JPH11213113A - Data recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data recording method capable of preventing dot deterioration, of reducing the probability of a reading error and of printing/recording data of a high density or high capacity. SOLUTION: In this data recording method, data to be recorded are converted into dot image data to be optically read out and a dot pattern is printed and recorded on the printing face of a recording medium so that respective dots are arranged on respective squares of plural polygons adjacently arranged like a virtual matrix. The dot pattern includes isolated dot image data corresponding to isolated dots and connected dot image data corresponding to connected dots and constituted so as to form a non-contact state with respective sides of a polygon area formed by a square along prescribed directions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data recording method for printing and recording data including at least one of audio information, video information, and various digital data as an optically readable dot pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 466, for example, a dot code for printing and recording data such as audio information on a print medium such as paper in an optically readable form, and an operator manually inputs the dot code by an optical reading unit. There is disclosed a technology relating to a reading device that scans and reads, restores original audio information and the like, and reproduces and outputs it.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a physical format of the dot code. Since the details are disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-231466, only matters related to the present invention will be briefly described here.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of blocks 102 are two-dimensionally arranged adjacent to each other to form a dot code 101 as shown in FIG. Each of the plurality of blocks 102 includes a marker 103 and a pattern code 104, a block address 105, a data area 106.
It is composed of

In the data area 106, data divided for each block of error correction code data including data such as audio information is a white dot or a black dot corresponding to the bit value “0” or “1”. Are arranged as shown in the figure in the form of being arranged in a virtual square cell in a matrix.

The pattern code 104 is a code for pattern matching for finding a reference point for detecting each dot in the data area 106. The markers 103 serve as references for detecting the pattern code 104, are arranged at the four corners of each block 102, and have a certain number of continuous blacks. The block address 105 corresponds to the plurality of different blocks 10
The second image is arranged so that it can be identified at the time of reading, and includes an error detection or error correction code.

In the dot code 101, black dots are recorded on a white medium with black ink having a reflectance different from that of the medium color. The whiteness of the medium is read.

The technique for applying the modulation, which is the rule of the dot arrangement for distinguishing the data area 106 and the marker 103 having the predetermined number of continuous blacks, at the time of reading, to the data to be recorded is described in the present invention. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7 by the applicant
-302471. That is, the technique disclosed in this publication limits the number of continuations of the adjacent cells in which the black dots are arranged, and does not limit the number of adjacent cells in which the white dots are arranged. It is related to.

Next, FIG. 15 shows the above-mentioned JP-A-6-2314.
The configuration of a dot code reading device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 66 is described below. Referring to FIG.
Is composed of an illumination system for illuminating the dot code 101, an optical system including a lens for imaging, and an imaging system including an imaging device such as a CCD for outputting a captured image signal. I have. An output signal from the imaging unit 201 is input to a binarization processing unit 202 at a subsequent stage, and the binarization processing unit 202 converts the output signal to a predetermined binarization threshold value.
And the binarized image data is stored in the imaging memory 2 at the subsequent stage.
03 is stored. At this time, for example, JP-A-8-2552
According to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-2007, the period of a dot is emphasized by using an equalizing circuit that performs preprocessing of binarization.
Processing such as making the dots easier to read may be performed.

Subsequently, a dot center pixel detection processing unit 204
In the above, for each dot of the data area 106 according to the physical format shown in FIG.
From 03, a pixel predicted as the center position of the dot is detected. This process will be described briefly. The binary image data stored in the imaging memory 203 is used to generate the marker 1
03, and when the marker 103 is detected, the pattern code 104 located between the markers is detected, and the least square method is used using the pattern code 104 to read the data for each dot in the data area 106. A point is detected (see JP-A-8-171620), and a pixel near the center of each dot determined by the physical format is detected from the detected reading reference point.

Next, the dot determination processing unit 205 determines whether the dot is a black dot or a white dot for each central pixel of each dot, and restores error correction code data including data such as audio information. Hereinafter, the difference between the read error correction code data and the ideal error correction code data at the time of recording is referred to as a “read error”.

[0012] Subsequently, the demodulation processing unit 206 performs a process of restoring the process modulated at the time of recording, and stores it in the interleave memory 207. Then, the interleave and error correction processing unit 208 reads out the demodulated data from the interleave memory 207, performs de-interleave processing and error correction processing, detects and corrects the data obtained by demodulating the read error data, and performs output processing. To perform expansion processing of data such as voice, and output by an output device such as a speaker.

As described above, the above-described dot code reading device is configured such that an operator manually scans a dot code in which data such as voice information is printed and recorded on a printing medium such as a paper surface in an optically readable form. , And can reproduce and output the original audio information and the like.

Next, the relationship between the shape and size of each dot actually printed and recorded in the dot code and the image data of the dot will be described. In a printing apparatus for normal color printing, the area of the actually recorded black dot of the dot code is printed larger than the original image data corresponding to the black dot.
For this reason, if the image data of the black dots is formed in advance so as to fill the cells, the recorded black dots will protrude more than the cells, and the reading error will increase.

