JPH0991395A - Identification code paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely and easily discriminate between adjacent binary signal marks by making the area of a binary signal mark less than the area of a small section and always forming a blank part at the peripheral part of the small section. SOLUTION: The area of the binary signal mark K recorded in each small section 3 is made less than the area of the small area 3 to form the blank part at the peripheral part of the small section 3 at all times. Thus, the blank part is always formed at the peripheral part of the small section 3 for the binary signal mark K recorded in the small section 3 in a display area, and then the blank part is always present between the binary signal marks K of adjacent small sections 3. Therefore, the respective small sections 3 where binary signal marks K are recorded can be discriminated in the display area and recording information can accurately be reproduced. Further, a general dot printer is usable and the binary signal marks K can be recorded on the identification code paper at low cost.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an identification code sheet for displaying product names, prices, symbols and the like as codes. More particularly, it relates to a binary coded identification code paper that can be optically read by a machine. As a prior art relating to this type of identification code reader, as a reader for an identification code using a known bar code, there is Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-21980, "Bar Code Character Recognition Device". . In the above-mentioned 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 characters 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 barcode display line, errors in barcode printing, expansion and contraction of the barcode paper, unevenness of the barcode paper attachment surface, and the relative angle of the sensor to the barcode paper. The change causes a problem such as causing a reading error. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of reading error. Also,
An object of the present invention is to facilitate recording of the binary signal mark K on the identification code paper and facilitate image processing during reading. In the first invention of the present application, the display area a is divided into a plurality of two-dimensional directions to form a large number of small sections 3, and each small section 3 has a binary signal mark K. In the identification code paper on which is recorded and is optically readable, the area of the binary signal mark K is set smaller than the area of the small section 3 for the binary signal mark K to be recorded in each small section 3. By always forming a blank portion in the peripheral portion of the component 3, the adjacent binary signal marks K can be surely identified easily.
According to the second invention of the present application, the binary signal mark K is formed by a large number of dots printed by a dot printer, and the base line that determines at least one side of the rectangular display area a is formed by a dot printing row. Area a
The base line and the binary signal mark K for facilitating the specification of the range are formed by printer printing. Embodiments will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. With reference to FIG. 4, the identification code sheet A of the prior application Japanese Patent Application No. 62-173352 “identification code sheet” by the present inventor will be described. The identification code paper A has X-axis baseline 1 and Y-axis.
It has a code display surface B having a square display area b of an appropriate shape and area regulated by the axis base line 2, and the display area b is a subsection of 24 = 16 or more (unit data area).
3 (in FIG. 4, P1, P2, P3 ...
It is divided into 16 subsections 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 24 x 4 digits (that is, by combining 4 0, 1, 2, ... F in 24), a single display area is made to correspond to the JIS Kanji code. It is possible to record and display an arbitrary arbitrary kanji character with b. Incidentally, in order to correspond to the Kanji code by 16 sub-sections 3, 16 sub-sections 3 are divided into 4 sub-sections (unit set data area), and in the sub-sections, 24 sub-sections are divided. The binary coding of 0, 1, 2, ... F by 3 is P
1, P2, P3, P4 horizontal direction, 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. That is, referring to FIG. 5, with respect to the binary signal mark K to be recorded in each subsection 3, the area of the binary signal mark K is made smaller than the area of the subsection 3 so that the area around the subsection 3 is always There is a blank part. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an extension X-axis base line 1a and an extension Y-axis base line 2a are added to set an auxiliary display area d, and an auxiliary mark 5 is recorded and displayed at an appropriate 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 point O of the X-axis baseline and the Y-axis baseline,
In FIG. 6B, the display of the identification code sheet A is readable except for the diagonal position with respect to the point O. 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. The auxiliary mark 5 is not limited to the square shape, and the circles of a, b, c, d, and e in FIG.
A triangle or the like may be used as long as its existence can be identified. 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. Further, the identification card paper A shown in FIG.
A division mark (synchronization mark) 4 is provided at the intersection of the horizontal small division line 6 and the vertical small division line 7 so that the range of the small division 3 can be read by reading the division mark 4. 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 which is 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 by personal computer processing according to JIS code, and 216 characters per character are converted. One display area b of the signal code 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 coded. It is convenient to display the kanji at the same time as the conversion (see Fig. 10).
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, 16 subsections P1, P2 ...
P16 is divided into four middle sections Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 (P1, P2, P3, P4) ... (P13, P14,
P15, P16) and subdivision address order,
The method of dividing the 16 sub-sections 3 into 4 groups and the arrangement order in the middle section (that is, the combination of the address arrangement of the sub-sections for each middle section) are arbitrary and can be changed appropriately by the control of the microcomputer printer. You can also Also, since the JIS Kanji code uses only about 7700 characters, in the case of the present application code, for example, when n = 4, 216 = 65.
