JPH11316795A - Two-dimensional code decoding device and storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accelerate the detection of a two-dimensional code and decoding processing and to eliminate the limitations of a shape and a size by deciding the expansion direction of the two-dimensional code and decoding a data part placed between the start and end patterns of the two-dimensional pattern. SOLUTION: A two-dimensional code 100 is configured by arranging a direction pattern 51 and either of data patterns 21 and 31 between a start pattern 11 and an end pattern 12 when an expansion direction is the right one and a direction pattern 52 and either of data patterns 22 and 32 when it is the left one and also when an expansion direction is changed, it can reverse left and right directions by arranging a return pattern 41 (42). There, in a computer system, a CPU continuously detects codes after detecting the patterns 11 and 51 (52). Thus, it is possible to accelerate the decoding of the code 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code decoding device for reading and decoding a two-dimensional code, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as means for inputting data to a computer or the like, for example, there are various means for optically reading, from OMR such as punch cards and mark sheets to OCR for reading characters as they are. Among them, bar codes are widely used as a kind of symbol codes, and are used for inputting data in sales management, distribution management, production management, and the like.

Various types of barcodes have been proposed, developed, and improved from the invention of the barcode to the present, and it is no exaggeration to say that the barcode as a one-dimensional code has been almost completed.

[0004] Under such circumstances, the information that can be encoded by a one-dimensional barcode is limited, and a two-dimensional barcode has been developed in response to a desire to encode more information. However, since the two-dimensional barcode was based on the idea of simply stacking one-dimensional barcodes, it only increased the amount of information and information density several times. there were.

On the other hand, a matrix type two-dimensional code having a large amount of information and a large information density has been developed. Normally, this two-dimensional code is configured by combining a large number of small squares called cells as shown in the table, and by making each cell white or black, “0” or “1” is respectively obtained. It is represented as a 1-bit binary code shown.

[0006]

However, in order to decode the two-dimensional code, an image is captured by an area sensor or the like, the presence of the two-dimensional code is determined, and then the two-dimensional code is cut out. It was necessary to detect the data part as a plane and decode it. In addition, there are eight adjacent cells around one cell, and it is necessary to perform processing to correct how much these cells are tilted by the area sensor and how the image is distorted. It took a lot of time to determine the value of each cell. In addition, since the shape and size of the two-dimensional code are fixed, printing cannot be performed in places with different vertical and horizontal lengths such as portrait and landscape, or in places where the printable size is limited, Must be reduced,
There was a problem that it became difficult to determine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional code form and a decoding device which can speed up detection and decoding of a two-dimensional code, and have no limitation in shape and size.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the two-dimensional code decoding device for reading and decoding the two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code includes a start pattern indicating a start of the two-dimensional code, a direction part indicating a development direction of the two-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code. And an end pattern indicating the end of the two-dimensional code. When reading this two-dimensional code,
Reading means for reading the two-dimensional code based on the start pattern and the direction part, and determining a developing direction of the two-dimensional code based on the direction part read by the reading means; And a decoding means for decoding a data portion sandwiched between the pattern and the end pattern.

According to the two-dimensional code decoding device of the present invention, the two-dimensional code includes the start pattern, the direction part, the data part, and the end pattern. For this reason, after detecting the start pattern, the reading unit sequentially reads the data portion, so that the decoding unit can decode the data portion. At this time, the reading means is
When detecting the direction part, the decoding means:
By determining the developing direction of the two-dimensional code, reading and decoding can be continued in the developing direction.

