JP6251336B1 - Bib number and bib image management system - Google Patents

Abstract

A bib group and a bib image management system capable of achieving both automatic recognition accuracy and convenience for participants. Each number 10 of a pair of numbers is displayed with a number 30 with a mark formed by adding predetermined mark characters 31 and 33 before and after a participant number 32 for identifying a participant. . The image management server 51 of the bib image management system 50 receives the bib image identification information, and transmits a barcode image representing the participant number 32 and the bib image number related to the bib image 70. The print client 52 of the bib image management system 50 acquires the print certificate data based on the barcode image, and prints the print certificate including the bib image 70. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a bib number set and a bib image management system.

  In sports competitions and the like, it is common for participants to use their bibs. In the bib number, a participant number for identifying each participant is displayed. A technique is known in which a photograph is taken when a participant wears a bib and participates in a competition and the like, and the participant in the bib is identified based on the participant number described in the bib.

  As a method for acquiring the participant number of the participant in the photograph, it is known to read the participant number of the race bib using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. Alternatively, it is also known that a barcode is printed on a bib number in advance and a participant number is acquired by reading the barcode. An example of a technique using a barcode is described in Patent Document 1.

JP 2006-071484 A

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that it is difficult to achieve both the accuracy of automatic recognition and the convenience of participants.

  For example, in a method in which a participant number is described using human-readable characters (such as arithmetic numbers) and read by the OCR technology, the reading accuracy is limited by the reading accuracy of a general OCR technology.

  For example, in the method of describing a bar code, the accuracy of automatic recognition may increase, but a part of the bib will be occupied by a meaningless image for the participant, and the convenience of the participant will be reduced. To do.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a bib group and a bib image management system capable of achieving both automatic recognition accuracy and convenience for participants. .

Bib image management system according to this invention,
A bib image management system that manages a bib image in which a bib appears using a group of bib corresponding to a plurality of participants,
Each bib image is associated with a bib image number and stored,
A function for receiving bib image identification information including information for identifying one of the first bib images and a first participant number for identifying a participant;
A function of creating record certificate data including the identified first bib image based on the first participant number;
A function of generating record certificate specifying information for specifying the record certificate data;
A function of generating a first barcode image representing the recording certificate specifying information;
A function of transmitting the first barcode image;
A function of acquiring the recording certificate data based on the first barcode image;
A printing function for printing the first bib image based on the recording certificate data.
In certain embodiments,
For each participant, it further includes a function of storing a participant number and a participation record in association with each other,
The record certificate data includes a participation record associated with the first participant number;
The printing function is a function of printing the specified first bib image and the participation record associated with the first participant number on the same print medium.

  According to the bib group and the bib image management system according to the present invention, the participant number that can be read by the participant and the mark characters that improve the reading accuracy by the OCR technology are used in combination. It is possible to achieve both convenience.

It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the number number which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the group of a number number containing the number number of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure containing the number bib image management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the process which a bib image management system and participant terminal of FIG. 3 perform. It is a figure which shows the example of a bib image acquired in the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a record certificate.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the race bib 10 (number card). The bib 10 is an example of the bib included in the bib group (number card group) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A set of bibs, including bib 10, is used to identify and identify each participant at a particular event. The event is, for example, a sports competition, and may be a long distance running competition. The bib 10 is used by each participant, for example, worn.

  The bib number 10 includes a number area 11 (second area) and a code area 12 (first area). These are different areas and do not overlap each other in the example of FIG. The boundaries defining the inside and the outside of the number area 11 and the code area 12 may or may not be explicitly displayed. In the example of FIG. 1, the code area 12 is shown in such a manner that the boundary is clearly visible, but the number area 11 is not shown (the broken line indicating the number area 11 is added for convenience of explanation) This is not displayed on the actual race bib 10. The same applies to the mark characters 31 and 33 and the broken line indicating the participant number 32 described later). The boundary may be indicated by a border, for example, as in the code area 12 of FIG. 1, or may be indicated by changing the color or background image on both sides of the boundary (for example, the background image over the bib 10). In this case, only the inside of the code area 12 may be a white background).

  A participant number 20 is displayed in the number area 11. The participant number 20 is information for identifying the participant, and is a character string that can identify each participant in the event. In the example of FIG. 1, the participant number 20 is composed of four digits (in this example, “1201”), but may include characters other than numbers (alphabet, hiragana, katakana, kanji, etc.). However, it may include a symbol that can be recognized by a human. In FIG. 1, the participant number 20 is indicated by white characters for ease of viewing, but the actual display may not be white characters.