On the other hand, if the image data of the black dots is too small, "dot deterioration" described later is likely to occur, and in this case also, the reading error increases. Therefore, taking into account in advance that the black dot to be recorded is somewhat larger than the size of the corresponding image data, dot image data having a predetermined size smaller than the above-described cells is formed, and It is possible to form a code.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the relationship between the bitmap image data structure of the dots and the cells. FIG. 3A shows a configuration in which dot image data corresponding to a dot pattern in the data area 106 is converted into a bit map.
FIGS. 4B and 4C show enlarged views of 1 to 4. FIG.

As shown in these figures, the image data of the black dots is configured so that each side of the grid is in a non-contact state with respect to an adjacent virtual grid in a matrix. The minimum recording unit pixel in the figure is determined by the resolution of a printer or an image setter, and an image setter is often used as an apparatus for producing a printing original plate film. The resolution of this imagesetter is, for example, 240
0 DPI, 2540 DPI, 4064 DPI, 5080
In the case of a 2540 DPI image setter, a square having a side length of 10 μm is ideally the minimum recording unit pixel.

FIG. 16 shows the minimum recording unit pixel.
The dot image data of (b) and (c) can be configured. This technology has already been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei.
No. 3 discloses this as an information medium providing a space between dots, and further description is omitted here.

By the way, in printing, a photographic image is generally represented by halftones using halftones.
The halftone representation of 75 lines is often used to print color photographs. If one of the halftone dots is circular, the 10% halftone dot is ideally a set of image parts having a diameter of about 45 μm, and the 50% halftone dot is ideally a diameter of about 100 μm. The image area is a term used in the printing field, and indicates a portion of the printing plate on which ink is applied.

In general, when the 10% halftone dot and the 50% halftone dot are compared under the same printing conditions using the same paper quality, the same ink, etc., the former 10% halftone dot has a poor shape or halftone dot. There is a high probability that the concentration near the center of becomes thin.

Here, FIG. 17A shows 10% halftone dots, and FIG.
FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a microscope enlarged photograph of 50% halftone dots. 17A and 17B are increased by increasing the magnification in FIG. 17A so that the sizes of both enlarged halftone dots are ideally the same. Is shown.
FIG. 17C shows the binarized image of FIG.
(D) is a figure which each shows the binarized image of FIG.17 (b).

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the 10% halftone dot is 5
The shape is worse than the 0% halftone dot, and the density near the center is low.
Therefore, under the same printing conditions as printing by the offset printing method or the like, the smaller the area of the ink area connected to the image area is, the different from the ideal shape shown in FIG. There is a tendency that defects such as chipping of the shape shown in FIG. 18B or missing of the shape shown in FIG. 18C occur at a high probability, or variations occur such as generation of a thin portion due to density unevenness. Due to such a property, when the condition setting including the ink amount adjustment of the printing press is performed so that the dots of the dot code have a predetermined size, and the dot code is printed and recorded on the recording medium paper, It can be seen that as the size of the dot becomes smaller, dot deterioration such as a change in the shape of the dot actually recorded or a decrease in density occurs. Hereinafter, a change in the dot shape or a decrease in density in the dot code actually recorded is referred to as “dot deterioration”.

Thus, when the dot code printed with the cells reduced in size is read by the reading device, the tone value of the pixel near the center of each black dot detected in the dot center pixel detection process is stochastically determined. The number of dots approaching a tone value corresponding to a white dot increases, and the above-described reading error in which a black dot is erroneously read as a white dot increases. However, there is another problem that increasing the size of the cells reduces the dot code recording density.

Incidentally, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-249409,
A method of recording digital information having a configuration in which adjacent dots are arranged without gaps is disclosed. However, this publication discloses a method of configuring dot image data so that at least one side of the above-mentioned cell does not contact. There is no description.

[0025]

As described above, between large dots and small dots in a grid under the same printing conditions, the smaller dots have larger dot degradation, and a reading error in which a black dot is erroneously read as a white dot occurs. It occurs stochastically. That is, due to the error correction processing of the reading device, the probability that data such as audio information can be restored is reduced, and a situation where reproduction and output cannot be performed occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a data recording method capable of preventing dot deterioration as much as possible, reducing read errors stochastically, and enabling high-density or high-capacity data to be print-recordable. It is intended to provide.

