JP5080949B2 - Image information with two-dimensional code, its generation device, printing device, reading method, reading device, reading program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to two-dimensional code-added image information, a generation device, a printing device, a reading method, a reading device, a reading program, and a recording medium that have high designability when used in combination with image information.

The two-dimensional code has a feature that it can be easily read by a mobile phone. Therefore, it is widely adopted for transmission of various information that cannot be transmitted only by printing. At present, quadrangular ones are the mainstream, but circular two-dimensional codes have also been developed because recognition processing can always be performed under constant conditions even if the orientation changes (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-79286 A

As a use of the two-dimensional code, information transmission for advertising can be given. It is most common that a square two-dimensional code is printed on a part of an advertisement article. However, such conventional two-dimensional codes are different from advertisement articles and photographs, and when considering the overall balance, it is often difficult to arrange them appropriately. On the other hand, a method of embedding a two-dimensional code in an image such as a photograph so as not to be conspicuous has been developed.
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a two-dimensional code-added image that retains high designability, secures a sufficient amount of information, and does not easily cause read errors when used in combination with image information. It is an object of the present invention to provide information, its generation device, printing device, reading method, reading device, and reading program.

[Invention 1]
An apparatus for reading an image with a two-dimensional code having the following features (1) to (10), storing the read result of the two-dimensional code in a storage unit, and outputting the result: (11) to (15) 2) an image information reading means having two-dimensional code, a data sampling means, and a code conversion means.
(1) a code recognition area composed of a band-shaped frame having a certain width for displaying a two-dimensional code, and image information related to character information contained in the two-dimensional code surrounded by the frame;
(2) The two-dimensional code includes a code group regularly arranged along a band direction from a specific location of the band-shaped frame,
(3) the code recognition area includes a plurality of constant width annular areas sandwiched between a plurality of circles having a common center of rotation;
(4) The outermost annular region is set as a boundary region, and the color of this boundary region is colored to a uniform color that can be distinguished from the background color.
(5) A certain number of annular regions arranged inside the boundary region are set as code regions,
(6) The innermost annular region is set as a boundary region, and the color of the boundary region is colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the image information surrounded by the frame,
(7) A region separated by a radial line drawn from the rotation center of the annular region and the plurality of circles is a structural unit (cell) of the code region,
(8) A predetermined pattern is arranged in a part of the annular area adjacent to the boundary area, and the code reading start position of all code areas is on or near a line connecting a predetermined position on the pattern and the rotation center. age,
(9) Design information indicating the shape of the two-dimensional code in a part of the code area adjacent to the boundary area, the circumferential width T of the cell, the number of cells, and the number of code areas And place things including
(10) The width R of the boundary area and the code area as viewed in the radial line direction are equal.
(11) In the image obtained by reading the image with the two-dimensional code, the image analysis unit first acquires the position coordinates of the entire circumference of the boundary region, recognizes the width R of the boundary region, and Calculate the reading position coordinates of the code area of width R adjacent to the area,
(12) The data sampling means reads a code area adjacent to the boundary area at the reading position coordinates, stores sampling data in the storage unit,
(13) The image analysis unit acquires the design information from the sampling data, and uses the design information to calculate the reading start position and the reading position of all the code areas,
(14) The data sampling unit reads all the code regions using the reading start position and the reading position of the code region calculated by the image analysis unit, stores the sampling data in the storage unit,
(15) The code conversion means performs a process of encoding the read result and outputs a read code.
[Invention 2]
A program for reading image information with a two-dimensional code that causes a computer to function as the above-described image analysis means, data sampling means, and code conversion means.
[Invention 3]
A computer-readable recording medium on which a reading program for image information with a two-dimensional code is recorded.
[Configuration of Example]
The following configurations are means for solving the above-described problems.
<Configuration 1>
It consists of a code recognition area consisting of a band-shaped frame of a certain width for displaying a two-dimensional code, and image information surrounded by this frame. Image information with a two-dimensional code, comprising a group of codes regularly arranged along.

