JP2005193578A - Printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing method capable of expressing a large amount of information in a small space as a barcode.
One end of a two-dimensional image is represented by a bar code which is formed by overlapping a plurality of circles having different radius lengths and line thicknesses to form a concentric circle and cut out as a set of subarcs having a central angle θ. To place. Here, the inferior arc is approximately expressed as a rectangle or approximately as a rectangle. Also, the barcodes are arranged so that they are adjacent to each other upside down. Further, at least two or more patterns serving as indices are arranged on the two-dimensional image.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a bar code printing method, and more particularly, a bar that can be easily detected when a handy scanner that performs main scanning with a line image sensor and performs sub-scanning by manually moving on a document is used. The present invention relates to a code printing method.

  Bar codes have emerged as a means of easily inputting various information into electronic devices such as computers, and are now used in a wide range of industries such as distribution, manufacturing, distribution, and services. The barcodes are arranged two-dimensionally for further demands such as storing more information, expressing more character types, printing in a smaller space, and encrypting information. Dimensional barcodes have been used.

  For example, PDF417 is a typical two-dimensional barcode. This two-dimensional barcode is classified into a stack type, and has a configuration in which one-dimensional barcodes are vertically and finely stacked. The features are the same as one-dimensional barcode, and it is expressed by a combination of a bar indicated by a thin line and a bar indicated by a thick line, and a start code and a stop code are added to identify each stacked data string. Has been.

  On the other hand, various ideas have been proposed for reliably reading a one-dimensional barcode. For example, there are barcodes as described in Patent Documents 1 to 3. These inventions generally propose a bar code that can be read accurately from any reading direction by making the bar code a concentric circular structure.

  Next, there is a handy scanner equipped with a line image sensor as one of scanning devices for reading printed characters, pictures, barcodes, and the like. Such a handy scanner reads characters on an original to perform OCR (optical character reader), reads an image to obtain a printed pattern or photo as image data, or the like as described above. It is a scanning device used to read various barcodes and to read various two-dimensional images.

  A mechanism in which such a handy scanner reads a desired two-dimensional image is equipped with a line image sensor that sequentially scans a one-dimensional image in units of one pixel, and the line image sensor has one pixel in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning is performed each time the unit moves, and the line image sensor passes through the two-dimensional image while repeating this, thereby reading the two-dimensional image.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-250501 JP-A-6-36063 JP-A-6-195526

  The above-described handy scanner capable of reading various images is read while being moved on a document by an operator's manual operation. Since the reading operation is performed by manual operation, the reading start position of the handy scanner is adjusted only by visual confirmation of the operator, and then the reading is moved until reading of the entire barcode is completed.

  For example, assume that a two-dimensional barcode such as PDF417 is read. The bar code shown here is such that the vertical length of the bar code is shorter than the length of the line image sensor of the handy scanner, and the horizontal length (bar code length) is longer than that of the line image sensor. It is a barcode.

  At this time, the line image sensor is aligned so as to be parallel to each bar of the bar code, and if reading is started as it is, the bars stacked by one main scanning are read simultaneously and information is read. Can be obtained. As a result, the bar code information can be decoded for each main scan, so that the star code of the bar code can be detected even during reading.

  However, when the line image sensor is aligned in a direction oblique to each bar of the bar code and moved as it is (for example, only a part of the stacked bars can be read in one main scan) ), It is impossible to decode the barcode information for each main scan. Therefore, in order to detect the start code, it is necessary to search for the start code by performing image processing that corrects the inclination of the image data acquired after all reading operations are completed.

  As described above, when reading the two-dimensional bar code such as PDF417 with the above-mentioned handy scanner, the bar code cannot be detected during the reading depending on how the handy scanner is read by the operator. There was a bug to do.

  Next, it is assumed that a bar code composed of concentric circles is read by the handy scanner. The bar code shown here is a bar code in which the shortest linear distance between the bar indicated by the minimum radius and the bar indicated by the maximum radius in the configuration of the bar code is shorter than the length of the line image sensor.

  When the bar code is read by the handy scanner, it can be read by performing main scanning when the line image sensor is on a straight line connecting the center of the bar code and the bar indicated by the maximum radius. At this time, the barcode can be read if the above conditions are satisfied regardless of the distance and direction of reading movement.

  However, since the barcode is expressed in one dimension and requires a large space, a large space is required to convert a large amount of information into a barcode. Therefore, there is a problem that a large amount of information cannot be expressed as a barcode in a small space.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing method that can express a large amount of information in a small space as a barcode.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that a plurality of circles having different radius lengths and line thicknesses are overlapped to form a concentric circle, and a set of subarcs having a central angle θ. A bar code that is cut out and expressed is arranged at one end of a two-dimensional image.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the subarc according to claim 1 is approximately expressed as a rectangle.

