JP2019175033A - Information code and information code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration capable of detecting a change in a prescribed condition of a surrounding environment or the like by using an information code without separately providing a sensor.SOLUTION: A specific pattern area, a data record area and an error correction code record area are provided within a code area 11 of an information code 10. Ink for printing a cell arranged in an error correctable color variable area 13 among cells arranged in the code area 11 is affected by an ambient temperature to tend to change color more than ink for printing the other cells.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information code and an information code reader.

  At present, information codes such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademark) are used for various purposes, and their usage purposes are also diversifying. For example, the information code disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 is a code in which a plurality of light color modules showing light color reflection characteristics and dark color module showing dark color reflection characteristics are arranged when infrared light is irradiated. An area is configured, and a part of the code area is provided with a covering portion that transmits reflected light from each module constituting the code area when infrared light is irradiated and prevents transmission of visible light. It is configured. This makes it difficult to read the information code by a general reading device, and on the other hand, when reading is performed using a specific reading device capable of illuminating infrared light, the information code can be read reliably.

JP 2017-126389 A

  By the way, the information code attached to the product etc. can record the information up to the time of attaching the information code, while the information about the product etc. after the information code is attached is included in the information code. It cannot be recorded. For example, in the case of experimental products and long-term storage products, it may be desirable to keep a record of changes in the environment after the information code is attached. In such a case, the change in the environment such as a thermo label is detected. It was necessary to provide a separate sensor or the like. In other words, in order to manage products etc. for a long period of time, not only information recorded in information codes attached to products etc., but also information acquired by separately provided sensors etc. is required, and management work is inefficient. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment using an information code without providing a separate sensor or the like. Is to provide a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the scope of claims
An information code (10, 10a) formed by printing a plurality of types of cells on a predetermined medium so as to be arranged in the code area (11),
A specific pattern area in which specific patterns (12a to 12c) having a predetermined shape are arranged in the code area, a data recording area in which predetermined data is recorded by a plurality of types of cells, and a plurality of types of the above-described An error correction code recording area in which an error correction code is recorded by a cell, and
Of the cells arranged in the code area, the ink for printing cells arranged in a predetermined error-correctable range (13, 13a to 13d) is compared with the ink for printing the remaining cells. The color changes according to a predetermined condition.

The invention described in claim 7
An information code (10b) formed by printing a plurality of code areas in which data is recorded by arranging a plurality of types of cells on a predetermined medium,
The ink for printing the cells constituting a part of the code areas (11b) of the plurality of code areas is more than the ink for printing the cells constituting the remaining code areas (11a, 11c, 11d). The color is changed according to a predetermined condition.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
An information code (10c) that is printed so that a plurality of types of cells are arranged in one direction on a predetermined medium,
Ink for printing a portion constituting one side (14a) in a direction perpendicular to the one direction of the cell has a color depending on a predetermined condition than ink for printing a portion constituting the remaining portion (14b). It is characterized by changing.
In addition, the code | symbol in each said parenthesis shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a specific pattern area, a data recording area, and an error correction code recording area are provided in the code area, and are arranged in a predetermined range where errors can be corrected among cells arranged in the code area. The color of the ink for printing the cells to be changed changes depending on the predetermined condition as compared with the ink for printing the remaining cells.

  As a result, when a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment changes after the information code is printed on the predetermined medium, the color of the cells arranged in the predetermined range changes in response to the change of the predetermined condition. . Since the cell whose color changes in this way is in an error-correctable range, even in such a case, predetermined data recorded in the data recording area can be read. Since the error correction rate used at the time of reading is higher than that before the change of the predetermined condition, it is possible to detect whether or not the predetermined condition is changed according to the error correction rate used. . Therefore, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the predetermined range is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the color change of the ink for printing the cells differs depending on the predetermined condition for each block. As a result, the error correction rate used at the time of reading increases as the predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment changes, so how much the predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment changes depending on the used error correction rate. Can be easily detected.

