JP2018101164A - Two-dimensional code, two-dimensional code record carrier, two-dimensional code reading method, two-dimensional code reading program and two-dimensional code reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the capacity of the data area of a two-dimensional code having a square frame pattern.SOLUTION: A two-dimensional code 1 is provided with a data area 2 in which arranged are a plurality of a square units 2a with bright/dark data recorded in cell units of rows and columns, in a two-dimensional matrix, and a square dashed line frame pattern 3 provided with a unit cut-line portion 3b and an origin cut-line portion 3g so as to surround the data area 2. In the origin cut-line portion 3g, one of the four corners of a broken line frame pattern 3 is formed so as to be different from the other three corners, whereby the origin of the two-dimensional code coordinate system is specified. The boundary between the units 2a is specified by an imaginary straight line connecting the facing unit cut-line portions 3b of the broken line frame pattern 3. Since the protrusion and the like for specifying the boundary between the units 2a are not disposed inside from the broken line frame pattern 3, the data area 2 can be enlarged to have a large capacity in that area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code in which, for example, black-and-white light / dark data is recorded in cell units of rows and columns of a rectangular unit.

  The two-dimensional code is recorded in a manner that can be photographed on various products, print media, web screens, signboards, outdoor facilities, air tickets, voting tickets, admission tickets, and tickets, etc. , Binary data in each direction of rows and columns to explain related information.

  Usually, since the recording area of the two-dimensional code is small, it is desirable to increase the information recording density there to enhance the ability to transmit information from this small recording area. The present invention responds to such a demand. is there.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a two-dimensional code including a data area in which units in which binary data is recorded in units of rows and columns is arranged in a two-dimensional matrix and a rectangular frame pattern surrounding the data area has been proposed (patent) Reference 1).

  This rectangular frame pattern of the two-dimensional code has a solid line projection (inward projection) in an inward vertical manner on each of the two adjacent first and second sides. In addition, the remaining two sides facing the first and second two sides are provided with solid line projections (outward projections) in the outward vertical mode.

  The solid line projections in the inward vertical mode formed outside the data area inside the rectangular frame pattern, together with the outward projections, are each composed of a plurality of cells, for cutting out and positioning each unit in the matrix mode, etc. It is used as standard information.

JP 2002-298077 A

  Thus, in the case of a two-dimensional code provided with a solid line projection in an inward vertical mode in a conventional rectangular frame pattern, the inward projection or the like has a function for cutting out and positioning a data area. Thus, the capacity of information recording in the entire data area is increased.

  However, since the rectangular frame pattern around the data area has a solid line projection in an inward vertical mode, as shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, a rectangular portion along the frame pattern including the inward projection is information. It becomes a zone not subject to recording.

  That is, due to the presence of the inward projection, the rectangular portion inside the square frame pattern having an arbitrary predetermined size is inevitably set out of the data area.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the rectangular frame pattern is formed by a broken line, and the broken line portion of the broken line is caused to act as a portion corresponding to the above-described inwardly protruding portion, thereby two-dimensionally having a rectangular frame pattern of the same size. The purpose is to further increase the capacity of the code data area.

