JP2009042826A - Two dimensional code creation system and two dimensional code printing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a two-dimensional code creation system and a two-dimensional code printing medium for increasing the design of the appearance of a two-dimensional code, and for improving the information reading precision of the two-dimensional code. <P>SOLUTION: An illustration image (I) configured of a photograph, a picture, a character or a symbol or their combination is displayed so as to be superposed with a two-dimensional code image (C) in which such information as a character or a numeral is expressed with the distribution pattern of cells. Then, the density of one section of the illustration image (I) is adjusted to density to such an extent that it is recognizable by the eyes of a person but mechanically unrecognizable by a reading device, and the distribution pattern of the cells of a two-dimensional code is additionally displayed at the section whose density has been adjusted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code creation system and a two-dimensional code print medium for creating a two-dimensional code in which data such as characters and numbers are represented by a two-dimensional graphic pattern.

  In recent years, two-dimensional codes are often used in place of barcodes in which numbers and other characters / symbols are replaced with striped patterns called bars (black lines) and spaces (white or unprinted portions). It is like that.

  The two-dimensional code is data in which characters, numbers, and the like are expressed by a two-dimensional graphic pattern. The two-dimensional code is a technique for engraving more information more accurately than before by expanding the bar code and expressing it as a two-dimensional figure. A two-dimensional code has a recording density (amount of information per area) 20 to 100 times that of a barcode, and can express a large amount of information with a small pattern. The amount of information that can be recorded is about 20 alphanumeric characters, but the two-dimensional code can record thousands of characters, and can express not only alphanumeric characters but also kana and kanji. There is a method in which data is made redundant so that the data can be accurately restored even if there is some contamination, and a method in which data can be read from any direction of 360 degrees. Recently, a two-dimensional barcode displayed on a product or printed matter is photographed by a camera of a mobile phone, and a predetermined URL is accessed as it is.

  However, this two-dimensional code can record a large amount of information as described above, but it is monotonous consisting of black cells (black cells) and white cells (white cells) for human eyes. The design of the appearance was not high.

  Therefore, various two-dimensional codes have been proposed in order to enhance the design of the appearance of the two-dimensional code. For example, a first image unit that makes a predetermined image visible in a first direction and a second image unit that makes a two-dimensional code visible in a second direction are provided. Is formed by displaying a character image or the like on the surface of the object, and the second image unit allows reflection of light in the first direction and restricts reflection of light in the second direction. There is one formed by a light reflection limiting member that makes the two-dimensional code visible in the direction 2 (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is a two-dimensional code whose recorded contents are visually unrecognizable, but is described by multiple notation means so that information relating to the two-dimensional code can be visually recognized in the same area where the code is expressed (patent) Reference 2)

  Also, read the image into the layer, place it at the specified position with the specified size, generate an image in which the input characters are two-dimensionally encoded into the layer, arrange it at the specified position with the specified size and color it, and then display the illustration image on the layer The image is composed by setting the layer context and transparency, and the 2D code black cells are colored with the color selected from the black cell coloring palette, and the white cells are selected from the white cell coloring palette. There are some which are colored with different colors (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2006-110888 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-332112 JP 2005-316972 A

  However, there is a problem that it is difficult to read the two-dimensional code because the area of the cell distribution of the two-dimensional code is reduced by the amount of the illustration image in any binary code.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can improve the information reading accuracy of a two-dimensional code in a two-dimensional code with an illustration image added thereto, and can further improve the appearance of the two-dimensional code. It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional code creation system and a two-dimensional code print medium that can improve performance.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a two-dimensional code image generating means for generating a two-dimensional code image in which information such as characters and numbers is expressed by a cell distribution pattern, and a photograph, picture, character or symbol. Or an illustration image generation means for generating an illustration image composed of a combination thereof, a two-dimensional code image generated by the two-dimensional code image generation means, and an illustration image generated by the illustration image generation means. A two-dimensional code creation system comprising image synthesizing means for synthesizing the image, and a density adjustment for adjusting a density of a part of the illustration image to a density that can be recognized by a human eye but cannot be recognized by a reader Means and a cell addition display means for additionally displaying the distribution pattern of the cells of the two-dimensional code in the portion where the density is adjusted. And features.