536 characters can be coded (i.e., 24 = 16, in the display area b forming 16 subsections, 216 =
Since 65536 pieces of information can be recorded), Thai, Arabic, Chinese, etc., which are not currently coded, phonetic symbols, and even voice for speech 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. That is,
Referring to FIG. 9, the binary signal mark K is formed by a large number of dots printed by a dot printer, and is formed by nine dots printed (three dots printed in the up-down direction and the left-right direction). A gap corresponding to 2-dot printing was formed in the vertical and horizontal directions between the three. Further, FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the second invention of the present application. In the second invention of the present application, a large number of dots are printed by a dot printer [9 dots printed (3 dots printed vertically and horizontally). )], The X-axis base line 1 (base line that determines at least one side of the rectangular display area a) in addition to the binary signal mark K formed by the dot print row (in FIG. 9, upper and lower two-stage dot print). Columns). Next, the identification code sheet reader will be described.
1 and 2, the sensor (line sensor) 8
A microcomputer 10 is provided for inputting a read signal and outputting a binary signal for JIS Kanji code, other display display, and printout to an output device 9 such as a display device or a printer. The microcomputer 10 has the function of the flowchart of FIG. 3, and has a display area determining means 11 and a subsection determining means 1.
2, the number of intermediate division determination 13, binary signal presence determination means 14, 2
The display area determining means 11 includes a decimal code converting means 15 and an output device code converting means 16, and the display area determining means 11 is achieved by the functions of the X-axis baseline detecting means 11a, the Y-axis baseline detecting means 11b, and the X-axis baseline direction correcting means 11c. It The subdivision determining means 12 includes a setting storage means 15
Based on the instruction of, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are divided into predetermined intervals (or a predetermined number). Further, the division mark detection subdivision determining means 17 divides the display area into a predetermined number by using the division mark (synchronization mark) 4 recorded on the identification code paper, and the detection signal of the division mark 4 is generated by the microcomputer. By performing image processing and calculation, the distance between the base lines 1 and 2 and the mutual distance are determined to determine the position / area of each subsection, and the display area b is divided into a predetermined number of subsections 3. The number of medium divisions determined 13 is the address allocation of the small divisions for each medium division specified for the identification code sheet to be read (for example, for the medium divisions stored in the printer when printing out). Address combination)
Accordingly, the sub-section is divided into a predetermined number of groups by a predetermined address combination based on the contents preset in the storage means 21. The binary signal presence / absence discriminating means 14 is provided for each subsection 3
By the image processing of, the input value proportional to the area of the binary signal mark K is within a predetermined value range (for example,
In the illustrated embodiment, the binary code conversion means 15 has a function of judging that the binary signal mark K exists when it is an integrated value corresponding to 4 to 9 dots), and the binary code conversion means 15 is a binary signal of each subsection. Each is set by the microcomputer program so as to have a function of determining the value of the binary code of 2n [n ≧ 4] by judging the presence or absence of the mark. With reference to FIG. 2, the microcomputer 10 includes an arithmetic unit (CPU) 20 that produces the above functions.
In addition to the storage means 21, an input interface (data fetch processing means) 18 and an output interface (output device data conversion means 19) are additionally provided. There is also a method of reading by moving, but the same purpose can be achieved by using an area (two-dimensional) sensor having a size corresponding to a plurality of codes to be read (for example, for each page). It is possible to read not only the direction of the code itself but also the direction of the character string by the direction and the position of the auxiliary mark.In this case, each display area can be determined by the direction of the X base line 1, the Y base line 2 and the position of the auxiliary mark 5, as described above. However, it is also possible to determine the direction of the character string by the position and number of the auxiliary marks 5. For example, referring to FIG. a is the right direction, b is the left direction, c is the downward direction, and d is the upward direction.The position and the number of the auxiliary marks 5 are used as an instruction signal for determining the combination of the small sections constituting the middle section. It is also possible to use the detection signal from the sensor to the CPU.
1 is generated by performing image analysis based on an instruction preset in the storage means.
Refer to the flow chart of the above to calculate the X-axis base line and Y-axis base line, and adjust the X-axis and Y-axis on the memory to the reference position dimensions by graphic processing (rotation / movement), and discard unnecessary data for code calculation. By doing so, the display area b is determined. If the auxiliary base lines 1a and 2a 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. . 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 paper inside out by the interpretation and correct it in the memory to cope with the ID code sticking mistake. can do. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when there is a space between the sub-sections 3 in the display area b adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions, binary signal marks (black marks) are provided in all the sub-sections 3 in the horizontal or vertical direction. Even if a mark is added, the division mark 4 and the binary signal mark become discontinuous and can be clearly distinguished from the straight X-axis baseline 1 and the Y-axis baseline 2, which is convenient because the calculation of the display area b becomes more accurate. is there. 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 so that a binary signal mark is formed. 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. FIG. 12A shows both base lines 1 and 2.
Although the case where the gap g is formed adjacent to the above is shown, it may be formed in the middle of the small section as shown in FIG.
