KR20060030927A - Mobile phone being capable of transmitting barcode and active barcode system using of optical signal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal capable of actively transmitting information of a barcode in the form of an optical signal and an active barcode system capable of transmitting a barcode using an optical signal. The mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting a barcode downloads a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from a barcode issuing server and stores the barcode image file in an internal memory, and displays the barcode image file on a screen of a display unit according to a user's request. By controlling the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the barcode data file, the optical signal including the data stored in the barcode data file is transmitted to the outside. Using this system, it is possible to read the contents of the barcode using an existing barcode reader, or to read the contents of the barcode using an optical reader.

Barcode, Active Barcode, Mobile Communication Terminal

Description

Mobile communication terminal with barcode transmission and active barcode system using optical signal {MOBILE PHONE BEING CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING BARCODE AND ACTIVE BARCODE SYSTEM USING OF OPTICAL SIGNAL}

1 is a diagram illustrating a screen in which a bar code is displayed on a conventional mobile phone by way of example.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an overall active bar code system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a control unit of a mobile communication terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart sequentially showing the operation of the mobile communication terminal of FIG.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bar code and a credit card image displayed on a screen of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: active barcode system

110: barcode issuing server

112: barcode generation unit

114: barcode download unit

120: mobile communication terminal

130: optical signal reader

132: signal detector

134: control unit

140: barcode processing server

200: barcode management module

210: barcode reading module

220: barcode transmission module

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and an active bar code system capable of actively transmitting information of a bar code in the form of an optical signal to the outside, and more specifically, to the information corresponding to the bar code selected by the user in response to a request from the user. The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal capable of actively transmitting externally in the form of a signal and an active barcode system capable of recognizing information on a barcode transmitted from the mobile communication terminal.

Patent application No. 10-2001-56013 relates to a method for generating and managing a barcode for a card in a mobile terminal using a communication network, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data using a communication network such as a mobile phone or a PDA. Install the barcode generation program, use this program to select the desired card type and card company to request the generation of barcodes for the card, and if the request is approved, generate and save the barcode for the card, and then save the stored barcode instead of the card. By selectively displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal, it is possible to achieve the same effect as carrying the card without carrying a separate card.

The invention disclosed in the above-described application is characterized in that a bar code is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal. Thus, an apparatus for reading a bar code displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal uses a conventional bar code reader as it is.

In this case, as shown in Figure 1, by displaying the bar code and the numeric information included in the bar code, using a bar code reader to read the information on the bar code, or the user directly uses the displayed numeric information.

However, when the barcode reader is used to decode the information in the barcode, the small light dots emitted from the scanner which is the barcode reader are reflected from the barcode while passing through bars and spaces on the barcode. At this point, the black bar, the black bar part of the barcode, reflects a small amount of light into the scanner, and the white space bar in the middle of the black bar reflects a large amount of light. The difference in the amount of reflected light is translated into an electrical signal by a light detector in the scanner, which is then converted into binary zeros and ones, which are used in various combinations to represent specific letters and numbers. The combination of 0s and 1s is changed to read letters and numbers. There are various types of barcode readers, such as a pen type that looks like a ballpoint pen, a CCD type, and a laser type that is recognized as a laser beam. Any of the data is converted into a form that can be collected by a computer or a barcode by a translator circuit or a decoder program called a decoder, and then the data is transmitted to the host computer.

As such, the barcode reader detects data using the amount of light reflected from the barcode. When reading the barcode displayed on the LCD screen of the mobile communication terminal, the barcode data is reflected by the light reflected from the LCD screen itself. There is a problem that is difficult to read.

In order to solve this problem, a bar code reader has been proposed that captures an image of a bar code displayed on an LCD screen and analyzes the captured image to read data of the bar code. However, this type of bar code reader has a problem that it is difficult to use because the manufacturing cost is very expensive because a digital camera and a microcomputer capable of analyzing the image should be embedded.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a barcode transmission method that can transmit the information of the barcode in the form of an optical signal in the mobile communication terminal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting barcode information to a barcode reader in the form of an optical signal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an active barcode system using the barcode transmission method described above.

Active bar code system according to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem,

A barcode issuing server generating a barcode including predetermined information, and generating and storing a barcode image file for the generated barcode and a barcode data file storing the information included in the barcode;

Download a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from the barcode issuing server, and store the barcode image file and a barcode data file in an internal memory, display the barcode image file on a screen of a display unit according to a user's request, and store the data stored in the barcode data file. A mobile communication terminal for transmitting an optical signal including data stored in the barcode data file to the outside by controlling the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

An optical signal reader for detecting an optical signal transmitted from the mobile communication terminal, converting the detected signal into an electrical signal and outputting the information contained in the barcode data file in the form of an electrical signal, the user of the mobile communication terminal The barcode is mounted, and the mobile communication terminal actively transmits information about the barcode to the optical signal reader, thereby enabling the barcode to be recognized.

