JP4132225B2 - Information code reading and creating device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information code reading / creating apparatus capable of optically reading an information code from a recording medium and printing out a new information code different from the read information code.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, as a two-dimensional code reader, as shown in FIG. 9, a decoder unit 1 is provided, and an illumination unit 2, a video camera 3 and a trigger unit 4 are connected to the decoder unit 1, and the decoder unit 1 Is connected to a host computer 6 via a communication cable 5 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the decoder unit 1 includes a video circuit 7 including an A / D converter and a memory, a recognition circuit 8 including a CPU and a program ROM, an IO control unit 9, and a communication adapter 10. The host computer 6 is connected to the printer 11.
[0003]
When the two-dimensional code is read from the recording medium with this apparatus, the IO control unit 9 controls the illumination unit 2 to illuminate the recording medium, and the video camera 3 can image the two-dimensional barcode on the recording medium. When the trigger for starting reading is input from the trigger unit 4 with the position set, the video camera 3 captures a two-dimensional barcode on the recording medium and outputs an analog video signal. This video signal is converted into a digital signal by the video circuit 7 and then stored in the memory. The recognition circuit 8 reads a signal from the memory, analyzes the regularity of the two-dimensional code, and decodes the two-dimensional code. Then, the decoding result is transmitted from the communication adapter 10 to the host computer 6.
[0004]
The host computer 6 uses the received two-dimensional code information as necessary and prints it on a recording medium by the printer 11. At this time, specifications such as the format and size of the code to be printed are controlled by the information code issuing program and determined within the application.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-40603, when there is a code to be newly printed, the size and specifications of the code to be printed are limited as application business cards, and printing is limited. That is, a two-dimensional barcode is read from a business card having a two-dimensional barcode indicating print control information, the two-dimensional barcode is decoded by a decoding device, and the code information, font, style, Retrieve size and location information. In this case, if it is desired to change the font or the like, it can be changed, and further, the characters to be printed can be changed. When the number of prints and the start of printing are instructed after the change, printing is performed and a business card with a two-dimensional barcode is printed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional apparatus mainly collects information. For example, when it is used in manufacturing and inspection work, the product name and code are read from the read information and the history is managed by scanning the host data. .
By the way, the two-dimensional code is being considered as a “portable database” that uses the two-dimensional code as a database by utilizing the property of its large recording capacity. That is, it has become possible to enter detailed information such as the specifications of manufactured products and carry the information with the products themselves.
[0006]
In addition, with the diversification of products, it is necessary to manage information such as repairs and adjustments, and updates of internal programs. For this purpose, it is necessary to disclose specifications and the like based on the read code information, perform an appropriate operation, and then create and attach a new code to return the history to the product again. However, in the above-mentioned publication, a new code can be issued, but there is no idea of printing a code with specifications that will be used for a long time. Therefore, there is no relationship between the information on the reading side and the printing side of the two-dimensional code, and the specification of the code to be reissued is determined by the computer and operating system for printing, the performance and specifications of the printer, and the code reissue The specifications of the portable database were changed every time the service was performed, and the long-life portable database could not be operated with the long-life product.
[0007]
By the way, the largest feature of the two-dimensional code is that it can store a large amount of data. Conventionally, most known two-dimensional codes have a capacity of about 2000 bytes in one symbol. This means that a normal bar code is used as an identification code or ID code, whereas a two-dimensional code can be used as a medium for storing a large amount of data, that is, a portable data file. In addition, when 2D codes are used as portable data files, the contents of documents including kanji, katakana, charts, and photos are displayed as digital information that can be entered on a computer. It is possible to achieve processing accuracy, speed up, and labor saving while greatly reducing the cost of re-entry in time. Thus, it can be said that the two-dimensional code is a highly economical code that can construct a field-adaptive offline information system with low operation costs. For example, it is expected to use a two-dimensional code as a portable data file in manufacturing history management and asset management.
[0008]
Until now, manufacturing history is generally stored and managed in the form of files in a computer. However, management information needs to be immediately and easily comprehensible according to the market. By displaying these management information as a two-dimensional code and attaching it to the product, it is possible to read and immediately grasp the computer file when necessary without searching. In addition, by coding the specifications and status of the product in a timely manner and adding information, the responsibility for maintenance and correction can be clarified, and responsibility management can be performed. The two-dimensional code is also effective for asset management such as equipment and equipment. Conventionally, management based on an asset ledger by computers is generally used, but long-term file maintenance is very difficult, and management accuracy often decreases. In this case, asset confirmation can be performed immediately by attaching a two-dimensional code to asset management.