  In the invention of claim 3, the plurality of blocks are arranged side by side in the order in which the color changes according to the predetermined condition. This makes it easy to understand the color change visually, so it is possible to easily grasp the change in predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment just by looking at the information code.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the predetermined condition relates to the ambient temperature, a change in the ambient temperature can be detected using the information code.

  In the invention of claim 5, since the predetermined condition relates to ambient light, a change in ambient light can be detected using an information code.

  In the invention of claim 6, since the predetermined condition relates to surrounding oxygen, it is possible to detect whether the surrounding oxygen changes, that is, whether or not the environment is easily oxidized by using the information code.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the ink for printing the cells constituting a part of the code areas of the plurality of code areas is more in a predetermined condition than the ink for printing the cells constituting the remaining code areas. The color changes.

  As a result, when a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment changes after printing a plurality of code areas constituting the information code on a predetermined medium, the partial code area is changed in response to the change of the predetermined condition. The color of the constituting cell changes. That is, when the predetermined condition is changed, the data recorded in the remaining code area can be read without reading the data recorded in the partial code area in each code area. Become. Therefore, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

  In the invention of claim 8, printing is performed so that a plurality of types of cells are arranged in one direction on a predetermined medium, and a portion constituting one side in a direction orthogonal to the one direction of the cells is printed. Therefore, the color of the ink used for printing changes depending on predetermined conditions as compared with the ink used for printing the remaining portion.

  As a result, if the predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment changes after the information code is printed on the predetermined medium, the color of the portion constituting one side of the cell changes in response to the change of the predetermined condition. Based on the color change on one side of the cell, the presence or absence of the change in the predetermined condition can be detected. And since such a color change is a part that constitutes one side of the cell, even if the color on one side of the cell changes, the part of the cell that constitutes the remaining data has the same data as before the color change. Since it functions as a one-dimensional code to be recorded, predetermined data can be read. Therefore, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the change in the predetermined condition is detected by the detection unit based on the error correction rate used when reading by the reading unit. As a result, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment simultaneously with the process of reading the information code. Therefore, without using the detection result from a separately provided sensor or the like, An information code reader capable of detecting a change in a predetermined condition can be realized.
can do.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the information code which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining a data recording area and an error correction code recording area. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the color state of each cell constituting an information code that does not pass through a high temperature environment, and FIG. 3B shows each of the information code that constitutes an information code that passes through a high temperature environment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the color state of a cell. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of an information code reading device that reads an information code according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a reading process in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the information code which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a color change state of cells constituting a color change region, FIG. 7A shows a state in which dark cells in the first block are lightened, and FIG. 7B shows a first block. FIG. 7C shows a state in which dark cells in the second block are lightened, and FIG. 7C shows a state in which dark cells in the first block, the second block, and the third block are lightened. (D) shows a state where dark cells in all blocks are lightened. It is explanatory drawing explaining the information code which concerns on the 1st modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the information code which concerns on the 2nd modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the information code which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, FIG. 10 (A) is explanatory drawing explaining the color state of each code area | region which does not pass under high temperature environment, FIG.10 (B) is shown. It is explanatory drawing explaining the color state of each code area | region which passes through under high temperature environment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the information code which concerns on 4th Embodiment, FIG.11 (A) is explanatory drawing explaining the color state of each cell of the information code which has not passed under the high temperature environment, FIG.11 (B) These are explanatory drawings explaining the color state of each cell of the information code which has passed under the high temperature environment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an information code and an information code reader of the present invention are embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of the information code according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the information code 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a cell aggregate in which a plurality of information display unit cells (hereinafter also simply referred to as cells) are aggregated based on the QR code standard. . Each cell is a plurality of types of cells having different colors, densities, or luminances, and each cell region is configured as a square region. In this embodiment, each cell is composed of a light color cell and a dark color cell. By arranging such cells in a matrix, the entire code area (area in which each cell is arranged) 11 is formed. It is configured as a rectangular area.

