KR20070112474A - Information i/o method using dot pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

A square or rectangular area on e medium surface such as a printed matter is defined as a block. The vertical and horizontal straight lines constituting the frame of the block are defined as reference grid lines. A virtual dot is arranged at a predetermined interval on the reference grid lines. Reference dots are arranged on the virtual dots arranged on the horizontal reference grid line. The straight lines connecting the reference dots and virtual dots in the horizontal direction are defined as grid lines. The intersections of the grid lines are defined as virtual dots. A dot pattern is generated by using arrangement of one or more information dots having a distance and a direction based on the virtual dot. Such a dot pattern is read as image information by optical read means. The dot pattern is made into a numerical form and information corresponding to the numerical form information is read from storage means for output.

Description

Information input / output method using dot pattern {INFORMATION I / O METHOD USING DOT PATTERN}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input / output method using a dot pattern for inputting / outputting various information or programs by optically reading dot pattern information formed on a printed matter or the like, in particular, a method for reading a block of a dot pattern.

Background Art Conventionally, an information output method for reading a bar code printed on a printed matter or the like and outputting information such as voice has been proposed. For example, a method of storing information corresponding to key information previously given to the storage means, searching from a key read by a barcode reader, and outputting information or the like has been proposed. Further, in order to output a large amount of information or programs, a dot pattern in which fine dots are aligned according to a predetermined law is generated, and the dot pattern printed on a printed matter or the like is stored as image data by a camera, and digitalized to output audio information. Techniques have also been proposed.

However, the conventional method of outputting a voice or the like by a bar code has a problem that the bar code printed on the printed matter is annoying. In addition, since the barcode is large and occupies a part of the page, it is impossible to assign a large number of easy-to-understand barcodes to each character or object that has meaning in a part of a sentence or a picture, picture, or graphic image. There was a problem.

Therefore, attention has been paid to a code or coordinate reading technique using a fine dot pattern that can be superimposed with a medium surface (printing surface) as proposed by the present inventors.

In such a dot pattern, a dot pattern defined for each block in a predetermined area is read using optical reading means, converted into a predetermined code or coordinate, and outputs corresponding text, voice, image, video information, and the like. have.

By the way, the dot pattern needs to be determined in advance as a predetermined number (fixed length) with respect to the number of blocks arranged therein. However, in the case where such fixed length is used, the amount of data to be defined is limited or when the data is small. Since all blocks of fixed length are not used, the print area may be occupied by blocks that are meaningless.

The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to arrange a dot pattern to be displayed on a printed matter or the like, in particular, a block including the dot pattern, according to the new law, thereby providing flexibility in the length of data to be registered and providing a high security dot pattern technology. To provide.

The first invention for achieving the object of the present invention is a block for defining information by means of dots in a rectangular area on the medium surface of the printed matter, the blocks are continuously connected in any direction of up, down, left and right And a group of information forming a dot pattern in which a plurality of pieces of connection information for connecting the blocks are defined by dots in a predetermined area of the block, and the block group constituting the dot pattern is generated. It is an information input / output method using a dot pattern which picks up by optical reading means and reproduces information from the said image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first invention, the connection information defines at least a connection order of blocks, and is an information input / output method using a dot pattern.

The third invention is the information input / output method using a dot pattern according to the second invention, wherein the connection information includes the total number of blocks connected.

The fourth invention is the information input / output method using a dot pattern according to the second invention, wherein the connection information includes a connection direction of a block.

In the fifth invention, in the first invention, in the block group meaning the arrangement of the series of information, each block is arranged based on the connection information, and the same block group is arranged adjacent to at least two or more in the longitudinal and horizontal directions. An information input / output method using a dot pattern is provided.

According to a sixth invention, in the first invention, the optical reading means reads a predetermined block having at least a block total number and connection information in block order, and corresponds to the block rank in the storage means of the optical reading means. A read table is generated in which one read flag is set only by the total number of blocks, and the optical read means reads out blocks around the predetermined block and changes the flags of the read table to organize a series of information. An information input / output method using a dot pattern, characterized by recognizing completion of reading of a meaning block group.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first invention, a block group means the arrangement of the series of information, and the information input / output method using a dot pattern is arranged by connecting the strips in a longitudinal direction based on the connection information. to be.

The eighth invention is the information input / output method using a dot pattern according to the seventh invention, wherein the block group is also arranged in the width direction based on the connection information.

In a ninth invention, in the eighth invention, the block group is connected in the band-like length direction while also connecting in the width direction based on the connection information, and the block groups are arranged in parallel. It is an information input / output method using a dot pattern.

The tenth invention is the invention of any one of the first to ninth inventions, wherein the optical reading means reads at least connection information of a predetermined block, and corresponds to the block rank in the storage means of the optical reading means. A read table in which a read flag is set only by the total number of blocks is generated, and the optical read means reads a block in a strip-shaped direction using the predetermined block as a starting point, and changes the flag of the read table to change the series of information. It is an information input / output method using a dot pattern characterized by instructing the scanning operation in a strip-shaped direction to be instructed by the indicating means of the optical reading means until the reading of the block group, which means the theorem, is completed.

According to the eleventh invention, in any one of the first to tenth inventions, the blocks are irregularly connected in any direction of up, down, left, and right, and mean the arrangement of a series of information. The connection order is defined by a dot pattern in a predetermined region in the block as connection information, and the optical reading means instructs the user with a reading means in a read scanning direction when reading the connection information. Information input / output method used.

A twelfth invention is the information input / output method using a dot pattern according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, wherein at least one of the blocks is a dummy block in which the dot pattern has no meaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure which shows the dot pattern of GRID1 which is embodiment of this invention.

2 is a diagram (1) showing the definition of information of GRID1;

3 is a diagram (1) showing a reading order of a block of GRID1;

4 is a diagram (2) showing the definition of information of GRID1;

5 is a diagram (3) showing the definition of information of GRID1;

6 is a diagram (2) showing a reading order of a block of GRID1;

7 is a diagram illustrating a dot pattern of GRID2.

Fig. 8 is a diagram (1) that defines information of a dot pattern of GRID2.

9 is a diagram (2) that defines information of a dot pattern of GRID2;

10 is a diagram (3) that defines information of a dot pattern of GRID2;

11 shows the contents of the stability table of GRID2;

12 is a diagram (1) for explaining GRID3;

Fig. 13 is a diagram (2) for explaining GRID3;

Fig. 14 is a diagram (3) for explaining GRID3.

Fig. 15 is a diagram (4) for explaining GRID3.

FIG. 16 is a diagram (5) for explaining GRID3. FIG.

17 is a diagram (1) for explaining GRID4.

18 is a view for explaining GRID4 (2).

Fig. 19 is a diagram (3) for explaining GRID4.

20 is a diagram (4) for explaining GRID4.

Fig. 21 is a diagram (5) for explaining GRID4;

22 is a diagram 6 for explaining GRID4.

Fig. 23 is a diagram (1) for explaining a connection shape of blocks;

Fig. 24 is a diagram (2) for explaining the connection shape of blocks.

Fig. 25 is a diagram (3) for explaining the connection shape of blocks.

Fig. 26 is a diagram (4) for explaining the connection shape of blocks.

Fig. 27 is a diagram (5) for explaining the connection shape of the blocks;

28 is a view for explaining the connection shape of the blocks (6).

Fig. 29 is a diagram (7) for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

30 is a diagram 8 for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

FIG. 31 is a diagram 9 for explaining a connection shape of blocks; FIG.

32 is a diagram 10 for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

33 is a diagram 11 for explaining a connection shape of a block;

34 is a diagram 12 for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

35 is a view for explaining a connection shape of blocks (13).

36 is a diagram 14 for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

37 is a diagram 15 for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

38 is a view for explaining the connection shape of the blocks (16).

39 is a diagram 17 for explaining a connection shape of blocks.

40 shows the contents of a block ranking table;

Fig. 41 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID1;

Fig. 42 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID1;

Fig. 43 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID1;

Fig. 44 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID1;

Fig. 45 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID1;

Fig. 46 is a view (3) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID1.

