JP2008109532A - Information generating apparatus, information generating method, information generating program, information reading system, information reading program, electronic pen, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

An output image having second information meaning different from first information is generated as an output image of position information or first information.
A code pattern image generation apparatus includes a position code generation unit that generates a position code unique to a position on an output sheet or a recording position of a document image recorded on the output sheet, and an output sheet or output sheet. An identification code generating unit 22 that generates an identification code for identifying recorded document information, and an additional image that generates a code pattern image by arranging the identification code in a block of code blocks formed by two-dimensionally arranging the position code Code pattern image using information generation unit 24, pattern group selection unit for selecting a pattern group corresponding to control information, and a plurality of unit code patterns included in the pattern group from at least one of position code and identification code A code pattern image generation unit 78 to be generated.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information generation apparatus, an information generation method, an information generation program, an information reading system, an information reading program, an electronic pen, and a recording medium.

Conventional technology for embedding position information on a recording medium such as output paper, reading a partial image on the recording medium with a pen-type reading device, acquiring position information from the partial image, and acquiring a locus of the pen-type reading device It was known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).
In Patent Document 1, a product having an encoding pattern with a plurality of marks, each mark representing one of at least two different values. The encoding pattern has a plurality of reference positions, and each of the plurality of marks is associated with one reference position. The value of each mark is determined by its position relative to its reference position. Patent Document 1 discloses such a technique.

In Patent Document 2, a document is watermarked with a maze pattern, and encoded position information is determined therefrom. The sequence of images is captured by a camera placed on the pen. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a pen tip path is determined by decoding a related maze pattern and collating a captured image with a document image.
In Patent Literature 3, the image processing apparatus generates print document data of a target image, and generates dot pattern pattern data indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied. Then, both are superimposed on the background of the document of the print document data so as to form this pattern data and are combined into one image, and the image data of the combined image is output to the image forming apparatus. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for forming an image in this way.

In Patent Document 4, a document security management system includes an image forming apparatus and a security server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. The security server includes a first profile management table that generates and records a profile of the electronic document when the electronic document is generated by the image forming apparatus. When a print document is generated by the image forming apparatus, a second profile management table for generating and recording the profile of the print document in association with the ID of the document from which the print document is derived is provided. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-26883 discloses a technique in which an image forming apparatus prints a print document by embedding a new print ID in the print document.
In Patent Document 5, a two-dimensional code formed by arranging a plurality of two-dimensional codes having document unique information and position information of a document on a part or all of a printed document to be printed A technique for forming a first two-dimensional code to be formed and a second two-dimensional code formed in a predetermined region of the printed document and having a different form from the first two-dimensional code is disclosed.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-511761 JP 2005-235185 A JP 2004-260341 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-259108 JP 2006-085679 A

  Here, an object of the present invention is to provide an information generation device or the like that generates an output image having the meaning of second information different from the first information on the output image of position information or first information.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an information generation apparatus according to the present invention has a section formed by two-dimensionally arranging position information unique to a position on a recording medium or a position of a document image recorded on the recording medium. Image information block generation means for generating image information blocks by arranging first information, image information group selection means for selecting an image information group corresponding to second information different from the first information, and image information block generation means The output information of at least one of the position information and the first information of the image information block generated in the above is used by using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the image information group selected by the image information group selection unit Output image generating means for generating.
In the information generating apparatus, the output image generating means expresses the unit additional image information by arrangement of the unit image with respect to the reference position.
In the information generating apparatus, the output image generating means arranges unit images in s (s <r) areas of r areas included in the unit additional image information, and _r C _s (= r! / ((Rs)! S!)) Unit additional image information is expressed.
In the information generation apparatus, the output image generation means generates an output image using 2 ^z (z> 1) unit additional image information belonging to each image information group.
In the information generating apparatus, the output image generating means generates the output image by using the unit additional image information belonging to the same image information group for the adjacent image information block.
In the information generating apparatus, the first information is identification information for identifying the recording medium or the document information recorded on the recording medium, and the second information is control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information. It is characterized by.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an information generation apparatus according to the present invention has a section formed by two-dimensionally arranging position information unique to a position on a recording medium or a position of document information recorded on the recording medium. Image information block generation means for generating an image information block by arranging identification information for identifying document information recorded on the recording medium or the recording medium, and image information corresponding to control information for controlling the operation of a device using the identification information The image information group selection unit selects at least one of the code pattern image of the position information and identification information of the image information block generated by the image information block generation unit and the image information block generation unit. And a code pattern image generation unit that generates using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the image information group.
In order to solve the above problems, an information generation method according to the present invention records information in a section formed by two-dimensionally arranging position information unique to a position on a recording medium or a position of document information recorded on the recording medium. An image information block generation step for generating an image information block by arranging identification information for identifying document information recorded on a medium or a recording medium, and an image information group corresponding to control information for controlling the operation of a device using the identification information A code pattern for generating a code pattern image of at least one of position information and identification information of an image information block using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the image information group And an image generation step.
In order to solve the above-described problem, an information generation program according to the present invention is a section in which position information unique to a position on a recording medium or a position of document information recorded on the recording medium is two-dimensionally arranged on a computer. Corresponds to an image information block generation function for generating an image information block by arranging identification information for identifying a recording medium or document information recorded on the recording medium, and control information for controlling an operation of a device using the identification information. Generating an image information group selection function for selecting an image information group and a code pattern image of at least one of position information and identification information of an image information block using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the image information group The code pattern image generation function is realized.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an information reading system according to the present invention includes an image information block detection unit that detects an image information block from acquired information, and document information recorded on the recording medium or the recording medium from the image information block. Identification information detection means for detecting identification information to be identified, image information group determination means for determining an image information group used for the identification information detected by the identification information detection means, and determination by an image information group determination means Control information detecting means for detecting control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information by the image information group thus formed is characterized.
In order to solve the above problems, an information reading program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium or recording medium from an image information block, and an image information block detecting function for detecting an image information block from acquired information on a computer. An identification information detection function for detecting identification information for identifying document information, an image information group discrimination function for discriminating an image information group used for the identification information, and an operation of a device using the identification information by the image information group A control information detection function for detecting control information is realized.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic pen according to the present invention includes an image information block detection unit that detects an image information block from acquired information, and an image information block that is detected by the image information block detection unit. The position information detecting means for detecting position information unique to the upper position or the position of the document information recorded on the recording medium, and the image information group used for the position information detected by the position information detecting means are discriminated. Control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information for identifying the recording medium or the document information recorded on the recording medium is detected by the image information group determining unit and the image information group determined by the image information group determining unit. And control information detecting means.
In order to solve the above-described problems, the recording medium according to the present invention has two-dimensional position information unique to the position on the recording medium, and identifies the recording medium in a section formed by two-dimensional position information. The control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information is expressed by the image information group in which the identification information is arranged and used in at least one of the position information and the identification information. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the output image of the position information or the first information can have a meaning as the second information different from the first information depending on the image information group used for encoding.
According to the invention of claim 2, the area coverage can be kept low while the concentration is kept constant.
According to the invention of claim 3, the density can be set freely.
According to the invention of claim 4, the unit additional image information can be used efficiently.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to easily detect the second information even when the image information block is small.
According to the invention of claim 6, the position information or the identification information included in the output image has a meaning as control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information, depending on the image information group used for encoding. be able to.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the position information or identification information included in the code pattern image has the meaning as control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information depending on the image information group used for encoding. Can have.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the position information or identification information included in the code pattern image has the meaning as control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information depending on the image information group used for encoding. Can have.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the position information or identification information included in the code pattern image has the meaning as control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information, depending on the image information group used for encoding. Can have.
According to the invention of claim 10, it is possible to determine the image information group used for the identification information of the acquired information, detect the control information, and control the operation of the device using the identification information.
According to the invention of claim 11, it is possible to determine the image information group used for the identification information of the acquired information, detect the control information, and control the operation of the device using the identification information.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the device using the identification information can be controlled by the image information group used for the position information of the acquired information.
According to the invention of claim 13, it is possible to control the operation of the reading device using the identification information recorded on the recording medium.

