JP3432670B2 - Card type recording medium and information reading device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card type recording medium on which an optically readable two-dimensional code is recorded and an information reading device for performing the reading operation, and more specifically, to the above-mentioned two-dimensional code. Card type recording medium capable of improving the reliability of the reading operation and additionally recording the result of the arithmetic processing performed based on the initial information previously recorded as the two-dimensional code as the two-dimensional code and the additional recording operation thereof The present invention relates to an information reading device for performing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as one of broadcasts providing new services, the development and practical use of FM multiplex broadcasting in which a digital signal is superimposed and transmitted in a spectrum region between baseband signals of FM stereo broadcasting have been advanced. ing.

FM multiplex broadcasting is a new medium for newly multiplexing digital signals in a frequency band higher than that of audio signals of current FM stereo broadcasting and broadcasting traffic information, character / graphic information and the like. The features are that frequencies can be effectively used, broadcasting equipment can be easily realized, and data can be received by a mobile unit so that traffic information and the like can be easily transmitted to a mobile unit such as an automobile.

Therefore, the FM multiplex broadcasting always provides necessary information to a user who has a handy type receiver as a means for transmitting traffic congestion information and the like in real time to a vehicle equipped with the receiver. Some have been put into practical use as a means of providing an inexpensive transmission path that can be accessed anywhere.

Further, by utilizing the feature that program data (binary code data) can be transmitted together with character / graphic information, etc., a broadcast in which the user takes some action based on the transmitted information. It is also considered to perform program broadcasting in a form, that is, a listener participation type program.

In this case, as a method of feeding back the response taken by the user based on the transmitted information, for example, the user's answer when the quiz program is broadcast to the broadcast side, a configuration using a telephone line or the like is also possible. is there.

[0007] However, as a more easily realized structure, a card in which initial data is recorded in advance on the broadcast side is distributed to listeners, and the answer results of the listener are recorded on this card and collected. The form is also possible.

More specifically, for example, when a specific quiz program is broadcast, only the user who has a receiving terminal and a card corresponding to the program can answer, and the user can give the answer result. It is a broadcasting form in which a gift or the like is received in exchange for a recorded card.

The following characteristics are required for the card used for the above elements.

I) It has a recording density capable of recording initial data in a relatively small area. That is, initial data such as the frequency channel on which the program is broadcast, the program number, and the expiration date of the card are recorded on the card, but it is necessary to adopt a recording method that can record these data in a small area. Is.

Ii) The recorded information is not easily deciphered. That is, since it is necessary to provide a broadcast format in which only the user who has the card can participate in the program, a recording method that can be easily decoded or changed is not desirable.

Iii) An information recording system capable of mechanical high-speed reading. That is, it is desirable that the information recording method is suitable for mechanical reading so that the correctness of the answers can be determined in a short time when the answers are received from a large number of listeners.

Iv) The recording system allows additional recording of data. That is, it is necessary that the answer to the quiz and the like is sequentially recorded on the card according to the program broadcast by the user. In this case, it is advantageous in terms of software and hardware that the data to be added later can be read by a reading method and a configuration of the reading device that are common to the prerecorded initial data. .

V) A recording method and an information reading method that maintain the accuracy (reliability) of data reading even when additional recording of data is performed.

That is, it is necessary to print the answer to the quiz program or the like as character information on the card so that the user can easily confirm it. It is necessary that such printed characters do not adversely affect the reading of data.

Vi) The card itself is so constructed that it is easy to determine whether it is correct or not. That is, when the card is inserted into the receiving terminal or the like used on the user side, it is necessary to be able to easily determine whether or not the card is a legitimate card.

[0017]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
iii can be solved by using a two-dimensional code, for example, a so-called two-dimensional barcode.

That is, this is a recording method for recording information by the arrangement of black dot patterns printed on the surface of the card. Compared to the one-dimensionally arranged bar code, the two-dimensional pattern improves the recording density and is suitable for machine reading. Moreover, depending on the person,
Not easily discernible.

However, the configuration using the conventional two-dimensional bar code has the following problems.

That is, firstly, conventionally, a two-dimensional bar code is printed by a writing-only machine and the information recorded by a reading-only machine is read. On the other hand, a structure in which a two-dimensional bar code is newly added is not assumed.

If two-dimensional barcode data is newly added to the already-printed two-dimensional barcode, the two-dimensional barcode already printed,
The alignment accuracy with the two-dimensional bar code printed later is
It should be one that does not affect the reading operation. In order to realize the above-described alignment accuracy while keeping the recording area small, that is, the area of each dot pattern small, the momentum machine configuration becomes complicated and it is easy to use in each home. It is not suitable as a configuration of a receiving terminal capable of performing.