[0027]

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is to convert data to be recorded into optically readable dot image data corresponding to the bit value. Then, the dot pattern is printed and recorded on the printing surface of the recording medium so that the dots are virtually arranged in a plurality of polygonal cells arranged adjacent to each other in a matrix. In the data recording method as described above, the image data of the dots are isolated only in the one cell when the dots are not disposed in another cell adjacent to the one cell in a predetermined direction. Image data corresponding to dots, isolated dot image data configured to be in a non-contact state with at least one side of the one cell in the one cell, and one cell and the one cell in the one cell When the dots are arranged in other cells adjacent to each other in a predetermined direction, the image data is image data corresponding to connected dots connected over the cells where the dots are arranged. Linked dot image data configured to be in a non-contact state with each side of the rectangular area along the predetermined direction.

A second aspect is characterized in that the predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the one cell is a plurality of directions. In a third aspect, a reading device for optically reading the dots includes an equalizing circuit for performing an emphasis process when performing a binarization process on an image signal based on the read dots, The predetermined direction in which one cell is adjacent to another cell coincides with the direction in which the emphasis processing is performed by the equalization circuit.

In a fourth aspect, the dot pattern is:
At least a data area consisting of a plurality of dots corresponding to the bit value of the data to be recorded, and a marker area arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the data area for determining a reading reference position of the dot. The data to be recorded is subjected to a modulation process so that the number of consecutive predetermined bit values in the data is smaller than the predetermined number of consecutive same bit values constituting the marker. The method is characterized in that the predetermined direction matches a direction in which the modulation process is performed.

In a fifth aspect, the isolated dot image is formed such that the maximum width of the connected dot in a direction orthogonal to the connecting direction of the connected dot is smaller than the width of the isolated dot in the same direction. Data and / or
Alternatively, it is characterized in that the connected dot image data is constituted.

In a sixth aspect, the connected dot image data is such that the width of the connected portion of the connected dots in the direction orthogonal to the connecting direction in the connected dots is smaller than the maximum width of the connected dots. It is characterized by comprising.

A seventh aspect is characterized in that the cells are square. An eighth aspect is characterized in that the dots include a plurality of types of dots having mutually different reflectances.

In a ninth aspect, the connected dot image data is such that the one cell has a size composed of a plurality of minimum print recording unit pixels, and a predetermined value is included in one cell and the one cell. When the number of pixels in the space between the dots arranged in other cells adjacent to each other in the direction is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, a reflectance equal to that of the dots is applied to the space between the predetermined number of pixels or less. It is characterized by being generated by giving.

According to a tenth aspect, the isolated dot image data and the connected dot image data are adaptively selected according to the arrangement state of the dots arranged in the adjacent cells. I do.

According to the first to tenth aspects, the following operations are provided. That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the dot image data is arranged such that the image data of the dot does not contact at least one side of one cell in the non-contact manner, and the dot is arranged in the adjacent cell. And connected dot image data configured to be in a non-contact state with each side along a predetermined direction of the polygonal area formed by the cells when the image is formed.

In the second mode, the predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the one cell can be arbitrarily set in a plurality of directions. In the third mode, the data is recorded such that the direction in which the reading device performs the emphasizing process by the equalizing circuit coincides with the predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the one cell.

In the fourth aspect, the number of consecutive predetermined bit values in the data is made smaller than the predetermined number of consecutive same bit values constituting the marker by the modulation process. The data is recorded in the same direction as that of the modulation process.

In a fifth aspect, the isolated dot image is formed such that the maximum width of the connected dots in the direction orthogonal to the connecting direction of the connected dots is smaller than the width of the isolated dots in the same direction. Data and / or
Alternatively, the connected dot image data is configured.

According to a sixth aspect, in the connected dot image data, the width of the connected portion of the connected dots in the direction orthogonal to the connecting direction in the connected dots is smaller than the maximum width of the connected dots. Is configured.

In a seventh mode, the mesh is formed in a quadrangle. In an eighth aspect, the dots are constituted by a plurality of types of dots having mutually different reflectances.

In a ninth aspect, the connected dot image data is composed of a plurality of cells each having a minimum number of print recording unit pixels, and the dots are separated from the dots arranged in each cell by a space between the dots. Generated by giving equal reflectivity.

In a tenth aspect, the isolated dot image data and the connected dot image data are adaptively selected according to the arrangement state of the dots arranged in the adjacent cells.

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 show an example in which data relating to information such as audio to be recorded is optically read in accordance with the bit value on a white printing paper surface as a recording medium by applying the data recording method according to the present invention. Converted when printing as a possible black dot image, obtained
FIG. 4 shows a part of the configuration of bit-mapped dot image data corresponding to the black dot pattern.

The basic structure of the dot image data shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 is the same as that shown in FIG.
The configuration of the physical format of the dot code of No. 4 is adopted.

FIG. 1 shows a part of the structure of bit-mapped dot image data corresponding to the dot pattern of the conventional dot code data area 106. In particular, FIG. 1), the image data of the dots is configured so that rectangular dots are arranged in each of the square cells arranged virtually in a matrix, and in FIG. The image data is constructed such that circular dots are arranged in the cells. At this time, the image data corresponding to one dot is configured to be in non-contact with each side of the cell.