(Code pattern image generator)
Hereinafter, the best mode (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining a code pattern image generation apparatus 10 as an example of an information generation apparatus according to the present invention.
The code pattern image generation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment generates a position code as an example of position information unique to a recording position on a recording medium such as output paper or a recording position of a document image recorded on the recording medium. And a pattern group selection unit 21 that selects a pattern group corresponding to the acquired control information. The code pattern image generation device 10 uses an identification code generation unit 22 that generates an identification code as an example of identification information for identifying document information recorded on a recording medium, and a code block using the position code and the identification code. And an additional image information generation unit 24 that generates a code pattern image using a unit code pattern included in the pattern group, and superimposition information obtained by converting the input document information into image information and superimposing the additional image information And a superimposing information output unit 25 for outputting the.

The position code generation unit 20 includes an M sequence encoding unit 71 that encodes the position information by converting it into M series, and a block division unit 72 that divides the encoded M sequence into code blocks of a predetermined size.
The M sequence encoding unit 71 encodes position information using the M sequence. The position information is encoded by obtaining the necessary M-sequence order from the length of the position information to be encoded and dynamically generating it. When the length to be encoded is determined in advance, the M series is stored in a memory (not shown) of the image generating apparatus and read out when generating the image.
The block division unit 72 divides and stores the encoded M-sequence into information amounts that can be stored in one code block. This will be described later.
The pattern group selection unit 21 selects a pattern group corresponding to the acquired control information.

The identification code generating unit 22 includes a block dividing unit 74 that divides the identification information into a plurality of blocks, an RS encoding unit 75 that performs RS encoding processing on the divided blocks and adds redundant blocks for error correction, including.
The block dividing unit 74 divides the identification information into a plurality of blocks having a length of 4 bits, for example. This will be described later.
The RS encoding unit 75 performs RS encoding processing on the divided blocks and adds redundant blocks for error correction.
The additional image information generation unit 24 generates a code pattern image by using a block generation unit 77 that generates a code block that is a virtual two-dimensional plane using the position code and the identification code, and a unit code pattern that the pattern group has. A code pattern image generation unit 78.
The block generation unit 77 generates a code block which is a code plane by arranging the two-dimensional plane using the position code and the identification code.

The code pattern image generation unit 78 refers to the code block, selects a code pattern corresponding to each code value from the pattern group selected by the pattern group selection unit 21, and codes as an example of the additional image information A pattern image is generated. Specifically, in order to simplify the internal processing, in the process up to the generation of the code block, the position code, the identification code, and the like are processed using an internal code called a code value, and this code pattern image generation unit 78 corresponds to each code value. A code pattern image is generated by replacing the code pattern image as an example of the output image.
The superimposition information output unit 25 superimposes the code pattern image on the document information input from the outside and outputs the superimposition information. Here, the superimposition information is information created in a print description language (PDL). The document information is input from the document management server 3 described later.
For example, the code pattern image generation device 10 in the present embodiment constitutes an information generation device according to the invention (the present invention) according to the information generation device, and the block generation unit 77 constitutes an image information block generation means according to the present invention. The pattern group selection unit 21 constitutes an image information group selection unit according to the present invention, and the code pattern image generation unit 78 constitutes an output image generation unit according to the present invention.

The configuration of the code pattern image generated by the code pattern image generation apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described below.
(Unit code pattern)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a unit code pattern of a code pattern image.
In this example, two places are selected from the places where dots as examples of unit images in three places in the vertical direction and three places in the horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as 3 × 3 places) can be placed, and the dots are placed. In this case, the dot arrangement combinations of the unit code pattern are 36 ( ₉ C ₂ = 36) (where _m C _n = m! / {(Mn)! × n!}).
When recording at 600 dpi, one dot size (square size) in FIG. 2 is 2 pixels in the vertical direction and 2 pixels in the horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as 2 × 2 pixels) (calculation is 84.6 μm × 84.6 μm). The recorded toner image has a dot shape of about φ100 μm due to the influence of the xerographic process). Therefore, the unit code pattern is a rectangle (0.5076 mm × 0.5076 mm) having a side length of 0.5076 mm.

  Of the 36 combinations, 4 are used as synchronization codes for detecting code blocks (described later) and detecting rotation angles. At this time, in order to detect the rotation angle of the code block in units of 90 degrees, the four patterns are selected so as to be patterns to be rotated by 90 degrees. That is, if any one of the four patterns is embedded as a synchronization code at the time of image generation, the rotation angle of the code block (the code synchronized on the two-dimensional array) depends on the angle at which the synchronization code is detected at the time of decoding. Which direction of 0/90/180/270 degrees of the block is facing) can be determined and corrected.

The remaining 32 combinations (32 = 2 ⁵ ) of the 36 combinations can be used for embedding information of 5 bits per unit code pattern.
At this time, in this embodiment, 32 patterns that can be used for information embedding are divided into two sets (pattern group A, pattern group B). That is, it is divided into two sets each having 16 types of patterns.
Sixteen types of patterns of pattern group A and pattern group B divided for embedding first information such as identification information are used. Since the amount of information that can be expressed by 16 types (16 = 2 ⁴ ) of patterns is 4 bits, it is possible to embed 4 bits of first information per unit code pattern.

Second information such as control information for controlling the operation of a reading device as an example of a device using identification information, depending on whether one of pattern group A or pattern group B is used when placing a unit code pattern in a code block. Embed information. In the present embodiment, since the pattern group is divided into two, the information amount of the second information that can be embedded in the unit code pattern is 1 bit.
Note that the unit code pattern is not limited to the method of arranging dots at two of nine positions as shown in FIG. 2, and may be three or four. That is, it should be smaller than nine. For example, if the configuration is such that dots are arranged in three of nine places, there are 84 combinations of dot arrangements ( ₉ C ₃ = 84). At this time, the density of the output code pattern image changes depending on the number of dots arranged in the unit code pattern.
Further, the number of places where dots can be arranged is not limited to nine (3 × 3), but may be other numbers, for example, four (2 × 2) or 16 (4 × 4).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the unit code pattern of the code pattern image.
FIG. 3 shows a unit code pattern having the same size as that in FIG. 2, and the amount of first information is 3 bits (8 = 2 ³ ), and 32 patterns that can be used for information embedding are divided into four pattern groups. This is an example in which the number of types is four. The information amount of the second information is 2 bits (4 = 2 ² ).
Here, FIG. 4 shows 36 dot arrangements that can be taken by the unit code patterns of FIGS. The space between dots is omitted for simplification of display.
In addition to this, ₉ C ₃ (dots are arranged in 3 of 9 locations = 84 types of combinations), 20 types for the synchronization code, 5 bits for the first information (2 ⁵ = 32 types), and the second information One bit (two types) may be embedded. Alternatively, the same ₉ C ₃ (84 types) may be embedded with 4 bits (2 ⁴ = 16 types) in the first information and 2 bits (2 ² = 4 types) in the second information. Furthermore, as ₁₆ C ₃ (dots are arranged at 3 of 16 locations = 560 types), 7 bits (2 ⁷ = 128 types) for the first information and 2 bits (2 ² = 4 types) for the second information It is good also as a structure which embeds. At this time, since the code pattern image is generated using 2 ^z (z> 1) unit code patterns belonging to each image information group, the unit code patterns can be used efficiently.
Further, the unit code pattern may be expressed by dot arrangement with respect to the reference position of the code block (not shown). Since the number of dots in the unit code pattern is the same, the dot area (area coverage) occupied in the unit code pattern can be kept low, and the density of the output code pattern image can be made constant.