Therefore, after detecting all of the two-dimensional code, there is no need to perform decoding. By detecting a start pattern, the start position of the two-dimensional code is determined, and the start position of the two-dimensional code is determined continuously and continuously from the start pattern. Since detection and decoding can be performed in parallel,
Detection and decoding processing of a two-dimensional code can be sped up. In addition, since the direction in which the two-dimensional code is developed can be changed by the direction part, the two-dimensional code can be formed in any shape and size.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 show a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a computer system 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the computer system 1 has a C
It comprises a PU 2, a RAM 3, a storage device 4, a storage medium 5, a display unit 6, an input unit 7, and an area sensor 8, and each unit except the storage medium 5 is connected by a bus 9.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2
Develops an application program specified from a system program stored in the storage device 4 and various application programs corresponding to the system into a program storage area (not shown) in the RAM 3 and is input from the input unit 7. Various instructions or data are temporarily stored in the RAM 3, various processings are executed in accordance with the application instructions stored in the storage device 4 in accordance with the input instructions and the input data, and the processing results are stored in the RAM 3. Are displayed on the display unit 6. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 3 is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 4 designated by the input unit 7.

The CPU 2 recognizes an electric signal input from the area sensor 8 as image data, determines whether a two-dimensional code described later exists in the image data, cuts out the two-dimensional code, and decodes the two-dimensional code. Perform processing.

The input unit 7 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse provided with a cursor key, numeral input keys, various function keys, and the like.
Output to The display unit 6 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
And the like, and displays display data (image data of the area sensor, decoding result of a two-dimensional code, etc.) input from the CPU 2.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 3 is a C
When the PU 2 forms the program storage area for developing various data when executing the various application programs, and when the CPU 2 executes the image data processing, it expands the electric signal input from the area sensor 8. A memory area for expanding data relating to cutout and decoding of a two-dimensional code is formed.

The storage device 4 has a storage medium 5 in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 5 is constituted by a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 5 is fixedly provided in the storage device 4 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 5 includes the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, an image data processing program, It stores a two-dimensional code cutout processing program, data processed by various processing programs, and the like.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 5 may be configured to be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. A storage device having the storage medium may be provided on the other connected device side, and the program and data stored in the storage medium 5 may be used via a communication line.

The area sensor 8 is, for example, a CCD (Char
ge-Coupled Devices), a light-receiving unit that measures the light intensity by arranging photodiodes on a line or a plane, a focus control unit that uses a lens, etc. to improve the accuracy of light reception, A scanning unit for sequentially scanning the units,
It is composed of an A / D conversion circuit or the like for converting an electric signal output from the light receiving unit through the scanning unit into a numerical value, and is a well-known device for converting an optical signal into an electric signal. The area sensor 8 senses an image including a two-dimensional code, converts reflected light of the image into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing patterns constituting the two-dimensional code 100 processed in the first embodiment.

The start pattern 11 is a pattern having a size of three vertical cells × three horizontal cells in which a white cell is surrounded by black cells, and is a pattern indicating the start of the two-dimensional code 100. The end pattern 12 is a pattern indicating the end of the two-dimensional code 100 in which black cells are arranged in 3 cells vertically and 3 cells horizontally. This start pattern 11
And an end pattern 12 includes a direction pattern 51 described later.
Or, it is arranged along with 52 to indicate whether the two-dimensional code 100 is expanded to the left or right.

The data patterns 21 and 22 are patterns showing a value "1" composed of a combination of two black cells and one white cell. The data pattern 21 is obtained when the two-dimensional code 100 is developed rightward. , The data pattern 22 is a pattern to be arranged when the data pattern is developed to the left. The data patterns 31 and 32 are patterns indicating a value “0” composed of a combination of one black cell and one white cell. The data pattern 31 is a data pattern when the two-dimensional code 100 is expanded rightward. Reference numeral 32 denotes a pattern arranged when the image is developed to the left.

The folding pattern 41 indicates a case where the two-dimensional code 100 in the left direction is folded in the right direction.
Similarly, the folding pattern 42 is a pattern arranged when the two-dimensional code 100 in the right direction is folded in the left direction. The direction patterns 51 and 52 are configured by a combination of three black cells and one white cell. The direction pattern 51 indicates that the two-dimensional code 100 is developed in the right direction. This is a pattern to be arranged when indicating that the image is developed to the left. C
The PU 2 can correct the development direction of the two-dimensional code 100 by detecting the direction patterns 51 and 52.