The image data of the dots shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C is based on the conventional image shown in FIGS. In the dot arrangement, when a black dot is adjacent in the horizontal direction, the dot arrangement is characterized in that connected dot image data is included so that the continuous dots are connected.

FIG. 2A shows connected dot image data in which dots are combined in the vertical width of the black dots shown in FIG. FIG. 2B shows connected dot image data in which dots are connected in the vertical width of the black dot shown in FIG. 1B. According to the image data configuration of such dots, the dots adjacent in the horizontal direction can be connected dots, so that the dot deterioration of each black dot is reduced, the reading error for each black dot is reduced, and the original dot is reduced. Can be reproduced with high precision.

On the other hand, FIG. 2C shows connected dot image data in which dots are connected with a width smaller than the width of the black dot in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 1B. According to this configuration, an increase in the area of the dots due to the connection of the black dots (hereinafter, referred to as a dot gain) is suppressed, and a reading error of the white dots arranged in the adjacent cells can be prevented.

FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c) show a case where a predetermined direction in which dots are to be connected is defined as a plurality of directions in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and in both the vertical and horizontal directions in the dot arrangement shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example including connected dot image data in which continuous dots are connected when black dots are adjacent to each other. That is, in the specific example of FIG. 2 described above, a connected dot is formed only when black dots are adjacent in the horizontal direction. However, in the specific example of FIG. 3, black dots are adjacent in both the vertical and horizontal directions. In such a case, connecting dots are formed in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

In FIG. 3A, the horizontal dots are connected by the vertical width of the black dots shown in FIG. 1A, and the vertical dots are connected by the horizontal width of the black dots. 3 shows connected dot image data. And FIG.
(B) shows connected dot image data in which the black dots shown in FIG. 1 (b) are connected vertically and horizontally in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, in FIG. 3C, the dots are connected in the horizontal direction with a width smaller than the vertical width of the black dots shown in FIG. Are connected dot image data in which are connected in the vertical direction.

According to the image data configuration of the dots shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the dots can be further connected in the vertical direction as compared with FIG. It is possible to more reliably reduce erroneous reading errors. Also, in FIG. 2, the squares adjacent in the horizontal direction are white,
In the case of isolated dots in which dots in the order of black and white are printed, since some of the isolated dots are connected in the vertical direction in FIG. 3, some of the isolated dots are connected dots, so that the influence of dot deterioration is further reduced. be able to.

Further, according to the configuration of the dot image data of FIG. 3C, the same effect as that of FIG. That is, "dot gain", which is an increase in dot area due to the connection of black dots, is suppressed, and reading errors of white dots arranged in adjacent cells can be prevented.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a further modification of the connection dot of FIG. 3 described above, and a connection dot having a smaller shape is formed in a cell as a connected polygonal area into which the connection dot enters. An example is shown in which dot image data is configured to be arranged.

That is, FIG. 4A is a modification of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B is a modification of FIG.
3 (c) is a modification of FIG. 3 (c), in which the image data of the corresponding dot is changed so that the connected dots are smaller than those of FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c). It is configured. According to these image data configurations,
The dot gain due to the connection of the connection dots can be reduced, and the occurrence of reading errors can be totally reduced.

In FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, the shape of the cells is quadrilateral, but the shape of the cells is not limited to a quadrangle but may be other polygons. Less than,
FIG. 5 shows a dot image data configuration corresponding to a bit-mapped dot pattern, assuming a triangular mesh as another shape. That is, FIG.
As shown in (a), dots are arranged in each of the triangular cells virtually arranged in the data area.

The processing of the reading device for reading the dot pattern is different from the case where the position where each dot is detected from the reading reference point by the dot center pixel detection processing section 204 is different from the case of a square cell, but is a virtual triangular cell. If the reading device recognizes in advance that the dot pattern is printed in the arrangement of (2), the central pixel of each dot can be detected with high accuracy (see FIG. 15).

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 5 (b), in the case of continuous dots in which the above-mentioned black dots are arranged in adjacent cells on the sides of each triangle, these continuous dots are connected dots. This is a configuration of dot image data. In the present invention, the cells are not limited to the above-described triangles and quadrangles, but can be applied to various polygonal cells.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the structure of dot image data that has been bit-mapped so that when black dots are adjacent in the vertical direction, they are connected dots.
On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a configuration of dot image data in which black dots are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction of FIG.

According to these arrangements, the same effects as those of FIG. 2 can be obtained. However, in this specific example, it is not necessary for the image data of an isolated dot to be in non-contact with all sides of the cell.

Next, FIG. 7 shows the structure of dot image data when the dot pattern is composed of a plurality of types of dots having mutually different reflectivities. That is, FIG. 7A includes a black dot which is a dot having a first reflectance different from the medium reflectance and a white dot which is a dot having a second reflectance different from the medium reflectance. The configuration of the image data corresponding to the dot pattern is shown.