The present invention solves the above problems as follows.
(1) a rectangular unit (for example, a unit 2a described later) in which a plurality of light and dark data optically read and binarized are recorded in cell units of rows and columns;
A data area (for example, a data area 2 described later) in which a plurality of the units are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix;
A square-shaped broken line frame pattern (for example, a broken line frame pattern 3 described later) composed of parallel broken lines in the row direction and the column direction that are recorded and optically read so as to surround the data region,
Each of the parallel broken lines constituting the broken line frame pattern is
The longitudinal direction line segment (for example, the longitudinal direction line segment 3a described later) having a length corresponding to the size in the row direction and the column direction of the unit and having no inward projection,
An opposing unit cut portion (for example, a “white” unit cut portion 3b described later) formed on both sides of each longitudinal line segment to indicate a unit boundary;
An origin break portion indicating the origin of the unit (for example, “white” origin break portion 3g described later),
The rectangular unit is
Specified by adjacent virtual straight lines (for example, a vertical virtual line L1 and a horizontal virtual line L2 described later) in the row direction and the column direction that connect the unit break portions in the facing state,
A two-dimensional code having a configuration mode is used.
(2) In (1) above,
The origin cut portion is
One of the four corners of the broken line frame pattern is a specific corner portion recorded by light and dark data different from the other three corners,
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(3) In the above (1) and (2),
The data area is
Inside the broken line frame pattern, inner photo information (for example, inner photo information 4 described later) instead of the brightness data is recorded in units of the unit.
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(4) In any of (1) to (3) above,
The data area is
In that part, another two-dimensional code with different density is recorded,
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(5) A two-dimensional code record carrier having a configuration in which the two-dimensional code according to any one of (1) to (4) is recorded is used.
(6) In (5) above,
Outside photo information (for example, outside photo information 6 described later) is recorded outside the frame of the broken line frame pattern.
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(7) The two-dimensional code reading method according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
A procedure for converting the captured image data of the two-dimensional code into binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth side data corresponding to each side of the broken line frame pattern made of the longitudinal direction line segment by a scan process to the binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side based on the first to fourth side data;
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, a procedure for setting one of the intersections as the origin of the broken line frame pattern;
Based on the first to fourth side data and the binary data, a procedure for searching the unit break part of each side and obtaining the break position data;
An imaginary straight line connecting the first unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction based on the break position data. And a procedure for individually specifying each range of the plurality of units.
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(8) In (7) above,
In the procedure for obtaining the first to fourth side data,
Among a plurality of reaching points obtained by the scanning process to the longitudinal line segment or a portion having light and dark data similar to the line segment, a reaching point deviating from a predetermined range corresponding to the whole of each side is selected. Thinning out from the specified arrival points of 1st to 4th edge data,
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(9) A program for reading the two-dimensional code according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
On the computer,
A procedure for converting the captured image data of the two-dimensional code into binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth side data corresponding to each side of the broken line frame pattern made of the longitudinal direction line segment by a scan process to the binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side based on the first to fourth side data;
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, a procedure for setting one of the intersections as the origin of the broken line frame pattern;
Based on the first to fourth side data and the binary data, a procedure for searching the unit break part of each side and obtaining the break position data;
An imaginary straight line connecting the first unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction based on the break position data. And a step of individually identifying each range of the plurality of units.
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(10) In (9) above,
In the procedure for obtaining the first to fourth side data,
Among a plurality of reaching points obtained by the scanning process to the longitudinal line segment or a portion having light and dark data similar to the line segment, a reaching point deviating from a predetermined range corresponding to the whole of each side is selected. Thinning out from the specified arrival points of 1st to 4th edge data,
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(11) The two-dimensional code reader according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
Image data binarization means for converting the image data of the photographed two-dimensional code into binary data;
By scanning the binary data, first to fourth side data corresponding to each side of the broken line frame pattern made of the longitudinal direction line segment is obtained,
Based on the first to fourth side data, obtain first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side,
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, one of the intersections is set as the origin of the broken line frame pattern.
A broken line frame pattern specifying means;
Based on the first to fourth side data and the binary data, search for the unit break part of each side to obtain the break position data,
An imaginary straight line connecting the first unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction based on the break position data. To specify each range of the plurality of units individually,
Unit range specifying means, and
The thing of a structure aspect is used.
(12) In the above (11),
The broken line frame pattern specifying means includes
Among a plurality of reaching points obtained by the scanning process to the longitudinal line segment or a portion having light and dark data similar to this line segment, a reaching point at a position outside the predetermined range corresponding to the whole of each side is determined. Thinning out from the specific arrival points of the first to fourth side data,
The thing of a structure aspect is used.

  The present invention is directed to a two-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code record carrier, a two-dimensional code reading method, a two-dimensional code reading program, and a two-dimensional code reading device having such a configuration.

  The present invention has an effect that the capacity of the data area of the two-dimensional code having the same size square frame pattern can be further increased by the above problem solving means.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows the unit as a basic unit of a two-dimensional code, and the cell of "9x9" row | line | column arrangement | sequence which comprises it. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the photographic information was distribute | arranged per unit inside the two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows the two-dimensional code record carrier which recorded the two-dimensional code and the photographic information of the outer side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hybrid two-dimensional code provided with the coarse density two-dimensional code of the upper and lower sides of illustration, and the high-density two-dimensional code between them. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the scanning process which searches for a broken-line frame pattern. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an error arrival point (a black cell arrival point in the data area) after passing through a unit break portion of the broken line frame pattern among the black cell arrival points obtained by scanning in FIG. 8. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the process sequence which specifies the range of each unit, and decompress | restores the recording data there after calculating | requiring the broken-line frame pattern and its unit break part from the picked-up image of a two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the thinning-out process of the error arrival point in the external shape search of step (s13) of FIG. 8, (a) uses the vector between adjacent arrival points, (b) uses the least squares method. Yes. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a two-dimensional code reader.

