JPH0944620A - Matallic product - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage a product, for which the code sequence of information for identifying and managing an object, from the initial stage of manufacture process to the final abandoning processing by forming the code sequence in a code expression method with which display quality is not degraded even in a severe use environment concerning this product. SOLUTION: A code sequence 10 composed of a projected emboss 11 and/or a recessed deboss 12 encoded in a prescribed arrangement pattern is formed at one part or on the entire face of a metallic product 11 so that the object can be identified and managed by this code sequence 10. The code sequence 10 can be recognized by the contact type or non-contact type code reading means as well and when an optical displacement sensor is used, for example, it is decoded into original information by detecting difference in the quantity of reflected light.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a metal product (including a solid material such as synthetic resin, wood, or stone) on which a code sequence in which information for identifying and managing an object has been coded is formed. In particular, it can be recognized by any of the contact type and contact type code reading means, and the code recognition rate hardly decreases even under a severe use environment such as repeated change of high temperature / normal temperature or mechanical cleaning. It relates to a product in which a code sequence is formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a coding method for coding characters and numbers, there is a two-dimensional coding method represented by a Carla code. This two-dimensional encoding method divides the entire two-dimensional (surface) area into a plurality of partial areas according to a predetermined rule, gives meaning to the partial areas, and fills black partial areas and non-black partial areas. Is a method of expressing characters and numbers in combination with, and identifying the shade by an optical reading device to recognize the code.

FIG. 15 shows an example of expressing characters and numbers by the Kaller code, which is divided into four sub-regions in a square pattern, and the hexadecimal numerical value " This is an example in which 0 "to" F "are expressed.
In this example, as shown in the figure,
"4", "6", "2", "8" are shown, and the lower areas show "1", "0", "C", "F", respectively. Since this method of expression is based on the shade of color,
There are methods such as changing the property of the material of the object by chemical method to change the color, or fixing ink or paint on the surface of the object by printing or painting to change the color. There is.

[0004]

However, in a method of recognizing a code attached to an object by printing or painting using a contact type or non-contact type sensor, the ink or paint or the object itself may be exposed to high temperature, Since it is vulnerable to conditions such as high humidity, high pressure, corrosion, dirt, scratches, electromagnetic waves, mutual induction, induction electromagnetic field, and liquid injection pressure, it has a drawback that the applicable range is narrow. For example, when an optically automatically identified ID is additionally displayed on an existing drum (stainless steel) used in the distribution of fluids such as chemicals, a relatively inexpensive method is to display it on the surface of the drum. ID
A method of attaching a metal plate on which a code is printed can be considered.

However, in the case of such a construction method, by the sand blast cleaning in a high temperature state in the cleaning process in the distribution process of the drum can (a cleaning method of spraying fine sand with a high pressure on the object to be cleaned to remove oils and fats attached thereto) Since the printed code is scraped off and the code recognition quality in the optical reading device is deteriorated, it is not suitable for such industrial use. Furthermore, in the conventional code display method in which a code is formed on an object by printing or painting, the tolerance for shape variability and shape plasticity of the coded pattern and the regularity of equal distribution of widths within or between patterns There was a drawback that the tolerance for was small.

The present invention has been made under the circumstances as described above, and an object of the present invention is to display even in a severe operating environment such as repeated changes of high temperature / normal temperature and mechanical cleaning such as sandblast cleaning. An object of the present invention is to provide a metal product which is not deteriorated in quality, is inexpensive, and has a code sequence in which the product can be managed from the initial stage of the manufacturing process to the final disposal.