Fig. 47 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID1;

Fig. 48 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID1;

Fig. 49 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID1;

Fig. 50 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID1;

Fig. 51 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID1;

Fig. 52 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID1;

Fig. 53 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID1;

Fig. 54 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID1;

Fig. 55 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID1;

Fig. 56 is a diagram (1) for explaining the block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID1.

Fig. 57 is a diagram (2) for explaining the block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID1.

Fig. 58 is a diagram (3) for explaining the block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID1.

Fig. 59 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID2;

Fig. 60 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID2;

Fig. 61 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID2;

Fig. 62 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID2;

Fig. 63 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID2;

Fig. 64 is a diagram (4) for explaining the block connection by the differential scan method of GRID2.

Fig. 65 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID2;

Fig. 66 is a view (2) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID2.

Fig. 67 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID2;

Fig. 68 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID2;

Fig. 69 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID2;

Fig. 70 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID2;

Fig. 71 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID2;

Fig. 72 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID2;

Fig. 73 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID2;

Fig. 74 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential investigation method of GRID2;

Fig. 75 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID2;

Fig. 76 is a view (3) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID2.

Fig. 77 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID3;

Fig. 78 is a diagram (2) for explaining the block connection by the direct scan method of GRID3.

Fig. 79 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID3;

Fig. 80 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID3.

Fig. 81 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID3;

Fig. 82 is a diagram (3) for explaining the block connection by the differential scan method of GRID3.

Fig. 83 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID3;

Fig. 84 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID3;

Fig. 85 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID3;

Fig. 86 is a diagram (1) for explaining the block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID3.

FIG. 87 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID3; FIG.

FIG. 88 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID3; FIG.

Fig. 89 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID3;

Fig. 90 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID3;

Fig. 91 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID3;

Fig. 92 is a diagram (4) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID3.

Fig. 93 is a diagram (5) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID3;

Fig. 94 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID3;

Fig. 95 is a diagram (2) for explaining the block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID3.

Fig. 96 is a view (3) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID3.

FIG. 97 is a diagram (4) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID3. FIG.

Fig. 98 is a diagram (5) for explaining the block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID3;

Fig. 99 is a diagram (1) for explaining the block connection by the direct scan method of GRID4;

Fig. 100 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID4;

Fig. 101 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct scan method of GRID4;

Fig. 102 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID4.

Fig. 103 is a diagram (2) for explaining the block connection by the differential scan method of GRID4.

Fig. 104 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the differential scan method of GRID4.

Fig. 105 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID4;

Fig. 106 is a view (2) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID4.

Fig. 107 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct spiral method of GRID4.

Fig. 108 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID4.

Fig. 109 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID4.

FIG. 110 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the differential spiral method of GRID4; FIG.

111 is a diagram (1) for explaining the block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID4;

Fig. 112 is a diagram (2) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID4;

FIG. 113 is a diagram (3) for explaining block connection by the direct irradiation method of GRID4; FIG.

Fig. 114 is a diagram (1) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID4;

Fig. 115 is a diagram (2) for explaining the block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID4;

FIG. 116 is a view (3) for explaining block connection by the differential irradiation method of GRID4. FIG.

Next, the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

First, the basic principle of the dot pattern used by this invention is demonstrated, and the specific example of the block connection of these dot patterns is then demonstrated.

(Explanation of dot pattern: GRID1)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing which shows GRID1 which is an example of the dot pattern of this invention. 2 is an enlarged view showing an example of information dots of a dot pattern and bit display of data defined therein. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are explanatory diagrams showing information dots arranged around a key dot.

The information input / output method using the dot pattern of this invention consists of generation | occurrence | production of the dot pattern 1, recognition of the said dot pattern 1, and a means which outputs information and a program from this dot pattern 1. That is, the dot pattern 1 is stored as image data by the camera, first, the lattice dots are extracted, and then the key dots 2 are extracted from the point where the dots are not originally stamped at the position where the lattice dots are originally located. Next, the information dot 3 is digitized to extract the information area to digitize the information, and the information and the program are output from the dot pattern 1 by the numerical information. For example, the dot pattern 1 outputs information such as voice or a program to an information output device, a PC, a PDA or a mobile phone.

The dot pattern 1 of the present invention generates a fine dot, that is, a key dot 2, an information dot 3, and a lattice dot 4 in order to recognize information such as voice by a dot code generation algorithm. Arrange according to a predetermined rule. As shown in FIG. 1, the block of the dot pattern 1 which shows information arrange | positions the 5 * 5 grid dot 4 centering on the key dot 2, and is surrounded by the four grid dots 4 The information dot 3 is arrange | positioned around the virtual point of center. Arbitrary numerical information is defined in this block. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 1, the state which paralleled four blocks (in the thick line border) of the dot pattern 1 is shown. However, of course, the dot pattern 1 is not limited to four blocks.

One information and program corresponding to one block may be output to one block, or one information and program corresponding to one block may be output to a plurality of blocks.

The grid dot 4 corrects the distortion of the camera lens, the imaging in the oblique direction, the stretching of the paper, the curvature of the media surface, and the distortion during printing when the dot pattern 1 is stored as image data by the camera. can do. Specifically, a correction function (Xn, Yn) = f (X'n, Y'n) for converting the distorted four grid dots 4 to the original square is obtained, and the information dot is corrected by the same function. The correct vector of information dots 3 is obtained.

When the lattice dot 4 is placed in the dot pattern 1, the image data stored in the dot pattern 1 by the camera corrects the distortion caused by the camera. When storing image data of the raw dot pattern 1, it can be recognized correctly. In addition, even when the camera is tilted and read with respect to the surface of the dot pattern 1, the dot pattern 1 can be recognized correctly.

As shown in Fig. 1, the key dot 2 is a dot in which one lattice dot 4 located at a substantially center position of the grid dot 4 arranged in a quadrangular shape is moved in a predetermined direction and arranged. to be. The key dot 2 is a representative point of the dot pattern 1 for one block representing the information dot 3. For example, the grid | lattice dot 4 of the block center of the dot pattern 1 is moved 0.2 mm upwards. In the case where the information dot 3 represents X and Y coordinate values, the position where the key dot 2 has been moved 0.2 mm downward is used as the coordinate point. However, this numerical value is not limited to this, and may vary depending on the magnitude of the block of the dot pattern 1.

The information dot 3 is a dot which recognizes various information. The information dot 3 has the key dot 2 as a representative point, is disposed around the center of the information dot 3, and is a virtual point at the center surrounded by the four grid dots 4 as a virtual point. It is placed at the end point expressed by vector). For example, this information dot 3 is surrounded by the lattice dot 4, and as shown in FIG. 2, since the dot 0.2 mm away from the imaginary point has the direction and length represented by a vector, it is a clockwise direction. Rotate in 45-degree increments and arrange in eight directions to represent three bits. Therefore, 3 bits x 16 pieces = 48 bits can be represented by the dot pattern 1 of 1 block.

In the illustrated example, three bits are expressed in eight directions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and four bits can be expressed in sixteen directions and can be changed in various ways.

The diameter of the dot of the key dot 2, the information dot 3 or the lattice dot 4 is preferably about 0.1 mm in consideration of the degree of printing on appearance and geology, the resolution of the camera, and the optimal digitization.

In addition, in consideration of the necessary amount of information on the imaging area and the misunderstanding of various dots 2, 3, and 4, the interval between the lattice dots 4 is preferably about 1 mm vertically and horizontally. In consideration of the misunderstanding between the lattice dots 4 and the information dots 3, the deviation degree of the key dots 2 is preferably about 20% of the lattice spacing.

As for the space | interval of the information dot 3 and the virtual point surrounded by four grid dots 4, the space | interval of about 15 to 30% of the distance between adjacent virtual points is preferable. This is because when the distance between the information dot 3 and the virtual point is farther than this distance, the dots are easily recognized as large chunks, and the dot pattern 1 is difficult to see. On the contrary, when the distance between the information dot 3 and an imaginary point is closer than this space | interval, it will become difficult to recognize it as the information dot 3 which has vector orientation centering about any adjacent virtual point.

