JPH0713985A - Discrimination code record reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reading accuracy of discrimination code paper. CONSTITUTION:This reader includes a display area determination means 11 having an X axis base line detection means 11a and a Y axis base line detection means 11b, a small section determination means 12 for dividing a display area into small sections and a binary signal presence or absence discrimination means 14 discriminating the presence or absence of the binary code mark recorded on the small sections. The small section determination means 12 determines the small sections by an in-X axis lines dividing the display area in Y direction at prescribed spaces by a computer arithmetic processing and by an in-Y axis lines dividing the area in X direction at equal spaces. The small section determination means 12 performs an image processing for the section mark 4 recorded on a discrimination code paper by a micro-computer, performs a calculation for the mark, decides the location and area of each small section and divides the display area. Thus, the problem of a conventional code paper where a reading error is caused by the elongation and contraction of code paper, the projecting and recessing parts of the stuck surface of code paper and the change of the relative angle for bar code paper by a sensor can be eliminated.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an identification code reader for reading the code content from an identification code sheet that displays a product name, price, symbol, etc. as a code. is there. As a prior art relating to this type of identification code reading device, there is Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-21980 "Bar Code Character Recognition Device" as a reading device for an identification code using a known bar code. . In the above known technique, since the bar code identifies the binary code by the line thickness and the line position, there is a high possibility that a reading error will occur. Therefore, in general, most of the numbers represent numbers, and only a few can read the alphabet. Those that can support the JIS kanji code (that is, those that can display kanji) have not been put to practical use. Also,
It is necessary to accurately read the thickness and position of the line that displays the barcode, such as printing errors of the barcode, expansion and contraction of the barcode paper, unevenness of the sticking surface of the barcode paper, and the relative angle of the sensor to the barcode paper. The change causes a problem such as a read error. The first aspect of the present invention is to detect the X-axis baseline detecting means 11a for detecting the X-axis direction of the display area of the identification code and the Y-axis direction of the display area. Display area determining means 11 having Y-axis baseline detecting means 11b, and the display area determined by the display area determining means 11 is divided into 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] small sections (unit data areas). A subsection determination means 12 for;
A binary signal presence / absence determining means 14 for determining whether or not a detection signal by a binary code mark recorded in each subsection (unit data area) exists within a set value range; In the microcomputer 10, the deciding means 12 calculates 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] X-axis extensions calculated by dividing the display area into predetermined intervals in the Y direction by computer calculation processing based on an instruction of the storage means 21, and X Achieved by the arithmetic processing function of the microcomputer by determining 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] subsections with 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] Y-axis extensions calculated by dividing the direction at equal intervals To do. Second application
According to the invention, the subsection determining means 12 performs image processing on the detection signal of the division mark 4 recorded on the identification code sheet A by a microcomputer to calculate the position and area of each subsection, thereby displaying the display area. This is achieved by the division mark detection subsection determination means 17 having a function of dividing into a predetermined number. The third invention of the present application is 2 determined by the subdivision determining means 12.
^There is provided middle partition determination means 13 for grouping ⁿ [n ≧ 4] small partitions for every 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] and setting a middle partition (unit set data area). 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] ] Group subdivisions (unit data areas). EXAMPLES Hereinafter, examples will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is based on a prior application of Japanese Patent Application No. Sho-62 by the present inventor.
No. 173352 “identification code paper” is used, and the identification code paper A is referred to as the X-axis baseline 1 with reference to FIG.
Has a code display surface B having a display area b of a quadrangle having an appropriate shape and area controlled by the Y axis base line 2, and the display area b is a subsection (unit data area) 3 of 2 ⁴ = 16 or more. (P1, P2, P3 in FIG. 4)
(16 divisions of P16). By recording a binary signal mark K in each subsection 3, the display area b
A total of 16 binary codes are recorded, and in 2 ⁴ × 4 digits (that is, by combining 4 0,1,2 ... F in 2 ⁴ ), a JIS Kanji code is made to correspond to a single code. It is possible to record and display an arbitrary arbitrary kanji character on the display area b. Incidentally, in order to correspond to the Kanji code by the 16 small sections 3, the 16 small sections 3 are divided into 4 groups of medium areas (unit set data area), and 2 ⁴ small areas are divided in the medium areas. The binary coding of 0, 1, 2 ...
