KR20060054119A - Digital code recorded media, apparatus for remote-controlling electronic devices and apparatus for recognizing and executing digital code - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medium on which a digital code is recorded, a remote control device for an electronic device using the same, and a digital code recognition and execution device.

The remote control apparatus according to the present invention includes a control code mapping unit for recognizing means for optically recognizing a digital code, a control code mapping unit storing control information corresponding to the digital code, and a digital code recognized by the recognition means. A digital code conversion processor for converting a signal having a control code corresponding to the control information stored in the control unit; and a transmission means for transmitting the signal converted by the digital code conversion processor to the controlled device to remotely control the controlled device. . Meanwhile, the digital code recognition / execution apparatus according to the present invention includes a digital code recognition unit and an execution unit. Here, the digital code recognition unit transmits light to the digital code, an image processor to recognize an image reflected by the light emitted from the light emitter, and an image processor recognized by the image processor to transfer the image data to the execution unit. An execution unit of the digital code recognition / execution apparatus includes a mapping unit in which an execution file for image data transmitted from the transmission means is stored, and an execution unit for performing an execution function for the execution file. .

 Digital cord, carbon pattern cord, remote control device

Description

Digital Code Recorded Media, Apparatus for Remote-Controlling Electronic Devices and Apparatus for recognizing and executing Digital Code}

1A to 1D are block diagrams for explaining a digital code coding method applicable to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a remote control device according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a process of adding electronic device control information.

4A is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital code recognition and execution device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of use of the digital code recognition and execution device of the present invention.

5A is an enlarged view showing an example of a digital code configuration according to the present invention, and FIGS. 5B to 5E are enlarged views showing patterns and requirements of digital codes.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the operation of software for creating digital code.

7A and 7B are block diagrams illustrating a method of generating digital codes on printed images.

8 is a block diagram illustrating an application example to which the present invention is applied to a remote control apparatus.

9 is a block diagram illustrating a case where the present invention is applied to an interactive TV set-top box.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the case where the present invention is applied to an MP3 player.

11 is a perspective view showing an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic teaching aid for learning.

12A and 12B are plan views illustrating examples of media on which digital codes are recorded in accordance with the present invention;

The present invention relates to a printing technique for printing a digital code, a technique for recognizing a digital code to control an electronic device or executing an executable file. The present invention relates to a medium on which a digital code is recorded, and a remote control device of the electronic device and digital code recognition. And an execution device.

Representative of the digital code printing technology is a bar code (BAR CODE). Barcodes are letters, numbers, or special symbols encoded optically for easy reading by a combination of thick or thin bars (black bars) and spaces (white bars). Barcodes represent information through bars and spaces, and enable the collection and decryption of the represented information. That is, a bar code that uses a combination of information of a combination of binary zeros and ones, with the black and white spaces representing letters or numbers, converted to bits of binary zeros and ones and combined with them, is created according to the rules defined by the bar code convention. Barcodes are a language of bits of zeros and ones. There are several different code schemes, depending on the ratio of bar thickness to space width. Codes printed according to this scheme can reproduce data using the reflection of light in a barcode recognition device and collect and transmit the reproduced data. To decode the information in the bar code, small light spots of varying values are reflected back and forth across the bar and space via the scanner. The black bar, the black bar part of the barcode, reflects a small amount of light into the scanner, while 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 converted into binary zeros and ones, which are used in various combinations to represent specific letters and numbers. This combination of zeros and ones reads letters and numbers. Combining the combined letters or numbers can produce multiple digital codes.

The dot code (DOT CODE) is a checkered pattern consisting of data by arranging black and white elements of the same width in a mosaic pattern, and the scanner that reads them identifies whether each square element is black or white. The black and white elements are used as bits of data and combined to form numbers or letters. The combined letters or numbers can produce multiple digital codes. In general, bar codes or dot codes should be printed at a certain density using black ink. Therefore, the barcode and dot code printed on the printed matter should be kept exposed in a separate space.

As such, printing a recognition code such as a barcode or dot code on printed matter and using it in a toy device or a teaching aid is, for example, patent registration No. 279476 'voice book unit' or Utility Model Registration No. 269169 'flash card. Toy device for voice data output with recognition function '', Patent Publication No. 2002-3167, 'Acoustic teaching aid for learning and interactive learning method using it', Patent Publication No. 1999-79730 'Interactive voice teaching tool', Utility model Korean Patent Publication No. 1998-65092, "A barcode output moving picture output device," and Patent Registration No. 383079, "Acoustic book device and a page recognition method using the same." However, the conventional method of recognizing information using a barcode or dot code has a disadvantage in that the code must be exposed to an independent space and there is a limitation depending on the medium in which the code is printed.

