JP4410712B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and, for example, relates to an apparatus that prints an original image using an image in which ID information is embedded in a frequency domain as a background.

In recent years, additional information is attached to an image by embedding a digital watermark in the image or printing a two-dimensional barcode near the image.
Digital watermarks and two-dimensional barcodes are associated with, for example, URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), and a user shoots an image or two-dimensional barcode with an embedded digital watermark with a mobile phone camera. A mobile phone can be automatically connected to a specified website.

  In general, an image having such additional information is performed by using an advanced printing apparatus installed in a printing factory or the like. However, like a receipt described in Patent Document 1 below, a cash provided at a store is provided. A technique for printing additional information with a small-scale printing apparatus having only a rough printing function such as a register receipt printing apparatus has also been proposed.

JP 2000-235669 A

  According to the present invention, additional information is embedded in a receipt with a two-dimensional barcode, and exceptional processing such as return / exchange of goods is efficiently performed using the information.

  However, when a code read by a machine such as a two-dimensional bar code is printed on a print medium having a limited print area such as a receipt, there is a problem that the area of the area where information read by the user is printed is compressed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to efficiently print a code read by a machine and information read by a user on a limited printing surface.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention differs from an ID image acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of ID images defining ID information in a frequency domain and stores them in a storage unit, and the acquired plurality of ID images, respectively. Print color setting means for setting a print color for printing in print color; notation information acquisition means for acquiring notation information composed of at least one of a character, an image, and Braille; In a plurality of ID images in which print colors are set, print information generation means for generating print information in which information of a portion where the acquired notation information is printed is replaced by the notation information, and the generated print information is used. And a printing unit that prints the plurality of ID images and the notation information on a print medium (first configuration).
In the first configuration, the print color may be configured to be one of the three primary colors (second configuration).
In the first configuration or the second configuration, an ID information acquisition unit that acquires ID information and stores the ID information in a storage unit, and an ID image generation unit that generates an ID image that defines the acquired ID information in a frequency domain The ID image acquisition means can also be configured to acquire the generated ID image (third configuration).

  According to the present invention, a code read by a machine and information read by a user can be efficiently printed on a limited printing surface.

(1) Outline of Embodiment An ID pattern is defined in the frequency domain, and this is transformed by inverse Fourier transform. The ID pattern becomes a pattern (ID image: hereinafter referred to as ID background image) dispersed by the inverse Fourier transform.
The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment prints a plurality of ID background images with different colors separable by a filter, and a notation formed of characters, images (designs), braille, etc. on the ID background image. Print information.

As described above, a plurality of ID background images are printed with different colors superimposed, and a large amount of information is printed on a limited print surface by multiplexing the ID background images printed on the print surface. Can do.
The ID background image printed in a superimposed manner can be separated by filtering a captured image obtained by capturing the ID background image.
For example, when ID background images are printed with three primary colors superimposed, these ID background images can be separated by passing through filters of the three primary colors.

By the way, although the ID background image is damaged at the portion where the notation information is printed, the ID pattern can be restored by Fourier transforming the pattern of the remaining portion of the ID background image.
In experiments, it has been confirmed that the original ID pattern can be restored even if the ID background image is lost to about 50%.

In the present embodiment, a print medium on which notation information is printed using an ID background image as a background is photographed by a camera of a mobile phone, and the photographed image data is transmitted from the mobile phone to the URL server device.
The URL server receives the captured image data from the mobile phone, filters and separates it, and then performs Fourier transform to extract an ID pattern for each ID background image of each color.

The URL server stores the ID pattern and the URL in association with each other, generates screen data for displaying the top screen using the URL associated with the extracted ID pattern, and transmits the screen data to the mobile phone.
On the top screen displayed by this screen data, a plurality of URLs associated with the ID pattern are displayed in a selectable manner. That is, the top screen displayed on the mobile phone can be set (customized) by the ID background image printed in a superimposed manner.

When the user selects a URL displayed on the screen of the mobile phone, the mobile phone connects to a website designated by the selected URL and uses a service provided by the website.
As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of URLs are associated with the print medium via the ID background image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the concept of an ID background image.
First, in the present embodiment, an ID pattern 10 that is ID information is defined in the frequency domain.
The ID pattern 10 is configured by dispersing an ID pattern component 16 composed of points on the circumference of an inner circumference circle and an outer circumference circle.

