JP2016089292A - Information code medium manufacturing method and information code medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method capable of forming successfully readable information code with embroidery.SOLUTION: A coating layer 121 capable of being removed by a prescribed method is disposed to cover at least one side of a medium to be embroidered 110. The medium to be embroidered 110 and the coating layer 121 are overlaid to form a laminate. A part of the laminated section on which the coating layer 121 is disposed is a section to be coded. An annular adjacent part neighboring a circumference of the section to be coded in the laminated section on which the coating layer 121 is disposed is a section to be held. The section to be held is held so that the coating layer 121 and the medium to be embroidered 110 are sandwiched by a frame member 140 of a prescribed shape and the section to be coded is kept to be tensed. An information code 101 is formed by embroidering on the section to be coded on the laminate held, then the coating layer 121 is removed from the laminate on which the information code 101 is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information code medium manufacturing method and an information code medium.

  At present, the use of information codes is widespread, and various methods for forming the information codes have been proposed. For example, the technique of Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forming a two-dimensional barcode by embroidery. In this technique, a two-dimensional barcode pattern is formed by sewing a thread on the fabric 101, and the pattern A thread is sewn along the inner and outer peripheral edges so as to surround the inner and outer periphery.

JP 2000-8269 A

  By the way, products (textile products, etc.) to be embroidered generally have a characteristic that they are easily deformed and are not easily held in a fixed shape. Therefore, when an information code is formed by embroidery, the target part is deformed during embroidery. The shape may change greatly between when sewing and after sewing. For this reason, when it is assumed that a pattern is drawn by embroidery, the shape of the drawn pattern is more variable than when drawing a picture on a paper medium. As a result, there is a situation in which a slight distortion or misalignment is likely to occur.

  For this reason, in order to prevent the occurrence of misalignment, measures such as pulling a base cloth during embroidery are taken to reduce distortion and misalignment. However, the above measures are sufficient for the purpose of merely allowing the user or a third party to grasp the embroidery part with the naked eye (for example, when using it only as a design for decoration) When forming an information code that is assumed to be mechanically read by the apparatus, this becomes a big problem. For example, even if the distortion is not large in appearance, depending on how it is distorted, it often takes time to read various images, etc., and it sometimes takes time to read or cannot be read at all. There is concern.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a manufacturing method capable of forming an easily readable information code by embroidery, and an easily readable information code attached by embroidery. It is an object to provide an information code medium.

The invention of claim 1 is an arrangement step of arranging a covering layer configured to cover at least one side of a target medium to be embroidered and removable by a predetermined method;
In the laminated body in which the target medium and the coating layer are overlaid, a part of the lamination region where the coating layer is arranged is a formation target region, and the periphery of the formation target region in the lamination region where the coating layer is arranged An annular adjacent portion adjacent to the holding target region, holding the holding target region so that the covering layer and the target medium are sandwiched by a frame member having a predetermined shape, and the formation target region being stretched Holding process to
A forming step of forming an information code by embroidery on the formation target region of the laminate held by the holding step;
A removal step of removing the covering layer from the laminate in which the information code is formed by the forming step;
It is characterized by including.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, first, a covering layer configured to cover at least one surface of a target medium to be embroidered and removable by a predetermined method is disposed. In the laminate, the coating layer and the target medium are formed in such a manner that a part of the laminated region where the coating layer is disposed is a formation target region, and a circular adjacent portion adjacent to the periphery of the formation target region is a holding target region. Are held by a frame member having a predetermined shape, and the formation target region is stretched. Then, an information code is formed by embroidery on the formation target region in such a holding state.
In this way, the covering layer and the target medium are both stretched in the formation target region, and such a state is held by the frame member, thereby suppressing distortion and bending in the formation target region during embroidery. can do. In particular, when embroidery is applied, a covering layer is disposed so as to cover one side of the target medium (the surface representing the information code) and the covering layer is held in a stretched state. The pressure at the time of inserting can be received by the coating layer, and the distortion and the bending of the target medium at the time of inserting the needle can be effectively suppressed. In addition, when removing the needle, it is possible to support and suppress the deflection of the target medium accompanying the extraction (such as the deflection that is pulled in the extraction direction as the needle is extracted). It is also possible to effectively suppress distortion and deflection of the target medium at the time. As described above, since the target medium is stably held during the embroidery, a variation in which the finally formed information code greatly changes from the planned shape is surely suppressed, and reading close to the planned shape is possible. An information code that is easily performed well is formed with high accuracy. Further, after the information code is formed, the covering layer can be removed by the removing step, and therefore, the problem that the reading of the information code is hindered by the covering layer is less likely to occur.