  A two-dimensional code is arranged in a belt-like frame. Arbitrary image information is arranged in a place surrounded by a belt-like frame. Various information can be displayed including character information related to image information in the two-dimensional code. When a two-dimensional code is displayed in a belt-like frame that surrounds image information, a larger amount of information can be obtained than when the two-dimensional code is arranged in a certain area inside the image information.

<Configuration 2>
In the image information with a two-dimensional code described in Configuration 1, the code recognition area includes a plurality of constant-width annular areas sandwiched between a plurality of circles or regular polygons having a common center of rotation, and the outermost annular shape Set the area as the boundary area, color it in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the background color, set a certain number of annular areas arranged inside the boundary area as the code area, and a color different from the boundary area Image information with a two-dimensional code, characterized by including a structural unit of

  By providing a border area colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the background color, a plurality of annular areas sandwiched between a plurality of regular polygons having concentric circles and a common center of rotation are detected, and a code recognition area is specified. Can do. Although the boundary area is a single color, the code area can display, for example, a binarized code that is painted in a plurality of colors.

<Configuration 3>
In the image information with a two-dimensional code described in Configuration 1, the code recognition area includes a plurality of annular areas sandwiched between a plurality of circles or regular polygons having a common center of rotation, and an innermost annular area is defined. Set as a boundary area, colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from image information surrounded by a frame, set a certain number of annular areas arranged outside the boundary area as a code area, Is image information with a two-dimensional code, characterized in that it includes structural units of different colors.

  The boundary area may be arranged on the innermost side of the code recognition area. If there is a common center of rotation and the belt-like frame has a constant width, the data sampling positions of a plurality of annular regions can be obtained by calculation.

<Configuration 4>
In the image information with a two-dimensional code according to Configuration 2 or 3, a region divided by a radial line drawn from the rotation center of the annular region and the plurality of circles or regular polygons is defined as a unit of the code region. Image information with a two-dimensional code characterized by

    Since a region surrounded by a radial line and a plurality of concentric circles or regular polygons is a code region constituent unit (cell), code recognition and processing can be performed in this code constituent unit.

<Configuration 5>
In the image information with a two-dimensional code according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, an auxiliary annular region colored in a uniform color having a certain contrast with the boundary region is provided adjacent to the boundary region. Characteristic image information with 2D code.

  If an auxiliary annular region having a color having a certain contrast with the boundary region is provided, the boundary region can be clearly detected regardless of the color of the background image.

<Configuration 6>
In the image information with a two-dimensional code according to any one of Configurations 2 to 5, a predetermined pattern is arranged in a part of an annular region adjacent to the boundary region, and a predetermined position on the pattern and the rotation center are defined. Image information with a two-dimensional code, characterized in that the code reading start position of all code areas is on or near the connecting line.

    Since the reading start position of the code area is displayed in a part of the annular area adjacent to the boundary area, the reading start positions of a plurality of code areas can be designated collectively. Reading may be started from an appropriate position on or near a line connecting a predetermined location on the pattern and the rotation center.

<Configuration 7>
Two-dimensional code-added image information according to any one of Configurations 2 to 6, wherein information indicating the shape of the two-dimensional code is arranged in a part of an annular region adjacent to the boundary region Coded image information.

  For example, reading control can be facilitated by including information such as the width of the code area, the number of cells, and the number of code areas.

<Configuration 8>
A medium on which the image information with two-dimensional code according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7 is printed.

  Image information with a two-dimensional code can be printed, incorporated, or displayed on any medium.

<Configuration 9>
It comprises image synthesis means for reading image information stored in a storage device and generating an image in which any two-dimensional code according to any one of configurations 1 to 7 is arranged so as to surround the image information. An apparatus for generating image information with a two-dimensional code.