On the other hand, a remote control device is provided to remotely control electronic devices such as televisions, VTRs, DVD players and the like. However, the electronic device has a different infrared transmission signal code system depending on the manufacturer or the product model. Therefore, the user of the electronic device is inconvenient to use a plurality of remote control device. In addition, the conventional remote control device, which is listed as a small number button and a function button, is difficult to use a complex control function unless the general user knows how to use it in advance.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, to provide a new type of digital code that does not need to be exposed to a separate space.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new digital code which is not limited to the physical limitations (size, thickness or shape) of the medium (eg printed matter) on which the code is recorded.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device integrated into one without having to separately provide a number depending on the manufacturer or model of the electronic device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a digital code recognition / execution apparatus capable of recognizing a digital code and executing information stored therein.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a medium in which a digital code is recorded. The digital code is, for example, a carbon pattern code in a dot matrix structure. The carbon pattern code refers to a digital code including a carbon component, and the digital code may be generated by recording an ink including the carbon component on a medium (for example, paper). The carbon pattern code consists of a dot matrix composed of a plurality of ((N or more, for example, thousands or tens of thousands) dots of two dimensions in different arrangements in a small polygonal grid, for example, a square grid. The matrix has a unique dot array, and each digital code can be distinguished by recognizing it as a unique value.The square grid constituting the digital code can implement various digital codes, When the density is lowered, translucent digital codes are printed near transparent, and the carbon-based ink printed on the existing 4 degree color or black and white prints does not interfere with the recognition of the existing print at all. Scanners that read this can not only make independent readings, but conventional printing It has the advantage that it does not affect the reading: Printing with carbon pattern codes only adds 1-degree carbon-based printing in addition to conventional 4-degree printing. Multiple digital modes can be created.

The present invention can apply the printing technology using a method such as a barcode, dot code, carbon pattern code, etc. according to the field of use, and can be applied to the digital code generation technology as well as other digital code generation technology that is possible with the conventional printing technology without problems. Can be.

The present invention provides a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device using a medium on which a digital code is recorded, and inserts (records) a digital code into figures and drawings representing the function of each model of the electronic device manufacturer. Since the electronic device can be controlled by the action of the remote control device of the present invention in contact with the picture of the corresponding function, the control of the electronic device is easy and fast.

The electronic device remote control device of the present invention comprises a recognition sensor device for recognizing a digital code and an infrared code transmitter for converting and transmitting a digital code into an infrared signal, and having a storage device in which electronic device control information is stored. By mapping the digital code to one function for each specific electronic device model, a unique infrared code signal is generated using the corresponding control information and transmitted to the electronic device. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic device integrated remote control device, and applying the present invention to an interactive digital TV set-top box enables much faster product search than before.

A remote control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a recognition means for optically recognizing a digital code, a control code mapping unit storing control information corresponding to the digital code, and a digital code recognized by the recognition means. And a digital code conversion processor for converting a signal having a control code corresponding to the control information stored in the control code mapping unit, and transmitting means for transmitting the signal converted by the digital code conversion processor to the controlled device. Remote control.

According to the present invention, a digital code recognition / execution apparatus is provided, which includes, for example, a digital code recognition section and an execution section. Here, the digital code recognition unit transmits light to the digital code, an image processor to recognize an image reflected by the light emitted from the light emitter, and an image processor recognized by the image processor to transfer the image data to the execution unit. A delivery means. Meanwhile, the execution unit of the digital code recognition / execution apparatus includes a mapping unit in which an execution file for image data transmitted from the transmission means is stored, and execution means for performing an execution function for the execution file.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Transmission method and coding method of electronic device control signal

For example, IRDA (Infrared Data Association) may be used to transmit the control signal of the electronic device using the present invention. IRDA is a communication protocol used in home appliances and is adopted and applied by most electronic device manufacturers around the world. All Infra Red (IR) remote controllers use several types of IR signals. These control signals use IR pulses to transmit signals to the receiver of the electronic device. IR LEDs can be used to transmit binary code signals in the frequency range 30 kHz to 40 kHz for the transmission of IR pulses. The above frequency range ensures that no other light source interferes with the receiver receiving the transmitted signals correctly. The binary signal transmitted from the IR LED is divided into time and length, and three methods, for example, may be used to encode the signal.

(1) Pulse Width Coding

As shown in Fig. 1A, the length of a pulse is changed to encode a binary signal. The short pulse corresponds to '0' and the long pulse corresponds to '1'.

(2) Space Coding (REC-80)

In order to encode a binary signal, as shown in FIG. 1B, the space length between pulses is changed. The short pulse corresponds to '0' and the long pulse corresponds to '1'.

(3) Shift Coding (RC-5)

As shown in FIG. 1C, data of '0' or '1' is represented in the direction of a transition.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1d, it is possible to use a header (header) in addition to the code, the header is transmitted before the actual code so that the receiving end recognizes. Headers can always be the same if they are the same, and different code values do not change. Headers and codes are transmitted continuously by holding down the button on the remote control. The repetition time when the code is repeated is, for example, 50 msec or more.

The actual code is usually divided into two parts.

1. Address: Select the product to receive.

2. Command: Specify the action.

In general, a remote controller of an electronic device is a device for controlling by transmitting an infrared signal, in which control information is converted into an infrared code form, to an infrared receiver of the electronic device. The remote controller includes a plurality of numeric buttons or function buttons. When the button is pressed, a signal converted into an infrared form is input to a receiver of an electronic device through a transmitter provided in a remote controller. Most remote controllers have different code schemes according to the manufacturer, product model, etc., and the code scheme may be different according to the function. For example, most domestic companies such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Daewoo Electronics, and Toshiba follow the NEC code system, and most European companies follow the RC5 code system. In more detail, the code system of NEC consists of header pulse, a number of custom codes (CUSTOM CODE), and a number of data codes.In case of LG TV, power is 08 (HEXA) and channel is 01 (HEXA). ), Channel + is assigned a code for each control function, such as 00 (HEXA).