[0007]

The present invention relates to a product in which a code sequence for identifying and managing an object is formed. The above object of the present invention is to provide a contact type or non-contact type code. A metal product having a code sequence composed of a convex emboss and / or a concave deboss that can be recognized by a reading means, wherein the code sequence is a code with a predetermined array pattern of the emboss and / or deboss. It is achieved by being made into.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A metal product according to the present invention has a code sequence consisting of a convex emboss and / or a concave deboss coded in a predetermined array pattern on a metal product. It is configured to be formed on a part or the entire surface. With such a configuration, the code display quality does not deteriorate even under a harsh use environment, and constant pattern recognition can be performed at all times. In addition, by encoding the management information, it becomes possible to manage the product from the initial stage of the manufacturing process to the final disposal. Further, the embossing and / or the debossing are formed in different shapes, and the unit information is encoded according to the difference in the shape, or the code reading means is a non-contact type. The target,
A color is attached to the embossed and / or debossed shape surface, and the unit information is encoded according to the difference in color gradation, so that the amount of information per unit area can be increased. .

Further, by making the light emitting substance adhere to the embossed and / or debossed surface or in the vicinity thereof, it becomes easier for a human to search for the code sequence regardless of day and night, and the operation of the code reader is performed. Will be easier.
Further, in the aspect in which the metal product is a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate, since the tolerance for shape variability and shape plasticity is large, it can be attached to various products and parts for use. Furthermore, by arranging the embossing and the debossing to be formed facing each other at the same position on the front and back of the metal plate or the synthetic resin plate, the inverted unit information is encoded on the back surface. Information can be duplicated.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The term "metal work" used in the present invention is a general term for a metal plate to which a code sequence is attached, an object to which the metal plate is attached, and an object to which the code sequence is directly attached. Is. FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the metal products of this invention, and FIG.
1A is a plan view of a metal product, and FIG. 1B is FIG.
It is the sectional view on the AA line of (A). In FIG. 1 (A),
A convex emboss 11 and a concave deboss 12 arranged according to a predetermined coding rule are formed on a part or the whole surface of the metal plate 1 (for example, a stainless plate). . Emboss 1
As for the distance between 1 and the deboss 12 adjacent to each other, the minimum distance is determined according to the recognition tolerance of the code reading device, but it is not necessary to arrange them at equal intervals, and the arrangement pattern is arbitrary.

A code sequence (hereinafter referred to as "endeboss code") 10 including these embossed portions 11 and / or debosses 12 is
It is formed by electronic, physical, mechanical, optical, or other means. Even if the code reading unit is a contact type reading unit (for example, a reading unit using a contact type displacement sensor that applies a piezoelectric effect, a mechanical shape recognition unit), a non-contact type reading unit (for example, an optical reading unit). Type displacement sensor, capacitance type displacement sensor, eddy current type displacement sensor, or ultrasonic type displacement sensor). For example, when the code reading means using an optical sensor is used, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the shape surface of the emboss 11 and the shape surface of the deboss 12, which are formed in a spherical crown shape, and the emboss 11, the deboss 1
By detecting the difference in the light amount of the reflected light from the surface on which 2 is not formed, the endeavor code 10 is restored to the original information.

The endeavor cord 10 may be formed on a thin metal plate as shown in FIG. 1, but may also be formed directly on a processed material of a metal material. When the metal plate is attached to an object for use, it may be attached via a member that can withstand the use environment, such as sticking with a silicon-based heat-resistant adhesive.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an encoding method using an endeavor code, in which the code expression using the Kaller code shown in FIG. 15 is shown using the code expression using an endeavor code. This example is an example in which only the convex embossment 11 is used as shown in the side view of FIG. 2B, and the four embossments 11A in FIG. 2A indicate the entire area of the reference numeral. There is. The code reading apparatus recognizes the positions of these four points to recognize the entire area of the code, and then the image processing unit calculates and recognizes the partial area indicated by the dotted line in the figure. Then, it is recognized whether or not the embossment 11B exists in the partial area, the decoding is performed, and it is recognized as 462810CF. Since the endeavor code has a three-dimensional shape, the code reading means is not limited to the non-contact type, but may be the direct contact type.

Although the information to be encoded by the endeavor code is arbitrary, if the management information for managing the product (product or part) is encoded by the endeavor code, for example, drum can management or manufacturing line. It is possible to perform various kinds of management such as management of goods, distribution of metal containers, management of automobile manufacturing processes, and disposal management of industrial waste. When used as a substitute for a barcode, a prefix character (by country), a product maker code (manufacturer identification), a product item code (product identification), and a check character may be encoded according to a predetermined rule and applied. In this way, the code of the Karler code or the bar code can be expressed by the endeavor code, so it can be easily applied to products that could not be applied by the conventional code expression method due to deterioration due to the usage environment. can do.