  The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the subarc described in claim 1 is approximately expressed as a rectangle.

  The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that the bar codes described in claim 1 are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other with the top and bottom inverted.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that at least two or more patterns serving as indices are arranged in the two-dimensional image according to claims 1 to 4.

  According to the present invention, when a conventional two-dimensional barcode to which a start code is added is read using a handy scanner equipped with a line image sensor (for example, when a two-dimensional barcode such as PDF417 is read). ) If the tilt is such that only a part of the stacked bars can be read in one main scan, it is difficult to detect the start code during reading.

  On the other hand, if the start code of the present invention is within the set range (an angle smaller than ± θ in FIG. 4), even if the handy scanner is tilted, the start code is easily detected during the reading operation. There is an effect that can be done.

  This also has an effect of notifying the operator who is reading the fact that the two-dimensional bar code has been accurately detected and that the reading has been started in real time.

  Furthermore, when the start code of the present invention is applied to a two-dimensional barcode as shown in FIG. 11, there is an effect that the reading angle with respect to the two-dimensional barcode can be easily recognized during reading by the handy scanner.

  Further, after all the two-dimensional barcodes are read by the handy scanner, it is possible to omit image processing for analyzing the entire image data and detecting how much the reading is inclined.

  In addition, compared with the case of printing a concentric bar code, according to the present invention, the start code is added to a bar code in which a large amount of information is encoded. There is an effect that more information can be expressed in the space.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The system configuration example shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system using a handy scanner.

  A handy scanner 101 has a function of reading a two-dimensional image (103) drawn on a document (102) and a function of transmitting image data acquired by the reading to a database device (104). In addition, at least one key input means is provided, and the reading start timing is performed by the key input. Furthermore, it has a display means for audible or visible display, and when the operator needs to be notified, such as when an error occurs during reading, various displays are made on the display means.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a document on which a two-dimensional image (103) is drawn. A magazine, a book, or other printed matter on which a two-dimensional image readable by the handy scanner is printed is shown.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a two-dimensional image that is actually read by the handy scanner. A portion of the document is drawn in a size, shape, or resolution that can be read by the handy scanner. It is mainly a bar code that encodes arbitrary information, articles and images described in magazines and books.

  A database device 104 has a communication function with the handy scanner, and may be a PC, for example. The read two-dimensional image is received as image data from the handy scanner and displayed on the attached monitor device (105) according to various applications. For example, if the two-dimensional image read by the handy scanner is coded information and the information is location information of files and data stored in the database device, the desired file or data is Search and display on the attached monitor.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a monitor device, which may be a television, for example. The database device has a function as a screen display device, and performs display according to the application of the database device.

  The block diagram shown in FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a simple functional block of the handy scanner (101) shown in FIG. In the figure, the bold arrows indicate the flow of image information (data) handled by the handy scanner, the thin arrows (210-215) indicate the flow of control signals (detection signals, etc.), and the blocks (201-208) Shown as each functional block.

  A control unit 201 controls the operation of the handy scanner. All blocks (202 to 208) in the figure are monitored and controlled as necessary. There is a built-in clock function that notifies each block of the time, and configures a timer for use in controlling each process.

  An image reading unit 202 has a function of reading a two-dimensional image. The inside is composed of a line image sensor in which a plurality of sensors that scan an image in units of one pixel are arranged one-dimensionally, and the timing from the control unit (that the handy scanner has moved in units of one pixel in the sub-scanning direction) The line image sensor reads the two-dimensional image by repeating the main scanning. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit, the image data obtained by performing the main scanning is sequentially sent to the bar code detection unit (205) for each pixel unit.

  A movement detection unit 203 has a function of notifying each time the handy scanner moves a certain amount with respect to movement in the sub-scanning direction. The interior is composed of an encoder formed by a rotating member. The encoder is mechanically connected to a roller that rotates by friction with the original as the handy scanner moves on the original. When the handy scanner moves on the document by the manual operation of the operator, the roller rotates and transmits the rotation amount to the encoder. When the encoder rotates a certain amount, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction, and the control unit is notified of the timing.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a key I / F unit, which has a function of detecting whether or not there is an input (pressing) on an operation key provided in the handy scanner. The operation keys include a key indicating the timing for starting reading a two-dimensional image with the handy scanner, a key indicating the timing for ending reading, and the like. When the input (pressing) of the operation key is detected, the control unit is notified accordingly.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a barcode detection unit that detects whether or not the received image data includes a barcode while sequentially transmitting the image data sequentially transmitted from the line image sensor unit to the memory unit (207). It has a function to do. The detection method uses a plurality of data patterns stored in advance inside the image data sequentially transmitted from the line image sensor unit and compares the data pattern at any time. It is a method to determine that it has been detected. Each time a barcode is detected, the control unit is notified of that fact.