As such, codes classified by manufacturer, model, and function are converted into an infrared form from a transmitter of a remote controller as the user presses a corresponding function button, and then transmitted to an infrared receiver of the corresponding electronic device. Recognizes the control command through the signal analysis process of the electronic device and performs the command intended by the user. The present invention has no problem controlling electronic devices through these infrared signals.

Remote control unit

2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a remote control apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the remote control apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a digital code recognition sensor 14, a control code conversion processor 15 (CPU), a ROM 16, a control code mapping unit 17, and a signal transmission device. It consists of 18.

The digital code recognition sensor 14 detects the light reflected from the medium (eg, the print 11) on which the digital code is printed through a process such as touch, scan, and close-up photography. The digital code recognition sensor includes a sensor in the form of a CCD or a CMOS, and uses a method of decoding a reflected digital code image by using light such as visible light, laser, and infrared light. In particular, in the case of the carbon pattern code, the sensor 14 analyzes the pattern reflected by emitting infrared rays. This pattern analysis uses the principle that the infrared light is absorbed by the carbon component, and the sensor recognizes the pattern by the difference in concentration of the reflected infrared light. The digital code recognition sensor 14 may vary depending on the form or printing material of the digital code.

The medium 11 is a printable medium and includes paper, sticker, plastic, vinyl, leather and the like which can be printed by a known printing technique. The user recognition image 12 recorded on the medium 11 may be printed on the medium 11 in black and white or in color with a letter, a symbol, a figure, or a picture. The user recognition image 12 may be designed in a form in which the user can intuitively recognize the control function of the electronic device. For example, the user can use the CI / BI image logo of the broadcasting station broadcasting through a specific TV channel as the user recognition image 12, and the user image of the product image composed of the VTR power, recording, and playback buttons of the specific manufacturer as an image. It can also be used as (12).

The digital code 13 is a unique print pattern printed together overlapping or adjacent to the user recognition image 12 and may be in the form of a barcode, dot code, carbon pattern code, or the like. In the case of using a barcode and a dot code digital code, an independent printing area is required, and since a black ink is printed, the user recognition image 12 may be visually disturbed, so that the user recognition image 12 may not be visually disturbed. It is preferable to print the digital code 13 in a non-adjacent area. On the other hand, when the carbon pattern code is used as the digital code 13, since the carbon pattern code prints a carbon material close to transparent in a lattice pattern, the carbon pattern code can be overprinted on the user recognition image 12.

Here, the medium 11 on which the user recognition image 12 and the digital code 13 are recorded may be a fairy tale book, a language material, a leaflet, a catalog, or the like, and may be made of a sticker and attached to a printed matter. Examples of the recording medium 11 are shown in Figs. 12A to 12B.

The digital code 13 recorded on the medium 11 by printing or the like reflects a light source such as natural light or an infrared ray or a laser beam, and the light source reflected by the digital code 13 is detected by the recognition sensor 14. . The user inputs the digital code 13 to the recognition sensor 14 by an act of contact, scanning, or taking a close-up photograph, and the digital code recognition sensor 14 converts the input signal into an analog or digital signal so that the CPU 15 Pass in the input value of). The CPU 15 restores the input digital code input signal into a unique digital code, and reads electronic device control information corresponding to the unique digital code from the control code mapping unit 17. The electronic device control information in the control code mapping unit 17 includes, for example, data instructing a method of generating a unique digital code, an electronic device control code, and a control code as a transmission signal, as shown in Table 1 below. For example, in a separate storage device.

Digital code Infrared Signal Generation Method Code Function control code length Function control code value (HEX) 300 N01 3 30, 2F, 3E 400 M03 2 7F, 02 500 N01 3 50, 40, 20 600 U02 4 44, 32, 3A, FE, E1 … … … …

In FIG. 2, the ROM 16 stores software capable of operating the control code conversion processor 15 and is different for each electronic device manufacturer model according to the infrared signal generation method code of <Table 2> included in the electronic device control information. The method consists of a program.

Infrared Signal Generation Method Code Infrared Transmission Method company N01 NEC Domestic appliances Samsung, LG, Daewoo and TOSHIBA U02 RC5 European home appliances M03 MITSUBISH MITSUBISH Z04 ZENITH ZENITH … … …

According to the above <Table 2>, different transmission methods for each manufacturer are programmed as firmware (firmware) in the ROM (16), and the transmission method can be applied to all electronic devices by combining the respective methods for each manufacturer. Programmed transmission methods include conventional manufacturer-specific methods that include the pulse length and time of the infrared transmission signal and the length of the control code.

The CPU 15 generates a transmission signal using the transmission signal generation information read from the ROM 16 and the electronic device control information read from the control code mapping unit 17. At this time, the digital code recognition sensor 14 It converts the transmitted digital input signal into a digital code and uses the digital code as a search key to read a record of electronic device control information and uses a generation method that matches the infrared signal generation method code included in the electronic device control information. The function control code value included in the electronic device control information is converted into a transmission signal and transmitted through the signal transmission device 18. That is, the CPU 15 generates a transmission signal using the corresponding electronic device control information and outputs the transmission signal through the signal transmission device 18.

