JP4754654B1 - Information expression method, article on which information expression pattern is formed, information output device, and information expression device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a pattern that ensures confidentiality of information while facilitating data processing after being captured by an imaging apparatus.
Disposing a pattern having a first shape that defines a center and a reference direction of an information expression pattern, and a plurality of virtual circles having a common center with the information expression pattern and having different radii, Disposing a second shape pattern at a plurality of intersections with a plurality of virtual radiations defined at predetermined center angles with respect to the reference direction, and each of the virtual radiations includes a plurality of the second radiations. An information expression method for arranging a pattern of a shape, wherein the correspondence between a position for each predetermined digit of a numerical value as information to be expressed and each of the virtual radiation is determined, and the numerical value of the predetermined digit, A correspondence relationship between the virtual radiation and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape is to be arranged is determined, and the corresponding virtual radiation is specified for each predetermined digit of the numerical value as the expressed information. Depending on the value of each of the predetermined digit in the numerical value of the information to be the representation identifies the intersection corresponding in particular to the virtual radiation were, placing the pattern of the second shape to the identified intersection, information representation methods.
[Selection] Figure 17

Description

  The present invention relates to an information expression method, an article on which an information expression pattern is formed, an information output apparatus, and an information expression apparatus.

A method of recording various information using a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on a printed material is used. However, such codes have to be large in size and occupy a part of the paper surface, so that there is a problem that a dedicated area must be provided on the paper surface.
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an information input / output method using a dot pattern formed with a pattern. Patent Document 2 shows that latitude information and the like are recorded by arranging dots on the circumference. Patent Document 3 discloses a big bang code for recording bit information on a polar coordinate chart. Patent Document 4 discloses that information is recorded by setting a density level in a circular area.

International Publication No. 2004/084125 JP 2008-225732 A JP-A-7-110847 JP 2007-3233 A

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dot pattern is arranged in a rectangular area. These dot patterns are captured by the imaging device. However, due to the optical properties of the imaging device, the aberration increases as the distance from the center of the lens increases. Therefore, in order to eliminate distortion due to aberration, coordinate conversion of the captured image is necessary, but the coordinate processing of the rectangular area is complicated in arithmetic processing.
Further, in the method of Patent Document 2, information that can be recorded is not flexible. Further, the method of Patent Document 3 lacks information confidentiality. Further, the technique of Patent Document 4 has a problem that the density must be read accurately.
Therefore, a pattern that ensures confidentiality of information while facilitating data processing after being captured by the imaging device is desired.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pattern that ensures the confidentiality of information while facilitating data processing after being captured by an imaging apparatus. .

The main invention for achieving the object is as follows:
Arranging a pattern of a first shape that defines a center and a reference direction of an information expression pattern;
At a plurality of intersections between a plurality of virtual circles having a common center with the information expression pattern and having different radii and a plurality of virtual radiations defined at predetermined center angles with respect to the reference direction Disposing a pattern of a second shape, and an information expression method for arranging a plurality of patterns of the second shape on each of the virtual radiations,
The first shape pattern is an axis that intersects the reference direction and is asymmetric with respect to an axis that passes through the center of the information expression pattern, and an axis that extends along the reference direction and that is centered on the information expression pattern. Consists of figures that are symmetric with respect to the passing axis,
Correspondence between the position of each predetermined digit of the numerical value as the information to be expressed and each of the virtual radiation is defined,
The correspondence between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape should be arranged in the virtual radiation is determined,
For each of the predetermined digits of the numerical value as the expressed information, identify the corresponding virtual radiation,
According to the numerical value for each predetermined digit in the numerical value as the expressed information, the corresponding intersection point in the specified virtual radiation is specified, and the pattern of the second shape is arranged at the specified intersection point ,
The correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape is to be arranged is different between the adjacent virtual radiations,
It is an information expression method.
Also,
Arranging a pattern of a first shape that defines a center and a reference direction of an information expression pattern;
At a plurality of intersections between a plurality of virtual circles having a common center with the information expression pattern and having different radii and a plurality of virtual radiations defined at predetermined center angles with respect to the reference direction Disposing a pattern of a second shape, and an information expression method for arranging a plurality of patterns of the second shape on each of the virtual radiations,
The first shape pattern is an axis that intersects the reference direction and is asymmetric with respect to an axis that passes through the center of the information expression pattern, and an axis that extends along the reference direction and that is centered on the information expression pattern. Consists of figures that are symmetric with respect to the passing axis,
Correspondence between the position of each predetermined digit of the numerical value as the information to be expressed and each of the virtual radiation is defined,
The correspondence between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape should be arranged in the virtual radiation is determined,
For each of the predetermined digits of the numerical value as the expressed information, identify the corresponding virtual radiation,
According to the numerical value for each predetermined digit in the numerical value as the expressed information, the corresponding intersection point in the specified virtual radiation is specified, and the pattern of the second shape is arranged at the specified intersection point,
The position where the pattern of the second shape can be arranged at the intersection is different between the adjacent virtual radiations,
It is an information expression method.

Also,
An article in which an information expression pattern expressed by any of the information expression methods described above is formed.

Also,
A reading unit that reads an information expression pattern expressed by any of the information expression methods described above,
The position of the first shape pattern is specified based on the read image data of the information expression pattern, and the second shape pattern is arranged for each virtual radiation based on the specified first shape pattern. Identify the intersection point, identify the numerical value corresponding to each virtual radiation according to the correspondence relationship between the intersection point in the virtual radiation and the numerical value of the predetermined digit, the correspondence between the virtual radiation and the position of each predetermined digit In response, an output unit that outputs a numerical value as the expressed information by specifying a predetermined digit position of each of the specified numerical values,
Is an information output device.

Also,
A control unit that generates an information expression pattern represented by any of the information expression methods described above;
An information forming unit for forming the generated first shape pattern and the second shape pattern on a medium;
Is an information expression device.

  According to the present invention, the pattern of the first shape indicates the center of the polar coordinates and the reference direction. Therefore, even if the information expression pattern is distorted and read by the imaging device, the second circular pattern is arranged on the polar coordinates, so that the information about the radial direction can be corrected to correct the distortion of the virtual circle. it can. Therefore, data processing after being captured by the imaging apparatus can be facilitated. Further, by determining the correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the position where the second shape pattern is to be arranged, a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to guess by a third party can be formed. Furthermore, since a plurality of second-shaped patterns are arranged in one virtual radiation, a pattern with higher secrecy can be formed.

It is explanatory drawing of the information expression pattern 1 in a 1st reference example. It is explanatory drawing of the example of arrangement | positioning of the information dot 30 in a 1st reference example. It is a figure which shows an information expression pattern when a virtual line is made invisible in the 1st reference example. It is explanatory drawing of the relationship between 2-bit information and the arrangement pattern of the information dot 30 in a 1st reference example. It is explanatory drawing of a response | compatibility with the information represented in a 1st reference example, and 16 virtual radiation. It is explanatory drawing of the dot pattern corresponding to the information to include in the 1st reference example. It is explanatory drawing of the information expression pattern 1 which included the information in a 1st reference example. In the first reference example, it is a table for explaining the arrangement of data when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information. In a 1st reference example, it is a table | surface showing the bit which each virtual radiation represents, and the corresponding number of each bit. In the first reference example, it is an example of an information expression pattern when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information. 2 is a block diagram of an information input / output device 1000. FIG. It is a flowchart of the production | generation method of the information expression pattern 1. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the method of extracting the information from an information expression pattern. It is explanatory drawing of the information expression pattern when the number of virtual radiation is increased. It is explanatory drawing of the example of arrangement | positioning of the information dot 30 'in a 2nd reference example. It is explanatory drawing when an imaginary line is made invisible in the 2nd reference example. It is explanatory drawing of the information expression pattern 101 in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between 2-bit information and the arrangement pattern of information dots 130, and FIG. 18B is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence between the represented information and each group of each virtual radiation. It is a table | surface explaining arrangement | positioning of data when a parity bit is allocated as one of information in an inner peripheral part group. It is a table | surface showing the bit which each virtual radiation represents in an inner peripheral part group, and the corresponding number with each bit. It is a table | surface explaining the arrangement | positioning of data when a parity bit is allocated as one of information in an outer peripheral part group. It is a table | surface showing the bit which virtual radiation represents in an outer peripheral part group, and the corresponding number of each bit. It is a table | surface of an example of the information specifically included. FIG. 24A is a table specifically explaining the arrangement of data when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information in the inner peripheral group, and FIG. 24B shows a parity bit as one piece of information in the outer peripheral group. It is a table | surface explaining concretely the arrangement | positioning of the data when it allocates. It is a table | surface explaining concretely arrangement | positioning of the information dot of the inner peripheral part and outer peripheral part of each virtual radiation. It is a figure which shows the information expression pattern when a virtual line is made invisible in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates how to divide a group. It is explanatory drawing of the center position mark 210 in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the center position mark 310 in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the center position mark 410 in 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the center position mark 510 in 5th Embodiment. FIG. 32A is a first diagram illustrating a technique for specifying a center, FIG. 32B is a second diagram illustrating a technique for specifying a center, and FIG. 32C illustrates a technique for specifying a center. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st method of calculating | requiring the radius of a circular virtual line. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd method of calculating | requiring the radius of a circular virtual line. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd method of calculating | requiring the radius of a circular virtual line.

