JP4252981B2 - 2D code, 2D code reader and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code in which cells are arranged, and a two-dimensional code reader that reads and recognizes the two-dimensional code.

In recent years, as a two-dimensional code having a larger information capacity than a barcode, a two-dimensional code in which cells representing information are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix has become widespread (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 2938338

However, although the above-described two-dimensional code has a larger amount of information than a barcode, it cannot be said that it is easy to increase the amount of information.
For example, in order to increase the amount of information, it is conceivable to increase the number of cells constituting the two-dimensional code, but such a measure requires more space for arranging the two-dimensional code. As a result, the degree of freedom of layout in a recording medium for recording such a two-dimensional code is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to ensure a sufficient amount of information as a two-dimensional code while preventing the degree of freedom of layout from becoming lower than that of the prior art. It is to be.

In order to solve the above problems, the two-dimensional code according to the first configuration is a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of blocks each having m × n cells arranged therein (m and n are one or more positive numbers). And). In this two-dimensional code, among the plurality of blocks, a predetermined block has an area composed of one or more cells assigned as a specific area for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code. A pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code is formed by marks attached to the cells. In each block, predetermined information is associated with each cell arranged in m × n, and the cell associated with the information to be shown in the block is marked.

  According to the two-dimensional code configured in this manner, each block is associated with predetermined information corresponding to each cell arranged in m × n. The marked cell is marked. That is, each block indicates information not by each cell constituting the block but by the position of the marked cell in the entire block.

  Therefore, in this two-dimensional code, even if characters or images unrelated to the two-dimensional code are superimposed on each block, if the mark attached to the cell can be determined, the position of the mark in the entire block is changed to the pattern in the specific area. It can be specified based on.

  In this way, with the two-dimensional code of the present invention, it is possible to superimpose characters and images on the space where the two-dimensional code is placed, provided that the mark attached to the cell can be identified, so only the two-dimensional code is placed There may be no space to do this. Therefore, compared to a configuration that requires a space for arranging only the two-dimensional code, the degree of freedom of layout in the recording medium for recording the two-dimensional code can be increased.

  Further, in this case, since a space for arranging only the two-dimensional code is not required, a large area (for example, the whole) on the recording medium can be represented by the two-dimensional code regardless of other characters and images recorded on the recording medium. It can also be used as an extra space. Thereby, it is possible to increase the amount of information as a two-dimensional code according to the area of the recording medium while preventing the degree of freedom of layout from being lowered.

  Furthermore, in this configuration, if the correspondence relationship between each block cell and information is different, the information indicated by the two-dimensional code can be completely different or meaningless. That is, in the two-dimensional code, it is possible to prevent the information indicated by the two-dimensional code from being obtained by a third party unless the correspondence between each cell of each block and the information is known. . In order to ensure such secrecy in each of many two-dimensional codes, it is effective to increase the correspondence between each block cell and information.

Further, the cells in this configuration may have any shape and size as long as they can be arranged in m × n.
In addition, the plurality of blocks described above may be arranged in any manner, but for example, a configuration in which the blocks are arranged in a row can be considered.

  In this case, as the specific area, for example, among the blocks arranged at the top, a cell composed of one line at the top that intersects the block arrangement direction (the direction in which a plurality of blocks are arranged, the same applies hereinafter) is assigned. Good. By configuring in this way, the pattern in the specific area is specified, and from there, the number of blocks that make up the two-dimensional code, up to the position away from the rear side (the back side of the column, the same applies below) The region can be specified as a region corresponding to the two-dimensional code.

  Further, as the specific area, among the blocks arranged at the tail, a cell composed of one line at the tail that intersects the arrangement direction of the blocks may be assigned. By configuring in this way, the pattern in the specific area is specified, and the area up to the position away from the beginning of the column by the number of blocks that make up the two-dimensional code from it corresponds to the two-dimensional code. It can be specified as the area to be.

  In addition, as the specific area, among the blocks arranged at the top, the cell composed of the first line intersecting with the block arrangement direction, and among the blocks arranged at the tail, the cell intersects with the block arrangement direction. You may make it allocate both the cells which consist of the last one line.

As a structure for this, for example, it can be Rukoto considered as two-dimensional code according to the second configuration. In this two-dimensional code, among the plurality of blocks, the block arranged at the head is assigned as a specific area a cell consisting of the first line that intersects the block arrangement direction. To the arranged block, a cell composed of the last one line intersecting with the arrangement direction of the block is assigned as a specific area.

If comprised in this way, the pattern in a specific area can each be specified, and the area | region between these specific areas can be specified as an area | region corresponding to a two-dimensional code.
In addition, the “pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code” in the specific area described above is formed by marking one or more cells in the specific area, and specifies the position of the two-dimensional code. As long as the pattern can be used, the specific cell to be marked is not particularly limited.

  In addition, “marking” the above-described cell means, for example, filling the cell, recording a specific symbol in the cell, recording a specific figure (for example, various figures such as a circle and a polygon), etc. That's it.

  In the block, the mark attached to the cell in the specific area and the mark attached to the cell other than the specific area may be in the same mode as long as they can be easily distinguished from each other. However, in order to make it easier to distinguish, cells in a specific area may be marked according to a mode for the specific area. Here, the specific area mode means that, for example, when a specific symbol is recorded in a cell, the specific area symbol is used.

In addition, as an aspect for the specific area, if the cell is filled, for example, as in the third configuration , in the block, the cell in the specific area is marked with the color for the specific area. Good.

  If comprised in this way, the mark attached to the cell of a specific area | region and the mark attached to cells other than a specific area | region can be easily distinguished by whether it is marked by the color for specific areas. it can.

  In addition, each block described above may be configured such that different information is associated with each cell arranged in m × n. Further, the cells arranged in m × n may be divided into several groups, and the same information may be associated with the corresponding cells in each group.

For this latter case, for example, a fourth configuration may be used. In this two-dimensional code, each block is divided into a plurality of groups, and the same information is associated with the corresponding cells in each of the plurality of groups. Each group is marked with a cell associated with information to be shown in this group.

  With this configuration, each block can have a plurality of pieces of information corresponding to the number of groups. Thereby, the density of information in the two-dimensional code can be increased.

In this configuration, as in the fifth configuration , each block is allocated with a region composed of one or more cells as a mark region for indicating the number of groups having marked cells. A pattern indicating the number of groups having the marked cells is formed by the marks attached to the cells in the mark area.

  With this configuration, by forming a pattern representing the appropriate number of groups in the mark area in advance, this pattern can be used as a criterion for determining whether or not the information recognized later is correct information. become able to.

  Specifically, if the number of information specified from each group of the block is different from the number of groups specified based on the mark area, the number of information specified in the block is incorrect. It will be. As a result, if information was mistakenly specified for each group of blocks where the cell was not marked, or information was not specified even though the cell was marked It can be judged that there was a mistake such as a case.

  In addition, the “pattern indicating the number of groups in which a cell is marked” in the mark area described above is formed by marking one or more cells in the mark area, and specifies the number of groups. As long as the pattern can be used, the specific cell to be marked is not particularly limited.

In addition, in the configuration in which blocks are grouped as described above, each group in the block is configured such that information indicated by the group is associated with a plurality of cells as in the sixth configuration , for example. Good.

  If comprised in this way, since the information shown by the applicable group is matched with each of several cells, a check will be put on several cells in the same group.

  In this case, if the information associated with all the marked cells matches, the probability that the information is information indicated by a group is high. On the other hand, if the information associated with all cells does not match, the information associated with one of the cells is incorrect, and a cell that is not the cell that should be originally marked is marked. Or, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the location of the marked cell is wrong.