In the present invention, the signal transmission device may use a wired / wireless communication method such as Bluetooth, USB, RS-232, FM, etc. in addition to IRDA (Infrared Ray Receiving Protocol), which is a standard for short-range communication protocol. Among these communication methods, when transmitting signals using Bluetooth, USB, RS-232, FM, there is a communication protocol corresponding to each communication method, and an electronic device receiving the transmitted signal is a separate peripheral device for receiving the signal. The transmission / reception code system excludes a method of changing a transmission signal for each device such as IRDA. This is because when designing a transmitter and a receiver, both transmission and reception must be performed using the same code system.

The control code mapping unit 17 is composed of records classified by manufacturer, model, and function, and this record may be added. Adding the electronic device control information of the control code mapping unit 17 can be performed simply by sequentially scanning the user recognition image into which the digital code is inserted as shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an additional process of electronic device control information.

Referring to FIG. 3, the user recognition image of step 301 includes a digital code indicating a digital code allocation start in Table 3 below, and the CPU 15 switches to the setting mode by the transmitted digital code. . The user identification image of step 302 then includes a digital code that indicates the type of electronic device. The electronic device type displays the electronic device type on the operation display window (eg, '801' of FIG. 8) after the user's setting process is completed, so that the user can visually check the electronic device that can be controlled.

Digital Code (HEX) Control Command Description 13 Start digital code assignment 23 End digital code assignment 33 Start remote control LED brightness adjustment 44 Exit remote control LED brightness adjustment 55 Start remote control operation volume adjustment 66 End Remote Control Operation Volume Adjustment 777 Spare

In addition, in the case of setting up a plurality of electronic devices of the same electronic equipment type (for example, when setting up three TVs of different manufacturers), this can be distinguished by displaying a number behind the same. The user recognition image of step 303 is an electronic device control code of <Table 4> and includes a digital code having one representative key value for each electronic device function. This code matches the digital code.

Digital code Electronics Control function Explanation 11 A company VTR Power on / off Powering company A's VTR on and off 12 A company VTR play Start of company A VTR playback 13 A company VTR record Start of company A VTR recording 21 Company B air conditioner Power on / off Company B air conditioner on / off 22 Company B air conditioner Air flow increase B company air conditioner air volume increase 23 Company B air conditioner Air volume reduction B company air conditioner air volume decrease 41 Company C TV Power on / off Turn on and off your TV 42 Company C TV Volume increase Company C TV volume increase 43 Company C TV Volume reduction Company C TV volume decrease 433 Company C TV D Company Channel Channel D setting via Company C TV

According to Table 4, for example, 32 types of control functions may be included for 10 types of home appliances, and the table of this table may be arbitrarily adjusted by a manufacturer who develops and distributes a remote control device according to the present invention. For example, all digital codes may be assigned to an electronic device having 320 types of control functions, or a broadcast channel of an airwave, terrestrial or satellite set-top box may be mapped and used as one digital code.

The user recognition image of step 304 includes a digital code representing the code of the infrared signal generation method, and is consistent with the infrared signal generation method code of the electronic device control information. The user recognition image of the step 305 is a function control code length representing the length of the actual code that the remote control device of the electronic device actually transmits to the receiver of the electronic device. Means. The user recognition image containing the function control code as much as this function control code length is as shown in the following steps 306, 307, 308. The digital codes continuously input are continuously stored in the buffer of the CPU 15, and the user recognition image of step 309 includes digital codes representing the button matching digital codes shown in Table 5 and corresponding buttons. When the remote control device is used later, the corresponding control code may be transmitted by pressing a button included in the user interface.

Button Matching Digital Code button Explanation 0x01 MODE Setup and electronics selection buttons (e.g. TV, VTR, SET TOP, air conditioner, AUDIO PLAYER) 0x02 POWER Power ON / OFF control of the device selected by Mode button 0x03 UP Depends on setting value (default: CH +) 0x04 LEFT Depends on setting value (default: VOL-) 0x05 RIGHT Depends on setting value (default: VOL +) 0x06 DOWN Depends on setting value (default: CH-) 0x07 ENTER Depends on the set value (default: ENTER) 0xFF NO No setting button

The user recognition image of step 310 includes a digital code for terminating the above record addition process and informs the user via sound that it is completed.

After the electronic device control information addition process is completed, the user presses a matching button or generates the same electronic device control signal even when scanning any user recognition image including the digital code of the electronic device control code. Can be controlled. According to the present invention, a user recognition image including a digital code is produced and distributed for each electronic device for each electronic device and function so as to add electronic device control information. Therefore, the user can set the control of the electronic device by sequentially scanning the user recognition image related to the electronic device to be controlled through the present invention, which is very convenient. Of course, information on commonly sold electronic devices must be set in advance. Also, if the control code input signal input from the sensor does not exist in the control code mapping unit 17, the control code processor 15 uses the digital code as the control code and combines it with the carrier code (determined in advance in consultation with the manufacturer). To generate an infrared signal according to the basic signal generation method.

Digital code recognition and execution device

4A and 4B illustrate a connection relationship between a digital code recognition device and an execution device as an embodiment of the digital code recognition and execution device according to the present invention.

4A and 4B, the digital code recognition and execution apparatus 400 includes an infrared light emitter 402, a lens 404, a CMOS 406, an image processor 408, and a regulator 410. The recognition device 415 and the execution device 420 are included.