  At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Arranging a pattern of a first shape that defines a center and a reference direction of an information expression pattern;
At a plurality of intersections between a plurality of virtual circles having a common center with the information expression pattern and having different radii and a plurality of virtual radiations defined at predetermined center angles with respect to the reference direction Disposing a pattern of a second shape, and an information expression method for arranging a plurality of patterns of the second shape on each of the virtual radiations,
Correspondence between the position of each predetermined digit of the numerical value as the information to be expressed and each of the virtual radiation is defined,
The correspondence between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape should be arranged in the virtual radiation is determined,
For each of the predetermined digits of the numerical value as the expressed information, identify the corresponding virtual radiation,
According to the numerical value for each predetermined digit in the numerical value as the expressed information, the corresponding intersection point in the specified virtual radiation is specified, and the pattern of the second shape is arranged at the specified intersection point,
Information representation method.
Thus, the pattern of the first shape indicates the center of the polar coordinates and the reference direction. Therefore, even if the information expression pattern is distorted and read by the imaging device, the second circular pattern is arranged on the polar coordinates, so that the information about the radial direction can be corrected to correct the distortion of the virtual circle. it can. Therefore, data processing after being captured by the imaging apparatus can be facilitated. Further, by determining the correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the position where the second shape pattern is to be arranged, a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to guess by a third party can be formed. Furthermore, since a plurality of second-shaped patterns are arranged in one virtual radiation, a pattern with higher secrecy can be formed.

The pattern of the first shape is preferably composed of an asymmetric figure with respect to an axis that intersects the reference direction and passes through the center of the information expression pattern.
By doing in this way, the center and reference direction of an information expression pattern can be specified appropriately.

The pattern of the first shape is preferably composed of a figure that is symmetric with respect to an axis that extends along the reference direction and passes through the center of the information expression pattern.
By doing in this way, the center and reference direction of an information expression pattern can be specified more appropriately.

Preferably, the pattern of the first shape is an arc, the center point of the arc defines the center of the information expression pattern, and the direction from the center toward the opening of the arc defines the reference direction. .
In this way, the center of the information expression pattern and the reference direction can be appropriately defined by the arc.

The first shape pattern may be constituted by a plurality of figures arranged inside the innermost virtual circle of the plurality of virtual circles.
By doing so, the center and reference direction of the information expression pattern can be defined by effectively using the area inside the virtual circle.

The plurality of figures include at least a first figure and a second figure, and the first figure defines a center of the information expression pattern, and is directed from the first figure to the second figure. It is desirable that the direction defines the reference direction.
In this way, the center and reference direction of the information expression pattern can be defined using at least two figures.

The first graphic and the second graphic are preferably the same graphic as the pattern of the second shape.
By doing in this way, the pattern with high confidentiality which is hard to be guessed by the third party can be provided.

The first shape pattern is preferably larger than the second shape pattern.
Here, the size of the pattern of the first shape is the size of the area constituting the pattern of the first shape. When the pattern is constituted by a plurality of figures, the size of the area surrounded by the plurality of figures. That's it. Further, the size of the second shape pattern is also the size of the area constituting the second shape pattern. However, when the pattern is composed of a single figure, the size of the figure is the second shape pattern. It corresponds to.
By doing in this way, the pattern of the 1st shape and the pattern of the 2nd shape can be arranged efficiently.

Moreover, it is preferable that the pattern of the first shape includes a figure for acquiring a radial expansion / contraction rate of the virtual circle.
By doing in this way, based on the expansion-contraction rate of the radial direction of the pattern of a 1st shape, the shape of a virtual circle can be correct | amended appropriately. And the arrangement position of the pattern of the 2nd shape regarding a radial direction can be specified more reliably.

Moreover, it is desirable that the correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the intersection where the second shape pattern is to be arranged is different between the adjacent virtual radiations.
By doing so, it is possible to provide a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to be guessed by a third party.

In addition, it is desirable that the position where the second shape pattern can be arranged at the intersection point is different between the adjacent virtual radiations. In addition, it is preferable that the intersections in each virtual ray radiation are divided into a plurality of groups, and one pattern of the second shape is arranged in each group in each virtual radiation. In addition, it is preferable that a correspondence relationship between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape is to be arranged in each group of the virtual radiation is defined.
By doing so, it is possible to provide a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to be guessed by a third party.

The numerical value of the predetermined digit is preferably bit information. Further, it is desirable that the expressed information is replaced in advance in bit units.
Thus, since information can be replaced in units of bits in advance, a highly confidential pattern that is less likely to be guessed by a third party can be provided.

The expressed information preferably includes bits for error detection or error correction.
In this way, even if a part of the information expression pattern is lost, the error can be detected.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the method further includes forming a plurality of the information expression patterns with a constant distance between the centers.
By doing so, the distance between the centers of the plurality of information expression patterns can be determined by a predetermined multiple (less than 1) to obtain the radius of each virtual circle, and the error of the radius can be reduced.

The plurality of information expression patterns are preferably arranged at predetermined center angles.
By doing so, a plurality of information expression patterns can be regularly arranged. The radius of each virtual circle can be obtained based on the distance between the centers of these information expression patterns.

In addition, at least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. That is,
An article on which an information expression pattern expressed by any of the information expression methods described above is formed.
Thus, the pattern of the first shape indicates the center of the polar coordinates and the reference direction. Therefore, even if the information expression pattern is distorted and read by the imaging device, the second circular pattern is arranged on the polar coordinates, so that the information about the radial direction can be corrected to correct the distortion of the virtual circle. it can. Therefore, data processing after being captured by the imaging apparatus can be facilitated. In addition, by determining the correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the position where the second shape pattern is to be arranged, it is possible to provide an article in which a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to guess by a third party is formed. it can.

In addition, at least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. That is,
A reading unit that reads an information expression pattern expressed by any of the information expression methods described above,
The position of the first shape pattern is specified based on the read image data of the information expression pattern, and the second shape pattern is arranged for each virtual radiation based on the specified first shape pattern. Identify the intersection point, identify the numerical value corresponding to each virtual radiation according to the correspondence relationship between the intersection point in the virtual radiation and the numerical value of the predetermined digit, the correspondence between the virtual radiation and the position of each predetermined digit In response, an output unit that outputs a numerical value as the expressed information by specifying a predetermined digit position of each of the specified numerical values,
An information output device comprising:
Thus, the pattern of the first shape indicates the center of the polar coordinates and the reference direction. Therefore, even if the information expression pattern is distorted and read by the imaging device, the second circular pattern is arranged on the polar coordinates, so that the information about the radial direction can be corrected to correct the distortion of the virtual circle. it can. Therefore, data processing after being captured by the imaging apparatus can be facilitated. In addition, since the correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the position where the pattern of the second shape is to be arranged is determined, information can be appropriately extracted from a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to guess by a third party. it can.

Further, in the case where a plurality of the information expression patterns are formed with the distance between the centers constant, by multiplying the distance between the centers of the information expression patterns by a predetermined numerical value less than 1, the radius of the virtual circle Is desirable.
By doing so, the distance between the centers of the plurality of information expression patterns can be determined by a predetermined multiple (less than 1) to obtain the radius of each virtual circle, and the error of the radius can be reduced.