[0015] With the embossing code, it is possible to encode three types of unit information per unit area by using embossing and debossing. However, by changing the shape and the like and providing a predetermined encoding rule, one embossing code can be obtained. (Embossing or debossing) makes it possible to express more information.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a second example of the metal product of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, by forming endebosses 11a to 11c having different shapes,
Multiple information can be assigned to one emboss or deboss. That is, as shown by 11a and 11b in the figure, congruent embossments 11a,
By forming 11b and forming similar embosses 11c having different widths w and heights h (curvatures), unit information can be encoded according to the difference in shape. For example, in the case of assigning a number to one endebo, if the endeboth is formed so that the detection amount such as the amount of received light is proportional to the number, the reassembling is easy.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a third example of the metal product of the present invention, which is an example in which a plurality of unit information is assigned according to the difference in color gradation between the endebos and the colors. . In this example, the amount of information is increased by using a plurality of colors. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the convex emboss 11 is given a color with low reflectance, and the concave deboss 12 is used. May be colored with a high reflectance to enhance the recognition efficiency of the uneven shape. further,
The surface or the vicinity of the endeavor may be colored with a luminescent substance so that it can be easily searched by humans regardless of day or night.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is convenient to combine a plurality of pieces of information by combining different shapes and colors, and to use materials having different magnetization characteristics or different sound absorption. Alternatively, a plurality of pieces of information may be assigned. However, in the latter case, instead of the optical reading device, a magnetic reading device and an ultrasonic reading device are used for the combination.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which end plates are formed on both sides of a metal plate. For example, the emboss 11 and the deboss 12 can be formed to face each other at the same position on the front and back by forming the emboss on the upper surface of the thin metal plate 1 by pressing or the like. In this case, since the inverted unit information is encoded on the back surface, the information can be duplicated. That is, when the front endobe code cannot be read due to the adhesion of dust or the like, the backend endobe code can be read and the unit information can be inverted to be combined. Moreover, the amount of information per unit area may be increased by forming different code sequences on the front surface and the back surface of the metal plate.

Next, a method of decoding the endeavor code will be described. FIG. 10 is a system conceptual diagram of a code reading system for an endeavor product. The code reading system is a handy reader 100 that reads the endeavor code of the endeavor product 1 and outputs binarized information, and a handy reader. Image processing apparatus 2 for inputting binarized information from 100 and decoding the encoded information according to a code conversion rule
00 and a personal computer 300 for inputting and processing the information decoded by the image processing apparatus 200.

FIG. 11 shows the handy reader 10 of FIG.
0 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image processing apparatus 200, and the handy reader 100 includes a code reading unit (CCD).
Camera) 101, signal processing unit 102, and binarization unit 103
The image processing apparatus 200 includes a frame memory 201, a position recognition unit 202, a code conversion unit 203, a parallel / serial conversion circuit 204, and a level conversion circuit 205.
Consists of

An example of the decoding method of the endeavor code in such a structure will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the light source 101a in the handy reader 100 is shown.
The reflected light of the light radiated to the endeavor creation 1 is C
It is input to the two-dimensional image sensor 101c through the lens 101b of the CD camera 101. The two-dimensional image sensor 101c converts the amount of light input to each pixel into high and low voltage levels. In the signal processing unit 102, the voltage level signal of each pixel output from the two-dimensional image sensor 101c is scanned and captured at high speed timing,
The voltage is amplified and passed to the binarization unit 103. The binarizing unit 103 binarizes the level of each pixel based on the set threshold value (threshold).

The binarized information of each pixel is accumulated for one screen in the frame memory 201 in the image processing apparatus 200, and the position recognition unit 202 confirms the position of embossing or debossing. The embossed or debossed position is converted into character or number information of a binary signal by the code conversion unit 203 according to the determined code conversion rule, and RS- by the level conversion circuit 205 via the parallel / serial conversion circuit 204. The level conversion is performed at 232C, and is input to the information processing device 300 such as a personal computer.