When the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting unit 402 are irradiated to the digital code of the present invention, the carbon component of the digital code of the carbon pattern code absorbs the infrared rays and the pattern of, for example, eight net dots of the digital code is made clear. This pattern is imaged in the CMOS 406 (a kind of CCD camera) through the lens 404, and the image processor 408 recognizes this image data. The recognized information is transmitted to the execution device 420 through the regulator 410.

The execution device 420 includes a power supply 422, an IC chip 425, and an execution unit 426. The IC chip 425 includes a mapping unit 424. Execution unit 426 includes a speaker, a monitor, a display, and the like. The executable file for the information provided from the recognition device 415 is determined by the mapping table stored in the mapping unit 422. The determined execution file may be output as an audio or video through the execution unit 426 or in the form of vibration by a motor.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the digital code recognition / execution apparatus 400 of FIG. 4A is configured to recognize the medium 401 by the recognition apparatus 415 at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the digital code recording medium 401, for example, within 45 degrees. Recognize digital codes when contacted or in proximity.

The digital code recorded on the medium 401 is printed, for example, as shown in FIG.

Digital code and its printing method and writing software

Referring to FIG. 5A, the actual object area 540 may be a picture printed on the print medium 530 or the like (eg, a 'bookshelf' picture of FIG. 12A or an 'apple' of FIG. 12B. ' Drawing). Meanwhile, the recognition area 550 of FIG. 5A represents an area that is actually recognized by the remote control device or the digital code recognition / execution device of the present invention, which is larger than the actual object area 540 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5A. It is desirable to.

The carbon pattern code of the present invention is printed on the area indicated by the square lattice 532 in the medium 530 of FIG. 5A, and the numbers '0', '1', and '2' in the medium 530 are respectively indicated. Identifier to identify the object of. This may be indicated by an OID (Optical ID) number (eg, OID # 1). The square grating 532 is sized, for example, 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm, or one side of the grating is 300 lines per inch. In the example shown by the enlarged dotted line in FIG. 5A, eight dots 534 are printed on one grid 532. Eight printed dots form one carbon pattern code, and four dots may be formed on one side of the square lattice 532, and if one code is expressed in eight dots according to its position, the number may be You can generate as much code as you want. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the carbon pattern code may not necessarily consist of eight dots but may also consist of other numbers of dots. For example, it is also possible to construct a dot matrix with twelve or more dots in one square lattice 532. FIG. 5B illustrates an example in which a carbon pattern code is formed of numerous dots 565 in one lattice 560 included in a recognition area corresponding to object area 1 540 of FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5B, the dot 565 is formed at the point where the grid 562 intersects, and the grid 562 may be configured to be 300 lines per inch.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the dot 565 and the adjacent dot 565, that is, the pitch, is 84.7 µm 2% (see Fig. 5C). In addition, the size of the dot 565 constituting the carbon pattern code is preferably set to a diameter between 40 μm and 65 μm (see FIG. 5D). If the diameter of the dot 565 is out of this range, the tolerance between the intersection of the grid 562 and the center of the dot 565 is preferably within 10 mu m (see Fig. 5E).

As a method of printing a digital code according to the present invention, a method of adding [K] ink as ink for digital codes to [C, M, Y, Near_K] ink used for general printing can be used. Here, [C] ink refers to 'Cyan ink', [M] ink refers to 'magenta ink', and [y] ink refers to 'Yellow ink'. [Near_K] ink is a black ink having no carbon component, and can be made by mixing [C], [M], and [y] inks in a ratio of, for example, 1: 1. [K] ink for digital codes is a black ink containing a carbon component.

It is also possible to add [K] ink component to [C], [M], and [y] ink by the digital code printing method different from this. This is to overcome the problem of color leakage at the edges when the [C], [M], [y] layers are not aligned correctly.

6 shows the operation of software for creating digital code.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, image data 602 of a printed matter is inputted, and executable file data 604 related thereto is inputted. The digital code tool 610 receiving such data generates image data 622 for printing a digital code on the image data 602. The digital code image data 622 may be generated based on the coordinates of the printed image 602 (FIG. 7A) or may be generated through the object coding method (FIG. 7B). The generated image data 622 is recorded on the medium by printing or the like. The data 624 is a file for checking whether the digital code is properly generated, and the connection relationship between the generated digital code and the execution data is created in the mapping table 626. The created mapping file 626 is stored in the mapping unit.

7A and 7B are block diagrams for describing a program method of generating digital code image data.

According to the digital code image data generation method shown in FIG. 7A, an OID is assigned to each of all grids ('532' in FIG. 5A or '560' in FIG. 5A), and the corresponding object (circle shape) is based on the coordinates of each grid. Or a rectangle, and generates a mapping response for each object in a file (eg, rectangle.wav). For example, grids with OIDs 12-17, 22-27, 32-37, 42-47, 52-57 are mapped to object # 1 and a Rectangle.WAV file is generated in response to the mapping.

Meanwhile, according to the method for generating digital code image data shown in FIG. 7B, an OID is assigned to each object and a mapping response thereof is generated as a file. This object coding method is applied to the example shown in FIG. 5A.

