surface in which a normal printing layer is formed of an opaque ink having the same color as the medium surface or an arbitrary color.

  According to the above, since the normal printing layer is formed with the opaque ink of the same color as the color of the medium surface or of any color on the upper layer of the dot pattern printed with the ink that reacts in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region, the lower layer dot The pattern becomes invisible. However, since the infrared wavelength is longer than that of the normal printing layer, it reaches the dot pattern, and the dot pattern in the lower layer can be optically recognized by the reflected light.

  The present invention relates to a dot pattern printing method used in a dot pattern reading system that reads a dot pattern formed on a medium surface with an optical reading means, converts the dot pattern into corresponding data, and outputs characters, sounds, images, and the like. The dot is one or a plurality of colors that match or approximate the image color of the dot position, and ink that absorbs (reacts) at an infrared or ultraviolet wavelength is superimposed and printed concentrically. The diameter of the color with the highest gradation (highest gradation color) is matched with the diameter of the dot read by the optical reading means, and the diameter of each color is calculated by dividing the halftone dot amount of the desired color by the halftone dot amount of the highest gradation color. In this method, the square root value is obtained, and the square root value is multiplied by the diameter of the highest gradation color.

  According to this method, since dots are superimposed and printed concentrically to form an approximate color of the surrounding color, the dot is difficult to see due to the surrounding color, so it is difficult to visually recognize the dot. .

  The present invention calculates the C, M, and Y values of the original image, and generates drawing print data by excluding at least a part of the achromatic color gradation region in which the C, M, and Y values are common. The K component (black ink component) of the achromatic color gradation area excluded above is calculated, and the dot pattern generated based on the previously input information is optically detected in the visible light area from the remaining achromatic color area. A printing method for a medium surface including a dot pattern that is printed and formed on the medium surface using K ink (black color) that can be identified visually.

  According to this method, since a dot pattern can be recognized by performing color separation processing on an image read by an optical reading device, a general-purpose device without using a complicated device configuration such as an infrared irradiation mechanism or an optical filter can be used. The dot pattern can be read by using a digital camera function added to a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal. In addition, drawing ink data is generated by excluding at least a part of the achromatic color gradation region (region close to the color of K ink (black color)) in common with each of the CMY values at the time of printing. It is possible to prevent dot pattern reading errors due to (black).

  The present invention provides a printing surface including a dot pattern used in a dot pattern reading system that reads a dot pattern formed on a medium surface with an optical reading unit, converts the dot pattern into corresponding data, and outputs characters, sounds, images, and the like. In this reading method, when the RGB data obtained from the original image is read, for each pixel of the read original image, a pixel in which the added value of the R value, the G value, and the B value is minimum The R, G, and B values are used as correction reference values, the correction reference value is subtracted from the RGB values of other pixels, and the maximum and minimum values of the RGB data of each pixel after the subtraction are obtained. Then, an average value is obtained, a predetermined area α calculated from the average value is obtained, and it is determined whether or not all the RGB values are included in the area α. %) And enter When the average value is set to a gray scale, the width of the region α is set to be small when the average gray scale is a high value, and the width of the region α is set to be large when the gray scale is low. This is a reading method that enables optical identification in the visible light region in the region between the dot pattern of K ink (black color) and the normal print portion by setting.

  In general, a CMOS or the like which is an optical reading element has some characteristics at the time of reading. This is because when a color component is biased to one color and has a great influence, other colors are also attracted to it, and variations in device manufacturing are also affected. For example, the entire reading result is bluish. In many cases, the image will end up. When dot pattern recognition is performed on such a characteristic image, the K ink (black ink) dots are difficult to read due to the blue component, particularly in the case of color separation processing as described in claims 5 and 6. There are many cases of reading errors. Therefore, the technique of applying correction at the time of reading is the method of claim 6.

  That is, the pixel having the minimum RGB addition result is searched from the read image. Thus, a pixel that has the minimum RGB addition result is definitely a dot. At this time, if only B in RGB varies such that the value is high, it can be seen that the image is corrected to a strong blue image. Therefore, the correction reference value is subtracted from the other pixels using the RGB value of each pixel having the minimum RGB addition result as the correction reference value. Then, the image corrected by the CMOS is restored to the state before correction. Next, the minimum value of the addition result of RGB is searched. This is nothing but searching for dots. And we find the darkest area with such dots.

  Then, if each component of RGB in the RGB minimum region is subtracted from other pixels, it is possible to return to the original color image optimum for dot pattern recognition by the color separation method.

  For the image corrected in this way, the average value of the maximum value and the minimum value of the RGB data is taken, and when the gray scale of the average value is high, the width of the region α is set small, and the gray scale is When the width is low, the width of the region α is set to be large so that the K ink (black color) dot pattern can be easily identified in the visible light region.

  In each pixel, when subtracting the above-described RGB components, a negative value is uniformly set to 0. Note that this RGB minimum region extraction may be performed by sampling a plurality of pixels and calculating a correction reference value.

  The present invention is used in a dot pattern reading system that reads a dot pattern formed on a medium surface with an optical reading means capable of reading in a visible light region, converts the read data into corresponding data, and outputs characters, sounds, images, and the like. A printing method for a medium surface including a dot pattern, wherein drawing print data is generated by excluding at least a part of an achromatic color gradation region in which each of C, M, and Y values of an original image is common, and The K component (black ink component) of the achromatic color gradation region excluded in step (b) is calculated, and the dot pattern generated based on the previously input information is optically defined in the visible light region as the remaining achromatic color region. This is a printing method for a medium surface including a dot pattern in which information is defined by shifting individual dots forming original halftone dots with a predetermined logic using identifiable K ink (black color).

  According to this method, the halftone dot obtained by the AM printing method is also used as a dot pattern dot, so that it is difficult to visually determine whether the dot is a halftone dot for printing.

  When the color components are C, M, and Y, if the common portion is taken out, it becomes an achromatic color gradation, that is, a K component (black ink component). Although the dot pattern is also used as the dot pattern, the dot pattern can also be used as a halftone dot of any one of C, M, and Y other than the K component (black component).

  The present invention irradiates infrared light or ultraviolet light onto a medium surface provided with a dot pattern which is formed on the medium surface and reacts in the infrared wavelength or ultraviolet wavelength region, and reads the reflected light with an optical reading means. A medium surface on which a dot pattern is formed, which is used in a dot pattern reading system that recognizes a pattern and converts it into data corresponding thereto and outputs characters, sounds, images, etc., and C, M, Y of the original image A dot pattern that doubles as a halftone dot is formed using one of the colors K and K, and the dot pattern is superimposed on the halftone dot using the same color ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength or ultraviolet wavelength region with the color selected above. This is a printing method of a medium surface including a printed dot pattern.

  This method is a dot pattern using a halftone dot by the AM printing method. However, since the dot pattern is superimposed and printed using an ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region in the halftone dot, the size of the halftone dot itself is large. Dots can be placed regardless of. Therefore, since the CMY control for color separation described in claim 7 is not required, the dot size is not affected by the dot size, so the dot size is always maintained constant. This can prevent dot reading errors.

  Further, the dots are superimposed and printed in the halftone dots, and the halftone dots are not added to the print image in a multiplexed manner, so that the printing surface does not become dark.

  It should be noted that the dot pattern color that also serves as halftone dots in the same document may use only one of C, M, Y, and K, but different color halftone dots that exist in the same document. The dot pattern may be superimposed and printed using the same color ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength or ultraviolet wavelength region corresponding to each color. For example, if there are many C components in a certain area of the document, the halftone dot of C may be used as a dot in that area, and if there are many M components in another area, the halftone dot of M may be used as a dot in that area. .

  For example, in the case of an image in which a black crow and a person wearing yellow clothes are placed on the screen, the black crow part is a dot of K component (black ink component) and the yellow clothes part is Y. It is possible to combine dots with the halftone dots of the components.

  The present invention irradiates the dot pattern, character, symbol, figure, etc. formed on the medium surface with infrared light and reads the reflected light with an optical reading means, thereby obtaining the dot pattern, character, symbol, or figure. A method of printing on a medium surface used in a reading system for recognition, wherein an area for recognition as a dot pattern, character, symbol, figure, or the like in an image is set as a mask area, and an area other than the mask area is an infrared wavelength Alternatively, printing is performed with ink that does not react in the ultraviolet wavelength region (hereinafter referred to as “non-reactive ink”), and the mask region is printed with ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or ultraviolet wavelength region (hereinafter referred to as “reactive ink”). This is a method of printing a medium surface in which the mask area can be recognized when the medium surface is read by the optical reading means.

  According to this method, since only the mask region is printed with ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region, the mask region can be recognized by the optical reading unit that emits infrared light. Moreover, since the printing with reactive ink and the printing with non-reactive ink cannot be identified by human eyes, it is difficult to visually identify the mask area.

  The present invention provides a medium surface including a dot pattern used in a dot pattern reading system that reads a dot pattern formed on a medium surface with an optical reading unit, converts the dot pattern into corresponding data, and outputs characters, sounds, images, and the like. The printing method is to form FM screening dots in which color dots of the same shape are randomly arranged for the C, M, Y, and K color components of the original image. The FM screening dots where the dots based on the pattern are arranged are printed with the reaction ink of the same color or approximate color as the color component of the original image (ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region), and the FM screening dots other than the above are not used. A printing method for a medium surface including a dot pattern to be printed with reactive ink.

  According to this method, using an FM screening printing method in which dots having the same shape are randomly arranged, a dot pattern of similar colors or approximate colors using ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region in the FM screening dots. Is formed by printing. Since the dot pattern has the same color or approximate color as the FM screening dot, it is difficult to identify the dot pattern by visual observation. On the other hand, since the dot pattern is printed and formed with ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region, it can be recognized by optical recognition means that irradiates infrared light.

  The present invention provides a medium surface including a dot pattern used in a dot pattern reading system that reads a dot pattern formed on a medium surface with an optical reading unit, converts the dot pattern into corresponding data, and outputs characters, sounds, images, and the like. In this printing method, when generating FM screening dots in which color dots of the same shape are randomly arranged, the printing area is divided by the number of dots, and C, M, and Y included in the area per dot The drawing print data by FM screening dots is generated by excluding at least a part of the achromatic color gradation region common to each of the pixels, and the K component (black ink component) of the achromatic color gradation region excluded above is generated. The dot pattern generated based on the information input in advance is arranged on the drawing print data using the K component (black component) pixels. It is a printing method of a medium surface containing a pattern.

  According to this method, even in the FM screen printing method, a pixel by the K component can be generated by collecting the common gradation portions from the surrounding C, M, and Y components, and this pixel is used as a dot pattern dot. It becomes possible.

