JP2021056693A - Information code, information code medium, information code generation method, and information code reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration capable of imaging a small information code so that it can be read even from a distance.SOLUTION: An information code 1 is provided with a color area 20 in which a plurality of types of color cells 21 to 23 are arranged in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order around a code area 11 of a QR code 10 where a plurality of light and dark cells are arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information code, an information code display medium, an information code generation method, and an information code reader.

In recent years, as examples of using information codes such as QR codes (registered trademarks), there are cases where information codes drawn on the ground are recognized from helicopters to obtain information, and markers for automatic takeoff and landing of drones and automatic driving of cars. There are cases where it is used as a vehicle. In such a case, it is premised that the information code is imaged from a distance and the information recorded in the information code is read by the decoding process for the captured image. Therefore, since it is not possible to detect a finder pattern or the like that is captured in a small size by capturing the QR code from a distance, if it is not possible to recognize that the QR code is within the imaging field of view of the reader, the QR code is read. There is a problem that the decoding process for this cannot be performed.

In order to solve such a problem, as a technique for reading a distant information code, for example, a two-dimensional code disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. In this two-dimensional code, a plurality of cells are arranged at regular intervals with a white (black) separator as a boundary region in a black (white) frame on the outer periphery, and predetermined information is a color of each cell and a combination of colors. Generated to be encoded by. In this way, by generating the two-dimensional code so that the separator and the frame with clear contrast are arranged around each cell, the above-mentioned two-dimensional code can be placed in any range of the imaging field of view even when imaging from a distance. Since it becomes easy to grasp whether or not the image is captured, it is possible to appropriately perform the decoding process on the two-dimensional code captured from a distance.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-07973

However, in the two-dimensional code generated as disclosed in Patent Document 1, information is recorded in association with the color identification and arrangement of each cell by providing a separator, so that a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are recorded. The two-dimensional code tends to become larger as the amount of recordable information increases, as compared with the QR code or the like obtained by arranging. Therefore, the above-mentioned two-dimensional code generated so as to increase the amount of information has a problem that it is easily restricted in terms of arrangement because it becomes large.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of capturing an image so that a small information code can be read even from a distance.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the claims is
An information code (1) in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area (11).
Around the code region, a color region (20) formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells (21 to 23) in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is
An information code medium (R) in which an information code (1) in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area (11) is formed.
Around the code region, a color region (20) formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells (21 to 23) in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is
An information code generation method for generating an information code (1) in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area (11).
Around the code region, a color region (20) formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells (21 to 23) in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided.

Further, the invention according to claim 10 is
An information code reading device (30) that reads an information code (1) in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area (11).
A color region (20) formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells (21 to 23) in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided around the code region.
Imaging unit (33) and
A detection unit (31) for detecting the color region from an image captured by the imaging unit, and a detection unit (31).
A specific unit (31) that specifies a range of the predetermined code region based on the color region from the captured image in which the color region is detected by the detection unit.
A decoding unit (31) that performs a decoding process for decoding the information recorded in the predetermined code area with respect to the predetermined code area specified by the specific unit.
It is characterized by having.
The reference numerals in the parentheses indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later.

In the invention of claim 1, a color region formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided around a code region in which a plurality of light color cells and dark color cells are arranged. ..

As a result, when the information code according to the invention of claim 1 is imaged from a distance, if the color area can be detected from the captured image, the code area is imaged within a range inside the color area. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform the decoding process even in the code area where each cell is reduced in order to record a large amount of information. In particular, due to the characteristics of image processing, color cells are easier to detect from captured images than light-color cells and dark-color cells. Therefore, a color region in which a plurality of types of color cells are arranged consists of light-color cells and dark-color cells. It is easier to detect from the captured image than the finder pattern of the QR code. Therefore, by using the detected color area, not only it becomes easier to recognize that the information code is in the imaging field of view, but also it becomes easier to specify the range of the code area, so that the decoding success rate can be increased. Can be done. Therefore, a small information code can be imaged so that it can be read even from a distance.

