JPH09231296A - Information processing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output the two-dimensional codes as the image data with high efficiency by decomposing these codes into the unit matrix patterns of small areas and calculating the code value corresponding to each matrix pattern based on the character codes. SOLUTION: A pattern decomposition part 2 of a processor A decomposes the two-dimensional codes inputted from an input part 1 into the 3-row/3-column unit matrix patterns, for example. A coding processing part 4 refers to a pattern memory 3 for each of decomposed unit matrix patterns to calculate the code value corresponding to every pattern of a small area. Thus the unit matrix patterns are coded and the code value corresponding to every pattern is calculated. A transmitting part 5 sends the series of code value to an information processor B of a printer, etc. On the other hand, an image data conversion part 7 of the processor B refers to a pattern memory 8 to convert in sequence the series of code value received via a receiving part 6 into the image data. These image data are printed out via a print-out part 9 as the two-dimensional codes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method capable of efficiently printing and outputting a two-dimensional code representing various information by a two-dimensional geometric pattern.

[0002]

Related Background Art Recently, a two-dimensional code expressing various information by a two-dimensional geometric pattern is used in various industrial fields. This type of two-dimensional code can express a large amount of information compared to the print space. Moreover, it has an advanced error correction function, and has the excellent feature that it is robust against dirt and scratches.

For example, in the two-dimensional code called [PDF417] shown in FIG.
It has an information amount of 50 bytes, can be read together with a one-dimensional bar code, and can be printed in any shape depending on the label space. By the way, the two-dimensional code composed of the above [PDF417] expresses one code (unit of information) as a binary pattern of a word code composed of 17 elements in one stage as shown in FIG.
The black and white binary patterns of the word codes # 0, # 1, and # 2 are sequentially arranged in the first row, and the word codes # 3, # 4, # are arranged in the second row.
5 binary patterns, and word code # in the third row
Binary patterns 6, 6, and 8 are arranged in order. Then, nine word codes over three steps are set as one block unit, and by repeating this, characters and symbols are formed in a two-dimensional binary pattern with a minimum of three steps and a maximum of 90 steps (1 to 30 blocks). It represents other information.

Each code is represented by a pattern of [0] to [928] in the word code, and even the same code is represented by a different pattern for each word code in one block. ing. FIG. 2 (b)
[QR code] consisting of a two-dimensional pattern of (37 x 37) elements shown in Fig. 2 and (18 x 18) shown in Fig. 2 (c).
It is also defined in other two-dimensional codes such as a [data code] consisting of a two-dimensional pattern of elements and a [veri code] consisting of a two-dimensional pattern of (16 × 16) elements shown in FIG. 2D. It is two-dimensionally patterned according to the rules. Each of these two-dimensional codes can be printed in a small space and can be printed in all directions (36
It has a feature that it can be read from 0 °).

Incidentally, the two-dimensional bar code is a matrix type bar code represented by the above-mentioned [data code], [verify code], [QR code], [code one], etc., and [PDF417] [code 16K] [code 49].
And the like, which are represented by a stack type barcode. Matrix-based barcodes basically have a reference line and a reference pattern that clearly define the vertical and horizontal directions, and have a certain minimum value within the reference frame or within the limited surrounding standard range and position. For example, square modules of a size are arranged in a matrix to form an aggregate pattern. The entire symbol pattern, that is, the entire display portion including the reference display portion and the data display portion has a configuration in which rectangular black / white modules of a certain minimum size are arrayed vertically and horizontally by integer multiples.

A stack-type bar code has a plurality of vertically-arranged modules of a very small size, for example, rectangular modules, which are arranged side by side to form a plurality of units of coded data, and the bar code is started at the left and right ends of the unit. A pattern indicating the end is added, and a two-dimensional array pattern is formed by stacking the patterns in the vertical direction. The data content of each of these stages is generally different, but by adopting a configuration of multiple stages in which the same number of modules are arranged, a matrix pattern in which modules of extremely small size are arranged vertically and horizontally as a whole is formed. .