In this specific example, gray is used as the medium color, but it goes without saying that other various colors such as red, blue, and purple can also be used. FIG. 7B shows a configuration of image data in which white connected dots are arranged when white dots are continuous in adjacent cells, and black connected dots are arranged when black dots are continuous in adjacent cells. Is shown. That is, in this example, a plurality of dots having a reflectance different from the reflectance of the medium may be used.

According to such a configuration, there is a possibility that dot deterioration of white dots may occur, and reading errors will occur in both white dots and black dots. By using the above-mentioned connected dots, the reading error can be reduced.

The structure of the dot image data obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention has been described above. According to the present invention, the dot pattern can be printed on color paper other than white. Moreover, occurrence of a reading error can be prevented as much as possible. It is needless to say that the dot size and the connection method are not limited to those described above.

Next, a reading apparatus for optically reading the dot patterns described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 will be described in detail. It should be noted that this reading apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG.
Is assumed. Hereinafter, the same components as those in FIG. 15 will be described with the same reference numerals, focusing on the characteristic portions.

That is, the binarization processing section 202 in FIG.
Is configured to perform a binarization process after processing an image signal from the imaging unit 201 by an equalization circuit.

The above-mentioned equalizing circuit is a circuit for maximizing the period of a one-dimensional cell. For example, in the case of a dot array in which black dots and white dots are alternately arranged in one-dimensional continuous cells. In this case, the image signal of the dot is most emphasized, and the reading error can be reduced for printing in which dot deterioration such as missing or missing black dot occurs.

The effect of the equalization circuit on the reading error varies depending on the conditions of the pattern in which white dots and black dots are mixedly arranged in one-dimensionally arranged cells.

That is, when a black dot is arranged between white dots (first condition), a reading error in printing that causes a predetermined dot deterioration of the black dot by the equalizing circuit is as follows. Less than any of the conditions shown.
When a white dot is arranged on one side of one black dot and a black dot is arranged on the other side of the one black dot (second condition), a predetermined dot deterioration of the one black dot occurs. Such a reading error in printing cannot be made smaller than the first condition, but can be made smaller than when the processing by the equalizing circuit is not performed. If one black dot is sandwiched between both black dots (third condition), a reading error in printing that causes a predetermined dot deterioration of the one black dot is caused by the first and second conditions. Cannot be reduced as compared with, and conversely, it increases compared to the case where the processing of the equalizing circuit is not performed.

When white dots are used as the white background of the medium, dot deterioration may occur in the black dots, but there is basically no dot deterioration in the white dots. White dots are medium color white, because there is almost no density unevenness in the medium color of coated paper or art paper. In view of such a point, in the above description, the description of the deterioration of the white dot is omitted.

Here, an equalizing circuit in the above-mentioned binarizing circuit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-255207.
FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the equalizing circuit and will be described briefly.
The input of this equalization circuit is image data from the imaging unit 201 and is input from the input in the figure. Two delay circuits 1 and 2
Are set to a delay of three pixels of image data, respectively. The three pixels at this time are defined as the imaging magnification of three pixels vertically and three pixels horizontally, with respect to the square cell described above. That is, the number of pixels corresponding to the distance between the cells is defined as the delay pixel. It is a number. In this equalization circuit, a value of -0.5 times the input image data, a value of 2.0 times the image data delayed by the delay circuit 1, -0.5 of delayed image data
The sum with the double value is calculated, and based on this, the inter-cell cycle is emphasized.

Therefore, when the dot pattern of FIG. 1 printed so as to cause dot deterioration is read by the reading device having the above-described equalizing circuit for processing in the horizontal direction in FIGS. Depending on the conversion circuit, the error increases under the above-described third condition and decreases under other conditions, so that a reading error almost occurs under the above-described third condition.

Therefore, by changing the dot pattern of FIG. 1 to connected dots as shown in FIG. 2, reading errors can be reduced. That is, as compared with the case of reading the dot pattern having no connected dots shown in FIG. 1 by the reading device having no equalizing circuit, the connecting device shown in FIG. Reading a dot pattern having dots can reduce a reading error by adding the equalizing circuit under the first and second conditions, and under the second and third conditions, By using the above-mentioned connected dots, reading errors can be reduced.

Here, as a rule relating to the arrangement of dot patterns, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-302 described in
When the modulation method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 471 is adopted, the occurrence of the pattern under the third condition is reduced as much as possible, so that the reading error under the third condition can be further reduced. At that time, the probability of occurrence of the first condition is greatly increased, so that the effects of the equalization circuit can be more enjoyed and the occurrence of read errors can be reduced. That is, the above-described modulation is performed in a predetermined direction, and the binarization process for emphasizing the dot cycle in the predetermined direction is performed by the equalization circuit, so that the influence of a reading error can be reduced altogether.

