WO2008096993A1

WO2008096993A1 - Method for making image data, method for printing image data, method for recognizing image data

Info

Publication number: WO2008096993A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Jin Kim
Original assignee: Japrint.Com Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-02-09
Filing date: 2008-02-04
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: KR100871430B1; KR20080074496A; KR20090129996A

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for forming image data including digital data, comprises: dividing image data into a plurality of image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the respective image regions into a plurality of sub-regions according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on one printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in the sub-regions; and forming dot groups in corresponding sub-regions among the sub-regions according to digital data.

Description

METHOD FOR MAKING IMAGE DATA, METHOD FOR PRINTING IMAGE DATA, METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING

IMAGE DATA

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method for making image data, method for printing image data, method for recognizing image data, and more particularly, to a method for forming image data having digital data capable of converting image data having only visual information and being printed as plane data into various multimedia information such as sound or moving images, a method for printing image data including a digital code, and a method for recognizing image data capable of recognizing image data on a printed material. Background Art

[2] Generally, printed materials are formed by printing characters such as diagrams, letters, or pictures on a print medium such as paper by a printing device. Here, the printing device serves to print characters on the print medium by combining color ink such as red(C), blue(M), yellow(Y), black(K) (or, R, G, B, Black, etc.) as dot unit.

[3] Meanwhile, characters printed on a printed material may be implemented so as to be a barcode, etc. recognized by an image recognizing device, and to include digital data such as a price, an address, etc.

[4] In order to print characters on a printed material with displaying specific data, a printing method using a barcode, and a method for printing characters with overlapping other characters by using specific ink have been presented.

[5] However, in the printing method using a barcode, characters have to be additionally printed on a certain region of a printed material without overlapping other characters. This causes the entire appearance of the printed material to be degraded.

[6] Furthermore, in the method for printing characters with overlapping other characters causes characters that will be printed with an overlapped state to become dark or discolored. This causes the entire appearance of the printed material to be degraded. Also, the fabrication cost is increased due to ink having specific components. Besides, a region where data is not recognizable may occur due to other characters.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming image data including digital data capable of forming image data having digital data without damaging pattern that constitutes a background of a printed material.

[8] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for printing image data including digital data without damaging pattern to be together printed.

[9] It is still another object of the presentinvention to provide a method for recognizing image data capable of precisely recognizing image data printed after being patterned according to a resolution of a printing device. Technical Solution

[10] To achieve these objects, there is provided a method for forming image data including digital data, comprising the steps of: dividing image data into a plurality of image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the respective image regions into nxm sub-regions by dividing the respective image regions at least n times (n: integer of two or more than) in a horizontal direction, and at least m times (m: integer of two or more than) in a vertical direction according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on one printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in at least one direction of the horizontal and the vertical directions; and forming dot group in the corresponding sub-region according to digital data.

[11] After the forming dot group, a step for combining dot groups with image data may be further comprised.

[12] At least one of the dot groups may be formed as a reference dot group for recognizing the image region, and the reference dot group is configured to have a different shape from the other dot groups. And, the dot groups may be formed in an outline manner.

[13] The printing device may be configured to have a resolution of 1200 DPI.

[14] In the step of forming the dot group, a ratio between the margin and the dot groups may be configured to be 1.5 or more than.

[15] The dot group may consist of two or more consecutive dots in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions, and the margin may consist of three or more consecutive dots in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions.

[16] The dot group may be formed in a pattern constituted with dots according to the resolution of the printing device.

[17] The present invention provides a printing method and a printed material, in which the dot groups foremd in the step of forming dot groups among the image data formed by the method for forming image data including digital data, are printed by using dot group ink different from that of image data to be together printed. [18] Preferably, carbon-contained printing ink may be used as the dot group ink, and the dot group ink has 4% of concentration.

[19] To achieve these objects, there is also provided a method for forming image data including digital data, comprising the steps of: dividing image data into one or more image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the image respetive regions into a plurality of sub-regions according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in the sub-regions; and forming dot group in the corresponding sub- region among the sub-regions according to digital data.