As the two-dimensional code, not only the above-mentioned binary pattern but also a multi-valued pattern or a color pattern is considered.

[0008]

By the way, each of the above two-dimensional codes is generally regarded as variable pattern data in which a white / black pattern is two-dimensionally developed. In other words, since the two-dimensional code is a variable image pattern itself, when it is printed out, generally, the pattern data is developed into a bitmap image that matches the dot density of the printer, and this image data is printed by the printer. It is printed on a label by transferring to. Therefore, the data amount of the bitmap image to be transferred to the printer reaches hundreds to thousands of bytes, and there is a problem that it takes a lot of time before the transfer and the print output thereof.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the data transfer amount of a two-dimensional code to a printer, thereby efficiently outputting the two-dimensional code as image data. It is to provide an information processing apparatus and method capable of doing the above.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a two-dimensional code expressed in a two-dimensional geometric pattern in n rows and m columns (n and m are integers). Means for decomposing into a unit matrix pattern of a small region consisting of, means for obtaining code values corresponding to the respective decomposed unit matrix patterns according to a character code, and outputting image data corresponding to each code value. Means and means are provided.

That is, by decomposing the two-dimensional code into unit matrix patterns of a small area, the patterns in each unit matrix are regarded as a fixed number of fixed patterns, and these are coded according to the character code. The two-dimensional code is handled as 2-byte data, and when the two-dimensional code is output, image data corresponding to each code value is output to simplify the handling of the two-dimensional code. It is what

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pattern decomposing means for decomposing the two-dimensional code into a unit matrix pattern of a small region consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers) and a plurality of decomposed units. Coding means for obtaining the code value corresponding to each matrix pattern, and the series of these code values,
For example, it is characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting and outputting to a printer.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, a series of code values respectively corresponding to a unit matrix pattern of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers) obtained by decomposing a two-dimensional code into a plurality of small areas is generated. When the image data is received, the image data corresponding to each code value is generated and sequentially output. The invention according to claim 4 is 2
The dimension code is decomposed into unit matrix patterns consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers), code values respectively corresponding to the unit matrix patterns are determined, and the code values are transmitted to the image data output means, The image data output means outputs image data corresponding to each code value.

That is, the transmission form of the two-dimensional code to the image data output means is a code value corresponding to each unit matrix pattern decomposed into a unit matrix pattern consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers). Therefore, the amount of data transmission is reduced.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An information processing apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the embodiment apparatus. In general, a two-dimensional code is decomposed into a unit matrix pattern of a small area consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers), and each unit matrix An information processing apparatus A such as a so-called computer or word processor that encodes each pattern according to a character code and transmits the code value sequence to a device such as a printer.
And an information processing apparatus B including a printer, a display, etc. that receives the above-mentioned coded information (a series of code values) given from the information processing apparatus A, obtains image data corresponding to each code value, and prints it out. Consists of. The medium for transmitting and receiving the coded information (sequence of code values) between the information processing devices A and B is a so-called printer cable or public communication line, or, if both are integrated, the inside thereof. Signal lines (internal bus) that connect to each other.

That is, the processing device A is [PDF41
7] or the like is input through the input unit 1, and the pattern decomposition unit 2 decomposes the two-dimensional code into a unit matrix pattern of 3 rows and 3 columns as shown in FIG. 4, for example.
The coding processing unit 4 codes the unit matrix pattern by referring to the pattern memory 3 for each pattern of the decomposed unit matrix and obtaining the code value corresponding to the pattern of the small area. Specifically, in this example, the unit matrix is 3
Since it is defined as a small area with 3 rows and 3 columns, the unit matrix pattern is 2 ⁹ (=
The pattern will be 512).

Therefore, in the encoding processing unit 4, the two-dimensional pattern in the unit matrix (small area) is fixedly captured as a limited number of patterns, and the unit memory pattern is converted into a character code by referring to the pattern memory 3. According to 1
It is coded as 2-byte data, and the code value corresponding to each pattern is obtained. By such coding, the two-dimensional code is expressed as a series of code values converted according to the two-dimensional pattern for each unit matrix. The transmission unit 5 transmits and outputs the series of code values corresponding to each unit matrix pattern coded by the coding processing unit 4 as described above to the information processing apparatus B such as the printer.