  As a result, in each group of blocks, it was determined that there was a mistake such as a cell that was not originally marked was marked, or that the location of the marked cell was wrong. it can.

In order to solve the above problem, the two-dimensional code according to the seventh configuration is a two-dimensional code in which cells are arranged in m × n (m and n are 1 or more positive numbers). Then, among the cells arranged in m × n, the cell group composed of one or more cells is associated with information to be indicated in the cell group among colors or combinations of colors each associated with different information. Marks are made according to the selected color or combination of colors.

  According to the two-dimensional code configured as described above, each cell group is marked with a color or a combination of colors associated with information to be indicated by the cell group. That is, each cell group has an information amount corresponding to the number of colors to be marked or the type of color combination.

  Therefore, in this two-dimensional code, by increasing the number of colors that can be marked, the information amount of each cell group can be increased without increasing the space for arranging the two-dimensional code. . Therefore, even if the amount of information as a two-dimensional code is increased, the degree of freedom of layout in a recording medium for recording the two-dimensional code does not decrease.

  Further, in this configuration, if the correspondence relationship between each cell group and information is different, the information indicated by the two-dimensional code can be completely different or meaningless. That is, in the two-dimensional code, unless the correspondence between each cell group and information is known, it is possible to prevent information indicated by the two-dimensional code from being obtained by a third party. In order to ensure such secrecy in each of many two-dimensional codes, it is effective to increase the correspondence between each cell group and information.

Further, in this configuration, in order to easily specify the position of the two-dimensional code, for example, it may be configured like the two-dimensional code according to the eighth configuration . In this two-dimensional code, among the cells arranged in m × n, a predetermined cell is assigned as a specific cell for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code, and the color in which the specific cell is marked Thus, a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code is formed.

If comprised in this way, the position of a two-dimensional code can be specified on the basis of a specific cell.
Further, the “pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code” in the specific cell described above is formed by a color that marks the specific cell, and is a color that can specify the position of the two-dimensional code. If there is, the specific color is not particularly limited.

In the two-dimensional code according to the ninth configuration, one or both of the first and last cells among the n cells arranged in a line are assigned as specific cells.
In this configuration, if the specific cell is the first cell, the specific cell is specified, and from there, the number of cells constituting the two-dimensional code is directed toward the tail side (the back side of the column, and so on). A region up to a distant position can be specified as a region corresponding to the two-dimensional code. Also, if the specific cell is the last cell, the specific cell is specified, and the area up to the position away from the column toward the top of the column by the number of celcs constituting the two-dimensional code is determined. It can be specified as an area corresponding to the dimension code. If the specific cell is the first cell and the last cell, the specific cell is specified, and the region sandwiched between the specific cells can be specified as the region corresponding to the two-dimensional code.

  In addition, “marking” the above-described cell means, for example, filling the cell, recording a specific symbol in the cell, recording a specific figure (for example, various figures such as a circle and a polygon), etc. That's it.

  Note that, as described above, in a two-dimensional code that is marked with the color associated with the information to be indicated in the cell, if the color is not specified accurately, the information indicated in the cell is specified incorrectly. There is a risk that.

In order to prevent this, for example, it is conceivable to configure the two-dimensional code according to the tenth configuration . In this two-dimensional code, one or more reference areas are arranged at predetermined positions in the vicinity of cells arranged in m × n, in which all colors associated with different information are arranged in a predetermined order.

  With this configuration, even when the color of the mark attached to each cell cannot be accurately determined, the information indicated by the cell group including one or more cells is compared with the color in the reference area. And can be specified accurately.

  In this reference area, all colors associated with information are arranged in a predetermined order. For this reason, it is possible to identify the position of the mark assigned to each cell in the reference area by comparing with this.

  Then, the color of the mark attached to the cell can be judged by comparing with the reference area regardless of which color is actually read from the cell. Even if it is erroneously read due to environmental influences, the color can be accurately identified.

  Thereafter, the information associated with the color or the combination of the colors specified in this way is indicated by a cell group composed of one or more cells, for example, by specifying the correspondence relationship from a registered database or the like. Information can be specified.

  The reference region in this configuration may be provided at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the cell, and the specific position is not particularly limited. The reference area may be configured such that one reference area is provided for the two-dimensional code. Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the some reference area was provided with respect to the two-dimensional code. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with several reference area | region with respect to each cell group which consists of 1 or more cells which comprise a two-dimensional code.

The two-dimensional code reader according to the eleventh configuration is a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of blocks each having m × n cells arranged therein (m and n are 1 or more positive numbers). The two-dimensional code reader recognizes information by reading the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code reader includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image indicating a two-dimensional code, a region specifying unit that specifies an image region indicated by the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, and the region From the image area specified by the specifying means, block specifying means for specifying each block constituting the two-dimensional code, and for each block specified by the block specifying means, the cell marked in the block is specified. The cell specifying means and each of the information corresponding to the cell specified by the cell specifying means are specified based on the database in which the correspondence relationship between the cell and the information is registered, and the information including the information thus specified is Information recognition means for recognizing the information indicated by the dimension code. In a two-dimensional code, a predetermined block has an area composed of one or more cells assigned as a specific area for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code, and is attached to a cell in this specific area. A pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code is formed by the mark. The area specifying unit extracts a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit, and the area where the pattern is formed is determined in advance to constitute the two-dimensional code. An image area indicated by the entire two-dimensional code is specified as an area including a plurality of cells in the block.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to any one of the first to sixth configurations .
Further, in this configuration, when the two-dimensional code is as in the second configuration , the area specifying unit determines each pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit. A region that is extracted and sandwiched between regions where the pattern is formed may be specified as an image region indicated by a two-dimensional code.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading a two-dimensional code according to any one of the second to sixth configurations .
Further, in this configuration or the tenth configuration, when the two-dimensional code is as in the fourth configuration , the cell specifying unit marks each block specified by the block specifying unit for each group of the block. It is good to comprise so that the cell to which each is attached may be specified.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to any one of the fourth to sixth configurations .
Further, in this configuration, when the two-dimensional code is as in the fifth configuration , a mark area is extracted from each block specified by the block specifying means, and is represented by a pattern formed in this mark area. The first error determination unit may be configured to determine whether or not the number of groups to be matched with the number of cells specified by the cell specification unit.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to the fifth or sixth configuration .
Furthermore, with this configuration, the number of pieces of information specified in the block is different from the number of pieces of information specified from each group of the block and the number of groups specified based on the mark area. Can be determined to be wrong. As a result, mistakes such as erroneously specifying information for groups in which the cell is not marked out of each group of blocks, or not specifying information despite the cell being marked. It can be determined that there was.

  Furthermore, in this configuration, the number of information specified from each group of blocks is different from the number of groups specified based on the mark area, and the group in which the cell is not marked It can be determined that there has been an error such as when information is specified by mistake or when information cannot be specified even though a cell is marked.

In addition, in a two-dimensional code reader that reads a two-dimensional code in which each block is divided into a plurality of groups as a two-dimensional code, if the two-dimensional code is in the sixth configuration, it is specified by cell specifying means The information corresponding to the plurality of cells in the same group is specified based on the database in which the correspondence relationship between the cells and the information is registered, and the second determination is made as to whether or not the information thus specified matches. A configuration including an error determination unit is preferable.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to the sixth configuration .
Furthermore, with this configuration, a cell different from the cell that should originally be marked is marked that the information corresponding to the plurality of cells in the same group identified by the cell identifying means is different. It is possible to determine that there is an error such as that the cell is mistakenly recognized as being marked, or that a cell different from the originally marked cell is marked.