Secondly, in general, reading of two-dimensional bar code data requires a reference pattern for designating the reading start position.
Not only the two-dimensional bar code is additionally written, but also the character information and the like are printed, so that the pattern printed thereafter does not affect the detection of the pattern indicating the reference position or the reading operation of the two-dimensional bar code. It must be configured.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to print characters and the like on a card in which predetermined data is recorded in advance as a two-dimensional code. It is an object of the present invention to provide a card-type recording medium and an information reading device that can maintain the reliability of the reading operation of a two-dimensional code even in the case of the above.

Another object of the present invention is that, when the predetermined information is recorded in advance as a two-dimensional code, it is possible to add the data later as a two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code An object of the present invention is to provide a card type recording medium and an information reading device that can easily perform a reading operation.

Still another object of the present invention is a card type which can easily detect whether or not a card type recording medium in which predetermined information is recorded in advance as a two-dimensional code is legitimate. A recording medium and an information reading device are provided.

[0026]

A card type recording medium according to claim 1 is a card type recording medium in which encoded predetermined information is recorded and which is optically read by scanning in a predetermined direction. Then, an information recording area in which a two-dimensional code obtained by encoding predetermined information is recorded on one surface as a code block having one side of a fixed length orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and a predetermined direction of the information recording area. And an identification code recording area disposed on the extension of the identification code recording area, the identification code recording area including a first one-dimensional specific pattern having information for identifying the card type recording medium, the identification code recording area being arranged vertically in a predetermined direction. vertically disposed on an extension of the predetermined direction from the code recording area on the information recording area, at the information reading operation from the information recording area
It further comprises a second one-dimensional specific pattern that gives a reference position in the vertical direction in the fixed direction .

In addition to the configuration of the card-type recording medium according to claim 1, the card-type recording medium according to claim 2 further includes an information recording area in which a code is provided between the first one-dimensional specific pattern and the code block. It includes a block and an information additional recording area arranged at a predetermined interval, and the information additional recording area corresponds to a predetermined processing result based on predetermined information.
The dimension code is sequentially written as a write-once block having one side of a fixed length in a predetermined direction at predetermined intervals.

A card type recording medium according to a third aspect of the present invention has, in addition to the configuration of the card type recording medium according to the second aspect, an identification code recording area, an information recording area and a second one-dimensional area which are sequentially arranged in a predetermined direction. The specific pattern constitutes a code information storage area, and a character information recording area is further provided outside the code information recording area on one surface, and the character information recording area is printed with character information corresponding to a predetermined processing result. Includes additional information print area.

An information reading apparatus according to a fourth aspect is a card type recording medium in which encoded predetermined information is recorded and information is optically read by scanning in a predetermined direction. In addition, a two-dimensional code obtained by encoding predetermined information is arranged on an information recording area where a two-dimensional code is recorded as a code block having one side of a constant length orthogonal to the predetermined direction and an extension of the information recording area in the predetermined direction. An identification code recording area, the identification code recording area includes a first one-dimensional specific pattern arranged vertically in a predetermined direction, and the identification code recording area extends vertically in a predetermined direction from the identification code recording area to the information recording area. An information reading apparatus for reading information from a card type recording medium further provided with a second one-dimensional specifying pattern arranged, wherein the card type recording medium is specified by a drive signal along a predetermined direction. Transporting means for moving in a certain distance and direction, and one-dimensional light detecting means arranged in a direction intersecting the movement axis of the information recording area and outputting a light detecting signal corresponding to the optical pattern on the surface of the card type recording medium, A drive signal for moving the card type recording medium on the one-dimensional photodetecting means is output, the photodetection signal is received, and information for identifying the card type recording medium based on the first one-dimensional specific pattern is detected, and And an arithmetic processing unit that detects a reference position in the vertical direction in the predetermined direction of the information reading operation from the information recording area based on the second one-dimensional specific pattern and reads the predetermined information based on the light detection signal. .

An information reading device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information reading device according to the fourth aspect.
In addition to the configuration of the information reading device described above, a printing unit that is arranged in parallel with the one-dimensional light detecting unit and draws a pattern corresponding to the surface of the card type recording medium according to a print signal is further provided, and the arithmetic processing unit is a predetermined unit. The print signal and the drive signal are output according to the calculation processing result of the second one-dimensional specification
By using the pattern as a reference position, the printing means prints the corresponding two-dimensional code on the extension of the predetermined direction from the one-dimensional specific pattern toward the information recording area.

[0031]

1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an information recording surface of a card type recording medium 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the card type recording medium 100 is inserted into the reading device in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG.
It is assumed that an information reading operation and an information additional writing operation are performed.