  The form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-10.

  It should be noted that, as a general rule, the constituent elements (for example, the unit 2a) of the reference numbers with alphabets used in the respective drawings are part of the constituent elements (for example, the data area 2) of the numeral portions of the reference numbers.

1-7,
1 is a two-dimensional code consisting of black and white light and dark portions optically read by various photographing devices, and having a rectangular or square overall space;
2 is a content information recording portion constituting the two-dimensional code 1, which is a rectangular or square data area,
Reference numeral 2a denotes a square-shaped portion as a so-called unit of black and white / brightness / darkness information in the data area 2. For example, in the case of the data area in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, a two-dimensional matrix of “3 rows × 5 columns”. A total of 15 units,
2b is a minimum unit element for recording the content information constituting the unit 2a. For example, “9 rows × 9 columns per unit” in which “white (bright)” or “black (dark)” brightness data is individually recorded. ”A total of 81 square cells (see FIG. 2),
Respectively.

Also,
3 is a data area outer frame portion constituting the two-dimensional code 1, and is a rectangular broken line frame pattern recorded in a shape surrounding the data area 2 by the double width of the cell 2b,
3a is composed of “black” line segments constituting the four sides of the broken line frame pattern 3 and is formed in the same pitch length / position mode corresponding to the size of the unit 2a in the row / column direction, and has a width twice that of the cell 2b. A longitudinal line segment,
Reference numeral 3b denotes a “white” unit break portion formed as a space corresponding to four (2 rows × 2 columns) cells 2b on both sides of each longitudinal line segment 3a (referred to as a “timing cell” if necessary). ,
3c is the upper side of the broken line frame in the illustrated row direction obtained by the contour search process described later for the broken line frame pattern 3,
3d is a broken line frame right side 3e in the illustrated column direction similarly obtained by the outline search process, and a broken line frame lower side in the illustrated row direction is also obtained by the outline search process.
3f is the left side of the broken line frame in the illustrated column direction, which is also obtained by the outer shape search process,
3g is a “white” origin break portion composed of four (2 rows × 2 columns) cells indicating the lower right end portion of the broken line frame pattern 3 (intersection of the right side 3d of the broken line frame and the lower side 3e of the broken line frame),
3h, 3j, and 3k are the upper left end portion (intersection of the upper side 3c of the broken line frame and the left side 3f of the broken line frame), the upper right end portion (intersection of the upper side 3c of the broken line frame and the right side 3d of the broken line frame), and the lower left end, respectively. “Black” corner portion indicating a portion (intersection of the lower side 3e of the broken line frame and the left side 3f of the broken line frame),
Respectively.

Also,
4 is a black and white / light / dark range in a total of 36 units of “6 rows × 6 columns” in the inner central part of the data area 2 (see FIG. 3) consisting of 100 units 2a of “10 rows × 10 columns”. Inside photo information in the form of embedded in place of information,
5 is a record carrier (such as a card or sheet) that can be used as a business card, identification card, etc., by recording a two-dimensional code 1 having a total of 36 units 2a of “6 rows × 6 columns” and a photograph side by side. 4),
6 is the outer photo information recorded side by side in the same size as the entire range of the 36 units 2a in the upper part of the broken line frame of the two-dimensional code 1 (broken line frame pattern 3) of the record carrier 5;
7 is a so-called hybrid two-dimensional code in which a total of 66 units of “3 rows × 22 columns” are recorded in the area corresponding to the second row of the two-dimensional code 1 of “3 rows × 5 columns” in FIG. reference),
7a is a pair of upper and lower coarse density two-dimensional codes comprising five units (a total of ten units) 2a, similar to the first and third lines of the two-dimensional code 1 of FIG.
7b is recorded between a pair of upper and lower coarse density two-dimensional codes 7a and 7a, and consists of a total of 66 small area units of “3 rows × 22 columns” each having the same number of cells as unit 2a. Dimension code,
7c has the same type of configuration as the broken line frame pattern 3 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and the positional / width relationship with the cell of the high-density two-dimensional code 7b is set to the same state as the broken line frame pattern 3 and the cell 2b. Each of the rectangular high-density broken line frame patterns is shown.