<Configuration 10>
A printing apparatus for image information with a two-dimensional code, comprising: the image synthesizing unit according to Configuration 9; and an image printing unit that prints the generated image.

<Configuration 11>
When reading any one of the two-dimensional code-added image information described in the configurations 1 to 7, the image correction unit compares the shape of the boundary region with a perfect circle or a regular polygon, and the boundary region becomes a perfect circle. A method for reading image information with a two-dimensional code, wherein the read image is corrected so as to draw a perfect circle for a regular polygon and a regular polygon for a regular polygon.

  Image distortion when image information with a two-dimensional code is photographed with a mobile phone or the like can be corrected by shape recognition of the boundary region.

<Configuration 12>
When reading any one of the two-dimensional code-added image information described in the configurations 1 to 7, the image correction unit compares the shape of the boundary region with a perfect circle or a regular polygon to calculate a distortion correction value, A method for reading image information with a two-dimensional code, wherein the read data sampling coordinates of a region are corrected with a distortion correction value.

    If the read image is distorted when image information with a two-dimensional code is photographed with a mobile phone or the like, a distortion correction value can be acquired and corrected.

<Configuration 13>
When reading any one of the two-dimensional code-added image information described in configurations 1 to 7, the image analysis unit recognizes the boundary area in the read image, and reads the code area adjacent to the boundary area A method of reading image information with a two-dimensional code, wherein the data sampling means executes read data sampling processing of the code area in a predetermined order.

    Since the boundary area is first recognized and the code area is read after calculating the reading position of the code area adjacent to the boundary area, the data sampling position can be automatically set with high accuracy.

<Configuration 14>
When reading any two-dimensional code-added image information described in configurations 1 to 7, the data sampling means executes at least two read data sampling processes for each code configuration unit in the code area. A method of reading featured image information with a two-dimensional code.

  The read accuracy can be maintained by executing the read data sampling process at least twice for each constituent unit (cell) of the code.

<Configuration 15>
A means for reading image information with a two-dimensional code according to any one of Structures 1 to 7, wherein the boundary area is recognized in the read image, and a reading position of a code area adjacent to the boundary area is calculated. An apparatus for reading image information with a two-dimensional code, comprising image analysis means and data sampling means for executing read data sampling processing of the code area in a predetermined order.

<Configuration 16>
A means for reading the image information with two-dimensional code according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the computer recognizes the boundary area in the read image, and reads the code area adjacent to the boundary area A program for reading image information with a two-dimensional code that functions as an image analysis means for calculating the data and a data sampling means for executing read data sampling processing of the code area in a predetermined order.

<Configuration 17>
A means for reading the image information with two-dimensional code according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the computer recognizes the boundary area in the read image, and reads the code area adjacent to the boundary area A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a two-dimensional code-added image information reading program that functions as image sampling means for calculating the data area and data sampling means for executing read data sampling processing of the code area in a predetermined order.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail for each example.

1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing the image information 10 with a two-dimensional code according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the two-dimensional code-added image information 10 is composed of a code recognition area 12 composed of a strip-shaped frame having a certain width W for displaying a two-dimensional code, and image information 14 surrounded by the frame. Has been. This two-dimensional code includes a code group regularly arranged along a band direction from a specific place of the band-shaped frame. The code group is, for example, a binarized cell group as described later. Any computer can be used as long as it can perform shape recognition processing on a computer.

  If the code recognition area 12 is formed in a perfect circle, the code recognition process is simplified as follows, and reading errors are less likely to occur. In addition, it is possible to design such that a cellular phone having a relatively low resolution can be read when taking a picture. In the following examples, a case of a perfect circle will be described. However, if a regular frame is formed with a belt-like frame having a certain width, for example, the processing is slightly more complicated than a perfect circle in the case of a regular polygon. Exactly the same processing can be performed.