It can be used as a signal mark instead of an auxiliary mark by changing the position and the number of, 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 an interval g for every 2n 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; An auxiliary display area d is formed adjacent to one of the two sides where the X-axis baseline 1 or the Y-axis baseline 2 does not exist in the display area a defined by the X-axis baseline 1 and the Y-axis baseline 2. The auxiliary mark 5 that can be distinguished from the information in the display area a on the auxiliary display area d will be described below based on the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, an extended X-axis baseline 1a is provided, and the auxiliary display area d is adjacent to the right side of the display area a defined by the X-axis baseline 1 and the Y-axis baseline 2. Auxiliary display Auxiliary mark 5 on area d
The auxiliary mark 5 is spaced apart from the division mark (synchronization mark) 4 in the left-right direction and is changed in the up-down direction to ensure identification with the division mark 4,
The area of the subsection 3 in which the binary signal mark K is recorded is made small to ensure the distinction from the binary signal mark K. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 as well, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the extended X-axis base line 1a is provided and the auxiliary display area d is adjacent to the right side of the display area a, but the auxiliary mark 5 is divided. The mark (synchronization mark) 4 approaches in the left-right direction and corresponds to the position of the subsection 3 in the up-down direction, but the auxiliary mark 5 is vertically longer than the division mark (synchronization mark) 4 and is wider than the binary signal mark K. By making it about half, auxiliary mark 5
Ensures the distinction between the division mark (synchronization mark) 4 and the binary signal mark K. FIG. 19 shows that the auxiliary display area d is also provided above the display area a, and the auxiliary mark 5 is provided.
The case where there are a plurality of is shown. The auxiliary mark 5 may be a record showing additional items of information in the display area a of the identification code sheet. For example, as described in the embodiment of FIG. It can be used for discrimination. Further, as described in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the reading direction of the character string can be designated. Further, as described in the embodiment of FIG. 10, it is also possible to encrypt the record of the identification code paper as the cryptographic record for instructing the combination of the addresses of the subsections forming the middle section Q. The identification code can be printed using a handy computer or other general printer.
The identification code may be handwritten, or plain paper may be used without using high-quality paper for barcode. Since data can be captured if it is within the reading range of the sensor, it can be read even if individual codes are large or small, or in different directions, and 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 5780
By registering 0 (= 65536-7700), Thai and Arabic phonetic symbols can also be displayed, and it can be used for a speech synthesis reader for blind people such as newspapers and magazines. In addition, the X-axis baseline 1 and the Y-axis baseline 2 are not orthogonal to each other,
As shown in FIG. 13, the subsections may have a shape other than a square (for example, a rhombus) by intersecting at appropriate angles. According to the first invention of the present application, with respect to the binary signal mark K recorded in each subsection 3 of the display area a, a blank portion is always formed in the peripheral portion of the subsection 3 so that adjacent subsections can be formed. There will always be a blank portion between the binary signal marks K of 3 (black mark "H" in all of the small sections 3).
Even when the binary signal mark K is recorded, a blank portion [ground color portion] exists between the binary signal marks K). Therefore, for the display area a, the binary signal mark K
It is possible to reliably identify each of the recorded subsections 3 and reproduce the recorded information accurately. Also,
By forming the binary signal mark K on a large number of dots printed by the dot printer, a versatile dot printer can be used and the binary signal mark K on the identification code paper can be recorded at low cost. be able to. Furthermore,
By forming a gap corresponding to the number of dots smaller than the number of dot prints to be printed on each sub-section 3, each sub-section 3 on which each binary signal mark K is recorded is formed.
Can be accurately detected, and the recorded information on the identification code sheet can be accurately reproduced. In the second invention of the present application, a base line that determines one side of the display area a and a subsection 3
By forming the binary signal mark K to be recorded on the printer print by printer, it is possible to form the identification code paper having the base line and the binary signal mark K by printer print to facilitate the specification of the range of the display area a. It is possible to reduce the information recording cost of the identification code paper, and reduce the computer processing amount and the processing time to minimize the image processing range when reproducing the recorded information, thereby reducing the reproduction cost of the recorded information and speeding up the information reproduction. Can be achieved.

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 showing an embodiment of the present invention. 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 baseline, 2 ... Y-axis baseline,
3 ... Subdivision 4 ... Division mark, 5 ... Auxiliary mark b ... Display area d ... Auxiliary display area,
K: Binary signal mark

Claims (1)

What is claimed is: 1. A display area a is divided into a plurality of two-dimensional directions to form a plurality of small sections 3, and a binary signal mark K is recorded in each small section 3 to optically In the readable identification code paper, for the binary signal mark K recorded in each subsection 3, the area of the binary signal mark K is made smaller than the area of the subsection 3 so that the area around the subsection 3 is always An identification code paper characterized by forming a blank portion. [Claim 2] The identification code paper according to claim 1, wherein the binary signal mark K is formed by printing a large number of dots by a dot printer. [Claim 3] The binary signal mark K is formed by a large number of dots printed by a dot printer, and the number of dots printed between each small section 3 is smaller than the number of dots printed on each small section 3. The identification code paper according to claim 1, wherein corresponding gaps are formed. [Claim 4] An identification code for dividing a display area a into a plurality of two-dimensional directions to form a large number of small sections 3 and recording a binary signal mark K on each of the small sections 3 to enable optical reading. An identification code characterized in that a binary signal mark K is formed on a paper by a large number of dots printed by a dot printer, and a base line that determines at least one side of a rectangular display area a is formed by a dot printing row. paper.