In FIG.
A is a scan line in the ascending order of the horizontal axis and the ascending order of the vertical direction when searching for the upper side 3c of the broken line frame,
B is a scan line in the ascending order of the vertical axis and the descending order of the horizontal direction when searching for the right side 3d of the broken line frame,
C is a scan line in descending order on the horizontal axis and descending in the vertical direction when searching for the lower side 3e of the broken line frame,
D is a scan line in the descending order of the vertical axis and the ascending direction of the horizontal direction when searching for the left side 3f of the broken line frame,
Respectively.

  All of the scan lines A, B, C, and D perform shift operations such as ascending order on the horizontal axis, ascending order on the vertical axis, descending order on the horizontal axis, and descending order on the vertical axis at a constant pitch.

In FIG.
P1 is a total of 20 upper side arrival points specified by the outline search process in scan line A,
P2 to P5 pass through the “white” unit break (timing cell) 3b to reach the “black” cell in the data area 2 during the outline search process on the scan line A, and then merge processing (FIG. 9). 4) Cell arrival points in the broken line frame (referred to as “error arrival points” as necessary)
P6 is a unit left and right / partition portion in the left-right direction composed of “white” unit cut portions 3b on the broken line frame upper side 3c and the broken line frame lower side 3e,
P7 is a vertically arranged unit upper / lower / partition portion composed of “white” unit cut portions 3b on the right side 3d and the left side 3f of the broken line frame,
L1 is a vertical imaginary straight line for setting unit boundaries in the form of connecting the center points in the left and right direction of the opposing unit left and right / partition portions P6,
L2 is an imaginary straight line for setting unit boundaries in the form of connecting the vertical center points of the opposing unit vertical / partition portions P7,
Respectively.

In FIG.
8 is a camera for photographing the two-dimensional code 1,
9 is a processor for reproducing the contents of the two-dimensional code 1 based on the image data photographed by the camera 8;
9a is an image data binarization means for converting the photographed image data of the two-dimensional code 1 into binary data;
9b obtains the four sides 3c to 3f of the broken line frame pattern 3 consisting of the longitudinal direction line segment 3a and the four intersections between these sides by the processing procedure of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 such as scanning binary data of the two-dimensional code 1. In addition, a broken line frame pattern specifying means for setting the “white” cell portion at each intersection as the origin,
9c is a unit range specifying means for searching for the “white” unit cut portion 3b on each of the four sides 3c to 3f and setting the vertical virtual line L1 and the horizontal virtual line L2.
9d is a unit content reproducing means for converting each unit 2a into a format that can be recognized by the user and displaying and outputting it on the two-dimensional code output device 10 described later.
9e is a work area that acts as a work area for the processor 9,
9f is a main storage memory for binarizing the photographing data of the two-dimensional code 1 and storing an application program for specifying a broken line frame pattern and a unit range,
10 is a two-dimensional code output device that displays and outputs the processing results of the processor 9, that is, displays, reproduces, and outputs the contents of the two-dimensional code 1 restored from the captured data.
Respectively.

The basic features of the illustrated two-dimensional code 1 are as follows:
(21) A plurality of units 2a are composed of a data area 2 recorded in a two-dimensional matrix and a broken line frame pattern 3 recorded in a rectangular shape surrounding the data area 2.
(22) One of the four corners of the broken line frame pattern 3 is the origin of the two-dimensional code coordinate system,
(23) The unit cut portion 3b of the broken line frame pattern 3 is used as a reference portion for cutting out the unit 2a, that is, the inward projection for cutting out the unit 2a from the data area 2 is not provided in the broken line frame pattern 3. ,
And so on.

  As described above, the two-dimensional code of the present invention uses the “cut” itself inevitably set in the longitudinal direction of the broken line frame pattern 3 as a reference portion for cutting out the unit 2 a from the data area 2. This reference part for cutting is not newly set.