The mobile communication terminal in the bar code recognition system according to the above features stores a bar code image file and a bar code data file for at least one bar code in an internal memory, and displays a bar code image file for one bar code selected by a user on a screen of a display unit. It is preferable to display and control the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the corresponding barcode data file.

The optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal may include a backlight, an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL), or an inorganic electroluminescent device (inorganic EL) of a liquid crystal display (LCD) used as a display unit of the mobile communication terminal. Alternatively, an LED used as a backlight of a keypad of a mobile communication terminal may be used.

The optical signal reader in the barcode recognition system according to the feature is

A signal detector for detecting an optical signal output from the mobile communication terminal and converting the detected signal into an electrical signal;

It is preferable to include a control unit for detecting barcode information from the electrical signal transmitted from the signal detection unit, and transmitting the detected barcode information to the outside.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a controller of a mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting barcode information may include:

A barcode management module that receives a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from an external related server and stores and manages the barcode image file in an internal memory;

A barcode reading module for retrieving a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from the barcode management module according to a user's request, and displaying the barcode image file on a screen of a display unit;

A bar code sending module for controlling the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the bar code data file retrieved by the bar code reading module, and transmitting the data stored in the bar code data file to the outside in the form of an optical signal; In addition, the information on the barcode can be actively sent to the outside in the form of an optical signal.

Here, the optical signal source whose operation is controlled by the barcode sending module is a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, and the barcode sending module converts the data stored in the barcode data file into a binary code and sequentially reads a binary code value. When the binary code value is " 1 ", the optical signal source is turned ON, and when the binary code value is " 0 ", the optical signal source is turned OFF.

Bar code issuing server according to another feature of the present invention,

A barcode generation unit for generating a barcode including predetermined information, and generating and storing a barcode image file for the generated barcode and a barcode data file storing information included in the barcode;

In response to a request from a connected mobile communication terminal, a barcode download unit for downloading a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode to a corresponding mobile communication terminal is provided.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a barcode transmission method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an overall active bar code system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, another active barcode system 100 according to the present invention includes a barcode issuing server 110, a mobile communication terminal 120 for mounting and transmitting a barcode, an optical signal reader 130, and a barcode processing server 140. ). Hereinafter, each element constituting the active barcode system according to the present invention will be described in detail.

The barcode issuing server 110 includes a barcode generating unit 112 and a barcode downloading unit 114. The barcode generation unit 112 generates a barcode including predetermined information, generates a barcode image file for the generated barcode and a barcode data file storing information included in the barcode, and stores and manages the barcode in a database. In addition, the barcode download unit 114 downloads a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode to the corresponding mobile communication terminal according to a request from the connected mobile communication terminal.

In this case, the barcode data file may include only essential information about the barcode, and may further include necessary information.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile communication terminal 120 includes a barcode management module 200, a barcode reading module 210, and a barcode transmitting module 220, and displays information on a barcode in the form of an optical signal. This is actively sent to the optical signal reader.

The barcode management module 200 receives a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from the barcode issuing server described above and stores and manages the barcode image file in an internal memory.

The barcode reading module 210 searches for a specific barcode from the barcode management module according to a user's request, reads a barcode image file and a barcode data file for the found barcode, and displays the barcode image file on the screen of the display unit. Let's do it.

The barcode sending module 220 controls the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the barcode data file retrieved by the barcode reading module, thereby transferring the data stored in the barcode data file to the outside in the form of an optical signal. Will be sent.

Here, the optical signal source whose operation is controlled by the barcode sending module is a backlight or organic EL of a liquid crystal display (LCD) that forms a display portion of a mobile communication terminal. The barcode sending module converts the data stored in the barcode data file into a binary code, and sequentially reads a binary code value and turns on the optical signal source when the binary code value is "1" and the binary code value is "0" turns off the optical signal source. As a result, the mobile communication terminal sequentially outputs the optical signal by turning on or off the optical signal source according to the data corresponding to the mounted barcode.

Next, the optical signal reader 130 detects an optical signal transmitted from the mobile communication terminal, converts the detected signal into an electrical signal, and outputs the information included in the barcode data file in the form of an electrical signal. The optical signal reader includes a signal detector 132 and a controller 134.

The signal detector 132 detects an optical signal output from the mobile communication terminal and converts the detected signal into an electrical signal. The signal detector 132 may include at least one optical sensor.

The controller 134 detects barcode information from the electrical signal transmitted from the signal detection unit, and transmits the detected barcode information to the outside.

According to another embodiment of the mobile communication terminal of the present invention described above, a bar code image file and a bar code data file for at least one or more bar codes are stored in an internal memory, and a bar code image file for one bar code selected by a user is displayed on the display unit. The control unit controls the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the barcode data file.

Next, the barcode processing server 140 receives the barcode information from the optical signal reader 130 and processes the related task using the received barcode information.

For example, when the system according to the present invention is applied to a coupon issuance service, the barcode includes a serial number for the coupon, and the barcode processing server detects the coupon number from the read barcode, thereby providing a service corresponding to the coupon. Will be provided.

