JPH08212316A - Two-dimensional graphic code card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a two-dimensional graphic code card whose read data can be processed by a computer not through a special device by using such a two-dimensional graphic code by graphic that need not be precise so much. CONSTITUTION: This two-dimensional graphic code card represents information data by using an array of two-dimensional graphic codes representing N bits with one directional symbol constituted by crossing and combining thick reference lines and thin directional lines displayed with gradients obtained by equally dividing a semicircle of 180 deg. by 2N (N: integer larger than 2), and the information data can be written and read out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card using a two-dimensional graphic code represented by a special direction symbol, and more particularly to a prepaid card or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, optical reading devices (scanners, etc.)
The bar code system is the most widely used as a technique for recognizing various kinds of information by using the. The bar code is not only applied to inventory control, process control, assembly, shipment, and other data management in the manufacturing industry, but is also used in POS systems (point-of-sale information management systems) of retail stores and the like.
In these bar code systems, the bar code symbol printed on the information sheet is irradiated with light and the reflected light is read by an optical sensor, and the read analog signal is converted into an analog signal.
The converter converts the signal back to a digital signal and sends it to the decoder, and the microcomputer processes the image to read the numbers, characters, etc. represented by the width of the barcode space.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional bar code system, it is required that the width of the white and black bars printed on the information code sheet be accurately printed with extremely high precision. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and money to print the bar code symbol.

In the case of reading a bar code symbol, after reading the reflected light as an analog signal with an optical sensor,
Since it is necessary to perform A / D conversion by the A / D converter, there is a problem that the device becomes complicated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to use a graphic code having a simple structure in which the accuracy of a written code symbol is not so required, and the read data can be processed by a computer without the need for A / D conversion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-dimensional code type card system.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a bold reference line displayed with a gradient obtained by equally dividing a semicircle of 180 degrees into 2 ^N (N is an integer of 2 or more). A two-dimensional graphic code card in which information data is represented by an array of two-dimensional graphic codes representing N bits by one directional symbol constituted by a cross combination of a directional line and a fine line, and writing and writing of the information data. It is characterized in that it can be read. Further, the invention is characterized in that the card is a prepaid card.

[0007]

According to the above construction, if N = 4, then 18
A semicircle of 0 degrees is divided into 4 equal parts, 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 13
A directional code created by superimposing a thin directional line having a slope equivalent to dividing a semicircle into four equal lines on a bold reference line having a slope equivalent to 5 degrees represents 4 bits. The card is written and read using the two-dimensional graphic code. Therefore, it is possible to construct a two-dimensional graphic code card system or a two-dimensional graphic code prepaid card system by creating a two-dimensional graphic code card using a direction symbol which is a simple two-dimensional graphic code.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a direction code according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows a two-dimensional figure code (henceforth abbreviated as two-dimensional code). In the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 1 (A), the column a shows the column configuration in which the reference line is displayed alone. Then, the directional symbol 1 at the top of the a column (a column, e row) represents the inclination degree display corresponding to 0 degree in FIG. 1 (B), and the directional symbol 1 at the next (a column, f row) is shown in FIG. (B) represents the inclination of 45 degrees, (a row, g
The direction code 1 of (row) is the inclination of 90 degrees in FIG. 1 (B), and the direction code 1 of the last (column a, h row) is 135 in FIG. 1 (B).
The inclination of each degree is shown.

The bold reference lines of the e-th row, the f-th row, the g-th row, and the h-th row are the same as those of the a-column and are fixedly displayed. Now, taking the leftmost column d as an example, the directional symbol 1 as a unit code will be described. The directional symbol 1 in (d column, e row) corresponds to the 225 degree inclination in FIG. The direction lines of are overlapped. Direction code 1 of the next (column d, row f)
Overlaps the reference line of 45 degree inclination with the direction line of the next 270 degree inclination of FIG. 1 (B). In the next direction code 1 (column d, row g), the reference line having a 90-degree inclination is overlapped with the direction line having a 315-degree inclination in FIG. 1B. The last direction code 1 (column d, row h) is 360 degrees in FIG.
Directional symbols 1 are formed by overlapping the direction lines of the degree inclination. In the case of the other columns b and c, the directional code 1 is constructed in accordance with this.