Application Example 1: Remote Controller

8 shows an example of a remote controller used as a control device of an electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 8, the remote controller 800 includes an operation display window 801, a mode button 802, a power button 803, operation buttons 804 to 807, an execution button 808, ENTER, and a scatter 809. And an IRDA port 810.

The digital code is input through the scanner 309, and the infrared signal controlling the electronic device (not shown) is emitted through the IRDA port 310. In order to control a plurality of electronic devices with one remote controller, the electronic device is selected as the mode button 302 according to each type of electronic device (for example, refer to Table 6 below).

Digital code Electronic equipment types 0x01 TV 0x02 VTR 0x03 DVD player 0x04 TWOWAY TV Set Top Box 0x05 Home theater 0x06 Air conditioner 0x07 Audio player 0x08 Satellite reception set top box 0x09 Regional Wired Set Top Box 0x0A Reserved

The selected electronic device is displayed on the operation display window 301 in letters or figures so that the user can know. The operation display window 301 may display, for example, a TV, a VCR, a DVD, an aircon, an audio, and a set top box. Since the electronic device may be selected using the mode button 302, when the power button 303 is pressed, the power on or off function of the currently selected device may be remotely controlled.

Application 2: Interactive Digital TV Set Top Box

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating control of an interactive digital TV set-top box using the electronic device control device according to the present invention as a second application of the present invention.

Although the present invention is designed to control a number of existing electronic devices, the video digital goods serviced by the Internet service server 902 are transmitted to the digital TV 901 through downloading or streaming through an interactive digital TV set-top box. When doing so, there is an advantage that the digital goods can be easily searched and accessed through printed matter (ie, the medium on which the digital code of the present invention is recorded).

Referring to FIG. 9, in order to implement an interactive digital TV, an apparatus 904 having a communication interface for connecting the Internet and an apparatus 903 for transmitting video and audio signals to a digital TV should be provided. In addition, a device operating system 905 for controlling a device of the present invention is provided with a storage device 910 that has an environment in which a plurality of application programs can be operated and the application programs can store and use data. Set-top boxes will also come standard with a remote control.

As shown in FIG. 9, the transmission signal transmitted from the signal transmission device ('18' in FIG. 2) is restored to the control code by the signal reception device 909 and input to the remote controller driver 908. The remote controller driver 908 is software that configures the device operating system 905 with a processor that controls the peripherals of the set top box. The remote controller driver 908 converts an input value generated from the peripheral device into a predetermined value for use by the application execution processor 907 and delivers it. The method of distributing the control code input from the signal receiving device 909, which is a peripheral device, to the device control processor 906 or the application program execution processor 907 is as follows. The control code included in the general electronic device control code area is input to the device control processor 906, and the control code including the carrier code (x0FF) is the pure digital code from which the carrier code is deleted. Is entered. This distribution must be determined in advance when designing the device control processor 906 of the set-top box.

The digital code input to the device control processor 906 is used to control the basic functions of the set top box through the device operating system 905. The digital code input to the application execution processor 907 reads a URL mapped to the digital code from the storage device 910 which is a data storage device provided in the set-top box. Using the read URL as basic data, the application execution processor 907 downloads the data from the digital TV service server 902 on the Internet via the corresponding application program and transmits the data to the digital TV 901.

Application 3: MP3 Player

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an MP3 player configuration to explain the application of the electronic device control apparatus according to the present invention to an MP3 player as a third application example of the present invention.

The MP3 player is an MPEG format that implements image / acoustic compression of a format. The MP3 player is an audio electronic device that decompresses and decompresses sound data compressed by audio layer 3 and outputs the restored sound data to a speaker or earphone. Most of the MP3 sound data is downloaded from the Internet or a PC and stored in the flash memory 505 which is a storage device of the MP3 through an external input / output device 506 (mostly USB), and then the sound data stored by the CPU 504 is read into the device. For example, the MP3 decoder 502 is restored through the device and output through the earphone or the speaker 501. Most of the sound data is music data. However, as language MP3 sound data for recent years has been distributed on the Internet or CDs, more and more users are studying languages on the go. Existing MP3 players, controlled by buttons, provide play, rewind, fast forward, and repeat sections by default, but the user can listen to the previous content or listen to the next content that is currently being heard. There was a disadvantage that the exact location search is not possible through rewinding or forwarding.

If the remote control device of the MP3 player is implemented using the present invention, this disadvantage can be secured. The present invention can provide convenience to a user by remotely controlling an MP3 player through a booklet on which a user recognition image including a digital code is printed. Recently, MP3 players also support lyrics, which is based on the time of restoring the MP3 sound data, which includes data organized as shown in <Table 7a> at the back of the MP3 sound data. When the time corresponding to 2 is reached, the corresponding text 1 and text 2 are output to the display apparatus 503. Therefore, the user may check the corresponding text as the playing time elapses. Using this principle, the remote control device of the present invention scans a print containing a digital code by replacing the text with a digital code and using the text as a user-recognized image, through the MP3 player. You can print When the present invention is used for MP3, the ROM 16 and the control code mapping unit 17 are not necessary in the remote control device of FIG. This is necessary because most of the existing electronic devices are transmitted and received by the infrared signal method.

Acoustic data area TEXT area TIME 1 TEXT 1 … … TIME N TEXT N

Meanwhile, Table 7b below shows the structure of MP3 sound data including a digital code.