  In this embodiment, a process of synthesizing a two-dimensional code with a part of the image information 14 becomes unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to prevent partial omission of the image information 14 due to mixing of the two-dimensional code. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to place a two-dimensional code in an area of an arbitrary shape around the image information 14, the process of recognizing the boundary of the display area of the two-dimensional code is not easy. Therefore, we decided to display the two-dimensional code in a strip-shaped frame with a certain width. In addition, a code group is regularly arranged along a band direction from a specific position of the band-shaped frame to facilitate reading.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the code recognition area 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the code recognition area 12 is a perfect circle. This has an effect that processing can be performed while ignoring the vertical and horizontal directions, similar to that described in Patent Document 1. The code recognition area 12 includes a plurality of annular areas sandwiched between a plurality of concentric circles having a predetermined radius. In the case of a regular polygon, it has a common center of rotation. If a plurality of regular polygons are concentrically arranged so that the width of the annular region is constant, the same processing as in the case of concentric circles can be performed.

  The outermost annular area is set as the boundary area 16. The boundary region 16 is colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the color of the background image 17, for example, black. In this embodiment, an auxiliary annular region 19 colored with a uniform color, for example, white, having a certain contrast with the boundary region 16 is provided adjacent to the outside of the boundary region 16. For example, even when the color of the background image 17 is difficult to distinguish from the boundary region 16, the outline of the code recognition region 12 can be clearly detected by the contrast between the boundary region 16 and the auxiliary annular region 19. When the color of the background image 17 is white or the like, the auxiliary annular area 19 is unnecessary. A certain number of annular regions arranged inside the boundary region 16 are set as the code region 18.

  The code area 18 includes a structural unit having a color different from that of the boundary area 16. This structural unit is referred to as a cell as will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a code is expressed by a binary expression using two types of cells, white and black. Of course, if color recognition processing can be performed, multi-value expression including various colors is possible. When image data including the background image 17 (FIG. 3) is acquired by a mobile phone or the like, the position of a plurality of annular regions sandwiched between concentric circles is calculated by detecting the boundary region 16 first, The code recognition area 12 is specified.

  In this embodiment, the boundary area 16 is arranged on the outermost periphery of the code recognition area 12. A certain number of code regions 18 exist so as to be in contact immediately inside the boundary region 16. If this is recognized, the reading process can be automatically performed. On the other hand, the same processing can be performed even if the boundary region 16 is arranged on the innermost periphery of the code recognition region 12. At this time, the boundary region 16 is colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the image information 14 surrounded by the frame. Since the color of the image information 14 may be different from the background color, the color selection is based on the color of the image information 14. This time, a certain number of annular areas arranged outside the boundary area 16 become code areas 18. The reading method and the like are exactly the same as in the example of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a more specific structure of the code recognition area 12.
As shown in (a) of the figure, a region delimited by a radial line 22 drawn from the rotation center 20 of the annular region and a plurality of concentric circles 23 is a constituent unit of the code region 18. This structural unit will be called a cell 24. In each code area 18, each cell 24 is colored white or black depending on the content of information. The binarized data expressed by combining these is converted into a character or symbol code and recognized.

  In the example of this figure, the widths R of the boundary region 16 and the code region 18 viewed in the direction of the radial line 22 are equal. When reading the image information 10 with a two-dimensional code, the boundary region 16 is first recognized. The outer diameter of the boundary region 16 can also be recognized. For example, if the width of the code region 18 and the width of each annular region are determined to be 1 / N of the outer diameter of the boundary region 16, the radius of the reading line of all the annular regions is automatically calculated. it can. Therefore, the sampling process described later can be automatically performed immediately. The width T of the radial line 22 is preferably set to be constant.