The two-dimensional code 100 is constituted by arranging these patterns continuously from the start pattern 11 to the end pattern 12 in either the left or right direction. In addition, the patterns excluding the start pattern 11 and the end pattern 12 are configured to start with black cells and end with white cells, respectively, so that one pattern can be easily detected.

Next, the arrangement of each pattern constituting the two-dimensional code 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the two-dimensional code 100, first, a start pattern 11 indicating the beginning of the code is arranged. Further, since the developing direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is rightward, a direction pattern 51 is arranged at the upper right of the start pattern 11. . If it is the left direction, the direction pattern 52 is arranged at the upper left of the start pattern 11, indicating that the direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is the left direction.

Next, following the direction pattern 51, the data values "0""1""0""0""1""1""0""0"
In order to represent "1", the data patterns 31, 2 in FIG.
1, 31, 31, 21, 21, 31, 31, and 21 are arranged. Next, a direction pattern 51 indicating the development direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is arranged. Direction patterns 51 and 52
Is used when the CPU 2 described later detects the two-dimensional code 100 and corrects the development direction. Therefore, by disposing the directional pattern 51 or 52 at an arbitrary position, it is possible to cope with distortion of the two-dimensional code 100.

As described above, the data pattern and the direction pattern are arranged rightward, the folded pattern 42 is arranged at a position not shown, and the development direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is changed from right to left. . Similarly, by arranging the data pattern and the direction pattern in the left direction, and arranging the folded pattern 41 at the left end, the development direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is changed from the left direction to the right direction. Hereinafter, similarly, the two-dimensional code 100 is configured by arranging each pattern up to the end pattern 12 similarly.

Next, the operation will be described.

The detection process of the two-dimensional code 100 executed by the CPU 2 in the computer system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

First, an image including the target two-dimensional code 100 is sensed by the area sensor 8, and the obtained image data is analyzed by the CPU 2.
Is detected (step S1). At this time, the image data sensed by the area sensor 8 is temporarily stored in a memory area in the RAM 3, and the stored image data is stored in a CP.
U2 reads and performs analysis. The same applies to the CPU
The data analyzed by 2 is stored in a memory area in the RAM 3 as appropriate.

Next, the CPU 2 executes the start pattern 11
, The direction in which the direction pattern is adjacent is detected, and the development direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is determined (step S
2).

Subsequently, the CPU 2 detects one pattern arranged in the development direction determined in step S2 (step S3). Next, it is determined whether or not the detected pattern is the end pattern 12 (step S4). If it is not the end pattern 12, the process proceeds to the next process.

Next, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the pattern is the return pattern 41 or 42 (step S5). If the return pattern is a return pattern, the CPU 2 resets the development direction of the two-dimensional code to the direction of the return pattern (step S6). Then, the process returns to step S3. If it is not a return pattern, the process returns to step S3 to detect the next pattern. As described above, the CPU 2 detects the two-dimensional code 100 by repeatedly performing the processing from step S3 to step S6.

As described above, the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment includes the direction pattern 51 and the data pattern 21 between the start pattern 11 and the end pattern 12 if the developing direction is rightward. 31 is the left direction, the direction pattern 52 and the data pattern 22,
32, and if it is desired to change the developing direction, the folding pattern 41 or 42 can be arranged at an arbitrary location to reverse the left-right direction. For this reason, in the computer system 1 of the first embodiment, the CPU 2 can detect the start pattern 11 and the direction pattern 51 or 52 and then continuously detect the code. 100 can be speeded up. In addition, since the decoding process is performed sequentially and sequentially,
It is hard to be affected by the distortion of the image containing the two-dimensional code,
The reliability of the decoding process of the two-dimensional code 100 can be improved.

The two-dimensional code 100 is formed by arranging the directional patterns 51 and 52 so that the two-dimensional code
Since the entire shape of the label 0 can be arbitrarily changed, it is possible to generate a code that is long in the left-right direction or a code that makes a round of the label along the contour of the label.