  In the code area 11, a specific pattern area and a data area are arranged. The specific pattern area is a pattern area required for decoding the coded predetermined data, and position detection patterns (finder patterns) 12a to 12c for specifying the position of the code area 11, alignment patterns, and timing patterns A specific pattern having a predetermined shape such as is arranged and configured.

  The data area includes a plurality of code blocks, and is divided into a data recording area in which data code blocks are arranged and an error correction code recording area in which error correction code blocks are arranged. The data code block is configured as a block in which encoded data (data code word) obtained by encoding each data element of predetermined data to be decoded is expressed by a plurality of cells. The error correction code block is a block in which an error correction code word is generated by a predetermined method based on the data code word of the corresponding data code block, and an error correction code constituted by the error correction code word is expressed by a plurality of cells. It is configured as. For example, when configured as a QR code as illustrated in FIG. 2, a data recording area in which 28 data code blocks (D1 to D28) are arranged, and 16 error correction code blocks (E1 to E16) A data area is constituted by the error correction code recording area in which is arranged. Also, four error correction levels L, M, Q, and H (in order from L to H) are prepared as error correction levels according to the number of error correction code blocks with respect to the number of data code blocks. This error correction level corresponds to a high rate of allowing unreadable cells, that is, a high allowable defect rate. The allowable defect rate of each level is about 30% for error correction level, about 25% for error correction level Q, about 15% for error correction level M, and about 7% for error correction level L. As a method of generating an error correction code word based on the data code word, for example, a known Reed-Solomon error correction method can be used.

  The information code 10 configured in this manner is printed on a predetermined medium such as a product or its packaging member, and a plurality of types of inks having different temperature characteristics are used as the ink used for the printing. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, ink used for printing dark cells arranged in a predetermined error-correctable range (hereinafter also referred to as a color changing region 13) of the data region, and other data regions Ink is used for printing the dark cells and the remaining dark cells such as the position detection patterns 12a to 12c.

  The ink used for the discoloration region 13 is, for example, a thermo marker 80 (a quasi-irreversible discoloration ink manufactured by Matsui Dye Chemical Co., Ltd.), which shows a dark color at room temperature and changes color when it is in a high temperature environment of 80 ° C. or higher. Thus, the color is faded and lightened, and the lightened state is maintained even after returning to normal temperature. On the other hand, the ink for printing the remaining dark cells is, for example, pigment ink or dye ink, and the color does not change as long as it is within the assumed operating temperature, not only at room temperature but also at 80 ° C. or higher. It is like that. In FIG. 1, for convenience, dark cells printed with ink used for the position detection patterns 12a to 12c and the like are shown in black, and dark cells in the discoloration region 13 are shown with hatching. The same black color is visible at room temperature.

  For this reason, under a normal temperature environment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the dark cells in the discoloration region 13 are not lightened, and when the high temperature environment is reached, as shown in FIG. The dark cells in the discoloration region 13 are lightened. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the information code 10 has been exposed to the high temperature environment simply by looking at the information code 10.

  On the other hand, although the dark cells in the discoloration region 13 are lightened by passing through the high temperature environment, the predetermined data recorded in the information code 10 is changed because the error correction range is changed. Can be read using error correction. In this reading, error correction is used in accordance with the amount of lightening of the dark cells in the color changing region 13, so the error correction rate (cell loss rate) in reading when the dark cells in the color changing region 13 are lightened. ) As a predetermined value in advance, it can be determined that the information code 10 whose error correction rate is about the predetermined value has passed through the high temperature environment. In the present embodiment, the discoloration region 13 is set to, for example, about 50% with respect to the maximum error correctable range, but is not limited thereto, and may be set to exceed 50%. , Less than 50% may be set.