  In this way, if the boundary region 16 can be recognized, for example, reading can be started immediately from the inner code region 18, but if the entire configuration of the code recognition region 12 is clear, processing is easier. For example, it is desirable to know the circumferential width T of the cells 24, the number of cells 24, the number of code regions 18, and the like. For example, if the annular region is not a circle but a regular polygon, this fact may be displayed. Therefore, this information is included in a part of the annular region adjacent immediately inside the boundary region 16. This annular region is also one of the code regions 18. This is referred to as a pattern 26. That is, the pattern 26 may include information indicating the shape of the two-dimensional code. What is shown in (b) of the figure is a simple shape, does not need to recognize the reading start point, and has one boundary area 16 and one code area 18. When the pattern 26 for recognizing the reading start point is provided, it is preferable to set a code connecting start position in the code area on or near a line connecting a predetermined location on the pattern and the rotation center 20.

  The code area 18 is an annular area, and the code reading start point is not known as it is. Therefore, for example, the intersection of the radial line 22 drawn from the rotation center 20 with respect to the head position of the pattern 26 and the concentric circle 23 is set as the code reading start position 28 of all the code areas 18. Thereby, the preparation for the code recognition of all the code areas 18 is completed collectively. It is preferable to arrange only the pattern 26 in the annular region adjacent to the inner side of the boundary region 16. This is because the pattern 26 can be easily detected. The pattern 26 may be a simple mark that displays only the code reading start point. A processing method can be employed in which either one end of the pattern or a portion having a specific mark in the pattern is used as a code reading start point.

  As described above, the image information 10 with a two-dimensional code of the present invention has features that shape recognition and structure recognition are easy, processing speed can be increased, and malfunctions can be reduced. Moreover, since it has a frame shape, it does not adversely affect the image design and is excellent in design. Therefore, it is possible to design not only for advertising purposes but also by arranging a two-dimensional code around the seal as shown in FIG. Also, it can be used by printing on or incorporating into any medium such as catalogs, books, posters, etc.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for generating (printing) image information with a two-dimensional code.
An image information generating (printing) apparatus with a two-dimensional code can be configured by a computer 32 and a printer 38 shown in the figure. The computer 32 generates image information with a two-dimensional code, and the printer 38 prints the image information with a two-dimensional code under the control of the computer 32. The computer 32 is connected to a web server 36 through a network 34. The generated image information with a two-dimensional code is uploaded to, for example, the web server 36 and published on a web page. Further, for example, when the generation of the image information with a two-dimensional code is requested, it can be uploaded to the web server 36 and downloaded and provided by the user.

  The computer 32 includes a display 2, a main body control unit 3, a keyboard 4, and a mouse 5. An arithmetic processing device 40 and a storage device 42 are provided inside the main body control unit 3. The computer 32 functions as means listed in the arithmetic processing unit 40 at a predetermined timing by executing a computer program. The computer 32 reads necessary data stored in advance using the storage device 42 during execution of the computer program. Alternatively, new data is written and stored in the storage device 42.

  The arithmetic processing unit 40 is installed with computer programs such as an image processing unit 44, a code generation unit 46, an image synthesis unit 48, and an image printing unit 50, as shown in the figure. These computer programs cooperate to execute arithmetic processing. The storage device 42 stores data such as image information 14, boundary data 15, pattern 26, transmission information 52, code data 54, and composite image 55, as shown in the figure.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the image information 14 is arbitrary information for advertising and other information transmission. For example, there is image data as shown in FIG. The data format is, for example, a bitmap or jpeg format. The boundary data 15 is information that specifies the color of the boundary area, and may be color code data. As already described, the pattern 26 is information indicating the shape of the two-dimensional code. The transmission information 52 is character information or the like for conversion into a two-dimensional code. The code data 54 is a dictionary that is referred to when character information is converted into a two-dimensional code. The composite image 55 is image information with a two-dimensional code generated by combining predetermined data. The data format of this data is, for example, a bitmap or Jpeg format.

