JPH08212317A - 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: The two-dimensional graphic code card represents information data with an array of two-dimensional graphic codes representing N bits with one sectional symbol displayed with 2N sectorial shapes obtained by equally dividing a circle of 360 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 fan-shaped symbol, particularly a prepaid card.

[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 read by an A sensor.
A digital signal is converted by a / D converter and sent to a decoder, and an image is processed by a microcomputer to read numbers, characters and the like 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.

When reading a bar code symbol,
After the reflected light is read by the optical sensor as an analog signal, it is necessary to perform A / D conversion by the A / D converter, which causes a problem that the device becomes complicated.

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

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fan-shaped symbol 1 displayed by 2 ^N fan-shaped parts obtained by equally dividing a 360 ° circle into 2 ^N (N is an integer of 2 or more). A two-dimensional graphic code card that represents information data by an array of two-dimensional graphic codes that individually represent N bits, and is characterized in that the information data can be written and read. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the card is a prepaid card.

[0007]

According to the above structure, 360 is set, for example, when N = 3.
A circle of degrees is divided into 8 equal parts, 0 degrees to 45 degrees, 45 degrees to 90 degrees,
90 degrees to 135 degrees, 135 degrees to 180 degrees, 180 degrees to 2
25 degrees, 225 degrees to 270 degrees, 270 degrees to 315 degrees, 3
Each of the eight fan-shaped symbols formed from 15 degrees to 360 degrees
Card writing and reading processing is performed using a two-dimensional graphic code in which one piece represents 3 bits. Therefore, a two-dimensional graphic code card system is created by using a fan-shaped symbol, which is a simple two-dimensional graphic code,
A two-dimensional graphic code prepaid card system can be constructed.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a sector symbol 2 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). The two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 1A has N = 3.
In the case of 2 ³ or 8 equally divided fan-shaped symbols 1 in the form of 2 rows and 4 columns, and the upper row corresponds to each fan shown in FIG. 1B from the left (0 to 45 degrees). "000",
(45 to 90 degrees) Fan-shaped: "001", (90 to 13 degrees
5 degrees) fan-shaped: “010”, (135 degrees to 180 degrees) fan-shaped: “011”, and further down (180 degrees to 225 degrees)
Fan shape: "100" ,. ． ． , (315 degrees to 360 degrees) fan-shaped: “111”.

In the bit representation of the sector symbol 1 of these unit codes, each sector symbol is represented by 3 bits. For example, the first symbol "000" = 0, the second symbol "001" = 1,
Third symbol “010” = 2, fourth symbol “011” = 3, fifth symbol “100” = 4. ． ． Since the octal number can be displayed as the 8th symbol “111” = 7, etc.
Data processing may be performed by converting to a hexadecimal display.

Next, in the case of character display, assuming that each English character is 8 bits, for example, A: "000011111",
B: "00000001", C: "0000001"
0 ", ..., And the like can be displayed by the combination conversion of the sector symbol 1. Similarly, if the Chinese character has 2 bytes, this can also be displayed by the combination conversion of the sector symbol 1.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a ticket issuing machine of the system when the prepaid card system is constructed by the two-dimensional 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 thermal recording writing head 3 is used in the amount information area of the two-dimensional code card 2 as shown in FIG. The amount information etc. is written by the two-dimensional code shown.

To write a two-dimensional code represented by a fan-shaped symbol 1, one block for symbol writing is displayed as 7 × 5 dots and is moved at a predetermined speed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the card (horizontal direction) 0.2 mm. Using a heat-sensitive 7-needle head or the like at intervals as the writing head 4, the sector symbols 1 are filled in and written based on the sector angles shown in FIG. 1B to complete the printing of 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 is read by the optical reading head 4 for confirmation to read the written contents again to check if there is any error, and send it to the customer after coating. Reference numeral 5 is an optical sensor for reading a key code written with transparent ink or the like.

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 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 to scan the two-dimensional code written in the horizontal direction, and the reflected light by the LED irradiation light or the like is shown in FIG. Light is received by an optical sensor arranged on the basis of the fan-shaped range, and the fan-shaped symbol 1 and the combination information are read. This reading head may be configured by a line sensor or an area sensor.

The figure code of the sector symbol read by the read head 8 and the combination information are decoded by the decoding section 10 in the reverse procedure of the writing, and then the CPU 7 causes the card 2 to read.
After confirming the remaining amount information and other information, a process such as release of the game is executed, and a new remaining amount is written on the card 2 by the writing head 9 with the two-dimensional code of the sector symbol 1 and returned to the customer. In the above embodiment, the case of N = 3 has been described, but with N = 4, 2 ⁴ or the circle is divided into 16 equal parts and 1
It may be a sectoral symbol of 6. At this time, it becomes two-dimensional code information representing 4 bits.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A 2D graphic code card in which information is written using an array of 2D graphic codes that represent N bits with one fan symbol that is displayed in 2 ^N fan shapes that are obtained by equally dividing a 360 ° circle into 2 ^N A card system or prepaid having a card writing means for writing and issuing information on a card by a two-dimensional graphic code and a card reading means for reading and decoding two-dimensional graphic code information of a fan symbol from the two-dimensional graphic code card and executing the processing. Since a card system can be constructed, a simple graphic code that does not require so much accuracy is used, and devices such as an A / D converter are not required.
There is an effect that a three-dimensional figure code card system can be constructed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a two-dimensional code using a sector symbol 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 fan-shaped symbol 2 two-dimensional code card (two-dimensional graphic code card) 3, 9 writing head 4, 8 reading head 5 reading sensor 6 charge input unit 7 CPU 10 decoding unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Information data is an array of two-dimensional graphic codes representing N bits by one sector symbol displayed in 2 ^N sectors, which is obtained by equally dividing a circle of 360 degrees into 2 ^N (N is an integer of 2 or more). Which is a two-dimensional graphic code card 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.