TWI696955B - QR code - Google Patents

Abstract

Provide a two-dimensional code that can suppress code detection processing that is unnecessary for detection of a code area. In the outer edge (34) of the rectangular code area (31), plural kinds of lattices are arranged in a row, and the first edge portion (34a) is formed by repeatedly arranging two or more different lattices at least in the middle part The specific pattern (40) is formed; the second edge portion (34b) formed by arranging a plurality of kinds of lattices in a row to face the first edge portion (34a) is at least in the middle portion, repeating the above specific Pattern (40).

Description

QR code

The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code formed by arranging complex lattices in a matrix.

Previously, various two-dimensional codes formed by arranging complex lattices in a matrix were provided. A reading device (two-dimensional code reader) for reading such a two-dimensional code generally obtains the portrait data including the two-dimensional code, and then detects the area (code Area) analysis process, and the detected code area determines the coordinates of each grid based on the content of the image, determines the color of the grid based on the image information at each coordinate position, and performs decoding processing. As a technique for such a two-dimensional code, for example, a data matrix disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. [Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-152885

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

When reading the captured two-dimensional code, it is necessary to correctly detect the code area of the two-dimensional code occupied in the captured image and the coordinates of each grid. However, like the data matrix disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the edge portions arranged in a row in an L-shape using a dark grid and the edge portions arranged in a row in an L-shape in a manner in which a bright grid and a dark grid interact with each other, to When the structure of the rectangular code region is detected, the following problems may occur. For example, when the code area is detected from the captured image, even if the data matrix is not imaged, if the solid line portion of the linear area corresponding to the dark grids arranged in a row is imaged, there is a possibility that the data matrix is imaged, The detection process for detecting the code area is performed.

That is, when a two-dimensional code using a pattern for detecting a code region in which dark grids are arranged in a row as a pattern for detecting a code region is an object to be read, only a solid line part that is not related to the two-dimensional code is imaged , There will be more problems with the detection process to detect the code area. In addition, even if the two-dimensional code is imaged as described above, if the captured image includes an irrelevant solid line portion, there may be a case where detection processing for detecting the code area is performed based on the solid line portion. In particular, even if the solid line portion is L-shaped, it is highly likely to be included in the captured image by the edge portion of the display surface displaying the two-dimensional code and the frame line provided on the surface of the display surface, so it is likely to occur The aforementioned problem.

The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a two-dimensional code that can suppress code detection processing that is unnecessary for detection of a code area. [Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the aforementioned purpose, the invention described in claim 1 of the scope of patent application: A two-dimensional code is a two-dimensional code (30, 30a to 30e) formed by a plurality of kinds of lattices arranged in a rectangular code area (31) in a matrix form, characterized by: In the outer edge (34) of the code area, the first edge portion (34a) formed by arranging the plural types of lattices in a row is a specific pattern formed by repeatedly arranging two or more different lattices at least in the middle portion ( 40, 40a); the second edge portion (34b) formed by arranging the plural kinds of lattices in a row so as to face the first edge portion is formed by repeating the specific pattern at least in the middle portion . In addition, the symbols in the aforementioned brackets indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described below. [Effect of invention]

In the invention of claim 1, a first edge portion formed by arranging plural kinds of lattices in a row at the outer edge of the rectangular code area is formed by repeatedly arranging two or more different lattices at least in the middle portion A specific pattern; a second edge formed by arranging a plurality of types of lattices in a manner opposed to the first edge, at least in the middle, by repeating the aforementioned specific pattern.

In this way, the first edge portion and the second edge portion that are opposed to each other are constituted by the repetition of the specific pattern at least in the middle portion, so if two parallel portions repeating the specific pattern can be detected from the captured image, that is The code area with its two parallel parts as the opposite outer edges can be detected. In particular, if there is a periodic pattern repeating the aforementioned specific pattern, it is difficult to form a frame and text displayed on the display surface together with the two-dimensional code. Unlike the solid line, the possibility of being included in the captured image is low, so In the case where the aforementioned code area is not imaged, it is possible to suppress unnecessary code detection processing regarding the detection of the code area. In addition, the above-mentioned structure, function, and effect are clearly explained based on the embodiment described together with the following drawings.

[First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the two-dimensional code that specifically implements the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, the structure of the two-dimensional code of this embodiment will be described. The two-dimensional code 30 of this embodiment is formed on paper or the like by printing, sticking, etc. to hold the medium. The holding medium is further attached to the product by attachment or the like. In addition, the two-dimensional code 30 may be electronically displayed on a display image of a video device, a mobile phone, or the like. In this displayed state, the displayed image (also the background) is the holding medium. The two-dimensional code 30 is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as an example, on the holding medium R by printing or electronic screen display, in a rectangular (more specifically, rectangular) code area 31 Inside, plural types of square information display unit grids (hereinafter also simply referred to as grids) are arranged in a matrix. As a modification of the above, the two-dimensional code 30 may be produced inside the media. At this time, for example, the code front side of the medium is formed with a medium having at least light transmission. At this time, it can be configured such that the irradiation light is visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light. The code area 31 is divided into a fixed pattern area where a pattern of a predetermined shape is arranged, and a data recording area 32 where data is recorded according to a plurality of types of lattices. In this way, the fixed pattern area can be used to detect the code area 31 occupying the captured image, and the data recording area 32 of the detected code area 31 can be used to read the data recorded by the two-dimensional code 30. Furthermore, the data recording area 32 may include an error correction symbol recording area for recording error correction symbols. In addition, in FIG. 1 and the like, hatching is added to the material recording area 32.