On the other hand, the information processing apparatus B is provided with the receiving unit 6 for receiving and inputting the series of code values coded and transmitted from the information processing apparatus A as described above. The image data conversion unit 7 has a pattern memory 8 for each code value of the series of code values received via the reception unit 6.
Is sequentially converted into image data by referring to the above, and the two-dimensional code is printed out by sequentially applying the image data obtained corresponding to each code value to the print output unit 9.

The pattern memory 8 stores image patterns corresponding to the respective code values described above in relation to the pattern memory 3, and these image patterns are determined according to, for example, the dot density of the printer. Given as bitmap data. Therefore, similarly to the case where a general printer develops a character font corresponding to a given character code as a bitmap and prints out the character pattern, the image data conversion unit 7 responds to the code value described above. By developing a two-dimensional pattern of a unit matrix (small area) as a bitmap image and printing this out according to the position of the unit matrix, a two-dimensional code is printed as a whole.

Thus, as described above, the two-dimensional code is decomposed into a unit matrix pattern of a predetermined small area, each unit matrix pattern is coded according to the character code, and the code value is printed by the printer (information processing apparatus B). According to the apparatus for transmitting to the printer (information processing apparatus B) and developing and printing out the unit matrix pattern corresponding to each code value as image data,
Treated as 2-byte data (code value),
The dimension code can be transferred as a series of code values. Therefore, the maximum is 90 in the above-mentioned [PDF417].
Even for a two-dimensional code represented by a two-dimensional pattern of stages (30 blocks), [1-2] × [17] × [30] = [510-102]
0] That is, the required print information can be given to the printer and the two-dimensional code can be printed out only by data transfer of at most 510 to 1020 bytes. Therefore, the amount of data transfer itself can be significantly reduced, and the required transfer time can be shortened.

Further, the expansion into the image data corresponding to the code value indicating the pattern of each unit matrix described above can be executed by the same processing routine as the expansion of the character code into the character font in a general printer. ,
Efficient print output is possible without increasing the processing load on the printer side. By the way, the code value indicating each unit matrix pattern is, for example, [2581 to 2C7F] [2E21 to 2F7F] of the undefined area in the JIS character code table.
If assigned to [7D21 to 7D7F] or the like, the code value can be handled in the same manner as a character code and a two-dimensional code can be printed (printed) and the processing efficiency thereof can be effectively increased. In addition, another code area may be set as a module block character font for a two-dimensional barcode.

In the above-described embodiment, the division pattern is obtained by using the small area of 3 rows and 3 columns as the unit matrix, but 2 rows and 3 columns are used.
The two-dimensional code may be divided into patterns by using a small area of columns, 2 rows and 4 columns, or 4 rows and 2 columns as a unit matrix. In this case, the unit matrix pattern is 2 ⁶ (= 64)
, 2 ⁸ (= 256) patterns are taken, each pattern can be coded as 8-bit (1 byte) data, and the handling can be made even easier. It will be possible.

Further, when the given two-dimensional code is sequentially divided into predetermined unit matrices from the reference position, if there is a surplus at the edge and the predetermined unit matrix pattern is not formed, for example, It suffices to perform processing such as supplementing predetermined pattern data such as [0], which does not damage the two-dimensional code, at positions corresponding to elements and steps at the edges that are insufficient as the unit matrix. By performing such edge processing, it is possible to code the two-dimensional code while dividing the two-dimensional code based on a predetermined unit matrix, regardless of the type of the two-dimensional code.
It becomes possible to give versatility to the two-dimensional code.

Regarding the size of the two-dimensional code to be printed out, the image data corresponding to the code value is enlarged under the control similar to the enlargement printing of the character font based on the character code. It should be done. Further, the present invention can be applied not only when two-dimensional data is printed out by using a printer but also when the two-dimensional code is visualized on a display, and the processing load can be greatly reduced.