The origin of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis is on the low frequency side, and the higher the frequency is, the farther from the origin.
This is an example of an ID pattern, and various ID patterns can be defined using parameters such as the number of circles and the radius of the circle.

When the ID pattern 10 is subjected to inverse Fourier transform, an ID background image 11 in the real space is obtained. The ID background image 11 has a pattern diffused throughout the image.
When defining the ID pattern, it is desirable to select an image in which the image after the inverse Fourier transform is dispersed throughout the image.

An ID background image 11 is obtained by inverse Fourier transform of the ID pattern 10, but there is a relationship that an ID pattern can be obtained by Fourier transform of the ID background image 11.
As described above, when an appropriate ID pattern is selected and Fourier-transformed, information for restoring the ID pattern is diffused throughout the image, and resistance to processing such as compression and cropping occurs.

  That is, since the information defining the ID pattern is diffused throughout the image, the ID pattern can be restored from the information remaining in the image even if the image is enlarged or reduced, or part of the image is cut out.

In the present embodiment, the ID background image 11 is binarized to be printed by a small printing apparatus such as a cash register receipt printing mechanism, and a binarized ID background image 12 is generated.
Then, the density of the binarized ID background image 12 is adjusted so that the notation information can be seen, and the notation information is printed using the ID background image 12 as a background to generate a printed matter 13.
In the printed matter 13, character information “Tomorrow is a special sale date” is printed as the notation information 14.

When digital image data obtained by photographing the printed matter 13 with a camera is Fourier transformed, an ID pattern 15 is obtained.
In the ID pattern 15, the ID pattern component 16 is restored, and the frequency component 17 of the notation information 14 is formed.
Since the frequency component 17 of the written information 14 tends to be distributed toward the low frequency side, the ID pattern component 16 can be identified and extracted from the frequency component 17.

  By extracting the ID pattern component 16 restored by the ID pattern 15 in this way and confirming the coincidence with the ID pattern component 16 of the ID pattern 10, the ID information included in the printed matter 13 can be specified. it can.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining multiplexing of the ID background image configured as described above. Here, the two ID patterns 10 and the ID pattern 10a are multiplexed.

  Here, as an example, the ID pattern 10 is configured by arranging points representing ID pattern components on concentric inner and outer circles at equal intervals, and the ID pattern 10 a is an inner circle of the ID pattern 10. Further, a point representing an ID pattern component is arranged on a smaller diameter circumference.

The ID patterns 10 and 10a are each binarized after inverse Fourier transform, and the ID background images 12 and 12a are obtained by adjusting the density if necessary.
Here, three primary colors are employed as colors for multiplexing the ID background image, the ID background image 12 is printed in red, and the ID background image 12a is printed in blue.

  The printed matter 13 is obtained by printing the ID background image 12 in red and overlaying the ID background image 12 in blue. Further, notation information 14 is printed on these background images.

In the printed matter 13 configured as described above, the ID background image 12 and the ID background image 12a can be separated by photographing the printed matter 13 and filtering the image with red and blue filters.
Then, the ID pattern 10 and the ID pattern 10a can be restored by Fourier transforming the separated ID background image 12 and ID background image 12a, respectively.
As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of ID patterns can be recorded on the same printing surface by printing the ID background images in multiple colors that can be separated.

As described above, in this embodiment, by defining an ID pattern using a plurality of color materials, it is possible to efficiently print a code read by a machine and information read by a user on a limited printing surface.
In the above example, the case where two ID patterns are multiplexed has been described as an example, but more ID patterns can be multiplexed.

(2) Details of Embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment.
The information providing system 1 includes a URL server 2, a printer 3, a receipt 4, a mobile phone 5, a service server 6, and the like.
In FIG. 3, only one printer 3 and one mobile phone 5 are shown. However, the printer 3 exists for each printer user, and the mobile phone 5 exists for each mobile phone user.