(Synchronous code combination)
FIG. 5 shows combinations of synchronization codes that can be selected from 36 dot arrangements that the unit code pattern of FIG. 4 can take. All the combinations shown in FIG. 5 are 90-degree rotationally symmetric. Any combination can be made into four kinds of code patterns used for a synchronous code.

(Example of dot pattern group division)
FIG. 6 shows an example of dot pattern group division. 5 is an example in which the unit code pattern of FIG. 4 is divided into an information embedding pattern group A, a pattern group B, and a synchronization code.

(Code block)
FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of code blocks. 5 × 5 unit code patterns shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are arranged to form a code block.
The synchronization code shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is arranged at the upper left position of the code block. That is, one of the synchronization codes shown in FIGS. 5A to 5H is selected, and one selected from the four unit code patterns included in the selected synchronization code is arranged at the upper left of the code block. To do.

(Position code)
As the position code, an X position code obtained by encoding information unique to the position in the X direction is arranged using four unit code patterns adjacent to the right side of the synchronization code. Further, a Y position code obtained by encoding information unique to the position in the Y direction is arranged using four unit code patterns adjacent to the lower side of the synchronization code. Since each of the X position code and the Y position code uses four unit code patterns, each can store information of 16 bits (4 bits × 4 pieces). Here, both the X position code and the Y position code according to the present embodiment are examples of position information according to the present invention.

An M sequence can be used as an example of the position code. For example, if a 12th-order M sequence is used, the sequence length of the M sequence is 4095 (= 2 ¹² −1). When 16 types of patterns are selected as the unit code pattern of the position code, information of 4 bits can be stored in each unit code pattern, so that information of 16 bits (4 bits × 4 pieces) can be stored in one code block. Therefore, an M sequence having a sequence length of 4095 can be divided and stored in 255 (= 4095 ÷ 16) code blocks. Since the width of one code block is 2.538 mm (= 0.5076 mm / unit code pattern × 5), the length of 255 consecutive code blocks is 647.19 mm, and the length of 647.19 mm is encoded. it can. That is, encoding can be performed up to A2 size (420 mm × 594 mm) paper.
In addition, although the example which encoded the position by one M series was shown here, the position which can be encoded can be further increased by connecting a some M series. For example, even when an 11th order M-sequence is used, A0 size paper can be encoded by connecting four of them.

(Identification code)
An identification code is placed in the remaining area of the code block. In the following description, a case where bit value 0 is assigned to group A and bit value 1 is assigned to group B will be described.
Here, the reading device is a device such as a multifunction device that reads information recorded on the output paper and performs operations such as copying, scanning, and FAX. In addition, operations such as copying / scanning / fax prohibition, permission, and authentication are controlled by the reading device.
A control code is generated according to the control information of the reading device (copy / scan / fax prohibition, permission, authentication, etc.), and the unit code pattern used for embedding the identification code is switched according to the control code.
For example, when copying / scanning / faxing is prohibited, the control codes are all 0 bit strings, and the unit code patterns of the pattern group A are all used.

Also, when performing user authentication when copying / scanning / faxing (displaying a user authentication screen on the user interface UI of the reading device or requesting the user to scan the IC card specific to the user) As another control code, a bit string having a bit value of 1 can be used. In this case, the unit code pattern of the pattern group B is used for embedding the position code and the identification code.
In addition, a combination of bit value 0 and bit value 1 can be realized in correspondence with other control information. For example, when the control code length is 2 bits and the bit string is 01, the control code can be expressed by alternately using the pattern group A and the pattern group B.

  Since 16 unit code patterns (4 × 4) can be arranged in the identification code area, information of 64 bits (4 bits / unit code pattern × 16) can be stored. Since the unit code pattern of the present embodiment is a multi-level code, errors that occur during reading and the like also occur in units of the unit code pattern. Accordingly, it is desirable that the error correction code be a system that can perform error correction in units of blocks. If an RS code, which is a known block error correction code system, is used for the identification code, the block length of the RS code can be set to 4 bits, which is the information amount of the unit code pattern. In this case, the code length of the RS code is 16 blocks (= 64 bits / 4 bits / block). For example, if the correction capability of 2 blocks is provided, the information code length is 12 blocks (= 16 blocks−2 blocks × 2). It becomes. In this case, 48 bits (= 4 bits / block × 12 blocks) of information can be embedded as identification information. The 48-bit identification information can identify about 280 trillion images.

(Code pattern image generation method)
The code pattern image generation method executed by the code pattern image generation apparatus 10 described above will be described using a ₉ C ₂ code pattern image as an example. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for generating a code pattern image.
The M-sequence encoding unit 71 performs M-sequence encoding on position information unique to the position on the recording medium and outputs it as a position code (M-sequence encoding step) (step 101).
The block division unit 72 divides the output position code into code blocks (block division step) (step 102).

On the other hand, the identification code is generated in parallel with the generation of the position code. First, the identification code generation unit 22 acquires identification information from the outside (identification information acquisition step) (step 103).
Next, in order to RS-code the acquired identification information, the block division unit 74 divides the block into a plurality of blocks having a 4-bit length (block division step) (step 104). For example, as described with reference to FIG. 7, when 48-bit identification information is embedded, 48 bits are divided into 12 blocks each having a 4-bit length.

The RS encoder 75 performs RS encoding processing on the divided blocks and adds redundant blocks for error correction (RS encoding step) (step 105). Here, if an RS code capable of correcting an error of 2 blocks is used, the code length is 16 blocks.
The block generation unit 77 generates a two-dimensional code plane (code block) using the position code expressed as an M-sequence and divided into blocks, and the RS-coded identification code (block generation step) (step 106). ).

The pattern group selection unit 21 acquires control information from the outside (control information acquisition step) (step 107), and generates a control code with reference to the acquired control information (control code generation step) (step 108).
And the pattern group selection part 21 selects the kind (pattern group) of the unit code pattern used by a code block using the produced | generated control code (pattern group selection process) (step 109). That is, the unit code pattern used for the position code and the identification code is switched between the pattern group A and the pattern group B shown in FIG. 6 according to the control code. Note that unit code patterns belonging to the same pattern group are used for the same code block (see FIG. 9 described later).

The code pattern image generation unit 78 refers to the code block, selects a unit code pattern corresponding to each code value from the selected pattern group, generates a code pattern image, and outputs it (code pattern image generation step) (Step 110).
The superimposition information output unit 25 acquires document information (document information acquisition step) (step 111), and superimposes a code pattern image on the acquired document information and outputs superimposition information (superimposition information output step) (step 112). .

Here, for example, the block generation step (step 106) of the present embodiment is the “image information block generation step” of the invention relating to the information generation method, and the pattern group selection step (step 109) is the “image information group selection step”. In addition, the code pattern image generation step (step 110) corresponds to the “code pattern image generation step”.
Further, for example, the “image information block generation function” of the invention relating to the information generation program is executed by executing the process of step 106 of the present embodiment, and the “image information group selection” is executed by executing the process of step 109. “Function” is implemented by executing the processing of step 110, respectively.

(Code block generation example)
An example of the code pattern image generated by the code pattern image generation method described above will be described below.
An example of code block generation executed by the block generation unit 77 in the block generation step (step 106) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of code block generation.
As the synchronization code, one type of synchronization code selected from one of the eight pairs of synchronization codes shown in FIG. 5 is arranged. The same unit code pattern is always arranged for the synchronization code regardless of the arrangement position.

Position codes are arranged in the upper, lower, left and right columns of the synchronization code, and an identification code is arranged in the lower right quadrant of the synchronization code. That is, the sequence of position codes constitutes a grid, and a synchronization code is arranged at each intersection of the grid. An identification code is arranged in each section of the lattice. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the position code and the identification code are position information encoded with an M-sequence and identification information encoded with an RS number. Since each code block has a synchronization code, position codes cannot be arranged continuously, and a synchronization code is arranged for every four unit code patterns of position codes.
When the position code and the identification code are arranged, as shown in the figure, the block is composed of a combination of the position code and the identification code composed of the unit code pattern belonging to the pattern group A and the unit code pattern belonging to the pattern group B. Blocks composed of combinations of the position codes and identification codes are alternately arranged in a zigzag pattern.