For example, the information dot 3, as shown in Figure 3 (a), the lattice spacing placing the I ₁₆ I ₁ from the clockwise direction around the key dot 2 is a 1㎜, 4㎜ × 3 bits x 16 = 48 bits are represented by 4 mm.

In a block, sub-blocks having individual independent information contents and not affected by other information contents can be installed again. FIG. 3 (b) shows this and shows a sub block composed of four information dots [I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ , I ₄ ], [I ₅ , I ₆ , I ₇ , I ₈ ], [I ₉ , I ₁₀ , I ₁₁ , I ₁₂ ], [I ₁₃ , I ₁₄ , I ₁₅ , I ₁₆ ], [I ₁₇ , I ₁₈ , I ₁₉ , I ₂₀ , I ₂₁ , I ₂₂ , I ₂₃ , I ₂₄ , I ₂₅ ] are such that independent data (3 bits x 4 = 12 bits) is developed in the information dot. By providing the subblocks in this way, error checking can be easily performed in units of subblocks.

It is preferable to determine the vector direction (rotation direction) of the information dot 3 uniformly every 30 degrees-90 degrees.

4 shows another form as an example of the bit display of information dots and data defined therein.

In addition, when two types of long and short are used from the imaginary point surrounded by the lattice dot 4 with respect to the information dot 3, four bits can be represented when a vector direction is made into eight directions. At this time, the longer side is preferably about 25 to 30% of the distance between adjacent virtual points, and the shorter side is about 15 to 20%. However, it is preferable that the center spacing of the long and short information dots 3 is longer than the diameter of these dots.

As for the information dot 3 surrounded by four grid dots 4, one dot is preferable in consideration of an external appearance. However, when disregarding the appearance and wanting to increase the amount of information, a large amount of information can be obtained by allocating one bit for each vector and expressing the information dot 3 in a plurality of dots. For example, in the vector in the concentric eight direction, 28 information can be expressed in the information dot 3 surrounded by four lattice dots 4, and 16 information dots of one block become 2 ¹²⁸ .

5 is an example of displaying bits of information dots and data defined therein, (a) shows two dots, (b) shows four dots, and (c) shows five dots.

Fig. 6 shows a modification of the dot pattern, in which (a) is arranged 6 information dots, (b) is arranged 9 information dots, (c) is arranged 12 information dots, and (d) is information. A schematic diagram of the arrangement of 36 dots.

The dot pattern 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 has shown the example which arrange | positioned the information dot 3 of 16 (4x4) in 1 block. However, this information dot 3 is not limited to being arranged 16 in one block, and can be changed in various ways. For example, depending on the size of the required information or the resolution of the camera, six (2x3) information dots 3 are arranged in one block (a), and the information dots 3 are arranged in one block 9 (3) 3 (3 x 3) pieces (b), 12 (3 x 4) information dots (3) arranged in one block (c) and 36 (6 x) information dots (3) in one block 6) There is an arrangement (d).

(Explanation of dot pattern: GRID2)

Next, the basic principle of GRID2 dot pattern is demonstrated using FIG. GRID2 is an arrangement algorithm of dots using the difference method.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the grid lines y1 to y7 and x1 to x5 are assumed at predetermined intervals in the xy direction. The intersection of these grid lines is called a grid point. In this embodiment, one block surrounded by four grid points is a minimum block (1 grid), and four blocks (4 grids) are formed in the xy direction, that is, 4x4 = 16 blocks (16 grids) are one information block. . It is needless to say that the unit of this information block is 16 blocks as an example, and it is possible to form an information block with an arbitrary number of blocks as an example.

Therefore, the four corners constituting the rectangular area of the information block are the corner dots (x1y1, x1y5, x5y1, x5y5) (dots enclosed in a circle in the figure). These four corner dots coincide with grid points.

In this way, by discovering four corner dots that coincide with the lattice points, the information block can be recognized. However, even if the information block is recognized only by this corner dot, its direction cannot be known. For example, if the direction of the information block cannot be recognized, even if the same information block is scanned by rotating the rotated ± 90 or 180 degrees, the information becomes completely different information.

Therefore, vector dots (key dots) are arranged at grid points in the information block rectangular area or in the adjacent rectangular area. In the figure, a dot (x0y3) enclosed by a triangle corresponds to this, and a key dot (vector dot) is disposed at the first lattice point vertically above the lattice line midpoint constituting the upper side of the information block. Similarly, the key dot of the information block is disposed below the first grid point x4y3 above the grid line mid-point vertical in the information block.

In this embodiment, the distance between grids was set to 0.25 mm. Therefore, one side of the information block is 0.25 mm x 4 grid = 1 mm. This area is 1 mm x 1 mm = 1 mm 2. 14 bits of information can be stored within this range. If two bits are used as control data, 12 bits of information can be stored. As an example, the distance between grids (grid-to-grid) is 0.25 mm, for example, you may change it freely in the range exceeding 0.25-0.5 mm, for example.

In GRID2, every other information dot is arrange | positioned in the position moved to the x direction and the y direction from a grid point. The diameter of the information dot is preferably more than 0.03 to 0.05 mm, and the amount of deviation from the lattice point is preferably about 15 to 25% of the distance between the lattice points. Although this deviation amount may not necessarily be the range as an example, in general, when the deviation amount is larger than 25%, the dot pattern tends to be easily expressed by the naked eye.

That is, since the shift | offset | difference direction from a grid | lattice point becomes the shift | offset | difference of up-down (y-direction) and the shift | offset to the left-right (x-direction) alternately, the uneven distribution of the arrangement distribution of a dot disappears, ) And the shape is not visible, and the aesthetics of the printed paper is maintained.

By employing such an arrangement principle, every other information dot is necessarily arranged on a lattice line in the y direction (see FIG. 8). This means that when reading a dot pattern, every other grid pattern should be found on a straight line in the y-direction or x-direction, thereby simplifying and speeding up the calculation algorithm in the information processing apparatus at the time of recognition. There is this.

For example, when the dot pattern is deformed due to the curvature of the ground, the grid line may not be exactly a straight line. However, since it is a gentle curve approximating the straight line, the grid line is relatively easy to find. The algorithm can be said to be strong against misalignment and distortion of the reading optical system.

9 illustrates the meaning of the information dots. In the figure, + denotes a lattice point and? Denotes a dot (information dot). 0 is the case where the information dot is arranged in the -y direction with respect to the lattice point, and 1 is the case where the information dot is arranged in the + y direction. The case where the information dot is arranged in the -x direction with respect to the grid point is 0, + x direction. The case where the information dot is arrange | positioned as 1 is set to 1.

Next, the arrangement state of the information dot and the read algorithm will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the information dot 1 (hereinafter referred to as the information dot 1) in the original means "1" because it is shifted in the + x direction from the lattice point x2y1. In addition, the information dot 2 (the number in a circle in the figure) means "1" because it shifts in the + y direction than the lattice point x3y1, and the information dot 3 (the number in a circle in the figure) is a lattice point. Since it is shifted in the -x direction from (x4y1), "0", the information dot 4 (the number in the circle in the figure) means "0", and the information dot 5 means "0".

In the case of the dot pattern shown in FIG. 10, the information dots 1-17 become the following values.

(1) = 1

(2) = 1

(3) = 0

(4) = 0

(5) = 0

(6) = 1

(7) = 0

(8) = 1

(9) = 0

(10) = 1

(11) = 1

(12) = 0

(13) = 0

(14) = 0

(15) = 0

(16) = 1

(17) = 1

In the present embodiment, the information bits are calculated by using an information acquisition algorithm by the difference method described below. However, the information dots may be output as they are as information bits. It is also possible to calculate the true value by arithmetic processing the value of the security table described later with respect to this information bit.

Next, the information acquisition method which applied the difference method based on the dot pattern of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

In addition, in description of this embodiment, the number enclosed by () means the number enclosed in circles in the figure (number with a circle), and the number enclosed in [] means the number enclosed in the square shape in the figure.