  The URL server 2 includes an ID database in which an ID pattern and a URL are associated with each other. The URL server 2 is a server device that provides an ID background image to the printer 3 and provides a URL to the mobile phone 5 using the ID database.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the logical configuration of the ID database.
The ID database 19 includes items such as “ID registration number”, “ID pattern”, “URL”, and “site name”.
The “ID registration number” is a management number for managing ID patterns and URLs, and is uniquely assigned to each set of ID patterns and URLs.

In the “ID pattern”, an image defining the ID pattern (corresponding to the ID pattern 10 in FIG. 1) is stored.
“URL” stores a URL which is connection information for connecting to a predetermined website.

  The “site name” stores the name of the website specified by “URL”. This name is displayed on the selection button so that the mobile phone user can later select a website on the top screen.

  In the ID database 19, an ID pattern, a URL, and a website name are stored in association with each other. When an ID pattern is specified, a corresponding URL and a website name are obtained.

Next, an ID information providing function to the printer 3 that the URL server 2 has will be described.
The URL server 2 and the printer 3 are arranged to be connectable via a network such as the Internet, for example, and the URL server 2 provides ID information to the printer 3 in the form of an ID background image via the network.

In the present embodiment, the URL server 2 generates an ID background image by performing an inverse Fourier transform on the ID pattern, and further binarizes the ID background image (corresponding to the ID background image 12 in FIG. 1). Send to.
Thus, by binarizing the ID background image and transmitting it to the printer 3, image processing in the printer 3 becomes unnecessary and the amount of data transmitted from the URL server 2 to the printer 3 may be reduced. it can.

Note that this is an example, and the URL server 2 may send an ID pattern to the printer 3, and the printer 3 may perform inverse Fourier transform and binarization, or the URL server 2 may perform up to inverse Fourier transform. The printer 3 may be configured to perform binarization.
That is, an ID information acquisition unit that acquires an ID pattern (ID information) and stores it in a storage unit, and an ID image generation unit that generates an ID background image (ID image) that defines the ID pattern in the frequency domain, It may be provided in either the server 2 or the printer 3.

Next, a URL providing function to the mobile phone 5 included in the URL server 2 will be described.
The URL server 2 (FIG. 3) receives photographed image data obtained by photographing the receipt 4 from the mobile phone 5 via a network such as the Internet.

The receipt 4 is a print medium printed by the printer 3, and the appearance thereof is as shown in FIG.
That is, the receipt 4 is printed with notation information 21 (in this case, a character string “super Matsuda”) with the ID background image 20 printed in multiple colors as the background. Any color can be used as long as it is separable, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ID background image 20 is formed by overlapping two ID background images printed in red and blue.

The URL server 2 (FIG. 3) receives the captured image data from the mobile phone 5, filters it in red and blue, and separates it into two types of ID background images.
Then, an ID pattern is extracted from each of the separated red ID background image and blue ID background image and Fourier transformed to restore the two ID patterns.

Next, the URL server 2 collates each of the restored two ID patterns with an ID pattern stored in the ID database 19.
Then, the URL server 2 generates screen data for displaying the top screen on the mobile phone 5 by using the searched two URLs and the name of the website specified by the URL, and sends the screen data to the mobile phone 5. Send.

  In the present embodiment, the URL server 2 performs the separation of the captured image, the Fourier transform, and the extraction of the ID pattern. However, the mobile phone 5 performs the process until the ID pattern is extracted and transmits it to the URL server 2. It can also be configured as follows.

When the URL pattern is extracted by the URL server 2, it is not necessary to provide the mobile phone 5 with an image processing function for ID pattern extraction, and the load on the mobile phone 5 can be reduced.
On the other hand, when the ID pattern is extracted by the mobile phone 5, it is not necessary to receive the captured image data due to an imaging error by the mobile phone 5, and it is not necessary to perform image processing by the URL server 2. 2 load can be reduced.

  Next, the printer 3 will be described. The printer 3 is, for example, a cash register installed in an accounting area of a store and has an accounting function and a receipt printing function.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the printer 3.
The printer 3 includes an image data receiving unit 25, an image data storage unit 26, an image data selection unit 27, a print information generation unit 28, a printing unit 29, a print content generation unit 30, an information input unit 31, and the like.