  The present invention relates to an audio data input / playback method associated with a dot pattern on a medium surface using a mobile phone terminal having a photographing function and an audio input function, wherein the audio is transmitted through a microphone provided in the mobile phone terminal. A step of inputting; a step of photographing a medium surface on which a dot pattern is printed through a camera provided in a mobile phone terminal; and a dot code number obtained from a photographed image of the dot pattern and the audio data in association with each other A step of generating related information, a step of storing the dot code number, the audio data, and the related information in storage means, and a dot pattern on the medium surface is photographed by the camera of the mobile phone terminal In addition, the related information of the storage means is searched based on the dot code number obtained from the captured image of the dot pattern. An input-reproduction method of the audio data associated with the dot patterns of the medium surface comprising the step of reading and reproducing audio data associated from the storage means by the associated information.

  According to this method, the dot pattern is imaged by the photographing function (digital camera function) of the mobile phone terminal, and the voice data input by the voice input function (voice recorder function) is associated with each other, and then the medium It is possible to reproduce the audio data associated when the surface dot pattern is photographed. At this time, a dot pattern that can be analyzed by color separation can be used as the dot pattern on the medium surface.

  The present invention is a method for inputting / reproducing audio data associated with a dot pattern on a medium surface, wherein the storage means is a memory of the mobile phone terminal or a flash memory detachably attached to the mobile phone terminal.

  According to this method, since the memory provided in the mobile phone terminal or the detachable flash memory can be used as the storage means, the system can be constructed only with software without adding hardware. In addition, when a detachable flash memory is used, the same audio data can be reproduced when the dot pattern is read by another mobile phone terminal by simply replacing the flash memory.

  The present invention relates to a voice data input / playback method associated with a dot pattern on a medium surface using a mobile phone terminal having a photographing function and a voice input function, and a microphone provided in the first mobile phone terminal A step of inputting voice through the step of photographing a medium surface on which a dot pattern is printed through a camera provided in the first mobile phone terminal, a dot code number obtained from a photographed image of the dot pattern, and the Associating voice data with each other, generating related information, storing the dot code number, the voice data, and the related information in storage means of the first mobile phone terminal; The dot code number, the voice data and the related information are transferred from the storage means of the mobile phone terminal to the storage means of the second mobile phone terminal. And when the dot pattern on the medium surface is photographed by the camera of the second mobile phone terminal, the second mobile phone terminal is based on the dot code number obtained from the captured image of the dot pattern. A method of inputting / reproducing audio data associated with a dot pattern on a medium surface, comprising: retrieving related information in storage means, and reading out and reproducing audio data associated with the relevant information from the storage means.

  According to this method, when a dot code number, audio data, and related information are transferred between mobile phone terminals, the dot pattern is imaged using the imaging function between a plurality of mobile phone terminals. It is possible to reproduce the same audio data.

  The present invention relates to an audio data input / playback method using a photo sticker photographing device for printing a photo sticker on which a dot pattern is printed, the step of photographing a subject with a camera of the photo sticker device, and the photo sticker photographing Receiving a dot code number from a dot code number management server to which the apparatus is connected via a network; and a printing apparatus for a photo sticker photographing apparatus that converts the photographed image and the dot code number with a predetermined logic. Printing out as a photo sticker, receiving a user's voice input through the microphone of the photography apparatus, assigning an ID to the input voice data and registering it in a voice management server via a network, and the voice Relevant information in which the data ID and the dot code number are associated with each other is stored in the dock. A step of registering in a code management server; a step of reading a dot pattern printed on the photo sticker by a photographing unit; and transferring dot pattern imaging data from the photographing unit to correspond to the dot pattern in an information processing terminal A step of converting to a dot code, a step of accessing the dot code number management server from an information processing terminal based on a dot code obtained from a captured image of the dot pattern read in the above, and the dot code number management server A photo comprising the steps of searching the related information, searching for an ID of audio data corresponding to the dot code number, and downloading the audio data from the audio management server to the information processing terminal based on the ID and reproducing it. Audio data input / playback method using a sealing device A.

  According to this method, a so-called photo sticker called a photo sticker (registered trademark) prints a dot pattern on a photo sticker and associates the dot pattern with a voice input from a microphone via a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal. By registering with the voice management server, when the dot pattern on the photo sticker is read with a camera-equipped cellular phone terminal or optical reader, the camera-equipped cellular phone terminal or personal computer connected to the optical reader can be used. It is possible to reproduce the sound input by the photographer at the time of photographing the photo sticker.

  The present invention relates to an audio data input / playback method using a photo sticker on which a dot pattern is printed, wherein dot pattern image data including a dot pattern is downloaded from a server to an information processing terminal, and the information processing terminal Audio data input via the input means is stored in association with the dot pattern, and the photographic image photographed by the photographing means and the dot pattern image are synthesized at the information processing terminal and can be communicated with the information processing terminal The means prints the synthesized photographic image and the dot pattern image received from the information processing terminal on a sticker mount, and the voice data associated with the dot pattern from the information processing terminal or the information processing terminal. In another received information processing terminal, the dot pattern printed on the sticker mount When receiving the captured image from the imaging means photographed over emissions, an input-reproducing method of audio data using the photo sticker for reproducing audio data associated with the dot pattern.

  Examples of the information processing terminal include a personal computer, a PDA, and a mobile phone terminal. For example, dot pattern image data is downloaded from a server to a personal computer, voice data is input from a microphone connected to the personal computer, and the voice data is associated with the dot pattern image and stored in the memory of the personal computer. In addition, a photographic image photographed by photographing means such as a digital camera is combined with the dot pattern image in a personal computer, and the composite photographic image is printed by printing means such as a printer connected to the personal computer. The voice data is transferred to another information processing terminal, that is, another personal computer or mobile phone terminal via a card or communication means, and connected to the camera function of the other mobile phone terminal or the personal computer. When the digital camera takes the composite photo image, the mobile phone terminal or personal computer can read the dot pattern from the composite photo image and reproduce the audio data associated therewith. For example, a dot pattern is arranged on a frame image of a photo sticker, and the frame image can be downloaded and sold. The management of the frame images and the registration of the audio data may be performed by an application program downloaded to the mobile phone terminal with a photographing function.

  The photo sticker means a sheet on which photo data is printed. However, the photo sticker may be used for a picture book, a photo album, or the like for printing characters or the like in addition to the photo data.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus in which a medium on which printing parameters relating to printing are provided as a dot pattern is read by an optical reading unit, and printing is controlled by the printing parameter, an optical reading unit that reads a medium surface, and an optical reading unit A dot pattern reading unit that reads a dot pattern from an image on a medium surface read by the unit, a conversion unit that converts the read dot pattern into a print parameter, and a print control unit that controls printing based on the converted print parameter Is a printing apparatus.

  This printing apparatus is a printer or a color copy, and when printing is performed using these, the dot pattern printed on the original document is read, converted into print parameters corresponding to the dot pattern, and printing is executed. As a result, it is possible to manage the number of times of duplicate printing of the original document, the printing history, and the like.

  According to the present invention, since it is difficult to recognize the dot pattern by visual observation, it is possible to prevent analysis by easily visualizing the dot pattern, to improve security, and to arrange the dot pattern. It also has an excellent effect of maintaining the aesthetics of the medium surface.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Each figure is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the invention, and in the figures, parts denoted by the same reference numerals represent the same thing.

  First, the principle of the dot pattern used in the present invention will be described. In the present invention, two types of examples invented by the present inventors will be described as dot pattern placement algorithms. Here, they are referred to as GRID-1 and GRID-2 for convenience.

  GRID-1 was filed by the inventor as PCT / JP03 / 03162, and GRID-2 was also filed as PCT / JP03 / 16763.

(Description of dot pattern: GRID-1)
FIG. 71 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a dot pattern according to the present invention. FIG. 72 is an enlarged view showing an example of information display of a dot pattern and bit display of data defined therein. FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram showing information dots arranged around key dots.

  The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to the present invention includes generation of a dot pattern 1, recognition of the dot pattern 1, and means for outputting information and a program from the dot pattern 1. That is, after the dot pattern 1 is captured as image data by a camera (an optical reader connected to a personal computer, a digital camera, or a camera function of a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal) as an image pickup means, the reader, personal computer, Or, by using an analysis program installed on a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, first, a grid dot is extracted, then a key dot 2 is extracted because no dot is originally placed at the position where the grid dot is located, and then an information dot 3 is extracted and digitized to extract an information area and converted into a digitalized code of information. Then, audio data related to the code, other information, and a program are output. Further, the information dot 3 may be a coordinate value instead of a code, or may be a numerical value of the audio data or other information itself.

  In the generation of the dot pattern 1 of the present invention, the key dots 2, the information dots 3, and the grid dots 4 are arranged according to a predetermined rule by a dot code generation algorithm. In GRID-1, as shown in FIG. 71, a block of dot pattern 1 representing information has a 5 × 5 grid dot 4 centered on key dot 2 and a center surrounded by 4 grid dots 4 The information dot 3 is arranged around the virtual point. Arbitrary numerical information is defined in this block. In the illustrated example of FIG. 71, a state is shown in which four blocks (inside the bold line frame) of the dot pattern 1 are arranged in parallel. Of course, the dot pattern 1 is not limited to four blocks.

  One corresponding information and program can be registered in one block, or one corresponding information and program can be registered in a plurality of blocks.

  When the dot pattern 1 is captured by the camera as image data, the lattice dots 4 can correct distortion of the lens of the camera, imaging from an oblique direction, expansion / contraction of the paper surface, curvature of the medium surface, and distortion during printing. . Specifically, a correction function (Xn, Yn) = f (X′n, Y′n) for converting the distorted four-point lattice dot 4 into the original square is obtained, and the information dot is calculated using the same function. The vector of correct information dot 3 is obtained by correction.

  If the grid pattern 4 is arranged in the dot pattern 1, the image data obtained by capturing the dot pattern 1 with the camera corrects the distortion caused by the camera, so it is a popular camera with a lens having a high distortion rate. Even when the image data of the dot pattern 1 is captured, it can be accurately recognized. Even if the camera is tilted and read with respect to the surface of the dot pattern 1, the dot pattern 1 can be accurately recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 71, the key dot 2 is a dot in which one grid dot 4 located substantially at the center position of the grid dots 4 arranged in a rectangular shape is shifted in a certain direction. The key dots may be arranged by shifting the grid dots at the four corners constituting the block in a certain direction (see FIG. 82). The key dot 2 is a representative point of the dot pattern 1 for one block representing the information dot 3. For example, the lattice dot 4 at the center of the block of the dot pattern 1 is shifted upward. When the information dot 3 represents the X and Y coordinate values, the center position of the block is a representative point. However, this numerical value (number) is not limited to this, and can be varied according to the size of the block of the dot pattern 1.