In addition, at least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. That is,
A control unit that generates an information expression pattern represented by any of the information expression methods described above;
An information forming unit for forming the generated first shape pattern and the second shape pattern on a medium;
An information expression device comprising:
Thus, the pattern of the first shape indicates the center of the polar coordinates and the reference direction. Therefore, even if the information expression pattern is distorted and read by the imaging device, the second circular pattern is arranged on the polar coordinates, so that the information about the radial direction can be corrected to correct the distortion of the virtual circle. it can. Therefore, data processing after being captured by the imaging apparatus can be facilitated. In addition, since the correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the position where the second shape pattern is to be arranged is determined, it is possible to form a highly confidential pattern that is difficult to guess by a third party.

=== About the first reference example ===
<<< Information expression pattern >>>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an information expression pattern 1 in the first reference example. The information expression pattern 1 includes a center position mark 10 and information dots 30. In the figure, a plurality of circular virtual lines 31 to 34 having different radii are indicated by broken lines. Moreover, the virtual line segment 22 which shows a reference direction is shown with the dashed-dotted line. Further, a plurality of virtual radiations 1a to 8b defined at predetermined center angles with reference to the reference direction are indicated by broken lines. These circular virtual lines and virtual radiations serve as templates that define the positions of the information dots 30. Since these circular virtual lines and virtual radiation are virtual, they are not actually printed (or displayed).

  The center position mark 10 (corresponding to the first shape pattern) is a mark that defines the center of the information expression pattern 1. The center position mark 10 defines a reference direction. The center position mark 10 is formed by an arc having a part opened in a circle smaller than the circle indicated by any circular imaginary line. The center point of the circular arc defines the center of the information expression pattern 1 and further defines the centers of the circular virtual lines 31 to 34. The central angle of the opening is π / 6 (30 degrees). A reference direction is defined by a virtual line segment 22 from the center of the center position mark 10 toward the center of the opening. In the virtual line segment 22, the opening side of the circle of the center position mark 10 is defined as a center angle of 0 degree. This reference direction is a reference for the central angle of the virtual radiation as described above.

  The circular virtual lines include a first circular virtual line 31, a second circular virtual line 32, a third circular virtual line 33, and a fourth circular virtual line 34 (first circular virtual line 31, second circular virtual line 32). , The third circular virtual line 33 and the fourth circular virtual line 34 correspond to virtual circles). The center of these circular imaginary lines coincides with the center of the circle of the center position mark. The virtual radiation includes 16 virtual radiations 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b.

  The ratio between the diameter of the circle (arc) of the center position mark 10 and the diameter of each of the first circular imaginary line 31 to the fourth circular imaginary line 34 is determined. Therefore, if the diameter of the circle of the center position mark 10 can be grasped, the positions of the first circular imaginary line 31 to the fourth circular imaginary line 34 can be specified.

  The virtual radiation uses the virtual line segment 22 in the reference direction indicated by the center position mark 10 as a reference for the central angle. The first virtual radiation 1a is provided at the central angle of π / 16. The remaining virtual rays 2b to 8b are provided at equal intervals every π / 8.

  The information dot 30 (corresponding to the second shape pattern) is arranged at the intersection of the circular imaginary line (first circular imaginary line 31 to fourth circular imaginary line 34) and virtual radiation (radiation 1a to radiation 8b). . That is, the circular virtual line and the virtual radiation define the position where the information dot 30 is arranged by the intersection. With such a configuration, there are 64 positions where the information dots 30 may be arranged. In FIG. 1, for the sake of explanation, the information dots 30 are arranged at all the positions where there is a possibility of being arranged, but they are not actually arranged at all positions.

  The size of the center position mark 10 is larger than the size of the information dot 30. The reason for this configuration is as follows. The information dot 30 is a pattern in which the largest number is likely to be arranged. Therefore, it should be the smallest pattern to increase the information density. In addition, if a plurality of information dots 30 are arranged near the center, they may overlap. For this reason, it is desirable not to arrange the information dot 30 near the center but to arrange it around the center.

  Further, since the center position mark 10 is a mark that defines the center of the information expression pattern 1, it is desirable that the center position mark 10 be the largest size pattern. Therefore, it becomes the largest size pattern arranged in the center.

  By being expressed in such a combination, the information expression pattern 1 can efficiently use the area. And it can be set as the pattern of a small size as a whole. Here, the “size” of the center position mark 10 refers to the size of the effective area of the center position mark 10.

  Further, the size of the information expression pattern 1 is not particularly limited as long as the image pickup apparatus can read the information expression pattern 1. In particular, there is no restriction in principle when the size of the information expression pattern 1 is large. For example, the diameter of the fourth circular imaginary line 34 may be 30 mm to 40 mm. Further, the diameter of the fourth circular virtual line 34 may be about 1.5 mm, and the dot diameter of the information dot 30 may be about 0.05 mm.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement example of the information dots 30 in the first reference example. As shown in the figure, desired information can be expressed by arranging one information dot 30 on one virtual radiation. A procedure for embedding information by arranging one information dot 30 on one virtual radiation will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an information expression pattern when the virtual line is made invisible in the first reference example. Actually, when this information expression pattern is printed on an article such as a card, the circular virtual line and the virtual radiation are not printed, and only the center position mark 10 and the information dot 30 are printed as shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the circular virtual line and the virtual radiation are made invisible, the information expression pattern 1 becomes a pattern expressed by dots and arcs. Therefore, at first glance, it is represented as a pattern having no regularity, and it becomes difficult for a third party who does not know the configuration of the information expression pattern 1 to extract information.

  On the other hand, the user who knows the template of the information expression pattern 1 can grasp the positions of the invisible circular virtual line and the virtual radiation based on the center position mark 10. And based on these positions, the intersection of a circular virtual line and virtual radiation can be grasped. That is, the position of the information dot 30 expressing information can be grasped, and information can be easily extracted from the information expression pattern 1.

  In addition, the arrangement positions of the information dots 30 that express information in the information expression pattern 1 are on the circumference. Therefore, even if the information expression pattern 1 is read with a lens that easily generates aberration in the radial direction, the center position mark 10 is read so that the center position mark 10 is positioned at the center of the lens of the imaging device. Information on the radial direction can be easily corrected based on the position of the position mark 10 and the size of the arc of the central position mark. Then, it is possible to easily correct the distortion of the circular virtual line in which the information dot 30 is arranged.

  Further, based on the direction of the opening of the arc of the center position mark 10, the information regarding the center angle can be corrected. Then, it is possible to appropriately correct the distortion of the virtual radiation in which the information dots are arranged.

  Furthermore, even if the center position mark 10 is not located at the center of the lens of the image pickup device, the circular imaginary line has a ratio in each direction of the circumference based on the deformed shape of the arc of the center position mark 10. It can be estimated whether it is distorted. That is, based on the deformation ratio of the center position mark 10 in the radial direction of the arc, it can be estimated how much the radius of the circular imaginary line should be corrected. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately correct the coordinates of the circular virtual line on which the information dot 30 is arranged, and to accurately grasp the position of the information dot 30.

  In the above description, the central angle of the arc opening is π / 6, but this can be a smaller central angle. In particular, the central angle of the opening can be made smaller than the central angle (π / 8) between adjacent virtual rays. By doing in this way, the part of a circular arc can be made to cross | intersect all the virtual rays. Then, the positions of the intersections of the circular imaginary line and all the virtual radiation can be more reliably grasped according to the deformation state of the arc.

<<< First Data Structure of Information Expression Pattern >>>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between 2-bit information and the arrangement pattern of the information dots 30 in the first reference example. In the figure, a set of two X-th virtual rays Xa and Xb is extracted and shown.
As positions where the information dots 30 are arranged, Xa1 to Xa4 and Xb1 to Xb4 are shown on the virtual radiations Xa and Xb. The number following “a” or “b” indicates the number of the circular imaginary line. For example, the intersection of the virtual radiation 1a and the fourth circular virtual line 34 is represented as “1a4”. That is, the position where the information dot 30 is arranged can be represented by these three characters.

  It is assumed that only one information dot 30 is necessarily arranged in one virtual radiation. FIG. 4 shows 2-bit information corresponding to the arrangement pattern of the information dots 30. For example, “00” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xa1. Further, “01” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xa2. Further, “10” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xa3. Also, “11” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xa4.