The card type recording medium 100 includes an identification code 10 for determining whether a card is correct, that is, whether or not the card is a normal card, and a rough positioning and identification code during the card transport operation. 10, a photo sensor mark 12 for determining whether the card is correct, a pre-printing area 16 for recording initial information as a two-dimensional code, and a reference position for giving a reference position for performing a read operation to the pre-printing area 16. Mark 14
And the pre-printing area 16 based on the reference position mark 14.
And an additional write area 18 in which information to be added later is printed as a two-dimensional code at a predetermined interval, and character data corresponding to the two-dimensional code printed in the additional write area and other predetermined character data are printed. The data printing area 20 is included.

As will be described later, the printing in the additional recording area 18 is performed with reference to the reference position mark 14 which gives the reference position for the read operation with respect to the pre-printing area 16. Therefore, even after the data is additionally recorded in the additional recording area 18 as the two-dimensional code, by using the reference position mark 14 as a reference, the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 16 can be operated in exactly the same manner as the reading operation for the pre-printing area 16. 18 two-dimensional code reading operations can be continuously performed.

Here, as the two-dimensional code, if the information can be expressed by a predetermined print pattern, the encoding system is not particularly limited, and for example, a two-dimensional bar code can be used.

However, the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 18
The additional write operation is performed so that there is a predetermined interval between the two, and the two-dimensional code can read the data even when the data is recorded by being divided into such blocks. Requires.

Here, the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 18
A predetermined space is provided between the two recording media and the card-type recording medium 100, because the mechanical play existing in the transport section for transporting the card-type recording medium 100 causes the two to be completely continuous for additional recording. This is because the two-dimensional code at the boundary may not be discriminated.

Therefore, the distance between the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 18 depends on the size of each dot area forming the two-dimensional code, the encoding method of the two-dimensional code, the operation accuracy of the card transport system and the additional recording operation. It should be determined depending on the printing accuracy of the printing device to be used.

FIG. 2 shows the reference position mark 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configurations of the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 18 in more detail.

In the present embodiment, as will be described later,
Since the card is once conveyed in the reading device in the forward direction and then the two-dimensional code is read when the card is conveyed in the reverse direction, the reference position mark 14 and the pre-printing area 1
6 and the additional recording area 18 are arranged in this order along the forward direction of the card transport.

The reference position mark 14, the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 18 have a common width in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Based on the reference position mark 14,
The configuration is advantageous for continuously reading the pre-print area 16 and the additional recording area 18.

In FIG. 1, the additional recording area 18 shows an example in which a two-dimensional code is recorded as one code block, but it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration and is shown in FIG. As described above, the additional recording area 18 may include a plurality of code blocks, and each code block may be arranged at a predetermined interval.

That is, depending on the broadcasting mode of the program, there is a case where the quiz program is broadcast for one week, for example. In this case, since it is necessary to additionally write the user's answer not for continuous operation but for each day of the week, the card-type recording medium 100 is inserted into the data reading / writing device and printed. The operation will be performed multiple times. In other words, even in such a case, in order to prevent the two-dimensional code that is sequentially added from becoming unreadable in the boundary area due to play of the transport system, additional writing is performed in multiple blocks. It is necessary that the blocks be divided into blocks and that a predetermined interval be provided between each block.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the reading device 200 for reading the data of the card type recording medium 100.

The reading device 200 comprises the card type recording medium 10
A card reader / writer unit 202 that optically reads the surface pattern when 0 is inserted and outputs a light detection signal corresponding to the light intensity of the reflected light from the surface of the card type recording medium 100, An arithmetic processing unit 220 (hereinafter, referred to as CPU) that receives a light detection signal and reads corresponding data from a change in the signal intensity, and a CPU 22.
A memory unit 222 for storing an operation program of 0 and data of a calculation processing result of the CPU 220 and the like.

The card reader / writer unit 202 corresponds to the photosensor 210 for detecting the photosensor mark 12 of the card type recording medium 100, the pattern of the identification code 10, the reference position mark 14 and the preprint area 16, and An image sensor 206 for converting them into a change in intensity of a light detection signal, a thermal head 204 for performing a printing operation on the additional recording area 18 and the character data printing area 20,
And a motor 208 for driving a card transportation system.

Depending on the broadcasting mode of the program, the additional recording area 18
There is also a case where the CPU 220 performs arithmetic processing based on the data added to the image sensor 2.
06 also reads the two-dimensional code printed in the additional recording area 18. In this case, as described in FIG. 1, the reference position mark 14 for the reading operation is
A common reference position is given in the read operation for both the pre-print area 16 and the additional recording area 18.

The image sensor 206 and the thermal head 204 are both arranged perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the card type recording medium 100, that is, both are arranged in parallel with each other.

The image sensor 206 has a configuration in which a plurality of photosensors are arrayed one-dimensionally, converts a pattern one-dimensionally into a light detection signal, and the card type recording medium 100 itself is arranged in the vertical direction. Because of the movement, as a result, the pattern is two-dimensionally changed to a light detection signal.