In addition to the horizontal direction of 1, P2, P3, P4, vertical direction, diagonal direction,
Any other suitable combination can be used for encryption. As the binary signal mark K for recording and displaying the binary code in each subsection 3, it is not necessary to completely fill the subsection 3 as shown in FIG. The object of the present invention can be achieved by leaving a blank portion in part and using other marks (for example, a circle for B, a star for C, a triangle for D, etc.). Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the binary signal K can be formed by arranging a plurality of small marks k having an appropriate shape. Further, the signal display method of the binary signal of this subsection is not limited to the above-mentioned marking method, and a writing method using perforation, magnetic ink or the like can be considered as a method which can obtain the same effect. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the extension X-axis base line 11 and the extension Y-axis base line 12 are added to set the auxiliary display area d, and the auxiliary mark 5 is recorded and displayed at a proper position of the auxiliary display area d. To do. In FIG. 6a, the auxiliary mark 5 is recorded and displayed at a diagonal position with respect to the 0 point of the X axis base line and the Y axis base line, and in FIG. The display can be read, for example, when the code printed on the transparent film is read, the code can be read regardless of whether the code is on the front side or the back side. Note that the auxiliary mark 5 is not limited to a square shape, and may be any other mark such as a, b, c, d, and e in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, an X-axis baseline 1 and a Y-axis baseline 2
Besides, if the horizontal small dividing line 6 and the vertical small dividing line 7 are printed and displayed, it is necessary not to print them by the microcomputer printer, but to fill each small segment 3 with an appropriate writing instrument or mark the circle mark etc. Thus, the signal code can be determined at the site where the identification code paper is applied. In the identification card paper A shown in FIG. 8, the division mark 4 is provided at the intersection of the horizontal small division line 6 and the vertical small division line 7 in FIG. Make the range readable. When printing the code surface B on the identification code paper A, it is possible to print it by a general printing means, but it is possible to use a 16- or 24-dot personal computer printer or a handy computer printer currently commercially available. You can also print it out. In this case, character strings (product name, department name, address name, telephone number, etc.) and sentences (messages, advertisements, etc.) are converted into binary codes according to JIS code by PC processing, and 2 ¹⁶ per character One display area b of the signal code of can be made to correspond, and when the letter L corresponding to the adjacent area (for example, the lower side) of the display area b displayed by the binary code is displayed, the product name, the name of the person in charge, etc. can be displayed. It is convenient to be able to display kanji at the same time as coding (see Fig. 10). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, 16 small sections P1, P2 ... P16 are divided into four middle sections Q1.
, Q2, Q3, Q4 respectively (P1, P2, P3, P
4) ... (P13, P14, P15, P16) and the order of the addresses of the subsections, but the method of dividing the 16 subsections 3 into 4 groups and the arrangement order in the middle section (that is, each middle section) The combination of address arrays of subdivisions) is arbitrary,
It can also be changed appropriately under the control of the microcomputer printer. Moreover, since the JIS Kanji code uses only about 7700 characters, in the case of the present application code, for example, in the case of n = 4, 2 ¹⁶ = 65536 characters can be coded, so Thai or Arabic characters that are not currently coded, Chinese characters, phonetic symbols, and even voice for voice synthesis can be coded and displayed. FIG. 9 shows the case where the identification code paper of FIG. 8 is printed out by a 24-dot personal computer printer, and the division mark 4 is 4 dots, and the binary signal mark K displayed in each subsection 3 is 9 dots. Allocate. Next, the identification code sheet reader of the present invention will be described. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sensor (line sensor) 8 is moved, a read signal is input, and an output device 9 such as a display device or a printer is provided with a JIS kanji code, other display display, or a printout. A microcomputer 10 for outputting a progress signal is provided. The microcomputer 10 has the function of the flowchart of FIG. 3, and has a display area determining means 11, a small section determining means 12, a middle section determining number 13, and a binary signal presence / absence determining means 1
4, the binary code conversion means 15 and the output device code conversion means 16 are included, and the display area determination means 11 is X.