Advantageous Effects

[20] The present invention has an gadvantage that since digital data having a resolution scarcely recognized by a human's eyes is printed on a printed material together with characters, image data including the digital data can be formed or printed on the printed material, without damaging the entire appearance of the printed material. [21] Also the present invention has an gadvantage that digital data of a large capacity can be displayed on a printed material with overlapping characters. [22] Also the present invention has an gadvantage that digital data can be recognized regardless of a printed state of the printed material.

Brief Description of the Drawings [23] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view showing an image region of image data in a method for forming image data including digital data according to the present invention; [24] FIGS. 2 and 3 are conceptual views of the image region of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2 shows reference dot group, and FIG. 3 shows maximum dot group. [25] FIGS. 4 to 9 respectively show one example for forming dot groups in sub-regions corresponding to digital data among sub-regions of an image region; and [26] FIG. 10 is a conceptual view of a printed material printed by a method for printing image data according to the present invention.

Mode for the Invention [27] Hereinafter, a method for forming image data, a method for printing image data, and a method for recognizing image data according to the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. [28] Generally, a printed material is printed by combining dots in 3-color ink such as R,

G, B, or 4-color ink such as C, M, Y, K, or single color ink with a resolution of 600 DP

I, 1200 DPI, or 3000 DPI. Here, the DPI indicates the number of dots printed per inch.

In the case of the 1200 DPI, one dot generally has a size of approximately

0.02mmx0.02mm. [29] In order to display digital data by using the minute dots, required is image data that can represent a large amount of data and make the data as information regardless of the size or the number of printed materials.

[30] Here, the dot may have various shapes such as circle, diamond, and hexagon according to manufacturing companies for a printing device. However, with consideration of the size of a very small sized dot, the shape of the dot does not greatly matter.

[31] When forming image data by combining a plurality of minute dots, the image data has to be configured to occupy the least area as possible so as be invisible. It is more important to non-consecutively and evenly distribute each image data without overlapping each other.

[32] If one printing dot is used, a printing device (a machine for manufacturing a original printing plate) displays a printing dot by laser. Here, one printing dot may be printed with ink particles not be well-represented due to its too small size. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for forming image data including digital data by forming one dot group by consecutively arranging dots in two or more such as 2-4 dots, etc.

[33] Furthermore, each dot group is defined as bits represented in '0' or T, and the position of the dot group corresponds to data bits, thereby precisely representing information with an invisible state and without loss.

[34] Generally, digital data has its digitalized pattern be read by an image recognizing device such as a camera, in the unit of bits or bytes (one byte is 8 bits). With consideration of this, the number of dot groups is determined according to a required amount of digital data.

[35] In order to evenly distribute each unit information of displayed digital data with an invisible state, a ratio between a dot group on which printing ink is displayed for unit information, and a margin around the dot group where ink is not displayed has to be 1:1.5 or more. That is, the margin has to be configured to occupy a larger area than the dot group.

[36] A method for forming image data including digital data according to the present invention comprises the steps of: dividing image data into a plurality of image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the image regions into nxm ssub-regions by dividing the respective image regions at least n times (n: integer of two or more than) in a horizontal direction, and at least m times (m: integer of two or more than) in a vertical direction according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on one printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in at least one direction of the horizontal and the vertical directions; and forming dot group in the corresponding sub-region according to digital data.

[37] Here, the image region and the sub-region may be formed in various manners such as polar coordinates as well as horizontal and vertical directions.

[38] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for forming image data including digital data, comprises the steps of: dividing image data into a plurality of image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the respective image regions into nxm sub-regions by dividing the respective image regions at least n times (n: integer of two or more than) in a horizontal direction, and at least m times (m: integer of two or more than) in a vertical direction according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on one printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in at least one direction of the horizontal and the vertical directions; and forming dot group in the corresponding sub-region according to digital data.

[39] Here, the method for forming image data including digital data may be implemented as an executable computer program, and the computer program may be stored in a storage medium such as a compact disc (CD).

[40] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the method for forming image data includ- ingdigital data will be explained.