  A decoding processing unit 206 has a function of decoding the bar code to decode information. In response to an instruction from the control unit, image data temporarily stored in the memory unit is received, decoded and extracted, and then the content is transmitted to the control unit (216).

  A memory unit 207 has a function of temporarily storing image data read by the handy scanner. It is stored for each image data obtained by one reading, and is transmitted to the decode processing unit (206) and the data transmission unit (208) as required by an instruction from the control unit. It is also possible to delete a part of the stored image data according to an instruction from the control unit.

  A data transmission unit 208 has a function of transmitting data to the database apparatus (104) shown in FIG. When the two-dimensional image is read as a character or a picture with the handy scanner, the image data is transmitted, and when the barcode is read, the information obtained by decoding the barcode is transmitted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation when the handy scanner reads characters, designs, and barcodes in the system configuration as shown in FIG. This shows a case where the handy scanner reads a document on which general characters and patterns are drawn.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the original (102) shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state in which a portion on which characters and designs are drawn is viewed from above. These characters and pictures are objects to be read by the handy scanner, and show how the handy scanner is actually moved from the left side to the right side in FIG. 3 to read the image.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes a line image sensor built in the image reading unit (202) of the handy scanner, which is a part for reading a two-dimensional image. The internal configuration is determined as “0” to “L” when a blank (a place where an image is not drawn) portion of a two-dimensional image is read, and “1” to “H” when a portion of the image is read. It is comprised with the aggregate | assembly of the sensor (302) determined to be. The sensor is arranged on a surface in contact with the document for reading an image drawn on the document, but is shown on the line image sensor through the sensor for convenience.

  The sensors are one-dimensionally arranged in order from the 0th to the nth, and are arranged in the line image sensor. Usually, reading starts from the 0th sensor and reading ends up to the nth sensor. Scanning. In the figure, the sensor on the lower side of the figure is 0th and the sensor on the upper side of the figure is nth. Each of the sensors represents one pixel unit, which is the main scanning resolution of the handy scanner. Since the sensor shown in the figure is too small in actual size, it is drawn as a large circle for convenience and is easily expressed.

  Characters and designs are read by moving the line image sensor from left to right in FIG. The sub-scan is a sub-scan by repeating the main scan while moving by one pixel unit in the sub-scan arrow direction in the figure every time the main scan is performed once.

  4 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the basic concept of the present invention, and are diagrams showing start codes for simply expressing the present invention.

  FIG. 4 shows the basic structure of the start code according to the present invention. The bar code shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by expressing the intersection of the y axis and the x axis as a reference point (403) on a plane represented by the orthogonal y axis (401) and the x axis (402). ing. The start code is composed of a collection of bars as shown at 408.

  The start code (408) is a part expressing various information by a combination of a bar indicated by a thin line and a bar indicated by a thick line. Each bar has a structure of concentric circles with different radius lengths and line thicknesses centered on the reference point, and the concentric circles are cut out in a sector shape with a central angle 2θ. In other words, it is a set of subarcs with a central angle 2θ.

  Here, the straight line (405) passes through the reference point and is a straight line inclined at an angle θ (404) with respect to the y-axis. Similarly, the straight line (407) passes through the reference point and is a straight line inclined by an angle −θ (406) with respect to the y axis.

  A range sandwiched between the straight line (405) inclined by the angle θ with respect to the y-axis and the straight line (407) inclined by the angle −θ with respect to the y-axis is shown as a fan-shaped range having a central angle 2θ. It shows.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first application example of the start code according to the present invention. The configuration of the start code shown here is a start code created by changing the start code (408) shown in FIG.

  The start code (408) in FIG. 4 is drawn as a set of subarcs having a central angle 2θ, whereas the start code (501) in FIG. 5 is the length of each base (upper base, lower base). It is drawn as a collection of trapezoids with different heights.

  For example, in FIG. 4, a straight line parallel to the x-axis (402) in contact with the y-axis (401) at the portion closest to the bar reference point, and the y-axis (401 at the portion furthest from the bar reference point). ) Shows a trapezoid surrounded by a straight line parallel to the x-axis (402), a straight line (405), and a straight line (407).