FIG. 10 shows an arrangement example of code pattern images in which code blocks are generated in this way. FIG. 10 shows an arrangement example of code pattern images generated by the generation method shown in FIG.
FIG. 10A shows an example using two types of pattern groups. A code block composed of pattern group A and a code block composed of pattern group B are arranged in a staggered manner, and a control code expressed by switching pattern groups is embedded.
FIG. 10B is composed of two types of pattern groups as in FIG. 10A, but the area where the same pattern group is selected is four times as large as the area shown in FIG. The area. That is, unit code patterns belonging to the same pattern group are used for adjacent code blocks. As a result, since the area of each pattern group is enlarged, detection of the control code can be facilitated even when each code block is small.

FIG. 10 (c) encodes the control code with four types of pattern groups as shown in FIG. If it is decided to use four types of pattern groups in advance, the four types of operations can be switched depending on how many types of pattern groups are detected from the four types of pattern groups in the read print document.
10A to 10C is configured to switch the control of the reading device or the like depending on the number of pattern groups detected from the printed document. However, as the configuration that gives meaning to the arrangement of the pattern groups. Also good. For example, it is possible to define a pattern block composed of a plurality of code blocks and embed control information according to the order of pattern groups detected in the pattern block. For example, if an area where 3 × 3 code blocks are arranged is defined as a pattern block and two types of pattern groups are used, 9-bit control information can be embedded.
In both cases, since the pattern group indicating the control code is arranged on the entire surface of the code pattern image, when the code pattern image and the document image are synthesized and output, for example, the confidential information described in the document and the control code are displayed. It is virtually impossible to detach, and a malicious user cannot detach control information and illegally copy or scan confidential documents.

According to the code pattern image generation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the position code generation unit 20 generates a position code unique to the position on the output paper or the recording position of the document image recorded on the output paper. The identification code generation unit 22 generates an identification code for identifying output paper or document information recorded on the output paper. The additional image information generation unit 24 generates a code pattern image by arranging an identification code in a block of code blocks formed by two-dimensionally arranging position codes. The pattern group selection unit 21 selects a pattern group corresponding to the control information. The code pattern image generation unit 78 generates at least one of the position code and the identification code into a code pattern image using a plurality of unit code patterns included in the pattern group. Therefore, the position code or the identification code included in the code pattern image can have a meaning as control information for controlling the operation of the reading device depending on the pattern group used for encoding. Therefore, the reading device can be controlled by the control information included in the code pattern image.
Further, according to the code pattern image generating apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the unit code pattern is expressed by the arrangement of the dot pattern with respect to the reference position. Therefore, the area coverage can be kept low while keeping the concentration constant.

Furthermore, according to the code pattern image generation device 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a dot pattern is arranged in s (s <r) regions among r regions of a unit code pattern, and _r C _s (= r! / ((rs)! s!)) unit code patterns are expressed. Therefore, the number of dots arranged in the unit code pattern can be controlled, and the density can be set freely.
Furthermore, according to the code pattern image generation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a code pattern image is generated using 2 ^z (z> 1) unit code patterns belonging to each pattern group. Therefore, the unit code pattern can be used efficiently.
Furthermore, according to the code pattern image generation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a code pattern image is generated using unit code patterns belonging to the same pattern group for adjacent code blocks. Therefore, since the area of each pattern group is large, it is possible to easily detect the control code even when the code block is small.

According to the output sheet according to the present embodiment, the identification code is arranged in the section formed by two-dimensionally arranging the position code, and the pattern group used for at least one of the position code and the identification code is used. Control information is expressed. Therefore, the output sheet can have the meaning of control information different from the recorded position code and identification code. As a result, the operation of the reading device using the identification information recorded on the output paper can be controlled.
In the above embodiment, the code pattern image output from the code pattern image generation unit 78 of the additional image information generation unit 24 is output to the superimposition information output unit 25 and created in PDL (print description language). Although the format in which the superimposition information is output has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the code pattern image generated by the code pattern image generation unit 78 can be output to other devices and used. For example, the generated code pattern image can be output to and stored in a storage unit (not shown) as storage means.

(Printed document information recording system)
Since the generation of the code pattern image has been described above, the print document information recording system 1 as an example of an information recording system in which the code pattern image generated in this way is actually recorded will be described next. FIG. 11 is a configuration example of a print document information recording system 1 including a multifunction peripheral and various servers that store and manage information.
The print document information recording system 1 includes a terminal device 2 that instructs printing of an electronic document stored in the document management server 3, and a document that transmits the electronic document instructed to print and its attribute information to the identification information management server 4. And a management server 3. Also, an identification information management server 4 that performs processing of assigning, registering, and printing identification information to an electronic document to be printed, and an MFP 5 that generates an image from the received PDL and prints the image as a print image on paper. Have Each unit is connected by a network 6. The document management server 3 and the identification information management server 4 have databases 16 and 23 for storing various document files.

The terminal device 2 is composed of, for example, a personal computer. A keyboard 11 and a display 12 that receive a recording input from a user, a transmission / reception unit 13 that performs communication with the two servers 3 and 4 and the multi-function device 5 constituting the print document information recording system 1 via the network 6, and each unit And a control unit 14 for controlling the operation. When the terminal device 2 receives an input of a recording instruction from the user, the terminal device 2 instructs to record (print) a document file stored in a database 16 (described later) of the document management server 3 on a recording medium such as an output sheet. .
The document management server 3 includes a database 16 that stores document information and attribute information in association with each other, and a transmission / reception unit 17 that receives an instruction from the terminal device 2 and transmits document information and the like to the network 6. The control unit 18 also performs operations such as taking out a document file from the database 16 in accordance with an instruction from the terminal device 2. The document management server 3 takes out the document file instructed from the terminal device 2 from the database 16 and outputs (transmits) it to the identification information management server 4 via the network 6.

The identification information management server 4 fulfills the function of the code pattern image generation device 10 shown in FIG. That is, the identification information management server 4 includes a position code generation unit 20 that generates a position code unique to a recording position on a recording medium such as output paper, and a pattern group selection that selects a pattern group corresponding to the acquired control information. Part 21. The identification information management server 4 includes an identification code generation unit 22 that generates an identification code for identifying document information, and a database 23 that stores the identification code and attribute information in association with each other. Further, the identification information management server 4 is input with an additional image information generation unit 24 that generates a code block using a position code and an identification code, and generates a code pattern image using a unit code pattern included in the pattern group. And a superimposition information output unit 25 that converts the document information into image information and superimposes the code pattern image to output the superimposition information. Furthermore, the identification information management server 4 receives the document file transmitted from the document management server 3 via the network 6 and transmits / receives the output superimposition information to the multi-function device 5 via the network 6. 26. The identification information management server 4 performs processing of assignment, registration, and recording (printing) of identification information to a document file to be recorded (printed).
The multifunction device 5 is a device in which functions such as copying, FAX, printer, and scanner are integrated. The multi-function device 5 includes a receiving unit 28 that receives a document file received from the identification information management server 4 via the network 6, and a recording unit 29 that records (prints) the received document file on a recording medium such as an output sheet. It is configured. The multi-function device 5 records the document file received from the identification information management server 4 via the network 6 on a recording medium.