[0009]
For these applications, database maintenance over time is a problem. This means that the two-dimensional code itself serves as an important database. In order to maintain this data, it is necessary to stably supply various parameters of the code. If this is neglected, there will be a situation in which reading becomes impossible halfway, resulting in data loss. For this reason, a system without human intervention is necessary. In particular, when work such as product maintenance is performed, it is necessary to change the original two-dimensional code label. In this case, if humans are involved in code printing, it cannot be denied that there is a risk of data loss. Therefore, it is important to prevent loss of data.
[0010]
Therefore, the invention according to claims 1 and 2 reads and stores various parameters such as the code format and cell size of the information code when the information code is read and decoded. A new information code can be created and printed on a recording medium based on the read and restored information code, changes and additional information, and stored parameters, and the information code to be printed can be used as a portable database for a long period of time. Provided is an information code reading and creating device that can be used continuously.
The invention described in claim 2 further provides an information code reading / creating device capable of providing security for creating a new information code.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An information code reading / creating apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an optical reading unit that optically reads an information code printed on a recording medium, a conversion unit that digitally converts an analog signal from the optical reading unit, Signal storage means for storing the digital signal converted by the conversion means, recognition means for restoring the signal stored in the signal storage means to decode the information code, and various parameters of the information code decoded by the recognition means are stored Parameter storage means and input means for inputting change or additional information are included, and the parameters include information for creating a new information code. Furthermore, the specification of a new information code is determined based on the change or additional information input by the input means, the information code decoded by the recognition means, and various parameters stored in the parameter storage means, and the reading is performed based on this specification . comprising a data generating means for generating print data of the new information code in the information code and the same specification, and printing means for printing a new information code on a recording medium based on print data which the data producing means.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information code reading / creating device , an optical reading means for optically reading an information code printed on a recording medium, a conversion means for digitally converting an analog signal from the optical reading means, Signal storage means for storing the digital signal converted by the conversion means, recognition means for restoring the signal stored in the signal storage means to decode the information code, and various parameters of the information code decoded by the recognition means are stored It comprises parameter storage means, input means for inputting change or additional information, and card reading means for reading authentication information from the information storage card , and the parameters include information for creating a new information code. . Further, when the authentication information read by the card reading means is legitimate information, based on the change or additional information input by the input means, the information code decoded by the recognition means, and the parameters stored in the parameter storage means Based on the print data created by the data creation means that defines the specifications of the new information code, creates print data of the new information code of the same specification as the read information code based on this specification, and and a printing means for printing a new information code on the recording medium.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, a decoder unit 21 is provided, and an illumination unit 23 that illuminates a reading unit on an input / output terminal 22 of the decoder unit 21, an optical reading means that reads an information code, for example, a two-dimensional code. A video camera 24 and a trigger unit 25 for inputting a trigger for starting reading are connected. Further, a touch panel type display / input device 26 is provided on the front surface of the decoder unit 21 and an issue port 28 for a print label 27 is provided on the upper surface. The decoder unit 21 is connected to a host computer (not shown) via a communication cable 29.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the decoder unit 21. A video signal including a two-dimensional code from the video camera 24 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 30, and then stored in the memory 31 as image data. It is supposed to be. Reference numeral 32 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) constituting the main body of the control unit, which accesses the memory 31 to read out and store the stored image data. Reference numeral 33 denotes an I / O control unit, 34 denotes a parameter register as parameter storage means, and 35 denotes a communication adapter connected to the communication cable 29, each connected to the CPU 32. The CPU 32 performs decoding processing and input / output control based on a program stored in an internal program memory.
[0015]
The I / O control unit 33 manages input / output devices. In addition to the display / input device 26 via the I / O bus 36, the I / O control unit 33 controls the lighting unit 23 to be turned on / off and the light control. An illumination control unit 37, a trigger control unit 38 that takes in a trigger signal from the trigger unit 25, and a sheet control unit 39 and a print head control unit 40 that constitute a label printer as a printing unit are connected as input / output devices. Yes.
[0016]
Reading of the two-dimensional code from the label sheet is started by lighting the label unit by turning on the illumination unit 23 by the illumination control unit 37 and operating the trigger unit 25 in this state to input a trigger signal. The video signal including the two-dimensional code obtained by imaging by the video camera 24 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 30, and then stored as image data in the memory 31, which is read and captured by the CPU 32. The extracted image data is displayed on the display / input device 26.