Next, an information code reader 20 that optically reads the information code 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The information code reading device 20 according to the present embodiment is a reading device that optically reads the information code 10 or a barcode. As shown in FIG. 4, the information code reader 20 includes a circuit unit 20 a housed in a case (not shown). The circuit unit 20 a mainly includes an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 28, and an imaging. An optical system such as a lens 27 and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system such as a memory 35 and a control unit 40 are provided.

  The optical system is divided into a light projecting optical system and a light receiving optical system. The illumination light source 21 constituting the light projecting optical system functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting the illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a lens provided on the emission side of the LED. FIG. 4 conceptually shows an example in which the illumination light Lf is irradiated toward a predetermined medium R on which the information code 10 is printed.

  The light receiving optical system includes a light receiving sensor 28, an imaging lens 27, a reflecting mirror (not shown), and the like. The light receiving sensor 28 is configured as an area sensor in which light receiving elements, which are solid-state imaging elements such as C-MOS and CCD, are two-dimensionally arranged, and reflects each cell (pattern) of the received information code. An electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the light Lr is output. The light receiving sensor 28 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so as to be able to receive incident light incident through the imaging lens 27.

  The imaging lens 27 functions as an imaging optical system capable of condensing incident light incident from the outside via a reading port (not shown) and forming an image on the light receiving surface 28a of the light receiving sensor 28. . In this embodiment, after the illumination light Lf emitted from the illumination light source 21 is reflected by the information code, the reflected light Lr is condensed by the imaging lens 27 and a code image is formed on the light receiving surface 28a of the light receiving sensor 28. I am letting you image.

  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 unit 40, an operation unit 42, a liquid crystal display 43, a buzzer 44, a vibrator 45, and a light emitting unit. 46, a communication unit 48, and the like. As its name suggests, this microcomputer system is composed mainly of a control unit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing device), and the image signal of the information code imaged by the optical system described above is hardware. It can perform signal processing in terms of hardware and software. The control unit 40 also performs control related to the entire system of the information code reading device 20.

  The image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 28 of the optical system is amplified by a predetermined gain by being input to the amplifier circuit 31, and then input from the analog signal when input to the A / D conversion circuit 33. Converted into a digital signal. When the digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to the memory 35, it is stored in the image data storage area. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 28 and the address generation circuit 36, and 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 a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to, for example, a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). 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 used by the control unit 40 in each process such as arithmetic operation and logical operation. . The ROM stores in advance a system program or the like that can control each piece of hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the light receiving sensor 28. The memory 35 also stores a reading program that can execute a reading process to be described later.

  The control unit 40 is a microcomputer that can control the entire information code reading device 20, and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like. The control unit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input / output devices (peripheral devices) via a built-in input / output interface. In the present embodiment, the control unit 42, the liquid crystal display 43, and the buzzer 44 are configured. Vibrator 45, light emitting unit 46, communication unit 48, and the like are connected.

  The operation unit 42 includes a plurality of keys, and is configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 40 according to a user's key operation. The control unit 40 receives the operation signal from the operation unit 42. At this time, it is configured to perform an operation according to the operation signal. The liquid crystal display 43 is composed of a known liquid crystal display panel, and the display content is controlled by the control unit 40. The buzzer 44 is configured by a known buzzer, and is configured to generate a predetermined sound according to an operation signal from the control unit 40. The vibrator 45 is configured by a known vibrator mounted on a portable device, and is configured to generate vibration according to a drive signal from the control unit 40. The light emitting unit 46 is, for example, an LED, and is configured to light up in response to a signal from the control unit 40. The communication unit 48 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as a host terminal, and has a configuration for performing communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 40.

  Next, a reading process executed by the control unit 40 of the information code reading device 20 when reading the information code 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, the case where specific information indicating that the information code 10 is an information code provided with the discoloration area 13 is recorded together with predetermined data will be described in detail.