(Print document information recording method)
A printing document information recording method executed by the printing document information recording system 1 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a printing document information recording method.
When the user instructs to record a print document on a recording medium using the terminal device 2 (instruction input step) (step 121), the terminal device 2 transmits a document file to the document management server 3 to the identification information management server 4. An instruction is issued (recording instruction transmission step) (step 122).
The document management server 3 receives an instruction from the terminal device 2 (instruction receiving process) (step 131), searches the database 16 to retrieve the instructed document file and attribute information (search process) (step 132). Then, the extracted document file and attribute information are transmitted to the identification information management server 4 (document file transmission step) (step 133). The attribute information is information such as an electronic document storage location, print settings, and layout information.

The identification information management server 4 receives the document file and attribute information (document file receiving step) (step 141), and the identification code generation unit 22 generates an identification code based on the received document file and attribute information (identification). Code generation step) (step 142).
The generated identification code is associated with the attribute information of the received electronic document and stored in the database 23 (storage process) (step 143).
Further, the additional image information generation unit 24 outputs an output image and a code pattern image as an example of the additional image information (code pattern image output step) (step 144). Thereafter, the superimposition information output unit 25 converts the document information of the document file obtained from the outside into image information, superimposes the code pattern image, converts it into a print description language, and generates superimposition information (superimposition information generation step) (step 145). The superimposition information includes a code pattern image generated from the identification information.

Then, the transmission / reception unit 26 of the identification information management server 4 transmits the code pattern image to the multi-function device 5 (code pattern image transmission step) (step 146).
The multi-function device 5 receives the code pattern image from the identification information management server 4 via the network 6 (code pattern image receiving step) (step 151), and records (prints) the code pattern image on the recording medium in the recording unit 29. (Recording process) (Step 152).
In this recording step (step 152), the recording unit 29 records (prints) a code pattern image with K toner (infrared light absorbing toner containing carbon) or special toner, for example, using an electrophotographic method. The special toner is exemplified by an invisible toner having a maximum light absorption rate of 7% or less in the visible light region (400 nm to 700 nm) and an absorption rate of 30% or more in the near infrared region (800 nm to 1000 nm). Here, “visible” and “invisible” are not related to whether they can be recognized visually. “Visible” and “invisible” are distinguished based on whether or not the image recorded on the output paper can be recognized by the presence or absence of color development due to absorption of a specific wavelength in the visible light region. Further, even if there is a little color developability due to absorption of a specific wavelength in the visible light region, those that are difficult to be recognized by human eyes are also included in “invisible”.
In the identification code generation step (step 142) described above, the identification information management server 4 adds a different identification code for each paper to be printed out. For example, when 5 copies of an electronic document of 10 pages are output in a format (two-column printing) in which 2 pages are output on one output sheet, 10 pages ÷ 2 × 5 = 25 identification codes are generated. . The generated identification code is stored in the database 23 of the identification information management server 4 in association with the attribute information of the received electronic document.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the position code is generated by the position code generation unit 20 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The position code may be taken in from the outside.
Although the configuration in which the identification code is generated by the identification code generation unit 22 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The identification code may be taken in from the outside.
In the example of the print document information recording system 1 described above, the configuration for generating the code pattern image in the identification information management server 4 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The code pattern image can be generated by the multi-function device 5. In this case, the multi-function device 5 as the information generating device adds the identification information to the print description language generated from the electronic document and transmits the print description language to the multi-function device 5. The multi-function device 5 receives the print description language transmitted from the reception unit 28, a pattern group selection unit and an additional image information generation unit (not shown) generate code pattern images, and the recording unit 29 records them on output paper.
Further, the code pattern image can be generated by the document management server 3. The document management server 3 transmits only the attribute information of the electronic document to the identification information management server 4. The identification information management server 4 calculates the number of necessary identification information from the received attribute information, associates the received attribute information with the issued identification information, and transmits the identification information to the document management server 3. The document management server 3 generates a code pattern image from identification information received by a pattern group selection unit and an additional image information generation unit (not shown), extracts electronic document information from a database 16 (described later) in the document management server 3, The generated code pattern image is transmitted to the multi function device 5.
According to the type of electronic document to be printed (general document or confidential document), it is possible to determine the presence and type of the control code embedded in the code pattern image. That is, it is possible to determine whether the document is a general document or a confidential document based on the presence or absence and type of the identification code, and to determine the presence or type of the control code according to the determination result. In the case of a confidential document, copying or scanning can be prohibited according to the control code.

(Information reading system)
When a recording medium such as an output sheet on which a control code and a position code are recorded is read by the information reading system according to the present invention, control code and position code decoding processing and operation control executed inside the information reading system Is described below. This decryption process is executed by both the multifunction machine and the electronic pen. Here, in order to explain that the operation of the reading device using the acquired identification information is controlled, a description will be given by taking the multi-function device 5 as an example of the information reading system according to the present invention as an example. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the multi-function device 5 that executes the decoding process and operation control of the identification code and the position code.
The multi-function device 5 includes an image input unit 31 that reads a code pattern image printed on paper, an image information detection unit 32 that detects image information from the read code pattern image, and a position code and an identification code from the detected image information. And an information detector 33 for detecting information of the control code.
The multifunction device 5 includes a multifunction device operation control unit 47 that controls the operation of the multifunction device 5, an image reading unit 48, an image transmission unit 49, an image forming unit 50, and a FAX transmission unit 51.

Here, the image information detection unit 32 includes a noise removal unit 35 that removes noise included in the read image, and a dot pattern detection unit 36 that detects a dot pattern (dot position) from the image.
The information detection unit 33 detects a synchronization code, a synchronization unit 39 that synchronizes a detected dot pattern on a two-dimensional array, a unit code pattern boundary detection unit 40 that detects a boundary of unit code patterns that constitute a code block, and a synchronization code And a synchronous code detection unit 41.
The information detection unit 33 includes an identification code detection unit 42 that acquires an identification code with reference to the position of the synchronization code, and an RS code decoding unit 43 that decodes the identification code and outputs identification information.
Further, the information detection unit 33 includes a position code detection unit 44 that acquires a position code based on the position of the synchronization code, and a position code decoding unit 45 that outputs a value obtained by offset-correcting the position based on the synchronization code as position information. Including.
Furthermore, the information detection unit 33 includes a control code detection unit 37 that detects a control code from the synchronized code pattern.

The image input unit 31 includes an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and reads a code pattern image printed on a paper surface. Output.
The noise removing unit 35 removes variations in image sensor sensitivity and noise generated by an electronic circuit. The method of noise removal processing is selected according to the characteristics of the imaging system, and includes, for example, sharpening processing such as blurring processing and unsharp masking.
The dot pattern detection unit 36 binarizes the image to separate the dot pattern image portion and the background image portion, and detects the position of the dot pattern from each binarized image position. Since a binarized image may contain a lot of noise components, it is necessary to combine a filter process that performs dot pattern determination based on the area and shape of the binarized image (filtering by area and shape). ).

The synchronization unit 39 synchronizes the dot pattern on the two-dimensional array with reference to the position of the detected dot pattern. Here, “synchronize” means that a position where a dot is present is replaced with 1 on a two-dimensional array, a position where there is no dot is replaced with 0, etc., and a dot pattern detected as an image is replaced with two-dimensional array digital data. It is processing. This synchronization process will be described later.
The unit code pattern boundary detection unit 40 detects the boundary of the unit code pattern constituting the code block from the dot pattern developed on the two-dimensional array. On the two-dimensional array output by the synchronization unit 39, the position of the rectangular division having the same size as the unit code pattern is appropriately moved, and the position where the number of dots contained in the division is equal is the boundary position of the unit code pattern Detect as. A code pattern in which information is embedded with a unit code pattern of ₉ C ₂ if the number of uniform dots is 2, and a code pattern in which information is embedded with a unit code pattern of ₉ C ₃ if the number of dots is 3 The information embedding method can also be determined.