  According to this, the density-adjusted portion of the illustration image is recognized by the human eye, but is not machine-recognized by the reading device, and the reading device regards that the illustration image of the density-adjusted portion does not exist. Then, the cell distribution pattern is additionally displayed in the density-adjusted portion, thereby increasing the cell distribution pattern area in the two-dimensional code image. For this reason, it is possible to improve the information reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code while all the illustration images are recognized by human eyes. In addition, sharpness occurs due to the color density in the illustration image, and the design of the appearance of the two-dimensional code can be further improved.

  Preferably, the density adjusting means adjusts the density of a part of the illustration image to be 1% to 45% with respect to the density of a dark cell of the two-dimensional code image. According to this, the density-adjusted portion of the illustration image is recognized by the human eye, but it is no longer recognized by the reading device, and the reading device can be regarded as the illustration image of the density-adjusted portion does not exist. It becomes possible to carry out more reliably.

  In addition, a grayscale conversion means for converting original data consisting of a photograph, picture, character, symbol, or combination thereof as a base of an illustration image into grayscale, and the original data converted by the grayscale conversion means are converted into monochrome It is preferable to have two gradation conversion means for converting to two gradations and image correction means for correcting the original data converted by the two gradation conversion means such as deformation. Thus, an illustration image that can be easily recognized by human eyes can be displayed on the two-dimensional code image.

  Further, it is preferable that the image synthesizing unit includes a color conversion unit that performs color conversion on an image obtained by synthesizing the two-dimensional code image and the illustration image. According to this, since the two-dimensional code image and the illustration image are colored, the appearance design can be further improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said image composition means has a layer preparation means which produces a some layer about each part of the said illustration image. According to this, each part of the illustration image can be divided and combined, and the color and density can be changed for each layer.

  In addition, the two-dimensional code printing medium according to the present invention includes a two-dimensional code image in which information such as characters and numbers is expressed by a cell distribution pattern, and an illustration composed of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof. A two-dimensional code print medium displayed so that images overlap, wherein the density of a part of the illustration image is adjusted to a density that can be recognized by human eyes but cannot be recognized by a reading device. The distribution pattern of the cell of the two-dimensional code is additionally displayed in the adjusted portion.

  The two-dimensional code printing medium is more preferably adjusted so that the density of a part of the illustration image is 1% to 45% with respect to the density of the dark cells of the two-dimensional code image.

  According to the two-dimensional code creation system or the two-dimensional code print medium according to the present invention, the density-adjusted portion of the illustration image is recognized by the human eye, but is no longer machine-recognized by the reader, and the reader adjusts the density adjustment. It is considered that there is no illustration image of the selected part. Then, the cell distribution pattern is additionally displayed in the density-adjusted portion, thereby increasing the cell distribution pattern area in the two-dimensional code image. For this reason, it is possible to improve the information reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code while all the illustration images are recognized by human eyes. In addition, sharpness occurs due to the color density in the illustration image, and the design of the appearance of the two-dimensional code can be further improved.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a two-dimensional code creation system 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The system 100 includes a two-dimensional code image generation unit (1) that generates a two-dimensional code image (C), an illustration image generation unit (2) that generates an illustration image (I), and a two-dimensional code image (C). An image composition unit (3) for combining the image and the illustration image (I), an illustration image region adjustment unit (4) for adjusting the region of the illustration image (I), a two-dimensional code image (C), and an illustration image (I ) And the like, and a print unit (6) for printing the two-dimensional code image (C) and the illustration image (I).

  The two-dimensional code image generation unit (1), the illustration image generation unit (2), the image composition unit (3), and the illustration image region adjustment unit (4) are constituted by a central processing unit (CPU). A server program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a hard disk is executed. Further, this server program may be installed in a computer stored in a storage medium, or may be downloaded to a computer after being transmitted via a network. Examples of the storage medium include a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a compact disk, and a floppy (registered trademark) disk.