In the second aspect of the invention, in the arranging step, the coating layer is arranged on one surface of the target medium, and the second surface is placed on the back side of the coating layer on the surface opposite to the one surface of the target medium. Arrange the layers. In the holding step, in the laminated body, a part of the laminated region in which both the coating layer and the second layer are arranged is a formation target region, and the formation target in the laminated region in which both the coating layer and the second layer are arranged. An annular adjacent portion adjacent to the periphery of the region is set as a holding target region, and the holding target region is held and the formation target region is stretched so that the covering layer, the target medium, and the second layer are sandwiched between the frame members. .
In this way, the covering layer and the second layer are arranged on both sides of the target medium, respectively, and the frame member is used so that the covering layer, the target medium, and the second layer are all stretched in the formation target region. If held, it is possible to more effectively suppress distortion and deflection that occur in the formation target area during embroidery. In particular, the pressure to be applied from both sides of the target medium can be received by the covering layer and the second layer, respectively, so that embroidery can be applied while reliably suppressing distortion and bending caused by external pressure. it can. Further, since the formation target region has a laminated structure of at least three layers, the bending deformation can be more reliably suppressed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the second layer is made of a material that can be removed by a predetermined method. In the removing step, both the coating layer and the second layer are removed.
According to this invention, the information code can be formed by embroidery while more reliably suppressing the deflection and distortion of the target medium by the layers on both sides (the coating layer and the second layer) of the target medium. Since both layers (the coating layer and the second layer) are less likely to remain, the layers on both sides are less likely to affect the appearance of the final product, and problems such as difficulty in reading information codes are less likely to occur. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the forming step, an information code formed by recording predetermined personal information in the data recording area is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery.
According to such a method, useful personal information can be casually attached to the target medium. For example, at the time of non-reading, it is possible to maintain a certain level of confidentiality without clearly showing all personal information in characters, etc., and when personal information is needed (for example, the person who possessed the target medium was lost When the target medium becomes lost, etc.), it is possible to read the information code and grasp necessary personal information.

In the invention of claim 5, personal information includes personal name, address, telephone number, emergency contact information, age, date of birth, blood type, e-mail address, information on parents, occupation, information on affiliation, insurance Certificate information and / or license information.
According to the present invention, useful personal information can be casually attached to the target medium, and at least one of identification of an individual, estimation of an individual, and grasping of specific contents about an individual is possible when necessary. It becomes.

In the invention of claim 6, in the forming step, an information code formed by recording message information in the data recording area is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery.
According to the present invention, message information can be casually attached to a target medium. If reading can be performed, message information can be read and grasped immediately when necessary.
For example, clothes, hats, ties, handkerchiefs, towels and other items to be worn, ornaments, stuffed animals, gifts and souvenirs such as toys, etc. If you do, you can pass the message casually with the gift. In addition, since the information code continues to be attached to the object, it is possible to leave the message in a more casual and hard-to-miss form, and it can be read at any time by reading the information code when you want to read it back. it can.

In the invention of claim 7, the target medium is at least one of an attachment worn by a person or a portable article carried by the person.
According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably attach an information code to a wearable worn by a person or a portable object carried by a person in a form that is easily read and more difficult to disappear. it can.

In the invention of claim 8, in the forming step, an information code provided with a secret area for recording encrypted data encrypted based on a predetermined encryption key is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery.
According to the present invention, it is possible to leave the necessary information in the target medium casually and more reliably by embroidery, and at least a partial area (private area) of the embroidery area is an encryption key. It can be prevented from being read unless it exists.

In the invention of claim 9, the information code is formed by arranging a predetermined dark color cell and a light color cell in a plurality of rows in a predetermined vertical direction and in a plurality of columns in a predetermined horizontal direction. When forming the information code in the formation target area by embroidery, among the plurality of dark cells, the dark cells arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are recognized as a continuous pattern, and the vertical direction or The dark cells arranged in at least one of the horizontal directions are continuously embroidered together.
According to this method, efficiency can be improved as compared with a method in which dark cells are individually embroidered one by one, and time can be easily reduced.

In the invention of claim 10, the information code is provided with one or a plurality of dark cell continuous portions in which predetermined dark cells and light cells are arranged and dark cells are continuously arranged in a predetermined continuous state. In the forming process, the dark cell continuous part is recognized as a continuous pattern, and the dark cells in the dark cell continuous part are embroidered together.
According to this method, the dark cell continuous portion in the specific pattern can be embroidered efficiently, and the time can be easily reduced. In addition, since the dark cell continuation part in the specific pattern is embroidered in a collective form, the dark cell continuation part is less likely to be divided, and the specific pattern that is an important part during reading is less likely to be erroneously recognized. Become.

  According to the invention of claim 11, an information code medium having the same effect as that of claim 1 can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of an information code utilization system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of an information code reader that forms part of the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of an information code medium manufactured by the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the process for manufacturing the information code medium of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process following the process of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a part of the steps for manufacturing the information code medium of FIG. 3 in a plan view. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process following the process of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process following the process of FIG. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the arrangement area of each cell of the information code to be formed, and FIG. 9B is an arrangement area configured as shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the code image which actualized a part of.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Information code usage system)
An information code utilization system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an information code forming apparatus 2 that forms an information code 101 in which cells serving as units for displaying information in a predetermined code area are arranged by embroidery, and an information code forming apparatus 2. The information code reader 10 that reads the formed information code 101 is provided.