  The image processing means 44 acquires the image information 14, boundary data 15 and the like, edits and generates them, stores them in the storage device 42, generates image data of the boundary area 16 (FIG. 3), and generates image combining means. 48 has a function of executing processing such as passing to 48. The code generation means 46 has a function of generating a two-dimensional code while reading the transmission information 52 and referring to the code data 54. The image composition unit 48 reads the boundary data 15 and the image information 14 stored in the storage device 42. The boundary data 15 is data for generating the boundary region 16 and the auxiliary annular region 19 (FIG. 3). First, the image information 14 trimmed in a circle is arranged at the center. Furthermore, it has a function of arranging and synthesizing the two-dimensional code having the structure already described and the boundary data 15 so as to surround the image information 14. As a result, a composite image 55 is generated and stored in the storage device 42. This composite image 55 becomes data for printing the image information 10 with a two-dimensional code as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram of the management computer.
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, an HDD (Hard Disk) 114, and an input / output interface 115 are connected to the internal bus 110 of the computer 11. Has been. A display 2, a keyboard 4, a mouse 5, and a printer 38 are connected to the input / output interface 115. The above hardware is not different from that provided in a well-known personal computer. A network interface and the like are also provided for network connection, but since this is also known, detailed description of hardware is omitted.

  The storage device 42 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and an HDD 114. The arithmetic processing unit 40 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and the like. Various types of information are mainly stored and saved in the HDD 114. A computer program executed by the CPU 111 is stored in the ROM 112 or loaded into the RAM 113 as appropriate.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for reading image information with a two-dimensional code.
In this embodiment, the mobile phone 56 is a reading device for image information with a two-dimensional code. The camera 62 of the mobile phone 56 captures and retrieves the two-dimensional code, and displays the result on an output means 84 such as a display for output. An arithmetic processing unit 58 and a storage unit 60 are provided for two-dimensional code reading processing.

  The basic hardware configuration of the mobile phone 56 is the same as that of the computer 32 of FIG. Therefore, since it is the same as that of FIG. 6, the overlapping description is omitted. The computer of the mobile phone 56 functions as means listed in the arithmetic processing unit 58 at a predetermined timing by executing a computer program. In addition, the computer reads necessary data stored in advance using the storage unit 60 during execution of the computer program. Alternatively, new data is written and stored in the storage unit 60.

  As shown in the figure, computer programs such as an image acquisition unit 64, an image correction unit 66, an image analysis unit 68, a data sampling unit 70, and a code conversion unit 72 are installed in the arithmetic processing unit 58. These computer programs cooperate to execute arithmetic processing. The storage unit 60 stores data such as acquired image data 74, corrected image data 76, distortion correction value 78, sampling data 80, and reading code 82 as shown in the figure.

  The acquired image data 74 stored in the storage unit 60 is data acquired by photographing with the digital camera 62. In general, data in Jpeg format is frequently used. The corrected image data 76 is data obtained by correcting the acquired image data 74 for reading the code area 18 described with reference to FIG. The distortion correction value 78 is data used to correct the acquired image data 74. The sampling data 80 is data acquired when the code area 18 is read. The reading code 82 is data after the two-dimensional code is converted into a character code or the like.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the boundary area 16 and the code area 18.
The function of each means when reading a two-dimensional code will be described using this figure. The image acquisition unit 64 of FIG. 7 has a function of storing acquired image data 74 obtained by photographing with the camera 62 in the storage unit 60. The image analysis means 68 has a function of recognizing the boundary region 16. The image analysis unit 68 scans the acquired image data 74 along, for example, the line A in FIG. As already described, the boundary region 16 is colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the background color. Therefore, in the part where the line A crosses the boundary region 16, a read signal whose contrast exceeds the threshold value can be acquired.

  By repeating the same process for the entire circumference of the code recognition area 12, the position coordinates of the entire circumference of the boundary area 16 can be acquired. This completes the recognition process for the boundary region 16. Here, the radius of the code recognition area 12 is acquired. The code recognition area is divided in advance by the code area 18 and the size of the cell 24 (FIG. 4) to be used is determined in advance. A ratio to the radius of the code recognition area 12 may be determined. Thereby, it is possible to automatically calculate reading lines for data sampling of all annular regions. The image analysis means 68 obtains the reading position coordinates of all the code areas 18 by calculation processing.