The fixed pattern area is composed of a first position detection pattern 33a arranged in one of the corners of the code area 31, and a second position detection pattern 33b arranged in the corner of the code area 31 diagonal to the first position detection pattern 33a, The outer edge 34 of the code region 31 except for the first position detection pattern 33a and the second position detection pattern 33b is configured.

In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional code 30 is composed of two types of grids, a bright grid and a dark grid, arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. 1. Then, the first position detection pattern 33a is composed of nine dark grids arranged in a square in the center, a bright grid group surrounding the nine dark grids in a row, a dark grid group surrounding the bright grid group in a row, and distinguishing the The dark grid group and the L-shaped bright grid group of the data recording area 32 are formed. Therefore, the first position detection pattern 33a is the same as the position detection pattern of the QR code (registered trademark), and the continuous ratio is 1:1:3:1:1 according to the order of dark, light, dark, light, and dark. Area to detect.

The second position detection pattern 33b is composed of a dark grid in the center, a bright grid group surrounding the dark grid in a row, and a dark grid group surrounding the bright grid in a row. Therefore, the second position detection pattern 33b can be detected in the order of dark, bright, dark, bright, and dark, with a continuous ratio of 1:1:1:1:1:1.

The outer edge 34 of the code region 31 is formed by arranging the lattices in a row. The first edge portion 34a constituting the long side of the first position detection pattern 33a and the first edge constituting the long side of the second position detection pattern 33b The second edge portion 34b, the third edge portion 34c constituting the short side on the first position detection pattern 33a side, and the fourth edge portion 34d constituting the short side on the second position detection pattern 33b side.

The first edge portion 34a is one end connected to the first position detection pattern 33a, and the other end as the end pattern 35a is formed by three dark grids, except for the end pattern 35a It is composed of bright grids and dark grids arranged alternately. That is, the first edge portion 34a is formed by repeating the specific pattern 40 formed by arranging a group of bright grids and dark grids at least in the middle portion (partial area) until reaching the first position detection pattern 33a.

The second edge portion 34b is formed by three dark grids at one end as the end pattern 35b, and the other end is connected to the second position detection pattern 33b except for the end pattern 35b It is composed of bright grids and dark grids arranged alternately. That is, the second edge portion 34b is formed repeatedly at least in the middle portion (partial region), and the specific pattern 40 configured in the same manner as the first edge portion 34a reaches the second position detection pattern 33b.

In particular, the second edge portion 34b is a portion where the specific pattern 40 is repeated in the first edge portion 34a (see L1 in FIG. 1) and a portion where the specific pattern 40 is repeated in the second edge portion 34b (see L2 in FIG. 1) In this case, the lattices at opposite positions in the opposing direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the first edge portion 34 a and the second edge portion 34 b are configured to be of the same type. Therefore, for example, the lattice of the first edge portion 34a and the lattice of the second edge portion 34b passing through the one-point lock line S1 extending in the opposite direction of FIG. 1 become the same dark lattice.

The third edge portion 34c has one end connected to the first position detection pattern 33a, and the other end is used as the end pattern 35c, and has the same dark color as the pattern 35b for the end of the second edge 34b. The way the grid is made. The intermediate portion (partial region) between one end and the other end is constructed so as to repeat the aforementioned specific pattern 40. Then, the pattern 35c for the end portion is formed into an L-shape by continuing the pattern 35b for the end portion of the second edge portion 34b, and one bright color between the pattern 35c for the end portion and the pattern 35b for the end portion The lattices together constitute the corner pattern 33c.

The fourth edge portion 34d has one end portion as the end pattern 35d, and is formed by the same dark grid as the first edge portion 34a end pattern 35a, and the other end portion continues to the second position The structure of the detection pattern 33b is comprised. The intermediate portion (partial region) between one end and the other end is constructed so as to repeat the aforementioned specific pattern 40. Then, the pattern 35d for the end portion is formed into an L-shape by continuing the pattern 35a for the end portion of the first edge portion 34a, and one bright color between the pattern 35d for the end portion and the pattern 35a for the end portion The lattices together form the corner pattern 33d.

In the two-dimensional code 30 configured in this manner, the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b facing each other are composed of at least the middle portion (partial area) by the repetition of the specific pattern 40. If two parallel parts repeating the aforementioned specific pattern 40 can be detected, the code region 31 whose two parallel parts are set to be opposite outer edges can be detected. In particular, repeating the periodic pattern of the specific pattern 40 as long as it is not intended to arrange such a pattern, the possibility of being included in the same captured image becomes low.

Next, an information code reading device 1 having a function as a two-dimensional code reading device that can optically read the two-dimensional code 30 of this embodiment will be described using FIG. 2. The information code reading device 1 of this embodiment is a portable reading device that optically reads a two-dimensional code 30, a bar code, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the information code reading device 1 is formed by housing a circuit part inside a casing (not shown), and the circuit part mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 11, a light receiving sensor 13, an imaging lens 12, etc. It is a circuit CP with a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") such as the memory 16, the control unit 20, and the like. Furthermore, the information code reading device 1 is not limited to a portable type, and may be configured as a fixed type reading device.

The optical system is divided into a projection optical system and a light receiving optical system. The illumination light source 11 constituting the projection optical system has a function of an illumination light source that allows the illumination light Lf to emit light, and is composed of, for example, a red LED and a lens provided on the exit side of the LED. In addition, FIG. 2 conceptually discloses an example of illuminating the illumination light Lf toward the object R to be read with the two-dimensional code 30.