(Information code forming device)
An information code forming device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as an embroidery device including an information processing device such as a computer and an embroidery machine, and includes a control unit 3 including a CPU, buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, An operation unit 4 composed of other input devices, a storage unit 5 composed of storage devices such as ROM, RAM, HDD, and nonvolatile memory, and a display unit 6 composed of a known display device (liquid crystal display or other display device). And a communication unit 7 that functions as a communication interface for performing wired communication or wireless communication with an external device, and has the same hardware configuration as a known computer sewing machine, embroidery sewing machine, electronic sewing machine, etc., and embroidery from the control unit 3 And an embroidery machine 8 capable of embroidering the information code 101 or the like based on the data.

(Information code reader)
Next, the overall configuration of the information code reader 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information code reader 10 can read a known one-dimensional code such as a bar code or a known two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a data matrix code in terms of hardware. It is configured as a simple code reader, and an outer case is constituted by a case (not shown), and various electronic components are accommodated in the case. The information code reader 10 mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, a filter 25, and an imaging lens 27, and a micro memory such as a memory 35, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, and a liquid crystal display 46. It is composed of a computer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system and a power supply system such as a power switch 41 and a battery 49. These components are mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) or housed in a case (not shown). The specific functions of the information code reading device 10 are various, and may be configured as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or the like, or may be configured as other portable reading devices. In addition, here, the information code reading device 10 configured as a mobile terminal is illustrated, but the information code reading device 10 may be configured as a stationary device.

  The optical system includes an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, a filter 25, an imaging lens 27, and the like. The illumination light source 21 functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a diffusion lens, a condensing lens, and the like provided on the emission side of the LED. In this configuration, the illumination light sources 21 are provided on both sides of the light receiving sensor 23, and the illumination light Lf can be irradiated toward the target medium 110 via a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. ing. As the target medium 110, for example, various targets such as a resin material and a fiber material are conceivable. For example, an information code 101 (described later) as shown in FIG. 1 is formed on the target medium 110 by embroidery.

  The light receiving sensor 23 is configured to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected on the target medium 110 or the information code 101. For example, the light receiving element 23 is a two-dimensional light receiving element that is a solid-state imaging element such as a C-MOS or CCD. The area sensors arranged in the above correspond to this. The light receiving sensor 23 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so that incident light incident through the imaging lens 27 can be received by the light receiving surface 23a.

  The filter 25 is an optical low-pass filter that allows passage of light having a wavelength less than or equal to the wavelength of the reflected light Lr, for example, and can block passage of light exceeding the wavelength, and a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. And the imaging lens 27. Thereby, unnecessary light exceeding the wavelength equivalent of the reflected light Lr is prevented from entering the light receiving sensor 23. Further, the imaging lens 27 is constituted by, for example, a lens barrel and a plurality of condensing lenses accommodated in the lens barrel. In the present embodiment, the imaging lens 27 is provided at a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. The incident reflected light Lr is collected and a code image of the information code 101 is formed on the light receiving surface 23 a of the light receiving sensor 23.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display 46, and a communication interface 48. Etc. This microcomputer system is configured around a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing device), and the image signal of the information code 101 captured by the optical system described above is signaled in hardware and software. It can be processed.

  An image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 23 of the optical system is input to the amplification circuit 31 and amplified by a predetermined gain, and then input to the A / D conversion circuit 33, and the digital signal is converted from the analog signal. Is converted to The digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to the memory 35 and stored in the image data storage area of the memory 35. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 23 and the address generation circuit 36. The address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. Thus, the storage address of the image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The memory 35 is configured by a known storage medium such as a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to, for example, a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.), a ROM, a nonvolatile memory, or the like. In addition to the above-described image data storage area, the RAM of the memory 35 is configured to be able to secure a work area and a reading condition table that are used by the control circuit 40 in each processing such as arithmetic operation and logical operation. . The ROM stores in advance a predetermined program that can execute a reading process and the like that will be described later, and a system program that can control each piece of hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the light receiving sensor 23.

  The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire information code reader 10, and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and has an information processing function. Various input / output devices (peripheral devices) are connected to the control circuit 40 via a built-in input / output interface. In this embodiment, a power switch 41, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, A liquid crystal display 46, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected.

  The power supply system includes a power switch 41, a battery 49, and the like. When the power switch 41 managed by the control circuit 40 is turned on and off, the conduction of the drive voltage supplied from the battery 49 to each device and each circuit described above is established. Or shut off is controlled. The battery 49 is a secondary battery that can generate a predetermined DC voltage, and corresponds to, for example, a lithium ion battery.