[41] Preferred Embodiment

[42] Method for Forming Image Data

[43] As shown in FIG. 1, image data is divided into a plurality of image regions (CS) according to a resolution (1200 DPI) of a printing device. Here, the image data may include image data having characters such as pictures, diagrams, and letters to be printed on a printed material and constituting background; and sub-image data not having characters such as pictures, diagrams, and letters to be printed, but having only a pattern of dot groups in correspondence to the size of the printed material.

[44] As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the image regions CS is divided nxm sub- regions SS by dividing the respective image regions at least n times (n: integer of two or more than) in a horizontal direction, and at least m times (m: integer of two or more than) in a vertical direction according to the resolution of the printing device.

[45] FIGS. 2 and 3 show one image region CS divided into respective five sub-regions

SC in horizontal and vertical directions, in which FIG. 2 shows two reference dot groups, and FIG. 3 shows maximum dot groups.

[46] In the sub-regions SS, dot groups 101, 102 are set. Each of the dot groups is formed by connecting a plurality of printing dots consecutive to one another based on one printing dot according to a resolution of a printing device, with having a margin in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions. [47] In order to print the dot groups 101, 102 with an invisible state, a ratio between the dot groups 101, 102 and the margin inside the sub-regions SS have to be 1:1.5 or more than. In FIGS. 2 and 3, two dot groups and four margins are implemented in a horizontal direction.

[48] That is, the dot groups 101, 102 are configured as two or more consecutive dots in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions, and the margin is configured as three or more consecutive dots in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions.

[49] The image region CS may be recognized separately from its adjacent image region

CS. Accordingly, at least one of the dot groups 101, 102 may be set as a reference dot group 101. The reference dot group 101 may be configured to have a different shape from the other dot group 102.

[50] That is, the reference dot group 101 may be formed in upset 'L' shape, and the other dot group 102 may be formed in upright 'L' shape. The dot groups may be formed in various shapes so as to correspond digital data to their various shapes.

[51] The dot group may be formed in an outline manner according to a printing method, and may have its inside filled or empty.

[52] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lowest and the left side of the image region CS may be further provided with a sub-region NCS for displaying NULL in digital data.

[53] The image data forms dot groups 102 in corresponding sub-regions SS among the sub-regions SS of the image region CS according to digital data to be included.

[54] FIGS. 4 to 9 respectively show one example for forming dot groups in sub-regions

(CS) according to each bit of digital data.

[55] More concretely, FIG. 4 displays digital data of OOOOOOOO', FIG. 5 displays digital data of ¹OOOOOOOl¹, FIG. 6 displays digital data of OOOOOOlO', FIG. 7 displays digital data of OOOOOOl 1', FIG. 8 displays digital data of OOOOOlOO', and FIG. 9 displays 'NULL', each represented in '0' or T.

[56] As shown in FIG. 10, the image region CS having digital data may be repeatedly formed on a certain region of a printed material 1 so as to be easily recognized by an image recognizing device. Here, the sub-regions SS inside each image region CS are recognized by the reference dot group 101. In FIG. 10, a dotted- line grid is a line shown just for convenience, but is not substantially printed. However, the grid may be printed for a reference about each dot group. In other Figures rather than FIG. 10, the dotted- line shown just for convenience may be printed for a reference about each dot group.

[57] Method for Printing Image Data

[58] As shown in FIG. 10, image data including digital data may include image data having characters such as pictures, diagrams, and letters to be printed on a printed material and constituting background; and sub-image data not having characters such as pictures, diagrams, and letters to be printed, but having only a pattern of dot groups in correspondence to the size of the printed material 1.

[59] Here, the sub-image data including digital data may be synthesized with the image data having characters thus to be together outputted, and may be individually outputted after the image data having characters is firstly outputted. Here, the sub-image data may be synthesized with the image data in various formats such as PDF file, BMP file, etc. Regardless of the kind of formats, the sub-image data has to be printed with using carbon-contained printing ink among generally used printing ink.

[60] In the case of general printing ink having basic four colors, red, blue, and yellow ink do not contain carbon, but only black ink contains carbon.