  The present invention cuts out each two-dimensional matrix-like unit 2a based on the “cut” in the longitudinal direction of the broken line frame pattern, thereby enlarging the internal data area 2 with respect to the broken line frame pattern 3 of an arbitrary size. ing.

  That is, active utilization as the data area 2 of the inner area of the broken line frame pattern 3 can be achieved.

  Also, by setting the line width of the broken line frame pattern 3 to, for example, twice the cell 2b, which is a constituent element of the unit 2a and is the minimum unit of information recording, the broken line frame pattern 3 and the cell 2b in the captured image are clear. Are distinguished.

The unit arrangement of the illustrated two-dimensional code is, for example,
・ "3 rows x 5 columns" in Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 7
・ "10 rows x 10 columns" in Figure 3
・ "6 rows x 6 columns" in Fig. 4
・ "3 rows x 22 columns" in Fig. 5 (high-density two-dimensional code 7b)
Etc.

  As clearly shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, the single unit 2a is an aggregate of a total of 81 square cells 2b of “9 rows × 9 columns”. Of course, it is arbitrary how many rows and columns of cells 2b constitute one unit. For example, a unit including cells 8b of “8 rows × 16 columns” is also practical.

  The unit 2a has a single unit that is adjacent to the adjacent vertical imaginary straight line L1 passing through the center of the “white” unit cut portion 3b formed on both sides of the longitudinal line segment 3a in the vertical and horizontal directions. This is an area specified by the left-right virtual straight line L2.

The unit 2a in the dotted line part of FIG.
A cell through which a vertical imaginary straight line L1 on the left side of the figure and a horizontal imaginary straight line L2 on the upper side of the figure pass respectively. A cell on the left side of the virtual imaginary line L1 on the right side of the figure. It has become.

  The two-dimensional code 1 in FIG. 3 consists of units of “10 rows × 10 columns” in form, and the inner photo information 4 is recorded in the unit corresponding area of “6 rows × 6 columns” in the center of the two-dimensional code. Yes. It is a two-dimensional code with a photo.

  The record carrier 5 in FIG. 4 is a card, sheet or the like on which the two-dimensional code 1 and the outer photograph information 6 are recorded side by side. Note that the overall size of the square outer photograph information 6 is set with the lower unit 2a as a basic unit.

  The hybrid two-dimensional code 7 shown in FIG. 5 has a rough density two-dimensional code 7a recorded in the top row and the bottom row of the approximate “3 rows × 5 columns”, respectively. A 22-line high-density two-dimensional code 7b is recorded.

  Here, the coarse density two-dimensional code 7a is read by, for example, a smart phone, and the high density two-dimensional code 7b is read by a dedicated machine.

  By reading the basic information of the two-dimensional code 7, the smart phone or the dedicated machine can identify the coarse density two-dimensional code 7a and the high-density two-dimensional code 7b in the hybrid two-dimensional code 7.

In the scanning process of FIG. 6, about the longitudinal direction line segment 3a of the two-dimensional code 1,
(31) Search for the upper side 3c of the broken line frame from the outer side by the scan line A in the ascending order of the horizontal axis and the ascending order of the vertical direction,
(32) Search for the right side 3d of the broken line frame from the outer side by the scan line B in the ascending / horizontal descending order of the vertical axis,
(33) Search for the lower side 3e of the broken line frame from the outer side by the scan line C in descending order of the horizontal axis and descending direction of the vertical direction,
(34) The left side 3f of the broken line frame is searched from the outer side by the scan line D in the descending order of the vertical axis and the ascending order of the horizontal direction.

  In the above search processing for each of the four sides of the longitudinal line segment 3a, scanning is performed from the outside to the inside of the broken line frame pattern 3 in the captured image, and when the background is “white” like paper, the process starts from the white point. When the number of sunspots exceeds the initial value, it is determined that the “side” has been reached. The initial value at this time is, for example, the virtual cell size.

  Also, if the black point length from when this scan data changes from “white” to “black” until it returns to “white” again is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, this “black” change point is determined as the “side arrival point”. May be.

  As the predetermined value at this time, for example, a square-shaped “one-fold” length of one side length of the single cell 2b is used.

  FIG. 7 shows the edge arrival corresponding points when it is initially determined that the movement reaches the “dashed line upper side 3c” by the method of paragraph [0040].