(Information code medium)
Next, the information code medium 100 will be described.
The information code medium 100 is obtained by attaching an information code 101 by embroidery to a target medium 110 that is at least one of an attachment worn by a person and a portable article carried by the person. Specific examples of the target medium 110 include clothes such as hats and clothes, carrying equipment such as bags, wallets, and umbrellas, and various equipment (electrical appliances such as mobile phones and smartphones, sports equipment, school supplies, etc.). (Bags and cover cases). Other than these, various articles can be used as the target medium 110 as long as they can be embroidered and can be carried by a person.

  In the target medium 110, the portion to which the information code 101 is attached (the portion where the embroidery is applied) may be any material that can be embroidered, such as a fiber material, a resin material, a mixed material thereof, and other materials. Is mentioned.

  The information code 101 formed on the target medium 110 can be various known information codes, for example, QR code (registered trademark), micro QR code, data matrix code, maxi code, iQR code (registered trademark). , SQRC (registered trademark), logo Q (registered trademark), and other various information codes. In addition, an information code representing the design may be provided in the code area. In this case, the design portion may be constituted by embroidery, or only this portion may be selectively printed by a known printing method.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an information code medium. In this configuration, an information code 101 configured as a QR code (registered trademark) is formed by embroidery on a target medium 110 configured as a textile product or the like. . The information code 101 is an information code including a specific pattern having a predetermined fixed shape. Specifically, the position detection pattern 104, the alignment pattern 108, and the timing pattern 106 arranged at three corners. Including. In the example of FIG. 3, embroidery is given with a thread of a predetermined dark color (for example, dark colors such as black, dark blue, and blue) so as to fill the area of the dark cell 102a, and the area of the light cell 102b is dark This is an area where the ground color of the target medium 110 appears without being embroidered by the thread. As for the background color of the target medium 110, at least the annular area in the code area and the surrounding area is a light color such as white, yellow, or light blue.

(Method of manufacturing information code medium)
Next, a method for manufacturing the information code medium 100 will be described.
In manufacturing the information code medium 100, an arrangement process is first performed. In this step, as shown in FIG. 4A, a target medium 110 to be embroidered is prepared (see FIG. 6A for a plan view). Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, a covering layer 121 configured to cover at least one surface of the target medium 110 to be embroidered and removable by a predetermined method is disposed (a plan view is shown in FIG. See B)). In the example of FIG. 4B, not only the covering layer 121 is disposed on one surface (the surface representing the information code 101) of the target medium 110 but also the one surface of the target medium 110. The second layer 122 is also disposed on the opposite surface (specifically, the back side of the region where the covering layer 121 is disposed). In this configuration, both of the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 are configured as a known water-soluble sheet (transparent sheet) that is soluble in water, and can be removed by, for example, washing or other water application. Yes. In addition, although the water-soluble sheet | seat is illustrated here as the coating layer 121 or the 2nd layer 122, the sheet | seat etc. which consist of a material which melt | dissolves by apply | coating a specific chemical | medical agent may be sufficient.

  Then, in the stacked body in which the target medium 110 and the covering layer 121 are stacked as shown in FIG. 4B, a part of the stacked area where the covering layer 121 is disposed is defined as a formation target area AR1, and the covering layer 121 is disposed. An annular adjacent portion adjacent to the periphery of the formation target area AR1 in the stacked area is set as the retention target area AR2, and the covering layer 121 and the target medium 110 are sandwiched between the frame members 140 having a predetermined shape as shown in FIG. In this way, the holding target area AR2 is held and the formation target area AR1 is in a stretched state (a state without bending or a state with little bending). More specifically, in the stacked body illustrated in FIG. 4B, the target medium 110 is sandwiched between the stacked region in which both the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 are arranged (the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122). Part of the region) is defined as the formation target region AR1, and the annular adjacent portion adjacent to the periphery of the formation target region AR1 in the stacked region where both the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 are disposed is defined as the retention target region AR2. To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the holding target area AR2 is held and the formation target area AR1 is stretched so that the covering layer 121, the target medium 110, and the second layer 122 are sandwiched between the frame members 140. (Refer to FIG. 7A for a plan view). In this state, in the formation target area AR1, both the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 are in close contact with the target medium 110, and the covering layer 121, the second layer 122, and the target medium 110 are all stretched. It becomes a state.

  In the holding step shown in FIG. 4C and the like, for example, a frame member 140 configured as a known embroidery frame or the like is used. The frame member 140 includes an inner frame 141 and an outer frame 142 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer shape of the inner frame 141. In the holding step, the inner frame 141 and the outer frame 142 are arranged between the inner frame 141 and the outer frame 142. The second layer 122 is in close contact with the entire outer periphery of the frame 141, and the covering layer 121 is in close contact with the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer frame 142. 110 and the second layer 122) is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the inner frame 141 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer frame 142, and is formed in the formation target region AR1 inside the inner frame 141. In order to prevent bending and wrinkles as much as possible, the stacked portions (the covering layer 121, the second layer 122, and the target medium 110) constituting the formation target area AR1 are held in a stretched state (see FIG. 7A). In FIG. 4C, the range of the formation target region is indicated by a symbol AR1, and in FIG. 7A, the outer edge of the formation target region is indicated by a symbol AR1.