In the invention of claim 2, the color region is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer edge of a predetermined margin arranged around the predetermined cord region at the inner edge. As a result, the space between the color area and the code area can be minimized, so that the information code having the code area and the color area can be generated smaller.

In the invention of claim 3, a color area is provided in which a plurality of types of color cells are arranged in a predetermined arrangement order in a free area different from the light color cell and the dark color cell in the predetermined code area.

As a result, when the information code according to the invention of claim 3 is imaged from a distance, if the color area can be detected from the captured image, the code area is imaged within a range outside the color area. Therefore, it is possible to perform the decoding process with reference to the detected color region. In particular, due to the characteristics of image processing, color cells are easier to detect from captured images than light-color cells and dark-color cells. Therefore, a color region in which a plurality of types of color cells are arranged consists of light-color cells and dark-color cells. It is easier to detect from the captured image than the finder pattern of the QR code. Therefore, by using the detected color area, not only it becomes easier to recognize that the information code is in the imaging field of view, but also it becomes easier to specify the range of the code area, so that the decoding success rate can be increased. Can be done. Therefore, a small information code can be imaged so that it can be read even from a distance.

According to the invention of claim 4, an information code medium having the same effect as that of claim 1 can be realized.
According to the invention of claim 5, an information code medium having the same effect as that of claim 2 can be realized.
According to the invention of claim 6, an information code medium having the same effect as that of claim 3 can be realized.
According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to satisfactorily generate an information code having the same effect as that of claim 1.
According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to satisfactorily generate an information code having the same effect as that of claim 2.
According to the invention of claim 9, an information code having the same effect as that of claim 3 can be satisfactorily generated.

In the invention of claim 10, an information code is provided in which a color area formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided around a code area in which a plurality of light color cells and dark color cells are arranged. When the range of a predetermined code area is specified based on the color area from the captured image in which the color area is detected, the information recorded in the predetermined code area with respect to the predetermined code area is specified. Decoding process is performed to decode.

As a result, when the above-mentioned information code is imaged from a distance, if the color area can be detected from the captured image, a predetermined code area can be specified based on the color area, so that a lot of information is recorded. Therefore, even if each cell is a small code area, the decoding process can be appropriately performed. In particular, due to the characteristics of image processing, color cells are easier to detect from captured images than light-color cells and dark-color cells. Therefore, a color region in which a plurality of types of color cells are arranged consists of light-color cells and dark-color cells. It is easier to detect from the captured image than the finder pattern of the QR code. Therefore, by using the detected color area, not only it becomes easier to recognize that the information code is in the imaging field of view, but also it becomes easier to specify the range of the code area, so that the decoding success rate can be increased. Can be done. Therefore, a small information code can be imaged so that it can be read even from a distance.

In the invention of claim 11, an information code is provided in which a color area is provided in which a plurality of types of color cells are arranged in a free area different from the light color cell and the dark color cell in a predetermined code area based on a predetermined arrangement order. When the range of a predetermined code area is specified based on the color area from the captured image in which the color area is detected as the reading target, the information recorded in the predetermined code area is transferred to the predetermined code area. Decoding process for decoding is performed.

Even in this way, as in the invention of claim 10, a small information code can be imaged so that it can be read even from a distance.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the information code medium which displayed the information code which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which schematically illustrates the electrical structure of the information code reading apparatus which reads the information code which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the reading process performed in the control part of the information code reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the information code medium which displayed the information code which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the information code medium which displayed the information code which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the information code, the information code medium, the information code generation method, and the first embodiment embodying the information code reading device of the present invention 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 FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the information code 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a QR code 10 and a square annular color region 20 arranged around the QR code 10. The information code 1 is printed (formed) on a medium (information code medium R) such as a signboard, which is often imaged from a distance.