  The side arrival corresponding points include a total of 20 upper side arrival points P1 that have reached the upper side 3c of the broken line frame, and a total of four error arrival points P2 to P5 that have passed the timing cell 3b and reached the cell 2b in the data area 2. It is made up of. Error arrival points P2 to P5 are thinning target points in the merge process of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the reading procedure of the two-dimensional code 1 (the same applies to the reading procedure of the coarse density two-dimensional code 7a and the high-density two-dimensional code 7b).

The procedure for reading the two-dimensional code 1 is roughly as follows.
(s11) The two-dimensional code 1 is photographed by an imaging means such as a camera and the image data is stored in the main memory 9f.
(s12) This image data is binarized and stored in the main memory 9f.
(s13) The outer shape of the longitudinal line segment 3a (broken line frame pattern 3) is searched by the scan processing of FIG. 6 for this binary data.
(s14) On the basis of the search data, the equations in the coordinate system of FIG. 6 for each of the four sides 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f of the broken line frame pattern 3 are obtained by an operation such as the least square method, and each intersection ( The vertex of the broken line frame pattern 3) is calculated.
(s15) Among these four intersections, a single intersection corresponding to the “white” cell (“white” origin break portion 3g) is set as the origin of the two-dimensional code coordinate system. The other three intersections are “black” corner portions 3h, 3j, and 3k corresponding to “black” cells, respectively.
(s16) By a scanning process in the longitudinal direction with respect to the four sides of the broken line frame pattern 3, a plurality of timing cells 3b on each side are searched to obtain position data.
(s17) Based on the position data, an up-down imaginary straight line L1 and a left-right imaginary straight line L2 that connect the intermediate points in the longitudinal direction of the timing cells 3b in the opposite state are set, and the data area 2 is divided into a plurality of grids. The unit 2a is divided.
(s18) The binary data in the data area 2 is converted into decodable word data in units of this unit 2a.
(s19) The converted word data is subjected to error correction processing.
(s20) The word data after error correction processing is converted into compressed data.
(s21) The compressed data is decompressed and restored to the original data.

  The unit 2a set in step (s17) has a lattice-like intersection as a vertex (corner point). For example, in the case of the data area 2 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, it is divided into 15 units 2a of “3 rows × 5 columns”.

  FIG. 9 shows an outline of search point merging processing used in the two-dimensional code outline search in step (s13) of FIG.

  Here, the “search point” is a cell in a broken line frame such as P2 to P5 corresponding to the four-side arrival point such as the upper-side arrival point P1 obtained by the scanning process of FIG. 6 and the “black” cell that has passed through the timing cell 3b. It is a reaching point.

  The broken line frame cell arrival points P2 to P5 are not edge arrival points such as the upper edge arrival point P1, which is originally necessary for the outline search (four side search) of the broken line frame pattern 3. That is, P2 to P5 are nothing but unnecessary data when the longitudinal direction line segment 3a corresponding to the four sides of the broken line frame pattern 3 is obtained.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B show a merge processing procedure for thinning out the unnecessary data P2 to P5 from the arrival point of the longitudinal line segment 3a.

  The thinning target is not the corresponding four sides of the broken line frame pattern 3 but the cell arrival point in the broken line frame of the data area 2.

In the merge process in FIG.
For each arrival point based on the scan lines A to D (four side arrival points such as the upper side arrival point P1 + cell arrival points P2 to P5 within the broken line frame) in units of scan lines,
(s31) Connect these reaching points in ascending or descending order along the longitudinal line segment 3a corresponding to the scan lines A to D,
(s32) Find the direction of each vector between adjacent arrival points in this knotting direction,
(s33) Find the average value in this direction,
(s34) One vector is taken out, and it is determined whether or not the difference between the direction and the average value is smaller than a preset reference value. If “YES”, the process proceeds to the next step. '' Go to step (s36)
(s35) The starting and ending points are effective arrival points,
(s36) Return to step (s34) until processing is completed for all vectors,
The procedure is executed.