  After such a holding step, a forming step is performed, and the information code 101 is formed by embroidery on the formation target area AR1 of the stacked body held in the holding step. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4C, the formation target area AR1 in the stacked area (the area where the covering layer 121, the target medium 110, and the second layer 122 are stacked) is stretched inside the inner frame 141. In this state, embroidery is performed by a known method as shown in FIGS. 5A and 7B to form the information code 101 on one side of the target medium 110. For the formation of the embroidery pattern of the information code 101, for example, a known method used in a computer sewing machine or the like may be employed.

  In a computer sewing machine or the like, a method of reading an image of input image data and embroidering an image of the image by automatic control of a sewing needle is generalized. In this manufacturing method, image data of an information code generated in advance is read using this, and a picture of the code image is formed in the formation target area AR1 by embroidery by automatic control of the sewing needle. The code image data that is the basis of the information code 101 to be formed can be generated by a known method, and before embroidering by the embroidery machine 8, desired information is recorded in the data recording area. Image data of an information code (for example, a QR code or the like in which desired information is recorded in the data recording area) may be generated in advance and stored in the storage unit 5.

  In the example described here, as shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that rectangular cell regions (target regions representing each cell) are arranged in a matrix with 25 rows and 25 columns. . In such a code area, each cell area is formed as a QR code (registered trademark) composed of either light cells or dark cells, and dark cells in such QR code (registered trademark) are formed. It is assumed that the area is filled with embroidery threads and the information code is formed so that the bright cell area is not embroidered (that is, the target medium 110 is exposed). For example, FIG. 9B conceptually shows a QR code image obtained by embodying a part of a rectangular code area in which rectangular cell areas are arranged in a matrix of 25 rows and 25 columns. Specifically, only the position detection pattern images 104a ′ and 104b ′ 104c ′, the timing pattern image 106 ′, the alignment pattern image 108 ′, and the image E11 of a part of the dark cell collection region are shown. Yes. In FIG. 9B, each cell area other than these image areas is indicated by a broken-line frame and a specific display is omitted, but in actuality, it is represented by an image of either a light cell or a dark cell. Will be.

  In the forming apparatus 2, a code image as shown in FIG. 9B (specifically, each remaining cell area omitted in the code image of FIG. 9B is either a light cell image or a dark cell image. Is stored in the storage unit 5 in advance, and when the code image is embroidered, the control unit 3 reads the data of the code image from the storage unit 5. In the embroidery machine 8, a part of the formation target area AR1 positioned relative to the embroidery machine 8 is used as a code area (area where information code is scheduled to be formed) for representing the code image. After the setting, the formation target area AR1 is embroidered so that the position where the dark cell is to be formed in the set code area is filled with the dark embroidery thread. Various well-known methods can be used for sewing at the time of embroidery, and various methods such as straight stitching, zigzag stitching, dotted stitching, free stitching, tatami stitching, and stitching can be used.

  When embroidering, a code image as shown in FIG. 9B (specifically, the remaining cell regions omitted in the code image of FIG. 9B are treated as light cell images or dark cell cells). The dark cells arranged in at least one of the vertical direction (column direction) or the horizontal direction (row direction) of the code image embodied as one of the images) are recognized as a continuous pattern, and thus The dark cells arranged continuously are embroidered together continuously. For example, the code image of FIG. 9B includes an image of a specific pattern (position detection pattern, alignment pattern) including one or a plurality of dark cell continuous portions continuously arranged in a predetermined continuous state. In the forming process, in such a specific pattern, the dark cell continuous portion is recognized as a continuous pattern, and the dark cells in the dark cell continuous portion are embroidered together. For example, in the image 104a ′ of the position detection pattern, a rectangular dark cell continuous portion A12 in which dark cells are arranged in a rectangular shape in 3 rows and 3 columns and a dark cell continuous portion A11 in which dark cells are arranged in a rectangular frame shape are included. When the image 104a ′ having such a position detection pattern is embroidered, the dark cell continuous portion A12 is recognized as a continuous pattern, and the dark cells in the dark cell continuous portion A12 are embroidered together. The same applies to the dark cell continuous portion A11. The dark cell continuous portion A11 is recognized as a continuous pattern, and the dark cells in the dark cell continuous portion A11 are embroidered together. The same applies to the dark cell continuous portions B11, B12, C11, C12, and D11 in other specific patterns, and each is recognized as a series of continuous patterns, and the dark cells are collectively embroidered in each. The same applies to other than the specific pattern, and there is a dark color cell continuous portion where dark cells are continuously arranged in a partial area of the data recording area, as indicated by E11 in the code image of FIG. 9B. In this case, the dark cell continuous portion E11 is recognized as a continuous pattern, and the dark cells in the dark cell continuous portion E11 are embroidered together. In particular, if each of the dark cell continuous portions A11, A12, B11, B12, C11, and C12 in the position detection pattern images 104a ′, 104b ′, and 104c ′ is recognized as one pattern and embroidered together, In addition to increasing efficiency, the position detection pattern formed as shown in FIG. 3 is less prone to fragmentation of dark areas, the accuracy of the shape is increased, and the rigidity of each position detection pattern 104 is increased.