  The image data receiving unit 25 has connection information to the URL server 2, connects to the URL server 2 via the network, and receives the binarized ID background image from the URL server 2.

  The ID background image transmitted from the URL server 2 to the image data receiving unit 25 is configured such that the printer 3 requests the ID registration number from the URL server 2 or the transmitted ID background image is the URL server 2. Can be configured to decide.

The image data storage unit 26 is configured using, for example, a storage medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and stores the ID background image received by the image data receiving unit 25 from the URL server 2.
The image data storage unit 26 can store a plurality of ID background images, and each ID background image stored in the image data storage unit 26 can be identified by an ID registration number.

When printing the receipt 4, the image data selection unit 27 selects an ID background image to be printed from the ID background image stored in the image data storage unit 26 and sets its print color.
As a method for selecting an ID background image, various methods are conceivable, for example, a plurality of stored ID background images may be selected on average, or may be selected in association with notation information.

Further, a single ID background image may be stored in the image data storage unit 26, and the same ID background image may be always printed.
The print color is set by presenting a color separable by the URL server 2 to the printer user, and the printer user selects a color for each ID background image, or automatically selected by the image data selection unit 27. Setting is made by adding to the background image (print color setting means).

The information input unit 31 includes a numeric keypad, a function key, a barcode reading device, and the like, and accepts input of product specifying information for specifying a product and quantity.
The product sold at the store is given a product code such as a barcode, and the printer 3 stores attached information related to the product such as the price of the product and the product name in association with the product code. .
Therefore, when the accounting person inputs the product code and quantity from the information input unit 31, the printer 3 can perform accounting calculation.

The print content generation unit 30 generates an item (print content) to be printed on a receipt from the product code and quantity input from the information input unit 31 and the price stored in association with the product code.
The print content includes a product name, the number, the unit price of the product, the total price of the product related to accounting, the accounting date and time, the name of the store, a logo mark, and the like. In addition, when the printing part 29 has a Braille printing function, Braille can also be included as printing contents.
Of the print contents, items printed on the ID background image (such as the notation information 21 in FIG. 5) constitute notation information.

  The print information generation unit 28 acquires the ID background image selected by the image data selection unit 27 (ID image acquisition unit), and acquires the print content generated by the print content generation unit 30 (notation information acquisition unit: print content). Includes notation information to be printed over the ID background image).

  The print information generation unit 28 (print information generation unit) superimposes the ID background image (different colors are set) acquired from the image data selection unit 27, and generates print content in a part of the ID background image. Print information is generated by arranging notation information acquired from the unit 30.

  The arrangement of the notation information is performed by overwriting the notation information on the ID background image. That is, the information of the portion where the notation information is printed in the ID background image is replaced with the notation information.

  For this reason, in the area where the notation information is printed, the information of the ID background image is lost, but it is possible to restore the ID pattern from the portion remaining as the background to the extent that it can be collated with the original image of the ID pattern.

Experiments have shown that the ID pattern can be restored even if the ID background image is lost to about 50% in area.
Therefore, the print information generation unit 28 sets the area of the region where the notation information is printed to be 50% or less of the area of the ID background image.

Further, the print information generation unit 28 has a function of adjusting the intensity of the ID background image and the notation information independently for each color.
This is because if the ID background image is darkly printed, the notation information is difficult to visually discern, and the ID background image is thinned within a range where the ID pattern can be reproduced.
In addition, the notation information and other printed contents can be adjusted to a lightness suitable for visual observation.

A printer user (accounting person or the like) can finely adjust the density of the ID background image and the print content by operating the printer 3 using the density adjustment screen displayed on the display device of the printer 3. it can.
The shading information set by the printer user is recorded in the printing information by the print information generating unit 28, and the printing unit 29 prints the receipt with the set shading.

The printing unit 29 (printing unit) prints on the print medium according to the print information generated by the print information generation unit 28. The printing unit 29 has a multi-color printing function so as to print the ID background images with colors set.
The print medium is composed of, for example, roll paper that is wound and stored in a roll shape, and the printing unit 29 performs printing by coloring single-color dots on the print medium. The printing unit 29 includes a cutter, and when printing is completed, the printing medium is cut at an appropriate location.