The light-receiving optical system is composed of a light-receiving sensor 13, an imaging lens 12, a reflecting mirror (not shown), and the like. The light-receiving sensor 13 is, for example, an area sensor configured as a two-dimensional array of light-receiving elements, which is a solid-state imaging element such as C-MOS or CCD, and outputs corresponding reflected light Lr in each lattice (pattern) corresponding to the received information code The strength of the electrical signal is constructed. The light-receiving sensor 13 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) to receive incident light that has entered through the imaging lens 12.

The imaging lens 12 has a function as an imaging optical system that collects incident light incident from the outside through a reading port (not shown) and can image an image on the light receiving surface 13a of the light receiving sensor 13. In the present embodiment, after the illumination light Lf irradiated from the illumination light source 11 is reflected by an information code or the like, the reflected light Lr is condensed by the imaging lens 12 so that the code image is formed on the light receiving surface 13a of the light receiving sensor 13 .

The microcomputer-based circuit CP is equipped with an amplifier circuit 14, an A/D conversion circuit 15, a memory 16, an address generation circuit 17, a synchronization signal generation circuit 18, a control unit 20, an operation unit 21, a liquid crystal display 22, a buzzer 23, Vibrator 24, light emitting section 25, communication interface 26. The microcomputer circuit CP is composed mainly of a control unit 20 and a memory 16 having a CPU 20A and a function of a microcomputer (information processing device). The microcomputer-based circuit CP can perform hardware and software signal processing on the portrait signal including the information code of the two-dimensional code 30 captured by the optical system described above. In addition, the control unit 20 also manages the control of the entire system of the information code reading device 1.

The portrait signal (analog signal) output from the light-receiving sensor 13 of the optical system is amplified by a predetermined gain by input to the amplifying circuit 14 and then input to the A/D conversion circuit 15 to convert the analog signal into a digital signal. Then, when the digitized portrait signal, that is, portrait data (portrait information) is input to the memory 16, it is accumulated in the portrait data storage area. Furthermore, the synchronization signal generating circuit 18 is configured to generate a synchronization signal to the light-receiving sensor 13 and the address generating circuit 17, and the address generating circuit 17 is configured to be based on the supply from the synchronization signal generating circuit 18 The synchronization signal generates the storage address of the image data stored in the memory 16.

The memory 16 is a semiconductor memory device, and for example, RAM16A (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or ROM16B (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.) is equivalent thereto. The RAM 16A in the memory 16 is configured such that, in addition to the above-mentioned image data storage area, the operation area and reading condition table used by the control unit 20 at each processing such as arithmetic operation and logical operation can be secured. In addition, in the ROM 16B, a system program and the like that can control the hardware of the illumination light source 11, the light receiving sensor 13, and the like are stored in advance. In addition, the memory 16 also stores the specific patterns 40 and the patterns for the end portions, the position detection patterns 33a, 33b and the patterns constituting the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b of the two-dimensional code 30 to be read. Information related to the fixed pattern area of the corner patterns 33c, 33d, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as specific pattern information), and a program that uses the specific pattern information, etc., to perform a reading process for optically reading the two-dimensional code 30.

The control unit 20 is a microcomputer device that can control the entire information code reading device 1 and is equipped with a CPU 20A, a system bus, and an input/output interface, and can form an information processing device together with the memory 16 and has an information processing function. The control unit 20 is configured to be connected to various input/output devices (peripheral devices) through the built-in input/output interface. In the case of this embodiment, the operation unit 21, the liquid crystal display 22, the buzzer 23, and the vibration are connected. Device 24, light-emitting part 25, communication interface 26, etc.

The operation unit 21 is composed of a plurality of keys. As a structure for giving an operation signal to the control unit 20 in response to a user's key operation, the control unit 20 performs an operation in response to the operation signal when receiving the operation signal from the operation unit 21 Way composition. The liquid crystal display 22 is composed of a well-known liquid crystal display panel, and the display content is controlled by the control unit 20. The buzzer 23 is composed of a known buzzer, and is configured to generate a predetermined sound in response to an operation signal from the control unit 20. The vibrator 24 is composed of a known vibrator mounted on a portable device, and is configured to generate vibration in response to a driving signal from the control unit 20. The light emitting unit 25 is, for example, an LED, and is configured to light in response to a signal from the control unit 20. The communication interface 26 is configured as an interface for data communication with an outside (for example, a host device), and serves as a structure for performing communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 20.

Next, the reading process executed by the control unit 20 (specifically, the CPU 20A) of the information code reading device 1 when reading the two-dimensional code 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 21 with the reading port OP of the information code reading device 1 facing the two-dimensional code 30, the reading process by the control unit 20 is started. First, the imaging process shown in step S101 is performed, and based on the signal output from the light-receiving sensor 13 that receives the reflected light Lr from the two-dimensional code 30, image data including the captured image of the two-dimensional code 30 is generated.

Next, the outer edge detection process shown in step S103 is performed. In this process, based on the specific pattern information pre-stored in the memory 16, etc., to detect the two parallel portions repeating the specific pattern 40, that is, the first edge, from the captured image captured as described above Processing of the portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b. In this process, the first pattern 34a and the second frame 34b may be directly detected from the captured image using the aforementioned specific pattern 40 and the patterns 35a, 35b for the end, etc., based on the position detected from the captured image The positions of the patterns 33a and 33b and the corner patterns 33c and 33d may be detected by the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b.