[0017]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the CPU 32 fetches the image data as shown in FIG. 4A from the memory 31 at S1, the image data is displayed on the display / input device 26 and the image is displayed. A two-dimensional code C1 is extracted from the data and decoded based on a predetermined code standard. Then, the decoded result is displayed on the display / input device 26 via the I / O control unit 33, the code specification of the two-dimensional code is analyzed, and various parameters are decoded and stored in the parameter register 34.
[0018]
As parameters of the two-dimensional code, for example, in the case of DataMatrix Code, FormatID = type of encoding method, ECC (Error Checking and Correcting algorithm) = error correction level, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) = error detection method, ECI (Extended Channel Interpretation) = There are many parameters and combinations such as extended symbol output method, character set, data length, data prefix, pattern randomization, cell module size, number of cell rows and digits, print density, etc.
[0019]
In simple terms, this means the generation of the logical conditions of the code and the generation of the physical conditions necessary for printing. Logical conditions are mathematically required, such as code encoding techniques (algorithms), character sets, code pattern dispersion, etc., and physical conditions can be used to print the calculated pattern at any resolution and size. Is it? These two surfaces are listed as parameters of the two-dimensional code. In addition, since all of these can be changed by the user himself, there are many patterns when considering all combinations.
[0020]
Subsequently, in S2, the work is performed, and in S3, the touch panel of the display / input device 26 is operated to change or add information. The characters that can be input here are determined by the operation of the CPU 32, and alphanumeric characters and symbols are also possible. When editing a history by work, an edit command is input, and a work code is input as data. The date and time is added by the clock function of the CPU 32.
[0021]
When the editing is completed, in S4, the paper control unit 39 and the print head control unit 40 are driven by a print command to print a new two-dimensional code C2 as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. At this time, the CPU 32 encodes the format, size, and print density of the code to be printed with reference to various parameters obtained as a result of analyzing the two-dimensional code read from the parameter register 34. Thereby, the label which printed the new two-dimensional code of the same specification as the original code can be issued. Therefore, there is no need for the operator to set parameters. The CPU 32 transfers information such as the read two-dimensional code and information such as a newly edited two-dimensional code to the host computer via the communication adapter 35 and the communication cable 29.
[0022]
As described above, when the two-dimensional code is read from the label and decoded, the parameters such as the code format and cell size of the two-dimensional code are read and stored in the parameter register 34. A new two-dimensional code can be generated based on the read and decoded two-dimensional code, the changed or added data, and the parameters stored in the parameter register 34, printed on the label sheet, and a new label can be issued. The new two-dimensional code printed on the label is then picked up by the video camera 24, and then changed or added by operating the touch panel of the display / input device 26 to create a new two-dimensional code again. Can be issued again as a new label. Therefore, the two-dimensional code printed on the label can be continuously used as a portable database for a long period of time.
[0023]
(Second Embodiment)
The same parts as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and different parts will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, a card insertion slot 42 for inserting an IC card 41 as an information storage card is further provided on the front surface of the decoder unit 21. As shown in FIG. 6, a card reader 43 disposed inside the card insertion slot 42 is connected to the I / O bus 36. In the IC card 41, for example, authentication information such as an operator name, an approver name, a personal identification number, and additional information such as work contents are stored.
[0024]
In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, when the CPU 32 fetches image data as shown in FIG. 8A from the memory 31 in S11, the image data is displayed on the display / input device 26. At the same time, the two-dimensional code C3 is cut out from the image data and decoded based on a predetermined code standard. Then, the decoded result is displayed on the display / input device 26 via the I / O control unit 33, the code specification of the two-dimensional code is analyzed, and various parameters are decoded and stored in the parameter register 34.
[0025]
Subsequently, in S12, an IC card reading process is performed. This waits for the IC card 41 to be inserted into the card insertion slot 42. When the IC card 41 is inserted, the authentication information is first read from the IC card 41. In S13, the authenticity of the IC card 41 is confirmed. If the inserted IC card 41 is a regular card, the additional information is read from the IC card 41 in S14.
[0026]
Subsequently, in S15, the work is performed, and in S16, the touch panel of the display / input device 26 is operated to change or add information. At this time, since the work content is stored in advance as additional information in the IC card 41, detailed work information such as routine work can be obtained from the additional information. Therefore, it is easy to change or add information by operating the touch panel.