  Next, correction processing of the acquired image data 74 is performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the code recognition area 12 is designed to be a perfect circle. However, the photographed image may be distorted depending on the photographing condition of the camera. When the position coordinates of the entire circumference of the boundary region 16 are not on a perfect circular arc, the image analysis means 68 acquires the distortion correction value 78 for all the position coordinates. Therefore, the corrected image data 76 is data in which the coordinate values are corrected so that both the boundary region 16 and the code region 18 are perfect circles. In this way, the code area 18 can be read by sampling on an arc having a certain radius from the rotation center of the code recognition area 12. The read data sampling coordinates may be corrected with the distortion correction value 78 without correcting the read image.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the data sampling operation. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of acquired data.
FIG. 9 shows a part of the code area 18, and a large number of sampling points 86 are set on an arc drawn near the center of the code area 18. The code area 18 includes white cells 24 and black cells 24. In this embodiment, the read data sampling process is executed at least twice for each of the cells 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the conversion point 87 of the read signal is first searched from the start of reading. The reading start point is specified by the pattern 26 described with reference to FIG. From there, a certain number of cells 24 are treated as start bits. When the conversion point 87 of the read signal is detected, for example, when it is determined that the color has changed from black to white, and the same value is acquired twice in succession, the value “1 (white)” is obtained. Get the data. Thereafter, when the color changes from white to black again, and when the same value is acquired twice in succession, data having a value of “0 (black)” is acquired. In other words, data is not acquired at signal change points. Any known cell reading algorithm may be used. If sampling is performed with a resolution higher than this, high-accuracy reading with sufficiently high practicality can be performed. Since the frame of the image data has a relatively long overall length, it is possible to include a redundant and easy error correction code.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the two-dimensional code reading processing program.
In FIG. 7, the image analysis means 68 detects the code recognition area 12 and recognizes the boundary area 16 in the read image. Thereafter, the code area 18 adjacent to the boundary area 16 is recognized. For example, the data sampling means 70 reads the code area 18 in order from the one closest to the boundary area 16. That is, the data sampling process is executed. This reading order is arbitrary. This flowchart explains the procedure in detail. An embodiment of a computer program will be described with reference to this figure.

  First, in step S11, image data is acquired. This image data is acquired data taken by the camera 62 of the mobile phone 56. This is read from the storage unit 60. In step S12, the image analysis means 68 searches the image, and recognizes the boundary region 16 in step S13. In the next step S14, the outer diameter of the boundary region 16 is detected. This data is used for the distortion correction processing already described and the calculation of the reading line. Here, the description of the correction process is omitted. Further, in step S15, for example, the design information is acquired by reading a pattern (FIG. 4) immediately inside the boundary region. The reason why it is expressed as design information is that it is possible to cope with the case where the configuration of the two-dimensional code is unknown on the reading device side. If the structure of the two-dimensional code is clear, this process is unnecessary.

  In step S16, the reading start position is recognized from the recognition result of the pattern 26. In step S17, a reading line for data sampling is calculated. In step S18, data sampling is performed. In step S19, the sampling data is binarized. In step S20, a code is acquired. In step S21, the acquired code is stored in the storage unit 60. In step S22, it is determined whether or not there is a next code area. If the result of this determination is yes, the process returns to step S17 to calculate the reading line for the next code area and repeat the encoding process. If no, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the reading code 82 stored in the storage unit 60 is output.

  Note that the computer program executed by the arithmetic processing unit may be modularized in units illustrated in functional blocks, or may be integrated by combining a plurality of functional blocks. Further, the above computer program may be used by being incorporated into an existing application program. The computer program for realizing the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and installed in any information processing apparatus for use.