Although the development direction of the two-dimensional code 100 is the left-right direction, it is possible to change the direction of the two-dimensional code 100 to an arbitrary angle by creating and using a change pattern for changing the direction of the two-dimensional code 100 to an arbitrary angle. The two-dimensional code 100 may be used.

FIGS. 5 to 11 show examples in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 is modified. The two-dimensional code 100 may be formed by modifying the pattern as described later.

In FIG. 5, a total of 4 cells of 2 vertical cells × 2 horizontal cells are used as one data pattern, and a value “0” indicates a case where there is a black cell and a white cell diagonally. A value “1” is set when the cells are arranged, and the cell configuration of each data pattern is set so that a white or black cell straddles an adjacent data pattern and is not continuous. The two-dimensional code 100 may be configured by modifying the pattern in this manner.

In FIG. 6, black cells are arranged so as to form a straight line from the start pattern to the end pattern, and white and black cells are arranged on the same side from the black line to set the value “0” to white, black, and white. The value “1” is set by arranging white and black cells. The two-dimensional code 100 may be configured by modifying the pattern in this manner.

FIG. 7 shows a data pattern of a value "0" in which three black cells are arranged in an "L-shape" out of 2 cells vertically and 2 cells horizontally, and a data pattern of 2 cells vertically and 3 cells horizontally. A data pattern of a value “1” in which four black cells are arranged in “L shape”
The cells are arranged so that the black cells are connected from the start pattern to the end pattern. The two-dimensional code 100 may be configured by modifying the pattern in this manner.

In FIG. 8, a data pattern in which three white cells are arranged in an “L-shape” out of two vertical cells × two horizontal cells is set to a value “0”, and black data is used in two vertical cells × horizontal three cells. A data pattern in which four cells are arranged in a square is arranged as a value “1”, and the data pattern having a value “0” is arranged so that the black cell side is aligned. In addition, the folded pattern is made larger according to the size of the data pattern. The two-dimensional code 100 may be configured by modifying the pattern in this manner.

In FIG. 9, a data pattern having a value of "0" is obtained by arranging a total of three cells of 1 vertical cell × 3 horizontal cells as black, white, and white, and a value "0" is allocated as a data pattern having black, black, and white. "1" are continuously arranged as a data pattern. The two-dimensional code 100 may be configured by modifying the pattern in this manner.

In FIG. 10, a plurality of black cells are combined, and a small rectangle is continuously arranged at regular intervals as a data pattern of a value "0" and a large rectangle as a data pattern of a value "1". The two-dimensional code 100 may be configured by modifying the pattern in this manner.

In FIG. 11, a data pattern having a value of "1" is a data pattern having a value of "1" when black, white, and white are arranged in 1 vertical cell x 3 horizontal cells, and are arranged as black and white in a 1 vertical cell x 2 horizontal cell cell. The result is continuously arranged as a data pattern of a value “0”. By deforming the pattern in this way, the two-dimensional code 10
0 may be configured.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a computer system according to a second embodiment will be described.

The main configuration of the computer system according to the second embodiment is the same as the main configuration of the computer system according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, the difference from the first embodiment lies in the detection processing of a two-dimensional code 200, which will be described later, and the configuration of the two-dimensional code 200, which are executed by the CPU 2 in the computer system. The configuration of the dimension code 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The two-dimensional code 200 according to the second embodiment
Is composed of a start pattern, an end pattern, a data pattern, and an intermediate pattern 201 described later. The start pattern, the end pattern, and the data pattern are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

The intermediate pattern 201 is composed of a total of nine cells, three cells in the vertical direction and three cells in the horizontal direction, and is a pattern in which seven black cells are arranged in a “U-shape”. This intermediate pattern 20
1 indicates that the two-dimensional code 200 is developed in the direction of the “U-shape”. By arranging the intermediate pattern 201 at an arbitrary position where the data pattern is arranged, the two-dimensional code 200 is developed. The direction can be changed.

FIG. 12 shows a two-dimensional code 2 according to this embodiment.
It is a figure showing the example of 00.