[0027]
When editing is completed, in S17, the paper control unit 39 and the print head control unit 40 are driven by a print command to print a new two-dimensional code C4 as shown in FIG. 8B, for example. At this time, the CPU 32 encodes the format, size, and print density of the code to be printed with reference to various parameters obtained as a result of analyzing the two-dimensional code read from the parameter register 34. Thereby, the label which printed the new two-dimensional code of the same specification as the original code can be issued. Therefore, there is no need for the operator to set parameters. The CPU 32 transfers information such as the read two-dimensional code and information such as a newly edited two-dimensional code to the host computer via the communication adapter 35 and the communication cable 29.
[0028]
Accordingly, in this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment described above, a new two-dimensional code is read based on various parameters of the two-dimensional code read while changing or adding information. It is possible to print on the label paper and issue again as a new label, and the two-dimensional code printed on the label can be continuously used as a portable database for a long period of time.
[0029]
Also, authentication information such as the operator's name, approver's name, and personal identification number is stored in the IC card 41, and the authenticity of the IC card is confirmed before changing or adding the two-dimensional code. Since it is possible to change 2D code and perform additional work only when confirmed as a card, it is possible to make only 2D code changes or additional work performed by workers with regular IC cards. Security can be given to creation of a new two-dimensional code. Further, since additional information such as work contents is stored in the IC card 41 and detailed work information such as routine work is obtained from this additional information, information is changed or added to create a new two-dimensional code. The operation of the touch panel is easy.
[0030]
The two-dimensional code is a large-capacity information code recorded on a two-axis plane having vertical and horizontal spaces. However, it is recommended that the color and material of the ink to be printed be appropriately selected and the information be included in these codes. For example, the number of reference axes can be further increased, and the amount of information stored in the two-dimensional code can be further increased.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where a two-dimensional code is used as an information code has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and a case where a normal barcode or a multistage barcode is used or the number of dimensions is further increased. It can also be applied to code.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and second aspects of the invention, when the information code is read and decoded, parameters such as the code format and cell size of the information code are read and stored, and when there is a change or addition of information A new information code can be created and printed on a recording medium based on the read and restored information code, changes and additional information, and stored parameters, and the information code to be printed can be used as a portable database for a long period of time. You can continue to use it.
Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to provide security for creation of a new information code.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a main part perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a decoder unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of reading, creating, and printing a two-dimensional code in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a read two-dimensional code and a newly printed two-dimensional code in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a decoder unit according to the embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing for reading, creating, and printing a two-dimensional code in the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a read two-dimensional code and a newly printed two-dimensional code in the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a decoder unit in the conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 ... Decoder unit 24 ... Video camera 27 ... Print label 32 ... CPU (Central Processing Unit)
34 ... Parameter register 39 ... Paper control unit 40 ... Print head control unit

Claims (4)

Optical reading means for optically reading an information code printed on a recording medium;
Conversion means for digitally converting an analog signal from the optical reading means;
Signal storage means for storing the digital signal converted by the conversion means;
Recognizing means for decoding the information code by restoring the signal stored in the signal storing means;
Parameter storage means for storing parameters of the information code decoded by the recognition means;
Input means for entering changes and additional information;
The parameters include information for creating a new information code,
Based on the changes and additional information input by the input means, the information code decoded by the recognition means, and various parameters stored in the parameter storage means, a new information code specification is determined, and the reading is performed based on this specification . Data creation means for creating print data of a new information code having the same specifications as the information code;
An information code reading / creating apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints a new information code on a recording medium based on the print data created by the data creating unit. Optical reading means for optically reading an information code printed on a recording medium;
Conversion means for digitally converting an analog signal from the optical reading means;
Signal storage means for storing the digital signal converted by the conversion means;
Recognizing means for decoding the information code by restoring the signal stored in the signal storing means;
Parameter storage means for storing parameters of the information code decoded by the recognition means;
Input means for entering changes and additional information;
Card reading means for reading authentication information from the information storage card;
The parameters include information for creating a new information code,
When the authentication information read by the card reading means is legitimate information, it is based on the change or additional information input by the input means, the information code decoded by the recognition means, and the parameters stored in the parameter storage means It defines the specifications of a new information code Te, and data generating means for generating print data of the new information code in the information code and the same specifications read on the basis of this specification,
An information code reading / creating apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints a new information code on a recording medium based on the print data created by the data creating unit. 3. The information code reading / creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameters are a combination of a logical condition of the information code and physical conditions necessary for printing. 4. The information code reading / creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include at least a code format and a cell size of an information code.

Images