On the other hand, in the thermal head 204 as well, the print heads are arranged one-dimensionally, and when the card is conveyed in the vertical direction, it is possible to draw characters and figures two-dimensionally. .

The card can be conveyed by, for example, a roller driven by a motor 208, and details thereof are omitted in the drawing.

Next, an outline of the reading operation and the additional recording operation of the card type recording medium 100 by the reading device 200 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the card type recording medium 10 when the card type recording medium 100 is inserted into the reading device 200.
It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the pattern of 0 surface, and the image sensor 206 and the photosensor 210.

That is, when it is detected that the card has been inserted, the card feeding mechanism driven by the motor 208 draws the card into the reader, and the image sensor 206 causes the card-type recording during the drawing operation. In response to the pattern change on the surface of the medium 100, the output photodetection signal is changed.

In the following, for simplification of description, at the position where the photo sensor 210 detects the position of the photo sensor mark 12, the identification code 10 indicates the image sensor 2.
It is assumed that the image sensor 206 and the photo sensor 210 are arranged so as to be located above 06.

That is, the card type recording medium 100 is drawn into the reading device 200, the photo sensor 210 detects the photo sensor mark 12, and the image sensor 206 outputs a light detection signal corresponding to the identification code 10. When the CPU 220 detects that the card is being operated, whether the card is correct or not is determined according to the data.

However, more generally, it is not necessary that the identification code 10 is located on the image sensor 206 and the photosensor mark 12 is located on the photosensor 210 at the same time. After the detection, the photo sensor mark 12 may be detected by feeding a predetermined card.

In FIG. 5, after the correctness of the card type recording medium 100 is determined, the reference position mark 1 is read in order to perform the reading operation of the two-dimensional code printed in the pre-printing area 16.
Card type recording medium 100 when the detection of No. 4 is performed
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the card reader / writer unit 202 and the card reader / writer unit 202.

That is, from the state shown in FIG. 4, the card feeding mechanism pulls the card type recording medium 100 into the inside of the reading device, and the CPU 2 responds to the light detection signal output from the image sensor 206 during the pulling operation.
20 detects the reference position mark 14.

At this time, if the distance between the reference position mark 14 and the identification code 10 is predetermined from the positional relationship between the card type recording medium 100 and the card reader / writer unit 202 shown in FIG. The image sensor 206 does not need to be in an active state, and after the card-type recording medium 100 is moved to a predetermined position near the reference position mark 14 by a rough feeding operation of the card feeding mechanism (hereinafter, referred to as rough operation), In the vicinity thereof, the card type recording medium is slightly moved in the forward direction or the backward direction, and the image sensor 20
It is also possible to make 6 active and detect the reference position mark 14.

At this time, not only the two-dimensional code but also predetermined characters and the like are printed on the surface of the card, and as will be described later, additional writing of character data and the like is also performed, so that the reference position mark is added. When detecting 14, the reference position mark 1 is set so that a malfunction does not occur in the reading operation.
It is possible for 4 to be a pattern of a particular configuration.

That is, a one-dimensional pattern that does not exist as a two-dimensional code or a character pattern, for example,
It may not exist depending on the encoding method of the two-dimensional code 1
For example, a repetitive pattern arranged at a pitch different from the pitch of the dimensional arrangement or the arrangement of the two-dimensional code.

That is, if there is no dotted line pattern repeated at the same pitch as the two-dimensional code in all the patterns that can be formed by the two-dimensional code encoding method, that pattern can be used. If a dotted line pattern exists depending on the two-dimensional code encoding method, it is possible to use the dotted line pattern as shown in FIG. 1 in any case by changing the pitch. is there.

In FIG. 1, the identification code 10 is also such a dotted line pattern, but it is of course possible to use another dot pattern for card identification.

FIG. 6 shows the card reader / writer unit 202 and the card type recording medium 10 during the reading operation of the pre-print area 16.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship with 0.

That is, in the reference position mark detecting operation shown in FIG. 5, after the reference position mark 14 is detected by the fine movement in the forward direction or the backward direction, the card is moved in the backward direction with reference to the position. The conveyance is performed, and the image sensor 206 outputs a light detection signal that changes according to the pattern of the pre-printing area 16. The CPU 220 compares the intensity change of the light detection signal with the data of the coding method recorded in the memory unit 222 in advance to determine the pre-print area 1
The information recorded in 6 is read.

FIG. 7 shows the card type recording medium 100 and the card reader / card during the printing operation of the two-dimensional code on the additional recording area 18.
3 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship with the writer unit 202. FIG.

The CPU 220 performs arithmetic processing based on the read data from the pre-print area 16 based on the program data broadcast by FM multiplex broadcasting.

When the program data is transmitted by FM multiplex broadcasting, the CPU 220 receives the received FM.
The program data is stored in the memory unit 222 together with the program name and program number based on the multiplex broadcast signal.