Then, when the two-dimensional code 30 is imaged and the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b are detected from the captured image (Yes in S105), the code area detection process shown in step S107 is performed. In this process, the code area 31 is detected based on the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b and the first position detection pattern 33a and the second position detection pattern 33b detected as described above.

Then, the decoding process shown in step S109 is performed, and a process for decoding (interpreting) the predetermined data recorded in the data recording region 32 is performed according to the arrangement of the lattices in the code region 31 detected as described above. Then, when the decoding process is successful (Yes in S111), a process for outputting the predetermined data obtained by the decoding process to the outside is performed (S113), and the reading process is ended. On the other hand, when the decoding process fails (No in S111), the two-dimensional code 30 is taken as image without being decodable, and the processing from step S101 is performed.

In addition, when the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b are not detected from the captured image captured (S105: No), the two-dimensional code 30 is not captured, and the code area detection process of detecting the code area 31 is not performed (S107), the processing from the aforementioned step S101 is performed.

As described above, in the two-dimensional code 30 of the present embodiment, the first edge portion 34a formed by arranging plural kinds of lattices in a row in the outer edge 34 of the rectangular code region 31 is at least in the middle In the (partial area), a specific pattern 40 formed by repeatedly arranging two or more different lattices; a second edge portion 34b formed by arranging plural kinds of lattices in a row so as to face the first edge portion 34a The specific pattern 40 is repeated at least in the middle part (partial region).

In this way, the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b facing each other are formed by repeating the same specific pattern 40 at least in the middle portion (partial area), so the repeated specific pattern 40 can be detected from the captured image If there are two parallel parts, the code region 31 in which the two parallel parts are the first edge part 34a and the second edge part 34b facing the outer edge 34 can be detected. In particular, if the periodic pattern of the specific pattern 40 is repeated, it is difficult to form the frame and text displayed on the display surface together with the two-dimensional code 30. Unlike the solid line, it is unlikely to be included in the captured image Therefore, in the case where the aforementioned code area 31 is not imaged, it is possible to suppress unnecessary code detection processing regarding the detection of the code area 31. As a result, the processing time related to the reading process of the information code reading device 1 can be shortened.

In addition, at one of the corners of the code area 31, a first position detection pattern 33a for detecting the code area 31 is arranged, and the first edge portion 34a repeats the specific pattern 40 until it reaches the first position detection pattern 33a Way composition. Therefore, when the first edge portion 34a is detected based on the detected first position detection pattern 33a, the detection process can be easily performed.

In addition, the second position detection pattern 33b used for the detection of the code area 31 is arranged in a different arrangement from the first position detection pattern 33a in the corner portion of the code area 31 that is diagonal to the first position detection pattern 33a, The second edge portion 34b is configured to repeat the specific pattern 40 until reaching the second position detection pattern 33b. Therefore, when the second edge portion 34b is detected based on the detected second position detection pattern 33b, the detection process can be easily performed. Furthermore, when any one of the first position detection pattern 33a and the second position detection pattern 33b is detected, by searching for the other based on its location, the positions of two corners located at opposite corners of the code area 31 can be detected. The outer shape of the code area 31 can be easily detected.

In particular, the first position detection pattern 33a and the second position detection pattern 33b are arranged differently. Therefore, according to the positional relationship between the first position detection pattern 33a and the second position detection pattern 33b and the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b, It can be easily judged whether the image is captured in the state where the front and back of the code area 31 are inverted. By this means, the code region 31 detected from the captured image does not need to be decoded in the state where the front and back sides are reversed (see FIG. 4) and decoded in the state where the front and back sides are not reversed (see FIG. 1). Only one of the two processes can be performed. Therefore, the processing time for reading the two-dimensional code 30 can be shortened.

Furthermore, the first edge portion 34a is configured such that the end on the opposite side to the first position detection pattern 33a becomes a pattern 35a for an end different from the specific pattern 40, so the pattern 35a for this end is used as a reference It is possible to easily detect the end of the first edge portion 34a, that is, the fourth edge portion 34d of the outer edge of the code region 31 orthogonal to the first edge portion 34a.

Furthermore, the second edge portion 34b is configured such that the end opposite to the second position detection pattern 33b becomes a pattern 35b for an end different from the specific pattern 40, so the pattern 35b for this end is used as a reference , The end of the second edge portion 34b, that is, the third edge portion 34c of the outer edge of the code region 31 orthogonal to the second edge portion 34b can be easily detected.

In particular, the portion where the specific pattern 40 is repeated in the first edge portion 34a (refer to L1 in FIG. 1) and the portion where the specific pattern 40 is repeated in the second edge portion 34b (refer to L2 in FIG. 1) The lattices at opposite positions in the opposing direction (the Y direction in FIG. 1) in which the edge portion 34 a and the second edge portion 34 b are orthogonal are the same type (see S1 in FIG. 1 ). With this, the lattice coordinates of each lattice can be easily and accurately obtained in the aforementioned facing direction based on each specific pattern 40, and the decoding success rate can be improved.

In addition, the specific pattern 40 is composed of a group of bright grids and dark grids. Therefore, even if the first edge portion 34a and the second edge are formed in such a manner that there is a periodic pattern in which the bright grid and the dark grid alternately overlap. It is also difficult for the portion 34b to be composed of the frame lines and characters displayed on the display surface together with the two-dimensional code 30. Unlike the solid line portion, the possibility of being included in the captured image is low, so the aforementioned code area 31 is not captured It is possible to suppress unnecessary code detection processing regarding the detection of the code area 31.