  It should be noted that the relationship between the arrangement pattern and the 2-bit information is different between the virtual radiation whose code includes “a” and the virtual radiation whose “b” is included. In the virtual radiation including “b” in the code, for example, “11” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xb1. Also, “10” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xb2. Further, “01” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xb3. Further, “00” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 30 is arranged at the position of Xb4.

  Here, the correspondence relationship is set as described above, but the relationship between the position of the information dot 30 and the 2-bit information is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of correspondence between expressed information and 16 virtual rays in the first reference example. As shown in the figure, the most significant 2 bits are represented by virtual radiation 1a. The subsequent 2 bits are represented by virtual radiation 2b. In this way, as shown in the figure, 2 bits represented by one virtual radiation are continuously arranged, and the least significant 2 bits are represented by virtual radiation 8b.

  Next, the formation of the information expression pattern 1 in the above correspondence will be specifically described. Here, a procedure of including information of hexadecimal “D3 4D 78 EB” in the information expression pattern 1 will be described.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a dot pattern corresponding to information to be included in the first reference example.
The hexadecimal number “D3 4D 78 EB” is expressed as “11 01 00 11 01 00 11 01 01 11 10 00 11 10 10 11” in order from the most significant bit. These data are allocated 2 bits at a time to one virtual radiation. That is, one virtual radiation represents 2 bits.

  The most significant 2 bits are assigned to the virtual radiation of 1a. Subsequent 2-bit data is assigned to 1b virtual radiation. In this manner, data of 2 bits is sequentially assigned to virtual radiation in a clockwise direction.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, when the most significant 2 bits “11” are expressed by the virtual radiation 1a, the arrangement pattern is “a4”. Therefore, it arrange | positions with the arrangement pattern of a4 on the virtual radiation 1a. That is, the information dot 30 is arranged at the intersection of the virtual radiation 1 a and the fourth circular virtual line 34.

  In addition, when the subsequent 2 bits “01” are expressed by the virtual radiation 1b, the arrangement pattern is “b3”. Therefore, the information dots 30 are arranged in the arrangement pattern b3 on the virtual radiation 1b. That is, the information dot 30 is arranged at the intersection of the virtual radiation 1 b and the third circular virtual line 33.

  Further, when the subsequent 2 bits “00” are expressed by the virtual radiation 2a, the arrangement pattern is “a1”. Therefore, the information dots 30 are arranged in the arrangement pattern a1 on the virtual radiation 2a. That is, the information dot 30 is arranged at the intersection of the virtual radiation 2 a and the first circular virtual line 31.

  In this way, the position where the information dot 30 is arranged is specified from the virtual rays a1 to b8. Then, the information dots 30 are arranged as specified.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an information expression pattern 1 including information in the first reference example. In the figure, the information expression pattern 1 corresponding to the information “D3 4D 78 EB” generated as described above is shown. Here, for easy understanding, all virtual lines that are originally invisible are also visualized. Further, the position where the information dot 30 is not arranged is represented by a white circle. By doing so, it is possible to convert information to be included (sometimes referred to as “information to be expressed” for convenience) into the information expression pattern 1.

  On the other hand, information can be extracted from the information expression pattern 1 by a procedure reverse to the above procedure. In that case, it can obtain | require as follows.

  First, the position of each virtual radiation is obtained with reference to the virtual line segment 22 defined by the center position mark 10. Further, the radius of each circular imaginary line is obtained based on the diameter of the arc of the center position mark 10.

  By doing in this way, the intersection of each circular virtual line and each virtual radiation can be calculated | required. Next, it is determined whether or not the information dot 30 is formed at each intersection. Thereby, the arrangement pattern of the information dots 30 in each virtual radiation can be obtained. Then, by referring to the table of FIG. 4, 2 bits corresponding to the arrangement pattern can be obtained for each virtual radiation.

  The 2-bit information obtained in this way is arranged in order from the most significant bit from virtual radiation 1a to 8b. By doing so, the information contained in the information expression pattern 1 can be extracted.

<<< Second Data Structure of Information Expression Pattern >>>
FIG. 8 is a table for explaining the arrangement of data when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information in the first reference example. FIG. 9 is a table showing the bits represented by the virtual rays and the corresponding numbers of the bits in the first reference example. FIG. 10 is an example of an information expression pattern 1 when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information in the first reference example. Hereinafter, an information expression pattern 1 when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information will be described with reference to these drawings. Here, the information to be finally included is the information represented in FIG. 8, and the expressed information is described as the information represented in FIG.

  The information to be finally included is 20-bit first data and 4-bit second data. That is, a total of 24 bits of data are expressed. Further, 8 bits are assigned as parity bits. Here, odd parity is used.

  In the table shown in FIG. 8, one cell represents one bit. Therefore, one column of the table represents 4 bits (nibble). The table shows nibble1 to nibble6. Of these, nibble1 to nibble5 represent the first data described above. Nibble6 represents the second data. In one nibble shown in the table, the upper cell is an MSB (Most significant bit) and the lower cell is an LSB (Least significant bit).

  Further, a parity bit for each byte is shown at the bottom of the table. On the right side of the table, parity bits for each row are shown. Furthermore, 1 bit of parity is provided.

  In FIG. 8, a corresponding number is assigned to each cell. These corresponding numbers correspond to the corresponding numbers shown in the left table of FIG. As described above, one virtual radiation can represent 2 bits. Therefore, in FIG. 7, one upper bit and one lower bit are assigned to one virtual radiation. A corresponding correspondence number is assigned to each of these bits.

  For example, the bit of the cell specified by the correspondence number “5” shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the upper bit of the data indicated by the virtual radiation 2a. Further, the bit of the cell specified by the correspondence number “15” shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the upper bit in the data indicated by the virtual radiation 4b. In this way, the cells in the table shown in FIG. 8 and the cells in the left table in FIG. 9 are associated with each other by the corresponding numbers. In FIG. 8, for easy understanding, each cell shows bit information expressed by each cell in parentheses.

  Here, the corresponding numbers are regularly arranged in the table of FIG. 9, whereas the corresponding numbers are randomly assigned in the table of FIG. This is to prevent errors from concentrating on a specific location when data loss occurs in a part of the information expression pattern by randomly allocating. Another reason is to make it difficult for a third party using this information expression pattern to analyze the data structure.

  Next, a specific data conversion method when parity bits are added will be described. Here, the first data is “00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01” and the second data is “00 01”. According to these data, only the least significant bit of the first data is “1”, and the others are all “0”. In the second data, only the least significant bit is “1”, and the others are all “0”.

  In that case, referring to FIG. 9, the bit of the cell of the corresponding number “1” “4” “7” “8” “16” “19” “20” “23” “30” is “1”. Yes, the bits of other cells are "0". That is, the bit information is as shown in the right table of FIG.

  An arrangement pattern of information dots 30 corresponding to the bit information obtained in this way is assigned to each virtual radiation. For example, the virtual radiation “1a” has an arrangement pattern “a3” (see FIG. 4) to indicate “10”. For example, the virtual radiation “1b” has an arrangement pattern “b3” to indicate “01”. Similarly, the arrangement pattern of the information dots 30 up to the virtual radiation “8b” is determined.

  In the information expression pattern shown in FIG. 10, information dots 30 are arranged in the obtained arrangement pattern. Of course, information of parity bits is also added to this information expression pattern. Therefore, even if the information dot 30 is lost due to some cause in the information expression pattern, the occurrence of an error can be detected based on the parity bit.

  Here, the description has been made assuming that the parity bit is included as information, but a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code or a Reed-Solomon code may be used instead of using the parity.

  Moreover, the information contained in the information expression pattern 1 can be extracted by the reverse procedure to the above. First, after specifying the position where the information dot 30 is arranged based on the center position pattern 10, the information dot 30 is developed into 2 bits represented by each virtual line as shown in FIG. 9 based on the arrangement pattern. By doing so, each of these 2-bit information is represented by the data in the table as shown in FIG. 8 based on the corresponding number. After the data of the table shown in FIG. 8 is obtained, the first data can be obtained by sequentially arranging the bits of each cell from nibble1 to nibble5. The second data can be obtained by sequentially arranging the bits of each cell of nibble6.

<<< Information Input / Output Device >>>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the information input / output device 1000. An information input / output device 1000 (corresponding to an information output device and an information expression device) includes a computer 1010 (corresponding to an output unit or a control unit that outputs information included in the information expression pattern), a display device 1020, An input device 1030, an output device 1050 (corresponding to an information forming unit), and an imaging device 1060 are included. The computer 1010 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1013, an interface 1012, a memory 1014, and a recording / reproducing device 1040.