[61] Once the red, blue, and yellow are mixed to one another with the same ratio, black is implemented. In the present invention, the image data and the sub-image data may be separately printed from each other by utilizing the characteristic of the colors.

[62] When a plurality of colors are to be printed, each ink has to be printed in a certain order. Firstly, black obtained by mixing red, blue, and yellow colors and not containing carbon is used. Lastly, carbon-contained black is used to print the sub-image data having a pattern of dot groups combined to one another.

[63] It is most preferable to print the sub-image data with 4% of concentration. When a printing concentration is higher (more than 5%), other colors may be influenced. On the contrary, when the printing concentration is lower (less than 3%), ink is not evenly distributed resulting that the sub-image data may not be well recognized by an image recognizing device.

[64] Method for Recognizing Image Data

[65] When carbon-contained printing ink is used, an image recognizing device can precisely recognize digital data by using an infrared Light Emitting Device(LED) regardless of a printed background image.

[66] An image is obtained from a printed material including digital data by an image recognizing device such as a scanner. Then, the obtained image is analyzed thus to decode the digital data according to a preset rule shown in FIGS. 4 to 9.

[67] Here, the image may be mis-aligned or rotated according to a recognizing direction of the image recognizing device. When the image is in a mis-aligned state, the image recognizing device recognizes the image region CS based on the basis dot group 101. On the contrary, When the image is in a rotated state, the image recognizing device recognizes the image after correcting it.

[68] Especially, when the image is in a rotated state, the digital data is made to match with pre-stored image data, the image data corresponding to the dot groups 101, 102 rotated by ID within a certain angular range of 1°~45°. [69] The printed material may be applied to various fields such as a language field for language guide, a teaching field for children's education, etc. Here, the printed material including digital data may be recognized by a supplementary device having an image recognizing device.

[70] Here, the supplementary device may be implemented as a sound device for reproducing English corresponding to Korean printed on the printed material by voice according to recognized digital data.

[71] More concretely, as shownin FIG. 10, each digital data printed on each specific region is recognized by a sound device having an image recognizing device, thereby reproducing differentsounds according to the kinds of the recognized digital data.

[72] It will alsobe apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made inthe present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[I] A method for forming image data including digital data, comprising the steps of: dividing image data into a plurality of image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the respective image regions into nxm sub-regions by dividing the respective image regions at least n times (n: integer of two or more than) in a horizontal direction, and at least m times (m: integer of two or more than) in a vertical direction according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on one printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in at least one direction of the horizontal and the vertical directions; and forming dot group in the corresponding sub-region according to digital data.

[2] The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of combining the dot group with image data after the step of forming dot group.

[3] The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the dot groups is formed as a reference dot group for recognizing the image region, and the reference dot group is configured to have a different shape from the other dot groups.

[4] The method of claim 1, wherein the dot groups are formed in an outline manner.

[5] The method of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing device has a resolution of 1200 DPI.

[6] The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of forming the dot group, a ratio between the dot group and the margin is 1:1.5 or more than.

[7] The method of claim 1, wherein the dot group consists of two or more consecutive dots in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions, and the margin consists of three or more consecutive dots in at least one direction of horizontal and vertical directions.

[8] The method of claim 1, wherein the dot group is formed in a pattern constituted with dots according to the resolution of the printing device.

[9] A method for printing image data, wherein the dot groups formed in the step of forming dot groups among image data formed by the method for forming image data according to one of claims 1 to 4, are printed by using dot group ink different from that for image data to be together printed.

[10] The method of claim 9, wherein the dot group ink is implemented as carbon- contained printing ink.

[I I] The method of claim 10, wherein the dot group ink has 4% of concentration. [12] A printed material printed by the method of claim 11. [13] A method for forming image data including digital data, comprising the steps of: dividing image data into one or more image regions according to a resolution of a printing device; dividing the image respetive regions into a plurality of sub-regions according to the resolution of the printing device; setting a dot group by connecting printing dots consecutive to one another based on printing dot according to the resolution of the printing device, with having a margin in the sub-regions; and forming dot group in the corresponding sub-region among the sub-regions according to digital data.