  The two-dimensional code image generation unit (1) generates a two-dimensional code image (C). As shown in FIG. 5, this two-dimensional code image (C) is expressed by a distribution pattern of dark cells (black cells in the present embodiment) and thin cells (white cells in the present embodiment), such as characters and numbers. It has been done. There are two types of two-dimensional codes, a matrix system and a multi-row system. The multi-row two-dimensional code is formed by stacking a one-dimensional code (bar code) several times in the vertical direction, as represented by “PDF417”. On the other hand, a matrix-based two-dimensional code is a square or rectangular white cell and black cell arranged in two dimensions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and a so-called “QR code” is known. The QR code is a matrix-based two-dimensional code pursuing large capacity and high density. In general, a two-dimensional code takes a lot of processing time because the amount of image data to be handled is much larger than that of a one-dimensional code (barcode), and the processing content is also complicated. Therefore, in addition to the characteristics of the two-dimensional code of the normal matrix system, the QR code is designed to be able to handle kanji by pursuing the reading performance which has been a weak point and realizing the readability. In the present invention, an image of a two-dimensional code having a matrix system represented by the QR code is preferably used.

  The illustration image generation unit (2) generates an illustration image (I) composed of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the illustration image (I) includes photographs and pictures about the appearance of the entertainer, characters made up of company catchphrases, company logos, characters indicating the contents of the information of the two-dimensional code, Examples include symbols. The original data of the illustration image (I) may be read by an image reading device such as a scanner, created by drawing software, or downloaded from the Internet.

  In the present embodiment, the illustration image generation unit (2) converts the original data consisting of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination of the illustration image (I) into a gray scale. Unit (21), a two-gradation conversion unit (22) for converting the original data converted by the grayscale conversion unit (21) into monochrome two gradations, and the two-gradation conversion unit (22) A function of an image correction unit (23) for correcting the original data such as deformation is provided. As a result, the illustration image (I) can be made clearer and clearer and can be easily recognized by the human eye when combined with the two-dimensional code image (C).

  The image composition unit (3) includes a two-dimensional code image (C) generated by the two-dimensional code image generation unit (1), and an illustration image (I) generated by the illustration image generation unit (2). Are combined to overlap. As shown in FIG. 5, the image composition unit (3) generally composes the illustration image (I) so as to overlap the entire region of the illustration image (I) at a predetermined position on the two-dimensional code image (C). You may combine so that only the partial area | region of an illustration image may overlap.

  In the present embodiment, the image composition unit (3) has a function of a color conversion unit (31) that performs color conversion on the composition of the two-dimensional code image (C) and the illustration image (I). Thereby, since the two-dimensional code image (C) and the illustration image (I) are colored, the appearance design can be further improved.

  The image composition unit (3) has a function of a layer creation unit (32) that creates a plurality of layers for each part of the illustration image (I). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first layer (I1) is created for the face portion of the illustration image (I) and the second layer (I2) of the hair portion of the illustration image (I) is created. Thereby, the face part and the hair part of the illustration image (I) can be divided and combined, and the color and density can be adjusted for each layer.

  The image composition unit (3) includes a density adjustment unit (33) that adjusts the density of a portion of the illustration image to a density that can be recognized by the human eye but cannot be recognized by the reader. A cell addition display section (34) for additionally displaying the distribution pattern of the cells of the two-dimensional code in the portion where the density is adjusted. In the present embodiment, the density adjustment unit (33) and the cell addition display unit (34) are included in the image synthesis unit (3). However, both are provided separately from the image synthesis unit (3). It is good.

  In the density adjusting unit (33), as a method of adjusting the density so that it can be recognized by human eyes but not machine-recognized by the reader, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the hair portion of the illustration image (I) The density of the second layer (I2) is set to 1% to 45% with respect to the dark cell (black cell) of the two-dimensional code image.

The reason why the numerical value of the concentration is 45% or less is as follows. That is, even if the density value is 46% to 50%, it should theoretically be machine-recognized that there is no image in the part at the time of reading, but depending on the reading conditions, the image is also in the part. There is a risk of machine recognition. For this reason, the above density is set to 45% or less in order to ensure machine recognition that there is no image in the portion and to improve the reading reliability. On the other hand, if the density is 0%, the portion is white and the image is not recognized at all by human eyes. Therefore, the density is at least 1% or more so that the image can be more easily recognized by human eyes. Preferably, the content is 10% to 30%.
The density is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a color such as yellow or yellowish green, the reading apparatus may not recognize the machine even if the density is not less than the above-described%.