The QR code 10 is a known QR code that can be read by a general reader, and a plurality of light-colored cells (for example, white cells) and dark-colored cells (for example, black cells) are matrixed in a rectangular code area 11. A square annular frame having a predetermined width and having the same color as the light-colored cell is arranged around the code region 11 as a margin (quiet zone) 12. Further, finder patterns 13 are arranged at the three corners of the code area 11 as position detection patterns. The code area 11 may correspond to an example of a "predetermined code area", and the margin 12 may correspond to an example of a "predetermined margin".

The color region 20 is configured by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a square ring based on a predetermined arrangement order. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the color region 20 is a color cell 21 of a first color (for example, red), a color cell 22 of a second color (for example, blue), and a color of a third color (for example, green). It is composed of three types of color cells with cell 23, and the ratio of lengths along the arrangement direction is 6: 5: 4 in the order of color cell 21, color cell 22, and color cell 23 as the predetermined arrangement order. It is composed by arranging in. The color region 20 configured in this way has a width twice as long as one side of the cells constituting the code region 11, and is located at the outer edge of the margin 12 arranged around the cord region 11 at the inner edge. They are arranged so that they touch each other.

That is, the information code 1 can be generated by arranging the color area 20 so as to surround the QR code 10 with respect to the QR code 10.

Since the color region 20 configured in this way is arranged around the QR code 10, the information code reading device 30 that has captured the information code 1 is based on the color region 20 from the captured image in which the color region 20 is detected. The range occupied by the code area 11 of the QR code 10 can be specified.

Next, the configuration of the information code reading device 30 for optically reading the information code 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The information code reading device 30 according to the present embodiment is a reading device that optically reads a general information code such as a bar code or a QR code including the information code 1. The information code reading device 30 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a mobile terminal in which an application program (hereinafter, also referred to as a reading application) for reading the information code 1 is installed, and is a control unit 31 including a CPU or the like, a memory 32, to communicate with an imaging unit 33 configured as a camera, a display unit 34 whose display contents are controlled by a control unit 31, an operation unit 35 that outputs an operation signal corresponding to an input operation to the control unit 31, an external device, and the like. The communication unit 36 and the like are provided.

In the information code reading device 30 configured in this way, the QR code is captured in a small size because the information code 1 is captured from a distance by the reading process performed by the control unit 31 by activating the reading application. Even if the finder pattern 13 of 10 cannot be detected from the captured image, the color region 20 is detected from the captured image, so that the range occupied by the QR code 10 in the captured image is specified and the QR code 10 is decoded. Can be carried out. Due to the characteristics of image processing, cells made of colors that can be easily distinguished from white and black, such as color cells 21 to 23, are easier to detect from captured images than light-colored cells and dark-colored cells. Therefore, each color cell 21 This is because the color region 20 formed by arranging ~ 23 is easier to detect from the captured image than the finder pattern 13 of the QR code 10 composed of the light-colored cell and the dark-colored cell. Therefore, when the reading application is installed, the memory 32 stores in advance information regarding the predetermined arrangement order for detecting the color area 20 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as color arrangement information).

Hereinafter, the reading process executed by the control unit 31 of the information code reading device 30 when reading the information code 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the reading process is started by the control unit 31 by starting the reading application in response to a predetermined operation on the operation unit 35, the imaging process shown in step S101 of FIG. 3 is first performed, and the information code is performed by the imaging unit 33. The first magnitude is ready for imaging.

Next, the color area detection process shown in step S103 is performed. In this process, a process for detecting the color region 20 from the captured image is performed based on the color arrangement information stored in advance in the memory 32. The control unit 31 that performs the color region detection process can correspond to an example of the “detection unit”.

Then, since the information code 1 having the annular color region 20 is captured, when the color region 20 is detected from the captured captured image (Yes in S105), the code region identification process shown in step S107 is performed. To. In this process, the range of the code area 11 is specified on the assumption that the code area 11 of the QR code 10 to be read is located inside the extracted annular color area 20. The control unit 31 that performs the code area specifying process may correspond to an example of the "specific unit".