In FIG. 12, the two-dimensional code 200 has a code developed rightward, and an intermediate pattern 201 is arranged rightward in the middle of the code. Therefore, the code is developed rightward from the intermediate pattern 201. Here, the direction of the two-dimensional code 200 is not changed, but the CPU 2 can correct the development direction by using the intermediate pattern 201 when the two-dimensional code 200 is distorted.

If the CPU 2 cannot detect the start pattern of the two-dimensional code 200 or loses the code during the detection of the two-dimensional code 200, the CPU 2 detects the intermediate pattern 201 and Detection can be resumed.

As described above, the CPU 2 of the computer system 1 according to the second embodiment changes the development direction of the two-dimensional code 200 by using the two-dimensional code 200 in which the directional intermediate pattern 201 is arranged. It can be detected while correcting. Also, the CPU 2
By detecting the intermediate pattern 201, the two-dimensional code 2
Although in the middle of 00, the two-dimensional code 200 can be detected from the intermediate pattern 201.

The intermediate pattern 201 may be any other pattern as long as it can indicate the direction. As shown in a modified example of the intermediate pattern shown in FIG. 13, two black cells and two white cells are used. The two cells may be arranged in the same direction to form two vertical cells × two horizontal cells, and the surrounding area may be surrounded by black cells. In this case, the direction in which the two-dimensional code is developed can be indicated by the combination of the two central black cells and two white cells.

[0057]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the start position of the two-dimensional code is determined by detecting the start pattern, and the start position is determined continuously and in parallel with the start pattern. Since the detection and the decoding can be performed, the detection and the decoding processing of the two-dimensional code can be sped up. Further, since the detection and the decoding process of the two-dimensional code are continuously performed, the effect of the distortion of the image including the two-dimensional code is less likely to occur, and the reliability of the decoding process can be improved.

Further, since the direction of development of the two-dimensional code can be changed by the direction part, the two-dimensional code can be formed in any shape and size. Further, when it is impossible to determine the development direction of the two-dimensional code due to a lack of data in the data part or the like, reading of the two-dimensional code can be resumed based on the direction part, and the start pattern and the end pattern can be determined. Even if the pattern is missing, the direction of the two-dimensional code can be determined and read by the direction part.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing a main configuration of a computer system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing patterns constituting the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a detection process of the two-dimensional code 100 executed by the computer system 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the pattern of the two-dimensional code 100 according to the first embodiment is modified.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code 200 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a modification of the intermediate pattern according to the second embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 computer system 2 CPU 3 RAM 4 storage device 5 storage medium 6 display unit 7 input unit 8 area sensor 9 bus 11 start pattern 12 end pattern 21, 22, 31, 32 data pattern 41, 42 folding pattern 51, 52 direction pattern 100 2D code 200 2D code 201 Intermediate pattern

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A two-dimensional code decoding device for reading and decoding a two-dimensional code, wherein the two-dimensional code includes a start pattern indicating a start of the two-dimensional code, and a direction part indicating a development direction of the two-dimensional code. A reading unit configured to read the two-dimensional code based on the start pattern and the direction part when reading the two-dimensional code, the data being configured by a data part of the two-dimensional code and an end pattern indicating the end of the two-dimensional code. Decoding means for determining a development direction of the two-dimensional code based on the direction part read by the reading means, and decoding a data part sandwiched between the start pattern and the end pattern of the two-dimensional code; A two-dimensional code decoding device, comprising: 2. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for reading and decoding a two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code comprising: a start pattern indicating the start of the two-dimensional code; And a data part of the two-dimensional code, and an end pattern indicating the end of the two-dimensional code. When reading the two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code is read based on the start pattern and the direction part. A computer-executable program code for reading the two-dimensional code, and based on the direction part read by the reading unit, determine a development direction of the two-dimensional code, and determine the start pattern of the two-dimensional code. Computer executable to decode the data part sandwiched between the end patterns Storage medium characterized by storing a program comprising a program code, the.