  When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 42 in a state where the reading port of the information code reading device 20 is directed toward the information code 10, reading processing by the control unit 40 is started. First, the imaging process shown in step S101 is performed, and image data including the information code 10 is generated based on a signal output from the light receiving sensor 28 that receives the reflected light Lr from the information code. Then, in the decoding process shown in step S103, a process for decoding the information code included in the generated image data is performed, and it is determined No in the determination process in step S105 until this decoding process is successful. The processing from step S101 is performed. The light receiving sensor 28 and the control unit 40 may correspond to an example of a “reading unit” that optically reads an information code.

  If the decoding is successful (Yes in S105), it is determined whether or not the specific information is included in the decoding result in the determination process in step S107. Here, if the normal information code not including the specific information has been successfully decoded, it is determined No in step S107, the output process in step S115 is performed, and the decoding result is transmitted to the communication unit. The data is output to the upper terminal via 48.

  If the specific information is included in the decoding result (Yes in S107), it is determined that the information code 10 according to the present embodiment has been successfully read. It is determined whether the used error correction rate is about the predetermined value.

  Here, since the information code 10 (see FIG. 3B) in which the dark cell of the color changing region 13 is lightened is read, if it is determined that the error correction rate is about the predetermined value (Yes in S109). ), It is detected that the information code 10 passing through the high temperature environment is being read (S111). In this case, in the output process of step S115, in addition to the decoding result or the like, the detection result as described above is output to the upper terminal or the like via the communication unit 48.

  On the other hand, since the dark color cell of the discoloration region 13 reads the information code 10 (see FIG. 3A) that is not lightened, if it is determined that the error correction rate is less than the predetermined value (S109). No), it is detected that the information code 10 that has not passed through the high temperature environment is being read (S113). In this case, in the output process of step S115, in addition to the decoding result or the like, the detection result as described above is output to the upper terminal or the like via the communication unit 48. The control unit 40 that performs the determination process in step S109 and the processes in steps S111 and S113 can correspond to an example of a “detection unit”.

  As described above, in the information code 10 according to the present embodiment, a specific pattern area, a data recording area, and an error correction code recording area are provided in the code area 11, and the cells arranged in the code area 11 are arranged. Of these, the ink for printing the cells arranged in the error-correctable color changing region (predetermined range) 13 has an ambient temperature (predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment) higher than the ink for printing the remaining cells. The color is likely to change under the influence.

  Thereby, after the information code 10 is printed on the predetermined medium R, when the ambient temperature changes, the color of the cell arranged in the discoloration region 13 changes in response to the change in the ambient temperature. Since the cell whose color changes in this way is in an error-correctable range, even in such a case, predetermined data recorded in the data recording area can be read. And since the error correction rate used at the time of reading is higher than before the change in the ambient temperature, it is possible to detect whether or not the ambient temperature has changed according to the error correction rate used. it can. Therefore, it is possible to detect changes in the ambient temperature (predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment) using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

  In the information code reading device 20 according to the present embodiment, a change in ambient temperature (predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment) is detected based on the error correction rate used at the time of reading by the reading process. Thereby, since the change in the ambient temperature can be detected simultaneously with the process of reading the information code 10, the ambient temperature (the ambient environment, etc.) can be obtained using the information code without using the detection result from a separately provided sensor or the like. It is possible to realize an information code reader capable of detecting changes in the predetermined conditions.