Acoustic data area TEXT area TIME 1 Digital Code 1 TIME 2 Digital Code 2 TIME 3 Digital Code 3 00:00 0x01 00:20 0x02 01:00 0x03

The media on which the digital code of the present invention is recorded may be various, such as paper or stickers, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, and are not visually identified, but the regions and the legends of the digital codes shown in FIGS. Same as

Self setting code area Electronic Control Code Area Service Request Code Area 00 to 31 (1F) (32) 32 (20) ~ 351 (15F) (320 pieces) 352 (160)-4095 (FFF) (3744)

As shown in Table 8 above, hundreds of millions of digital codes can be allocated when using barcodes or dot codes, but about 4,096 digital codes can be allocated when using carbon pattern codes. In addition, by classifying and distributing the limited digital codes according to their purpose, there is no disruption in service. In Table 8, 32 self-setting code areas are allocated to set or control the functions of the remote control apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, the electronic device control code area is allocated to the number capable of mapping individual control functions for each representative home appliance, which can be determined at the beginning of development.

<Table 9> below is a service request code area, and one digital code belonging to a product URL is assigned to one product, and the digital code belonging to a service URL is assigned to each service and company, and each product The digital code can be assigned up to 4,096 and requires two scanning cycles.

Digital code area Request service Explanation 352-830 (1744) Product URL Assign by individual product 830-4095 (2000 units) Service URL Allocate one for each service / company

Application Example 4: Electronic Learning Tool

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an electronic teaching aid for learning as a fourth application example of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a memory card 960 in which an executable file mapped to a digital code is stored is inserted into a memory card socket 952 of the execution device 950, and the executable file is output through the speaker 956. In FIG. 11, '954' is a power switch, and '958' is a holder of the digital code recognition device 970. The digital code recognition device 970 includes a recognition unit 972 connected to the execution device 950 by a cable 972 and optically recognizes a carbon pattern digital code printed on a printed matter as described above.

According to the electronic teaching aid according to the present invention, since the executable file is selected by using a digital code of a size small enough to be identified with the naked eye, there is no restriction according to the size, thickness, shape, etc. of the printed matter, and the code through the carbon pattern code. Recognition is performed, so accurate image recognition is possible, and the learning effect can be enhanced by executing various audio-visual files.

Application Example 5 Method of Watching A Broadcast Channel by Controlling an Electronic Device TV

First, suppose the channel number of A broadcast is 15. In general, in the case of using the existing remote control device, if the number 1 is pressed using the number buttons and the number 5 is pressed, the TV is changed to the reception channel of the A broadcast and can watch the broadcast.

However, in the case of using the present invention, the digital code associated with the A broadcast channel is determined in advance, and electronic device control information matching the digital code determined through the method of FIG. 3 is generated and stored in the control code matching unit, and the digital If the printed material is distributed to the recording medium as a user recognition image indicating the A broadcast, the image having the code inserted therein, and the user scans the user recognition image indicating the A broadcast on the printed matter using the remote control apparatus of the present invention. By controlling the TV in operation, it is possible to change to the broadcast channel of the A broadcast.

When the user scans the user image of the printed matter, the light reflected from the printed matter is input to the CPU 15 through the digital code recognition sensor 14 as a digital code input signal as described with reference to FIG. Is restored. Read the electronic device control information of the matched control code mapping unit 17 using the restored digital code as a key, and read the method matching the infrared signal generation method code of the electronic device control information of Table 2 from the ROM 16. In other words, the function control code value of the electronic device control information is repeated by the control code length, and the transmission signal is sequentially generated by the corresponding infrared signal generation method and transmitted through the signal transmission device 18. Repeatedly transmitted infrared signals are input to the signal receiving device of the TV, which is an electronic device, and are interpreted. The interpreted signals are restored to a function control code to change the broadcasting channel of the TV.

Application Example 6 Example of Downloading and Sending VOD to TV

First, when a company serving a VOD product through the Internet produces and distributes a leaflet promoting the VOD product, a digital code (0x18F) corresponding to the service request code area of <Table 8> is assigned to the image of the product. It is assumed that the digital code 13 allocated as the carbon pattern code is printed and distributed on the image of the product as a user recognition image ('12' in FIG. 2). The user scans the corresponding user recognition image of the printed matter 11 distributed using the present invention, and the digital code included in the user image is transmitted to the CPU 15 as a digital input signal through the digital code recognition sensor 14. Is entered. Since the input digital code belongs to the service request code area with a unique value (for example, 0x18F), the CPU converts the original carrier code (0xFF) and the digital code 0x18F into an infrared transmission signal using a pre-defined basic signal generation method to transmit a signal. It sends out via the apparatus 18. The transmitted infrared signal is input to the remote control device driver 908 through a signal receiving device (eg, '909' in FIG. 9). The remote control driver transmits the digital code (0x18F) followed by the digital code (0x18F) to the application execution processor 907 because the input code includes the carrier code. The application execution processor reads the URL stored in the storage device 910 using the transmitted digital code as a key, executes the corresponding application program (eg, Internet Explorer), and delivers the URL as an input value. When an application program requests a corresponding page of a server with a corresponding URL, it sends a digital code of 'GET MESSAGE' to the server. The server sends the corresponding VOD to the set top box in a streaming manner using the digital code transmitted from the page as a key. The set-top box stores the streaming data in the storage device 910 and transmits an image and a sound to the digital TV 901 upon receiving a certain amount of streaming data.