  Thus, the density-adjusted portion of the illustration image (I) is recognized by the human eye, but is no longer machine-recognized by the reading device, and the reading device does not have the density-adjusted illustration image (I). Is regarded as Then, by additionally displaying the cell distribution pattern in the density-adjusted portion, the area of the cell distribution pattern in the two-dimensional code image (C) becomes larger. For this reason, the information reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code image (C) can be improved while all the illustration images (I) are recognized by human eyes. Moreover, sharpness is generated by the color density in the illustration image (I), so that the design of the appearance of the two-dimensional code can be further improved.

  The illustration image area adjusting unit (4) adjusts the area of the illustration image with respect to the entire area of the two-dimensional code image where the two-dimensional code image (C) and the illustration image (I) overlap. . For example, when the area of the illustration image (I) is large, the reduction adjustment may be performed so that the area is 10 to 30%. However, the illustration image area adjustment unit (4) does not need to adjust when the area of the illustration image (I) is an appropriate size. Therefore, the illustration image area adjustment unit (4) may not be added depending on the system.

  Next, the operation of the system 100 will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In the following description and drawings, “step” is abbreviated as “S”.

  First, in S1, the two-dimensional code image generation unit (1) generates a two-dimensional code image (C) in which data such as characters and numbers are expressed by a two-dimensional graphic pattern, and the process proceeds to S2.

  In S2, the illustration image generation unit (2) generates an illustration image (I) composed of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof.

  Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, in S21, it is read by a scanner or the like, and is composed of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof as a base of the illustration image (I). Original data is generated, and the process proceeds to S22.

  In S22, the gray scale conversion unit (21) converts the original data consisting of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination of the illustration image (I) into a gray scale, and the process proceeds to S23.

  In S23, the two gradation conversion unit (22) converts the original data converted by the grayscale conversion unit (21) into monochrome two gradations, and the process proceeds to S24.

  In S24, the image correction unit (23) corrects the original data converted by the two-tone conversion unit (22) such as deformation, ends the generation of the illustration image (I), and proceeds to S3.

  In S3, the image composition unit (3) performs the two-dimensional code image (C) generated by the two-dimensional code image generation unit (1) and the illustration image (2) generated by the illustration image generation unit (2). And I).

  Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, in S31, the illustration image (I) is combined at a predetermined position on the two-dimensional code image (C), and the process proceeds to S32.

  In S32, the color conversion unit (31) performs color conversion on the composite of the two-dimensional code image (C) and the illustration image (I), and the process proceeds to S33.

  In S33, as shown in FIG. 6, the layer creation unit (32) creates a plurality of layers for each part of the illustration image (I), and proceeds to S34. In the present embodiment, the first layer (I1) is created for the face portion of the illustration image (I), and the second layer (I2) of the hair portion of the illustration image (I) is created.

  In S34, the density adjusting unit (33) adjusts the density of a part of the illustration image to be 1% to 45% with respect to the black cell of the two-dimensional code image C), for example, and the process proceeds to S35. In the present embodiment, the density of the layer (I2) of the illustration image (I) is adjusted to be 1% to 45% with respect to the black cells of the two-dimensional code image (C).

  In S35, the cell addition display unit (34) additionally displays the cell distribution pattern of the two-dimensional code in the portion where the density is adjusted by the density adjustment unit (33), ends the image composition process, and proceeds to S4. . In the present embodiment, cells are additionally displayed for the second layer (I2) of the hair portion of the illustration image (I).