  The interface 1012 is an interface for connecting to the imaging device 1060. The CPU 1013 performs calculation of information, particularly calculation for forming the information expression pattern 1 as described above and extracting information from the information expression pattern 1. The memory 1014 stores the data shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 described above, and temporarily forms the information expression pattern 1 and extracts information from the information expression pattern 1. Used to store the calculation result. The recording / reproducing apparatus 1040 is used to record the formed information expression pattern 1 on a recording medium such as a CR-ROM or to read the information expression pattern 1 from the recording medium. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus may be used for reading a program for forming the information expression pattern 1 and a program for extracting information from the information expression pattern 1.

  The display device 1020 is a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor. The input device 1030 is an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The output device 1050 is an output device such as a printer that prints the information expression pattern 1. The imaging device 1060 is a device for optically reading the information expression pattern 1.

  Note that the functions of the computer 1010 and the imaging apparatus 1060 may be configured integrally with a pen-type device. In this case, the pen-type device can have a function of reading the information expression pattern 1 and outputting the extracted information.

<<< Method for generating information expression pattern >>>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for generating the information expression pattern 1.
First, information included in the information expression pattern 1 is prepared as a bit expression (S802). For example, “11 01 00 11 01 00 11 01 01 11 10 10 11 11 10 10 11” as shown in FIG. 6 is prepared.

  Next, an arrangement pattern corresponding to the prepared bit expression is obtained (S804). The arrangement pattern can be obtained based on the correspondence in FIG. 4 as described above. Next, the information dot 30 is arranged according to the obtained arrangement pattern to form the information expression pattern 1 (S806). Thereby, the information expression pattern 1 as shown in FIG. 7 is generated.

  Finally, the virtual line is removed from the information expression pattern 1, and only the center position mark 10 and the information dot 30 are printed or displayed (S808). In this way, the information expression pattern 1 can be obtained.

<<< Method of extracting information from information expression pattern >>>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a method of extracting information from the information expression pattern.
First, the information expression pattern 1 printed on a printed material or the like is captured by the imaging device 1060 (S902). Next, the position of the center position mark 10 is specified based on the image data obtained by capturing (S904).

  Next, based on the position of the central position mark 10 and the opening direction of the arc of the central position mark 10, the positions of the circular imaginary line and the virtual radiation are obtained, and the intersection of these is specified (S906). Next, the position where the information dot 30 is arranged at these intersections is specified from the image data (S908).

  Next, the arrangement pattern of the information dots 30 in each virtual radiation is obtained based on the position where the information dots 30 are arranged. Then, referring to FIG. 4, each bit is obtained from the arrangement pattern (S910). If the data structure includes a parity bit as information, the accuracy of the information is verified based on the parity bit (S912).

  In this way, information included in the information expression pattern 1 can be extracted.

=== About the second reference example ===
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an information expression pattern when the number of virtual rays is increased. The reference numerals in this figure are expressed by adding “′ (dash)” to the reference numerals used in the first reference example. For example, the central position mark in the second reference example is given a reference numeral 10 '.

  In the second reference example, the number of virtual rays in the information expression pattern 1 ′ is 32. Also, the number of circular imaginary lines has increased to eight. The positions at which the information dots 30 ′ on the virtual radiation labeled “a” can be arranged are odd-numbered circular virtual lines (first circular virtual line 31 ′, third circular virtual line) counted from the inside. 33 ′, fifth circular imaginary line 35 ′, and seventh circular imaginary line 37 ′). The positions where the information dots 30 ′ on the virtual radiation labeled “b” can be arranged are even-numbered circular virtual lines (second circular virtual line 32 ′, fourth circular virtual line counted from the inside). 34 ′, sixth circular imaginary line 36 ′, and eighth circular imaginary line 38 ′). Further, the virtual line segment 22 'and the virtual radiation 1a are arranged so as to overlap each other.

  Even in such an arrangement, information can be included in the information expression pattern 1 ′ using the first data structure to the second data structure in the first reference example.

  In addition, by doing so, the positions where the information dots 30 ′ can be arranged increase, so that a larger amount of information can be expressed. Further, the information dots are alternately arranged between the adjacent virtual rays. For this reason, the information dots 30 'can be arranged more densely.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement example of the information dots 30 ′ in the second reference example. Even in such an information expression pattern 1 ′, information can be included on the assumption that one information dot is always formed on one virtual radiation by the same method as described above.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram when the virtual line is made invisible in the second reference example. In this manner, when the information dots 30 ′ are arranged more densely, the information dots 30 ′ are expressed as a pattern having less regularity at first glance. The three are more difficult to extract information.

  In the above reference example, there is one information dot 30 placed on one virtual radiation. However, the number of information dots 30 placed on one virtual radiation is not limited to one. Hereinafter, a description will be given when a plurality of information dots are arranged on one virtual radiation.

=== First Embodiment ===
Many of the configurations in the first embodiment are common to the above-described reference example, but the difference is that a plurality of information dots are arranged on one virtual radiation. Hereinafter, a case where a plurality of dots are arranged on one virtual radiation will be described. Each element common to the first reference example is expressed by adding 1 to the hundreds of the reference numerals of the first reference example represented by two digits.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the information expression pattern 101 in the first embodiment. The information expression pattern 101 in the first embodiment has eight circular virtual lines. Four of the eight circular phantom lines are called circular phantom lines on the inner periphery. Also, the outer four lines are called circular imaginary lines on the outer periphery.

  The circular imaginary line in the inner peripheral part includes a first circular imaginary line 131i in the inner peripheral part, a second circular imaginary line 132i in the inner peripheral part, a third circular imaginary line 133i in the inner peripheral part, and a fourth virtual line in the inner peripheral part. It includes a circular imaginary line 134i. In addition, the circular imaginary line in the outer peripheral portion includes a first circular imaginary line 131o in the outer peripheral portion, a second circular imaginary line 132o in the outer peripheral portion, a third circular imaginary line 133o in the outer peripheral portion, and a fourth circular imaginary line in the outer peripheral portion. 134o is included. In the present embodiment, one circular imaginary line is inserted between the circular imaginary line on the inner peripheral portion and the circular imaginary line on the outer peripheral portion, but this need not be provided.

  Moreover, in FIG. 17, two symbols are attached to each virtual radiation. In the virtual radiation, the part corresponding to the reference numeral with the numeral “1” following the alphabet is a part intersecting the circular virtual line on the inner periphery, and the numeral “2” follows the alphabet. The portion corresponding to the reference numeral is a portion that intersects with the circular imaginary line on the outer periphery. For example, reference numerals 1a1 and 1a2 are attached to one virtual radiation, but a portion corresponding to 1a1 is a portion intersecting with a circular virtual line in the inner peripheral portion of the virtual radiation, and a portion corresponding to 1a2 is This is a portion of the virtual radiation that intersects with the circular virtual line on the outer periphery.

  FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between 2-bit information and the arrangement pattern of information dots 130. In the drawing, a set of two X-th virtual rays Xa (a series) and Xb (b series) is extracted and shown. In the first embodiment, the position where the information dot 130 is arranged for one virtual radiation is divided into an inner peripheral group and an outer peripheral group. When the number following “a” or “b” is “1”, it indicates an inner peripheral group, and when it is “2”, it indicates an outer peripheral group.

  Further, the numbers after the hyphens following these correspond to the numbers of the circular imaginary lines intersecting with the inner peripheral group and the outer peripheral group, respectively. For example, the intersection of the virtual radiation 1a and the fourth circular virtual line 134i in the inner periphery is represented as “1a1-4”. As described above, Xa1-1 to Xa1-4, Xa2-1 to Xa1-4, Xb1-1 to Xb1-4, and Xb2-1 to Xb2-4 are virtual positions at which the information dots 130 are arranged. It is shown on the radiation Xa, Xb.

  A plurality of information dots 130 are arranged for one virtual radiation. However, one information dot 130 is disposed at the intersection of the inner peripheral group of each virtual radiation, and one information dot 130 is also disposed at the intersection of the outer peripheral group of each virtual radiation.

  Further, FIG. 18A shows 2-bit information corresponding to the arrangement pattern of the information dots 130. For example, the information “00” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xa1-1. Further, the information “01” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xa1-2. Also, the information “10” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xa1-3. Further, the information “11” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dots 130 are arranged at the position of Xa1-4.