The two-dimensional code reader according to the twelfth configuration reads information about a two-dimensional code in which cells are arranged in m × n (m and n are positive numbers of 1 or more) and reads the two-dimensional code. It is a two-dimensional code reader that recognizes. The two-dimensional code reader includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image indicating a two-dimensional code, a region specifying unit that specifies an image region indicated by the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, and the region From the image area specified by the specifying means, cell specifying means for specifying the color of each mark attached to the cell in the two-dimensional code, and the color or combination of colors of one or more cells specified by the cell specifying means Each corresponding information is identified on the basis of a database in which the correspondence between the color or combination of colors of a cell group composed of one or more cells and the information is registered, and the information composed of each of the identified information is converted into a two-dimensional code Information recognition means for recognizing as information indicated by

The two-dimensional code reader configured as described above is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to any one of the seventh to tenth configurations .
In this configuration, when the two-dimensional code is as in the eighth configuration , the area specifying unit extracts a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit. Then, it is preferable that the area where the pattern is formed is configured to specify an image area indicated by the entire two-dimensional code as a predetermined cell constituting the two-dimensional code.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to any of the eighth to tenth configurations .
Further, in this configuration, when the two-dimensional code is as in the ninth configuration , the area specifying unit determines each pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit. It may be configured to extract and specify a region corresponding to a plurality of cells as an image region indicated by a two-dimensional code with reference to a cell to which the region where the pattern is formed is used as a reference.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to the ninth or tenth configuration .
As described above, in the two-dimensional code reader recognizes the information by reading the two-dimensional code cell to m × n which are arranged, if the two-dimensional code is adapted to the tenth configuration, the may it as the two-dimensional code reader according to the configuration of 13.

  The two-dimensional code reader includes reference extraction means for extracting a reference area provided at a predetermined position from the image area specified by the area specifying means. Further, the cell specifying means specifies at which position in the reference area the color of each mark attached to the cell in the two-dimensional code is the color arranged in the reference area. The information recognizing means is a database in which the correspondence between the color or color combination in the reference area and the information specified by the cell specifying means or the information associated with the color combination is registered. Identify based on.

The two-dimensional code reader configured in this way is suitable for recognizing information by reading the two-dimensional code according to the tenth configuration .
In addition, as described above, in a two-dimensional code reader that recognizes information by reading a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of blocks each having m × n cells, the region specifying means indicates the two-dimensional code. When specifying the image area to be recorded, for example, it may be configured like a two-dimensional code reader according to the fourteenth configuration .

  In this two-dimensional code reader, the region specifying unit preferentially tries to extract a pattern from a region having a color component used for marking a cell of the two-dimensional code in the image acquired by the image acquiring unit. It is configured as follows.

If comprised in this way, the image area shown with a two-dimensional code can be specified in a short time from the image acquired by the image acquisition means.
In this configuration, for areas other than the areas that have color components used to mark cells of the two-dimensional code, the areas are specified after the color components are rendered meaningless (for example, painted with irrelevant colors). The means may try to extract the pattern. This makes it easy to specify a region having a color component that is not meaningless, so it can be expected to shorten the time until the image region indicated by the two-dimensional code is specified.

  In addition, as described above, in a two-dimensional code reader that recognizes information by reading a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of blocks each having m × n cells, the region specifying means indicates the two-dimensional code. When specifying an image area to be displayed, for example, a two-dimensional code reader described below may be used.

  In this two-dimensional code reader, the area specifying means is configured to try to extract patterns for each of a plurality of areas constituting the image acquired by the image acquisition means in a predetermined order.

  With this configuration, pattern extraction for each of a plurality of regions is performed, for example, in the order in which it is estimated that the probability that a two-dimensional code is arranged is high (for example, from the region located at the edge of the image to the center) If the attempts are made in the order toward the region), it can be expected to shorten the time until the image region indicated by the two-dimensional code is specified. In addition, if the user knows the optimal region of the image where the two-dimensional code is to be placed and tries to extract a pattern from that region, the user can obtain an image of the two-dimensional code placed in the optimal region. The time until the image area indicated by the two-dimensional code is specified can be further shortened on the condition that it is acquired by the means.

  In addition, as described above, in a two-dimensional code reader that recognizes information by reading a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of blocks each having m × n cells, the region specifying means indicates the two-dimensional code. When the image area to be specified is specified, it may be configured as a two-dimensional code reader described below. In this two-dimensional code reader, the region specifying unit is configured such that, in the image acquired by the image acquiring unit, the color scheme of the region having a color component used to mark the cell of the two-dimensional code is the cell of the two-dimensional code. In the case of matching the color scheme assumed in the case of marking, the pattern is extracted as being a pattern.

  For example, even if an area that is not a two-dimensional code among the image areas acquired by the image acquisition means has a color component used to mark a cell of the two-dimensional code, such an area is Since it is not a two-dimensional code, it is unlikely that the color scheme assumed when marking a cell of the two-dimensional code is used. Therefore, if it is determined whether or not the pattern is a corresponding pattern based on the color scheme as in this configuration, an area that is not a two-dimensional code is regarded as a two-dimensional code area, and an unnecessary area is identified and information Can be prevented from being recognized.

  Note that the image acquisition means in each of the above-described two-dimensional code readers may be means that can acquire data indicating an image by an imaging means such as a camera. Moreover, it can be considered as means for acquiring data indicating an image by inputting from the outside of the two-dimensional code reader.

A program according to the fifteenth configuration is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the two-dimensional code reader according to the eleventh configuration to function as all means.

The computer system controlled by such a program can constitute a part of the two-dimensional code reader according to the eleventh configuration .
The program according to the sixteenth configuration is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the two-dimensional code reader according to any of the twelfth to fourteenth configurations to function as all means. is there.

A computer system controlled by such a program can constitute a part of a two-dimensional code reader according to any of the twelfth to fourteenth configurations.
Each program described above consists of an ordered sequence of instructions suitable for processing by a computer system, and is provided to two-dimensional code readers and users using the same via various recording media and communication lines. It is what is done.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Overall Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, a two-dimensional code reader 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls the entire two-dimensional code reader 1, a display unit 20 that displays various information, An operation unit 30 that receives an operation from a user, a media drive 40 that can input data from the outside of the two-dimensional code reader 1 via a medium, a camera 50 that can acquire image data indicating an image, and the like are provided.

In addition, you may comprise this 2D code reader 1 as what is mounted in a mobile telephone terminal, a portable information terminal, etc., for example. Moreover, you may comprise as what is mounted in a known personal computer.
(1-2) Two-dimensional code Since the two-dimensional code reader 1 described above is for reading a two-dimensional code 100 shown below, the two-dimensional code 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the two-dimensional code 100 includes a plurality of (3 in the example of FIG. 2) blocks each having m × n (20 × 20 in this embodiment) arrayed. And these blocks are arranged in a line. In FIG. 2A, each block is superimposed on a character represented by an information string indicated by the block.

  In each of the blocks B1 to Bj constituting the two-dimensional code 100 (j = 3 in the present embodiment, the same applies hereinafter), a line intersecting the direction in which each block is arranged (the horizontal direction in FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) (FIG. 2 in the vertical direction column in FIG. 2 (the same applies hereinafter), excluding the cells of the line located at the head (the left end in FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) and the tail (the right end in FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) (FIG. 2). In the example of 2, cells for 20−2 = 18) lines are secured as information areas I1 to Ij for information to be indicated by the block.