When the program name, program number, etc. are designated based on the read data from the pre-print area 16, the CPU 220
Reads the corresponding program data from the memory unit 222 and starts arithmetic processing. At this time, for example, if it is a quiz program or the like, the user receives an answer input from the input terminal according to the quiz program, and determines whether the answer is correct or incorrect.

Data to be printed on the card type recording medium 100 is sequentially output to the thermal head 204 according to the result of the correctness.

In this case, the printing operation to the additional recording area is performed in the following procedure. That is, the card type recording medium is again conveyed in the forward direction, overrun by a predetermined amount, and then conveyed in the reverse direction to detect the reference position mark 14. As a result, the reference position is aligned again. Here, to detect the position of the reference position mark 14 again,
This is to minimize the error with respect to the position where the additional writing is started due to mechanical play existing in the card transport system.

After the reference position mark 14 is detected, the pre-print area 1 detected during the data reading of the pre-print area 16
Based on the data of the end position of 6 and the data length of the two-dimensional code to be printed, a predetermined distance is maintained between the end of the pre-printing area and the start point of the additional writing area after completion of additional writing. Perform card feeding operation.

Then, based on the data from the CPU 220, the thermal head 204 prints the two-dimensional code in the additional recording area.

Here, by adopting a structure in which reading of data and the like is carried out in the reverse direction, the card can be fed while the card is completely taken into the carrying mechanism, and the card can be read in the forward direction from the end. It can be transported more stably than the above.

The positional relationship between the card type recording medium 100 and the card reader / writer unit 202 in the reading device 200 during each operation has been described above.

In the following, the CP during each operation will be further described.
The operation of U220 will be described in detail.

[Overall flow of card processing] FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of processing performed by U220 on the card-type recording medium 100.

When it is detected that the card type recording medium 100 (hereinafter referred to as a card) is inserted into the reading device 200, the process is started (step S100).

Identification code 10 and photo sensor mark 1
According to 2, it is determined whether or not this card is a legitimate card (step S102).

If it is determined that the card is not authentic (step S104), the card is ejected (step S118), and the process returns to the initial state.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the card is authentic, the reading operation of the two-dimensional code in the preprint area 16 is subsequently performed (step S106).

A system card or the like in which this card stores initial data for initializing the reading device 200 based on the information corresponding to the two-dimensional code in the pre-printing area, and which is accompanied by program processing thereafter. If not (step S108), the card is ejected (step S118), and the process returns to the initial state.

In this case, the initialization data includes the residence code, the household code, the date of birth data, etc., which the listener registered in advance when receiving the FM multiplex broadcast. Based on this data, the listener can Only the desired program is stored in the memory unit 222 as data.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the card is accompanied by the subsequent program processing (step S10)
8) The CPU 22 executes the processing based on the information of the card.
0 (step S110).

That is, when program data such as answering a quiz in synchronization with a television program is selected by the information recorded on the card, a display device (not shown) is used as the television program progresses. The CPU 220 determines the correct answer / incorrect answer based on the answer input by the user from the data input terminal according to the output quiz program.

Then, the CPU 220 prints the judgment result corresponding to the additional recording area 18 of the card as a two-dimensional code according to the judgment result for the answer (step S1).
12).

When the CPU 220 determines that the processing of the program is for printing only the two-dimensional code and not for printing the characters (step S11).
4) The card is ejected (step S118), and the process returns to the initial state.

On the other hand, when the CPU 220 determines that the program prints the processing result as a character (step S114), the character data print area 20 of the card 100 is also printed.
Then, the character data or the like corresponding to the two-dimensional code printed in the additional recording area 18 is printed (step S11).
6).

When the processing is completed, the card is ejected (step S118), and the processing of the CPU 220 returns to the initial state.

[Card Correctness / False Discrimination Processing Flow] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the card discrimination operation (step S102) of the operations of the CPU 220 shown in FIG. 8 in more detail.

After the processing is started, the CPU 220 first detects whether or not a card is inserted in the reading device 200, based on a signal from the photo sensor 210. That is, the front end of the card covers the light receiving portion of the photo sensor 210, so that the change in the output signal from the photo sensor 210 is detected to determine whether the card is inserted. If it is determined that the card has not been inserted (step S202), the process waits until the card is detected.

On the other hand, when a card is detected (step S
202), the CPU 220 drives the motor 208,
A card drawing operation is performed (step S204).

Subsequently, the CPU 220 determines whether or not the identification code located at the card front end is detected by monitoring the output signal from the image sensor 206 (step S206).

Subsequently, the CPU 220 causes the photo sensor 2
Photo sensor mark 12 based on the output signal from 10
It is determined whether or not is detected (step S216). If the photo sensor mark has not been detected, it is subsequently determined whether or not the processing time assigned to the detection of the identification code and the photo sensor mark has been exceeded (step S218).