  The relationship between the arrangement pattern and the 2-bit information is different between the a-sequence inner periphery group, the a-sequence outer periphery group, the b-sequence inner periphery group, and the b-sequence outer periphery group. For example, the information “00” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xa1-1. Further, the information “11” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xb1-1. The information “10” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xa2-1. The information “01” corresponds to the arrangement pattern in which the information dot 130 is arranged at the position of Xb2-1.

  In the first embodiment, the correspondence between the arrangement pattern and the information as shown in FIG. 18A is used, but the relationship between the position of the information dot 130 and the information of 2 bits is not limited to this and is arbitrarily set. be able to.

  FIG. 18B is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence between the represented information and each group of virtual radiation. This diagram corresponds to FIG. 5 in the first reference example. As shown in the figure, the most significant 2 bits are represented by the inner peripheral group of the virtual radiation 1a. The subsequent 2 bits are represented by the outer peripheral group of the virtual radiation 1a. Thus, as shown in the figure, 2 bits of the inner peripheral group of one virtual radiation and 2 bits of the outer peripheral group are continuously arranged, and the least significant 2 bits are represented by the outer peripheral group of the virtual radiation 8b. Is done.

  By doing in this way, the information expression pattern 101 which has arrange | positioned the some information dot 130 on virtual radiation can be provided. In FIG. 18B, the 2-bit information of the inner peripheral group and the 2-bit information of the outer peripheral group are shown as being alternately arranged. However, the 2-bit information of only the inner peripheral group from the top is used. Are arranged in succession (specifically, 1a1, 1b1, 2a1,..., 8b1), and then 2-bit information of only the outer peripheral group is continuously arranged (specifically, 1a2, 1b2). ,..., 8b2). These arrangement methods can be arbitrarily set.

Next, a case where information expressed in bit units is interleaved will be described.
FIG. 19 is a table for explaining the arrangement of data when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information in the inner peripheral group. FIG. 20 is a table showing the bits represented by the virtual rays and the corresponding numbers of the bits in the inner peripheral group. FIG. 21 is a table for explaining the arrangement of data when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information in the outer peripheral group. FIG. 22 is a table showing the bits represented by virtual radiation and the corresponding numbers of the bits in the outer peripheral group. The way of viewing these tables is substantially the same as the way of viewing FIGS. 8 and 9 in the above-mentioned reference example, but in the first embodiment, the inner peripheral group is taken as one group (FIGS. 19 and 20). Is completed, and one table (FIGS. 21 and 22) is completed with the outer peripheral group as one unit. In this embodiment, FIG. 19 and FIG. 21 have the same arrangement order of the corresponding numbers in the table, but the arrangement of the correspondence numbers is not limited to this, and the arrangement may be different.

  FIG. 23 is a table showing an example of information to be specifically included. Hereinafter, the inclusion of data from Byte 1 to Byte 8 as shown in this figure will be described. FIG. 23 shows information names (for example, “customer code”, “application ID”, etc.) corresponding to Byte units or nibble units, numerical values in binary notation in nibble units, and hexadecimal numbers corresponding to the numerical values. The numerical value by notation is shown.

  FIG. 24A is a table specifically explaining the arrangement of data when a parity bit is assigned as one piece of information in the inner peripheral group, and FIG. 24B shows a parity bit as one piece of information in the outer peripheral group. It is a table | surface explaining concretely the arrangement | positioning of the data when it allocates. Each bit information is shown in parentheses in each cell of the table shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B. For example, since the information of nibble1 in FIG. 23 is “0000”, these bits are sequentially assigned to the correspondence numbers “5”, “15”, “31”, and “12” of each cell of nibble1 of Byte1 in FIG. It corresponds. Further, for example, since the nibble2 information in FIG. 23 is “0001”, the corresponding numbers “25”, “29”, “9”, and “21” of these cells correspond to the nibble2 cells in Byte2 in FIG. Is supported. In this way, each bit information enters the cell associated with each corresponding number.

  FIG. 25 is a table for specifically explaining the arrangement of information dots on the inner and outer peripheral portions of each virtual radiation. In FIG. 25, symbols (displayed as “group”) of each group, 2-bit data embedded in the group (displayed as “data”), and symbols (pattern and display) indicating the pattern of information dot arrangement It is shown. This table specifies the positions where the information dots 130 are arranged with reference to the tables of FIGS. 18A, 20 and 22 for the information embedded in FIGS. 24A and 24B as described above.

  In the figure, when the information dot is arranged at the intersection with the first circular imaginary line, the lowermost circle is filled with black in the column of the inner periphery or the outer periphery. Further, when the information dot is arranged at the intersection with the second circular imaginary line, the second circle from the lowest circle is filled with black in the inner circumference or outer circumference column. When the information dot is arranged at the intersection with the third circular imaginary line, the third circle from the lowest circle is filled with black in the column of the inner periphery or the outer periphery. In addition, when the information dot is arranged at the intersection with the fourth circular imaginary line, the fourth circle from the lowest circle is filled with black in the inner circumference or outer circumference column.

  For example, in the group “1a1”, the upper bit corresponds to the cell with the corresponding number “1” in the inner periphery (see FIG. 20), and the lower bit corresponds to the cell with the corresponding number “2” in the inner periphery (see FIG. 20). 20). Referring to FIG. 24A, the bit of the cell with the corresponding number “1” is 0, and the bit of the cell with the corresponding number “2” is also 0. Therefore, the data is “00”. Referring to FIG. 18A, in the group Xa1, the data “00” corresponds to the arrangement of the information dot 130 in Xa1-1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, the information dot 130 is arranged at the intersection with the first circular imaginary line 131i in the inner periphery.

  Further, for example, in the group “1a2”, the upper bit corresponds to the cell with the corresponding number “1” in the outer peripheral portion (see FIG. 22), and the lower bit corresponds to the cell with the corresponding number “2” in the outer peripheral portion (see FIG. 22). Referring to FIG. 24B, the bit of the cell with the corresponding number “1” is 1, and the bit of the cell with the corresponding number “2” is also 1. Therefore, the data is “11”. Referring to FIG. 18B, in the group Xa2, the data “11” corresponds to the arrangement of the information dot 130 in Xa2-2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, the information dot 130 is arranged at the intersection with the second circular virtual circle 132o on the outer peripheral portion.

  By performing such a procedure for all the groups, one information dot 130 can be arranged for each group. In the above description, the method for arranging the information dots 130 has been described. However, the information shown in FIG. 23 can be extracted from the information expression pattern 101 by going through the reverse of the above procedure.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an information expression pattern when the virtual line is made invisible in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information expression pattern 101 is represented as a pattern having no regularity at first glance. In particular, as shown in the first embodiment, by making it possible to arrange a plurality of dots in one virtual radiation, it becomes more difficult for a third party to foresee the above rules.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which one information dot 130 is arranged for each of the inner peripheral group and the outer peripheral group. However, a plurality of information dots are arranged in each group. Also good. For example, if there are four intersections for one group, that is, four positions where the information dots 130 can be arranged, six information representations can be made when two places are selected. For example, when there are five intersections for one group, that is, when there are five positions where the information dots 130 can be arranged, ten information representations can be expressed.

Further, here, by providing two groups of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion, a plurality of information dots 130 are arranged in one virtual radiation. However, the number of groups is not limited to this, and more It is good also as providing the group of.
Further, the way of dividing the group is not limited to the way of dividing the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion as described above.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating how to divide groups. In the figure, groups surrounded by solid lines are shown. For example, virtual radiations 1a1 to 2b2 may be treated as one group as shown as group Gr1, and virtual radiations 3a1 to 4b2 may be handled as one group as shown as group Gr2.

  Further, a group in which the group Gr1 and the group Gr2 are divided into an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion, such as a group Gri3, a group Gro3, a group Gri4, and a group Gro4, may be formed. Moreover, it is good also as mixing each group from which these shapes differ. When such grouping is performed, of course, the relationship between the arrangement pattern of the information dots 130 in each group and information corresponding thereto (for example, the above-described 2-bit information) is defined in advance. .

  Further, here, parity is used as an error detection method, but a CRC code may be used. Further, a Reed-Solomon code may be used as an error correction method.