Thus, according to the apparatus of the above embodiment, 2
A two-dimensional code that expresses various information by a three-dimensional geometric pattern is decomposed into a unit matrix pattern of a small region of n rows and m columns, and the pattern of each unit matrix is coded according to a character code and handled. When visualizing, the image is developed into the pattern of each of the small areas based on the code value and is printed out, for example, so that the amount of data itself required for transferring the two-dimensional code is significantly reduced, and the time required for transfer is Can be significantly shortened. Moreover, the processing procedure itself can be simplified, and a great effect can be obtained in practical use.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the size of n rows and m columns forming the unit matrix may be determined according to the specifications. Also, as for the method of transferring the series of code values corresponding to the divided unit matrix pattern, various data transfer methods can be appropriately adopted. Also, a multi-value or a multi-value code may be used as the two-dimensional code, and the code is infrared light,
It may be recognized by ultraviolet light or magnetism. Further, it is sufficient to set the code value determined in association with the unit matrix pattern in accordance with the specification, for example, within a range that does not interfere with the standard character code. Further, other than the [PDF417] exemplified as the embodiment, the matrix-type and stack-type two-dimensional barcodes described above can be similarly implemented according to the nature of the code. In short, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, 2
By decomposing the dimensional code into unit matrix patterns of a small area, each unit matrix pattern is regarded as a fixed number of fixed patterns, each unit matrix pattern is coded, and the code value is handled by being transferred, etc. When the code is visualized, an image pattern corresponding to the code value is obtained and is printed out. Therefore, the amount of data handled by the two-dimensional code itself can be significantly reduced, and the transfer required time can be shortened.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional code is decomposed into the unit matrix patterns of the small area, the code values corresponding to each of the plurality of decomposed unit matrix patterns are obtained, and the code values are obtained. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that simplifies the handling of a two-dimensional code because the sequence of is transmitted and output to, for example, a printer. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, a sequence of code values corresponding to a unit matrix pattern obtained by decomposing a two-dimensional code into a plurality of small areas is received, image data corresponding to each code value is generated, and the image data is sequentially generated. Since the means for printing out is provided, it becomes possible to simply and efficiently print out the two-dimensional code.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional code is decomposed into a unit matrix pattern of n rows and m columns, and code values corresponding to each unit matrix pattern are transmitted to the image data output means. Since the image data output means outputs the image data corresponding to each code value, the data transmission amount can be greatly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code handled by the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a pattern structure of PDF417 as a two-dimensional code.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a decomposition structure of a two-dimensional code into a unit matrix pattern in the apparatus of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Input Section 2 Pattern Decomposition Section 3 Pattern Memory 4 Coding Processing Section 5 Transmitting Section 6 Receiving Section 7 Image Data Converting Section 8 Pattern Memory 9 Print Output Section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pattern decomposing means for decomposing a two-dimensional code into a unit matrix pattern consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers), and each of the decomposed unit matrix patterns is converted into a corresponding code value. An information processing apparatus comprising: an encoding means and an image data output means for outputting image data corresponding to each code value. 2. A pattern decomposing means for decomposing a two-dimensional code into a unit matrix pattern consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers), and a code for obtaining code values respectively corresponding to the decomposed unit matrix patterns. An information processing apparatus comprising: an encoding unit and a transmitting unit that transmits and outputs a sequence of these code values. 3. An n-row m-column (n,
m is an integer) and receiving means for receiving a sequence of code values corresponding to a unit matrix pattern consisting of (M) is an integer, and image data output means for outputting image data corresponding to each received code value. Information processing equipment. 4. A two-dimensional code is decomposed into a unit matrix pattern consisting of n rows and m columns (n and m are integers), code values corresponding to the respective unit matrix patterns are determined, and the code values are used as image data. An information processing method, characterized in that the image data corresponding to each of the code values is output to the output means, and the image data output means outputs the image data.