Various printing methods such as an impact method and a non-impact method can be used.
As the impact type, for example, there is a type in which ink of an ink ribbon is transferred by hitting a pin of a print head against a print medium.
In this method, an ID background image and print contents are printed by distributing ink dots on a print medium according to print information.

As a non-impact method, for example, there is a thermal transfer method. In this method, the thermal paper ink contained in the printing medium is colored by Joule heat generated by energization of the thermal head. The thermal transfer method is widely used in apparatuses having a simple printing function such as a cash register because the printing apparatus is small, light, and maintenance-free.
Other non-impact systems include those using ink jets and those using lasers.

Further, there are a density gradation method for changing the density in a surface element (cell), which is a printing unit, and an area gradation method for changing the dot area ratio in the surface element as methods for adjusting the intensity of the image.
Any of these methods may be used, but the printing unit 29 employs an area gradation method.
The ID background image is composed of digital data. However, in the case where area gradation is performed by a digital method, it is generally performed that pixels are formed by binary dots.

For this reason, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, the printing unit 29 associates the area gradation with a single binary dot having a rectangular shape (or other shape may be used), and the arrangement of the binary dots. A function to perform area gradation is provided.
In FIG. 7, a dot having a small area in the surface element 63 is associated with one binary dot in the surface element 64, and a medium dot in the surface element 65 is three binary dots in the surface element 66. Furthermore, a dot having a large area in the surface element 67 is made to correspond to nine binary dots in the surface element 68.

As described above, the printing unit 29 stores the correspondence between the area gradation and the binary dots, and acquires the arrangement of the binary dots corresponding to the lightness and darkness set by the print information generation unit 28 (binary dots). Acquisition means).
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram, and various correspondences between the area gradation and the arrangement of the binary dots can be considered.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printer 3.
The printer 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, an input device 54, a display device 55, a printing device 56, a communication control device 57, a storage device 58, and a storage device. Functional units such as a medium driving device 59 and an input / output I / F (interface) 60 are connected by a bus line 50.

The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that performs various types of arithmetic processing, information processing, and control of each component constituting the printer 3 according to a predetermined program.
In addition to performing accounting calculation processing, the CPU 51 receives ID background images from the URL server 2 and accumulates them, or performs processing for synthesizing multi-color ID background images and print contents and printing them on a receipt, for example.

The ROM 53 is a read-only memory that stores basic programs and data for operating the printer 3.
The RAM 52 is a readable / writable memory that provides a working area for the CPU 51 to operate.

  The input device 54 is hardware constituting the information input unit 31 (FIG. 6), and includes a numeric keypad, function keys, a barcode reading device, and other input devices.

The display device 55 includes a display device that displays character information and image information. For example, the display device 55 displays the total amount by the accounting process to the mobile phone user.
The display device 55 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or other display devices.

The communication control device 57 is a functional unit that connects the printer 3 to the Internet. The printer 3 can communicate with the URL server 2 and other server devices via the communication control device 57.
If the sales management server at the headquarters manages sales, the printer 3 can connect to the sales management server via the communication control device 57 and transmit sales data such as sales.
The printing device 56 is hardware that constitutes the printing unit 29 (FIG. 6).

The storage medium drive device 59 is a functional unit that drives the attached removable storage medium and reads and writes data.
Examples of the readable / writable storage medium include a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic tape, and a paper tape.
As a read-only storage medium, for example, there are optical discs such as CD-ROMs.

  The printer 3 can install a program from a storage medium attached to the storage medium driving device 59, read an ID background image stored in the storage medium, accumulate it in the image data storage unit 26, or store the storage medium. It is also possible to write the accounting processing data accumulated for the.

The storage device 58 is a large-capacity readable / writable storage device configured by, for example, a hard disk.
The storage device 58 includes a program storage unit 61 that stores programs and a data storage unit 62 that stores data.

  The program storage unit 61 stores various programs such as an OS (Operating System), a communication program, an accounting process program,...

The OS is a program for causing the CPU 51 to perform basic functions for operating the printer 3 such as management of file input / output and control of various functional units.
The communication program is a program for controlling the communication control device 57 and causing the CPU 51 to exhibit a function for performing communication via the Internet.