  The information areas I1 to Ij are divided into groups each composed of cells for two lines, and information to be indicated by the group is associated with each cell of each group. That is, each group indicates information of maximum (n−2) / 2 (in the example of FIG. 2, (20−2) / 2 = 9). Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, each group of cells has alphabets a to t associated with the leading line in this order, and the alphabets u to z and four types of symbols ( -, _,., /) And the numbers 0 to 0 are associated with the last line in this order. That is, the same information is associated with the corresponding cells in each group. Then, among the cells of each group, the cells associated with the information indicated by each group are filled. Here, the marks attached to the cells of the information areas I1 to Ij are colors for the information areas I1 to Ij, but are not used in other colors (used for characters or images other than the two-dimensional code 100). As long as the color is included) Hereinafter, the filling of a cell is referred to as “a cell can be marked”.

  Among the blocks constituting the two-dimensional code 100, the block B1 arranged at the head and the block Bj arranged at the tail include specific areas S1, Sj for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code. Is assigned. First, in the first block B1, a cell composed of the first line intersecting the arrangement direction of each block is assigned as the specific area S1. In the last block Bj, a cell composed of one last line intersecting the arrangement direction of each block is assigned as the specific area Sj. In the present embodiment, a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 100 is formed by marking the upper end cell and the lower end cell in the specific regions S1 and Sj. Here, the marks attached to the cells in the specific areas S1 and Sj are colors for the specific areas S1 and Sj and are used in colors not used otherwise.

  Further, among the blocks B1 to Bj constituting the two-dimensional code 100, the cell composed of the first line intersecting the arrangement direction of each block is a mark area M1 to Mj indicating the number of information indicated in the block. Assigned as. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the number of pieces of information 0 to 9 that can be shown in the corresponding block in the cells other than the top and bottom cells in these mark regions M1 to Mj are as follows. They are associated in order. Of these cells, a cell corresponding to the number of information actually indicated in the corresponding block is marked.

  In addition, among each of the blocks B1 to Bj-1 constituting the two-dimensional code 100, a cell composed of the last line that intersects the arrangement direction of each block indicates that it is the last line in the block. They are assigned as reference areas R1 to Rj-1. In the present embodiment, two cells in the reference regions R1 to Rj-1 are marked to form a pattern indicating the end on the last side in the block.

Of the blocks B1 to Bj constituting the two-dimensional code 100, the block Bj arranged at the end includes a cell consisting of the last line intersecting the arrangement direction of each block. Is assigned as a total area Tj indicating the total number of pieces of information shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), in the total number area Tj, cells other than the upper end and lower end cells are represented by numbers 1 to 9, 10 indicating the 1's place in the total number of information. Corresponding in the order of numbers 1 to 9 indicating the position.
(1-3) Recognition Processing by Two-Dimensional Code Reader Hereinafter, the processing procedure of recognition processing executed by the two-dimensional code reader 1 (the control unit 10 thereof) will be described with reference to FIG. This recognition process is started when an operation for starting the recognition process is performed on the operation unit 30.

  First, image data is acquired (s120). Here, image data indicating an image captured by the camera 50 or image data input from the medium via the media drive 40 is read into the built-in memory of the control unit 10.

  Next, for the image data acquired in s120, it is checked whether or not the two-dimensional code 100 exists in the image indicated by the image data (s130). Here, a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 100 is searched from the image indicated by the image data acquired in s120. Then, when such a pattern, that is, the specific areas S1 and Sj are detected, it is determined that the two-dimensional code 100 exists.

If it is determined in the search by s120 that the two-dimensional code 100 does not exist (s130: NO), the recognition process is terminated through notification to the user to that effect.
On the other hand, when it is determined by the search by s120 that the two-dimensional code 100 exists (s130: YES), the region of the two-dimensional code 100 is extracted from the image indicated by the image data (s140). Here, the region sandwiched between the specific regions S1 and Sj is extracted together with the specific regions S1 and Sj described above from the image indicated by the image data acquired in s120. Then, region image data indicating the region thus extracted is generated.

  Next, the area extracted in s140 is divided into areas for each block in the two-dimensional code 100 (s150). Here, the area image extracted in s140 is scanned in order from the first line to the last line, the last line in the block (reference area R1), and the next line to the last block in the next block. A line (reference area Ri (i = 2 to j−1)) is divided into respective areas from the next line to the point when the last line (total number area Tj) is detected. Each piece of divided image data representing an image is generated.

  Next, it is checked whether or not there is an unprocessed area among the areas for each block divided in s150 (s160). Here, it is checked whether or not there is an unprocessed divided image in which information is not recognized in the subsequent processing in the divided image indicated by the divided image data generated in s150.

  When it is determined that there is an unprocessed area in s160 (s160: YES), among the unprocessed areas, the area divided in s150 has the earliest order in the information indicated by the area. Recognition is performed (s170). Here, for the information area I of the block that is the corresponding divided image, after the position of the cell marked in each group is specified, the information associated with the position is specified. In the present embodiment, the internal memory of the control unit 10 stores a database in which the position of each cell in the two-dimensional code 100 and the information indicated by the cell are registered in association with each other. The registration contents in this database are as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this s170, the information associated with the position of the marked cell is specified with reference to this database. Then, an information string in which the information specified in each group is arranged in order from the first group to the last group is recognized as information indicated by the corresponding block B.

  Next, an error check is performed on the information recognized in s170 (s180). Here, first, after the position of the cell to which the mark is attached in the mark area M of the block B which is the corresponding divided image is specified, the information associated with the position, that is, the corresponding block B is displayed. The number of pieces of information (any one of 0 to 9) is specified based on the database. If the number of pieces of information matches the number of pieces of information constituting the information sequence recognized in s170, it is determined that recognition has been performed normally. On the other hand, if they do not match, it is a recognition error. Determined.

If it is determined in s180 that a recognition error has occurred (s180: YES), the recognition process ends.
On the other hand, when it is determined in s180 that the recognition has been normally performed (s180: NO), the process returns to s160, and thereafter, the process from s160 to s180 is repeated until all the blocks divided in s150 are performed. .

  If it is determined in s160 that there is no unprocessed area, that is, if s160 to s180 are performed for all the blocks (s160: NO), an error check of the number of information recognized so far is performed. Is performed (s200). Here, first, a region corresponding to the total number region Tj is extracted from the region whose information is to be recognized in s170 performed immediately before, that is, the last block Bj, and a mark is put in this region. The location of the existing cell is specified. Subsequently, information corresponding to the position thus specified is specified based on the database. The specification here is performed based on the above-mentioned database. However, if any of the numbers indicating the first place in the total number of information is not marked, the first place is “0”. ”Is specified, and if any of the numbers indicating the 10's place is not marked, the 10's place is specified as“ 0 ”. Then, it is determined whether or not the information string composed of each piece of information thus identified, that is, the total number of pieces of information indicated in the two-dimensional code 100, and the number of pieces of information recognized in s170 performed so far match. Checked. If it is determined by the check that the two match each other, it is determined that the recognition has been normally performed. On the other hand, if the two do not match, it is determined that a recognition error has occurred.

If it is determined in s200 that a recognition error has occurred (s200: YES), the recognition process ends.
On the other hand, when it is determined in s200 that the recognition has been normally performed (s200: NO), after the information string in which the pieces of information recognized in s170 performed so far are arranged is displayed on the display unit 20 (S190), the recognition process is terminated. In s190, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 30 after the information sequence is displayed on the display unit 20, the information sequence is recorded on the medium set in the RAM 16 or the media drive 40. .
(1-4) Actions and Effects In the above-described two-dimensional code 100, each block B is associated with individual cells arranged in m × n, and therefore is indicated by that block B. The cell to which the power information is associated is marked. That is, each block B indicates information by the position of the marked cell in the entire block B, not each cell constituting the block B.