=== Second Embodiment ===
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of the center position mark 210 in the second embodiment. The reference numerals in the figure are expressed by adding 2 to the hundreds of the reference numerals used in the first embodiment. For example, the central position mark in the second embodiment is denoted by reference numeral 210.

  In the information expression pattern in the above-described embodiment, the shape of the center position mark is configured by an arc, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 28, dots 211 and 212 are arranged one by one on the center of the information expression pattern and on the virtual line segment 222 inside the first circular imaginary line 231, respectively, as the center position mark 210. Good.

  The ratio between the distance between the dot 211 and the dot 212 and the radius of each circular imaginary line is obtained in advance. By doing so, the radius of each circular virtual line can be obtained by multiplying the distance between the obtained dot 211 and dot 212 by a predetermined value.

  However, the center position mark 210 can be configured with a dot interval that cannot occur in the dot interval between the information dots 230. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish the pattern of the overall shape of the center position mark 210 as being different from the information dot 230.

  Furthermore, in order to ensure the distinction between the pattern of the shape of the center position mark 210 and the pattern of the shape of the information dot 230, a dot having a size different from that of the information dot 230 is used for the center position mark 210. It is good.

=== Third Embodiment ===
FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of the center position mark 310 in the third embodiment. The reference numerals in this figure are expressed by adding 3 to the hundreds of the reference numerals used in the first embodiment. For example, the central position mark in the third embodiment is denoted by reference numeral 310.

  The center position mark 310 can have an isosceles triangular shape as shown in FIG. The direction from the center of the long side of the isosceles triangle to the apex sandwiched between the short sides of the isosceles triangle is the reference direction. Further, the long side of the isosceles triangle is in contact with an axis that is orthogonal to the reference direction and passes through the center of the information expression pattern 301.

  Also by doing in this way, the center position mark 310 can indicate the center and the reference direction of the information expression pattern 301. Further, the shape of the center position mark 310 can be distinguished as being different from the information dot 330.

  Further, it is assumed that the ratio between the height of the isosceles triangle and the radius of each circular imaginary line is obtained in advance. By doing so, the radius of each circular imaginary line can be obtained by multiplying the height of the obtained isosceles triangle by a predetermined number.

  The distortion amount in each direction of the information expression pattern 301 can also be estimated by referring to the deformation state of each side of the isosceles triangle. Based on the estimated distortion amount, the positions of the circular virtual line and the virtual radiation can be appropriately corrected, and the arrangement position of the information dot 330 can be specified.

=== Fourth Embodiment ===
FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of the center position mark 410 in the fourth embodiment. The reference numerals in this figure are expressed by adding 4 to the hundreds of the reference numerals used in the first embodiment. For example, the center position mark in the fourth embodiment is denoted by reference numeral 410.

  The center position mark 410 may have a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the rectangle indicates the reference direction. In addition, the short side of the rectangle is in contact with an axis orthogonal to the reference direction and passing through the center of the information expression pattern 401.

  Also by doing this, the center position mark 410 can indicate the center and the reference direction of the information expression pattern 401. Further, the shape of the center position mark 410 can be distinguished from the information dot 430 as being different.

  Further, it is assumed that a ratio between the length of the long side of the rectangle and the radius of each circular imaginary line is obtained in advance. By doing so, the radius of each circular virtual line can be obtained by multiplying the length of the long side of the obtained rectangle by a predetermined value.

  The distortion amount in each direction of the information expression pattern 401 can also be estimated by referring to the deformation state of each side of the rectangle. Then, based on the estimated distortion amount, the positions of the circular virtual line and the virtual radiation can be appropriately corrected, and the arrangement position of the information dot 430 can be specified.

=== Fifth Embodiment ===
FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of the center position mark 510 in the fifth embodiment. In the figure, 5 is attached to the hundreds of the signs used in the first embodiment. For example, the center position mark in the fifth embodiment is denoted by reference numeral 510.

  In the figure, three dots 511, 512, and 513 are shown. These three dots are arranged so as to form an isosceles triangle by connecting the vertices. In the sixth embodiment, these three dots constitute the center position mark 510.

  FIG. 32A is a first diagram illustrating a technique for specifying a center, FIG. 32B is a second diagram illustrating a technique for specifying a center, and FIG. 32C illustrates a technique for specifying a center. FIG. First, it is assumed that three dots 511 to 513 are acquired by the imaging apparatus 1060 as shown in FIG. 32A. At this time, a virtual line segment 522 perpendicular to the dot 511 is provided with respect to the long side of the isosceles triangle formed by the dots 512 and 513 (FIG. 32B). Then, the location where the virtual line segment 522 and the long side of the isosceles triangle intersect becomes the center indicated by the center position mark 510 (FIG. 32C).

  In this way, the center of the center position mark 510 (that is, the center of the information expression pattern 501) can be indicated by a combination of a plurality of figures.

  Next, a method for obtaining the radius of each circular imaginary line using such a center position mark 510 will be described.

  FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a first method for obtaining the radius of a circular virtual line. In the figure, three dots 511 to 513 and a first circular imaginary line 531 are shown. The center of the center position mark 510 and the virtual line segment 522 can be obtained by the method as described above. Then, the distance r0 from the center to the dot 511 can be obtained. In addition, it is assumed that the radius r1 of the first circular imaginary line 531 is also determined in advance, and the magnification p1 by which the distance r0 is multiplied to determine the radius r1 is also determined in advance. Therefore, the radius of the first virtual virtual line 531 can be obtained by multiplying the obtained distance r0 by the magnification p1. Although the method for obtaining the radius of the first circular imaginary line 531 has been described here, the magnification p2 multiplied by the distance r0 to obtain the radius of the second circular imaginary line and the radius of the third circular imaginary line are obtained. Using the same method as described above, the radius of each circular imaginary line is also obtained using the magnification p3 multiplied by the distance r0 and the magnification p4 multiplied by the distance r0 to obtain the radius of the fourth circular imaginary line. Can do.

  By the way, when the dots 511 to 513 are acquired by the imaging device 1060, the distance r0 may include an error. Since the radius of each circular imaginary line is obtained by multiplying the distance r0 by a predetermined magnification larger than 1, if the distance r0 includes an error, the error included in these radii is also a predetermined multiple (greater than 1). Is done. As a result, an error also occurs in the position of the circular imaginary line where the information dot will be arranged. In order to cope with such a situation, the following method can also be used.

  FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of a second method for obtaining the radius of a circular virtual line. In the figure, a plurality of information expression patterns 501 are shown. Here, for ease of explanation, a plurality of information expression patterns 501 are shown in a simplified manner, and only the center of each information expression pattern 501 and the fourth circular virtual line 534 are shown.

  In addition, the distances between the centers of the plurality of information expression patterns 501 are all set to D1. The central angle of each line segment connecting the centers is π / 3 (60 °). In this case, it is assumed that the ratio between the radius of the fourth circular imaginary line 534 of each information expression pattern 501 and the distance D1 is determined in advance. Specifically, the radius of the fourth circular imaginary line 534 is obtained by multiplying the distance D1 by a magnification q4 (smaller than 1).

  By doing in this way, even if the measurement error by the imaging device 1060 is included in the distance D1, the radius of the fourth circular imaginary line 534 is obtained by multiplying by a magnification q4 less than 1. The included error can be made relatively small. Then, the position of the circular imaginary line can be obtained appropriately. Even in the case where distortion occurs at a different ratio for each direction (that is, when the value of D1 is different for each central angle), all directions (specifically, π / 3, 2π) / 3, π, 4π / 3, 5π / 3, 2π center angle direction), the radius of the circular imaginary line can be obtained on the basis of the information expression pattern 501, and the distortion for each direction is corrected. Thus, a circular imaginary line can be obtained.

  Although only the method for obtaining the radius of the fourth circular imaginary line 534 has been described here, the magnification q1 multiplied by the distance D1 and the radius of the second circular imaginary line are obtained in order to obtain the radius of the first circular imaginary line. It is possible to obtain the radius of each circular imaginary line by the same method as described above using the multiple q2 multiplied by the distance D1 to obtain the value and the multiple q3 multiplied by D1 to obtain the radius of the third circular imaginary line. Needless to say.

  FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a third method for obtaining the radius of the circular virtual line. Again, a plurality of information representation patterns 501 are shown, but these are simplified and only the center and the fourth circular imaginary line 534 are shown.