In the code reading system, the code formed on the endeavor product may be directly read as described above, but as shown in FIG. 14, the endeavor code 10 is transferred to another medium 2 such as paper. Since the second copy is easy,
The copied code 10 'may be read.

Although the above-mentioned embodiments have been described with reference to products made of metals, it is needless to say that the present invention is applied to products made of non-metals such as synthetic resin, paper, wood and stone. It is also possible to do so.

[0026]

As described above, according to the metal product of the present invention, since the code sequence is formed on the metal product by the concave-convex endebossing, the code can be used even in a harsh environment. The display quality does not deteriorate, and constant pattern recognition can always be performed. The code sequence can be easily formed by electronic, physical, mechanical, optical, or other means, and pattern recognition can be easily performed by either a non-contact type or a contact type reading device. Further, unlike the conventional printing or painting method, the endebo print product is not limited to the material and can be reused, and the place where the code sequence is formed is arbitrary. Even if the code sequence is formed on the inner surface of the container to be inserted, the code sequence can be recognized inside the container regardless of contact or non-contact.

Further, since the formed code sequence does not deteriorate in display quality in use environment such as repeated change of high temperature / normal temperature and mechanical cleaning such as sand blast cleaning, if the management information is coded, it is manufactured. It is possible to manage the product from the initial stage of the process to the final disposal. Further, the endeavor product can be printed, specially printed, or painted, and since the endeavor can coexist with these prints and paints, it can be applied to various industrial fields.

In addition, the endebosses are formed in different shapes,
Encode unit information according to the difference in shape,
By attaching a color to the shape surface of the endeavor and encoding the unit information according to the difference in color gradation,
The amount of information per unit area can be increased. Furthermore, if the end surface or the vicinity of the end surface is colored by using a luminescent substance, it will be easy for a person to find it day and night, and the operation of the code reading device will be facilitated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first example of a metal product of the present invention and a sectional view taken along the line AA.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an encoding method for a metal product according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a second example of the metal product of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a third example of the metal-made product of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a fourth example of the metal product of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a fifth example of the metal-made product of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a sixth example of the metal-made product of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of combining the present invention in a metal product.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a seventh example of the metal-made product of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a system conceptual diagram of a code reading system for metal products of the present invention.

11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a handy reader and an image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a first diagram for explaining an operation example of the code reading system for metal products of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a second diagram for explaining an operation example of the code reading system for metal products of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a method for copying an encoded code in a metal product according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a general encoding method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Metal Plate 10 Embossing Code 11 Embossing 12 Debossing 100 Handy Reader 101 Code Reading Unit (CCD Camera) 102 Signal Processing Unit 103 Binarization Unit 200 Image Processing Device 201 Frame Memory 202 Position Recognition Unit 203 Code Conversion Unit 204 Parallel / Serial conversion circuit 205 Level conversion circuit 300 Personal computer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A code sequence consisting of a convex embossing and / or a concave deboss recognizable by a contact type or non-contact type code reading means is formed on a part or the whole surface of a metal product. A metal product, wherein the code sequence is encoded by a predetermined array pattern of the emboss and / or deboss. 2. The metal according to claim 1, wherein the information encoded by the embossing and / or the debossing is management information for managing the product itself or an object on which the product is mounted. Production. 3. The metal product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the embossing and / or debossing are formed in different shapes, and unit information is encoded according to the difference in the shape. 4. The non-contact type code reading means is a target, color is attached to the shape surface of the emboss and / or deboss, and unit information is coded according to the difference in color gradation. The metal product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. The metal product as set forth in claim 1, wherein a luminescent material is attached to the embossed and / or debossed surface or the vicinity thereof. 6. The metal product according to claim 1, wherein the metal product is a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate. 7. The metal product according to claim 6, wherein the embossing and the debossing are formed so as to face each other at the same position on the front and back of the metal plate or the synthetic resin plate.