Subsequently, the decoding process shown in step S109 is performed, and a process for decoding the information recorded in the code area 11 is performed for the code area 11 specified as described above. Then, when this decoding process is successful (Yes in S111), the decoded decoding result is output (S113), and processing using this decoding result is performed. On the other hand, if the decoding process fails (No in S111), the process from step S101 is performed again. The control unit 31 that performs the decoding process can correspond to an example of the “decoding unit”.

As described above, in the information code 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of types of color cells 21 to 23 are defined around the code area 11 of the QR code 10 in which a plurality of light color cells and dark color cells are arranged. Color regions 20 are provided which are arranged in a ring shape based on the arrangement order of.

Then, in the information code reading device 30 according to the present embodiment, the information code 1 is read, and the range of the code area 11 of the QR code 10 is set based on the color area 20 from the captured image in which the color area 20 is detected. Once specified (S107), a decoding process for decoding the information recorded in the code area 11 is performed on the code area 11 (S109).

As a result, when the information code 1 is imaged from a distance, if the color area 20 can be detected from the captured image, the code area 11 of the QR code 10 is imaged within the range inside the color area 20. Therefore, even in the code area 11 in which each cell is reduced in order to record a large amount of information, the decoding process can be appropriately performed. Therefore, by using the detected color area 20, not only it becomes easier to recognize that the information code 1 is in the imaging field of view, but also it becomes easier to specify the range of the code area 11, so that the decoding success rate Can be enhanced. Therefore, a small information code can be imaged so that it can be read even from a distance.

In particular, the color region 20 is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer edge of the margin 12 arranged around the cord region 11 at the inner edge. As a result, the space between the color area 20 and the code area 11 can be minimized, so that the information code 1 having the code area 11 and the color area 20 can be generated smaller.

The color region 20 is not limited to be configured so that its width is twice as long as one side of the cells constituting the code region 11, and the width thereof is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. It may be configured to be one time as long as one side of the cell constituting 11, or may be configured so that its width is longer than twice the length of one side of the cell constituting the code area 11.

Further, the color region 20 is configured by arranging three color cells 21 to 23 in a square ring so that the ratio of lengths along the arrangement direction is 6: 5: 4 based on a predetermined arrangement order. However, 2 or 4 or more color cells may be arranged in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the information code according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the color region is provided in the code region. Specifically, for example, for a code having an empty area 14 inside a code area 11a in which the finder pattern 13 is arranged at three corners (hereinafter, also referred to as a frame QR10a), as in the information code 1a shown in FIG. , A color area 20a is provided in the free area 14.

In the frame QR10a according to the present embodiment, a free area 14 is provided in the inner center of a rectangular code area 11a formed by arranging a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells by using a predetermined encoding technique. It is configured as follows. Specifically, the frame QR10a is recorded data by a specific pattern area in which specific patterns having predetermined shapes such as three finder patterns 13, timing patterns, and alignment patterns are arranged, and a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells. A data recording area for recording data, an error correction code recording area for recording an error correction code by a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells, and an empty area 14 are provided. The free area 14 is provided in the center of the code area 11a with a size larger than the size of a single cell so as to be an area in which data is not recorded by the cell and is not subject to error correction by the error correction code. ing. As the encoding technique for the frame QR10a having the free area 14 inside the code area 11a, for example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-139771 can be preferably used.

The color region 20a is configured by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a square ring based on a predetermined arrangement order. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the color region 20a is composed of the color cells 21 to 23 described above, and the color cell 21, the color cell 22, and the color cell 23 are arranged in this order as the predetermined arrangement order. It is arranged so that the ratio of the lengths along the above is 6: 5: 4. The width of the color area 20a configured in this way is the same as the length of one side of the cell constituting the code area 11, and the outer edge of the free area 14 (the data recording area and the error correction code recording area). It is arranged along the boundary of).

As described above, in the information code 1a according to the present embodiment, a plurality of types of color cells are arranged in the empty area 14 of the code area 11a, which is different from the light color cell and the dark color cell, based on a predetermined arrangement order. Color region 20a is provided.