  A number 30 with a mark is displayed in the code area 12. The marked number 30 includes a participant number 32 and marking characters 31 and 33. The participant number 32 is information for identifying a participant as in the above-described participant number 20, and is a character string that can identify each participant in the event. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the participant number 20 and the participant number 32 display the same information (the same number).

  The marked number 30 is configured by adding mark characters 31 and 33. The mark character 31 is displayed before the participant number 32, and the mark character 33 is displayed after the participant number 32. In the example of FIG. 1, the participant number 32 is written from left to right, so that the mark character 31 is written to the left of the participant number 32 and the mark character 33 is written to the right of the participant number 32. It will be.

  In the present embodiment, all the characters included in the marked number 30 are displayed using the same font (typeface). For this reason, the mark characters 31 and 33 and the participant number 32 are recognized as an integral character string (that is, a number with a mark 30; in this example, “G1201P”) when viewed by the participant. ing. As the font, a font having high recognition accuracy by the OCR technique may be used for the entire font. An example of such a font is a font in which “0” and “O” can be easily distinguished.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the mark character 31 is an alphabet “G”, and the mark character 33 is an alphabet “P”. However, these may be numerals, or a character other than the alphabet (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, etc.), or a symbol that can be recognized by humans other than characters. Further, the mark character may be at least one character in the entire race bib 10, and for example, either the mark character 31 or 33 may be omitted, or any of them may be constituted by a plurality of characters.

  As the mark characters 31 and 33, characters with high recognition accuracy by the OCR technique may be used. Alternatively, as the mark characters 31 and 33, characters having low recognition accuracy by the OCR technique (for example, l, I, etc.) may be excluded.

  Mark characters 31 and 33 are not displayed in the number area 11. Accordingly, the participant number 20 displayed in the number area 11 does not include the mark character 31 and the mark character 33 (however, the same character as the mark character 31 or 33 appears as part of the participant number 20). except for). The participant number 32 displayed in the code area 12 is accompanied by the mark character 31 and the participant number 32, and together with these forms a marked number 30.

  The participant number 20 and the marked number 30 can be displayed on the race bib 10 by any method, but can be displayed by printing or writing on a paper or sheet medium, for example.

  The bib 10 may include a region other than the number region 11 and the code region 12. In the example of FIG. 1, the race bib 10 includes an area for displaying a character string “2016 Tokyo 30K Autumn Tournament” as the tournament name.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a bib group including a bib 10. These numbers correspond to each of the event participants. Each bib number has a participant number and a marked number similar to those shown in FIG. Here, since the participant number is information for identifying each participant, all the numbers differ depending on the race bib, but the same character is used for all participants. In this example, four bibs are shown, but the bib number included in the bib set is arbitrary as long as it is 2 or more.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the mark characters 31 and 33 do not include characters common to the participant number 20 (and the participant number 32). That is, the letters “G” and “P” do not appear in any participant number of the bib number shown in FIG. In this way, the mark character 31 and the mark character 33 can be easily identified. However, when such an effect is not important, the mark characters 31 and 33 may include characters common to the participant number 20 (and the participant number 32). For example, the mark character 31 may be “2” instead of “G”, or an alphabet such as “G” or “P” may be used as part of the participant number 20.

Next, a bib image management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a configuration including the bib image management system 50 according to the first embodiment. The bib image management system 50 is an example of a system that manages the bib image using the bib group configured as described above. A bib image is an image in which a bib (a bib 10 in FIG. 1 is taken as an example) appears. Note that the image is not limited to the image of the entire race bib 10, but may be any image as long as the marked number 30 can be recognized.

  The bib image management system 50 includes an image management server 51, a print client 52, a barcode reader 53, and a printing device 54. The image management server 51 has a configuration as a well-known computer, and includes a calculation unit that performs calculation, a storage unit that stores information, and a communication unit that transmits and receives information. The arithmetic means includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the storage means includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the communication means includes a network card or a communication antenna.

  A program is stored in the storage means of the image management server 51, and the image management server 51 implements the functions described in this specification by the arithmetic means of the image management server 51 executing this program. That is, this program causes the computer to function as the image management server 51.

  The image management server 51 is connected to a communication network (not shown) such as the Internet via a communication unit. The image management server 51 can communicate with at least one participant terminal 60 via this communication network.