In addition, when the system according to the present invention is applied to a voucher issuance service, the bar code includes a serial number for the voucher, the bar code processing server detects the voucher number from the read bar code, the authentication procedure for the voucher Will be performed. In addition, the system according to the present invention can be used for membership cards and the like.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, the barcode transmission method of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be described sequentially.

First, by accessing an external barcode issuing server (step 300), a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode are received and stored in an internal memory (step 310).

Next, one bar code is selected by the user (step 320), and the bar code image file and the bar code data file for the selected specific bar code are read (step 330).

Next, the barcode image file is displayed on the screen of the display unit (step 340). Further, after converting the data stored in the barcode data file retrieved by the barcode reading module into a binary code (step 350), the converted binary code is sequentially read (step 360). If the value of the read binary code is "0", the optical signal source is turned OFF. If the value of the read binary code is "1", the optical signal source is turned ON (step 370). The process is performed sequentially for all binary code.

5 illustrates a state in which a bar code and an image of a corresponding credit card are displayed on a screen of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention. In addition, only the barcode may be displayed, or the barcode and the numeric information corresponding to the barcode may be written together. As such, the image displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention may be similar to that of the conventional art shown in FIG.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but it is only an example, not a limitation of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications not illustrated above are possible. For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, components such as the type of optical signal source, information included in a barcode data file, a barcode processing server, and the like may be variously modified to optimize the field to which the system according to the present invention is applied. It can be done. And differences related to such modifications and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, a user can tap a plurality of bar codes in his mobile communication terminal, and can be used easily and conveniently anytime and anywhere.

In addition, the bar code reader for reading the bar code displayed on the screen of the conventional mobile communication terminal has a lot of errors in the transmission and reception of the bar code data by the light emitted from the LCD itself, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is not the information about the bar code By actively transmitting to the outside in the form of a signal and reading the transmitted information by the optical signal reader, no error of barcode data transmission and reception occurs.

In addition, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention does not use a separate optical signal source, but uses an LED of a backlight of the display unit or an LED of a keypad which is already built in the mobile communication terminal, and further downloads only a program. It is a system that can be put to practical use because it is possible to receive and execute it.

In addition, the bar code system according to the present invention is more economical because it can use the bar code recognition device used as it is.

Claims (8)

A barcode issuing server generating a barcode including predetermined information, and generating and storing a barcode image file for the generated barcode and a barcode data file storing the information included in the barcode; Download a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from the barcode issuing server, and store the barcode image file and a barcode data file in an internal memory, display the barcode image file on a screen of a display unit according to a user's request, and store the data stored in the barcode data file. A mobile communication terminal which transmits an optical signal including data stored in the barcode data file to the outside by controlling the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention; And Optical signal reader for detecting the optical signal transmitted from the mobile communication terminal, converting the detected signal into an electrical signal to output the information contained in the barcode data file in the form of an electrical signal And a bar code mounted to the user's mobile communication terminal, and the mobile communication terminal actively transmitting information about the bar code to the optical signal reader, thereby enabling the barcode to be recognized. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal stores the barcode image file and the barcode data file of at least one barcode in an internal memory, and displays the barcode image file of the barcode selected by the user on the screen of the display unit. Active bar code system, characterized in that for controlling the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the bar code data file. The optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal is a backlight or an organic EL of a liquid crystal display (LCD) used as a display unit of the mobile communication terminal, or a backlight of a keypad of the mobile communication terminal. Active barcode system. The optical signal reader of claim 1, wherein the optical signal reader A signal detector for detecting an optical signal output from the mobile communication terminal and converting the detected signal into an electrical signal; Control unit for detecting barcode information from the electrical signal transmitted from the signal detection unit, and transmits the detected barcode information to the outside An active barcode system comprising: a. A barcode management module which receives a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from an external related server and stores and manages the barcode image file in an internal memory; A barcode reading module that retrieves a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode from the barcode management module according to a user's request, and displays the barcode image file on a screen of a display unit; And Bar code sending module for controlling the operation of the optical signal source of the mobile communication terminal according to the data stored in the bar code data file retrieved by the bar code reading module, and transmits the data stored in the bar code data file to the outside in the form of an optical signal And a mobile communication terminal capable of actively transmitting information on the mounted barcode to the outside in the form of an optical signal. The optical signal source of which the operation is controlled by the bar code sending module is a backlight of a liquid crystal display or a keypad, and the bar code sending module converts the data stored in the bar code data file into a binary code and then binary. A mobile communication terminal characterized by sequentially reading code values and turning on the optical signal source when the binary code value is "1" and turning off the optical signal source when the binary code value is "0". . A barcode generation unit for generating a barcode including predetermined information, and generating and storing a barcode image file for the generated barcode and a barcode data file storing information included in the barcode; And A barcode download unit for downloading a barcode image file and a barcode data file for a specific barcode to a corresponding mobile communication terminal according to a request from a connected mobile communication terminal; Bar code issuing server having a. 8. The barcode issuing server of claim 7, wherein the barcode data file further includes essential information about the barcode and other necessary information.

Images