As a result, when the information code 1a is imaged from a distance, if the color area 20a can be detected from the captured image, it can be seen that the code area 11a is imaged within a range outside the color area 20a. The decoding process can be performed with reference to the detected color region 20a. Even in this way, as in the first embodiment, by using the detected color region 20a, not only is it easier to recognize that the information code 1a is in the imaging field of view, but also the code region 11a is easily recognized. Since it becomes easy to specify the range of, the decoding success rate can be increased. Therefore, a small information code can be imaged so that it can be read even from a distance.

The color area 20a is not limited to be configured so that its width is the length of one side of the cells constituting the code area 11, and its width is larger than one side of the cells constituting the code area 11. It may be configured to be long, and for example, its width may be configured to be twice one side of the cell constituting the code region 11.

Further, the color region 20a is not limited to the three color cells 21 to 23 arranged in a square ring based on a predetermined arrangement order, and two or four or more color cells are arranged based on a predetermined arrangement order. It may be arranged in a ring shape.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and may be embodied as follows, for example.
(1) The information code medium R on which the information codes 1 and 1a according to the present invention are formed (displayed) is not limited to a signboard or the like, and lands on a medium that is often imaged from a distance, for example, an automatic landing point of a drone. It may be a medium provided as a target.

(2) The information code 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the QR code 10 arranged inside the annular color region 20, but is a code of another code type, for example, a primary such as a bar code. A two-dimensional code such as an original code, a data matrix code, or a maxi code may be arranged and configured.

1,1a ... Information code 10 ... QR code 10a ... Frame QR
11, 11a ... Code area 12 ... Margin 13 ... Finder pattern 20, 20a ... Color area 21 to 23 ... Color cell 30 ... Information code reader 31 ... Control unit (detection unit, identification unit, decoding unit)
33 ... Imaging unit R ... Information code medium

Claims (11)

An information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area.
An information code characterized in that a color area formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided around the code area. The information code according to claim 1, wherein the color region is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer edge of a predetermined margin arranged around the predetermined code region at the inner edge. An information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area except for an empty area.
An information code characterized in that a color area formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided in the free area. An information code medium in which an information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area is formed.
An information code medium characterized in that a color region formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided around the code region. The information code medium according to claim 4, wherein the color area is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer edge of a predetermined margin arranged around the predetermined code area at the inner edge. An information code medium in which an information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged is formed in a predetermined code area except for an empty area.
An information code medium characterized in that a color area formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided in the free area. An information code generation method for generating an information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area.
A method for generating an information code, characterized in that a color region formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided around the code region. The information code generation method according to claim 7, wherein the color region is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer edge of a predetermined margin arranged around the predetermined code region at the inner edge. It is an information code generation method that generates an information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area except for an empty area.
An information code generation method characterized in that a color area formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided in the free area. An information code reading device that reads an information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area.
Around the code region, a color region formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells in a ring shape based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided.
Imaging unit and
A detection unit for detecting the color region from an image captured by the imaging unit, and a detection unit.
A specific unit that specifies a range of the predetermined code region based on the color region from the captured image in which the color region is detected by the detection unit, and a specific unit.
A decoding unit that performs decoding processing for decoding the information recorded in the predetermined code area with respect to the predetermined code area specified by the specific unit.
An information code reading device comprising. An information code reading device that reads an information code in which a plurality of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells are arranged in a predetermined code area except for an empty area.
In the free area, a color area formed by arranging a plurality of types of color cells based on a predetermined arrangement order is provided.
Imaging unit and
A detection unit for detecting the color region from an image captured by the imaging unit, and a detection unit.
A specific unit that specifies a range of the predetermined code region based on the color region from the captured image in which the color region is detected by the detection unit, and a specific unit.
A decoding unit that performs decoding processing for decoding the information recorded in the predetermined code area with respect to the predetermined code area specified by the specific unit.
An information code reading device comprising.

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