In this embodiment, the value of each of 14 bits in the information block is represented by the difference of adjacent information dots. For example, the first bit is obtained by the difference from the information dot 5 at the position of +1 lattice in the x direction with respect to the information dot 1. That is, it becomes [1] = (5)-(1). Since the information dot 5 means "0" and the information dot 1 means "1", the 1st bit [1] means 0-1, ie, "1". Similarly, the second bit [2] is represented by [2] = (6)-(2) and the third bit [3] = (7)-(3). The first to third bits are as follows.

On the other hand, with respect to the following differential equation 1, the value is to take the absolute value.

[1] = (5)-(1) = 0-1 = 1

[2] = (6)-(2) = 1-1 = 0

[3] = (7)-(3) = 0-0 = 0

Next, the fourth bit [4] is obtained by the difference between the information dot 8 and the information dot 5 located directly below the vector dot. Therefore, the fourth bit [4] to the sixth bit [6] take the difference from the value of the information dot at the position of one lattice in the + x direction and one lattice in the + y direction.

In this way, the 4th bit [4]-the 6th bit [6] can be calculated | required by following formula (2).

[4] = (8)-(5) = 1-0 = 1

[5] = (9)-(6) = 0-1 = 1

[6] = (10)-(7) = 1-0 = 1

Next, for the seventh bit [7] to the ninth bit [9], the difference between the value and the information bit at one lattice position in the -y direction is taken by one lattice in the + x direction.

In this way, the seventh bit [7] to the ninth bit [9] can be obtained by the following expression (3).

[7] = (12)-(8) = 0-1 = 1

[8] = (13)-(9) = 0-0 = 0

[9] = (14)-(10) = 0-1 = 1

Next, with respect to the tenth bit [10] to the twelfth bit [12], the difference of the information dots at the position of one lattice in the + x direction is taken, and is expressed by Equation 4 below.

[10] = (15)-(12) = 0-0 = 0

[11] = (16)-(13) = 1-0 = 1

[12] = (17)-(14) = 1-0 = 1

Finally, the thirteenth bit [13] and the fourteenth bit [14] take the difference from the information dot at the position of +1 and -1 lattice in the x direction with respect to the information dot 8, respectively. Obtained as in Equation 5.

[13] = (8)-(4) = 1-0 = 1

[14] = (11)-(8) = 1-1 = 0

On the other hand, although the 1st bit [1]-the 14th bit [14] may be employ | adopted as read data as a true value, in order to ensure safety, the stability table corresponding to the said 14 bit is set, and it corresponds to each bit. The key parameters may be defined, and the true value may be obtained by adding, multiplying, and the like to the read data.

In this case, the true value T can be obtained from Tn = [n] + Kn (n: 1 to 14, Tn: true value, [n]: read value, and Kn: key parameter). The stability table storing such key parameters can be registered in the ROM in the optical reading device.

For example, in the stability table, if you set the following key parameters:

K ₁ = 0

K ₂ = 0

K ₃ = 1

K ₄ = 0

K ₅ = 1

K ₆ = 1

K ₇ = 0

K ₈ = 1

K ₉ = 1

K ₁₀ = 0

K ₁₁ = 0

K ₁₂ = 0

K ₁₃ = 1

K ₁₄ = 1

The true values T ₁ to T ₁₄ can be obtained as shown in Equation 6 below.

T ₁ = [1] + K ₁ = 1 + 0 = 1

T ₂ = [2] + K ₂ = 0 + 0 = 0

T ₃ = [3] + K ₃ = 0 + 1 = 1

T ₄ = [4] + K ₄ = 1 + 0 = 1

T ₅ = [5] + K ₅ = 1 + 1 = 0

T ₆ = [6] + K ₆ = 1 + 1 = 0

T ₇ = [7] + K ₇ = 1 + 0 = 1

T ₈ = [8] + K ₈ = 0 + 1 = 1

T ₉ = [9] + K ₉ = 1 + 1 = 0

T ₁₀ = [10] + K ₁₀ = 0 + 0 = 0

T ₁₁ = [11] + K ₁₁ = 1 + 0 = 1

T ₁₂ = [12] + K ₁₂ = 1 + 0 = 1

T ₁₃ = [13] + K ₁₃ = 1 + 1 = 0

T ₁₄ = [14] + K ₁₄ = 0 + 1 = 1

11 shows correspondence between the information bits described above, the stability table, and the true value.

On the other hand, in the above, the case where the information bit is obtained from the information dot and the true value is obtained by referring to the stability table has been described. In contrast, when the dot pattern is generated from the true value, the value [n] of the nth bit is [n]. ] = T _n -K _n can be obtained.

As an example, when T ₁ = 1, T ₂ = 0, and T ₃ = 1, the first bits [1] to the third bit [3] are obtained by the following equation.

[1] = 1-0 = 1

[2] = 0-0 = 0

[3] = 1-1 = 0

Here, the 1st bit [1]-the 3rd bit [3] are represented by the following differential equation (8).

[1] = (5)-(1)

[2] = (6)-(2)

[3] = (7)-(3)

Here, by giving initial values of (1) = 1, (2) = 1, and (3) = 0, dots 5 to 7 can be obtained as shown in Equation 9 below.

(5) = (1) + [1] = 1 + 1 = 0

(6) = (2) + [2] = 1 + 0 = 1

(7) = (3) + [3] = 0 + 0 = 0

Although the following description is abbreviate | omitted, the value of the dots 8-14 can also be calculated | required similarly, What is necessary is just to arrange | position a dot based on this value.

On the other hand, the initial values of the dots 1 to 3 are arbitrary random numbers (0 or 1).

That is, by adding the values of the information bits [1] to [3] to the assigned initial dots 1 to 3, the values of the dots 5 to 7 arranged in the next y-direction grid lines are determined. You can get it. Similarly, the values of the dots 8 to 10 can be obtained by adding the values of the information bits [4] to [6] to the values of the dots 5 to 7. In addition, the values of the dots 12 to 14 can be obtained by adding the values of the information bits [7] to [9] to these. In addition, the values of the dots 15 to 17 can be obtained by adding the values of the information bits [10] to [12].

The dots 4 and 11 can be obtained by subtracting the information bits 13 and adding the information bits 14 based on the dots 8 calculated above.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the arrangement of dots on the grid line yn is determined based on the arrangement of dots on the grid line y (n-1), and the information dot arrangement of the entire information is determined by sequentially repeating the arrangement.

(Explanation of dot pattern: GRID3)

Next, GRID3 will be described.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the dot pattern of this invention. 13 is an enlarged view showing an example of information dots of a dot pattern and data bit display defined therein. 14A, 14B, and 14C are explanatory diagrams showing an arrangement state of key dots and information dots.

The information input / output method using the dot pattern of this invention is comprised by the recognition of the dot pattern 1, and the means which outputs information and a program from this dot pattern 1. That is, the dot pattern 1 is stored as image data by the camera, first, the reference grid point dot is extracted, and then the dot is not arranged at the position where the reference grid point dot originally exists. (Digital corners of the four corners of the block), and then by extracting the information dot (3) to digitize to extract the information area to digitize the information, the information from the dot pattern (1) by the numerical information And output the program.

For example, the dot pattern 1 outputs information such as voice or a program to an information output device, a PC, a PDA or a mobile phone.

In the generation of the dot pattern 1 of the present invention, a fine dot, that is, a key dot 2, an information dot 3, and a lattice dot 4 is predetermined in order to recognize information such as voice by a dot code generation algorithm. Arrange according to the rules. As shown in FIG. 12, the block of the dot pattern 1 which shows information arrange | positions the 5 * 5 lattice dot 4 centering on the key dot 2, and is surrounded by the four grid dots 4 The information dot 3 is arrange | positioned around the virtual point of center. Arbitrary numerical information is defined in this block. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the state which paralleled four blocks (in the thick line border) of the dot pattern 1 is shown. However, of course, the dot pattern 1 is not limited to four blocks.

One corresponding information and program can be output to one block, or one corresponding information and program can be output to a plurality of blocks.