  Therefore, in this two-dimensional code 100, even if characters or images unrelated to the two-dimensional code 100 are superimposed on each block, if the mark attached to the cell can be determined, the position of the mark in the entire block B is specified. It can be specified based on the patterns in the areas S1 and Sj. In addition, the marks attached to the cells of the specific areas S1 and Sj and the information areas I1 to Ij are assigned with colors for the information areas I1 to Ij, respectively. Therefore, after specifying the two-dimensional code 100 based on this color, it is possible to specify cells marked in each block B based on the specific areas S1 and Sj.

  Thus, with the above-described two-dimensional code 100, characters and images can be superimposed on the space where the two-dimensional code is arranged, so there is no need for a space for arranging only the two-dimensional code. Therefore, compared to a configuration that requires a space for arranging only the two-dimensional code, the degree of freedom of layout in the recording medium for recording the two-dimensional code can be increased.

  In addition, since there is no need for a space for arranging only the two-dimensional code, a large area (for example, the whole) of the recording medium can be used as a space for the two-dimensional code regardless of other characters and images recorded on the recording medium. It can also be used as Thereby, it is possible to increase the amount of information as the two-dimensional code 100 according to the area of the recording medium while preventing the degree of freedom of layout from being lowered.

  Further, in this configuration, if the correspondence relationship between each cell of each block B and the information is different, the information indicated by the two-dimensional code 100 can be completely different or meaningless. That is, in the two-dimensional code 100, unless the correspondence between each cell of each block B and information is known, the information indicated by the two-dimensional code 100 is prevented from being known to a third party. be able to. In order to secure such secrecy in each of many two-dimensional codes 100, it is effective to increase the correspondence between each block B cell and information.

  In the above-described embodiment, each block of the two-dimensional code 100 is divided into a plurality of groups in which the same information is associated with the corresponding cells. Therefore, each block B can have a plurality of information corresponding to the number of groups. Thereby, the density of information in the two-dimensional code 100 can be increased.

  A mark area M is assigned to each block B of the two-dimensional code 100. In this mark area M, the number of information that can be indicated in the corresponding block B is associated, and a cell corresponding to the number of information actually indicated is marked. Therefore, a pattern formed by appropriately marking the corresponding cell in the mark area M can be used as a criterion for determining whether or not the information recognized in each block B is correct information. Specifically, in s170 and s180 of FIG. 3, if the number of information specified from each group of the block B is different from the number of groups specified based on the mark area M, Judged that the number of identified information is wrong. As a result, information cannot be recognized even if information is mistakenly specified for the group in which the cell is not marked among the groups of the block B, or the cell is marked. It can be determined whether or not a recognition error has occurred.

Further, the total number area Tj is assigned to the last block B in the two-dimensional code 100. In this total area Tj, the total number of information indicated in the two-dimensional code 100 is associated, and a cell corresponding to the actual total number of information is marked (except in the case of 0). Therefore, a pattern formed by marking the corresponding cells in the total number region Tj can be used as a criterion for determining whether or not the number of information strings recognized in the two-dimensional code 100 is the correct number. Specifically, in s200 of FIG. 3, if the total number of information specified based on the total area Tj is different from the number of recognized information, the number of information recognized in the two-dimensional code 100 Is judged to be wrong. As a result, in the two-dimensional code 100, when information is mistakenly specified for a group in which a cell is not marked, or information is not recognized even though a cell is marked. It can be determined whether or not there has been a recognition error.
(1-5) Modifications Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various forms are possible as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it can be taken.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the blocks in the two-dimensional code 100 are arranged in a line is illustrated. However, each block may have a configuration other than this.

  In the above embodiment, each block in the two-dimensional code 100 is illustrated as having a configuration in which square cells are arranged. However, as long as the cells constituting each block can be arranged in m × n, it may have a configuration in which cells made of polygons other than squares such as triangles and rectangles are arranged.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the specific areas S1 and Sj are assigned to the first and last blocks B1 and Bj in the two-dimensional code 100 is exemplified. However, the specific area S may be assigned to only the first block B1, for example. In this case, if the specific area S1 is specified in s130 of FIG. 3, the area from the specific area S1 to the position away from the specific area S1 toward the tail end by the number of blocks B constituting the two-dimensional code 100 in s140 of FIG. May be specified as a region corresponding to the two-dimensional code 100.

  The specific area S may be assigned only to the last block Bj. In this case, the specific area Sj is specified in s130 of FIG. 3, and the area from the specific area Sj to the position separated from the specific area Sj by the number of blocks B constituting the two-dimensional code 100 in s130 of FIG. The region may be specified as a region corresponding to the two-dimensional code 100.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure in which the pattern for pinpointing the position of the two-dimensional code 100 was formed by marking the cell of the upper end and lower end in specific area | region S1, Sj was illustrated. However, the pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 100 may have a configuration in which marks other than those described above are marked. In particular, it is desirable to mark each cell so that the pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 100 is vertically asymmetric or left-right asymmetric with respect to the center of the two-dimensional code 100. In this case, even when the two-dimensional code 100 is upside down or left and right, the two-dimensional code 100 can be properly recognized after correcting the pattern to be normal.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which has shown that the mark was attached to the cell by filling up the cell was illustrated. However, the mode for marking a cell is not limited to this. For example, recording a specific symbol in a cell, recording a specific figure (for example, various figures such as a circle and a polygon), and the like may be handled as a mark on the cell.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it is comprised so that the mark attached | subjected to the cell of specific area | region S1, Sj and information area | region I1-Ij may be in the state where the mark was attached by filling the cell with a special color. The example was shown. However, the marks attached to the cells in the specific areas S1 and Sj and the information areas I1 to Ij may be attached in the same color as long as they can be easily distinguished from each other such as different symbols or figures.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure by which each block of the two-dimensional code 100 was divided into the some group by which the same information was matched with the cell which respond | corresponds in each was illustrated. However, a configuration in which different pieces of information are associated with each cell arranged in m × n of blocks, that is, a configuration in which each block indicates a single piece of information may be employed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the error check is performed based on the mark in the mark area M in s180 of FIG. However, the error check may be realized by other methods.

  For example, in the block B of the two-dimensional code 200, not only the information indicated by the group but also the information for error check are associated with each group of cells, and based on this, s180 in FIG. May be configured to perform error checking.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the error check information here includes the letters a to t of the alphabet in order from the bottom along the last line in each cell constituting each group. It can be considered that alphabets u to z, four types of symbols (−, _,...), And numbers 0 to 9 are associated as error check information in order from the bottom along the line. As a result, the information indicated by the group is associated with a plurality of cells. FIG. 4C shows a state in which only the information shown in each group is associated with the cells in each group (same as FIG. 2B).

  In this case, not only the cell associated with the information to be shown in the group but also the cell associated with the same error check information as that information is marked. However, if the information to be shown in the group exists in the last line, when marking the cell associated with the error check information, the adjacent cell in the group (the left neighbor in FIG. 2) The cell is also marked. Here, FIG. 4A shows a state in which the corresponding cell is marked based on the same information as FIG.

  With this configuration, not only an error check based on the mark area M as described above, but also an error check based on error check information can be performed.

Specifically, it may be configured such that the following processing is performed after “YES” is determined in s160 of FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the position of the cell to which the mark is attached in the group is specified (s162). Here, of the leading line in the group, a marked cell is specified, and when only one cell is specified, the position of the cell is specified as information indicated by the group. . On the other hand, when two cells are specified, the position of a cell that is not marked on the cell on the right side (the last side) is specified as error check information indicated by the group. Next, the marked cell in the last line in the group is identified, and if that cell is a cell in which the cell on the left (top side) is marked, this cell's The position is specified as information indicated by the group. On the other hand, if the cell on the left is not marked, the position of this cell is specified as error check information indicated by the group.