  The accounting processing program is a program for causing the printer 3 to perform accounting processing including receipt issuance, and includes various functions such as ID background image selection processing, accounting processing, generation of print contents, generation of print information, and print processing. Causes the CPU 51 to exhibit.

  The data storage unit 62 stores an ID background image downloaded from the URL server 2, accounting processing data, and the like.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure by which the printer 3 prints a receipt.
First, the information input unit 31 receives input of input information (step 5). This input information includes a product code, the number of items, and the like.

Next, the image data selection unit 27 selects an ID background image to be printed from the image data storage unit 26 (step 10). In the present embodiment, two are selected, but two or more may be selected.
Next, the print content generation unit 30 performs accounting calculation based on the input information received by the information input unit 31, and the print content generation unit 30 displays the product name, number, price, total price, purchase date and time. A print content that defines the content to be printed on the receipt, such as a store name, is generated.

Next, the print information generation unit 28 receives two ID background images from the image data selection unit 27 together with print color settings, receives print contents from the print content generation unit 30, and generates print information using them. (Step 15). Here, the notation information is overwritten on the ID background information in the print contents.
Next, the printing unit 29 prints a receipt using the printing information generated by the printing information generation unit 28 (step 20). The ID background image is printed in the set print color.

As described above, the printer 3 can print the notation information on the receipt with the multicolor ID background image as the background in accordance with the accounting process.
As a result, the receipt 4 in which the ID pattern as shown in FIG. 5 is embedded is generated.

Next, the mobile phone 5 (FIG. 6) will be described. The mobile phone 5 is a mobile phone having a camera function and an Internet connection function. FIG. 10 shows an example of the appearance of the mobile phone 5.
The mobile phone 5 includes a camera 77, a display unit 72, operation keys 78, input keys 74, and the like.

  Although not shown, the mobile phone 5 includes an information processing unit including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), and stores various programs and data. Built-in readable / writable storage media.

The CPU of the mobile phone 5 performs various types of information processing according to programs stored in a ROM or other storage medium.
For example, when the CPU acquires captured image data of a receipt, transmits the acquired captured image data to the URL server 2, or receives a URL from the URL server 2 and connects to the service server 6. Provides working memory.

The storage medium stores an application program for photographing a receipt and connecting to the service server 6.
The CPU executes this application program, thereby connecting to the URL server 2 and transmitting the photographed image data of the receipt, and receiving the URL transmitted by the URL server 2 in accordance with the transmitted photographed image data. The function of connecting to the website specified by the URL using the received URL can be realized.
Further, a browser program is also stored in the storage medium, and the CPU can also perform a browser function using this browser program.

  The camera 77 includes an optical system including a lens and the like, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that converts an image of a subject projected by the optical system into digital data. When the mobile phone user captures a receipt with the camera 77, the captured image data of the receipt is generated by the CPU.

  The display unit 72 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays information related to a call such as a telephone number, and can display various screens transmitted from a website via the Internet using a browser.

The operation key 78 is a key for the mobile phone user to perform various screen operations on the screen displayed on the display unit 72 such as selecting an icon displayed on the display unit 72 or selecting a link. It is.
The input key 74 is a key for inputting numbers, characters, symbols, and the like to the mobile phone 5.

  When a receipt is photographed by the cellular phone 5 configured as described above, the cellular phone 5 automatically connects to the URL server 2 and causes the display unit 72 to display the top screen defined by the ID background image of the receipt. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the Fourier transform of the captured image data and the extraction of the ID pattern are performed by the URL server 2, but this processing is performed by the mobile phone 5, and the extracted ID pattern is transferred from the mobile phone 5 to the URL server 2. It can also be configured to transmit.

  In this case, in the application program stored in the storage medium, information for performing processing for Fourier transform of the captured image data and processing for extracting an ID pattern from the data after Fourier transform is described. Yes.

Further, in the present embodiment, the mobile phone 5 is configured to perform processing such as taking a receipt, but the same function may be realized in other types of terminals.
For example, it may be configured by a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a game machine, a personal computer, or the like that has a camera and the application mounted thereon.