Next, the data recording method of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 9 shows and describes a hardware configuration of the data recording apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the data recording device includes a CPU 12 for performing various processes,
A CPU bus 16 connected to the CPU bus 12; an input unit 11 connected to the CPU bus 16 for inputting data relating to multimedia information such as audio information; a ROM 13 for recording programs and various parameters; RAM for temporarily storing intermediate data and dot image data
And an output unit 15 for outputting a dot pattern based on the processed dot image data.

Hereinafter, the data recording method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power is turned on (step S1), the CPU 12 initializes various parameters and inputs a value "0", which is the minimum recording unit for white, in all image data areas on the RAM 14, and initializes it (step S2). . Here, the minimum recording unit is the minimum unit constituting a cell, for example, 2540 DP
In the case of the imagesetter I, it means a square of 10 μm square.

Subsequently, data relating to multimedia information such as audio information to be recorded is input from the input unit 11 (step S3), the data is converted into dot array information, and another pattern is added. And save it in the RAM 14 (step S4). The conversion at this time is performed in the data area 10
The image data is converted into image data corresponding to No. 6.

That is, the data is converted by performing data compression processing, interleave processing, error correction processing, and modulation processing. Further, the above-mentioned another pattern includes the above-mentioned marker 103 and the above-mentioned pattern code 10 described with reference to FIG.
4, showing patterns of the block address 105 and the like,
Data corresponding to a predetermined position in the image data area on the RAM 14 is stored.

Subsequently, black dots (dots of interest) to be arranged in the cell of interest are selected from the ROM 13 by a dot arrangement pattern in a predetermined direction, that is, an isolated dot image or a connected dot image is selected. Overwrite and save in the image data area (step S
5). Here, the predetermined direction means a connecting direction of the connecting dots, and here, the effect described above is obtained by using the modulation direction. When the dot pattern shown in FIG. 2 is generated, the horizontal direction toward the paper of FIG. 2 corresponds to the above-described predetermined direction.

The dot arrangement pattern means the dot arrangement pattern shown in FIG. In other words, there is an arrangement relationship of dots to be arranged in the right and left cells of the target dot when one target dot is the target dot and the predetermined direction is the horizontal direction. According to the dot arrangement pattern, the “dot image to be selected with the target dot” in FIG. 13 is selected according to the four cases shown in FIG. 13, and data corresponding to the selected dot image is stored in the image data area on the RAM 14. Is overwritten and saved.

Next, image data corresponding to the dot pattern on the RAM 14 is output to the output unit 15 (step S6). The output unit 15 at this time is a recording device having a printing function of a printer or an image setter, or an information recording medium such as a hard disk or an MO for temporary storage. Thus, all the processing ends (step S7).

According to this recording method, by changing each of the four dot images in FIG.
The one-dimensional dot pattern shown in FIG. 6 can be generated. In addition, when the predetermined direction is two directions, that is, the vertical and horizontal directions, the dot array pattern for the target dot is a dot array pattern in which the adjacent cells have the relationship between the vertical and horizontal four cells in the two-dimensional direction and the target dot. By doing so, the dot patterns of FIGS. 3 and 4 can be generated. In the case of FIG. 7, the target dot is not limited to black, but can be generated by creating a predetermined dot array pattern table for white dots and selecting a dot image for white dots. .

In the case of four "dot images to be selected as target dots" shown in FIG. 13, the same dot image can be used to print and record a conventional dot pattern. That is, in printing and recording the dot pattern of FIG. 1, the “dot image to be selected with the target dot” in FIG. Dot pattern can be generated.

Next, another embodiment of the data recording method of the present invention will be described in detail. Marker 103 shown in FIG.
Dot in pattern code 104, block address 1
According to a dot pattern in which a plurality of blocks each including a dot in the dot 05 and a dot in the data area 106 are arranged two-dimensionally adjacent to each other, the space between the respective elements, the pixel as the minimum recording unit, The number of continuous white is shown in FIG.
As shown by, "6 or more", "1" or "3".

In this embodiment, the number of consecutive whites between the elements is greater than the number of consecutive whites ("1" or "3") between black dots arranged in adjacent cells in the data area. This is used to generate the connected dots. Its hardware configuration is
Since it is the same as that shown in FIG. 9 earlier, detailed description will be omitted, and the same components will be described below using the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter, the processing operation of the code image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power is turned on (step S1)
1) Predetermined data is input from the input unit 11 (step S12), and the input data is converted into dot image data, which is stored in the RAM 14 (step S13).

Subsequently, the CPU 12 sequentially reads out the image data of the dots on the RAM 14 in the main scanning direction, checks the continuous number of white pixels, which is the minimum recording unit, and when the number is less than a predetermined number, the white recording of the minimum recording unit. The pixel is converted to a black pixel and overwritten and saved on the original RAM 14 (step S
14).