  The information code 101 formed in the formation process has a configuration in which predetermined personal information is recorded in a data recording area, for example. Personal information includes personal name, address, telephone number, emergency contact information, age, date of birth, blood type, e-mail address, information about parents, occupation, information about affiliation, insurance card information, license information One or more of these information may be recorded in the data recording area.

  After the formation of the information code 101 by embroidery through the formation process as shown in FIG. 5A, the frame member 140 is removed as shown in FIG. 5B (the plan view is shown in FIG. A)). Finally, a removal step of removing the covering layer 121 from the laminate on which the information code 101 is formed by the formation step is performed. Specifically, for example, the coating layer 121 and the second layer 122 are both dissolved and removed at the same time by washing the laminated body configured as shown in FIGS. Note that the present invention is not limited to this method, and for example, it is possible to apply water to the portions of the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 and dissolve and remove both the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122. In this manner, the information code 101 by embroidery can be attached to the target medium 110 (see FIGS. 5C and 8B).

(Main effects of this configuration and this manufacturing method)
In the manufacturing method described above, the covering layer 121 and the target medium 110 are both stretched in the formation target region, and such a state is held by the frame member 140, so that it occurs in the formation target region during embroidery. Distortion and bending can be suppressed. In particular, when embroidery is performed, the covering layer 121 is disposed so as to cover one surface (the surface representing the information code 101) of the target medium 110, and the covering layer 121 is held in a stretched state. Therefore, the pressure at the time of inserting the needle can be received by the covering layer 121, and the distortion and the bending of the target medium 110 at the time of inserting the needle can be effectively suppressed. Further, when the needle is pulled out, it is possible to support and suppress the bending of the target medium 110 accompanying the pulling (such as bending that pulls in the pulling direction as the needle is pulled out) by the covering layer 121. It is also possible to effectively suppress distortion and deflection of the target medium 110 during extraction. As described above, since the target medium 110 is stably held during the embroidery, a variation in which the finally formed information code 101 greatly changes from the planned shape is reliably suppressed, and is close to the planned shape. The information code 101 that can be easily read is formed with high accuracy. In addition, after the information code 101 is formed, the covering layer 121 can be removed by a removing process, so that the problem that the covering layer 121 impairs the appearance of the final product is less likely to occur.

In the manufacturing method described above, in the arranging step, the covering layer 121 is arranged on one surface of the target medium 110 and the covering layer 121 is arranged on the surface opposite to the one surface of the target medium 110. The second layer 122 is disposed on the back side of the substrate. In the holding step, in the laminated body, a part of the laminated region in which both the coating layer 121 and the second layer 122 are arranged is a formation target region, and the laminated layer in which both the coating layer 121 and the second layer 122 are arranged. The annular adjacent portion adjacent to the periphery of the formation target region in the region is set as the holding target region, and the holding target region is held and the forming target is held so that the covering layer 121, the target medium 110, and the second layer 122 are sandwiched by the frame member 140. Make the area stretched.
As described above, the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 are respectively disposed on both sides of the target medium 110, and the covering layer 121, the target medium 110, and the second layer 122 are all stretched in the formation target region. If held by the frame member 140 as described above, it is possible to more effectively suppress distortion and deflection that occur in the formation target area during embroidery. In particular, the pressure to be applied from both sides of the target medium 110 can be received by the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122, respectively, so that embroidery can be performed while reliably suppressing distortion and bending due to external pressure. Can be applied. Further, since the formation target region has a laminated structure of at least three layers, the bending deformation can be more reliably suppressed.

In the manufacturing method described above, the second layer 122 is made of a material that can be removed by a predetermined method. In the removing step, both the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122 are removed.
According to this method, the information code 101 can be formed by embroidery while suppressing the bending and distortion of the target medium 110 more reliably by the layers on both sides of the target medium 110 (the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122). In the final product, the layers on both sides (the covering layer 121 and the second layer 122) are less likely to remain. Therefore, the layers on both sides are less likely to affect the appearance of the final product, which hinders reading of the information code. Such a problem is less likely to occur.