In addition, the specific pattern 40 is not limited to be composed of a group of bright grids and dark grids, and may be formed by a combination of other grids in such a manner that the outer edges have periodicity by using continuity. For example, as a first modification of the present embodiment, as the specific pattern 40a of the two-dimensional code 30a illustrated in FIG. 5, it may be composed of one bright grid and three dark grids.

In addition, the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b are configured to be the long sides of the rectangular-shaped code region 31, so they are compared with the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b to be the code region 31. In the case of the short-side configuration, the frequency of repeated occurrences of the specific pattern 40 becomes higher, so that the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b can be easily detected.

In addition, depending on the environment in which the two-dimensional code 30 is used, the code area 31 may be configured in a square shape, and the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b formed by repeating the specific pattern 40 may be configured to be short sides. Also.

In addition, the fixed pattern area is not limited to being configured to include both the first position detection pattern 33a and the second position detection pattern 33b, but may be configured to include either. In addition, two first position detection patterns 33a and a second position detection pattern 33b may not be provided. At this time, as a second modification of the present embodiment, the first edge portion 34a uses the patterns 35a and 36a for the ends of the two-dimensional code 30b illustrated in FIG. The pattern for the different end portions (for example, the pattern formed by three dark grids) is configured, and the two end portions of the first edge portion 34a can be easily detected based on the pattern 35a, 36a for the end portions, That is, the third edge portion 34c and the fourth edge portion 34d that become the outer edges of the code region 31 orthogonal to the first edge portion 34a. Similarly, the second edge portion 34b is composed of patterns for the end portions different from the specific pattern 40 by using end patterns 35b and 36b as illustrated in FIG. 6, and the end portions Using the patterns 35b and 36b as a reference, it is possible to easily detect both end portions of the second edge portion 34b, that is, the third edge portion 34c and the third edge portion that become the outer edge of the code region 31 orthogonal to the second edge portion 34b 4 Edge portion 34d.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a pattern 36a for the end of the first edge 34a and a pattern 36c for the end of the third edge 34c and a bright grid between the two patterns are used. With the corner pattern, the first edge portion 34a and the third edge portion 34c can be detected. Also, by using the pattern 36b for the end of the second edge portion 34b and the pattern 36d for the end of the fourth edge portion 34d, and the corner pattern formed by the bright grid between the two patterns, it can be detected The second edge portion 34b and the fourth edge portion 34d appear.

[Second Embodiment] Next, the two-dimensional code of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the second embodiment, mainly as a part of the fixed pattern area, the disconnection pattern of the disconnection data recording area 32 in the facing direction is newly arranged in the code area 31, which is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, the structural parts that are substantially the same as the two-dimensional code of the first embodiment are given the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first edge portion 34 a and the second edge portion 34 b of the two-dimensional code 30 c of this embodiment appear in the repetition of the specific pattern 40 by arranging the second specific pattern 41 different from the specific pattern 40 Two ways. The second specific pattern 41 is configured by disturbing the periodicity of the specific pattern 40, and is composed of, for example, three dark grids. The second specific pattern 41 of the first edge portion 34a and the second specific pattern 41 of the second edge portion 34b The grids in opposite positions in the opposite direction are of the same type.

Then, in the aforementioned facing direction, the dark grid at the center of the second specific pattern 41 of the first edge portion 34a covers the dark grid at the center of the second specific pattern 41 of the opposing second edge portion 34b The arrangement of the lattices is the same in the disconnection pattern 37. The disconnection pattern 37 is the same as the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b. The bright grids and the dark grids are alternately arranged in a row, and the end grids 37a that follow the dark grids in the center of the second specific pattern 41, It is configured to be a different type of bright grid from the grid constituting the second specific pattern 41.

Thereby, the disconnection pattern 37 has the function of calibrating the pattern, and can be used for distortion correction of the grid coordinates. In particular, in this embodiment, the grid adjacent to the grid 37a at the end of the disconnected pattern 37 is also included in the fixed pattern area. The grid surrounding the grid 37a at the end is combined with the grid constituting the second specific pattern 41. The same kind of grid (dark grid) is constructed.

Then, the third edge portion 34c and the fourth edge portion 34d are of a type that forms at least an intermediate portion (partial region), and become in a direction along the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b (X of FIG. 7 The grid of the disconnection pattern 37 at the opposite position in the direction) is configured in the same kind. Therefore, for example, the type of the grid passing through the one-point lock line S2 extending in the X direction in FIG. 7 is the same dark grid as the grid of the third edge portion 34c, the grid of the fourth edge portion 34d, and the grid of the disconnection pattern 37.

As described above, in the two-dimensional code 30c of this embodiment, the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b are arranged with the second specific pattern 41 different from the specific pattern 40 in the repetition of the specific pattern 40 There are two configurations, and the second specific pattern 41 of the first edge portion 34a and the second specific pattern 41 of the second edge portion 34b are the same type of grids at positions facing each other in the facing direction. As a result, not only each specific pattern 40 but also the second specific pattern 41 can be used as a reference, and the lattice coordinates of each lattice can be easily and accurately obtained in the aforementioned facing direction, and the decoding success rate can be further improved.

Then, the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b are configured in such a manner that two second specific patterns 41 appear, and the second specific pattern 41 of the first edge portion 34a covers the opposite direction in the aforementioned facing direction The second specific pattern 41 of the second edge portion 34b is provided with the disconnection pattern 37 in which the arrangement of the lattices is the same. In this way, the grid coordinates of each grid related to the aforementioned facing direction (Y direction in FIG. 7) can be obtained based on each specific pattern 40 and the second specific pattern 41, and along the broken pattern 37 can be obtained. The lattice coordinates of each lattice related to the direction of the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b (the X direction in FIG. 7) can further improve the decoding success rate.