Next, the CPU 12 sequentially reads out the image data of the dots on the RAM 14 in the sub-scanning direction, converts the image data into black pixels in the same manner, and overwrites and saves the data on the original RAM 14 (step S15). Thus, the output unit 15
The dot image on the RAM 14 is output (step S16), and all the processing ends (step S7).

Although not shown in FIG. 12, by performing only one of the processes in steps S14 and S15, a dot image corresponding to FIG. 2 can be formed. Of course, the selection may be made by a user input or may be automatically selected. Steps S14 and S15 are performed so as to correspond to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction as the predetermined directions. However, the cells shown in FIG. 5 can be dealt with by obliquely processing the cells.

As a result, the dot image shown in FIG. 11A is subjected to the processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. 12 by setting the number of continuous whites described in steps S14 and S15 to 1, thereby obtaining the dot image shown in FIG. The minimum recording unit indicated by hatching is converted from white to black. That is, the continuous dots shown in FIG. 1B are converted into the connected dots shown in FIG.

Also, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The minimum recording unit indicated by hatching in (c) is converted from white to black. That is, the continuous dots shown in FIG. 1B are converted into the connected dots shown in FIG.

According to this embodiment, it is easy to convert a dot image composed of the isolated dots and the continuous dots into a dot image composed of the isolated dots and the connected dots.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it is.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, printing has been described as a method of recording dots, but the effects of the present invention are not limited to printing alone. For example, in a thermal printer, the case where the minimum recording unit is recorded in isolation and the case where a plurality of minimum recording units are connected and printed are more in the case where the plurality of minimum recording units are connected and printed. And the concentration is stable. Therefore, the present invention is applicable to such various printers.

The above embodiments of the present invention also include the following inventions. (1) Data to be recorded is converted into optically readable dot image data corresponding to the bit value, and each of a plurality of polygons arranged virtually in a matrix is A data recording method in which the dot pattern is printed and recorded on a printing surface of the recording medium such that the dots are arranged in a cell, wherein the image data of the dot is a predetermined image in one cell. When the dot is not arranged in another cell adjacent in the direction, the image data corresponds to an isolated dot arranged only in the one cell, and the image data is not located on at least one side of at least one direction of the one cell. The isolated dot image data configured to be in a contact state, and when the dots are arranged in one cell and another cell adjacent to the one cell in a predetermined direction, It is image data corresponding to connected dots that are connected between the cells where the dots are arranged, and is configured to be in a non-contact state with each side of the polygonal area formed by the cells along the predetermined direction. And a connected dot image data to be recorded.

That is, the isolated dot image data in which the dot image data is in a non-contact state with at least one side of one cell in the one cell and the cell in the case where dots are arranged in the adjacent cell. Connected dot image data configured to be in a non-contact state with each side along a predetermined direction of the polygonal region formed by the polygonal region, thereby preventing dot deterioration as much as possible and reducing read errors with probability. Thus, high-density or high-capacity data can be printed and recorded. (2) The data recording method according to (1), wherein the predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the one cell is a plurality of directions.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), it is possible to reduce the number of isolated dots and increase the number of connected dots by making a plurality of connecting directions, and it is possible to relatively increase the number of connected dots in the connected dots. As a result, dot deterioration can be further prevented, and reading errors can be further reduced. (3) The reading device for optically reading the dots includes an equalizing circuit for performing an emphasis process when binarizing the image signal based on the read dots. The data recording method according to (1), wherein the predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the cell coincides with the direction in which the emphasis processing is performed by the equalization circuit.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), a reading error for an isolated dot when reading by the reading device can be reduced, and a reading error can be reduced in total. (4) The dot pattern includes a data area consisting of a plurality of dots corresponding to the bit value of the data to be recorded, and a read reference position of the dot arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the data area. And a marker area for obtaining the data, wherein the data to be recorded has a predetermined number of consecutive bit values in the data smaller than a predetermined number of the same bit values constituting the marker. The data recording method according to (3), wherein the modulation process is performed on the data, and the predetermined direction matches the direction in which the modulation process is performed.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (3), the number of isolated dots can be increased by the modulation processing, so that the effect of the emphasis processing on the dots can be more enjoyed and the reading error can be reduced. (5) The isolated dot image data and / or the connection so that the maximum width of the connected dot in the direction orthogonal to the connection direction in the connected dot is smaller than the width of the isolated dot in the same direction. The data recording method according to (1), wherein dot data is configured.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), the dot gain of the connected dot can prevent the connected dot from intruding into the adjacent cell, and can reduce the reading error. (6) The connected dot image data is configured such that a width of a connected portion of the connected dots in a direction orthogonal to a connecting direction of the connected dots is smaller than a maximum width of the connected dots. The data recording method according to (1).