  In addition, the key dot 2 is arranged at the center of the block.

  The information dot 3 is a dot for recognizing various information. The information dot 3 is arranged around the key dot 2 as a representative point, and the virtual dot at the center surrounded by the four grid dots 4 is arranged at the end point expressed by a vector. It is a thing. For example, the information dot 3 is surrounded by the lattice dots 4 and, as shown in FIG. 72, the dot arranged at a position shifted from the virtual point has a direction and a length expressed by a vector. It is rotated 45 degrees clockwise and arranged in 8 directions to represent 3 bits. Accordingly, 3 bits × 16 pieces = 48 bits can be expressed by one block of dot pattern 1.

  In the illustrated example, 3 bits are expressed by arranging in 8 directions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and 4 bits can be expressed by arranging in 16 directions. is there.

  The interval between the information dot 3 and the virtual point surrounded by the four lattice dots 4 is preferably about 15 to 30% of the distance between the adjacent virtual points. This is because if the distance between the information dot 3 and the virtual point is closer than this distance, the dots are easily recognized as a large lump and become unsightly as the dot pattern 1. On the other hand, if the distance between the information dot 3 and the virtual point is longer than this distance, it is difficult to determine which of the adjacent virtual points is the information dot 3 having vector directionality. is there.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 73, the information dot 3 is arranged in the area from I1 to I16 clockwise around the key dot 2, and can express 3 bits × 16 = 48 bits.

  In addition, subblocks that have independent information contents and are not influenced by other information contents can be further provided in the block. FIG. 73 illustrates this, and sub-blocks [I1, I2, I3, I4], [I5, I6, I7, I8], [I9, I10, I11, I12] composed of four information dots. , [I13, I14, I15, I16] are such that independent data (3 bits × 4 = 12 bits) are developed into information dots. By providing sub-blocks in this way, an error check described later can be easily performed in units of sub-blocks.

  It is desirable that the vector direction (rotation direction) of the information dots 3 is uniformly determined every 30 to 90 degrees.

  FIG. 74 shows an example of the information dot and the bit display of the data defined therein, and shows another form.

  Further, if two types of information dots 3 are used which are long and short from the virtual point surrounded by the lattice dots 4 and the vector direction is 8 directions, 4 bits can be expressed. At this time, it is desirable that the longer one is about 25-30% of the distance between adjacent virtual points, and the shorter one is about 15-20%. However, it is desirable that the center interval between the long and short information dots 3 is longer than the diameter of these dots.

The information dot 3 surrounded by the four grid dots 4 is preferably one dot in consideration of appearance. However, when it is desired to ignore the appearance and increase the amount of information, one bit is allocated for each vector, and the information dot 3 is expressed by a plurality of dots, so that a large amount of information can be provided. For example, the vector of concentric eight directions, an information dot 3 surrounded by four points lattice dots 4 can represent information of 2 ^8, and 16 pieces of information dots of one block 2 ^128.

  FIG. 75 is an example of information dot and bit display of data defined therein, (a) shows two dots, (b) shows four dots, and (c) shows five dots arranged. Is.

  FIG. 76 shows a modification of the dot pattern, where (a) is a six information dot arrangement type, (b) is a nine information dot arrangement type, (c) is a 12 information dot arrangement type, and (d). Is a schematic diagram of a 36 information dot arrangement type.

  The dot pattern 1 shown in FIGS. 71 and 73 shows an example in which 16 (4 × 4) information dots 3 are arranged in one block. However, the information dots 3 are not limited to 16 pieces arranged in one block, and can be variously changed. For example, according to the amount of information required or the resolution of the camera, six information dots 3 (2 × 3) are arranged in one block (a), and nine information dots 3 in one block (3 × 3) Arranged (b), 12 information dots 3 arranged per block (3 × 4) (c), or 36 information dots 3 arranged per block (6 × 6) (d )

  77 (a) and 77 (b) are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which information dots I1 to I16 are arranged in parallel in order to explain a method of checking an information dot error.

  By making one bit redundant among the three bits of the information dot 3, the upper bit of the data obtained from the information dot In and the lower bit of the data obtained from the information dot In + 1 are treated as the same. When the information dot 3 is displayed on the medium surface such as a printed matter, the information dot 3 is appropriate when the upper bit of the data obtained from the information dot In is not the same as the lower bit of the data obtained from the information dot In + 1. It is determined that it is not displayed at the position.

  FIG. 77B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which information dots I1 to I16 are arranged in parallel in order to explain a method for checking an error of information dots in units of sub-blocks.

  In the error check method shown in FIG. 77 (b), as in FIG. 77 (a), 1 bit is made redundant and [I1, I2, I3, I4], [4 This is an error check method in units of independent data (3 bits × 4 = 12 bits) of [I5, I6, I7, I8], [I9, I10, I11, I12], [I13, I14, I15, I16]. . As a result, the information dots 3 having different data adjacent to the information dots 3 of the dot pattern 1 are arranged due to printing deviation on a medium surface such as a printed matter, expansion / contraction of the medium surface, and deviation when pixelated. The error can be checked 100% as to whether or not the input is shifted to the position.

  FIG. 78 is an explanatory diagram of a method of checking an information dot error by assigning “0” to the lower bits.

  The information dot 3 can be used for error checking by assigning “0” or “1” to its lower bits. In a state where the information dot 3 is displayed on the medium surface, the information dot 3 is not displayed at an appropriate position to the position where the information dot 3 having another data adjacent to the virtual point is arranged. Can be determined. For example, if the direction of the key dot 2 is defined as the upward direction and the data defined in the information dot 3 in that direction is “0”, the information dot 3 is arranged in any of the eight directions and used for error checking. “0” is assigned to the lower bits. That is, the information dot 3 with “0” assigned to the lower bits is always positioned vertically or horizontally with the virtual point as the center. Therefore, when the information dot 3 is positioned in the tilt direction, it can be determined that it is not displayed at an appropriate position.

  FIG. 79 is an explanatory diagram of a method of checking information dot errors by assigning “1” to the lower bits.

  By the way, if the direction of the key dot 2 is defined as the upward direction and the data defined in the information dot 3 in that direction is “0”, the information dot 3 is arranged in any of the eight directions and the lower bit is “1”. It is also possible to check the error of the information dot 3 by assigning. That is, the information dot 3 assigned “1” to the lower bits is always located in the tilt direction with the virtual point as the center. Therefore, when the information dot 3 is positioned in the vertical or horizontal direction, it can be determined that it is not displayed at an appropriate position.

  FIG. 80 is an explanatory diagram of a method of checking information dot errors by alternately assigning “0” and “1” to the lower bits.

  Furthermore, it is possible to check the error of this information dot 3 by arranging one information dot 3 uniformly and by alternately assigning “0” and “1” to the lower bits for use in error checking. is there. In this error check method, information dots are generated alternately in the vertical and horizontal directions and 45 degrees, and the regularity of the dot pattern can be eliminated. That is, the information dot 3 in which “0” and “1” are alternately assigned to the lower bits is always positioned in the up / down, left / right, or 45 ° tilt direction with the virtual point as the center. Therefore, when this information dot 3 is positioned in a direction other than the vertical, horizontal, or 45 ° tilt direction, it is determined that the information dot 3 is not displayed at an appropriate position. In this way, it is possible to reliably check an error in which the information dot 3 is input while being shifted in the rotation direction around the virtual point.

  When the information dot 3 is in eight directions (45 degree intervals) and long and short (see FIG. 74), if the lower 1 bit of “4” is “0” or “1”, three adjacent points ( If the dot is shifted to the position of the concentric circle ± 45 degrees rotation position 2 points + long or short), it can be regarded as an error, and the error can be checked 100%.

  FIG. 81 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which information dots I1 to I16 are arranged in parallel to explain the security of information dots.

  For example, in order to prevent the data of the dot pattern 1 from being read visually, an operation expressed by the function f (Kn) is performed on the In of the information dot 3, and In = Kn + Rn is set to the dot pattern 1. After expressing and inputting the dot pattern In, Kn = In-Rn is obtained.

  Alternatively, in order to prevent the data of the dot pattern 1 from being read visually, a plurality of information dots 3 are arranged in one row with the key dot 2 as a representative point, and the one row is arranged in a plurality of rows, Each information dot 3 can be arranged so that the regularity of the dot pattern 1 of each block is eliminated by using the difference between two adjacent rows of data as data of the information dot 3.

  Thereby, since it becomes impossible to read the dot pattern 1 printed on the medium surface visually, security can be improved. Further, when the dot pattern 1 is printed on the medium surface, the information dots 3 are randomly arranged, the pattern disappears, and the dot pattern can be made inconspicuous.

  FIG. 82 is an explanatory diagram showing another arrangement example of the dot pattern in which the arrangement position of the key dots is changed.

  The key dot 2 is not necessarily arranged at the center of the block of the grid dots 4 arranged in a rectangular shape. For example, as described above, it can be arranged at the corners of the block of lattice dots 4. In this case, it is preferable that the information dots 3 are arranged so as to be arranged in parallel starting from the key dot 2.

(Description of dot pattern: GRID-2)
Next, the basic principle of the GRID-2 dot pattern will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, as shown in FIG. 83, lattice lines (y1 to y7, x1 to x5) are assumed at predetermined intervals in the xy direction. The intersection of the grid lines is called a grid point. In the present embodiment, 4 blocks (4 grids) in the xy direction, that is, 4 × 4 = 16 blocks (16 grids) are defined as one information block as the minimum block (1 grid) surrounded by the four grid points. To do. It should be noted that the information block unit of 16 blocks is merely an example, and it is needless to say that an information block can be configured with an arbitrary number of blocks.

  The four corner points constituting the rectangular area of the information block are corner dots (x1y1, x1y5, x5y1, x5y5) (dots surrounded by a circle in the figure). These four corner dots are matched with the grid points.

  Thus, the information block can be recognized by finding four corner dots that coincide with the lattice points. However, even if only this corner dot can recognize the information block, the direction is not known. For example, if the direction of the information block cannot be recognized, even if it is the same information block, if it is rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees, it becomes completely different information.

  Therefore, vector dots (key dots) are arranged at lattice points in the rectangular area of the information block or in the adjacent rectangular area. In the figure, a dot (x0y3) surrounded by a triangle is a key dot (vector dot) placed at the first grid point vertically above the midpoint of the grid line that forms the upper side of the information block. Yes. Similarly, the key dot of the lower information block is arranged at the first grid point (x4y3) vertically above the midpoint of the grid line constituting the lower side in the information block.