The grid dot 4 can correct the distortion of the camera lens, oblique imaging, the stretching of the paper, the curvature of the media surface, and the distortion during printing when the dot pattern 1 is stored by the camera as image data. Specifically, a function for correction (X _n , Y _n ) = f (X ′ _n , Y ′ _n ) for converting the distorted four grid dots 4 to the original square is obtained and the information dot is obtained by the same function. By correcting, a vector of the correct information dot 3 is obtained.

When the lattice dot 4 is placed on the dot pattern 1, the image data stored in the dot pattern 1 by the camera corrects the distortion caused by the camera. It is also possible to accurately recognize when storing the image data of the dot pattern 1. In addition, even when the camera is tilted and read with respect to the surface of the dot pattern 1, the dot pattern 1 can be recognized correctly.

As shown in FIG. 12, the key dot 2 is the dot which diagonally arrange | positioned the one grid dot 4 located in the substantially center position of the grid dot 4 arrange | positioned at square shape in the fixed direction. This key dot 2 is a representative point of the dot pattern 1 which is one block representing the information dot 3. For example, the grid | lattice dot 4 of the block center of the dot pattern 1 is moved 0.2 mm upwards. In the case where the information dot 3 represents X and Y coordinate values, the position where the key dot 2 has been moved 0.2 mm downward is used as the coordinate point. However, the numerical value is not limited to this and can vary depending on the size of the blocks of the dot pattern 1.

The information dot 3 is a dot which recognizes various kinds of information. The information dot 3 has the key dot 2 as a representative point, is disposed around the center of the information dot 3, and a virtual point is formed at the center surrounded by the four grid dots 4 as a virtual point. It is placed at the end point expressed by. For example, this information dot 3 is surrounded by the lattice dot 4, and as shown in FIG. 13, since the dot 0.2 mm away from the imaginary point has the direction and length represented by a vector, it is a clock. 3 bits are represented by rotating in 45 degrees in the direction and arranged in 8 directions. Therefore, 3 bits x 16 pieces = 48 bits can be expressed by the dot pattern 1 of 1 block.

In the illustrated example, three bits are expressed in eight directions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and four bits may be expressed in sixteen directions and various modifications may be made.

The dot diameter of the key dot 2, the information dot 3, or the lattice dot 4 is preferably about 0.1 mm in consideration of the degree of printing on appearance and geology, the resolution of the camera, and optimal digitization.

In addition, in consideration of the necessary amount of information on the imaging area and the misunderstanding of various dots 2, 3, and 4, the interval between the lattice dots 4 is preferably about 1 mm vertically and horizontally. In consideration of the misunderstanding between the lattice dots 4 and the information dots 3, the deviation of the key dots 2 is preferably about 20% of the lattice spacing.

It is preferable that the space | interval of this information dot 3 and the virtual point enclosed by four grid dots 4 is 15 to 30% of the distance between the adjacent virtual points. This is because when the distance between the information dot 3 and the imaginary point is farther than this distance, the dots are easily visually recognized as large chunks and are difficult to see as the dot pattern 1. On the contrary, when the distance between the information dot 3 and the virtual point is closer than this distance, it becomes difficult to recognize whether it is the information dot 3 which has vector directionality centering on which adjacent virtual point.

For example, the information dot 3 is, as shown in Fig. 14 (a), the lattice spacing to position I ₁₆ I ₁ from the clockwise direction around the key dot 2 is a 1㎜, 4㎜ × 3 bits x 16 = 48 bits are represented by 4 mm.

On the other hand, in the block, sub-blocks each having independent information contents and not affected by other information contents can be further provided. FIG. 14 (b) shows this and shows a sub block composed of four information dots [I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ , I ₄ ], [I ₅ , I ₆ , I ₇ , I ₈ ], [I ₉ , I ₁₀ , I ₁₁ , I ₁₂ ] and [I ₁₃ , I ₁₄ , I ₁₅ , I ₁₆ ] each have independent data (3 bits x 4 = 12 bits) developed into information dots. By providing the subblocks in this way, error checking can be easily performed in subblock units.

It is preferable to determine the vector direction (rotation direction) of the information dot 3 uniformly every 30 degrees-90 degrees.

15 is an example of bit display of information dots and data defined therein, and shows another form.

In addition, when the vector direction is set to eight directions using two types of long and short from the virtual point surrounded by the lattice dots 4 with respect to the information dot 3, four bits can be expressed. At this time, the longer side is preferably about 25 to 30% of the distance between adjacent virtual points, and the shorter side is about 15 to 20%. However, it is preferable that the center spacing of the long and short information dots 3 is longer than the diameter of these dots.

The information dot 3 surrounded by the four grid dots 4 is preferably one dot in view of appearance. However, when disregarding the appearance and wanting to increase the amount of information, a large amount of information can be obtained by allocating one bit for each vector and expressing the information dot 3 in a plurality of dots. For example, in the vector in the concentric eight direction, information ^{8 8} can be represented by the information dot 3 surrounded by four grid dots 4, and it becomes 2 ¹²⁸ as 16 information dots of one block.

Fig. 16 shows an example of an information dot and bit display of data defined therein, (a) two dots, (b) four dots, (c) to (e) five dots, ( f) shows the arrangement of seven dots.

The dot pattern 1 shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 has shown the example which arrange | positioned 16 (4x4) information dot 3 in 1 block. However, this information dot 3 is not limited to being arranged 16 in one block, and can be changed in various ways. For example, depending on the size of the required information or the resolution of the camera, six (2x3) information dots 3 are arranged in one block (a), and the information dots 3 are arranged in one block 9 (3) three (3) three information dots (3) arranged in one block, or 36 information dots (3) arranged in one block (6) X6) It is arrange | positioned (d).

(Explanation of dot pattern: GRID4)

Fig. 17 specifically shows a dot pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a 4 × 4 grid, (b) shows a 5 × 4 grid, and (c) shows a dot pattern of 6 × 4 grid. .

In the same figure (a), first, reference grid lines 5a to 5d in the vertical and horizontal directions constituting a rectangle are set, and virtual grid points 6 are arranged in the rectangle at predetermined intervals.

On the other hand, the reference grid lines 5a to 5d and the virtual grid points 6 are not actually printed on the paper surface (media surface), but only when the dot pattern is disposed on the image memory of the computer, or It is set virtually when reading the dot pattern.

Next, the reference grid point dots 7 are disposed on the virtual grid points 6 on the reference grid lines 5a and 5b in the vertical direction.

Next, the grid lines 8 in the longitudinal and horizontal directions that tie the virtual grid points 6 to each other are assumed, and the intersections of the grid lines 8 are set to the virtual grid points 6 in a similar manner.

Next, one or two or more information dots 3 having a distance and a direction based on the virtual lattice points 6 are arranged for each virtual lattice point 6 to generate a dot pattern. In FIG. 17, one information dot 3 is arranged for each virtual lattice point 6.

17A described above shows information grids arranged in four units in the longitudinal direction and four units in the transverse direction (4 × 4 grid), while the same degree of movement (b) is 5 × 4 grid, ( c) represents 6x4 grids, respectively.

Fig. 18 shows the definition of the information dots, which define values in the direction of the information dots around the virtual lattice points 6. In the same drawing, information dots are arranged in eight directions by 45 degrees clockwise with respect to the grid line 8 passing through the virtual grid point 6, so that eight kinds of information (000 to 111, three bits in binary) are obtained. You can define it.

In addition, in FIG. 19, 16 types of information (0000-1111, 4 bits) can be defined in total by adding two steps of distance in the direction.

FIG. 20 illustrates a case where a plurality of information dots 3 are arranged on a concentric circle around a virtual grid point 6, and 8 bits are defined by defining 1 as a case where there is a dot at this position and 0 when there is no dot. That is, the bit information can be defined in the clockwise direction with the dot located in the vertical direction as the first bit.

21 shows two concentric circles, which can define 16 bits. In this way, a vast amount of information can be defined for one virtual lattice point 6.

Fig. 22 is a diagram for explaining the reading order of information dots in the optical reading means. The circled numbers in the figure are convenient and actually become dot patterns shown in Figs. 17A to 17C.