  Next, as information corresponding to each position specified in s162, information indicated in each group and information for error check are specified from the database (s164). Here, it is assumed that a database in which the position of each cell in the two-dimensional code 100 is associated with the information indicated by the cell and the information for error check is stored in the built-in memory of the control unit 10. Based on this, information is specified. The registration contents in the database in this case are as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

  Then, it is checked whether or not the information specified in s164 matches (s166). If they match (s166: YES), the process proceeds to s170, but if they do not match (s166: NO), The recognition process ends.

  With this configuration, in the two-dimensional code 100, a plurality of cells are checked in the same group. Therefore, if the information associated with the two marked cells matches, the probability that the information is information indicated by a group is high. On the other hand, if the information associated with the two cells does not match, the information associated with at least one of the cells is incorrect, and the cell that is not the cell that should be marked is marked. Or, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the location of the marked cell is specified by mistake.

  As a result, in each group of blocks, it is checked whether or not there is a mistake such as a cell that is not a cell to be marked is marked or the location of the marked cell is wrong. can do.

In addition, as the above-described usage method of the two-dimensional code 100, a usage method other than displaying the information indicated by the two-dimensional code 100 on the display unit 20 can be considered as described above. For example, a method of using the two-dimensional code 100 to indicate an access destination (address) for accessing a specific website and accessing the access destination via a network is conceivable. For this purpose, the group of blocks B constituting the two-dimensional code 100 may be provided by the number of characters to be accessed. However, the access destination to the web page is a character string including a character string (for example, a top level domain such as www, jp, and com) that is not different for each web page. Therefore, it is preferable to assign a cell in which these character strings are associated to any block B. As a specific example for this purpose, for example, a cell to which no information is associated among the mark area M1 in the head block B1 may be allocated. In this case, in step s170 of FIG. 3, the head block B1 is assigned. It is sufficient to configure so that information in this area is also recognized when the process is performed.
(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Overall Configuration The two-dimensional code reader in this embodiment has the same configuration as the two-dimensional code reader 1 in the first embodiment.
(2-2) Two-dimensional code Since the two-dimensional code reader of this embodiment is for reading the two-dimensional code 200 shown below, the two-dimensional code 200 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the two-dimensional code 200, cells C11 to Cpn are arranged on a black background area 210 in p × n (in this embodiment, p = 5, n = 8, and so on). It has a configuration. Each cell C is arranged in a state where a certain gap is provided.

  The cells C21 to Cpn in the second and subsequent rows constituting the two-dimensional code 200 are divided into cell groups each including one or more cells C for each row, and information to be indicated by the cell groups is associated with the cells. Filled with a different color or combination of colors. Hereinafter, the filling of the cell C is referred to as “the cell C can be marked”.

  Among the cells C in each row, the cells C11 to Cp1 located at the head (left end in FIG. 6, the same applies hereinafter) are assigned as specific cells for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 200. A pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 200 is formed by the color (black (k) in this embodiment) attached to the specific cell and the background area 210.

Further, the cells C11 to C1n in the first row are reference areas in which marks are added in order by all the colors of marks that can be attached to the cells C of the two-dimensional code 200. In this embodiment, as the color of the mark that can be attached to the cell C, each cell is black (k), cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), red (r), green (g). , Blue (b), white (w) in this order.
(2-3) Recognition Processing by Two-Dimensional Code Reader Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the recognition processing executed by the two-dimensional code reader (control unit thereof) will be described with reference to FIG. This recognition process is started when an operation for starting the recognition process is performed on the operation unit 30.

First, similar to s120 of FIG. 3, image data is acquired (s220).
Next, for the image data acquired in s220, it is checked whether or not a two-dimensional code exists in the image indicated by the image data (s230). Here, first, a color other than a region having a color component used for marking the cell C of the two-dimensional code 200 is filled with an irrelevant color from the image indicated by the image data acquired in s220. The component is rendered meaningless. Subsequently, a search for a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 200 is performed with priority given to a region having a color component that has not been rendered meaningless. Then, when such a pattern, that is, a region including the specific cell and the background region 210 is detected, it is determined that the two-dimensional code 200 exists.

When it is determined by the search by s220 that the two-dimensional code 200 does not exist (s230: NO), the recognition process ends.
On the other hand, when it is determined by the search by s220 that the two-dimensional code 200 exists (s230: YES), the area of the two-dimensional code 200 is extracted from the image indicated by the image data (s240). Here, from the image indicated by the image data acquired in s220, regions that are patterns for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 200 are extracted as regions of the two-dimensional code 200, respectively. Then, each image data composed of the region images extracted in this way is generated.

  Next, it is checked whether there is an unprocessed area among the areas of the two-dimensional code 200 extracted in s240 (s242). Here, it is checked whether or not there is an unprocessed area in which cell C is not divided and information is not recognized in the subsequent processes in the area of the two-dimensional code 200 extracted in s240. .

  If it is determined in s242 that an unprocessed area exists (s242: YES), among the unprocessed areas, the area extracted in s240 in the earliest order is referred to as the reference area. A region is extracted (s250). Here, cells C11 to C1n in the first row in the two-dimensional code 200 are extracted from the region extracted in s240. Then, each of the image data including the reference area and the area from which the reference area is removed is generated from the area extracted in s240.

  Next, of the areas extracted in s240, the area excluding the reference area is divided into areas for each cell C (s260). In this example, the area from which the reference area has been removed is sequentially scanned from the beginning to the last cell in each row, and after the color (black) of the background area 210 is detected, the color of the background area 210 (black) is detected next. It is divided into each area until is detected. Then, each of the divided image data indicating the divided images thus divided is generated.

  Next, for each area for each cell C divided in s260, the information indicated in the area is recognized (s270). Here, first, it is checked which color in the reference area extracted in s250 is the mark attached to each cell C, which is a divided image, in the order of division. In the present embodiment, the internal memory of the control unit 10 stores a database in which each color or combination thereof in the reference area is registered in association with a character string made up of one or more numbers or alphabets. For this reason, after checking in which color in the reference area each mark attached to each cell C is checked, information associated with the color of the position or the combination thereof is stored in the database. Specified based on.

  Thus, if recognition by s270 is performed, it will return to s242 and will repeat from s242 to s270 until it is performed with respect to all the two-dimensional codes 200 extracted in s240.

If it is determined in s242 that there is no unprocessed area, that is, if s242 to s270 are performed on all the two-dimensional codes 200 (s242: NO), each information recognized in s270 is displayed. After the arranged information strings are displayed on the display unit 20 (s290), the recognition process is terminated. In s290, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 30 after the information sequence is displayed on the display unit 20, the information sequence is recorded on the medium set in the RAM 16 or the media drive 40. .
(2-4) Actions and Effects In the above-described embodiment, each cell group including one or more cells C in the two-dimensional code 200 has a color or a combination of colors associated with information to be indicated by the cell group. A mark will be attached. That is, each cell group has an information amount corresponding to the number of colors to be marked or the type of color combination.

  Therefore, in the two-dimensional code 200, by increasing the number of colors that can be marked, the information amount of each cell group can be increased without increasing the space for arranging the two-dimensional code 200. it can. Therefore, even if the amount of information as the two-dimensional code 200 is increased, the degree of freedom of layout in the recording medium on which the two-dimensional code 200 is recorded does not decrease.