In the present embodiment, the distance between lattices (inter-grid) is 0.25 mm. Therefore, one side of the information block is 0.25 mm × 4 grid = 1 mm. This area is 1 mm × 1 mm = 1 mm ² . 14-bit information can be stored within this range, and when 2 bits are used as control data, 12-bit information can be stored. Note that the distance between the lattices (inter-grid) is set to 0.25 mm only, and may be freely changed within a range of, for example, 0.25 to 0.5 mm.

  In this GRID-2, every other information dot is arranged at a position shifted from the lattice point in the x and y directions. The diameter of the information dot is preferably greater than 0.03 to 0.05 mm, and the amount of deviation from the lattice point is preferably about 15 to 25% of the distance between lattices. Since this deviation amount is also an example, it may not necessarily be within this range, but generally when the deviation amount is larger than 25%, the dot pattern tends to appear as a pattern when visually observed.

  In other words, since the deviation from the grid point is alternately vertical (y direction) deviation and left and right (x direction) deviation, there is no uneven distribution of dot arrangement, and moire and patterns on the paper surface. The appearance of the printed paper surface can be maintained.

  By adopting such an arrangement principle, every other information dot is necessarily arranged on a grid line in the y direction (see FIG. 84). This means that when reading the dot pattern, it is only necessary to find every other grid line arranged on a straight line in the y direction or the x direction, and the calculation algorithm in the information processing apparatus at the time of recognition is simplified. In addition, there is an advantage that the speed can be increased.

  In addition, even if the dot pattern is deformed due to the curvature of the paper, the grid line may not be an exact straight line, but it is a gentle curve that approximates a straight line, so finding the grid line is relatively easy. Therefore, it can be said that the algorithm is strong against deformation of the paper surface and displacement and distortion of the reading optical system.

  FIG. 85 explains the meaning of the information dots. In the figure, + indicates a grid point, and ● indicates a dot (information dot). 0 when the information dot is arranged in the −y direction with respect to the grid point, 1 when the information dot is arranged in the + y direction, and 0 when the information dot is arranged in the −x direction with respect to the grid point. The case where information dots are arranged in the direction is 1.

  Next, a specific information dot arrangement state and reading algorithm will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, an information dot with a circled number 1 (hereinafter referred to as information dot (1)) means “1” because it is shifted in the + x direction from the lattice point (x2y1). Also, the information dot (2) (circled numerical value in the figure) is shifted in the + y direction from the grid point (x3y1), meaning "1". Furthermore, the information dot (3) (circled number in the figure) ) Is shifted from the grid point (x4y1) in the -x direction, meaning "0", information dot (4) (circled number in the figure) means "0", information dot (5) means "0" ing.

  In the case of the dot pattern shown in FIG. 86, the information dots (1) to (17) have the following values.

(1) = 1
(2) = 1
(3) = 0
(4) = 0
(5) = 0
(6) = 1
(7) = 0
(8) = 1
(9) = 0
(10) = 1
(11) = 1
(12) = 0
(13) = 0
(14) = 0
(15) = 0
(16) = 1
(17) = 1
In the present embodiment, the value is calculated using the information acquisition algorithm based on the difference method, which will be described below, with respect to the information bit. Further, a true value may be calculated by performing arithmetic processing on a value of a security table to be described later for this information bit.

  Next, an information acquisition method to which the difference method that is a characteristic of GRID-2 is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the numbers enclosed in parentheses are the numbers enclosed in a circle (circled numbers) in the figure, and the numbers enclosed in [] are the numbers enclosed in a square shape in the figure. is doing.

  In this embodiment, each 14-bit value in an information block is expressed by the difference between adjacent information dots. For example, the first bit is obtained by the difference between the information dot (1) and the information dot (5) located at the position of +1 lattice in the x direction. That is, [1] = (5) − (1). Here, since the information dot (5) means “1” and the information dot (1) means “0”, the first bit [1] means 1-0, that is, “1”. Similarly, the second bit [2] is represented by [2] = (6) − (2) and the third bit [3] = (7) − (3). The first to third bits are as follows.

  In the following difference equation, the value is an absolute value.

[1] = (5)-(1) = 0-1 = 1
[2] = (6)-(2) = 1-1 = 0
[3] = (7)-(3) = 0-0 = 0
Next, the fourth bit [4] is obtained by the difference between the information dot (8) and the information dot (5) located immediately below the vector dot. Therefore, the fourth bit [4] to the sixth bit [6] take a difference from the value of the information dot located at one grid in the + x direction and one grid in the + y direction.

  In this way, the fourth bit [4] to the sixth bit [6] can be obtained by the following equation.

[4] = (8) − (5) = 1−0 = 1
[5] = (9)-(6) = 0-1 = 1
[6] = (10) − (7) = 1−0 = 1
Next, with respect to the seventh bit [7] to the ninth bit [9], a difference in value from the information bit located at one grid in the + x direction and one grid in the -y direction is obtained.

  In this way, the seventh bit [7] to the ninth bit [9] can be obtained by the following expression.

[7] = (12)-(8) = 0-1 = 1
[8] = (13)-(9) = 0-0 = 0
[9] = (14)-(10) = 0-1 = 1
Next, for the tenth bit [10] to the twelfth bit [12], the difference between the information dots at the position of one grid in the + x direction is obtained as follows.

[10] = (15)-(12) = 0-0 = 0
[11] = (16) − (13) = 1−0 = 1
[12] = (17) − (14) = 1-0 = 1
Finally, the 13th bit [13] and the 14th bit [14] take the difference between the information dot (8) and the information dot at the positions of +1 and -1 grids in the x direction, respectively, as follows: Ask for.

[13] = (8)-(4) = 1-0 = 1
[14] = (11) − (8) = 1−1 = 0
The first bit [1] to the 14th bit [14] may be used as read data as a true value as they are. However, in order to ensure security, a security table corresponding to the 14 bits is provided, A key parameter corresponding to a bit may be defined, and a true value may be obtained by adding or multiplying the key parameter to the read data.

  In this case, the true value T can be obtained by Tn = [n] + Kn (n: 1 to 14, Tn: true value, [n]: read value, Kn: key parameter). A security table storing such key parameters can be registered in a ROM in the optical reader.

For example, if the following key parameters are set as a security table,
K1 = 0
K2 = 0
K3 = 1
K4 = 0
K5 = 1
K6 = 1
K7 = 0
K8 = 1
K9 = 1
K10 = 0
K11 = 0
K12 = 0
K13 = 1
K14 = 1
The true values T1 to T14 can be obtained as follows.

T1 = [1] + K1 = 1 + 0 = 1
T2 = [2] + K2 = 0 + 0 = 0
T3 = [3] + K3 = 0 + 1 = 1
T4 = [4] + K4 = 1 + 0 = 1
T5 = [5] + K5 = 1 + 1 = 0
T6 = [6] + K6 = 1 + 1 = 0
T7 = [7] + K7 = 1 + 0 = 1
T8 = [8] + K8 = 0 + 1 = 1
T9 = [9] + K9 = 1 + 1 = 0
T10 = [10] + K10 = 0 + 0 = 0
T11 = [11] + K11 = 1 + 0 = 1
T12 = [12] + K12 = 1 + 0 = 1
T13 = [13] + K13 = 1 + 1 = 0
T14 = [14] + K14 = 0 + 1 = 1
FIG. 87 shows the correspondence between the information bits described above, the security table, and the true value.

  In the above description, the information bit is obtained from the information dot and the true value is obtained by referring to the security table. On the contrary, when the dot pattern is generated from the true value, the nth bit [N] can be obtained by [n] = Tn−Kn.

  As an example, when T1 = 1, T2 = 0, and T3 = 1, the first bit [1] to the third bit [3] are obtained by the following equations.

[1] = 1-0 = 1
[2] = 0-0 = 0
[3] = 1-1 = 0
The first bit [1] to the third bit [3] are expressed by the following difference equation.

[1] = (5)-(1)
[2] = (6)-(2)
[3] = (7) − (3)
Here, given initial values of (1) = 1, (2) = 1, and (3) = 0, the dots (5) to (7) can be obtained as follows.

(5) = (1) + [1] = 1 + 1 = 0
(6) = (2) + [2] = 1 + 0 = 1
(7) = (3) + [3] = 0 + 0 = 0
Although the following description is omitted, the values of the dots (8) to (14) can be obtained similarly, and the dots may be arranged based on these values.

  The initial values of the dots (1) to (3) are arbitrary random numbers (0 or 1).

  That is, by adding the values of information bits [1] to [3] to the assigned initial dots (1) to (3), dots (5) to (5) to (5) to (5) to ( The value of 7) can be obtained. Similarly, the values of dots (8) to (10) can be obtained by adding the values of information bits [4] to [6] to the values of dots (5) to (7). Furthermore, the values of dots (12) to (14) can be obtained by adding the values of information bits [7] to [9] to these. Furthermore, the values of dots (15) to (17) can be obtained by adding the values of information bits [10] to [12] to this.

  The dots (4) and (11) are obtained by subtracting the information bit [13] and adding the information bit [14] based on the dot (8) calculated above.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the arrangement of dots on the grid line yn is determined based on the dot arrangement on the grid line y (n−1), and the entire information dot arrangement is determined by sequentially repeating the dot arrangement. Is done.

  The following specific examples will be described on the assumption that the above-described GRID-1 and GRID-2 dot patterns are used. In the following specific examples, the above-described GRID-1 or GRID-2 dot patterns are not necessarily described. Not only an algorithm is applicable, but any dot pattern can be used as long as it is a technique for storing information by a dot pattern.

Specific example (1)
In the following specific examples, an example in which carbon ink that absorbs infrared wavelengths is used as a representative example of ink (reactive ink) that absorbs infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths in a region where an optical imaging element such as a CMOS sensor reacts will be described. However, the ink may have any of these characteristics even if it does not contain carbon. For example, an ink that is nearly transparent (stealth ink) can be used as an ink that absorbs infrared rays with a molecular structure that does not contain carbon. Thus, it is possible to make dots difficult to see by using so-called stealth ink that is nearly transparent.

  FIG. 1 shows a case where dots are printed with a carbon ink of the same color as the paper color, and normal printing is performed thereon using four-color (YMCK) non-carbon ink.

  According to this specific example, since the dots are printed in the same color as the color of the paper (medium surface), the dots are difficult to see with the naked eye.

  In this specific example, when the paper color is pure white or blue that is almost white, it is gray (K: black) with the carbon content suppressed to several percent or cyan (C If dots are printed in (), the dots that are normally printed on the dots can be made difficult to see. Of course, if stealth ink (trade name) that does not contain carbon and reacts in the infrared wavelength region is used, it is almost difficult to visually distinguish.

  Also, on paper (medium) containing many generated colors and warm colors, it is desirable to print dots with Y ink or stealth ink (trade name).