FIG. 3 is a main part explanatory view showing image information with a two-dimensional code according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole image information 10 with a two-dimensional code of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a code recognition area 12. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the more specific structure of the code recognition area. It is an Example block diagram of the production | generation (printing) apparatus of the image information with a two-dimensional code. It is a hardware block diagram of the management side computer. It is an Example block diagram of the reading apparatus of the image information with a two-dimensional code. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing main parts of a boundary area 16 and a code area 18. It is explanatory drawing of data sampling operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing of acquisition data. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the program for a two-dimensional code reading process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image information with two-dimensional code 12 Code recognition area 14 Image information 15 Boundary data 16 Boundary area 17 Background image 18 Code area 19 Auxiliary annular area 20 Center of rotation 22 Radial line 23 Concentric circle 24 Cell 26 Pattern 28 Reading start position 32 Computer 34 Network 36 Web server 38 Printer 40 Arithmetic processing device 42 Storage device 44 Image processing means 46 Code generating means 48 Image synthesizing means 50 Image printing means 52 Transmission information 54 Code data 56 Mobile phone 58 Arithmetic processing part 60 Storage part 62 Camera 64 Image acquisition Means 66 Image correction means 68 Image analysis means 70 Data sampling means 72 Code conversion means 74 Acquired image data 76 Correction image data 78 Distortion correction value 80 Sampling data 82 Reading code 84 Output means 86 Sample Grayed point 88 change point

Claims (3)

An apparatus for reading an image with a two-dimensional code having the following features (1) to (10), storing the read result of the two-dimensional code in a storage unit, and outputting the result: (11) to (15) 2) an image information reading means having two-dimensional code, a data sampling means, and a code conversion means.
(1) a code recognition area composed of a band-shaped frame having a certain width for displaying a two-dimensional code, and image information related to character information contained in the two-dimensional code surrounded by the frame;
(2) The two-dimensional code includes a code group regularly arranged along a band direction from a specific location of the band-shaped frame,
(3) the code recognition area includes a plurality of constant width annular areas sandwiched between a plurality of circles having a common center of rotation;
(4) The outermost annular region is set as a boundary region, and the color of this boundary region is colored to a uniform color that can be distinguished from the background color.
(5) A certain number of annular regions arranged inside the boundary region are set as code regions,
(6) The innermost annular region is set as a boundary region, and the color of the boundary region is colored in a uniform color that can be distinguished from the image information surrounded by the frame ,
(7) more delimited areas in the plurality of circles with radial line drawn from the center of rotation of the annular region, the structural unit of the coding region (cell),
(8) A predetermined pattern is arranged in a part of the annular area adjacent to the boundary area, and the code reading start position of all code areas is on or near a line connecting a predetermined position on the pattern and the rotation center. age,
(9) Design information indicating the shape of the two-dimensional code in a part of the code area adjacent to the boundary area, the circumferential width T of the cell, the number of cells, and the number of code areas And place things including
(10) The width R of the boundary area and the code area as viewed in the radial line direction are equal.
(11) In the image obtained by reading the image with the two-dimensional code , the image analysis unit first acquires the position coordinates of the entire circumference of the boundary region, recognizes the width R of the boundary region, and Calculate the reading position coordinates of the code area of width R adjacent to the area,
(12) The data sampling means reads a code area adjacent to the boundary area at the reading position coordinates, stores sampling data in the storage unit,
(13) The image analysis unit acquires the design information from the sampling data, and uses the design information to calculate the reading start position and the reading position of all the code areas,
(14) The data sampling unit reads all the code regions using the reading start position and the reading position of the code region calculated by the image analysis unit, stores the sampling data in the storage unit,
(15) The code conversion means performs a process of encoding the read result and outputs a read code.   The computer-readable image information reading program according to claim 1, which causes the computer to function as an image analysis unit, a data sampling unit, and a code conversion unit.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the two-dimensional code-added image information reading program according to claim 2 is recorded.

Images