  Further, in this configuration, if the correspondence relationship between each cell group and information is different, the information indicated by the two-dimensional code can be completely different or meaningless. In other words, in the two-dimensional code 200, the information indicated by the two-dimensional code 200 is prevented from being obtained by a third party unless the correspondence between each cell group and information is known. it can. In order to secure such secrecy in each of many two-dimensional codes 200, it is effective to increase the correspondence between each cell group and information.

  Further, in the two-dimensional code 200, the cell C located at the head of each row is assigned as a specific cell, and a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code 200 is formed by the color attached to the specific cell. Yes. Therefore, the position of the two-dimensional code 200 can be specified with reference to this specific cell. Specifically, the position of the two-dimensional code 200 is specified based on the specific cell and the background region 210 in s230 of FIG. Then, in FIG. S240, the area of the pattern formed by the head cell C as the specific cell and the background area 210 can be specified as the area of the two-dimensional code 200.

  In the above embodiment, the first line in the two-dimensional code 200 is assigned as the reference area. In this reference area, the colors of marks that can be attached to the cell C are arranged in a predetermined order. For this reason, it is possible to identify the position of the mark assigned to each cell in the reference area by comparing with this.

  That is, in this configuration, the color of the mark attached to the cell C is determined in comparison with the reference area regardless of which color is actually read from the cell C. Therefore, even if the color of the mark attached to the cell C is erroneously read due to the influence of the surrounding environment, the color can be specified accurately.

  Then, in s270 of FIG. 7, the information indicated by the cell group including one or more cells C can be specified by specifying the information associated with the color or the combination specified in this manner from the database.

  Further, in s230 of FIG. 7, when checking whether or not the two-dimensional code 200 is present in the image, there is no region other than the color component used to mark the cell C of the two-dimensional code 200. After the meaning is made, the check is performed with priority on the area having the color component which is not made meaningless. The meaningless area is an area of a color component that is not used to mark the cell C of the two-dimensional code 200. Therefore, the two-dimensional code 200 does not exist in such an area. Therefore, as described above, the two-dimensional code 200 in the image can be specified in a short time if the check is performed with priority given to a region having a color component that has not been rendered meaningless.

  Further, by making the color components meaningless, it becomes easy to specify a region having a color component that is not meaningless. Therefore, it can be expected to shorten the time until the two-dimensional code 200 is specified.

  Further, in the above embodiment, each region of the two-dimensional code 200 is extracted from the image (s240 in FIG. 7), and the processing until the information recognition is repeatedly performed on each region (s242 to s270). Therefore, even when a plurality of two-dimensional codes 200 are arranged in an image, information indicated by each two-dimensional code 200 can be recognized as a series of information strings. As a result, in order to recognize a series of information strings each composed of a plurality of two-dimensional codes 200, the user separates image data indicating an image in which the two-dimensional code 200 is arranged for each two-dimensional code 200. It is not necessary to generate as image data.

For example, if the image data is acquired by the camera 50, it is only necessary to acquire the image data by photographing all the images including the two-dimensional code 200. As a result, a large amount of information consisting of a plurality of two-dimensional codes 200 can be recognized even from a location separated by a distance determined by the relationship between the resolution of the camera 50 and the size of each cell C in the two-dimensional code 200. it can.
(2-5) Modifications The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various forms are possible as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it can be taken.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first cell C of each row of the two-dimensional code 200 is assigned as a specific cell has been illustrated. However, the last cell Cn may be assigned as a specific cell.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, what was comprised so that the area | region of the two-dimensional code 200 might be specified based on the specific cell and the background area | region 210 by s230, s240 of FIG. However, the area of the two-dimensional code 200 may be specified only by a specific cell. For example, if the first (or last) cell is a specific cell, an area corresponding to the area from the first (or last) cell C to the last (or first) cell C, which is a specific cell. Can be specified as the region of the two-dimensional code 200.

  If both the first cell C and the last cell C are assigned as specific cells, an area sandwiched between the first cell C and the last cell C, which are specific cells, is represented by the two-dimensional code 200. It can be specified as a region.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which showed that the mark was attached to the cell C by having painted the cell C was illustrated. However, for example, a specific symbol is recorded in the cell C, a specific figure (for example, various figures such as a circle and a polygon) is recorded, etc., so that the cell C is marked. It may be.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure by which the cells C11-C1n of the uppermost row in the two-dimensional code 200 were allocated as a reference area was illustrated. However, as long as the reference area is provided at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the cells C arranged in m × n, the reference area may be provided at another position (m = p−1).

  In the above embodiment, when a plurality of two-dimensional codes 200 are arranged in an image, the information indicated by each two-dimensional code 200 is recognized as a series of information strings (FIG. 7). s290) The configuration is exemplified. However, the information indicated by each two-dimensional code 200 may be recognized as different information.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when it is checked whether or not a two-dimensional code exists in the image, extraction of patterns for each of a plurality of regions constituting the image is tried in a predetermined order. You may comprise as follows. In this case, the pattern extraction for each of the plurality of regions is performed, for example, in the order in which the probability that the two-dimensional code 200 is arranged is high (for example, from the region located at the edge of the image to the region located at the center). If the attempts are made in the order of heading, it can be expected to shorten the time until the image area indicated by the two-dimensional code 200 is specified. In addition, when the user knows the optimum region of the image on which the two-dimensional code 200 is to be placed and tries to extract a pattern from the region, the user places an image in which the two-dimensional code 200 is placed in the optimum region. On the condition that the two-dimensional code reader 1 obtains it (s220 in FIG. 7), the time until the image region indicated by the two-dimensional code 200 is specified can be further shortened.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure by which one reference area was provided with respect to the two-dimensional code 200 was illustrated. However, this reference area may be provided for each of one or several rows of cells.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when performing information recognition about the two-dimensional code 200, what was comprised so that information recognition was always performed based on a reference area was illustrated (s250-s270 of FIG. 7). However, information may be recognized based on the reference area only when the color of the mark attached to each cell of the two-dimensional code 200 cannot be specified. For this purpose, for example, the following configuration may be used. That is, if “YES” is determined in s242 of FIG. 7, it is checked whether or not the color of each cell C excluding the reference area has been identified. Here, the process proceeds to s250 only when the color cannot be identified. On the other hand, if the color can be identified, it is preferable to shift to s260 without performing s250 and to recognize information in s270. In s270 in this case, first, it is checked in which color the mark attached to each cell C as a divided image is attached in the divided order. Here, it is assumed that the internal memory of the control unit 10 also stores a database in which character strings made up of one or more numbers or alphabets are associated with each color or combination thereof. Therefore, after checking in which color the mark attached to each cell C is attached, information associated with the color or a combination thereof is specified based on the database.

  With this configuration, even when the color of the mark attached to each cell cannot be accurately determined, the information indicated by the cell group including one or more cells is compared with the color in the reference area. And can be specified accurately.

In this reference area, all colors associated with information are arranged in a predetermined order. For this reason, it is possible to identify the position of the mark assigned to each cell in the reference area by comparing with this. Then, the color of the mark attached to the cell can be judged by comparing with the reference area regardless of which color is actually read from the cell. Even if it is erroneously read due to environmental influences, the color can be accurately identified.
(3) Correspondence with the Present Invention In the embodiment described above, s120 in FIG. 3 is an image acquisition means in the present invention, s130 and s140 are area specifying means in the present invention, and s150 is block specifying in the present invention. S170 is a cell specifying means and information recognition means in the present invention.

  7 is an image acquisition means in the present invention, s230 and s240 are area specifying means in the present invention, s270 is a cell specifying means and information recognition means in the present invention, and s250 is a reference in the present invention. Extraction means.