Thus, according to the electronic device control device according to the present invention it is possible to easily and quickly control a variety of electronic devices. In addition, since the executable file is selected using a digital code that is small enough to be identified with the naked eye, there is no restriction according to the size, thickness, shape, etc. of the printed matter, and code recognition is performed through a carbon pattern code, so accurate image recognition is performed. It is possible to enhance the learning effect by executing various audio-visual files.

In addition, the interactive digital TV environment, which consists of a set-top box device connecting digital TV and high-speed Internet, soon surfs and shops through the TV screen in the living room of the home. The purchase decision and the order will be completed on TV as it is provided.

In addition, even in an environment where a large number of service categories and paid digital goods are serviced through the Internet, a user can easily search for a corresponding product by contacting an image on a product catalog printed with a digital code distributed by a service provider. It can be effective.

Claims (20)

As a remote control device, Recognition means for optically recognizing a digital code; A control code mapping unit in which control information corresponding to the digital code is stored; A digital code conversion processor for converting the digital code recognized by the recognition means into a signal having a control code suitable for the control information stored in the control code mapping unit; And a transmitting means for transmitting the signal converted by the digital code conversion processor to the controlled device to remotely control the controlled device. In claim 1, The controlled device is an electronic device, and includes a TV, a VTR, a DVD player, an audio player, and an air conditioner. In claim 1, The signal converted by the digital code conversion processor is a signal obtained by encoding a digital code recognized by the recognition means by any one of pulse width coding, spatial coding and shift coding according to the control information. Device. In claim 1, And the signal having the control code is classified by manufacturer, model, and function of the controlled device. In claim 1, The transmission means is a remote control device using any one of IRDA (Infrared Ray Transmit Protocol), Bluetooth (BlueTooth), USB, FM, RS-232 communication method. In claim 1, The recognition means is a scanner, the transmission means is means for emitting an infrared signal through an IRDA port, The remote control apparatus may include an operation display window for displaying the type of the controlled device, a mode button for selecting a type of the controlled device, a power button for selecting a power source of the remote control device, and an operation for controlling the controlled device. And a button for executing the control operation of the controlled device. In claim 1, And storage means for storing software necessary for operating the control code conversion processor. In claim 7, And the storage means stores programs for different transmission methods for each manufacturer of the controlled device. In claim 8, The control code conversion processor reads the record of the control information by using the search key to convert the digital code recognized through the recognition means, and is included in the read control information among different transmission methods stored in the storage means. And a function control code value included in the control information is converted into a transmission signal and transmitted to the controlled device through the transmission means using a transmission method that matches the transmission method. In claim 1, The control code mapping unit is a remote control device, characterized in that consisting of records divided by the manufacturer, model, function of the controlled device. A device for remotely controlling an electronic device, A recognition sensor for recognizing the digital code through the light reflected from the digital code; A mapping unit in which the digital code, the electronic device control code corresponding to the digital code, and data indicating a method of generating the control code as a transmission signal are stored; A CPU which restores the digital code recognized by the recognition sensor to a unique digital code, and reads electronic device control information corresponding to the unique digital code from the mapping unit, from the mapping unit; A ROM in which different transmission methods are programmed for each of the plurality of electronic devices; And transmitting means for transmitting the electronic device control information to an electronic device in accordance with a transmission method consistent with a transmission signal generation method stored in the mapping unit among the transmission methods stored in the ROM. A digital code recognition and execution device comprising a digital code recognition unit and an execution unit, The digital code recognition unit (1A) a light emitting unit for irradiating light to a digital code, (2A) an image processor for recognizing an image reflected by the light emitted from the light emitting unit, and (3A) the image processor is recognized A transmission means for delivering one image data to an execution unit, The execution unit comprises: (1B) a mapping unit in which an execution file for image data transmitted from the transmission means is stored, and (2B) execution means for executing an execution function for the execution file. Recognition and Execution Device. In claim 12, And said execution means comprises a speaker, a motor, and a display. In claim 12, And the mapping unit is a memory card that stores an execution file mapped to the digital code and is detachably coupled to the execution unit. A medium on which digital code is recorded, An object area in which figures or texts are printed that can be visually recognized by humans, A recognition area included in the object area, in which a digital code is recorded, The digital code recorded in the recognition area includes a plurality of dot matrix structures including a plurality of identifiers for distinguishing the object area, and has a dot matrix structure composed of a plurality of fine dots. The digital code can be recognized by the means for recognizing the remote control device according to claim 1 or the image processor of the digital code recognition and execution device according to claim 11. The method of claim 15, And the dot matrix is composed of a plurality of pattern codes in which a plurality of dots form one pattern code in a polygonal grid. The method of claim 16, And the dot is formed at an intersection point of the grid and has a diameter of 100 µm or less. The method of claim 17, And the plurality of polygonal patterns are generated by printing black ink containing carbon components at various levels of concentration. The method of claim 15, And the digital code is printed on the recording medium in a translucent manner and is superimposed on the figure or character and printed. The method of claim 15, And a user recognition image, which is designed to intuitively recognize a controlled device to be controlled through the digital code, on the medium.

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