The synchronization code detection unit 41 detects the synchronization code with reference to the type of each unit code pattern detected from the two-dimensional array. Depending on which of the four types of synchronization codes shown in FIG. 5 is detected, the direction (90 degree unit) of the code pattern is detected and corrected.
Each of the identification code detection unit 42 and the position code detection unit 44 acquires an identification code and a position code from the angle-corrected code pattern with reference to the position of the synchronization code.
The RS code decoding unit 43 decodes an identification code detected using the same parameters (such as the number of blocks) used in the RS code encoding process described in FIG. 8 and outputs identification information.
The position code decoding unit 45 extracts a partial sequence of the M sequence from the position code acquired by the position code detection unit 44, refers to the position of the detected partial sequence with respect to the M sequence used for image generation, and synchronizes from that position. A position corrected by a code (because a synchronous code is arranged between the position codes) is output as position information.

The control code detector 37 detects a control code from the synchronized code pattern. That is, an identification code and position code area (code block) is specified from the code pattern in which the position of the synchronization code is specified, and the dominant group to which the unit code pattern in the area belongs is determined. As described in FIG. 9, by checking the unit code pattern (position code and identification code) included in the region surrounded by the synchronization code, and checking which pattern group the unit code pattern belongs to, Get the code value of the control code.
For example, if the pattern group A is the code value 0 and the pattern group B is the code value 1, when the code pattern described in FIG. 9 is detected, a bit string of 010101... Is obtained as the control code. A control signal to be transmitted to the multifunction device operation control unit 47 is generated depending on the combination of 0 and 1 or which bit value is detected.
Then, the control code detection unit 37 transmits the detection result to the multifunction device operation control unit 47. When a control code is detected, the type of the detected control code is transmitted. If it is known in advance that there is only one type of control code “stop the operation of the multifunction device” as a control code, a signal for stopping the operation of the multifunction device is transmitted.

The multifunction device operation control unit 47 controls the operation of the multifunction device 5 in accordance with the signal received from the control code detection unit 37. For example, if the control code is a code indicating “copy prohibited”, the operations of the image reading unit 48 and the image forming unit 50 are stopped. If the control code is a code indicating “scan prohibited”, the operations of the image reading unit 48 and the image transmission unit 49 are stopped. If the control code indicates “FAX prohibited”, the operations of the image reading unit 48 and the FAX transmission unit 51 are stopped.
For example, the MFP 5 in the present embodiment is the information reading system according to the invention related to the information reading system, and the synchronization unit 39, the unit code pattern boundary detection unit 40, and the synchronization code detection unit 41 are image information block detection means. Constitute. The identification code detection unit 42 and the RS code decoding unit 43 constitute identification information detection means of the invention according to the information reading system, and the control code detection unit 37 constitutes image information group discrimination means and control information detection means.

In order to perform processing such as copy speed and scan speed without reducing the productivity of the multifunction machine 5, the processing of the control code detector 37 must be particularly fast. In order to speed up the processing of the control code detection unit 37, the illustrated image information detection unit 32 is changed from an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array; LSI that can be programmed). It can be realized by mounting as hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor; a microprocessor specializing in processing of voice and images). This is because the processing performed by the image information detection unit 32 is simple image processing such as binarization and pattern matching, and is suitable for hardware.
The information detection unit 33 may be mounted inside the multifunction device 5 or may be performed by a server installed outside the multifunction device 5. Further, when mounted inside the multi function device 5, it may be mounted by hardware like the image information detection unit 32, or may be mounted as software executed by the CPU inside the multi function device 5.

(Decryption method)
A decoding processing method executed in the multi-function device 5 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a decryption processing method executed in the multifunction machine 5.
When the image input unit 31 of the multi-function device 5 reads the code pattern image printed on the paper (image input step) (step 161), the noise included in the image read by the noise removal unit 35 is removed and the image is output. (Noise removal process) (step 162).
The dot pattern detection unit 36 detects the position of the dot pattern from the image from which the noise has been removed (dot pattern detection step) (step 163).

Then, the synchronization unit 39 synchronizes (develops) the detected dot pattern on the two-dimensional array (synchronization process) (step 164).
The unit code pattern boundary detection unit 40 detects the boundary of the unit code pattern from the dot pattern developed on the two-dimensional array (unit code pattern boundary detection step) (step 165).
And the synchronous code detection part 41 detects a synchronous code with reference to the kind of each unit code pattern, and carries out an angle correction | amendment (synchronous code detection process) (step 166).
Further, the position code detection unit 44 acquires the position code (position code detection step) (step 167), and the position code decoding unit 45 offsets the position based on the synchronization code and outputs position information (position code decoding step). (Step 168).

In parallel with the detection and decoding of the position code, the identification code detection unit 42 acquires the identification code based on the position of the synchronization code from the angle-corrected code pattern (identification code detection step) (step 169), and RS The code decoding unit 43 decodes the identification code and outputs identification information (RS code decoding step) (step 170).
On the other hand, the control code detection unit 37 specifies a code block from the code pattern in which the position of the synchronization code is specified, and determines a dominant pattern group to which the unit code pattern belongs (pattern group determination step) (step 171).
The control code detection unit 37 generates a control code based on the determination result (control code generation step) (step 172), and transmits the control code to the multifunction machine operation control unit 47.
The multifunction device operation control unit 47 controls the operation of the multifunction device 5 according to the control code received from the control code detection unit 37 (operation control process) (step 173).

  Here, for example, when the processing of steps 164 to 166 of the present embodiment is executed, the “image information block detection function” of the invention according to the information reading program executes the processing of steps 169 and 170. An “identification information detection function” is realized. Further, the “image information group determination function” is realized by executing the process of step 171, and the “control information detection function” is realized by executing the process of step 172.

(Synchronization process)
The synchronization process (step 164) executed by the synchronization unit 39 will be further described based on the drawings. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the synchronization process executed in the synchronization unit 39 shown in FIG.
The synchronization unit 39 applies a virtual lattice (virtual lattice) to the dot pattern detected by the dot pattern detection unit 36, and checks the presence or absence of dots in each section of the virtual lattice. A two-dimensional array is generated with 0 as a section without dots and 1 as a section with dots.

The orientation of the virtual grid can be estimated from the dot pattern. As is clear from FIGS. 2 to 4, when two dots are selected from the code pattern, the distance between the two dots is closest to the two dots in the 0 degree direction or the 90 degree direction. This is a case where they are adjacent to each other. Therefore, the closest pair of dots can be detected from the detected plurality of dot patterns, and the inclination angle of the code pattern can be detected from the direction in which the pair of dots is facing, and this can be determined as the grid direction. (Determining the lattice direction).
Since the distance between the two closest dots is the dot interval of the code pattern, the interval of the grid used for the synchronization process is the interval between the pair of the detected closest dots described above. (Determining the lattice spacing).

(Unit code pattern boundary detection)
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the unit code pattern boundary detection step (step 165) performed by the unit code pattern boundary detection unit 40 shown in FIG. Figure 16 (a) shows the code pattern of the present embodiment constructed in the unit code pattern of ₉ C _2. The target of the boundary detection is actually the synchronized two-dimensional array composed of the bit value 0 and the bit value 1 shown in FIG. 15, but here a dot pattern is used so that it can be easily captured intuitively. I will explain.
In order to decode the code pattern shown in FIG. 16A, first, the type of unit code pattern is specified. For this purpose, the boundary of the unit code pattern is determined. FIG. 16B to FIG. 16D show a unit code pattern boundary determination process. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the boundary determination method executed in the unit code pattern boundary detection step (step 165).

A virtual lattice pattern having a plurality of sections having the same size as the unit code pattern is scanned on the code pattern (virtual lattice scanning step) (step 181). The number of dots included in each section is counted (counting step) (step 182). The variation in the number of dots entering the section is calculated for each lattice pattern (variation calculating step) (step 183). The grid pattern at the position with the smallest variation is selected and fixed (lattice pattern fixing step) (step 184). This fixed position becomes the boundary position of the unit code pattern (boundary position determination step) (step 185). _When the unit code pattern of ₉ C ₂ is used, the number of dots that enter each section is 2 at the correct grid position (FIG. 16D), but it is not the correct position (FIG. 16B and FIG. 16). (C)), the number varies from 0 to 7.