  Note that the discoloration region 13 is not limited to being configured to be printed with ink whose color changes according to the ambient temperature with respect to other regions. For example, the discoloration region 13 may be a predetermined environment such as ambient light. It may be configured by printing with ink whose color changes according to conditions. Even in this case, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like. Further, for example, the color changing region 13 may be configured by printing with ink whose color changes according to surrounding oxygen, for example. In this case, the information code can be used to detect changes in ambient oxygen, that is, whether the environment is susceptible to oxidation. Here, as the ink whose color changes according to ambient light, for example, an ink that changes color by irradiating a wavelength with ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, such as fluorescent light emitting ink (manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.), may be employed. it can. In addition, as the ink whose color changes according to the surrounding oxygen, for example, an ink containing a material that changes color by being oxidized by oxygen, such as iron black, petal, or yellow iron can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the irreversible color change ink is used as the ink used for the color change region 13 so that the ink once changed in color due to a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment is continued thereafter. However, by adopting reversible ink, the state may be changed when the ink once discolored due to the change in the predetermined condition returns to the original environment again. In this way, it can be used repeatedly, and a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment at the time of reading the information code can be recorded each time.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an information code according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the second embodiment, the discoloration area is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the ease of color change due to the influence of predetermined conditions such as the environment around the ink that prints the cells is different for each block. Mainly different from the first embodiment. Therefore, substantially the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the color change area is divided into four blocks 13a to 13d as in the information code 10a shown in FIG. 6, and the color changes due to the influence of the ambient temperature of the ink that prints the cells for each block. The ease is different. The four blocks 13a to 13d have the same area, and are arranged side by side from the outside in the order in which the color is likely to change due to the influence of the ambient temperature. By arranging in this way, it becomes easy to understand the color change visually, so it is possible to easily grasp the change in ambient temperature simply by looking at the information code 10a.

  Here, the ink for printing the dark cell of the first block 13a is, for example, a temperature-sensitive ink (manufactured by Hashimoto Silk Craft Co., Ltd.), which shows a dark color at room temperature and changes in color when it reaches 32 ° C. or higher. Thus, the color is faded and lightened, and the lightened state is maintained even after returning to normal temperature. The ink for printing the dark cells of the second block 13b is, for example, Sakura TC color (manufactured by Sakura Crepas Co., Ltd.), which shows a dark color at room temperature, and the color changes at 45 ° C. or higher. The color is faded and lightened, and the lightened state is maintained even after returning to room temperature. The ink for printing the dark cells of the third block 13c is, for example, Metamocolor (manufactured by Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.), which shows a dark color at room temperature and changes its color when it reaches 60 ° C. or higher. The color is faded and lightened, and the lightened state is maintained even after returning to room temperature. The ink for printing the dark color cells of the fourth block 13d is, for example, the thermo marker 80, which shows a dark color at room temperature and loses its color so that the color changes when it reaches 80 ° C. or higher. After that, even when the temperature returns to room temperature, the lightened state is maintained.

  In the information code 10a configured as described above, in a room temperature environment, as shown in FIG. 6, the dark cells in the blocks 13a to 13d are not lightened and are kept in a high temperature environment of about 32 ° C. at the maximum. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the dark cells in the first block 13a are lightened. In addition, when a high temperature environment of about 45 ° C. is reached, as shown in FIG. 7B, dark cells in the first block 13a and the second block 13b lighten, and the high temperature environment of about 60 ° C. is reached. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (C), when dark cells in the first block 13a, the second block 13b, and the third block 13c lighten and become a high temperature environment of about 80 ° C. at maximum, FIG. ), The dark cells in the blocks 13a to 13d are lightened.

  Accordingly, it is possible to determine in detail whether or not the information code 10a has been exposed to a high temperature environment only by looking at the information code 10a.

  In the information code reading device 20, the error correction rate in reading when the dark cell of the first block 13a is lightened is the predetermined value N1, and the dark cell of the first block 13a and the second block 13b is lightened. The error correction rate at the time of reading is a predetermined value N2, the error correction rate at the time of reading when the dark cells of the first block 13a, the second block 13b, and the third block 13c are lightened, is a predetermined value N3. The error correction rate in reading when dark cells in the blocks 13a to 13d are lightened is acquired in advance as the predetermined value N4 and stored in the memory 35. Thus, in the reading process performed by the control unit 40, it is possible to detect in detail whether the read information code 10a is exposed to a high temperature environment based on the error correction rate. it can.