In the same figure (a), first, the information dot 3 for every virtual grid point 6 is read in the longitudinal direction along the reference grid line 5c in the left longitudinal direction (numbers 1 to 3 with circles). )), The grid points on the next longitudinal grid line 8 are read in order from the top (numbers (4) to (6) with circles). In this way, reading is performed for each lattice point sequentially.

In the above description, the reading order for each lattice is in order from the left of the longitudinal lattice line, but the lattice order for arranging and reading information may be arbitrarily set.

(Shape of block connection)

23-39 have demonstrated the connection shape of the block in which the dot pattern was formed.

Although these figures, especially connection information, are shown typically for convenience of explanation, the connection information is actually formed in a dot pattern.

(Block connection data spiral)

In Fig. 23, the connection information is composed of first connection information (number on the upper left of the block) and second connection information (number on the lower left of the block).

Here, the first linking information means the sequence of reading order of the block, and the second linking information means the total number of blocks to be read. Therefore, the same figure (a) means the case where all the number of blocks is one, and the dot pattern to read by only this one block is completed.

In addition, the same figure (b) means reading the block of (2) (number 2 of a circle in a figure), and the block of (1) (number 1 of a circle in a figure) as 2 total blocks. The same figure (c) shows (1), (2), (3) and the thing which gathered one piece of information into a dummy block [a block group], but it read it by the optical reading means for the first time. The block is a dummy block, and the dummy block is read from each block in a spiral of (3)-(2)-(1) from the viewpoint.

Here, the dummy block is a block in which meaningful information as a dot pattern is not stored. The dummy block can be registered without changing the quadrangle formed by the block group by arranging one or two or more dummy blocks in the block group. It is possible to have a degree of freedom in the amount of information. In this dummy block, the value of the first connection information and the value of the second connection information are replaced. That is, the first connection information means the total number of blocks, and the second connection information is the difference between the first connection information and the rank of the dummy block. Therefore, in the case where the first connection information is smaller than or equal to the second connection information, it is a block in which ordinary information is stored, and in the case where the first connection information is larger than the second connection information, it is a dummy. It can be seen that it is a block.

By inserting such a dummy block, the block group which stores the series of information can be arranged in a square shape, and the reading efficiency of the optical reading means can be improved.

[0106] Furthermore, if only one block is considered, the information by the dot pattern to be stored has a fixed length, but information of variable length can be handled by connecting a plurality of blocks using the connection information.

When the dummy block is read as shown in FIG. 23 (c), since the first connection information (here “2”) is larger than the second connection information (here “1”), the central processing of the optical reading means is performed. The apparatus determines that the block is a dummy block based on the program. Next, since the number of blocks +1 to the value of the first connection information is the total number of blocks, it can be seen that this block group is composed of three blocks. Therefore, a block ranking table for reading three blocks into the memory of the optical reading means is generated.

Therefore, the block is read after the dummy block until all of the read flags corresponding to the block ranks become "1" in the order of (3)-(2)-(1). In this manner, even when reading is started from the dummy block as shown in Fig. (C), all necessary blocks can be read out by the block ranking table based on the connection information.

The same applies to the dummy block (e).

40 shows the change of the block ranking table provided in the optical reading means with respect to the reading procedure described above.

As shown in the figure, the read start block by the optical read means is a second block (2). The optical reading means reads the block 2, and generates a block ranking table in which four read flags having a block rank of 0 to 3 can be set from the second connection information of "3". In the generation step of the ranking table, all read flags are set to "0".

Next, since the first connection information of the read start block is "2", the flag of the block ranking "2" of the ranking table is updated to "1".

Next, the optical reading means reads the block 3 at the position moved by +1 block in the x direction. Since the first connection information is "3", this block 3 sets the read flag of the block ranking "3" in the ranking table (updates to "1").

Next, the optical reading means reads the block 0 at the position moved by -1 block in the y direction. Since the first connection information is "0" in this block (0), the read flag of the block ranking "0" in the ranking table is set (updated to "1").

The optical reading means reads the block 1 at the position moved by -1 block in the x direction. Since the first connection information is "1", this block 1 sets the read flag of the block rank "1" in the ranking table (updates to "1").

If all of the read flags in the block ranking table are "1", all the blocks constituting the block group, which means the theorem as information, are read. Therefore, reading by the optical reading means is terminated.

Fig. 23 (e) shows the block in the order of (5)? (2)? (1)? (3)? Inject (주사) to go out. At this time, it can be seen that the total number of blocks storing information is five from the read result of the dummy block and the block connection information of (5). Thus, five tables are generated in the memory of the optical reading means. And when reading a block, based on the connection information, the flag of the corresponding table in which the block sequence order is generated is determined, and it is judged that all the necessary blocks have been read when all the flags are established, and the read data for each block ( Dot pattern) in the order of the sequence, and outputs audio information, text information, program, image information, moving image information, and the like corresponding thereto.

24A shows an example in which two dummy blocks are arranged, one in (b), two in (d) and one in (e).

FIG. 25A shows a block structure in which three blocks are dummy blocks among 4x4 = 16 blocks, and the remaining 13 blocks are significant.

In addition, the same figure (b) is a block structure which made two blocks out of 16 blocks into a dummy block, and has significance to the remaining 14 blocks.

Similarly, FIG. 26A shows a block structure in which one block is a dummy block among the 16 blocks, and the remaining 15 blocks have significance.

In addition, the diagram (b) is a block structure in which information is stored in all 16 blocks to have significance.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the data stored as the dot pattern can be variable length by connecting the blocks based on the connection information although they are fixed in one block. In addition, by inserting the dummy blocks, a group of blocks grouped together can be formed into a square or a free shape.

(Description of the Block Connection Data Scan Method)

27 to 28 illustrate a block connection data scanning method.

Here, as shown to Fig.27 (a), the block is connected by the band in the horizontal direction in the longitudinal direction, and the block group connected in this way is arrange | positioned three steps.

In addition, Fig. 27 (b) is connected in a lengthwise direction while being connected by two blocks in the width direction, and the final block of the connection is a dummy block.

FIG. 27 (c) shows three blocks connected in the width direction and connected in the long direction in a band shape, and the last two blocks of the connection are dummy blocks.

By the optical reading means, the number of blocks in the width direction is obtained from the difference from the reading order of the left and right data blocks. In other words, an arbitrary width block group can be read.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a reading range in the case of reading the band-shaped block connection group by the optical reading means. FIG.

FIG. 28A shows an example of reading a block group in which a block 4 is connected in a band with a read point while reading connection information. The optical reading apparatus sequentially reads a group of blocks connected in a band shape, and reads second connection information of the first block 4 to generate a block ranking table (here, 6 blocks), and Afterwards, the read flag is set (updated to "1") based on the first connection information by sequentially reading the blocks in the strip-shaped direction. The read of the block group is completed with all read flags of the block rank table set. At this time, the central processing unit (not shown) of the optical reading means monitors the read flag state of the block ranking table in accordance with the program, and generates a sound or LED display light in a state where all read flags are set ("1"). The scan end signal may be output.

FIG. 28 (b) shows an example of scanning a band-shaped block group in a strip-like direction in two steps, and FIG.

29 to 39 show examples of block reading based on the block connection data search method.

In FIG. 29, three pieces of connection information are used as first connection information, second connection information, and third connection information, respectively. In this example, the first connection information at the top is defined as a method of connecting blocks in the up and down direction, the second connection information at the middle is defined as a method of connecting blocks in the left and right directions, and the third connection information at the bottom is The block connection number is shown. The first connection information means that "0" has no connection, "1" is connected above, "2" is connected below, and "3" is connected upward and downward.

On the other hand, the figure shows a case where information is completed in a single block, and all of the first to third connection information are “0”.

30-39 is a specific example which reads the block provided with such three connection information.

First, in FIG. 30A, the optical reading means reads the block 2. Then, the connection information of this block 2 is read out. In this case, since the first connection information is "0", the second connection information is "2", and the third connection information is "1", the corresponding block 2 is not connected in the up and down direction, but is connected to the left side. It can be seen that the second rank in the group (the third connection information is "1" but "0" is "2" since "0" is the initial value). The optical reading means first reads the dot pattern of the block 2, and then reads the dot pattern of the block 1 on the left side based on the second connection information. In this block 1, since the first connection information is "0", the second connection information is "1", and the third connection information is "0", the block 1 is not connected in the up and down direction, but to the right. It is connected and it can be seen that the first rank among the block group (the third connection information is “0” since the initial value is “0”). Here, since the optical reading means reads out all the blocks connected with the block 2 as a starting point, the reading of the block group is completed.