Block diagram showing the configuration of a two-dimensional code reader The figure which shows the two-dimensional code in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the recognition process in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the two-dimensional code as a modification of 1st Embodiment The flowchart which shows the recognition process in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the two-dimensional code in 2nd Embodiment The flowchart which shows the recognition process as a modification of 2nd Embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Two-dimensional code reader, 10 ... Control part, 20 ... Display part, 30 ... Operation part, 40 ... Media drive, 50 ... Camera, 100 ... Two-dimensional code, 200 ... Two-dimensional code, 210 ... Background area, B ... Block, C ... cell, I ... information area, M ... mark area, R ... reference area, S ... specific area, T ... total area.

Claims (13)

Each of which is a two-dimensional code composed of a plurality of blocks in which cells are arranged in m × n (m and n are 1 or more positive numbers),
Among the plurality of blocks, a predetermined block has an area composed of one or more cells assigned as a specific area for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code, and is attached to a cell in the specific area. A pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code is formed by the mark,
In each of the blocks, predetermined information is associated with each cell arranged in m × n, and a cell associated with information to be shown in the block is marked .
further,
Each of the blocks is divided into a plurality of groups, and the same information is associated with the corresponding cells in each of the plurality of groups, and each of the groups is marked with a cell associated with information to be indicated by the group. Two-dimensional code characterized by being attached . The plurality of blocks are arranged in a line,
Among the plurality of blocks, a block arranged at the head is assigned with a cell composed of one head line intersecting with the block arrangement direction as the specific area, and the block arranged at the end 2. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein a cell including one line at the end intersecting with the arrangement direction of the blocks is assigned as the specific region. 3. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein in the block, cells in the specific area are marked with a color for the specific area. In each of the blocks, an area composed of one or more cells is assigned as a mark area for representing the number of groups having marked cells, and the marks attached to the cells in the mark area The two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a pattern representing the number of groups having marked cells is formed. The plurality of blocks are each arranged in a line,
Each group of the blocks is defined by a plurality of cells arranged along a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the blocks, and each cell can have the same information as the information that can be indicated by the group. Information for error checking is assigned,
Each group of blocks is marked with a cell associated with the information to be indicated by the group and a cell associated with the same error check information as the information.
The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein: Two adjacent lines when a line composed of a plurality of cells arranged along a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the blocks is defined as a group of the blocks,
For each cell in each group, each piece of information that can be shown in that group goes from one end side to the other end side in the leading line and then from one end side to the other end side in the last line. Corresponding and the same error check information as the corresponding information is directed from the other end side to the one end side in the last line, and then from the other end side to the one end side in the head side line. Are associated in the order of
Each group is marked with a cell associated with the information to be indicated by the group and a cell associated with the same error check information as the information, and the information to be indicated by the group. Exists in the last line, the cell to which the same error check information as the information is associated and the cell of the same group adjacent to the cell are also marked.
The two-dimensional code according to claim 5. Each of said groups, the two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information represented by the group into a plurality of cells is associated. The plurality of blocks are arranged in a line,
In the block arranged at the end, a cell consisting of one line at the end intersecting the arrangement direction of each block is allocated as a total area indicating the total number of information indicated in the two-dimensional code. 8. The two-dimensional code according to claim 1, wherein one or more cells corresponding to the total number of information indicated in the two-dimensional code among the cells in the region are marked . Each block is composed of a plurality of blocks each having m × n cells arranged therein , and each block is divided into a plurality of groups, and the same information is associated with the corresponding cells in each of the plurality of groups. A two-dimensional code reader that recognizes information by reading the two-dimensional code (m and n are positive numbers of 1 or more),
Image acquisition means for acquiring an image indicating the two-dimensional code;
Area specifying means for specifying an image area indicated by the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquiring means;
Block specifying means for specifying each of the blocks constituting the two-dimensional code from the image area specified by the area specifying means;
For each block specified by the block specifying means, a cell specifying means for specifying a cell for each group marked in the block;
Information specifying means for specifying each information for each group corresponding to the cell specified by the cell specifying means based on a database in which the correspondence relationship between the cells and the information is registered ;
Information recognition means for recognizing an information string comprising information for each group specified by the information specifying means as information indicated by the block of the two-dimensional code to which the group belongs ,
In the two-dimensional code, a predetermined block has an area composed of one or more cells allocated as a specific area for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code, and is attached to a cell in the specific area. A pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code is formed by the mark,
The region specifying unit extracts a pattern for specifying the position of the two-dimensional code from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit, and the region in which the pattern is formed in advance constitutes the two-dimensional code. A two-dimensional code reader, characterized in that an image region indicated by the entire two-dimensional code is specified as a region composed of a plurality of cells in a predetermined block. In the two-dimensional code, each group of a plurality of blocks arranged in a line is defined by a plurality of cells arranged along a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction, and each cell is indicated by the group. Each information that can be used and the same error check information as the information are assigned, and each block group is associated with a cell associated with information to be indicated by the group, and the same information as the information. The cell with the error check information associated with it is marked,
The cell specifying unit specifies, for each block specified by the block specifying unit, a cell marked in the block for each group, and information to be indicated in the group based on the position of the cell. Identify the associated cell and the cell to which the error check information for that group is associated,
The information specifying unit specifies, for each cell in the same group specified by the cell specifying unit, information corresponding to the cell based on a database in which a correspondence relationship between the cell and the information is registered,
When the information of the same group specified by the information specifying means matches, the information recognition means indicates an information string composed of information to be shown in each group by the block of the two-dimensional code to which the group belongs. Recognized as information
The two-dimensional code reader according to claim 9. The two-dimensional code is
  Two adjacent lines when a line composed of a plurality of cells arranged along a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the blocks is defined as a group of the blocks,
For each cell in each group, each piece of information that can be shown in that group corresponds in order from one end to the other end in the last line after moving from one end to the other end in the first line In addition, the same error check information that is associated with the information is transferred from the other end side to the one end side in the last line and then from the other end side to the one end side in the first line. It is associated with the order of heading,
Each of the groups is marked with a cell associated with the information to be indicated by the group and a cell associated with the same error check information as the information, and should be indicated by the group. If the information is present on the last line, the cell associated with the same error check information as the information and the cell of the same group adjacent to the cell are also marked. ,
The cell specifying means includes
If only one cell is marked in the first line of each group, the cell is identified as a cell to which the information indicated in the group is associated. If there are two cells, the cell that is not marked in the adjacent cell in the same group is identified as the cell associated with the error check information in that group. And
Also, if the marked cell of the last line in each group is also marked in the same group of adjacent cells, the cell in the last line is If it is specified as the information indicated by the group but the adjacent cell of the same group is not marked, the cell in the last line is used as the error check information for the group. Identifies as associated cell
The two-dimensional code reader according to claim 10. The two-dimensional code includes a plurality of blocks arranged in a line, and a cell arranged in the last line intersecting the arrangement direction of each block in a block arranged at the last in the two-dimensional code. Assigned as a total area indicating the total number of information to be displayed, and among the cells in the total area, one or more cells corresponding to the total number of information indicated in the two-dimensional code are marked Because
A total number specifying means for specifying the total number of information indicated in the two-dimensional code based on the cells of the total number area in the last block among the cells specified by the cell specifying means,
The information recognizing means, when the total number of information specified by the total number specifying means and the total number of information specified by the information specifying means match, each information for each group specified by the information specifying means An information sequence consisting of is recognized as information indicated by the block of the two-dimensional code to which the group belongs.
The two-dimensional code reader according to any one of claims 9 to 11. A program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the two-dimensional code reader according to any one of claims 9 to 12 to function as all means.