This is achieved by the functions of the axis baseline detecting means 11a, the Y axis baseline detecting means 11b, and the X axis baseline direction correcting means 11c. In carrying out the first invention of the present application, the subdivision determining means 12 operates on the basis of an instruction from the setting storage means 15 to determine X.
It is divided into a predetermined interval (or a predetermined number) in the axial direction and the Y-axis direction. In the second invention of the present application, the division mark detection subsection determination means 17 includes the division mark 4 recorded on the identification code sheet.
Is used to divide the display area into a predetermined number,
The detection signal of the division mark 4 is image-processed and calculated by a microcomputer to calculate the distance between the base lines 1 and 2 and the mutual distance to determine the position and area of each sub-division, and the display area b is divided into a predetermined number of sub-divisions 3. Works to split. In the third invention of the present application, the number of determined intermediate categories is 13
Is stored in the storage unit 21 in accordance with the address allocation of the small sections for each medium section specified for the identification code sheet to be read (for example, the combination of the small section addresses stored in the printer for printing out). It functions to divide the subdivision into a predetermined number of groups with predetermined address combinations based on preset contents. The binary signal presence / absence discriminating means 14 performs the image processing on each subsection 3 so that the input value proportional to the area of the binary signal mark K falls within a predetermined value range (for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, 4). The integrated value corresponding to 9 dots) has a function of judging that the binary signal mark K exists, and the binary code conversion means 15 judges whether or not there is a binary signal mark of each subsection. Each is set by a microcomputer program so as to have a function of determining a binary code value of 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4]. With reference to FIG. 2, the microcomputer 10 has an input interface (data acquisition processing means) 18 and an output interface (output device data conversion) in addition to an arithmetic unit (CPU) 20 and a storage means 21 that produce the above functions. A means 19 is additionally provided. There is also a method of reading by moving the line sensor as in the embodiment, but an area (two-dimensional) having a size corresponding to a plurality of codes (for example, each page) to be read. The same purpose can be achieved by using a sensor, in which case the X baseline,
Not only the direction of the code itself but also the direction of the character string can be read by the direction of the Y base line and the position of the auxiliary mark. In this case, each display area can be determined by the directions of the X base line 1 and the Y base line 2 and the position of the auxiliary mark 5, as described above.
The direction of the character string can be determined by the position and number of the auxiliary marks 5. For example, referring to FIG. 11, the reading direction of the character string is as follows: a is rightward, b is leftward, c is downward,
d is upward. The position / number of the auxiliary marks 5 can also be used as an instruction signal for determining the combination of the small sections forming the middle section. The functions of FIG. 1 are generated by analyzing the image of the detection signal from the sensor based on the instructions preset in the CPU and the storage means. The functions of FIG. 1 are generated. The display area b is determined by calculating the axis base line and performing graphic processing (rotation / movement) to adjust the reference position dimension to the X-axis and Y-axis on the memory and discarding data unnecessary for code calculation. Incidentally, when the auxiliary base lines 11 and 12 and the auxiliary mark 5 are calculated by image analysis, the directions of the X-axis base line 1 and the Y-axis base line 2 can be quickly determined, and it is convenient that the figures can be inverted if necessary. . Further, when the auxiliary mark 5 is provided at the non-target position as shown in FIG. 6B, it is possible to detect the sticking of the ID code sheet inside out by the interpretation and correct it on the memory to cope with the ID code sticking mistake. can do. Furthermore,
As shown in FIG. 9, when there is a space between the upper, lower, left and right adjacent small sections 3 in the display area b, binary signal marks (black marks) are attached to all the small sections 3 in the horizontal or vertical direction. However, since the division mark 4 and the binary signal mark become discontinuous and can be clearly distinguished from the straight X-axis base line 1 and the Y-axis base line 2, the calculation of the display area b becomes more accurate, which is convenient. A gap (no signal mark portion) is set between the X-axis base line 1 and the adjacent small section 3 and between the Y-axis base line 2 and the adjacent small section 3 to set the binary signal mark. Although it is possible to separate the continuous straight line and both base lines, if there are intermittent gaps (non-signal mark portions) as shown in FIG. 8, both base lines can be more accurately and easily determined to facilitate display area. You can judge. 