  The carbon content in the ink is desirably about 10%. However, by improving the imaging performance of the element, it is possible to make the infrared optical reader recognize even a carbon content of several percent.

Specific example (2)
In this specific example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the dots are printed on the paper surface (medium surface), and the opaque ink is further superimposed on the dots so that the dots cannot be visually recognized. Is.

  Here, the opaque ink means ink that does not transmit visible light. That is, since a long wavelength infrared ray can pass and a short wavelength visible light does not pass, a dot pattern which cannot be recognized visually and reacts with the infrared ray can be realized.

  That is, after dots are first printed with carbon ink on the paper surface (medium surface) (FIG. 2A), the color of the paper surface or its approximate color, or an area that covers the dots using any opaque non-carbon ink Is printed (FIG. 2B), and further, normal printing is performed using non-carbon ink of four colors (CMYK).

  At this time, in the state shown in FIG. 2B, since the dots are covered by the printing of the opaque non-carbon ink, the dots printed thereunder cannot be visually recognized. Since the light passes through the layer and is absorbed by the dot portion of the carbon ink, infrared light is not reflected from the dot portion, so that the dot is reliably recognized by the infrared optical reader.

  In addition, when using white opaque non-carbon ink prepared as a special color, since the opacity is inherently high, dot printing is highly concealed even if ordinary carbon (K) carbon ink is used. Can be maintained.

  In the above description, only the area on which the dots were printed with the carbon ink on the paper surface was overprinted using the opaque ink. However, as shown in FIG. 3, after the dots were first printed with the carbon ink (see FIG. 3 (a)), the entire paper surface may be printed with an opaque non-carbon ink (FIG. 3B).

  In this case, the entire surface printing with the opaque non-carbon ink may be any color.

  At this time, as described in FIG. 2, in the state shown in FIG. 3B, the dots are covered by the printing of the opaque non-carbon ink, so that the dots printed thereunder are visually recognized. However, since infrared rays pass through the opaque non-carbon ink layer and are absorbed by the dot portions of the carbon ink, the infrared rays are not reflected from the dot portions, so that the infrared optical reader can reliably recognize the dots.

  Note that the color of the carbon ink for printing the dots does not have to be black (K). That is, as described above, if the carbon content is about several percent, the infrared absorption effect can be expected regardless of the color.

  In addition, the color of the upper layer opaque non-carbon ink that prints the entire surface of the paper is determined in advance, and the dots to be printed on the lower layer are more reliable by using carbon ink of a color that is similar to the color of the entire surface printing. Can be concealed.

Specific example (3)
In the specific example shown in FIG. 4, dots are printed with carbon ink of the same color as the four background colors (the number of colors is arbitrary) at the position, and the colors of the dots are mixed with surrounding colors to make it easy to conceal. .

  FIG. 4A shows a normal one-color dot, and FIG. 4B shows a dot constituted by four-color concentric regions.

  This example is a technique for printing dots with high concealment on the premise of halftone dot printing by the AM printing method.

  FIG. 2B shows an example in which dots are printed with four color carbon inks.

  In this case, the dots of each color (four colors) are printed concentrically, and the color order is Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) from the lower layer.

  The size of each color dot to be printed is such that the diameter φY of the color with the highest gradation (the highest gradation color: Y in this case) matches the diameter φ0 of the dot pattern so that φY = φ0. When the dot amount (%) is x0% and the halftone dot amount of the desired color dot is x%, the diameter φx of each color is calculated by the following equation.

φx = √ (x / x0) × φ0
Accordingly, when the Y halftone dot amount is 70%, the M halftone dot amount is 50%, the C halftone dot amount is 30%, and the K halftone dot amount is 20%, the diameter of each color is as follows. (See FIG. 5A).

φM = √ (50/70) × φ0 ≒ 0.85φ0
φC = √ (30/70) × φ0 ≒ 0.65φ0
φK = √ (20/70) × φ0 ≒ 0.53φ0
Further, when the K (black) component is superimposed on each of the C, M, and Y components, the diameter of each color is as follows (see FIG. 5D). In this way, the number of colors used for ink can be reduced by superimposing the K component (black component) on the other C, M, and Y components.

φY = φ0
φM = √ (70/90) × φ0 ≒ 0.89φ0
φC = √ (50/90) × φ0 ≒ 0.74φ0
If you want to reduce the number of colors further, configure the dots using only the target color as a dot depending on which color is dominant in the printing or which color you want to show vividly (target color). The number of colors to be reduced may be reduced.

  Further, according to this specific example, not only the dots are easily concealed but also the dot pattern is not expressed only by the K of the carbon ink. It is possible to prevent color dullness caused by the presence of K.

Specific example (4)
The specific examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 show the principle of the technique for extracting only dots by color separation processing.

  This specific example shows a recognition method when normal printing is performed using only CMY ink without using black (K), and only the dots constituting the dot pattern are expressed with black (K). is there.

  At this time, the ink used for normal printing and dot printing may be any ink that can be optically recognized in the visible light region.

  In the optical reading apparatus, the color image captured by the imaging means using the CMOS image sensor, the CCD image sensor, or the like is input to the RGB frame buffer and the color separation processing is performed on the printed paper surface (medium surface). FIG. 6A shows the component ratio of each color of RGB at this time.

  In general, a CMOS or the like which is an optical reading element has some characteristics at the time of reading. This is because when a color component is biased to one color and has a great influence, other colors are also attracted to it, and variations in device manufacturing are also affected. For example, the entire reading result is bluish. In many cases, the resulting image becomes an image (see FIG. 6A). When dot pattern recognition is performed on such a characteristic image, in the case of color separation processing, the K ink (black ink) dots are difficult to read as black because of the blue component, and reading errors often occur. Therefore, corrections are made when reading.

  That is, the pixel having the minimum RGB addition result is searched from the read image. Thus, a pixel that has the minimum RGB addition result is definitely a dot. At this time, if only B in RGB varies such that the value is high, it can be seen that the image is corrected to a strong blue image. Therefore, the correction reference value is subtracted from the other pixels using the RGB values of the pixels having the smallest RGB addition result as the correction reference values (FIGS. 6B to 6C). Then, the image corrected by the CMOS is restored to the state before correction.

  Next, as described above, the average value of the maximum value and the minimum value of the RGB data of each pixel is taken for the corrected image, and when the gray scale of this average value is high, the width of the region α is set. By setting it small and setting the width of the region α large when the gray scale is low, the dot pattern with K ink (black) is easily identified in the visible light region.

  In each pixel, when subtracting the above-described RGB components, a negative value is uniformly set to 0. Note that this RGB minimum region extraction may be performed by sampling a plurality of pixels and calculating a correction reference value.

  In this specific example, when a dark achromatic color (gray) other than dots is printed in CMY, it cannot be distinguished from the dots by color separation processing, so that only the dots cannot be recognized. However, if the printing is a light achromatic color (gray), this portion is not recognized as a dot, so there is no problem.

  Therefore, although it is assumed that dark gray is not used for printing, according to this specific example, dots can be recognized by color separation processing.

  Since this specific example does not require a special infrared irradiation function, filter function, etc., it is also possible to recognize dots from images captured by a digital camera function or a WEB camera added to an existing digital camera or mobile phone terminal. It becomes.

  Summarizing the above processing procedure, the following procedure may be executed in the optical reader.

  1) First, an average value x of gradations (maximum 100%) of RGB maximum light and minimum light of each pixel is calculated.

  2) Next, it is determined whether or not the target light is grayscale based on whether the difference between the highest light and the lowest light of RGB is larger or smaller than a certain value α.

  For example, α = −1 / 10x + 10.

  Here, 10 is a correction coefficient. If x is close to 100%, there is no problem because it is determined as grayscale 100 (white). However, if the grayscale is low, a determination error (error that determines white in a low region) is generated. A correction of +10 is performed so as not to cause it.

  3) If α> between maximum gradation and minimum gradation, x is a gray scale gradation.

  4) When α <between maximum gradation and minimum gradation, the gray scale is set to 100% (white).

  5) Image processing is executed based on the gray scale, binarized, and determined as a dot.

  Although the correction coefficient is set to 10, other numerical values may be used, and the equation for calculating α may be defined in accordance with the characteristics of the CMOS.

Specific example (5)
In this example, the dots of the dot pattern are also used as black dots for printing.

  FIG. 10 shows the case where the halftone dots are dots of the dot pattern in the AM printing method, the pattern arrangement logic is GRID-1, the left figure is the original image of C, M, and Y, and the right figure is. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a printing surface in which a part of a K component (black component) is extracted from C, M, and Y and a dot pattern is also used as a halftone dot. In the figure, K as a dot is printed with carbon ink. Since only the K component (black component) corresponding to the dot halftone amount of the dot is extracted from the original images C, M, and Y, C, M, and Y in the right diagram have the K component (black component). FIG. 7 shows this principle. That is, in the figure, the minimum halftone dot amount that can be read as dots is extracted from the common color components CMY around which dots are arranged, and the dots are arranged using these as K components.

  FIG. 11 shows a case where the halftone dots are dots of the dot pattern in the AM printing method, the pattern arrangement logic is GRID-1, the left figure is the original image of C, M, and Y, and the right figure is. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a printing surface in which all of the K component (black ink component) is extracted from C, M, and Y, and the dot pattern is also used as a K dot. In the drawing, K as a dot is printed with carbon ink or non-carbon ink, and it is assumed that the dot is recognized by the color separation method described in the specific example (4).

  FIG. 12 shows a case where the halftone dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, the pattern arrangement logic is GRID-1, the left figure is the original image of C, M, and Y, and the right figure is. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a printing surface in which an ideal K component (black ink component) for image printing is extracted from original images C, M, and Y and a dot pattern is shared by halftone dots of K1 and K2. In the figure, K1 is printed with non-carbon ink, and K2 is printed with carbon ink. K1 is a halftone dot also used as a dot pattern, and K2 is superimposed and printed in the area of K1 with a minimum halftone dot amount that can be read as a dot. Therefore, the dot by K2 should just be smaller than K1, and can be made into the recognition dot with a freedom degree.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where the halftone dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, the pattern arrangement logic is GRID-2, the left figure is an original image of C, M, and Y, and the right figure is FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a printing surface in which a part of a K component (black component) is extracted from C, M, and Y and a dot pattern is also used as a halftone dot. In the figure, K as a dot is printed with carbon ink. Since only the K component (black component) corresponding to the dot halftone amount of the dot is extracted from the original images C, M, and Y, C, M, and Y in the right diagram have the K component (black component).

  FIG. 14 shows a case in which the halftone dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, the pattern arrangement logic is GRID-2, the left figure is an original image of C, M, and Y, and the right figure is FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a printing surface in which all of the K component (black ink component) is extracted from C, M, and Y, and the dot pattern is also used as a K dot. In the drawing, K as a dot is printed with carbon ink or non-carbon ink, and it is assumed that the dot is recognized by the color separation method described in the specific example (4).