  At least one of the participants uses the participant terminal 60. Participant terminal 60 is, for example, a computer owned by an individual participant, and includes a computing unit that performs computation, a storage unit that stores information, and a communication unit that transmits and receives information. A specific example is a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

  The participant terminal 60 is connected to a communication network (such as the Internet) (not shown) via a communication unit. In this way, the image management server 51 and the participant terminal 60 can transmit and receive information via the communication network. The participant terminal 60 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and can display an image. For example, a barcode image as shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 3 can be displayed.

  The print client 52 has a configuration as a known computer, and includes a calculation unit that performs calculation and a storage unit that stores information. The print client 52 may include a communication unit that transmits and receives information. A program is stored in the storage unit of the print client 52, and the calculation unit of the print client 52 executes the program so that the print client 52 realizes the functions described in this specification. That is, this program causes the computer to function as the print client 52.

  The image management server 51 and the print client 52 are communicably connected via a communication network (Internet, LAN, etc.) at least at one point. The print client 52 is communicably connected to the barcode reader 53 and the printing device 54. The print client 52, the barcode reader 53, and the printing device 54 constitute a printing system.

The operation of the bib image management system 50 configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the bib image management system 50 and the participant terminal 60. The process of FIG. 4 is started when the image management server 51 (more strictly, the calculation means of the image management server 51; the same applies hereinafter) acquires an image (step S1).

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the image (bib image 70) acquired in step S1. The bib image is an image in which the bib 10 appears, and more strictly, an image in which the marked number 30 appears to be recognized. The bib image 70 may be acquired in any way. For example, it may be transmitted via a communication network from a computer provided independently of the image management server 51. More specifically, a participant's family or friends, etc. take a picture of the participant using a device (such as a digital camera or a smartphone) having a photography function (as a result, the number worn by the participant) 10) and the image of the photograph may be transmitted to the image management server 51 as the bib image 70. This transmission can be performed by an arbitrary method, for example, using a general Web browser via the HTTP protocol.

  The image management server 51 stores the bib image 70 acquired in this way in the storage unit (step S2). Here, the image management server 51 stores an identification number (bib image number) in association with the bib image 70. The bib image number may be in any format as long as a plurality of bib images can be distinguished from each other. For example, the bib image number may be a numerical value or a file name.

  Next, the image management server 51 acquires the participant number 32 included in the marked number 30 appearing in the bib image 70 (step S3). For example, the image management server 51 acquires all character strings (texts) appearing in the bib image 70 using the OCR technique (which may be a known OCR technique), and corresponds to the marked number 30 from among them. Only possible character strings may be extracted. A plurality of participant numbers 32 may be acquired from one bib image 70.

  Since the marked number 30 includes a predetermined mark character at a predetermined position, it can be easily determined based on this. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, if a 6-character string that starts with “G” and ends with “P” among the character strings acquired using the OCR technique, the marked number 30 can be appropriately extracted. it can. Alternatively, all six character strings starting with “G”, followed by a four-digit number, followed by “P” and ending there may be extracted. In other words, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the marked number 30 by eliminating all character strings that do not meet such conditions.

  If the marked number 30 is correctly extracted, the participant number 32 is obtained by removing the marking characters 31 and 33 (that is, by deleting the leading “G” and the trailing “P”). can do.

  Since the marked number 30 includes the fixed mark characters 31 and 33 at fixed positions, it can be recognized using this as a clue, and the accuracy of automatic recognition by the OCR technique is increased. For example, when the participant number 32 is distorted and photographed, there is a possibility that the character may be mistakenly recognized. In such a case, there is a high possibility that the mark character 31 or the mark character 33 is not correctly recognized. Since the marked number 30 is not detected, erroneous detection can be avoided. Further, even when a character string confusing with the participant number 20 (for example, “2016” indicating the implementation year) is displayed on the bib 10, such a character string includes the mark character 31 and the mark character 33. Is not detected as the number 30 with a mark.

  As described above, according to the image management server 51, the participant number 32 can be obtained using the marked number 30 appearing in the bib image 70 as a mark, so that the photographer or event manager or the like can visually read the participant number 32. No need to enter. For this reason, it is possible to automatically recognize the participant in the photograph without depending on the operation of the photographer.

  On the other hand, the participant number 32 included in the marked number 30 is composed of a character string that can be recognized by a human like the participant number 20, so that the convenience of the participant is also maintained high. Thus, according to the pair of the bib according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve both the accuracy of automatic recognition and the convenience of the participant.