In particular, the second specific pattern 41 is formed by arranging three dark grids, and the disconnection pattern 37 is a grid 37a at the end connected to the dark grid at the center of the second specific pattern 41, and the second specific pattern 41 is formed by The grids of different types are constituted by bright grids of different types, and the grids surrounding the grids 37a at the ends are constituted by dark grids of the same type as the grids constituting the second specific pattern 41. As a result, the grid 37a at the end of the disconnection pattern 37 is not only surrounded by different types of grids, but the grids surrounding the grid 37a at the end of the disconnection pattern 37 are all the same type of grid, so it is easy to detect the breakage The lattice 37a at the end of the opening pattern 37 results in easy detection of the disconnection pattern 37 and the second specific pattern 41.

Furthermore, the third edge portion 34c and the fourth edge portion 34d are of a type that forms at least an intermediate portion (partial region), and are in a direction along the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b (X of FIG. 7 The grid of the disconnection pattern 37 at the opposite position in the direction) is configured in the same kind. With this, not only the disconnection pattern 37 but also the middle portion of the third edge portion 34c and the fourth edge portion 34d is used as a reference, the lattice of each lattice can be easily and accurately obtained with respect to the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b Coordinates can further improve the decoding success rate.

Furthermore, the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b are not limited to the structure in which the second specific pattern 41 appears two times in the repetition of the specific pattern 40, and the second specific pattern 41 is in the specific pattern 40. It may be constituted that one of them appears in the repetition, and it may be constituted that three or more appear. For example, as a first modification of the present embodiment, as the two-dimensional code 30d illustrated in FIG. 8, the second specific pattern 41 may be configured such that three of the specific patterns 40 appear repeatedly. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the disconnection pattern 37 includes all the second specific patterns 41 from the second specific pattern 41 of the first edge portion 34 a to the second specific pattern 41 of the opposing second edge portion 34 b. Each of the second specific patterns 41 may be arranged. One or more of the second specific patterns 41 of the first edge portion 34a may be covered by the second specific pattern 41 of the opposing second edge portion 34b.

Also, as a second modification of the present embodiment, as in the case of the two-dimensional code 30e illustrated in FIG. 9, even in the case where the second specific pattern 41 is not arranged, it can be covered by one grid of the first edge portion 34a The grid of the opposing second edge portion 34b may be provided with a disconnection pattern 37. In this structure, the disconnection pattern 37 may be arranged from one grid of the first edge portion 34a to the grid of the opposing second edge portion 34b, and two or more may be arranged. Even in this situation, the third edge portion 34c and the fourth edge portion 34d may constitute at least the type of the lattice at the middle portion, and become the direction along the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b (X direction in FIG. 9) ), the grid of the disconnection pattern 37 at the opposite position is configured in the same kind. With this, not only the disconnection pattern 37 but also the middle portion of the third edge portion 34c and the fourth edge portion 34d is used as a reference, the lattice of each lattice can be easily and accurately obtained with respect to the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b Coordinates can further improve the decoding success rate.

[Third Embodiment] Next, the two-dimensional code of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The third embodiment mainly differs from the second embodiment in that the disconnection pattern specifies the size of the code region according to the position connected to the first edge. Therefore, the structural parts that are substantially the same as the two-dimensional code of the second embodiment are given the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted.

In the present embodiment, the size of the code region 31 (hereinafter also referred to as code size) is specified at an early stage, so that the end portion of the first edge detection portion 33a on the side of the first position detection pattern 33a is configured. The end grid (dark grid in FIG. 10) Cs is used as a reference, and the position of the disconnection pattern 37 connected to the first edge 34a is used. Specifically, as the number of grids for size specification, the grids connected to the grids 37a (the dark grids at the center of the second specific pattern 41) connected to the ends of the disconnection patterns 37 closest to the end grids Cs are obtained side by side For the number of grids in one direction, the code size is specified by the number of grids according to the size specification.

Since the code size can be specified in this way, in this embodiment, the two-dimensional code is generated in such a way that the code size corresponds to the number of grids for size specification in one-to-one correspondence. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11(A), the relationship between the code size and the number of grids for size specification is predetermined. The two-dimensional code of this embodiment uses the code size to determine the size of the code according to the code size. If the number of grids for specifying the size is determined, the position of the break pattern 37 of the code region 31 is generated according to the number of grids for specifying the size. Furthermore, the code size is as illustrated in FIG. 11(A), and is not limited to only the horizontal size (the size along the direction of the first edge portion 34a), which varies according to the number of grids for size specification, and only the vertical size (along The size of the third edge portion 34c in the direction) may be changed according to the number of grids for size specification, and both the horizontal size and the vertical size may be changed according to the number of grids for size specification.