  FIG. 15 shows a case in which a halftone dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, the pattern arrangement logic is GRID-2, the left figure is an original image of C, M, and Y, and the right figure is FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a printing surface in which an ideal K component (black ink component) for image printing is extracted from original images C, M, and Y and a dot pattern is shared by halftone dots of K1 and K2. In the figure, K1 is printed with non-carbon ink, and K2 is printed with carbon ink. K1 is a halftone dot also used as a dot pattern, and K2 is superimposed and printed in the area of K1 with a minimum halftone dot amount that can be read as a dot. Therefore, the dot by K2 should just be smaller than K1, and can be made into the recognition dot with a freedom degree.

  As described above, the dot in this specific example also serves as a halftone dot, but information is defined by shifting from the original halftone dot position.

  In other words, the dot pattern is basically arranged at the intersection of the grid lines (lattice points), but in this specific example, the grid dots are arranged at every other grid point, and the rest is from the grid points. Printed as staggered information dots.

  Since the definition of the information dot has been described before, the description thereof is omitted here.

  According to this example, halftone dots that are substantially present on the printing surface can be used also as dots, so that it is almost difficult to recognize dots visually.

  All dot patterns that define information by deviation from grid points can be applied.

  Further, when the dots of the dot pattern are printed with K carbon ink for reading by the infrared optical reader, the positions of the dots of the K halftone dots of the non-carbon ink for printing are different. However, according to this example, the dot pattern is also used as a K dot, and only four colors are used for normal printing. Since printing is performed, the printed surface can be kept beautiful without causing dullness on the printed surface as in the case where the dot pattern is separately printed with K ink (black ink).

  When the halftone dot (K) is also used as a dot, it is necessary to shift the dot from the lattice point, so there is a greater possibility that adjacent dots are connected than in the case of a normal halftone dot. Normal halftone dots are often connected at 50% or more. Therefore, in this specific example, it is necessary to correct the halftone dot amount to be about 20 to 25% at the maximum. However, if the dot shape is subjected to image processing with high accuracy, recognition is possible even with a dot amount exceeding 50%.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where dots are printed as squares in this specific example, and FIG. 9 shows a case where dots are printed as circles.

  In order to detect dots even when there is no black (K) color component or very little, the dot amount is at least several percent (or higher percentage if printing accuracy is low). Is preferably expressed.

  In addition, when an infrared irradiation method is adopted and applied to this specific example, printing is performed by using K carbon ink for dot printing and correcting the dots to a size that is easy to recognize as shown in FIG. You can also

  16 (a) and 16 (b), 30% of the K component (black component) occupying 50% is added to CMY as shown in FIGS. 16 (a) ′ and (b) ′, and K is 30%. By reducing it, adjacent dots are prevented from contacting. In the figure, the dot intervals are made uniform for the sake of explanation, but it goes without saying that when the halftone dots and the information dots are used as described above, the arrangement is shifted. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the dot pattern of GRID-1 in which black dot-shaped information dots are arranged so as to be superimposed on a square-shaped halftone dot in an easy-to-understand manner.

Specific example (6)
In this specific example, a mask portion is provided in one printed image so that the shape of the mask can be recognized.

  In this specific example, the image was printed with the carbon ink by the infrared method by dividing the region into a predetermined shape into a portion printed using the non-carbon ink CMYK and a portion printed using the carbon ink CMYK. Read characters, pictures, and various codes.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, a mask shape to be concealed in the image is set, and as shown in FIG. 19A, the portion excluding the mask portion is printed using non-carbon ink. Next, as shown in FIG. 19B, the mask portion is printed with carbon ink.

  In this way, the image shown in FIG. 19C is completed. At this time, since the color development characteristics are slightly different from those of the ink not containing carbon, the color of the ink in the mask portion or the non-mask portion is corrected so that the user does not feel uncomfortable when viewing, and the boundary of the mask is not known. It is desirable to print as follows. Needless to say, ink mixed with stealth ink may be used instead of carbon.

  When the image shown in FIG. 19 (c) is irradiated with infrared rays and the reflected light is read by an infrared optical reader, only the mask portion printed with carbon ink absorbs infrared rays. Therefore, as shown in FIG. A mask image area can be recognized. Although this mask area is in the shape of the capital letter A in this specific example (6), this area may be in the form of other characters, symbols, and figures. Also, the mask area may be printed with the dot pattern described in another specific example.

Specific example (7)
This specific example shows a dot pattern concealment (stealth) printing technique using an FM screen printing method that does not use halftone printing.

  The FM screen printing method expresses an image with the density of pixels having the same size (see FIG. 20).

  In this specific example, only the dot portion, that is, only the pixel portion constituting the dot is made of carbon ink CMY of the same color, and the other portion is made of non-carbon ink, whereby the dot is recognized by infrared irradiation. Can do.

  However, in the dots constituting the dot pattern, as shown in FIG. 20B, when there is no color information, the color is exchanged with the surrounding pixels as shown in FIG. 21, or the same surrounding color is assigned to the pixels. Therefore, it is necessary to generate a shape that can be recognized as a dot with carbon ink.

  Further, when there is no color information in the surrounding pixels, it is necessary to generate a color close to paper with carbon ink and print dots.

  In the above example, the case where four colors (CMYK) of carbon ink are used has been described. However, similarly to the specific example (3), black (K) may be omitted and the ink may be expressed by three colors of CMY carbon ink. it can. That is, the K component is removed from CMYK for each pixel constituting the dot, the amount of the component is added to CMY, and the CMY gradation is increased to correct the dot color. Accordingly, the dots can be expressed with the carbon inks of the three colors CMY without using black (K), and the number of colors can be reduced. If the pixel has no color information, the color can be exchanged with the surrounding pixels, or a shape that can be recognized as dots by assigning the same surrounding color to the pixels can be generated with carbon ink.

  In the FM screen printing method, black (K) can also be used as a dot, and the periphery of the dot can be expressed by three colors only of CMY.

  That is, the common gradation part of each gradation (maximum 100%) of CMY of each pixel included in the area per dot is determined by the dominant area of the dot, that is, (printing area) / (number of dots). When the subtracted CMY is used as the gradation of the pixel, and the gradation of the common part is added within the region and divided by 100%, the number of pixels constituting the dot expressed as black is calculated. The dots can be formed by arranging black (K) pixels spirally from the center where the dots are to be arranged (see FIG. 22).

  As described above, similarly to the method of the specific example (5), the dots can be detected by using the color separation processing technique of the specific example (4).

  According to this specific example, since the K ink (black color) is not redundantly printed with the carbon ink and the non-carbon ink, dullness on the printing surface can be suppressed.

  However, in this specific example, when there is no black in the dominant region of the dot on the paper (on the medium surface), it is necessary to represent the dot with black (K) having the minimum number of pixels that can be recognized as a dot.

Specific example (8)
In the photograph of FIG. 23, the dot pattern described in the specific examples (1) to (7) is printed. A dot pattern is printed with carbon ink or stealth ink on the portion of the person in the photograph. The ink used for printing the dot pattern is carbon ink or stealth ink that does not contain carbon and reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region. Also, no dot pattern is printed on the background portion other than the person. Thereby, even if carbon ink is used, dullness does not occur on a white background.

  FIGS. 24-26 show examples of printing photographic stickers according to the present invention. FIGS. 23 and 24 are photographs of a person, and the photograph is taken with a so-called digital camera, a mobile phone terminal having the digital camera function, or a photograph sticker photographer installed in an amusement facility or the like. It was printed with In FIG. 23, dots are printed only on the person portion (excluding the face) of the photo sticker. In FIG. 24, a dot pattern print area is provided under the face photograph. FIG. 25 shows a greeting card, in which a dot pattern is printed in that area for each object (character).

  FIG. 26 is a composite of a frame image on which a dot pattern is printed and photographic data. The frame image can be downloaded in advance to a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal. A dot pattern is printed in advance on the frame image. In a personal computer or mobile phone terminal that has downloaded the frame image, the dot pattern is converted into a code by a processing program installed in advance and stored in a memory or a hard disk device. Is done.

  Next, the user inputs voice data from the personal computer or the mobile phone terminal. In a personal computer or mobile phone terminal, the voice data is associated with the code by the processing program (specifically, an ID given to the voice data and a code are registered in an association table), The association information is stored in a storage means such as a memory or a hard disk device. Next, when a photograph is taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal with a camera and the photograph data is transferred to the personal computer, the photograph data is combined with the frame data. This processing may be performed by a processing program in the camera-equipped mobile phone terminal. The photographic data synthesized in this way is printed by a printer connected to a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal. Next, the voice data and the association information (contents of the association table) are transferred to another personal computer or mobile phone terminal in the form of an attached file of an e-mail. This transfer may also be performed by a storage medium such as a memory card in addition to the e-mail. Next, in the other personal computer or mobile phone terminal to which the audio data and the association information have been transferred, when a photographed image of the composite photo data is input, it is installed in advance in the other personal computer or mobile phone terminal. By using the processing program, the dot pattern of the frame portion is read from the composite photograph data and converted into a code. Then, the processing program refers to the association information (association table), retrieves the ID of the audio data from the code, and reproduces and outputs the audio data corresponding to the ID from a speaker or the like.

  In this way, in FIG. 26, the frame data is downloaded from a predetermined site (server), combined with the photograph data photographed by the user, and printed, so that other users photographed the composite photograph. Sometimes it becomes possible to reproduce and output a predetermined sound.

  The audio data and the associated information have been described in the case of direct transfer between personal computers or mobile phone terminals. However, these data are registered in a predetermined server, and other users access the server. These data may be downloaded.

  27 to 28 show a mobile phone terminal having a digital camera function.

  The mobile phone terminal can be equipped with a small memory card called a miniSD card (trade name) or a memory stick Duo (trade name). Buttons are arranged. An imaging lens for a CCD camera or a CMOS camera is provided on the back side.

  Inside the mobile phone terminal, a main memory, ROM and flash memory, operation buttons, numeric buttons, camera photographing buttons, and the like are connected via a bus with a central processing unit as a center. A card adapter for mounting the memory card, a microphone, and a speaker are also connected to the bus.

  The digital camera function includes a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor with 1 million to 2 million pixels or more, and starts shooting with a push button operation of a camera shooting button as a trigger.

  The captured image is stored in a flash memory or a memory card as JPEG format data.

  In this specific example, the dots provided on the medium surface described in the specific examples (1) to (7) are read by the program registered in the flash memory.

  The audio data input from the microphone is converted into audio data in WAV format, MP3 format, etc., and is registered in the flash memory or memory card.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of this example using such a mobile phone terminal.