In the merge process in FIG.
For each arrival point based on the scan lines A to D (four side arrival points such as the upper side arrival point P1 + cell arrival points P2 to P5 within the broken line frame) in units of scan lines,
(s41) Find the corresponding provisional line of the longitudinal line segment 3a by the least square method for each reaching point,
(s42) For each reaching point, calculate the normal distance to this corresponding provisional line,
(s43) Take out one arrival point and determine whether the normal distance is larger than the preset reference value.If `` YES '', proceed to the next step, if `` NO '' Go to step (s45)
(s44) Thinning out the corresponding arrival points,
(s45) Return to step (s43) until processing is completed for all destinations.
The procedure is executed.

  9A and 9B are used to calculate the four sides 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f of the broken line frame pattern 3 in step (s14) in FIG.

  That is, for example, the corresponding straight line of the longitudinal line segment 3a can be obtained by the least square method for the remaining arrival point.

  FIG. 10 shows a two-dimensional code reading device comprising a camera 8, a processor 9, a two-dimensional code output device 10, and the like.

  The processor 9 includes image data binarizing means 9a, broken line frame pattern specifying means 9b, unit range specifying means 9c, unit content reproducing means 9d, and the like.

  The image data binarizing means 9a converts the image data of the two-dimensional code 1 photographed by the camera 8 into binary data.

As described above, the broken line frame pattern specifying unit 9b
After performing a scan process on binary data and a merge process for each arrival point (four-side arrival points such as the upper-side arrival point P1 + cell arrival points P2 to P5 within the broken line frame) based on the scan lines A to D, the broken line frame pattern 3 to obtain the first to fourth side data of each side 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f,
Based on this side data, first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side is obtained,
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, the “white” origin break portion 3 g is set as the origin of the broken line frame pattern 3.

As described above, the unit range specifying means 9c
Based on the first to fourth side data and binary data, search the timing cell of each side to obtain its position data,
Based on this position data, a virtual straight line connecting the first timing cells in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second timing cell in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction is set, Each range of the unit is identified individually.

  The unit content reproducing means 9d executes the processes of steps (s18) to (s21) in FIG. 8 and displays the contents on the two-dimensional code output device 10.

  As storage media for storing the programs for executing the procedures in paragraphs [0012] (9) and (10) and FIGS. 8 and 9, in addition to optical disks such as CD-ROM and DVD, USB memories and flash memory cards And various online media services such as Web sites and various application stores are used.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a black background may be used, and the illustrated “white” portion and “black” portion may be reversed. Alternatively, a combination of colors such as a “red” portion and a “yellow” portion may be used as long as brightness and darkness can be clearly determined.

  Alternatively, the array of cell rows and columns constituting the unit unit may be set to an arbitrary (m rows × n columns), and the data area of the two-dimensional code may be divided by a unit other than the above.

(Figs. 1-7)
1: Two-dimensional code 2: Data area 2a: Unit 2b: Cell (see FIG. 2)
3: Broken line frame pattern 3a: Longitudinal line segment 3b having a width twice that of cell 2b: “White” unit cut portion 3c: Upper side 3d of broken line frame in the illustrated row direction: Right side 3d of broken line frame in the illustrated column direction: In the illustrated row direction Lower side 3f of broken line frame: left side 3g of broken line frame in illustrated column direction: “white” origin cut portion 3h, 3j, 3k: “black” corner portion 4: inner photo information 5: record carrier (see FIG. 4)
6: Outside photograph information 7: Hybrid two-dimensional code (see FIG. 5)
7a: a pair of upper and lower coarse density two-dimensional code 7b: high density two-dimensional code 7c: high density broken line frame pattern

(Fig. 6, Fig. 7)
A: Scanning line in ascending order of the horizontal axis and ascending order in the vertical direction for searching the upper side in the horizontal direction B: Scanning line in the ascending order of the vertical axis and descending in the horizontal direction for searching for the right side in the vertical direction C: Descending scan line D: vertical left side search and vertical axis descending / horizontal ascending scan line P1: true upper side arrival points P2 to P5: cell arrival point P6: unit left / right / partition P7: unit up / down / partition L1: Vertical virtual line L2: Horizontal virtual line

(Fig. 10)
8: Camera 9: Processor 9a: Image data binarizing means 9b: Broken line frame pattern specifying means 9c: Unit range specifying means 9d: Unit content reproducing means 9e: Work area 9f: Main memory
10: Two-dimensional code output device

Claims (12)