Since the two-dimensional code is generated in this way, in the case where the two-dimensional code 30c shown in FIG. 10 is imaged, the number of grids for size specification at the time of detection of the code area 31 is obtained as 20, according to FIG. 11(A) Relationship, the specific code size is 15×71. Similarly, when the number of grids for size specification is determined to be 22 based on the two-dimensional code of the camera, the size of the specific code is 15×43, and the number of grids for size specification is determined as the two-dimensional code of the camera. When 24, the specific code size is 15×99.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the code size of the code region 31 is determined according to the position where the disconnection pattern 37 connects the first edge portion 34a, so the end of the disconnection pattern 37 of the first edge portion 34a is obtained by The position where the grid 37a is connected can be immediately specified for the code size. That is, when the code region 31 is detected, only the grid obtained from the grid at a predetermined position of the end grid Cs or the like constituting the end of the first edge 34a to the grid 37a at the end of the disconnection pattern 37 is obtained The number of lattices arranged in one direction so far can specify the code size of the code region 31. Therefore, the code size of the code region 31 can be specified at an earlier stage without calculating the arrangement of the lattices two-dimensionally. In this way, the code size of the code region 31 can be specified, so even if there is a lattice-like aggregate part near the code region 31, the process for detecting the code region 31 is not performed on the part, so The necessary processing can shorten the processing time related to the reading processing.

Furthermore, the two-dimensional code of this embodiment is not limited to being generated in a one-to-one correspondence between the code size and the number of grids for specifying the size, but may be generated in a one-to-many correspondence between the code size and the size of the grid for specifying the size. . That is, as long as the code size can be specified intentionally from the number of size specifying grids. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11(B), when the number of grids for size specification is found to be 19 or 20 based on the two-dimensional code imaged, the specific code size is 15×71. Similarly, when the number of grids for size specification is found to be 21 or 22 according to the two-dimensional code of the camera, the size of the specific code is 15×43, and the number of grids for size specification is determined by the two-dimensional code of the camera. When 24 are found, the specific code size is 15×99.

In addition, the number of grids for size specification is not limited to the number of grids juxtaposed in one direction until the grids connected to the grids 37a of the ends of the disconnection pattern 37 which is the end grid Cs closest to the first edge 34a For example, find the number of grids that are aligned in one direction from a predetermined grid such as the grid forming the corner of the code area 31 in the first position detection pattern 33a to the grid connected to the grid 37a at the end of the disconnection pattern 37 Number is also available.

Also, it is not limited to that the entire code size of the code area 31 (vertical×horizontal) is related to the number of grids for size specification, for example, the horizontal size of the code size of the code area 31 (the size along the direction of the first edge portion 34a) ) It may be related to the number of grids for size specification.

In addition, the code size of the code area 31 is not limited to be determined by the number of grids for size specification as described above, and a technique different from the number of grids is used, for example, distance measurement using the number of pixels, and the pattern is detected at the first position The predetermined position of 33a is used as a reference, and the position where the disconnection pattern 37 connects to the first edge portion 34a may be obtained and may be determined according to the position.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and modifications, and may be embodied as described below, for example. (1) The present invention is not limited to a two-dimensional code composed of two types of grids arranged in a matrix, such as a bright grid and a dark grid, and is suitable for a color code, etc., a two-dimensional code composed of more than three types of grids arranged in a matrix Code is also available.

(2) The second edge portion 34b is not limited to the part where the specific pattern 40 is repeated in the first edge portion 34a and the second edge portion 34b in which the specific pattern 40 is repeated, the grids at the opposite positions are of the same type The configuration may be such that the type of the lattice at the opposite position often becomes a predetermined relationship. For example, when two types of grids of a bright grid and a dark grid are used, as a predetermined relationship, as a grid of the second edge section 34b opposite to the bright grid of the first edge section 34a, a dark grid is arranged as the The grid of the second edge portion 34b at the position where the dark grid of the one edge portion 34a opposes may be a bright grid.

11‧‧‧Light source 12‧‧‧Imaging lens 13‧‧‧ Received light sensor 13a‧‧‧Receiving surface 14‧‧‧Amplifying circuit 15‧‧‧A/D conversion circuit 16‧‧‧Memory 16A‧‧‧RAM 16B‧‧‧ROM 17‧‧‧ Address generation circuit 18‧‧‧ Synchronous signal generating circuit 20‧‧‧Control Department 20A‧‧‧CPU 21‧‧‧Operation Department 22‧‧‧LCD monitor 23‧‧‧Buzzer 24‧‧‧Vibrator 25‧‧‧Lighting Department 26‧‧‧Communication interface 30, 30a～30e‧‧‧ QR code 31‧‧‧ code area 32‧‧‧Data recording area 33a‧‧‧First position detection pattern 33b‧‧‧Second position detection pattern 33c‧‧‧corner pattern 33d‧‧‧ corner pattern 34‧‧‧Outer edge 34a‧‧‧First edge 34b‧‧‧2nd edge 34c‧‧‧The third edge 34d‧‧‧4th margin 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d 37‧‧‧Disconnect pattern 40、40a‧‧‧Special pattern 41‧‧‧The second specific pattern CP‧‧‧Microcomputer circuit

[Fig. 1] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code according to the first embodiment. [Fig. 2] A block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical structure of an information code reading device that reads a two-dimensional code of the first embodiment. [Fig. 3] A flowchart illustrating the flow of reading processing by the control unit of the information code reading device. [Fig. 4] An explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the two-dimensional code of Fig. 1 is inverted on the front and back. [Fig. 5] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code according to a first modification of the first embodiment. [Fig. 6] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code according to a second modification of the first embodiment. [Fig. 7] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code in the second embodiment. [Fig. 8] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code according to a first modification of the second embodiment. [Fig. 9] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code according to a second modification of the second embodiment. [Fig. 10] An explanatory diagram showing a two-dimensional code according to the third embodiment. [FIG. 11] FIG. 11(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the code size and the number of grids for specifying the size correspond to one to one, and FIG. 11(B) is a code of the size and the size of grids for specifying the number of one to one. An explanatory diagram of the corresponding state.