  For example, if the error correction rate used at the time of reading by the reading process is about N1, it can be detected that the information code 10a passing through a high temperature environment of about 32 ° C. at maximum is read, and the error correction rate is larger than N1. If it exceeds about N2, it can be detected that the information code 10a passing through a high temperature environment of about 45 ° C. at maximum is being read. If the error correction rate greatly exceeds N2 and is about N3, it can be detected that the information code 10a that has passed through a high temperature environment of about 60 ° C. at maximum is read, and the error correction rate greatly exceeds N3 and about N4. If so, it can be detected that the information code 10a that has passed through a high temperature environment of about 80 ° C. at maximum is being read.

  Note that the blocks 13a to 13d are not limited to be arranged from the outside in the order in which the colors are likely to change due to the influence of the ambient temperature, and for example, as illustrated in FIG. It may be arranged so as to be interspersed with dark cells. In the above-described reading process, the position of the cell to be error-corrected can be grasped. For example, dust or the like that adheres to the code area 11 and thus loses a part of the block 13a does not cause the block 13b to be lost. If a part is missing, it can be determined that the high temperature environment corresponding to the block 13c has not been passed, and a decrease in detection accuracy can be suppressed.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the influence of disturbance due to dust or the like can be suppressed by arranging each of the blocks 13 a to 13 d so as to be divided into a plurality of blocks. In the example of FIG. 9, for example, when a high temperature environment of about 32 ° C. at the maximum is passed, only dark cells of the two blocks 13 a are lightened. In this way, in the information code 10a arranged so that the blocks 13a to 13d are interspersed, it is possible to accurately check the surroundings by using the reading process of the information code reading device 20 rather than checking with the human eye. Changes in temperature (predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment) can be detected.

  Note that the discoloration region is limited to being divided into four blocks 13a to 13d so that the ease of color change due to the influence of the temperature around the ink that prints the cells differs for each divided block. Instead, it may be divided into two or three blocks, or may be divided into five or more blocks.

  Further, the discoloration area is not limited to be configured such that the color changeability due to the influence of the temperature of the ink around which the cell is printed differs for each divided block. You may comprise so that the ease of a color change by the influence of predetermined conditions, such as ambient environment, such as ambient light of ink and ambient oxygen, may differ. Even in this case, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an information code according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The third embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that an information code formed by printing a plurality of code areas includes a part of the plurality of code areas as the color changing area. Different. Therefore, substantially the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, the information code 10b is configured to include four code areas 11a to 11d, and individual data is recorded in the code areas 11a to 11d, respectively. Has been. Of the code areas 11a to 11d, the code area 11b is printed with ink for printing dark cells in the discoloration area 13, and the code areas 11a, 11c, and 11d are not only at room temperature but within an assumed use temperature. If so, it is printed with ink whose color does not change.

  As described above, in the information code 10b, the ink for printing the cells constituting the code area 11b is more influenced by the ambient temperature than the ink for printing the cells constituting the remaining code areas 11a, 11c, and 11d. The color is easy to change.

  As a result, after the code areas 11a to 11d constituting the information code 10b are printed on the predetermined medium R, when the ambient temperature rises, the ambient temperature changes, and FIG. As shown in the figure, the color of the dark cell constituting the code area 11b is lightened. That is, when the ambient temperature is high, among the code areas 11a to 11d, the data recorded in the code area 11b cannot be read and is recorded in the remaining code areas 11a, 11c, and 11d. Data can be read. Therefore, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code 10b without providing a separate sensor or the like.