A rectangular unit in which a plurality of light and dark data optically read and binarized are recorded in cell units of rows and columns;
A data area in which a plurality of the units are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix;
A rectangular broken line frame pattern composed of parallel broken lines in the row direction and the column direction that are recorded and optically read in a form surrounding the data area, and
Each of the parallel broken lines constituting the broken line frame pattern is
The length corresponding to the size in the row direction and the column direction of the unit, the longitudinal line segment in the opposed state not having an inward projection,
A unit cut portion in an opposing state formed on both sides of each of the longitudinal line segments and indicating a unit boundary;
An origin break portion indicating the origin of the unit,
The rectangular unit is
Identified by a virtual straight line next to each other in the row direction and the column direction connecting the unit break portions in the opposing state,
A two-dimensional code characterized by that. The origin cut portion is
One of the four corners of the broken line frame pattern is a specific corner portion recorded by light and dark data different from the other three corners,
The two-dimensional code according to claim 1. The data area is
Inside the broken line frame pattern, inner photo information instead of the brightness data is recorded in units of the unit,
The two-dimensional code according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The data area is
In that part, another two-dimensional code with different density is recorded,
The two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The two-dimensional code record carrier which recorded the two-dimensional code in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. Outside photo information is recorded outside the frame of the broken line frame pattern,
The two-dimensional code record carrier according to claim 5. A method for reading a two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A procedure for converting the captured image data of the two-dimensional code into binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth side data corresponding to each side of the broken line frame pattern made of the longitudinal direction line segment by a scan process to the binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side based on the first to fourth side data;
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, a procedure for setting one of the intersections as the origin of the broken line frame pattern;
Based on the first to fourth side data and the binary data, a procedure for searching the unit break part of each side and obtaining the break position data;
An imaginary straight line connecting the first unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction based on the break position data. And a procedure for individually specifying each range of the plurality of units.
A two-dimensional code reading method characterized by the above. In the procedure for obtaining the first to fourth side data,
Among a plurality of reaching points obtained by the scanning process to the longitudinal line segment or a portion having light and dark data similar to the line segment, a reaching point deviating from a predetermined range corresponding to the whole of each side is selected. Thinning out from the specified arrival points of 1st to 4th edge data,
The two-dimensional code reading method according to claim 7. A program for reading the two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
On the computer,
A procedure for converting the captured image data of the two-dimensional code into binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth side data corresponding to each side of the broken line frame pattern made of the longitudinal direction line segment by a scan process to the binary data;
A procedure for obtaining first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side based on the first to fourth side data;
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, a procedure for setting one of the intersections as the origin of the broken line frame pattern;
Based on the first to fourth side data and the binary data, a procedure for searching the unit break part of each side and obtaining the break position data;
An imaginary straight line connecting the first unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction based on the break position data. And a step of individually identifying each range of the plurality of units.
A two-dimensional code reading program characterized by the above. In the procedure for obtaining the first to fourth side data,
Among a plurality of reaching points obtained by the scanning process to the longitudinal line segment or a portion having light and dark data similar to the line segment, a reaching point deviating from a predetermined range corresponding to the whole of each side is selected. Thinning out from the specified arrival points of 1st to 4th edge data,
The two-dimensional code reading program according to claim 9. The two-dimensional code reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Image data binarization means for converting the image data of the photographed two-dimensional code into binary data;
By scanning the binary data, first to fourth side data corresponding to each side of the broken line frame pattern made of the longitudinal direction line segment is obtained,
Based on the first to fourth side data, obtain first to fourth intersection position data corresponding to each intersection of each side,
Based on the first to fourth intersection position data and the binary data, one of the intersections is set as the origin of the broken line frame pattern.
A broken line frame pattern specifying means;
Based on the first to fourth side data and the binary data, search for the unit break part of each side to obtain the break position data,
An imaginary straight line connecting the first unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the row direction and the second unit break portions in the opposite state of the two sides in the column direction based on the break position data. To specify each range of the plurality of units individually,
Unit range specifying means, and
A two-dimensional code reader characterized by the above. The broken line frame pattern specifying means includes
Among a plurality of reaching points obtained by the scanning process to the longitudinal line segment or a portion having light and dark data similar to this line segment, a reaching point at a position outside the predetermined range corresponding to the whole of each side is determined. Thinning out from the specific arrival points of the first to fourth side data,
The two-dimensional code reader according to claim 11.

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