30‧‧‧ QR code

31‧‧‧ code area

32‧‧‧Data recording area

33a‧‧‧First position detection pattern

33b‧‧‧Second position detection pattern

33c‧‧‧corner pattern

33d‧‧‧ corner pattern

34‧‧‧Outer edge

34a‧‧‧First edge

34b‧‧‧2nd edge

34c‧‧‧The third edge

34d‧‧‧4th margin

35a‧‧‧End pattern

35b‧‧‧End pattern

35c‧‧‧End pattern

35d‧‧‧End pattern

40‧‧‧Special pattern

Claims (19)

A two-dimensional code is a two-dimensional code formed by a plurality of kinds of lattices arranged in a rectangular code area in a matrix, and is characterized in that: the outer edges of the code area are formed by the plurality of kinds of lattices arranged in a row The first edge portion is composed of a specific pattern formed by repeatedly arranging two or more different lattices at least in the middle portion; The second edge portion is formed by repeating the aforementioned specific pattern at least in the middle portion. The two-dimensional code as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the first position detection pattern used for detection of the code area is arranged on one of the corners of the code area; the first edge portion is Up to the first position detection pattern, the specific pattern is repeated. The two-dimensional code as described in item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the code is arranged in a different arrangement from the first position detection pattern in the corner of the code area diagonal to the first position detection pattern The second position detection pattern used for the detection of the area; the second edge portion is configured to repeat the specific pattern until it reaches the second position detection pattern. 2D as described in any of items 1 to 3 of the scope of patent application The code, wherein the first edge portion is configured such that at least one of the start end and the end end becomes a pattern for an end different from the specific pattern. The two-dimensional code as described in any one of items 1 to 3 of the patent application range, wherein the second edge is formed by at least one of the start end and the end end, and becomes an end different from the specific pattern The way the pattern is composed. The two-dimensional code as described in any one of items 1 to 3 of the patent application range, in the code area, in the opposing direction orthogonal to the first edge portion and the second edge portion From the first edge portion to the second edge portion, one or more separate grids are arranged in the same disconnection pattern. The two-dimensional code as described in Item 6 of the patent application scope, wherein the outer edge of the code area has a third edge portion opposed to each other so as to be orthogonal to the first edge portion and the second edge portion The fourth edge portion is of the same type as the lattice of the broken pattern at a position facing each other in the direction along the first edge portion and the second edge portion in the type of the lattice constituting at least the middle portion constitute. The two-dimensional code as described in item 6 of the patent application scope, wherein the size of the code area is connected to the code according to the disconnection pattern The position of the first edge is determined. The two-dimensional code as described in any one of items 1 to 3 of the patent application scope, wherein the portion where the specific pattern is repeated in the first edge portion and the pattern where the specific pattern is repeated in the second edge portion In some portions, the lattices at positions facing each other in the opposing direction orthogonal to the first edge portion and the second edge portion are of the same type. The two-dimensional code as described in item 9 of the patent application scope, wherein the first edge portion and the second edge portion are arranged with a second specific pattern different from the specific pattern, which appears in the repetition of the specific pattern It is constituted by one or more than two modes; the second specific pattern of the first edge portion and the second specific pattern of the second edge portion are the same type of lattices at positions facing in the facing direction. The two-dimensional code as described in item 10 of the patent application scope, wherein the first edge portion and the second edge portion are each formed in such a manner that more than one of the second specific pattern appears; in the opposite direction From the second specific pattern of the first edge portion to the second specific pattern of the second edge portion opposite to each other, the disconnection patterns of the same arrangement of the lattices are arranged. The two-dimensional code described in item 11 of the patent application scope, wherein the second specific pattern is formed by arranging three lattices of the same type; the disconnected pattern is connected to the center grid of the second specific pattern The grid at the end of the end is formed by a different kind of grid from the grid that constitutes the second specific pattern; the grid that surrounds the grid at the end is formed by the same kind of grid as the grid that constitutes the second specific pattern . The two-dimensional code as described in item 11 of the patent application scope, wherein the outer edge of the code area has a third edge portion opposed to each other so as to be orthogonal to the first edge portion and the second edge portion The fourth edge portion is of the same type as the lattice of the broken pattern at a position facing each other in the direction along the first edge portion and the second edge portion in the type of the lattice constituting at least the middle portion constitute. The two-dimensional code as described in item 11 of the patent application range, wherein the size of the code area is determined according to the position where the disconnection pattern is connected to the first edge portion. The two-dimensional code as described in any one of items 1 to 3 of the patent application range, wherein the aforementioned plural types of grids are formed by bright grids and dark grids; The specific pattern is formed by a group of the bright grid and the dark grid. The two-dimensional code as described in any one of items 1 to 3 of the patent application range, wherein the code area is rectangular; the first edge portion and the second edge portion constitute the length of the code area side. The two-dimensional code as described in item 4 of the patent application range, wherein the second edge portion is configured such that at least one of the start end and the end end becomes a pattern for an end different from the specific pattern. The two-dimensional code as described in item 4 of the patent application scope, wherein, in the code area, in the opposing direction orthogonal to the first edge portion and the second edge portion, it covers from the first edge portion Up to the second edge portion, one or more split patterns with the same grid arrangement are arranged. The two-dimensional code as described in item 5 of the patent application scope, wherein, in the code area, in the opposing direction orthogonal to the first edge portion and the second edge portion, it covers from the first edge portion Up to the second edge portion, one or more split patterns with the same grid arrangement are arranged.

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