In the manufacturing method described above, in the forming step, the information code 101 in which predetermined personal information is recorded in the data recording area is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery.
According to such a method, useful personal information can be casually attached to the target medium 110. For example, at a normal time when reading is not performed, it is possible to maintain a certain level of confidentiality without clearly indicating all personal information in characters, etc., and when personal information is required (for example, a person who possesses the target medium 110 is distressed) When the target medium 110 is lost, the information code 101 can be read to grasp necessary personal information.

Personal information includes personal name, address, telephone number, emergency contact information, age, date of birth, blood type, e-mail address, information on parents, occupation, information on affiliation, insurance card information, license Including at least one of the pieces of evidence information.
According to such a method, useful personal information can be casually attached to the target medium 110, and at least one of identification of an individual, estimation of an individual, and grasping of specific contents about an individual when necessary. Is possible.

  In the above-described example, the target medium 110 is at least one of an attachment worn by a person and a portable article carried by the person. In this way, the information code 101 is more reliably attached to a wearable item worn by a person or a portable item carried by a person in a form that is easily read and more difficult to disappear. be able to.

In the above-described example, the information code 101 is formed by arranging a predetermined dark cell 102a and a light cell 102b in a plurality of rows in a predetermined vertical direction and a plurality of columns in a predetermined horizontal direction. In the process, when the information code 101 is formed in the formation target area AR1 by embroidery, among the plurality of dark cells 102a, dark cells arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are formed as a continuous pattern. Recognizing and embroidering together dark cells that are arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.
According to this method, efficiency can be improved as compared with a method in which dark cells are individually embroidered one by one, and time can be easily reduced.

The information code has a specific pattern including one or a plurality of dark cell continuous portions in which dark cells 102a are continuously arranged in a predetermined continuous state. In the forming process, the information code has a pattern of continuous dark cell continuous portions. And the dark cells in the dark cell continuous portion are collectively embroidered.
According to this method, the dark cell continuous portion in the specific pattern can be embroidered efficiently, and the time can be easily reduced. In addition, since the dark cell continuation part in the specific pattern is embroidered in a collective form, the dark cell continuation part is less likely to be divided, and the specific pattern that is an important part during reading is less likely to be erroneously recognized. Become.

[First Modification of First Embodiment]
In the above-described representative example, the information code 101 is formed in the form of recording personal information in the data recording area. However, instead of this configuration or in addition to this configuration, the “message in the data recording area of the information code 101” A feature of “recording information” may be added. In this example, the information code 101 may be formed in the formation target area AR1 of the stacked body by embroidery in the forming process.

  In this way, message information can be casually attached to the target medium 110. In addition, if there is an environment for reading (for example, if you have a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or mobile phone equipped with a function to read the information code), you can read and grasp message information immediately when necessary It becomes possible.

  For example, an object to be worn such as clothes, a hat, a tie, a handkerchief, a towel, a gift, a souvenir such as a decoration, a stuffed animal, or a toy is used as the target medium 110, and the information code 101 (message is recorded on the target medium 110). If the information code is given as a present, the message can be handed over casually. Moreover, since the information code 101 continues to be attached to the object, the message can be more reliably left in a casual and hard-to-lost form, and can be read at any time by reading the information code 101 when it is desired to read it back. be able to.

[Modification 2 of the first embodiment]
In any of the above-described examples, the information code 101 can have a more characteristic configuration. For example, the information code 101 can be “an information code provided with a secret area for recording encrypted data encrypted based on a predetermined encryption key”. You may form 101 in the formation object area | region of a laminated body by embroidery.

  In this way, it is possible to leave the necessary information in the target medium 110 casually and more reliably by embroidery, and at least part of the embroidery area (private area) is encrypted. It can be prevented from being read unless the key is present.

  Further, the information code 101 is “information provided with a private area for recording encrypted data encrypted based on a predetermined encryption key and a public area not encrypted based on the encryption key”. It may be “code”. That is, a part of the data recording area of the information code 101 is set as a recording area for encrypted data (data that cannot be read without an encryption key), and the other part of the data is not encrypted. It may be a recording area. Specifically, the information codes disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4924206, Japanese Patent No. 4924468, etc. and the technology thereof can be used. In this case, for example, in the public area, a personal address such as name, age, blood type, etc., the first type information where the location cannot be specified or difficult to specify is recorded, and in the non-public area, the address, telephone number, It is also possible to record the second type of information (which is different from the first type of information and more confidential than the first type of information) that can identify the address and location of the individual such as an emergency contact. Good.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the said embodiment, although the manufacturing method using a coating layer and a 2nd layer was illustrated, it is good also as a manufacturing method which abbreviate | omits a 2nd layer and uses only a coating layer.

  In the said embodiment, although the manufacturing method which removes a 2nd layer finally was illustrated, it is good also as a manufacturing method in which a 2nd layer is left in a final product.