  After the boundary position of the unit code pattern is determined, each unit code pattern is inspected to detect a synchronization code (synchronization code detection step) (step 186). The rotation of the code pattern is determined depending on which of the four types of synchronization codes is detected (rotation determination step) (step 187), and the position code and the identification code are extracted after the rotation correction (position code and identification code extraction step). (Step 188).

  According to the MFP 5 according to the present embodiment, the image input unit 31 reads the information recorded on the output sheet, and the synchronization unit 39, the unit code pattern boundary detection unit 40, and the synchronization code detection unit 41 read the information. A code block is detected. The identification code detection unit 42 and the RS code decoding unit 43 detect the identification code from the code block. The control code detection unit 37 determines the pattern group used for the identification code and detects control information. Therefore, the operation of each unit of the multifunction machine 5 can be controlled by the information recorded on the output paper.

(Other information reading system)
As another example of the information reading system according to the present invention, a writing information generation system including an electronic pen will be described below. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the writing information generation system 8. The written information generation system 8 is almost the same as the printed document information recording system 1 shown in FIG. 11, but the identification information management server 4 includes a written document information generation unit 27, and the electronic pen 9 is connected to the terminal device 2. 11 is different from FIG. The configuration of the electronic pen 9 will be described with reference to FIG.
(Configuration of electronic pen)
FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of the electronic pen 9 according to the present embodiment. The electronic pen 9 includes a control circuit 55 that controls various operations of the electronic pen 9 and a pressure sensor 56 that detects a writing operation. The electronic pen 9 also includes an infrared LED 57 that illuminates the paper surface and an infrared CMOS 58 that acquires information (image) recorded on a recording medium such as output paper. Furthermore, the electronic pen 9 includes an image processing unit 59 that detects a code pattern from the acquired information, and a data processing unit 60 that generates writing information indicating a writing trajectory of the electronic pen 9 from the code pattern. Furthermore, the electronic pen 9 includes a memory 61 that stores writing information and a communication circuit 62 that communicates with an external device. Furthermore, the electronic pen 9 includes a battery 63 for driving the pen and a pen ID memory 64.

The infrared LED 57 is pulse-lit in synchronization with the shutter timing of the infrared CMOS 58 in order to reduce power consumption.
The infrared CMOS 58 is a CMOS sensor having sensitivity in the infrared region. Images are taken at a period of about 70 to 100 fps (frame per second). A global shutter type CMOS that can simultaneously transfer captured images is used. In order to reduce the influence of disturbance, a visible light cut filter is disposed on the entire surface of the infrared CMOS 58. Here, an infrared CMOS is used as the image sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another image sensor such as a CCD may be used.

The communication circuit 62 also receives information from the outside. For example, a decryption key for decrypting the code pattern is received from the outside through the communication circuit 62 and stored in the memory 61 of the electronic pen 9. Since the electronic pen 9 captures an image at a speed of about 70 to 100 fps, a plurality of position information and identification information can be acquired by a single writing operation.
Since the same information is embedded in the identification code regardless of the position on the page, the reliability of the identification code is increased by taking a majority decision of the plurality of identification codes acquired by the data processing unit 60. Information on the position code differs depending on the position on the paper surface, but the adjacent position code generated by writing by the data processing unit 60 verifies the continuity of the position (coordinates), and information on the location where the data processing unit 60 failed to decode. Is detected and complemented. The continuity of the position (continuity of the writing operation) is recognized using the detection result of the writing pressure by the pressure sensor 56.

  For example, the electronic pen 9 in this embodiment is the electronic pen according to the invention related to the electronic pen, and the data processing unit 60 is the image information block detection means, the position information detection means, and the image information group determination means according to the invention related to the electronic pen. And control information detecting means.

(Writing information generation method)
A writing information generation method executed by the writing information generation system 8 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a writing information generation method.
The user writes with the electronic pen 9 on the printing paper on which the image information (code pattern) is recorded by the above-described printing document information recording method. The electronic pen 9 has an ink tank (not shown) inside, and the writing causes the electronic pen 9 to leave ink as a writing mark on the printing paper. At the same time, the pressure sensor 56 detects whether or not the pen tip is in contact with the paper surface (writing operation detecting step) (step 221).

When the contact is detected, the electronic pen 9 turns on the infrared LED 57, and the infrared CMOS 58 captures an image on the paper surface and acquires image information (image information acquisition step) (step 222).
The image processing unit 59 detects a code pattern image from the captured image information (code pattern detection step) (step 223).
The data processing unit 60 decodes the detected code pattern image, and extracts the position code and the identification code embedded in the code pattern image (extraction step) (step 224).

Then, the data processing unit 60 identifies a code block from the extracted position code and identification code, determines a dominant pattern group to which the unit code pattern belongs, and generates a control code (control code generation step) (step 225). ) To the terminal device 2 (control code transmission step) (step 226).
The terminal device 2 that has received the control code from the electronic pen 9 (control code receiving step) (step 231) determines the operation according to the control code (operation determination step) (step 232). Specifically, if the control information indicated by the control code prohibits the generation of writing information (step 232: N), the electronic pen 9 is notified (notification process) (step 233), and the subsequent operation is performed. finish.
On the other hand, if the control information permits generation of writing information (step 232: Y), the electronic pen 9 is notified (notification process) (step 234), and the electronic pen 9 generates writing information. Continue.

The data processing unit 60 detects the writing mark of the electronic pen 9 from the position code acquired in the extraction step (step 224), and generates writing information together with the identification code (writing information generation step) (step 227). Then, the writing information is stored in the memory 61 by the control circuit 55 (storage process) (step 228).
The communication circuit 62 of the electronic pen 9 transmits the writing information to the terminal device 2 (writing information transmitting step) (step 229).

The terminal device 2 receives the writing information transmitted from the electronic pen 9 (writing information receiving step) (step 235), and the terminal device 2 transmits it to the identification information management server 4 (writing information transmitting step) (step 236).
The transmitted writing information is received by the identification information management server 4 (writing information receiving step) (step 241), and the identification information is extracted from the writing information (identification information extracting step) (step 242).
Subsequently, the identification information management server 4 searches the attribute information of the document information corresponding to the identification information (attribute information search step) (step 243).

Based on the retrieved attribute information, the identification information management server 4 requests the document management server 3 to transmit the corresponding document information to the identification information management server 4 (document information transmission request process) (step 244). In response (transmission request receiving step) (step 251), the document management server 3 transmits the corresponding document information to the identification information management server 4 (document information transmission step) (step 252).
The identification information management server 4 receives the document information transmitted from the document management server 3 (document information receiving step) (step 245).
Based on the received document information and the writing information generated in the writing information generation step (step 227), the written document information generation unit 27 of the identification information management server 4 converts the writing mark of the electronic pen 9 into the original document information. The reflected written document information is generated (written document information generation step) (step 246).
The identification information management server 4 transmits the generated written document information to the terminal device 2 (written document information transmission step) (step 247), and the terminal device 2 receives (written document information reception step) (step 237) Display on display 12 (display process) (step 238).

  According to the electronic pen 9 according to the present embodiment, the infrared CMOS 58 acquires image information recorded on the output paper. From the code pattern image detected by the image processing unit 59, the data processing unit 60 determines the pattern group of the code block and generates a control code. The terminal device 2 that has received the control code determines the subsequent operation according to the content of the control code. Therefore, the operation of the terminal device 2 using the identification information can be controlled by the pattern group of the acquired image information.