  Next, the image management server 51 associates and stores the bib image 70 and the participant number 32 acquired based on the bib image 70 (step S4). For example, such processing can be realized by storing the participant number 32 in association with the above bib image number. When a plurality of participant numbers 32 are acquired from one bib image 70, all the participant numbers 32 are associated with the bib image 70 and stored.

  The image management server 51 may execute the processes of steps S <b> 1 to S <b> 4 for each of the plurality of race bib images 70.

  After such processing, the participant terminal 60 (more strictly speaking, the computing means of the participant terminal 60, hereinafter the same) transmits an image transmission request to the image management server 51 (step S10). The image transmission request includes a specific participant number (first participant number). This is because, for example, the user of the participant terminal 60 inputs his / her participant number and obtains a photograph related to the participant number (that is, a photograph of himself / herself) from the image management server 51. As a result of the operation. The participant number may be stored in advance by the participant terminal 60, or the participant terminal 60 may request input when executing step S10.

  The image management server 51 receives this image transmission request (step S20). Thereafter, in response to this image transmission request, the image management server 51 transmits a bib image associated with the participant number (first bib image, here, bib image 70) (step S21). The bib image is transmitted to, for example, the computer (in this example, the participant terminal 60) that is the transmission source of the image transmission request. Here, when there are a plurality of bib images associated with the participant number, the image management server 51 transmits all of the bib images.

  The participant terminal 60 receives the bib image 70 transmitted in this way (step S30). When a plurality of bib images 70 are transmitted, all of them are received.

  Next, the participant terminal 60 displays the received bib image 70 (step S31). When a plurality of race bib images 70 are received, all of them may be displayed at once, or may be displayed so as to be switchable in units of pages. In this way, the participant can automatically extract and view only the photograph in which he / she is photographed by simply wearing his / her bib 10 and participating in the event.

  Next, the participant terminal 60 receives an input of an operation for selecting one of the received bib images 70 (step S32). This process may include a process of displaying the race bib image 70. For example, the participant terminal 60 may display the received bib image 70 (at one time or in a switchable manner) and perform a display prompting an input of an operation for selecting one of them. When there is only one number bib image 70 received, an input of an operation for confirming that the number bib image 70 is selected may be received.

  Next, the participant terminal 60 transmits information (bib image identification information) for identifying one of the received bib images 70 (step S33). The bib image specifying information includes information for identifying the bib image 70 and a participant number (first participant number). The format of the information for identifying the bib image 70 and the method for identifying the image are arbitrary. For example, the bib image number associated with the bib image 70 in step S2 may be used, or each bib image 70 in step S21 may be used. A natural number representing the transmission order may be used (in this case, the image management server 51 stores the correspondence between the natural number and the bib image number).

  The image management server 51 receives this bib image specifying information (step S40). Next, the image management server 51 acquires a participation record associated with the participant based on the participant number (step S41). The participation record means a record created by the participant participating in the event. For example, if the event is a long distance competition, the participation record may include the time when the participant passed each reference point. In this case, it can be said that the bib image management system 50 has a function of storing a participant number and a participation record in association with each participant. The function of storing in this way may be realized by the image management server 51, or may be realized by the print client 52 or another computer.

  Next, the image management server 51 creates record certificate data for the participant (step S42). The record certificate data includes, for example, information that identifies a participant, a participation record, and data representing a bib image 70 showing the participant (that is, a bib image 70 identified by the bib image identification information). The recording certificate data can be created, for example, in the HTML format. In step S42, the image management server 51 stores the created record certificate data, generates information (record certificate identification information, for example, URL) for identifying the record certificate data, and associates the record certificate data with the record certificate data. Remember. In this way, the image management server 51 identifies the bib image 70 in which the participant is shown (that is, the bib image image identification information) based on the participant number (first participant number) included in the bib image identification information. It can be said that the recording certificate data including the bib image 70) is provided.

  Next, the image management server 51 generates a barcode image (first barcode image) based on the recording certificate specifying information (step S43). This barcode image represents the recording certificate specifying information, and represents, for example, a different URL for each participant. Thus, it can be said that the image management server 51 generates a barcode image representing the recording certificate specifying information in accordance with the bib image specifying information.

  Next, the image management server 51 transmits a barcode image (step S44). Thus, it can be said that the image management server 51 transmits this barcode image according to the bib image identification information.

  The participant terminal 60 receives the barcode image (step S50), and displays the received barcode image (step S51). Here, the participant terminal 60 may display a barcode image and may display to prompt the barcode reader 53 to read the screen. The participant terminal 60 in a state where the barcode image is displayed is displayed. A display prompting the operator of the print client 52 or the barcode reader 53 to bring it may be performed.