12A shows the case where the gap g is formed adjacent to both the base lines 1 and 2, but it may be formed in the middle of the small section as in FIG. By changing it, it can be used as a signal mark instead of the auxiliary mark, and can also be used as an instruction of the reading direction of a character string or an instruction of a combination of small sections forming a middle section. Further, as shown in FIG. 12c, by providing the interval g for every 2 ⁿ subsections, it is possible to display binary codes corresponding to a plurality of Chinese characters on one display area b. The flow chart of FIG. 3 is a single-task, first-speed process, but if the sensor input can be taken into the memory area and operated; As described above, the first invention of the present application determines the display area b by the X-axis base line 1 and the Y-axis base line 2. Therefore, when the display area b is not divided into 2 ⁴ or more subsections, for example, only in the lateral direction or The object of the invention can be achieved by dividing the display area into a plurality of pieces only in the vertical direction (for example, the display areas may be divided into two rows in the horizontal direction and the codes may be displayed in two rows above and below). Further, even if the display area is considered as a single subdivision and a bar code or other coded marks are recorded by the conventional method, the effective reading area can be read in an unlimited number of reading directions, thereby achieving the object of the first invention. It is possible. Second application
In carrying out the invention, the division mark 4 is used to divide into 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] by a microcomputer process. Therefore, when reading with a line sensor, the sensor is manually moved so that the sensor and the identification code paper are separated. Even if the relative movement speed changes, the reading can be accurately performed, and the reading can be performed accurately even if the effective area of the small section sensor changes due to the expansion and contraction of the identification code paper or the unevenness of the adhered surface. The identification code can be printed using a handy computer or other general printer, but the identification code may be handwritten, or plain paper may be used without using high-quality paper for barcode. Data can be taken in as long as it is within the reading range of the sensor, so it can be read even if individual codes are large or small or in different directions.Printouts by the printer and handwriting are mixed, or different labels are used. The object of the present invention can be achieved even when affixed and combined with identification code paper. When printout and handwriting with a transparent magnetic ink ribbon are performed, the code can be read by both sensor reading and visual recognition. Code remainder, about 57800
By registering (= 65536-7700) minutes, Thai and Arabic phonetic symbols can also be displayed and can be used for speech synthesis readers for blind people such as newspapers and magazines. Note that the X-axis base line 1 and the Y-axis base line 2 do not have to be orthogonal to each other, but may intersect at appropriate angles as shown in FIG. 13, and the subsections may have a shape other than a square. According to the first invention of the present application, accurate reading is always possible even if the relative direction between the identification code sheet and the sensor and the relative reading speed are changed, and the size and direction of the display area (that is, the size of the identification code, It can be read even if different directions are mixed. Further, even if a matter unrelated to the identification code is recorded in the area other than the display area, it is possible to determine only the display area and read the predetermined identification code. Further, with respect to the display area determined as described above, 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] X-axis extension lines calculated by dividing the display area in the Y direction at predetermined intervals and 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] divided in the X direction by equal intervals are calculated. By identifying 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] subsections (unit data areas) with ⁿ [n ≧ 2] Y-axis extensions, the position and range of the subsections (unit data area) are identified. Image processing can be performed on paper with a small error rate, and the reading accuracy of the identification code can be improved. According to the second invention of the present application, the position of each small section (unit data area) is calculated by image-processing and calculating the detection signal of the section mark (synchronization mark) 4 recorded on the identification code sheet A by the microcomputer. By determining the range, even if the relative reading speed between the identification code value and the sensor changes, or the width and area of each subsection changes due to printing errors, sticking surface irregularities, etc., the subsection (unit data Area) position and range can be determined individually. Therefore, the problem of reading error caused by the expansion and contraction of the code paper, the unevenness of the sticking surface of the bar code paper and the change of the relative angle of the sensor with respect to the bar code paper can be solved, and the identification code can be read accurately, and Higher reading accuracy can be maintained. In the third invention of the present application, 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] small sections (unit data areas) are grouped into 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] pieces and grouped into middle sections (unit set data areas). By doing so, the data recorded in the identification code can be encrypted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention showing a microcomputer with functions corresponding to claims. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of microcomputer processing for implementing the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an identification code sheet used for implementing the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a binary code mark. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an identification code sheet having an auxiliary mark. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an identification code sheet having vertical small section lines and horizontal small section lines. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an identification code sheet having a division mark. 9 is a partial explanatory view of the identification code sheet of FIG. 8 showing a state in which a binary code mark is recorded. FIG. 10 is a plan view of an identification code paper with a corresponding JIS kanji code and character display. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an instruction of a reading direction of a character string by an auxiliary mark. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an identification code sheet having a gap. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an identification code paper showing a case where the Y-axis baseline and the X-axis baseline are in a non-orthogonal state. [Explanation of symbols] 1 ... X-axis base line 2 ... Y-axis base line 3 ... Small section 4 ... Medium section 5 ... Auxiliary mark 8 ... Sensor 9 ... Output device 10 ... Microcomputer 11 ... Display area Determining means 12 ... Small category determining means 13 ... Medium category determining means 14 ... Binary code converting means 20 ... Computation unit (CPU) b ... Display area d ... Auxiliary display area K ... Binary signal mark

Claims (1)

Claims 1. Display of identification code X for detecting the X-axis direction of the area
Display area determining means 11 having axis base line detecting means 11a and Y axis base line detecting means 11b for detecting the Y axis direction of the display area: Display area determined by the display area determining means 11 is 2 ⁿ Subsection determination means 12 for dividing into [n ≧ 4] subsections; It is determined whether or not a detection signal by a binary code mark recorded in each subsection exists within a set value range. And a binary signal presence / absence determining means 14 for calculating the display area by dividing the display area in the Y direction into predetermined intervals by computer arithmetic processing in the microcomputer 10 based on an instruction from the storage means 21. 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 2] X-axis extension lines and 2 ⁿ [n calculated by being equally divided in the X direction
An identification code reading device characterized by being achieved by the arithmetic processing function of a microcomputer by determining 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] subsections by ≧ 2] Y-axis extensions. Item 2. Identification code reading device in which the binary signal mark recorded on the identification code paper is read by a sensor, processed by a microcomputer, and the content of the identification code is displayed by an output device; Display area determining means 11 having X-axis baseline detecting means 11a for detecting the display area and Y-axis baseline detecting means 11b for detecting the Y-axis direction of the display area; A sub-section determining means 12 for dividing the display area into 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] pieces; and whether or not a detection signal by a binary code mark recorded in each sub-section exists within a set value range. And a binary signal presence / absence determining unit 14 for determining whether or not the small segment determining unit 12 performs image processing on a detection signal of the division mark 4 recorded on the identification code sheet A by a microcomputer to calculate. According to the above, the identification code reading device is achieved by the division mark detection subdivision determining means 17 having a function of judging the position and area of each subdivision and dividing the display area into a predetermined number. Item 3 Identification code reader that reads the binary signal mark recorded on the identification code sheet with a sensor, performs arithmetic processing with a microcomputer, and displays the content of the identification code on the output device; identification code display X-axis direction of the area Display area determining means 11 having X-axis baseline detecting means 11a for detecting the display area and Y-axis baseline detecting means 11b for detecting the Y-axis direction of the display area; A small section determining means 12 for dividing the display area into 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] pieces; 2 ⁿ [n ≧ 4] small pieces decided by the small section determining means 12 are 2 ⁿ [ n ≧
2] An identification code reading device, characterized in that it includes: middle-section determining means 13 for grouping individual pieces and setting a middle section. Item 4. The medium division determining means 13 determines the small division based on the memory contents preset in the memory means 21 of the microcomputer according to the address allocation of the small division for each medium division specified for the identification code paper. 4. The identification code reader according to the third aspect, which is achieved by the function of a microcomputer that divides into a number of groups with a predetermined address combination and sets a middle division.