  In S4, the illustration image area adjustment unit (4) has the area of the illustration image (I) synthesized by the image synthesis unit (3) 10% to 30% of the area of the two-dimensional code image (C). The area of the illustration image (I) is adjusted so as to be within the range of, and the process is terminated.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 7, a composite of the illustration image (I) and the two-dimensional code image (C) is printed out as a two-dimensional code print medium, or is sent to an information terminal such as a user's mobile phone. Send

  The two-dimensional code formed by this system is printed by a printing apparatus, thereby forming a two-dimensional code print medium as shown in FIG. This two-dimensional code print medium is a two-dimensional code image (C) in which information such as characters and numbers is expressed by a cell distribution pattern, and an illustration image (I) consisting of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof. ) Are displayed so as to overlap. Then, the density of a part of the illustration image (I) is adjusted to a density that can be recognized by the human eye but not machine-recognized by the reader, and the distribution of the two-dimensional code cells in the adjusted part. Additional patterns are displayed. Further, the two-dimensional code printing medium is more preferably adjusted so that the density of a part of the illustration image is 1% to 45% with respect to the density of a dark cell of the two-dimensional code image.

  As described above, according to the two-dimensional code printing medium according to the present invention, the density-adjusted portion of the image (I) is recognized by the human eye, but is not machine-recognized by the reading device. It is considered that the illustration image (I) of the portion that has been removed does not exist. Then, by additionally displaying the cell distribution pattern in the density-adjusted portion, the area of the cell distribution pattern in the two-dimensional code image (C) becomes larger. For this reason, the information reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code image (C) can be improved while all the illustration images (I) are recognized by human eyes. Moreover, sharpness is generated by the color density in the illustration image (I), so that the design of the appearance of the two-dimensional code can be further improved.

  The present invention can be used for creating a printed matter such as a magazine, a poster, and a calendar, or a two-dimensional code displayed on the Internet or a mobile phone.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the specific operation | movement of the illustration image generation of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a specific operation of image synthesis in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the state which synthesize | combines a two-dimensional code image and an illustration image. It is a figure which shows the layer of an illustration image. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image of a two-dimensional code image and an illustration image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Two-dimensional code image generation part 2 ... Illustration image generation part 3 ... Image composition part 33 ... Density adjustment part 34 ... Cell addition display part 4 ... Illustration image area adjustment part 100 ... 2D code creation system

Claims (7)

Two-dimensional code image generation means for generating a two-dimensional code image in which information such as letters and numbers is expressed by a cell distribution pattern;
An illustration image generating means for generating an illustration image composed of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof;
A two-dimensional code creation system comprising: a two-dimensional code image generated by the two-dimensional code image generation means; and an image synthesis means for synthesizing the illustration image generated by the illustration image generation means.
A density adjusting unit that adjusts the density of a part of the illustration image to a density that can be recognized by the human eye but cannot be machine recognized by the reader;
A two-dimensional code creation system comprising cell addition display means for additionally displaying a cell distribution pattern of a two-dimensional code in a portion where the density is adjusted.   2. The density adjusting unit according to claim 1, wherein the density adjusting means adjusts the density of a part of the illustration image to be 1% to 45% with respect to the density of a dark cell of the two-dimensional code image. Dimension code creation system.   Gray scale conversion means for converting original data consisting of a photograph, picture, character, symbol, or a combination thereof as a base of the illustration image into gray scale, and the original data converted by the gray scale conversion means for monochrome 2 3. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, further comprising: a two-gradation conversion unit that converts to gradation, and an image correction unit that corrects deformation of the original data converted by the two-gradation conversion unit. Creation system.   The binary code creation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising color conversion means for performing color conversion on an image obtained by superimposing the two-dimensional code image and the illustration image.   The two-dimensional code creation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a layer creation unit that creates a plurality of layers for each part of the illustration image. A two-dimensional code print medium on which a two-dimensional code image in which information such as characters and numbers is expressed by a cell distribution pattern is displayed so that an illustration image composed of a photograph, a picture, a character, a symbol, or a combination thereof overlaps Because
The density of a part of the illustration image is adjusted to a density that can be recognized by the human eye but not machine-recognized by the reader, and a two-dimensional code cell distribution pattern is additionally displayed in the adjusted part. A two-dimensional code print medium. The two-dimensional code printing medium according to claim 6, wherein a density of a part of the illustration image is adjusted to be 1% to 45% with respect to a dark cell density of the two-dimensional code image.