When it is determined that the time is not exceeded (hereinafter referred to as time-out), the process returns to the identification code detection determination (step S206). Therefore, a loop of identification code detection, photosensor mark detection, and timeout determination is formed until the timeout occurs.

On the other hand, the identification code is not detected (step S
206), if only the photo sensor mark is detected (step S216), the inserted card is determined to be an incorrect card (step S220), and the CPU 22
0 stops the operation of the motor (step S214).
The process after the motor is stopped ends, and the card determination process (step S102) in FIG.

Further, if the identification code is not detected (step S206), the photo sensor mark is not detected (step S216), and it is determined that the time-out has occurred (step S218), the card is also an erroneous card in this case. It is determined (step S220), the CPU 220 stops the motor operation (step S214), and ends the card determination process (step S222).

On the other hand, when the identification code is detected (step S206), the CPU 220 determines the motor 208 based on the photo sensor mark position of the original card stored in advance.
To drive the card to the position of the photo sensor mark (step S208).

If the photo sensor mark is not detected (step S210), it is determined that the card is an incorrect card (step S220).

On the other hand, when the photo sensor mark is detected at the predetermined position (step S210), it is determined that the card is a positive card (step S212), the CPU 220 stops the driving operation of the motor (step S214), and the card is detected. The determination operation ends (step S222).

As described above, by combining the judgment as to whether the pattern of the identification code detected by the image sensor 206 is that of a normal card and the judgment as to whether or not the photo sensor mark exists at the proper position, It is determined whether the inserted card is a legitimate card.

[Flow of two-dimensional code reading operation] FIG.
Is the two-dimensional code reading operation shown in FIG. 8 (step S1
10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the CPU 220 in 06) in more detail.

When the two-dimensional code reading operation is started (step S300), the CPU 220 detects the reference position mark 14 by monitoring the light detection signal from the image sensor 206 while driving the motor 208 (step S302). ).

In this case, when the amount of movement from the card position where the photo sensor mark 12 or the identification code 10 is detected to the reference position mark 14 is specified,
The CPU 220 drives the motor 208 to feed a predetermined amount of card, thereby feeding the card until the reference position mark 14 approaches the image sensor 206. After that, by moving the card in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the reference position mark 14 is detected while monitoring the light detection signal from the image sensor 206.

When the reference position mark is not detected by the above operation (step S304), the two-dimensional code reading operation ends (step S314).

On the other hand, when the reference position mark 14 is detected (step S304), the card is fed until the reading start position of the pre-print area is located on the image sensor (step S306).

Subsequently, the CPU 220 drives the motor 208 to move the card in the opposite direction, receives an output signal from the image sensor 206, and reads a two-dimensional code (step S308).

When the reading of the two-dimensional code is completed, the CPU
The 220 stores the final position of the two-dimensional code in the memory unit 222 (step S310).

Thereafter, the CPU 220 decodes the two-dimensional code data into corresponding information data based on the intensity change of the light detection signal from the image sensor (step S3).
12).

When the decoding is completed, the two-dimensional code reading process is completed (step S314). [Flow of additional processing of two-dimensional code] On the other hand, the memory unit 2
22 stores program data transmitted by FM multiplex broadcasting, and the CPU 220 causes the memory unit 2 to read based on the initial data read from the pre-print area 16.
The program of the corresponding program data in 22 is executed.

That is, in the pre-print area, data such as the type of program, the frequency channel on which the program is broadcast, the program number, and the expiration date of the card are recorded.
Based on these data, the PU 220 determines whether or not the reception of the corresponding program data (program data) has been completed, whether the expiration date of the card has expired, etc., and then the memory unit The program data stored in 222 is executed.

At this time, for example, if the program data is quiz program data, CPU 220 outputs the corresponding quiz to the display device, receives the answer given by the user from the input terminal, and judges the correct / incorrect answer. At the same time, a corresponding print data signal is output to the thermal head 204 in order to print a corresponding message on the card.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in more detail the processing of the CPU 220 in the two-dimensional code printing processing (step S112) shown in FIG.

When the two-dimensional code printing process is started (step S400), the CPU 220 converts the print data into two-dimensional code data (step S402).

Subsequently, the CPU 220 generates the two-dimensional code based on the converted data length and the final reading position of the pre-printing area detected in the reading processing of the two-dimensional code of the pre-printing area shown in FIG. The start position for printing is determined (step S404).

Subsequently, the CPU 220 drives the motor 208 to monitor the light detection signal from the image sensor 206 and detect the reference position mark 14 on the card (card cueing process) (step S406). .

That is, after the position of the reference position mark 14 which gives the reference position in the reading process of the two-dimensional code is detected, the card is fed to the print start position of the two-dimensional code.