Similarly in Fig. 30 (b), the block 1 in the upward direction and the block 3 in the right direction are read from the block 2 as a starting point. In other words, even in this example, the block 2 is connected from the upper side and the right side from the connection information (first connection information = "1", second connection information = "1"). Reading block. If it is determined that no more connected blocks exist from the connection information of the upper block 1 and the right block 3, the optical reading means reads all the blocks belonging to the block group and stores the memory. The dot pattern developed on the basis of the third link information of each block is digitized or coded to output an image, video, audio, text, program, or the like corresponding thereto.

FIG. 31A shows an example in which a total of four blocks are read as the block 1 at the time of reading, and FIG. 31B shows an example in which 5 blocks in total are read as the block 3 as the viewpoint block. 32 (a) shows an example of reading a total of six blocks using block 3 as a viewpoint block, and FIG. 32B shows an example of reading a total of seven blocks using block 4 as a viewpoint block. FIG. 33A shows an example of reading a total of eight blocks using the block 5 as a viewpoint block, and FIG. 33B illustrates an example of reading a total of nine blocks using the block 5 as a viewpoint block.

Similarly, Fig. 34 (a) shows 10, Fig. 11 (b) shows, Fig. 35 shows 12, Fig. 36 shows 13, Fig. 37 shows 14, Fig. 38 shows 15 and Fig. 39 shows 16 connected states. It shows the reading order of the block group.

As described above, according to the block connection data inspection method shown in FIGS. 29 to 39, if only up, down, left and right connections are secured, the blocks may be arranged. A group can be arrange | positioned, and the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of a block group becomes high.

(Specific example)

41 to 43 illustrate a dot pattern when blocks are connected by a direct scan method using a dot pattern by GRID1 (dot information definition algorithm explained in FIGS. 1 to 6).

This direct scan method reads each block sequentially when blocks are consecutive from right to left in the figure.

In FIG. 41 (a) and (b), the information dot is shown by the ○ mark for convenience. The symbol enclosed by the ○ mark, for example, “ ₁ | ₄ ” appears as ( ₁ | ₄ ). (A) and (b) shall be connected in the left-right direction in the same figure. Explanatory drawing shown in FIG. 41 is the dot pattern specifically shown in FIG. It goes without saying that the actual dot pattern is not provided with the grid lines in the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions in FIG. 43.

In the figure, the information dots of ( ₁ | ₃ ) and ( ₁ | ₄ ) represent the number of block connections, and ( ₁ | ₁ ) and ( ₁ | ₂ ) represent the block connection numbers. And ( ₁ | ₅ )-( ₁ | ₁₆ ) are the information dots in which information is stored.

As shown in Fig. 42, since the information dot of ( ₁ | ₄ ) is '001' and the information dot of ( ₁ | ₃ ) is '100', the upper two bits are combined to be '0010' and '2' in decimal. It means'. Therefore, it can be seen that the block connection number is '2', and the data is composed of two blocks.

The block connection number is set to '0000' as ( ₁ | ₂ ) and ( ₁ | ₁ ), and it is understood that the block composed of ( ₁ | ₁ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ) is the 0th block. .

In the step of reading ( ₁ | ₁ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ) as the optical reading means, the block connection number and the block connection number indicate that the block is the first block of the two connected blocks. The next block ( ₂ | ₁ ) to ( ₂ | ₁₆ ) is read.

44 to 46 illustrate dot patterns in the case where blocks are connected in a differential scanning method using dot patterns by GRID1.

In FIG. 44, when the blocks of ( ₁ | ₁ ¹¹ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ¹¹ ) are described as examples, information is defined by the difference between dots corresponding to adjacent blocks.

In other words, the number of block connections in the block is ( ₃ | ₁₆ ¹⁰ ) and ( ₃ | ₁₅ ¹⁰ ) which are the left side blocks of the main block and ( ₁ | ₄ ¹¹ ) and ( ₁ which are the main blocks as shown in FIG. are as defined ^₃₁₁₎ can be connected to the differential block and a '2' |. Similarly, the block connection number '0' is defined by the difference between ( ₃ | ₁₄ ¹⁰ ), ( ₁ | ₂ ¹¹ ), ( ₃ | ₁₃ ¹⁰ ), and ( ₁ | ₁ ¹¹ ).

In other words, it is understood that the blocks of ( ₁ | ₁ ¹¹ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ¹¹ ) are the 0th, that is, the first, blocks of data composed of two blocks.

In Figure 44 to Figure 46, a block ₍₁ | ₁ ¹¹⁾ is me read ~ ₍₁ | _16, ¹¹⁾ Next, the block ₍₂ | | ₁ ¹¹⁾ arranged to the right of - ₍₁₆ ¹¹ _2).

47 to 49 illustrate the dot pattern in the case where blocks are connected by the direct spiral method using the dot pattern by GRID1.

Here, FIG. 47 illustrates the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 48 illustrates the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 49 illustrates a specific dot pattern.

In this block concatenation method, the upper left block ( ₁ | ₁ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ) → the upper right block ( ₂ | ₁ ) to ( ₂ | ₁₆ ) → the lower right block ( ₃ | ₁ ) to ( ₃ | ₁₆ ) → The lower left block ( ₄ | ₁ ) ~ ( ₄ | ₁₆ ) is connected to the block in a spiral shape.

For example, in the upper left block ( ₁ | ₁ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ), ( ₁ | ₃ ) and ( ₁ | ₄ ), the number of block connections (3) is set to ( ₁ | ₁ ) and ( ₁ | _2). ) Means the block connection number (0th). Information is registered in ( ₁ | ₅ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ).

In addition, focusing on the block connection number of each block, the upper right block denotes the first (that is, the second) as ( ₂ | ₁ ) and ( ₂ | ₂ ), and the lower right block is ( ₃ | ₁ ) and ( ₃ |, which means it can be seen that the blocks in _{Fig. 2)} the third (that is, the 4-th) as | a second (i. e. 3-th), as the lower left block of _{2) (4} | ₁₎ and _(4.

50 to 52 illustrate the dot pattern when the blocks are connected by the differential spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID1.

Here, FIG. 50 has described the arrangement | positioning of each dot, FIG. 51 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 52 has shown the specific dot pattern.

Arrangement of each block is the same as the arrangement example shown in FIG. 47, such as upper left → upper right → lower right → lower left.

In addition, the dot reads the true value from the difference as described in FIG. 45 (see FIG. 51).

53 to 55 illustrate dot patterns when blocks are connected by the direct irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID1.

Here, FIG. 53 illustrates the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 54 illustrates the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 55 illustrates a specific dot pattern.

In the direct search method, a linking block number indicating a sequence number of blocks in a block and linking information of the next block are registered, and the linking block number and linking information define a relationship between blocks.

That is, for example, the blocks of ( ₁ | ₁ ¹¹ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ¹¹ ) are represented by dots in the areas of ( ₁ | ₄ ¹¹ ) and ( ₁ | ₃ ¹¹ ), and the connection information is ( may appear as dots in the region of _{1 to} ¹¹⁾ (see Fig. 54) | ₁ | ₂ ¹¹⁾ and _(1.

For the connection block number, the description thereof will be omitted in the same manner as the block connection number described with reference to FIG. 42 and the like.

The connection information is information indicating where the connections between blocks are located up, down, left, and right. For example, the value of the dot of ( ₁ | ₂ ¹¹ ) means the connection of right and left, and the value of the dot of ( ₁ | ₁ ¹¹ ) means the connection of up and down.

In Fig. 54, ( ₁ | ₂ ¹¹ ) is '00', which means that the block is not connected to the left and right directions. If '10' is connected to the block on the left, '01' is connected to the block on the right, and '11' means to connect to the left and right blocks.