  In FIG. 35, the distances between the centers of the plurality of information expression patterns 501 are all D2. The central angle of each line segment connecting the centers is π / 2 (90 °). Even in such an arrangement, the radius of each circular imaginary line can be appropriately obtained by multiplying the center-to-center distance D2 by a predetermined magnification (smaller than 1).

  In the above description, the center angle of each line segment connecting the centers has been described as π / 3 or π / 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of information expression patterns 501 are arranged at other center angles. It is good.

=== Other Embodiments ===
In the above description, a plurality of examples of the center position mark in the information expression pattern are shown, but the arrangement and shape of the center position mark are not limited to these. As long as at least the center of the information expression pattern and the reference direction can be indicated, the center position mark may have another shape. The information dot shape may not be a dot as long as it can be distinguished from the center position mark. The term “dot” is used here for ease of explanation. For example, the shape of the center position mark and information dot may be a shape of a playing card spade, diamond, heart, clover, or the like, or a star shape.

  Since the above information expression pattern can be configured to be extremely small, it can be arranged without affecting the design on the medium, but it can also be printed using infrared absorbing ink when printing further Good. By doing so, it can be made invisible to the naked eye and can be printed so as not to affect the design.

  The information expression pattern can be printed using carbon ink. At this time, the same color carbon ink and non-carbon ink are used. Then, an information expression pattern is printed with carbon ink, and solid printing is performed with non-carbon ink so as to cover the information expression pattern. By doing so, since these inks are the same color, the information expression pattern can be acquired by photographing with a camera equipped with an infrared filter while making the information expression pattern invisible in the sensation. . The information expression pattern may be printed with carbon ink, and the design may be printed with color non-carbon ink.

  In addition, a pattern may be printed using a color with low sensitivity to the naked eye, specifically yellow. By doing so, it is possible to design printing so that it is hardly recognized by the naked eye and does not affect the design more.

  Alternatively, an information expression pattern may be printed with carbon ink, and a fine ground pattern composed of dots may be printed using non-carbon ink. The fine ground pattern may be a mesh pattern, a fine polka dot pattern, or a ground pattern having a certain pattern similar to the information expression pattern. By doing in this way, the information expression pattern printed with carbon ink and a ground pattern can be made hard to distinguish with the naked eye.

  Further, the information expression pattern can be printed using an ink jet printer. When printing using an inkjet printer, the information included in the information expression pattern can be easily varied. Therefore, an information expression pattern including different information for each individual such as a serial number representing a unique number can be printed for each different article.

  Moreover, it is good also as forming an information expression pattern in an article | item using a laser marking. According to laser marking, an information expression pattern can be formed by peeling a printed surface with a laser or peeling a surface layer of a substrate. A fine information expression pattern can be formed with high accuracy.

101 Information expression pattern,
110 Center position mark,
130 information dots,
131i first circular imaginary line on the inner periphery, 131o first circular imaginary line on the outer periphery,
132i second circular imaginary line on the inner periphery, 132o second circular imaginary line on the outer periphery,
133i 3rd circular imaginary line of inner circumference part, 133o 3rd circular imaginary line of outer circumference part,
134i Fourth circular imaginary line on the inner periphery, 134o Fourth circular imaginary line on the outer periphery,
1a1-8b2 Virtual radiation

Claims (18)

Arranging a pattern of a first shape that defines a center and a reference direction of an information expression pattern;
At a plurality of intersections between a plurality of virtual circles having a common center with the information expression pattern and having different radii and a plurality of virtual radiations defined at predetermined center angles with respect to the reference direction Disposing a pattern of a second shape, and an information expression method for arranging a plurality of patterns of the second shape on each of the virtual radiations,
The first shape pattern is an axis that intersects the reference direction and is asymmetric with respect to an axis that passes through the center of the information expression pattern, and an axis that extends along the reference direction and that is centered on the information expression pattern. Consists of figures that are symmetric with respect to the passing axis,
Correspondence between the position of each predetermined digit of the numerical value as the information to be expressed and each of the virtual radiation is defined,
The correspondence between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape should be arranged in the virtual radiation is determined,
For each of the predetermined digits of the numerical value as the expressed information, identify the corresponding virtual radiation,
According to the numerical value for each predetermined digit in the numerical value as the expressed information, the corresponding intersection point in the specified virtual radiation is specified, and the pattern of the second shape is arranged at the specified intersection point ,
The correspondence between the numerical value for each predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape is to be arranged is different between the adjacent virtual radiations,
Information representation method. Arranging a pattern of a first shape that defines a center and a reference direction of an information expression pattern;
At a plurality of intersections between a plurality of virtual circles having a common center with the information expression pattern and having different radii and a plurality of virtual radiations defined at predetermined center angles with respect to the reference direction Disposing a pattern of a second shape, and an information expression method for arranging a plurality of patterns of the second shape on each of the virtual radiations,
The first shape pattern is an axis that intersects the reference direction and is asymmetric with respect to an axis that passes through the center of the information expression pattern, and an axis that extends along the reference direction and that is centered on the information expression pattern. Consists of figures that are symmetric with respect to the passing axis,
Correspondence between the position of each predetermined digit of the numerical value as the information to be expressed and each of the virtual radiation is defined,
The correspondence between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and the intersection where the pattern of the second shape should be arranged in the virtual radiation is determined,
For each of the predetermined digits of the numerical value as the expressed information, identify the corresponding virtual radiation,
According to the numerical value for each predetermined digit in the numerical value as the expressed information, the corresponding intersection point in the specified virtual radiation is specified, and the pattern of the second shape is arranged at the specified intersection point ,
The position where the pattern of the second shape can be arranged at the intersection is different between the adjacent virtual radiations,
Information representation method. The pattern of the first shape is made arcuate, defining a center of the center point the information expression pattern of the circular arc, middle sincerely direction towards the opening of the circular arc defining the reference direction, claim 1 or 2. The information expression method according to 2. 3. The information expression method according to claim 1, wherein the first shape pattern includes a plurality of figures arranged inside an innermost virtual circle of the plurality of virtual circles. The plurality of figures include at least a first figure and a second figure, the first figure defines a center of the information expression pattern, and a direction from the first figure to the second figure is The information expression method according to claim 4 , wherein the reference direction is defined. The information representation method according to claim 5 , wherein each of the first graphic and the second graphic is the same graphic as the graphic of the second shape pattern. The pattern of the first shape, the larger than the pattern of the second shape, information representation method according to any one of claims 1-6. The pattern of the first shape comprises a shape for obtaining a radial expansion ratio of the imaginary circle, information representation method according to any one of claims 1-7. Intersection of each said temporary Soho ray is divided into a plurality of groups, the pattern of one of said second shape is disposed in each group in each virtual radiation,
The information expression according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein a correspondence relationship between the numerical value of the predetermined digit and an intersection where the pattern of the second shape is to be arranged in each group of the virtual radiation is defined. Method. Wherein the predetermined position in the number is bit information, information representation method according to any one of claims 1-9. The information expression method according to claim 10 , wherein the information to be expressed is replaced in units of bits in advance. Information includes a bit for the detection or error correction error, information representation method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 which is the representation. Furthermore, the distance between the centers in the constant includes forming a plurality of the information expression pattern, information representation method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The information expression method according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of information expression patterns are arranged at predetermined center angles. Article information expression pattern represented by information representing the method described is formed in any of claims 1-14. A reading section for reading the information expression pattern represented by information representing method according to any of claims 1-14,
The position of the first shape pattern is specified based on the read image data of the information expression pattern, and the second shape pattern is arranged for each virtual radiation based on the specified first shape pattern. Identify the intersection point, identify the numerical value corresponding to each virtual radiation according to the correspondence relationship between the intersection point in the virtual radiation and the numerical value of the predetermined digit, the correspondence between the virtual radiation and the position of each predetermined digit In response, an output unit that outputs a numerical value as the expressed information by specifying a predetermined digit position of each of the specified numerical values,
An information output device comprising: When a plurality of the information expression patterns are formed with a constant distance between the centers, the radius of the virtual circle is obtained by multiplying the distance between the centers of the information expression patterns by a predetermined numerical value less than 1. The information output device according to claim 16 , wherein A control unit generating information expression pattern represented by information representing method according to any of claims 1-14,
An information forming unit for forming the generated first shape pattern and the second shape pattern on a medium;
An information expression device comprising:

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