With such a structure, it is possible to minimize the positional deviation from the printed two-dimensional code such as the reference position mark caused by the mechanical play existing in the transport system or the like. Become.

Subsequently, CPU 220 determines whether or not reference position mark 14 has been detected (step S408). If not detected, the process ends (step S414).

On the other hand, when the detection of the reference position mark is completed (step S408), the CPU 220 feeds the card in the reverse direction to the print start position of the two-dimensional code (step S410).

Subsequently, the CPU 220 outputs a print data signal including corresponding print information to the thermal head 204 in order to print the two-dimensional code.

While the card is moving in the forward direction, the thermal head 204 is driven to print the corresponding two-dimensional code.

That is, the two-dimensional code is printed in the additional recording area 18 at a predetermined interval with respect to the pre-printing area 16. Here, since the predetermined space is maintained between the pre-printing area and the additional recording area in this way, even if there is a mechanical error in the card feeding direction in the card feeding mechanism, it is printed in advance. At the boundary between the two-dimensional code and the additionally written two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional codes do not overlap or shift. Therefore, the postscript part 2
Even when the reading process of the dimension code is performed, it is possible to avoid the problem that an error occurs in reading the data. Further, when it is necessary to print the character data having the same content as the data included in the two-dimensional code to be printed on the additional recording area 18 on the card, the card is further moved to the character data printing area 20. It is also possible to print the character data by driving the thermal head 204.

[Flow of Card Cueing Process] FIG.
CP in the card cueing process (steps S302 and S406) in the two-dimensional code reading process shown in FIG. 10 and the two-dimensional code printing process shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the process of U220 in more detail.

When the cueing process is started (step S5)
00), the CPU 220 performs a card feeding process up to a search start position stored in advance (step S50).
2). That is, the card is fed so that the reference position mark 14 moves to the vicinity of the image sensor 206 based on the distance from the current position to the reference position mark 14 stored in advance.

Subsequently, the motor 208 is rotated in the forward direction to move the card in the forward direction (step S50).
4) The light detection signal from the image sensor 206 is monitored to determine whether the image sensor mark (reference position mark) 14 has been detected (step S50).
6).

When the reference position mark 14 is not detected,
Until a timeout is determined (step S508),
The operation of detecting the reference position mark 14 is repeated (steps S506 and S508). When the CPU 220 determines that the time-out has occurred (step S508), the CPU 220 determines that the error is a cue error (step S518), and ends the process.

On the other hand, when the image sensor mark is detected during the forward movement of the card (step S506), CP
The U220 stores the counter value of the number of rotations of the motor as the current position (step S509), and causes the motor 208 to overrun for another 10 steps (step S51).
0).

Subsequently, the motor is rotated in the rotation direction in the reading operation, that is, the reverse rotation direction to move the card in the reverse direction (step S512), and it is again determined whether the image sensor mark is detected (step S512). S5
14).

Until the time-out is judged (step S516), the process of detecting the image sensor mark and the time-out judgment are repeated (steps S514, S5).
16).

When it is determined that a time-out has occurred (step S
516), the CPU 220 determines that there is a cue error (step S518), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, when the image sensor mark is detected (step S514), the CPU 220 makes a determination at step S514.
From the counter value stored in 509 and the current counter value,
A correction value for card feeding in the reverse direction is obtained (step S52
0), the current position is set as the origin (step S52).
2).

As described above, the reference position (origin) for the reading process of the two-dimensional code recorded on the card or the additional recording process of the two-dimensional code is detected.

Further, since the reference position is detected during a series of card feeding operations in which the card is once moved in the forward direction and then moved in the reverse direction, it is possible to move the card in the reverse direction while Even when the dimensional code is read or the two-dimensional code is additionally written, the read start position or the additional write start position does not deviate due to the play existing in the card feeding mechanism.

[0136]

With the above-described structure, the result of processing by the CPU 220 is calculated based on the data recorded in advance as the two-dimensional code on the card type recording medium 100.
It becomes possible to additionally write on the card type recording medium 100 as a dimension code.

That is, the reference position mark 14 on the card type recording medium 100 provides a common reference position for both the reading of data from the pre-printing area 16 and the writing of a two-dimensional code in the additional recording area 18. After that, the two-dimensional codes recorded in the pre-print area 16 and the additional recording area 18 can be continuously read.

Moreover, the reference position mark 14 includes the pre-printing area 16, the additional recording area 18, and the character data printing area 2.
By setting the specific pattern shape that can be distinguished from the pattern printed on 0, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of the reference position detection.

Furthermore, the pre-printing area 16 and the additional recording area 18
Are arranged at a predetermined interval, so that even if a mechanical error occurs in the card carrying mechanism in the card carrying direction, a malfunction occurs in the reading operation of the two-dimensional code recorded in the pre-printing area 16 and the additional writing area 18. It is possible to prevent this.