  Next, the print client 52 (more precisely, the calculation means of the print client 52; the same applies hereinafter) acquires the barcode image generated in step S43 by cooperating with the barcode reader 53 (step S60). ), The record certificate data is acquired based on the acquired barcode image (step S61). In particular, the acquisition of the recording certificate data is performed based on the recording certificate specifying information represented in the barcode image. For example, the print client 52 may access a URL included in the record certificate specifying information, and a computer (for example, the image management server 51) corresponding to this URL sends the record certificate data to the print client 52 in response to this access. You may send it.

  Next, the print client 52, in cooperation with the printing device 54, prints a record certificate for the participant based on the record certificate data acquired in step 61 (step S62). On the record certificate, information included in the record certificate data (for example, information for identifying a participant, a participation record, and a bib image 70 showing the participant) is printed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a record certificate (record certificate 80). On the record certificate 80, information for identifying an event, information for identifying a participant, a record (participation record), and a bib image 70 are printed and displayed. The information for identifying the event is displayed as, for example, “the tournament name”. The information for identifying the participant is, for example, the participant number transmitted in step S10. In addition to or in place of this, the participant name (name, etc.) associated with the participant number in advance is used. It may be used. Further, the bib image 70 showing the participant is the bib image 70 corresponding to the bib image number transmitted in step S33.

  As described above, the print client 52 (or a combination of the print client 52 and the printing device 54) has a print function for printing the bib image 70 included in the record certificate data based on the record certificate data acquired in step S61. It can be said. In the first embodiment, the printing function is a function for printing the bib image 70 and the participation record associated with the participant number on the same print medium (for example, the record certificate 80). The same print medium is, for example, the same paper sheet, and can be A4 size or other size recording certificate paper.

  In this manner, the participant brings the participant terminal 60 in a state where the barcode image is displayed, thereby receiving the record certificate 80 on which the photograph showing himself and his / her participation record are printed. Can improve convenience. In particular, since it does not include a process that takes a long time from taking a picture to printing a record certificate, it is possible to print a record certificate with a photo on the day of the event.

  As described above, according to the bib group and the bib image management system 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the participant number 32 that can be read by the participant, and the mark character 31 that improves the reading accuracy by the OCR technique. And 33 are used in combination, it is possible to achieve both the accuracy of automatic recognition and the convenience of participants.

  In the first embodiment, the bib 10 includes the number region 11 and the code region 12, but the number region 11 may be omitted. Even in such a case, the participant number 32 is included in the marked number 30 displayed in the code area 12, so that the participant can easily visually recognize the participant number 32. Sex is preserved.

  In the first embodiment, one number region 11 and one code region 12 are provided in the bib 10, but one or both of them may be provided. In particular, when there is enough space in the race bib 10 or the like, it is advantageous to display either one or both.

  In the first embodiment, the participation record is acquired in step S41, but acquisition of the participation record may be omitted. In that case, the record certificate data created in step S42 (and the record certificate printed in step S62) may not include the participation record, for example, only the participant name and the bib image 70 are included. It may be.

  In the first embodiment, the bib image management system 50 uses the bib group, but the system that can use the bib group is not limited thereto. Any system having the OCR function can obtain the marked number 30 and the participant number 32 from the pair of bib numbers, and can be applied to various applications.

  10 Number, 11 Number area (second area), 12 Code area (first area), 20, 32 Participant number, 30 Number with mark (participant identification character string), 31, 33 Mark character, 50 Bib image management system, 70 bib image, 80 record certificate (print medium).

Claims (2)

A bib image management system that manages a bib image in which a bib appears using a group of bib corresponding to a plurality of participants,
Each bib image is associated with a bib image number and stored,
A function for receiving bib image identification information including information for identifying one of the first bib images and a first participant number for identifying a participant;
A function of creating record certificate data including the identified first bib image based on the first participant number;
A function of generating record certificate specifying information for specifying the record certificate data;
A function of generating a first barcode image representing the recording certificate specifying information;
A function of transmitting the first barcode image;
A function of acquiring the recording certificate data based on the first barcode image;
A bib image management system comprising: a printing function for printing the first bib image based on the recording certificate data. For each participant, it further includes a function of storing a participant number and a participation record in association with each other,
The record certificate data includes a participation record associated with the first participant number;
Wherein the print function, and the first bib image specified, the participants record associated with the first participant number, a function to print the same print media, bib of Claim 1 Image management system.

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