Next, the service server 6 (FIG. 3) will be described. The service server 6 is a web server and operates a website specified by a predetermined URL.
An operator of the website can provide characters, still images, moving images, sounds, link information, and the like to the terminal device on the website.
The hardware configuration of the service server 6 is basically the same as that of the URL server 2.

Next, a screen displayed on the display unit 72 of the mobile phone 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11A shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 72 when an application is activated on the mobile phone 5.

In the example of FIG. 11A, the display unit 72 displays a message such as “Please shoot a receipt” to prompt the mobile phone user to shoot a receipt.
In accordance with this instruction, the cellular phone user photographs the receipt received at the time of payment with the camera 77.

FIG. 11B shows an example of the top screen displayed on the display unit 72 after taking a receipt according to the display of the application.
This top screen is a screen data that the mobile phone 5 receives from the URL server 2 and displays the screen data generated by the URL server 2 based on the photographed image data transmitted from the mobile phone 5 to the URL server 2.

On the top screen, a button 80 displaying “Special Sale Day of this Month”, a button 81 displaying “Store Guide”, and the like are displayed.
These buttons and button displays are set by the URL server 2 based on the ID pattern transmitted from the mobile phone 5.

That is, the URL server 2 filters the ID background image transmitted from the mobile phone 5 with the red and blue filters, and Fourier transforms this to obtain two ID patterns.
These two ID patterns are, for example, ID registration number 1 and ID registration number 2 in FIG.

  Then, the URL server 2 generates a button that links to the URL specified by these ID registration numbers, arranges the name of the website on the button, and generates screen data of the top screen.

Thus, the URL server 2 can generate screen data of the top screen using a plurality of ID patterns extracted from the background image data transmitted from the mobile phone 5.
Thus, the printer 3 can customize the top screen displayed on the mobile phone 5 by the combination of ID patterns to be printed on the receipt.

The mobile phone user can select a desired one from these buttons by operating the operation keys 78 and the input keys 74 (FIG. 10).
For example, when the button 80 is selected, the mobile phone 5 is connected to the service server 6 by the URL set in the button 80, and the mobile phone user receives a service corresponding to the button 80 (for example, daily special sale product guidance). be able to.

Similarly, when the button 81 is selected, the mobile phone 5 is connected to the service server 6 by the URL set in the button 80, and the mobile phone user can provide a service corresponding to the button 81 (for example, presenting an in-store map or selling merchandise). Guidance).
The service provided by the service server 6 can use not only text and images but also moving images and audio.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for connecting the mobile phone 5 to the service server 6.
First, a mobile phone user issues a receipt at the time of payment at a store. Then, the application of the mobile phone 5 is activated, and the receipt is photographed by the mobile phone 5.

Thereby, the mobile phone 5 acquires the photographed image data of the receipt (step 30).
Then, the mobile phone 5 connects to the URL server 2 and transmits the acquired photographed image data to the URL server 2 (step 35).

The URL server 2 receives the captured image data from the mobile phone 5 (step 40).
Then, the URL server 2 filters and separates the captured image data and performs Fourier transform, and extracts an ID pattern from the data after Fourier transform (step 45).

  Further, the URL server 2 performs a search by collating a plurality of extracted ID patterns with an ID pattern registered in advance in the ID database, and specifies an ID pattern included in the photographed image data (step 50). .

  When the URL server 2 specifies the ID pattern, the URL server 2 acquires the URL associated with the ID pattern and the name of the website in the ID database. Then, the screen data of the top screen is generated using these URL and name, and transmitted to the mobile phone 5 (step 55).

The mobile phone 5 receives the screen data from the URL server 2 (step 60), and uses this to display the top screen.
When the user selects a button displayed on the top screen, the mobile phone 5 connects to the service server 6 using the URL set for the button (step 65).

The service server 6 accepts a connection from the mobile phone 5 and transmits information corresponding to the URL to the mobile phone 5, thereby allowing the user to receive a service on the mobile phone 5 (step 70).
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the ID background image printing method.
In this example, a hollow area 82 is provided in the ID background image 80, and the print content 81 is printed there.
In this way, by making the periphery of the area for printing the print content blank, the print content can be printed more easily visually.
Since the ID background image can be restored to the extent that the ID pattern can be identified even if it is lost to about 50%, a part of the ID background screen can be erased in this way.