  Although the coating layer comprised as a water-soluble sheet was illustrated in the said embodiment, even if a hardened layer is formed in the one surface side or both surfaces of a target medium with a well-known temporary hardening spray etc., this may be functioned as a coating layer. Good.

  In the above embodiment, an information code having light cells and dark cells is to be formed, each dark cell is filled with an embroidery thread with only dark cells as an embroidery target portion, and light cells have a light color background. Although the example which shows the color (surface color of the target medium 110) was shown, it is not restricted to this example. For example, when the surface of the target medium is a dark color (black, blue, dark blue, etc.), only the bright cell is filled with the embroidery thread, and each region of the bright cell is filled with the embroidery thread. The background color (surface color of the target medium) may be represented.

  Alternatively, each area of the dark cell in the area where the information code is scheduled to be formed on the target medium is embroidered so as to be filled with one or a plurality of dark embroidery threads, and each area of the light cell is 1 or Embroidery may be performed so as to be filled with a plurality of light-colored embroidery threads. In this way, the rigidity of the entire code area is further increased, and large distortion and deformation are less likely to occur during reading. In addition, an annular margin area (cell) is positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the code area (the smallest rectangular area including all dark cells) (the outer edge of the cell arrangement area in which light cells and dark cells are arranged). An area adjacent to the entire circumference of the outer edge part of the arrangement area and having a width larger than the width of the cell area and a rectangular inner edge part) is formed into a rectangular frame shape by, for example, a bright embroidery thread Embroidery may be applied to fill.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information code utilization system 2 ... Information code formation apparatus 10 ... Information code reader 100 ... Information code medium 101 ... Information code 110 ... Target medium 121 ... Covering layer 122 ... Second layer 140 ... Frame member

Claims (11)

An arrangement step of arranging a covering layer configured to cover at least one surface of the target medium to be embroidered and removable by a predetermined method;
In the laminated body in which the target medium and the coating layer are overlaid, a part of the lamination region where the coating layer is arranged is a formation target region, and the periphery of the formation target region in the lamination region where the coating layer is arranged An annular adjacent portion adjacent to the holding target region, holding the holding target region so that the covering layer and the target medium are sandwiched by a frame member having a predetermined shape, and the formation target region being stretched Holding process to
A forming step of forming an information code by embroidery on the formation target region of the laminate held by the holding step;
A removal step of removing the covering layer from the laminate in which the information code is formed by the forming step;
An information code medium manufacturing method comprising: In the arranging step, the coating layer is arranged on the one side surface of the target medium, and the second side is disposed on the back side of the coating layer on the surface opposite to the one side surface of the target medium. Place the layers,
In the holding step, in the laminated body, a part of a laminated region where both the coating layer and the second layer are arranged is set as the formation target region, and both the coating layer and the second layer are arranged. The annular adjacent portion adjacent to the periphery of the formation target region in the stacked region is set as the holding target region, and the holding target region is held so that the covering layer, the target medium, and the second layer are sandwiched by the frame member. The method of manufacturing an information code medium according to claim 1, wherein the formation target region is stretched. The second layer is made of a material configured to be removable by the predetermined method,
The method for manufacturing an information code medium according to claim 2, wherein in the removing step, both the covering layer and the second layer are removed.   4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the forming step, the information code formed by recording predetermined personal information in a data recording area is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery. 5. A method for producing an information code medium according to one item.   The personal information includes personal name, address, telephone number, emergency contact information, age, date of birth, blood type, e-mail address, information about parents, occupation, information about affiliation, insurance card information, license information The method of manufacturing an information code medium according to claim 4, comprising at least one of the following.   6. The forming step according to claim 1, wherein the information code formed by recording message information in a data recording area is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery. A method for producing the information code medium described in 1.   The method of manufacturing an information code medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the target medium is at least one of an attachment worn by a person and a portable article carried by the person. .   In the forming step, the information code provided with a secret area for recording encrypted data encrypted based on a predetermined encryption key is formed in the formation target area of the laminate by embroidery. A method for manufacturing an information code medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The information code is formed by arranging a plurality of predetermined dark cells and light cells in a predetermined vertical direction and a plurality of columns in a predetermined horizontal direction.
In the forming step, when forming the information code in the formation target region by embroidery, among the plurality of dark cells, dark cells arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are arranged. 9. The embroidery is performed by continuously embedding dark cells that are recognized as a continuous pattern and arranged in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. A method for producing an information code medium according to one item. The information code has a specific pattern including one or more dark cell continuous portions in which predetermined dark cells and light cells are arranged and dark cells are continuously arranged in a predetermined continuous state. ,
The said formation process recognizes the said dark cell continuous part as a continuous pattern, The said dark color cell in the said dark color cell continuous part is embroidered collectively, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. A manufacturing method of the information code medium described.   The said information code medium manufactured with the manufacturing method as described in any one of Claims 1-10.

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