Further, even when a two-dimensional code is printed as a plurality of blocks in the additional recording area 18, a predetermined distance is provided between the blocks to prevent the occurrence of a reading error during the reading operation in the same manner. Is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a data recording area of a card type recording medium 100 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing in more detail the configurations of a reference position mark, a pre-printing area, and a write-once area shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a reading device 200.

FIG. 4 is a reading device 200 for determining whether the card is right or wrong.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the card position in.

FIG. 5 is a reading device 20 when performing a cueing process of a card.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the card position in 0.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a card position in the reading device 200 during a two-dimensional code reading process.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a card position in the reading device 200 during the additional recording process.

8 is a flowchart showing a card process of the reading device 200. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a card discrimination process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a two-dimensional code reading process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a two-dimensional code additional recording process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing card cueing processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 identification code 12 Photo sensor mark 14 Reference position mark 16 Pre-print area 18 additional recording area 100 card type recording medium 200 reader 202 Card reader / writer 204 thermal head 206 image sensor 208 motor 210 photo sensor 220 CPU 222 Memory section

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Yoshida Tomita 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Masahiro Seto 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Denki Software Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor ▲ Yoshi ▼ Ryuji Hara 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Denki Software Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiromichi Suzuki 6-14 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 15 In stock company media marketing network (56) Reference JP-A-6-231466 (JP, A) JP-A-4-314599 (JP, A) Registered utility model 3016589 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B42D 15/10 G06K 1/12 G06K 17/00 G06K 19/077

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A card-type recording medium in which encoded predetermined information is recorded and information is optically read by scanning in a predetermined direction, wherein the predetermined information is encoded on one surface. An information recording area in which the converted two-dimensional code is recorded as a code block having one side of a constant length orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and an identification code recording area arranged on an extension of the information recording area in the predetermined direction. The identification code recording area includes a first one-dimensional specific pattern arranged perpendicular to the predetermined direction and having information for identifying the card-type recording medium, and the information recording area from the identification code recording area. A second one-dimensional specific pattern that is vertically arranged on an extension of the predetermined direction toward the area and that provides a reference position in the vertical direction in the predetermined direction of the information reading operation from the information recording area is further exposed. A card-type recording medium prepared for. 2. The information recording area further includes an information additional recording area arranged between the first one-dimensional specific pattern and the code block at a predetermined interval from the code block, and the information additional recording area includes: Is a two-dimensional code corresponding to a predetermined processing result performed based on the predetermined information is additionally written in the predetermined direction at the predetermined intervals as a write-once block having one side of the constant length. The card type recording medium according to claim 1. 3. The identification code recording area, the information recording area, and the second one-dimensional specific pattern, which are sequentially arranged in the predetermined direction, form a code information storage area, and the code information on the one surface. The card type recording medium according to claim 2, further comprising a character information recording area outside the recording area, wherein the character information recording area includes a write-once information printing area in which character information corresponding to the predetermined processing result is printed. . 4. A card type recording medium in which encoded predetermined information is recorded and information is optically read by scanning in a predetermined direction, wherein the predetermined information is encoded on one surface. An information recording area in which the converted two-dimensional code is recorded as a code block having one side of a constant length orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and an identification code recording area arranged on an extension of the information recording area in the predetermined direction. And the identification code recording area includes a first one-dimensional specific pattern arranged perpendicularly to the predetermined direction, and is perpendicular to an extension of the predetermined direction from the identification code recording area to the information recording area. An information reading device for reading information from a card-type recording medium further provided with a second one-dimensional specific pattern arranged on the card-type recording medium, the card-type recording medium being driven along the predetermined direction. And conveying means for moving the distance and direction specified by the items, they are arranged in the direction intersecting the movement axis of the information recording area,
A one-dimensional photodetector that outputs a photodetection signal corresponding to an optical pattern on the surface of the card-type recording medium; and a drive signal that moves the card-type recording medium on the one-dimensional photodetector. Receiving the light detection signal, detecting information for identifying the card type recording medium based on the first one-dimensional specific pattern, and detecting the second
An arithmetic processing unit that detects a reference position in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the information reading operation from the information recording area based on the one-dimensional specific pattern, and reads the predetermined information based on the light detection signal. An information reading device provided. 5. The printing device further comprises a printing device which is arranged in parallel with the one-dimensional light detecting device and draws a pattern corresponding to the surface of the card type recording medium in response to a print signal. The print signal and the drive signal are output according to the result, and the second one-dimensional specific pattern is output.
5. The information reading device according to claim 4, wherein the printing means prints a corresponding two-dimensional code on an extension of the predetermined direction from the one-dimensional specific pattern to the information recording area with the reference position as a reference position .