  First, the user speaks the recorded content toward the microphone of the mobile phone terminal. The contents thus obtained are registered in the flash memory or memory card as audio data via the microphone.

  Next, the user takes a picture sticker shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 26 using the camera function of the mobile phone terminal. On this photographic sticker, code data set by the printing apparatus is printed as a dot pattern. Such a dot pattern printing technique is as described in the above-described specific examples (1) to (7), and thus description thereof is omitted in this specific example.

  The dot pattern photographed in this way is converted into code data by the central processing unit based on the program read from the flash memory.

  Next, the central processing unit associates the input voice data with the code data and registers them in the database of the flash memory or memory card.

  Next, in the mobile phone terminal, when the photo sticker is taken again and the dot pattern is converted into code data, the central processing unit accesses the database of the flash memory or the memory card based on the code data and associates it. The read audio data is read out and reproduced from the speaker.

  In this way, at the time of taking the photo sticker for the second time or later on the mobile phone terminal, the associated audio data can be reproduced.

  It is not always necessary to register the photographed image data in the flash memory or the memory card at the time of photographing the photo sticker for the second time or later, and the photographed image of the camera is developed in the main memory or a VRAM (not shown) (on-memory state). ) Audio data may be reproduced.

  FIG. 31 shows that the voice data, code data, and a database for associating them are registered in a memory card, and the memory card is attached to another mobile phone terminal. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for reproducing the same audio data as above even when the image is taken.

  In this way, in FIG. 31, just by handing the memory card to the other party, by taking the same photo sticker with the other party's mobile phone terminal, the recorded voice data can be reproduced on the other party's mobile phone terminal, It becomes possible to convey a voice message through a photo sticker to the other party.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart in which the voice data, code data, and a database associated therewith are transferred to the other mobile phone terminal using the communication function of the mobile phone terminal. By downloading a so-called i-appli program from a predetermined server to the user's mobile phone terminal and the other mobile phone terminal, the i-appli (trademark) communicates with each other, and voice data is transmitted from the user's mobile phone terminal. And the code data and the database are transferred to the mobile phone terminal of the other party.

  As a result, when the other person photographs the same photo sticker with the mobile phone terminal, the voice data recorded by the user on the user's mobile phone terminal is reproduced from the other mobile phone terminal.

  FIG. 32 is an example in which voice data, code data, and a database are transferred by i-αppli (trademark) communication. FIG. 33 shows that these data are transferred from the user's mobile phone terminal to the other party using electronic mail. The process of transferring to the mobile phone terminal is shown. Also in this method, as described above, when the other party photographs the photo sticker with the mobile phone terminal, the voice data that the user has recorded in advance with the user's mobile phone terminal is reproduced from the other mobile phone terminal. Become so.

Specific example (9)
This specific example is a system using the mobile phone terminal described in specific example (8) and a photo sticker photographing apparatus.

  The system configuration of this example is as shown in FIG.

  That is, the photo sticker photographing apparatus has a camera, a microphone, an operation button, and a printing apparatus with a control device as a center. The control device is composed of an information processing device such as a general-purpose personal computer, and is composed of a central processing unit, a main memory, a hard disk device in which programs and databases are registered, which are not shown in the figure. The control device is connected to a dot code management server and a voice management server via a network. The former dot code management server issues dot codes and associates them with audio data managed by the audio management server, and has a database in which these are associated. The latter voice management server registers and manages voice data input through the microphone of the photo sticker photographing apparatus. Although these two servers are illustrated as separate servers in FIG. 29, they may be the same server.

  Next, a processing procedure using this system configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in a photo sticker photographing apparatus (trade name: photo club), a user operates the camera with an operation button to take a photograph, and stores the photograph data in the memory of the control apparatus. At this time, the control device of the photo sticker photographing apparatus reads a dot pattern printed in advance on the photo sticker mount to be printed and converts it into a dot code number.

  The photograph sticker photographing apparatus prints out the photograph image photographed on the sticker mount.

  Next, the user inputs an arbitrary sound through the microphone. The voice data input in this way is temporarily stored in the memory of the control device. Then, the control device notifies the voice management server of the dot code read from the sticker mount and the voice data. As a result, the dot code management server registers the voice data and the dot code in a database associated with each other.

  Next, the user takes a photograph sticker printed out from the photograph sticker photographing apparatus with the mobile phone terminal. The central processing unit of the mobile phone terminal reads the dot pattern from the photographed image of the photo sticker and converts it into a dot code number. The processing at this time is the same as that described in the specific example (8).

  Next, the user inputs an arbitrary sound through the microphone. The voice data input in this way is temporarily stored in the memory of the control device. Then, the control device registers the voice data in the voice management server. At this time, the dot code management server is notified of the ID assigned to the audio data. As a result, the dot code management server registers the voice data and the dot code in a database associated with each other.

  Next, the user starts a communication program stored in the flash memory of the mobile phone terminal, accesses the dot code management server, and searches for the ID of the audio data corresponding to the dot code number. Then, the voice data registered in the voice management server accessed by the voice management server based on the retrieved ID is downloaded to the mobile phone terminal and reproduced from the speaker.

  In this specific example, the dot pattern is read by the cellular phone terminal, but it goes without saying that an optical reading device connected to a personal computer may be used.

  The process shown in FIG. 34 was a case where a dot pattern was printed in advance on the photo sticker mount, but FIG. 35 shows a case where the photo sticker photographing apparatus issues a new dot code for every photo taking. It is. Since the other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 36 shows a case where dot code issuance is performed by a dot code management server.

  FIG. 37 shows a procedure for recording sound with a photo sticker photographing apparatus and reproducing the sound data with a personal computer or a mobile phone, and a dot pattern is printed in advance on a photo sticker mount. .

  FIG. 38 is a procedure for recording sound with a photo sticker photographing apparatus and reproducing the sound data with a personal computer or mobile phone, etc., as in FIG. The sticker photographing apparatus issues an unused dot code.

  FIGS. 39 and 40 show that photo sticker printing is performed using a photo sticker mount on which a dot pattern is printed in advance by a photo sticker photographing apparatus, and the photo sticker is photographed by a mobile phone terminal with a camera, and voice input is also performed at that time. And managed by the voice management server. Then, when another user takes the photo sticker with another camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, an inquiry is made to the voice management server, and the voice data input above is reproduced.

  41 and 42 are a photo sticker photographing device, which issues a dot code every time a photo is taken, performs photo sticker printing, shoots this photo sticker with a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, and performs voice input at that time, It is managed by the voice management server. Then, when another user takes the photo sticker with another camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, an inquiry is made to the voice management server, and the voice data input above is reproduced.

  43 and 44, after the user takes a picture with the photo sticker, the photo sticker receives a dot code from the dot code management server, generates a dot pattern, and outputs a photo sticker. Next, the user shoots the photo sticker with the mobile phone terminal and records the voice, records the voice in association with the dot code, and then registers the dot code and the voice data in the voice management server.

  Then, when another user takes the photo sticker, that is, the dot pattern with a mobile phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, and the presence or absence of voice data associated with the dot code is determined by the voice management server. Contact When voice data corresponding to the dot code is found, the voice data is downloaded from the voice management server to the mobile phone terminal and reproduced.

  In FIG. 45, after a user takes a picture with the photo sticker, the photo sticker prints a photo sticker on which photo data is printed on a sticker mount on which a dot pattern is printed in advance.

  Next, the user takes the photo sticker with the built-in camera of the mobile phone terminal. Alternatively, the dot pattern is photographed with a pen camera (pen-shaped printing surface reading device) connected to the user's personal computer via USB and converted into a dot code.

  The information processing terminal inputs voice data in association with the dot code.

  Then, the voice data associated with the dot code is transferred to another mobile phone terminal or another personal computer. At this time, as a transfer means, an electronic mail function of a mobile phone terminal may be used, or a flash memory card may be used.

  When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by the built-in camera of the mobile phone terminal storing the transferred dot code and audio data, the central processing unit (CPU) of the mobile phone uses the dot pattern as the dot code. The voice data associated with the dot code stored above is converted and output.

  Note that the dot pattern may be photographed with a pen camera (pen-shaped printing surface reading device) connected to another personal computer via USB, and this may be converted into a dot code to output the associated audio data.

  FIG. 46 is substantially the same as FIG. 45 except that a reserved unused code is issued in the photo sticker device, a dot pattern is generated based on the issued code, and a photo sticker on which the dot pattern is printed is printed. Is different.

  FIGS. 47 and 48 print out photo data taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal by connecting a personal computer or the like to a paper on which a dot pattern has been printed in advance, and the dot code of this dot pattern. The voice data is associated and registered in the dot code management server and the voice management server, and when the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed with another personal computer or mobile phone terminal, it is converted into a dot code and converted into a dot code The voice data associated with the inquiry to the management server is downloaded from the voice management server and reproduced and output.

  FIGS. 49 and 50 are modifications of FIGS. 47 and 48, in which a dot code issuance program is installed in a personal computer, and a dot code is printed when a user prints photo data taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal. And the issued dot code is registered in the dot code management server.

  When voice data is input in association with the dot code using a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

  When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, the dot code management server is inquired, and the associated voice data is downloaded from the voice management server. It is for playback output.

  51 and 52 are modifications of FIGS. 49 and 50 described above.

  In other words, when a personal computer has a communication function and a user prints photograph data taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, a dot code issuance request is made to the dot code management server, and in response to this, When a dot code is issued from the dot code management server, a dot pattern is generated from the dot code and a photo sticker to which the dot pattern is added is printed from the printing apparatus.

  Next, when voice data is input in association with the dot code using a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

  When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, the dot code management server is inquired, and the associated voice data is downloaded from the voice management server. It is for playback output.

  53 and 54 are modifications of FIGS. 47 and 48.

  That is, a user takes a picture with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, and prints the photograph data with a printing device at a convenience store or a photo store. At this time, a photo sticker mount printed with a dot pattern is set in the printing apparatus, and the printed photo sticker can read the dot pattern.

  Next, the user reads the dot pattern of the photo sticker with a USB camera, a scanner pen or a mobile phone connected to a personal computer, associates the voice data with the dot code, and associates the dot code management server with the voice management server. And register in advance. When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, the dot code management server is inquired, and the associated voice data is downloaded from the voice management server. It is for playback output.

  55 and 56 are modifications of FIGS. 49 and 50.

  In other words, a dot code issuance program is installed in a printing device at a convenience store or a photo store, and a dot code is issued when a user prints photo data taken with a digital camera or mobile phone terminal. Register the dot code in the dot code management server.

  When voice data is input in association with the dot code using a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

  When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, the dot code management server is inquired, and the associated voice data is downloaded from the voice management server. It is for playback output.