In addition, ₍₁ | ₁ ^11), so in the '10' and means that are connected to the blocks below. If it is '00', it means that it is not connected to any of the upper and lower blocks. If it is '01', it means that it is connected to the above block.

As a result, it can be seen that the blocks at the upper left ( ₁ | ₁ ¹¹ ) to ( ₁ | ₁₆ ¹¹ ) are connected only to the lower block (the lower left block in the figure), and the lower left ( ₂ | ₁ ¹¹ ) to ( It can be seen that the blocks of ₂ | ₁₆ ^{11 are} connected to the upper block (the upper left block in the figure) and the right block (the lower right block in the figure).

Also, it can be seen that the blocks at the lower right ( ₃ | ₁ ¹¹ ) to ( ₃ | ₁₆ ¹¹ ) are connected only to the left block (the lower left block in the figure).

Thus, the link block number of each block shows that the upper left block is the 0th (first) block, the lower left block is the first (second), and the lower right block is the second (third) block.

56 to 58 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID1.

Here, FIG. 56 illustrates the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 57 illustrates the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 58 illustrates a specific dot pattern.

In this example, the connection block number and the connection information are defined according to the difference method. The value of the connection block number and connection information by each difference value is as showing in FIG.

59 to 61 illustrate a dot pattern in the case where block connection is defined by the differential irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID2 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 7 to 11).

Here, FIG. 59 illustrates the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 60 illustrates the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 61 illustrates a specific dot pattern.

59 (a) and (b) are connected drawings, but are divided for convenience of description. Since the direct scan method has been described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 43, it will be omitted.

62 to 64 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential scan method in the dot pattern by GRID2 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 7 to 11).

Here, Figs. 62 (a) and (b) illustrate the arrangement of each dot, Fig. 63 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and Fig. 64 shows the specific dot pattern.

Since the difference scanning method was demonstrated with FIGS. 44-46, it abbreviate | omits.

65 to 67 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the direct spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID2 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 7 to 11).

Here, FIG. 65 shows the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 66 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 67 shows the specific dot pattern.

Since the direct spiral method has been described with reference to FIGS. 47 to 49, it will be omitted.

68 to 70 illustrate the dot pattern in the case where the block connection is defined by the differential spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID2 (the dot algorithm described in FIGS. 7 to 11).

Here, FIG. 68 has described the arrangement | positioning of each dot, FIG. 69 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 70 has shown the specific dot pattern.

Since the difference spiral method was demonstrated in FIGS. 50-52, it abbreviate | omits.

FIG. 71 to FIG. 73 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the direct irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID2 (dot algorithm demonstrated in FIGS. 7-11).

Here, FIG. 71 shows the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 72 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 73 shows the specific dot pattern.

Since the direct irradiation method has been described with reference to FIGS. 53 to 55, it is omitted.

74 to 76 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID2 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 7 to 11).

Here, FIG. 74 illustrates the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 75 illustrates the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 76 illustrates a specific dot pattern.

Since the difference investigation method was demonstrated with FIGS. 56-58, it abbreviate | omits.

77 to 79 illustrate a dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the direct scan method in the dot pattern by GRID3 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 12 to 16).

77A and 77B show the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 78 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 79 shows a specific dot pattern.

80 to 82 illustrate the dot pattern in the case where the block connection is defined by the differential scan method in the dot pattern by GRID3 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 12 to 16).

80A and 80B illustrate the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 81 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding thereto, and FIG. 82 shows a specific dot pattern.

83 to 85 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the direct spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID3 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 12 to 16).

Here, FIG. 83 has described the arrangement | positioning of each dot, FIG. 84 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 85 has shown the specific dot pattern.

86 to 88 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID3 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 12 to 16).

Here, FIG. 86 has described the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 87 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 88 has shown the specific dot pattern.

89 to 93 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the direct irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID3 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 12 to 16).

89 shows arrangement of each dot, FIG. 92 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 93 shows a specific dot pattern.

90 has shown the meaning of the position of a dot and the connection direction of a block. 91 illustrates the arrangement of the blocks.

94 to 98 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID3 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 12 to 16).

Here, FIG. 94 has described the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 97 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 98 has shown the specific dot pattern.

95 has shown the meaning of the position of a dot and the connection direction of a block. 96 illustrates the arrangement of blocks.

99-101 have demonstrated the dot pattern in the case where block connection is defined by the direct scan method in the dot pattern by GRID4 (dot algorithm demonstrated in FIGS. 17-22).

Here, FIG. 99 has described the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 100 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 101 has shown the specific dot pattern.

102 to 104 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential scan method in the dot pattern by GRID4 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 17 to 22).

Here, FIG. 102 has described the arrangement | positioning of each dot, FIG. 103 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 104 has shown the specific dot pattern.

105 to 107 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the direct spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID4 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 17 to 22).

105 shows arrangement of each dot, FIG. 106 shows the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 107 shows the specific dot pattern.

108 to 110 illustrate the dot pattern when the block connection is defined by the differential spiral method in the dot pattern by GRID4 (dot algorithm described in FIGS. 17 to 22).

Here, FIG. 108 has described the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 109 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 110 has shown the specific dot pattern.

111-113 illustrate the dot pattern in the case where block connection is defined by the direct irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID4 (dot algorithm demonstrated by FIGS. 17-22).

Here, FIG. 111 has described the arrangement of each dot, FIG. 112 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 113 has shown the specific dot pattern.

114-116 illustrate the dot pattern in the case where block connection is defined by the differential irradiation method in the dot pattern by GRID4 (dot algorithm demonstrated in FIGS. 17-22).

Here, FIG. 114 has described the arrangement | positioning of each dot, FIG. 115 has shown the meaning of the dot corresponding to this, and FIG. 116 has shown the specific dot pattern.

The present invention can be used for a dot pattern in which information of variable length can be recorded.

Claims (12)

On the medium side of the printed matter, an arbitrary rectangular area is used as a block for defining information by dots, The blocks are continuously connected in any direction of up, down, left, and right to mean the arrangement of a series of information. While generating a dot pattern in which connection information for connecting the plurality of blocks is defined by dots in a predetermined area within the block, An information input / output method using a dot pattern which picks up the block group constituting the dot pattern by optical reading means and reproduces information from the captured data. The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to claim 1, wherein the connection information defines at least a connection order of blocks. The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to claim 2, wherein the connection information includes a total number of blocks connected. The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to claim 2, wherein the connection information includes a connection direction of a block. The dot block according to claim 1, wherein each block is arranged on the basis of the connection information, and the same block group is arranged at least two or more adjacently in the longitudinal direction. Information input / output method using pattern. The optical reading means according to claim 1, wherein the optical reading means reads out a predetermined block having at least the total number of blocks and the connection information in block order, Generating a read table in which the read flag corresponding to the block rank is set to the total number of blocks in the storage means of the optical read means, The optical reading means recognizes that the reading of the block group, which means the arrangement of a series of information, is completed by changing a flag of the reading table while reading a neighboring block around the predetermined block. Information input / output method using a dot pattern. The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to claim 1, wherein the group of blocks for arranging the series of information is arranged in a longitudinal direction in a band shape based on the connection information. The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to claim 7, wherein the block group is also arranged in a width direction based on the connection information. The dot group according to claim 8, wherein the block groups are connected in the band-like length direction while also connecting in the width direction based on the connection information, and the block groups are arranged in parallel. Information input and output method. 10. The optical reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the optical reading means reads at least connection information of a predetermined block, Generating a read table in which the read flag corresponding to the block rank is set to the total number of blocks in the storage means of the optical read means, The optical reading means reads the block in the band direction from the predetermined block as a starting point and changes the flag of the reading table until the reading of the block group, which means the arrangement of a series of information, is completed. And an instruction means for instructing said optical reading means for instructing a scanning operation in a band-like direction. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the blocks are irregularly connected in any direction of up, down, left, and right to mean a series of information, The connection direction and the connection order for each block are defined by the dot pattern in a predetermined area within the block as connection information. And the optical reading means instructs the user by reading means of the reading scanning direction when reading the connection information. The information input / output method using a dot pattern according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the blocks is a dummy block in which the dot pattern has no meaning.

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