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), especially the dot gain in the connecting portion of the connecting dot is suppressed as much as possible.
It is possible to prevent dot deterioration in connected dots and reduce reading errors. (7) The data recording method according to (1), wherein the cells are square.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), by arranging dots efficiently, a high-density dot code can be provided, and since the rule for connecting dots is simple, code image recording is performed. The configuration of the device is simplified, and a low-level data recording device can be provided. (8) The data recording method code image according to (1), wherein the dots include a plurality of types of dots having mutually different reflectances.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), there is no restriction on the color of the recording medium to be used, and recording media of various colors can be used, and versatility can be expected. (9) In the linked dot image data, the one cell is composed of a plurality of minimum print recording unit pixels, and one cell and another cell adjacent to the one cell in a predetermined direction. When the number of pixels in the space between the dots arranged in the grid is not more than a predetermined number of pixels,
The data recording method according to (1), wherein the data recording method is generated by giving a reflectance equal to that of the dots to the separated portion having the predetermined number of pixels or less.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), a dot pattern including an isolated dot and a connected dot can be easily generated from the input data. Thereby, the data recording device of the present invention can be easily realized. (10) The isolated dot image data and the connected dot image data are adaptively selected according to an arrangement state of dots arranged in the adjacent cells. Data recording method.

That is, in addition to the effect of the above (1), as dot image data, isolated dot image data and connected dot image data are to be recorded in order to be adaptively selected according to the dot arrangement state. In accordance with the contents of the data, it is possible to faithfully and reliably convert and generate a dot pattern including an isolated dot and a connected dot.

[0105]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a data recording method in which dot deterioration is prevented as much as possible, reading errors are reduced stochastically, and high-density or high-capacity data can be printed and recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional dot image data configuration compared with a dot image data configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a dot image data configuration obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of dot image data obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of dot image data obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a dot image data configuration obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a dot image data configuration obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the image data configuration of dots obtained by applying the data recording method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an equalization circuit in a binarization processing unit in the reading device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data recording device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data recording device according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a minimum recording unit of a dot image.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another operation of the data recording device according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a dot image selected by a target dot.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a dot code according to the related art.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading device according to the related art.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a dot arrangement in a data area of a dot code according to the related art.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an enlarged image when an image in printing is expressed by gradation using halftone dots, and a binarized image thereof.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a state of defective defective printing in a dot shape.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Delay circuit 2 Delay circuit 3 Multiplier 4 Multiplier 5 Multiplier 6 Adder 11 Input part 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 RAM 15 Output part

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method of converting data to be recorded into image data of optically readable dots corresponding to the bit value, and virtually forming a plurality of polygons arranged adjacent to each other in a matrix. A data recording method in which the dot pattern is printed and recorded on a printing surface of the recording medium such that the dots are arranged in each of the cells. When the dots are not arranged in another cell adjacent in a predetermined direction, image data corresponding to an isolated dot arranged only in the one cell, and a side in at least one direction of the one cell. And when the dots are arranged in one cell and another cell adjacent to the one cell in a predetermined direction. The image data corresponding to the connected dots combined over the meshes where the dots are arranged, and each polygonal region formed by the meshes is in a non-contact state with each side along the predetermined direction. And a linked dot image data configured as described above. 2. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the one cell is a plurality of directions. 3. A reading device for optically reading the dots includes an equalizing circuit for performing an emphasis process when performing a binarization process on an image signal based on the read dots. The predetermined direction in which another cell is adjacent to the cell of
2. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein the direction coincides with a direction when the emphasis processing is performed by the equalization circuit. 4. A dot reading standard, wherein the dot pattern is arranged in a data area composed of a plurality of dots corresponding to a bit value of the data to be recorded and in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the data area. And a marker area for obtaining a position, wherein the data to be recorded has a predetermined number of consecutive bit values in the data less than a predetermined number of consecutive same bit values constituting the marker. 4. The data recording method according to claim 3, wherein the modulation process is performed so that the predetermined direction matches the direction in which the modulation process is performed. 5. The isolated dot image data and / or the maximum width of the connected dot in the direction orthogonal to the connection direction of the connected dot is smaller than the width of the isolated dot in the same direction. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein the connected dot image data is configured. 6. A width of a connected portion of the connected dots in a direction orthogonal to a connecting direction of the connected dots,
2. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein the connected dot image data is configured to be smaller than a maximum width of the connected dots. 7. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein said cells are square. 8. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein the dots include a plurality of types of dots having different reflectances. 9. The connected dot image data is such that the one cell has a size composed of a plurality of minimum print recording unit pixels, and is adjacent to the one cell and the one cell in a predetermined direction. When the number of pixels in the space between the dots arranged in other cells is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, by giving the same reflectance as the dots to the space between the predetermined number of pixels or less. The data recording method according to claim 1, wherein the data recording method is generated. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the isolated dot image data and the connected dot image data are adaptively selected according to an arrangement state of dots arranged in the adjacent cells. Data recording method described in 1.