  The information code 10b according to the present embodiment is not limited to the four code areas 11a to 11d described above, and one of the three code areas receives a change in the ambient temperature and the cell The color may be changed, or a part of the five or more code regions may be configured to change the color of the cell in response to a change in ambient temperature. In addition, the part of the code area is not limited to be configured to be printed with ink that changes according to the ambient temperature with respect to the other code areas. For example, ambient light, ambient oxygen, etc. It may be configured to print with ink that changes according to predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment. Even in this case, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an information code according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The fourth embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that a part of the cells constituting the one-dimensional code is configured as the discoloration region. Therefore, substantially the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the information code 10c is one-dimensional by arranging light cells (spaces) and dark cells (bars) in one direction (left and right in FIG. 11). Configured as code. Each dark cell is printed with ink for printing the dark cell in the discoloration region 13 at a portion constituting one side 14a in the direction orthogonal to the one direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 11). If the portion 14b is not only at room temperature but also within the assumed operating temperature, printing is performed with ink whose color does not change.

  Thus, after the information code 10c is printed on the predetermined medium R, when the ambient temperature rises, the ambient temperature changes, and the color of the portion constituting the one side 14a of the cell is light. Therefore, the presence or absence of a change in ambient temperature can be detected based on a change in the color of one side 14a of the cell. Since such a color change is a portion constituting one side 14a of the cell, even if the one side 14a of the cell is lightened, the remaining cell portion 14b is Since it functions as a one-dimensional code in which the same data is recorded, predetermined data can be read. Therefore, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

  Note that the one side 14a of the cell is not limited to being configured to be printed with ink that changes in accordance with the ambient temperature, with respect to the cell portion 14b constituting the rest, for example, ambient light or ambient The ink may be printed with ink that changes according to predetermined conditions such as the surrounding environment, such as oxygen. Even in this case, it is possible to detect a change in a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment by using the information code without providing a separate sensor or the like.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment etc., For example, you may actualize as follows.
(1) The information code 10 or the like according to the present invention is not limited to being printed and used on a product or its packaging member, but may be an experimental product, a long-term storage product, or a condition change after the information code is attached. Alternatively, it may be printed on a predetermined medium to be recorded and used.

(2) The information code 10 or the like according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the dark cell is lightened according to a predetermined condition such as the surrounding environment, but the light cell is a predetermined one such as the surrounding environment. You may comprise so that it may darken according to conditions.

10, 10a to 10c ... Information code 11, 11a to 11d ... Code area 12a to 12c ... Position detection pattern 13 ... Discoloration area (predetermined area)
13a to 13d block (predetermined area)
20 ... Information code reading device 28 ... Light receiving sensor (reading unit)
40: Control unit (reading unit, detection unit)

Claims (9)

An information code formed by printing a plurality of types of cells on a predetermined medium so as to be arranged in a code area,
A specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged in the code area, a data recording area in which predetermined data is recorded by a plurality of types of cells, and an error correction code by a plurality of types of the cells And an error correction code recording area in which is recorded,
Among the cells arranged in the code area, the ink for printing cells arranged in a predetermined range in which error correction can be performed has a color depending on the predetermined conditions as compared with the ink for printing the remaining cells. An information code characterized by changing. The predetermined range is divided into a plurality of blocks,
The information code according to claim 1, wherein a change in color of ink for printing a cell varies depending on the predetermined condition for each block.   The information code according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of blocks are arranged side by side in an order in which a color changes according to the predetermined condition.   The information code according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition relates to an ambient temperature.   The information code according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is related to ambient light.   The information code according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is related to surrounding oxygen. An information code formed by printing a plurality of code areas in which data is recorded by arranging a plurality of types of cells on a predetermined medium,
The ink for printing a cell constituting a part of the code areas of the plurality of code areas changes in color depending on a predetermined condition as compared with the ink for printing the cells constituting the remaining code areas. Information code. An information code printed on a predetermined medium so that a plurality of types of cells are arranged in one direction,
The ink for printing a portion constituting one side of the cell in a direction orthogonal to the one direction changes in color depending on a predetermined condition as compared with the ink for printing the portion constituting the rest. Information code. An information code reader for optically reading the information code according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A reading unit for obtaining the predetermined data by optically reading the information code;
A detection unit that detects a change in the predetermined condition based on an error correction rate used in reading by the reading unit;
An information code reading device comprising:

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