Before the written information generation process, the written document information generation unit 27 determines whether or not there is a written electronic document. When it is determined that there is a written electronic document, the written electronic document is The writing information acquired this time may be reflected in In addition, the written document information generation unit 27 notifies the user via the terminal device 2 whether to newly generate a written electronic document in the terminal device 2 or to add written information to the detected written electronic document. It is good also as a structure which inquires. The written electronic document can be easily retrieved and acquired by registering the attribute information (storage location) of the written electronic document in the database 23 in advance.
The written electronic document is generated in a format in which a portion corresponding to the original electronic document cannot be edited. A written electronic document (such as Adobe Systems PDF document format or Fuji Xerox DocuWorks format) cannot edit the electronic document portion, but the written information can be added later. For example, when the information written on paper is digitized once and then written again on the same paper, the added writing information can be added to the written electronic document.

Note that a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is recorded on an information recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or this program is distributed and recorded via a network such as the Internet. It is also possible to cause the computer or the like to function as a part of the code pattern image generation device 10 by being read and executed by a general-purpose computer or the like included in the pattern image generation device 10.
A program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is recorded on an information recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or this program is distributed and recorded via a network such as the Internet, and this is recorded as print document information. The computer or the like can be made to function as a part of the print document information recording system 1 by being read and executed by a general-purpose computer or the like included in the recording system.

A program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 17 is recorded on an information recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or this program is distributed and recorded via a network such as the Internet, and this is recorded. The computer or the like can be made to function as a part of the multifunction device 5 by being read and executed by a general-purpose computer or the like included in the multifunction device 5.
A program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 is recorded on an information recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or this program is distributed and recorded via a network such as the Internet to generate written information. The computer or the like can be caused to function as a part of the writing information generation system 8 by being read and executed by a general-purpose computer or the like included in the system.

It is a functional block diagram of the code | symbol pattern image generation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the unit code pattern of a code pattern image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the unit code pattern of a code pattern image. It is a figure which shows 36 types of dot arrangement | positioning which a unit code pattern can take. It is a figure which shows the combination of the synchronous code | symbol which can be selected from 36 kinds of dot arrangement | positioning which a unit code pattern can take. It is a figure which shows the example of group division of a dot pattern. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of a code block. It is a flowchart of the code | symbol pattern image generation method performed in the code | symbol pattern image generation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | generation example of a code block. 10 is an arrangement example of code pattern images generated by the generation method illustrated in FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a printing document information recording system. 12 is a flowchart of a printing document information recording method executed in the printing document information recording system shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of a multi-function machine that executes decoding processing and operation control of an identification code and a position code. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a decoding processing method executed in the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 13. FIG. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the synchronization process performed in the synchronizer of the multifunctional machine shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the unit code pattern boundary detection process performed in the unit code pattern boundary detection part of the multifunctional machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the boundary discrimination method in the unit code pattern boundary detection step shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a writing information generation system. It is a block diagram of the electronic pen used for the writing information generation system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the production | generation method of the writing information performed in the writing information generation system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Multifunction machine (information reading system), 9 ... Electronic pen (electronic pen), 10 ... Code pattern image generation device (information generation device), 20 ... Position code generation unit, 21 ... Pattern group selection unit (Image information group selection) Means), 22 ... identification code generation section, 24 ... additional image information generation section, 25 ... superimposition information output section, 39 ... synchronization section (image information block detection means), 40 ... unit code pattern boundary detection section (image information block) Detection means), 41 ... Synchronization code detection section (image information block detection means), 42 ... Identification code detection section (identification information detection means), 43 ... RS code decoding section (identification information detection means), 47 ... Multi-function operation control Part (image information group discrimination means, control information detection means), 60... Data processing part (image information block detection means, position information detection means, image information group discrimination means, control information detection means) Means), 71 ... M sequence encoding unit, 72 ... Block dividing unit, 74 ... Block dividing unit, 75 ... RS encoding unit, 77 ... Block generating unit (image information block generating unit), 78 ... Code pattern image generating unit (Output image generation means)

Claims (13)

An image information block for generating an image information block by arranging first information in a section formed by two-dimensionally arranging position information unique to a position on a recording medium or a position of a document image recorded on the recording medium Generating means;
Image information group selection means for selecting an image information group corresponding to second information different from the first information;
The image information group selected by the image information group selection means for the output image of at least one of the position information and the first information of the image information block generated by the image information block generation means And an output image generation means for generating using the plurality of unit additional image information included in the information generation apparatus.   The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output image generation unit represents the unit additional image information by arrangement of unit images with respect to a reference position. The output image generation means arranges unit images in s (s <r) of the r regions included in the unit additional image information, and sets _r C _s (= r! / ((R The information generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit additional image information is expressed in the manner of −s)! S!)). 4. The information generation according to claim 3, wherein the output image generation unit generates the output image using 2 ^z (z> 1) pieces of unit additional image information belonging to each of the image information groups. apparatus.   The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output image generation unit generates the output image by using the unit additional image information belonging to the same image information group for the adjacent image information block. The first information is identification information for identifying the recording medium or the document information recorded on the recording medium,
The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information is control information that controls an operation of a device that uses the identification information. Identification of the recording medium or the document information recorded on the recording medium in a section formed by two-dimensionally arranging position information unique to the position on the recording medium or the position of the document information recorded on the recording medium Image information block generation means for generating image information blocks by arranging identification information to be
Image information group selection means for selecting an image information group corresponding to control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information;
The image information group selected by the image information group selection unit, at least one of the position information and the identification information of the image information block generated by the image information block generation unit. And a code pattern image generating means for generating using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the information generating apparatus. The document information recorded on the recording medium or the recording medium is identified in a section in which position information unique to the position on the recording medium or the position of the document information recorded on the recording medium is two-dimensionally arranged. An image information block generation step of generating identification information information and generating an image information block;
An image information group selection step of selecting an image information group corresponding to control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information;
A code pattern image generation step of generating a code pattern image of at least one of the position information and the identification information of the image information block using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the image information group. An information generation method characterized by the above. On the computer,
The document information recorded on the recording medium or the recording medium is identified in a section in which position information unique to the position on the recording medium or the position of the document information recorded on the recording medium is two-dimensionally arranged. An image information block generation function for generating an image information block by arranging identification information;
An image information group selection function for selecting an image information group corresponding to control information for controlling the operation of the device using the identification information;
A code pattern image generation function for generating a code pattern image of at least one of the position information and the identification information of the image information block using a plurality of unit additional image information included in the image information group; An information generation program characterized in that Image information block detection means for detecting an image information block from the acquired information;
Identification information detecting means for detecting identification information for identifying a recording medium or document information recorded on the recording medium from the image information block;
Image information group discrimination means for discriminating an image information group used for the identification information detected by the identification information detection means;
An information reading system comprising: control information detecting means for detecting control information for controlling an operation of a device using the identification information based on the image information group determined by the image information group determining means. On the computer,
An image information block detection function for detecting an image information block from the acquired information;
An identification information detection function for detecting identification information for identifying a recording medium or document information recorded on the recording medium from the image information block;
An image information group discrimination function for discriminating an image information group used for the identification information;
A control information detection function for detecting control information for controlling operation of a device that uses the identification information by the image information group. Image information block detection means for detecting an image information block from the acquired information;
Position information detecting means for detecting position information unique to a position on a recording medium or a position of document information recorded on the recording medium from the image information block detected by the image information block detecting means;
Image information group determining means for determining an image information group used for the position information detected by the position information detecting means;
Control for detecting control information for controlling operation of a device using identification information for identifying the recording medium or the document information recorded on the recording medium based on the image information group determined by the image information group determining means An electronic pen comprising: an information detecting means. Position information unique to the position on the recording medium is two-dimensionally arranged,
Identification information for identifying the recording medium is arranged in a section formed by two-dimensionally arranging the position information,
A recording medium, wherein control information for controlling an operation of a device using the identification information is expressed by an image information group used for at least one of the position information and the identification information.

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