  57 and 58 are modifications of FIGS. 51 and 52.

  That is, a printing device such as a print creation device has a communication function, and when a user prints photograph data taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, a dot code issuance request is made to the dot code management server, Correspondingly, when a dot code is issued from the dot code management server, a dot pattern is generated from the dot code and a photo sticker to which the dot pattern is added is printed from the printing apparatus.

  Next, when voice data is input in association with the dot code using a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

  When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, the dot code management server is inquired, and the associated voice data is downloaded from the voice management server. It is for playback output.

  FIG. 59 is a modification of FIG.

  That is, a photo sticker in which a dot pattern is arranged in photo data is printed based on a dot pattern generation program installed in a personal computer.

  Next, the user takes the photo sticker with the built-in camera of the mobile phone terminal. Alternatively, the dot pattern is photographed with a pen camera (pen-shaped printing surface reading device) connected to the user's personal computer via USB and converted into a dot code.

  In a personal computer or mobile phone terminal, voice data is input in association with the dot code.

  Then, the voice data associated with the dot code is transferred to another mobile phone terminal or another personal computer. At this time, as a transfer means, an electronic mail function of a mobile phone terminal may be used, or a flash memory card may be used.

  When the dot pattern of the photo sticker is photographed by the built-in camera of the mobile phone terminal storing the transferred dot code and audio data, the central processing unit (CPU) of the mobile phone uses the dot pattern as the dot code. The voice data associated with the dot code stored above is converted and output.

  Note that the dot pattern may be photographed with a pen camera (pen-shaped printing surface reading device) connected to another personal computer via USB, and this may be converted into a dot code to output the associated audio data.

  FIG. 60 is a modification of FIG. 59, in which a photo sticker is used instead of a personal computer in which a dot pattern generation program is installed. Other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 61 is a modification of FIG. 59, and is different only in that photo data taken by a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal is printed by a printing device at a convenience store or a photo store.

  FIG. 62 is substantially the same as FIG. 61, except that a dot code is issued each time printing is performed by a printing device at a convenience store or a photo store.

Specific example (10)
63 to 66 are lists showing parameters when the dot pattern of the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus such as a printer, an input apparatus such as an image scanner, and a copying apparatus such as a copy and a facsimile.

  Although illustration of the apparatus configuration is omitted, the apparatus of this specific example is a copying machine, and includes a scanner unit that reads an original document, a control unit that includes a memory, an input unit that inputs the number of copies, and the like. The printing unit includes a printing unit that performs printing and a discharge unit that discharges printed paper.

  In the control unit, the dot pattern read from the memory is arranged in an arbitrary area input from the input unit with respect to the read original document, and a printing instruction is given to the printing unit.

  As the input unit, for example, a touch panel can be used, and a read original can be displayed, and an arbitrary coordinate position can be designated with a touch pen or the like to determine a dot pattern arrangement position. The dot pattern used in this specific example is preferably the dot pattern described in the above-described GRID-1 or GRID-2, but may be a dot pattern based on an algorithm other than these.

  These dot patterns are preferably printed as the so-called stealth dot patterns described in the specific examples (1) to (7).

  A parameter table as shown in FIGS. 63 to 66 is generated in the memory of the copying machine, and parameters relating to printing control can be registered for each object by designating an arbitrary area in the document.

  67 to 70 show specific examples thereof.

  In FIG. 67, a title [1], a car figure [2], and graphs [3] and [4] are arranged. In the area of title [1], iMRK = 1, which means that it is a security mark, jMRK = 1, which means that dot printing is performed only on the object, and that all copying is prohibited. ICNG = 1 and iSTC = 0 indicating that there is no security parameter are registered as dot patterns. In addition, the serial number (NFST) of the output device that performed the initial printing, whether or not to add a serial number when copying (NLST), the serial number (NPRT) of the document, and printing on the paper The number of objects (MOBJ: 4 here), the object number to be printed (NOBJ), the active code (NACT) for each object, etc. are registered as dot patterns.

  In this way, when the print control parameters are discharged as a printed matter superimposed on the original as a dot pattern, when the printed matter is to be copied again by the copying machine, the control unit of the copying machine performs the dot pattern for each object. It is possible to prohibit copying and control the number of copies.

  For example, when the parameter iCNG = 1 is detected from the dot pattern read by the control unit, the copy unit is an original that is prohibited from being copied, and therefore the control unit does not issue a print instruction to the print unit. Instead, the control unit causes the touch panel or the like to display “This manuscript is prohibited to copy”.

  Further, when the parameter NCPY = 3 is detected from the dot pattern read by the control unit, the printing unit is instructed to print up to three sheets.

  FIG. 68 means that the area described as “CONFIDENTIAL” is a security mark (iMRK = 1), and other houses and trees do not perform object print control with iMRK = 0. Means that. In this case, information dots associated with audio data or the like may be arranged as dot patterns on the tree or house portion.

  69 is not defined in the parameter tables of FIGS. 63 to 66, but a parameter (iARA = 0) indicating that dots are arranged on the entire document is printed as a dot pattern. The parameter (iARA = 1), which means that the dot pattern is arranged only in the house part, is printed as the dot pattern.

  As described above, in this specific example, the printing control parameter for controlling copying can be arranged and printed in an arbitrary area of the original document using the printing apparatus.

  Further, when a printed matter having such print control parameters is scanned as an original document, the control unit can perform control such as prohibiting copy printing itself or limiting the number of copies and a copy range.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a so-called stealth dot pattern in which the presence of a dot pattern on the medium surface cannot be visually recognized can be realized simply and inexpensively by slightly improving an existing printing technique. In addition, by making the copy printing apparatus read the dot pattern and perform copy control, it is possible to easily realize the copy restriction of copy-prohibited confidential documents and copyrighted printed matter.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a dot pattern is arranged on the surface of a photo sticker or a paper medium has been described. However, in addition to these, a copy paper, a trading card, a greeting card, various stickers, a bromide, Anything such as a photo album may be used.

  Examples of the printing apparatus include a photo sticker photographing apparatus, a color copying machine, a printer with a scanner, and the like, but a simple printing apparatus other than these may be used.

  The stealth dot pattern of the present invention is a picture book that produces sound, a photo book, a printed matter that requires security on the printing surface (for example, banknotes, official documents, etc.), a voice input system using a photo sticker device, a photo sticker printing technique, a mobile phone It can also be applied to reading technology such as photo stickers using a terminal, and also to print management of a copy printing apparatus (copy apparatus).

The figure which shows the printing state of the dot in a specific example (1). The figure which shows the printing state of the dot in a specific example (2) (1) The figure which shows the printing state of the dot in a specific example (2) (2) The figure which shows the printing state of the dot in a specific example (3) (1) FIG. (2) showing a dot printing state in the specific example (3) The figure which shows the printing state of the dot in a specific example (4). The figure for demonstrating the principle of example (5) Diagram (1) showing the arrangement state of dots in specific example (5) Figure (2) showing the arrangement state of dots in the specific example (5) Diagram (1) showing an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-1 in the specific example (5) Diagram (2) showing an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-1 in the specific example (5) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-1 in the specific example (5). FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of a dot pattern of GRID-2 in specific example (5). Diagram (2) showing an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-2 in the specific example (5) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-2 in the specific example (5). Explanatory drawing for controlling the dot size at the time of printing in the specific example (5) Explanatory drawing which has arrange | positioned the round-shaped information dot in the square-shaped halftone dot in the specific example (5). Example (1) of printing surface when mask shape is set in image in specific example (6) Example (2) of printing surface when mask shape is set in image in specific example (6) The figure explaining the generation method of the dot pattern by FM screen printing method in specific example (7) Explanatory drawing when color exchange is performed when forming the dot pattern in the specific example (7) The figure explaining the formation method of a dot pattern in a specific example (7) Drawing (1) which shows the printing surface of the photograph sticker of specific example (8) Drawing (2) which shows the printing surface of the photograph sticker of specific example (8) Drawing (3) which shows the printing surface of the photograph sticker of specific example (8) Drawing which shows the printing surface of the photograph sticker of specific example (8) (4) Diagram (1) showing a mobile phone terminal of specific example (8) Diagram (2) showing the mobile phone terminal of the specific example (8) The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the photograph sticker apparatus of specific example (9). Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (8) (1) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (8) (2) Flow chart (3) showing processing procedure of specific example (8) Flow chart (4) showing processing procedure of specific example (8) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (1) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (2) Flow chart (3) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart (4) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart (5) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (6) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (7) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (8) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (9) Flow chart (10) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart (11) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (12) Flow chart (13) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (14) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (15) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (16) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (17) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (18) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (19) Flow chart (20) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (21) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (22) Flow chart (23) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (24) Flow chart (25) showing processing procedure of specific example (9) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (26) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (27) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (28) Flow chart showing processing procedure of specific example (9) (29) Explanatory drawing (1) of the parameter list of the dot pattern used for the printing apparatus of the specific example (10) Explanatory drawing (2) of the parameter list of the dot pattern used for the printing apparatus of the specific example (10) Explanatory drawing (3) of the parameter list of the dot pattern used for the printing apparatus of a specific example (10) Explanatory drawing (4) of dot pattern parameter list used for printing apparatus of specific example (10) The figure (1) which shows the arrangement state of the dot pattern in the printing surface of a specific example (10) The figure (2) which shows the arrangement state of the dot pattern on the printing surface of specific example (10) The figure (3) which shows the arrangement state of the dot pattern on the printing surface of specific example (10) The figure (4) which shows the arrangement state of the dot pattern on the printing surface of specific example (10) The figure which shows an example of the dot pattern (GRID-1) used by this embodiment. The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (1) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (2) Diagram showing the principle of the dot pattern (GRID-1) (3) FIG. (4) showing the principle of the dot pattern (GRID-1) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (5) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (7) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (8) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (9) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (10) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-1) (11) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-2) (1) Diagram showing the principle of the dot pattern (GRID-2) (2) Diagram showing the principle of the dot pattern (GRID-2) (3) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-2) (4) The figure which shows the principle of a dot pattern (GRID-2) (5)

Explanation of symbols

1 dot pattern 2 key dot 3 information dot 4 grid dot

Claims (2)

A printing apparatus that optically reads an original document to generate print data corresponding to a read image and prints the print data on a medium surface,
Means for designating an arbitrary area in a read image obtained by optically reading the original document;
Means for assigning an arbitrary dot pattern to an arbitrary area specified above;
A printing apparatus comprising printing control means for printing a dot pattern in the arbitrary area when printing data on the medium surface.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dot pattern assigned to an arbitrary region is a content such as sound, an image, or a moving image, a code associated with the content, or a code meaning confidential information of the document.

Images