  In the embodiment described above, the ID background image is applied to the receipt as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various printing media.

For example, a plurality of ID background images can be printed in multiple colors as a ticket background image.
In this case, ID background images for providing a plurality of information such as timetables, train delay information, and destination event peripheral event information can be set for each color material.

  Further, the multi-color ID background image can be applied to an IC card that pays a boarding fee in a prepaid manner. In this case, an ID background image is printed on the IC card to provide usage details, usage information other than boarding, and a plurality of information around a usable station.

  Also, multicolor ID background images can be applied to food labels. In this case, it is possible to provide a plurality of information such as production history, food safety information, and saleslet flyer advertisement for each color material.

  By the way, in the present embodiment described above, the Fourier transform is adopted as the embedding of the ID pattern using the frequency domain. However, this is an example, and other transforms include, for example, DCT (discrete cosine transform). : Discrete Course Transform) and wavelet transform.

In this embodiment, as an example, an ID background image is printed on a receipt issued at the time of transaction at a store or the like. However, the use of the ID background image is not limited to this. It can be applied to various printed materials such as.
Furthermore, the ID background image can be displayed not only on the printed matter but also on a display device such as a display.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the ID pattern and the URL are associated with each other. However, this is an example, and various information such as an image, a voice, and a character can be considered as information associated with the ID pattern.
For example, it is possible to print a quiz as notation information on the ID background pattern, associate the quiz answer with the ID pattern, and view the quiz answer by photographing the ID background pattern.

The following effects can be obtained by the present embodiment described above.
(1) An ID pattern is defined in the frequency domain, and the print content can be printed using this as a background.
(2) Since a plurality of ID background images can be printed on the same surface of the print medium with a color material that can be separated by a filter, the information density can be increased.

(3) The density of the ID background image can be adjusted independently of the print content.
(4) Since the print content is overwritten on the ID background image, it can also be implemented in a printing apparatus that does not have an advanced image processing function.
(5) Since the ID pattern is defined in the frequency domain, even if the ID background image is deteriorated due to the print accuracy or the like, the ID pattern can be restored to the extent that it can be collated. Therefore, printing can be performed with a small, lightweight, and simple printing apparatus with low printing accuracy.

(6) Since the print content is overwritten on the ID background image, the printing surface of the print medium can be saved, and an ID pattern can be appropriately provided even if the print medium is a small piece of paper.
(7) The mobile phone can automatically connect to the website associated with the ID pattern by photographing the medium on which the ID background image is printed.
(8) Various types of information such as characters, still images, moving images, sounds, and link information can be provided to the user on the automatically connected website.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating multiplexing of ID background image. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the information provision system of this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the logical structure of ID database. It is the figure which showed an example of the external appearance of the receipt on which ID background image was printed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printer. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of an area gradation. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for printing a receipt by a printer. It is the figure which showed an example of the external appearance of a mobile telephone. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the screen displayed on a mobile telephone regarding imaging | photography of a receipt. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure in which a mobile telephone connects to a service server. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the printing method of ID background image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision system 2 URL server 3 Printer 4 Receipt 5 Mobile phone 6 Service server 10 ID pattern 11 ID background image 12 ID background image 13 Printed matter 14 Notation information 15 ID pattern 16 ID pattern component 17 Frequency component

Claims (3)

ID image acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of ID images defining ID information in the frequency domain and storing them in a storage means;
Print color setting means for setting a print color for printing the acquired plurality of ID images in different print colors;
Notation information acquisition means for acquiring notation information composed of at least one of a character, an image, and braille, and storing the notation information in a storage means;
Print information generating means for generating print information in which information of a portion where the acquired notation information is printed is replaced by the notation information in a plurality of ID images in which the print color is set;
Printing means for printing the plurality of ID images and the notation information on a print medium using the generated print information;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print color is one of three primary colors. ID information acquisition means for acquiring ID information and storing it in the storage means;
ID image generating means for generating an ID image that defines the acquired ID information in a frequency domain;
Comprising
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ID image acquisition unit acquires the generated ID image.

Images