The bit display of the direction code 1 as a unit code is a 4-bit display. For example, (b
Direction sign of column, row e): "0000" = 0, (column b, f
The direction code of (row): "0001" = 1, the direction code of (b column, g row): "0010" = 2, the direction code of (b column, h row): "0011" = 3, and so on. It can be a 4-bit numerical display. Note that 8-bit numerical display may be used in accordance with the character code.

Next, when displaying characters, one English character
If it is a bit, for example, A: “000011111” =
(Column b, row e, column a, row h), B: “00000001” =
(Column b, row e, column b, row f), ... S: “01001000”
= (C column e row, d column e row), ...
It is possible to obtain an 8-bit character display by combining the two. Similarly, if the Chinese character has 2 bytes, this can also be displayed by a combination of the direction symbols 1.

Next, the operation will be described. Figure 2
It is a schematic block diagram of a ticket issuing machine of the system when a prepaid card system is configured with a dimension code card. The ticket issuing machine of FIG. 2 is a card writing means, and when a banknote is inserted into the ticket issuing machine, the amount information area of the two-dimensional code card 2
2 shown in FIG. 1 (A) using the write head 3 for thermal recording.
Write amount information etc. by dimension code.

To write a two-dimensional code represented by a sector symbol 1, one block for symbol writing is displayed as 7 × 5 dots and is moved at a predetermined speed in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the moving direction of the card 0.2 mm. Using a heat-sensitive 7-needle head or the like at intervals as the writing head 4, the bold reference line is written on the outward path and the fine direction line is overwritten on the return path based on the division (gradient) shown in FIG. 1 (B). Finish printing the graphic code. Although not shown, various kinds of processing for preventing illegal cards are also performed at the same time. The card 2 which has completed the writing by the two-dimensional code reads the written content again by the optical reading head 4 for confirmation, confirms whether there is an error, and sends it to the customer after coating. Reference numeral 5 is an optical sensor for reading a key code in which transparent ink or the like is written.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a card reader of the above system. When using the two-dimensional code card 2, insert the card 2 into the card reader and enter the charge input section 6
When the desired amount of money is input, the CPU 7 reads the balance information of the card 2 with the optical reading head 8. The optical reading head 8 moves in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the card 2 and scans a two-dimensional code written sideways, while reflecting light reflected by the LED irradiation light or the like in FIG. The direction sensor 1 and the combination information are read by receiving light by an optical sensor arranged based on the division (inclination) position shown. This read head may be configured by a line sensor or an area sensor.

The graphic code of the direction symbol read by the read head 8 and the combination information are decoded by the decoding unit 10 in the reverse order of the writing, and then the CPU 7 confirms the balance information of the card 2 and other information. Processing such as release of amusement items is executed, and a new balance is added to the card 2 and the writing head 9
Then, write it in the two-dimensional code of direction code 1 and return it to the customer.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A two-dimensional figure code representing N bits by one direction symbol composed of a cross combination of a bold reference line and a thin direction line, each of which is displayed with an inclination degree obtained by equally dividing a 180 degree semicircle by 2 ^N. A card writing means for writing and issuing necessary information to a card by a two-dimensional graphic code by a two-dimensional graphic code card in which information is written using an array, and a two-dimensional code of a one-way symbol from the two-dimensional graphic code card. Since a card system or a prepaid card system having a card reading means for reading and decoding information to execute the processing can be constructed, an apparatus such as an A / D converter is required by using a simple graphic code which does not require so much accuracy. There is an effect that it is possible to configure an efficient two-dimensional graphic code card system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a two-dimensional code using direction symbols according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a card issuing machine according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a card reader according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Directional symbol 2 Two-dimensional figure code card 3,9 Writing head 4,8 Reading head 5 Reading sensor 6 Charge input section 7 CPU 10 Decoding section

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A direction formed by an intersection combination of a bold reference line and a thin direction line displayed with a gradient obtained by equally dividing a 180 degree semicircle by 2 ^N (N is an integer of 2 or more). What is claimed is: 1. A two-dimensional graphic code card which represents information data by an array of two-dimensional graphic codes each of which represents one bit and is capable of writing and reading the information data. 2. The two-dimensional graphic code card according to claim 1, wherein the card is a prepaid card.