  Or the point closest to the reference point of the bar in contact with the straight line (405) in FIG. 4, the point farthest from the reference point, and the point closest to the reference point of the bar in contact with the straight line (407). A trapezoid formed by connecting four points with a point farthest from the reference point with a straight line may be used.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second application example of the start code according to the present invention. The configuration of the start code shown here is a start code created by changing the start code (408) shown in FIG.

  The start code (408) in FIG. 4 is drawn as a set of subarcs having a central angle 2θ, whereas the start code (601) in FIG. 6 is the length of each side (long side, short side). Is drawn as a set of different rectangles.

  For example, in FIG. 4, a straight line parallel to the x-axis (402) that touches the straight line (405) and the straight line (407) passes through a point that touches the y-axis (401) at the portion farthest from the reference point of the bar. A rectangle having a long side and a short side of the thickness of the bar is shown. At this time, it arrange | positions so that the vertex far from a reference point may contact | connect the straight line (405) and a straight line (407) among the vertexes of this rectangle, as shown in the figure.

  FIG. 7 shows a third application example of the start code according to the present invention. The configuration of the start code shown here is a vertical arrangement of the basic configuration of the start code shown in FIG.

  The start code shown in FIG. 4 is considered as one module, and two such modules are stacked to form a start code. Specifically, the two modules should be adjacent to each other by rotating 180 °. Each reference point must be on the y-axis. The distance between the modules is arranged in such a range that the innermost bars in each module do not overlap each other, as shown in the figure, from the distance sharing the reference points.

  As another example, the one-dimensional barcode may be configured by arranging the modules shown in FIG. 5 under the above-described conditions. Similarly, the one-dimensional barcode may be configured by arranging the modules shown in FIG. 6 under the above-described conditions.

  FIG. 8 shows the operation when the handy scanner reads the start code of the present invention in the system configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a part of the document (102) shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the start code shown in FIG. 7 is viewed from above. The start code is an object to be read by the handy scanner, and shows that the image is read by actually moving the handy scanner from the left side to the right side of FIG.

  The dotted lines (801 to 803) in the figure represent the position and inclination of the line image sensor (301) when the handy scanner passes through the start code while moving on the start code. Is. That is, the line image sensor does not advance in parallel with the y-axis direction of the module, and has passed through the module as inclined as indicated by dotted lines (801 to 803).

  The mechanism for detecting the start code is performed by constantly monitoring whether the image data obtained by the main scanning of the line image sensor is the image data obtained by reading the star code. .

  When the line image sensor passes through the center of the mark with an inclination smaller than the angle ± θ shown in FIG. 4 as indicated by dotted lines (801, 802) in the figure, the line image sensor is inside the module. If the inclination of the line image sensor is inclined more than the angle ± θ shown in FIG. 4 as indicated by a dotted line (803), the entire module is scanned. This indicates that scanning is impossible.

  9 is a diagram showing an example of use of the start code shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of use of the start code shown in FIG. It will be described below that the presence of the pattern can be easily detected during reading by adding a start code (901, 1001) in the vicinity of an arbitrary pattern (902, 1002) as shown in the figure.

  Here, when the pattern and the start code are, for example, an information part (902, 1002) and a start code part (901, 1001) in a barcode obtained by encoding information by a unique method, for example, PDF417 When an original start code (901, 1001) is added to a general two-dimensional barcode (902, 1002), or an original start code or article (902, 1002) described in a magazine or book In some cases, a code (901, 1001) is added.

  When the handy scanner starts reading at an angle smaller than the angle ± θ shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the start code, the image data read when the start code passes is decoded. The information of the start code can be acquired. Therefore, if the information indicating the presence of the pattern is included in the information, the presence of the pattern can be detected even during reading.

  On the other hand, when the handy scanner starts reading at an angle larger than the angle ± θ shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the start code, the image data read when passing the start code may be decoded. The start code information cannot be acquired. Therefore, it is impossible to detect the presence of the pattern during reading, and the star code must be searched by performing image processing or the like from the acquired image data after all reading operations are completed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific use example of the start code. The start code shown in FIG. 10 is added to the head of the barcode.

  A portion denoted by reference numeral 1101 in the figure is a portion where information is converted into a barcode, and one information unit is constituted by a vertical module and arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction. Furthermore, a two-dimensional bar code in which marks (round circles) serving as indices are arranged as shown in the figure. The start code (1001) is added to this portion (1101) to constitute the entire two-dimensional barcode.

  FIG. 12 shows the operation when the handy scanner as shown in FIG. 1 reads the two-dimensional bar code of FIG. 11 using the start code of the present invention.

  The dotted lines (1201, 1201a, 1201b) in the figure indicate the line image sensor (301) when the handy scanner passes through the start code and each mark while reading and moving on the two-dimensional barcode. It expresses the position and inclination of. That is, the line image sensor does not travel in parallel with the y-axis direction of the start code, and when it passes through the start code, the line image sensor tilts as indicated by a dotted line (1201).

  When the line image sensor reaches the position of the dotted line (1201) after reading is started and main scanning is performed, the entire start code can be read for the first time. Accordingly, the dotted line (1201) is the position of the line image sensor that detects the start code when the line image sensor is read and moved at an inclination θ.

  Next, a dotted line (1203) indicates a reading movement distance from a position (1201) where the start code is detected to a position (1201a) where one mark is detected. Similarly, a dotted line (1202) is The distance of the reading movement distance to the position (1201b) where another mark is detected is shown. Here, each reading movement distance (1202, 1203) can be measured by the movement detection unit (203) shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, a solid line (1204) in the drawing is drawn assuming that the line image sensor has advanced in parallel with the y-axis direction of the start code. When reading is started and the line image sensor reaches the position of the solid line (1204) and the line image sensor performs main scanning, the position where the entire start code is expected to be read is shown. Therefore, when the line image sensor is read and moved at an inclination of 0 °, the position is the position of the line image sensor that detects the start code.

  A solid line (1205) indicates the distance from the position (1204) where the start code is detected to one mark, and similarly, a solid line (1206) indicates the distance to the other mark. It is shown. Further, since the inclination of the line image sensor at the time of reading is limited to 0 °, the position of the solid line (1204) can be specified in advance from the structure of the two-dimensional barcode, and the length of the solid line (1205, 1206) is similarly It can also be specified in advance. Further, the distance in the vertical direction (y-axis direction) between the marks arranged above and below can be recognized in advance from the structure of the two-dimensional barcode.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram in which some lines are extracted from FIG. Specifically, the lines (1201 to 1206) are rewritten with solid lines and the other lines are deleted (however, the dotted lines (1201a) and (1201b) are deleted).

  The length of the dotted line (1202) is y ', the length of the dotted line (1203) is x', the length of the solid line (1205) is y, and the length of the solid line (1206) is x. Furthermore, the vertical distance between the marks arranged on the two-dimensional barcode is additionally written as h.

  Then, the numerical value in the figure can be expressed by the relationship like the mathematical expression in the figure. Further, the values of x ′ and y ′ can be easily obtained by reading with the handy scanner. X, y, and h are numerical values recognized in advance. Therefore, θ is expressed by x, x ′, y, y ′, h, which means that the value of θ can be derived by calculation.

  If the two-dimensional bar code shown in FIG. 11 is constructed using the start code according to the present invention, the two-dimensional bar code is read when the handy scanner as shown in FIG. 1 reads the two-dimensional bar code. The reading angle can be easily obtained.

  The present invention can be applied to a printing method that can be easily detected, particularly when a handy scanner that performs main scanning by a line image sensor and performs sub-scanning by manually moving the document on the document is used.

It is a figure which shows the example of the system configuration which uses a handy scanner. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a handy scanner. It is a figure which shows the concept of the reading operation in a handy scanner. It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the barcode by this invention. It is a figure which shows the application example 1 of the basic composition of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the application example 2 of the basic composition of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the application example 3 of the basic composition of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the reading method of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the usage example of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the usage example 2 of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the usage example 3 of the start code by this invention. It is a figure which shows the reading operation | movement of the two-dimensional barcode by this invention. It is the figure which expressed reading angle with numerical formula.

Explanation of symbols

101 Handy scanner device 102 Document 103 Two-dimensional image (barcode)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 Database apparatus 105 Monitor apparatus 201 Control part 202 Image reading part 203 Movement detection part 204 Key I / F part 205 Barcode detection part 206 Decoding processing part 207 Memory part 208 Data transmission part 301 Line image sensor 302 Sensor 401 Y axis 402 x Axis 403 Reference point (center of concentric circle)
408, 501, 601, 701, 901, 1001 Start code 902, 1002 Pattern 1101 Two-dimensional barcode

Claims (5)

  A plurality of circles having different radius lengths and line thicknesses are overlapped to form a concentric circle, and a barcode expressed as a set of subarcs with a central angle θ is arranged at one end of a two-dimensional image. A printing method characterized by   The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the subarc is approximately expressed as a trapezoid.   The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the subarc is approximately expressed as a rectangle.   2. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the bar codes are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other upside down.   The printing method according to claim 1, wherein at least two or more patterns serving as indices are arranged on the two-dimensional image.

Images