JP2010079711A - Polygonal code, information registration device, and information output device - Google Patents

Abstract

When displaying encoded information on paper as optical information, a region on the paper is expressed with high accuracy.
One aspect of the present invention is a rectangular code in which information encoded along the circumference of a polygon is arranged, the information arranged and encoded along the circumference of the polygon. The pattern of the narrow convex part 4a and the wide convex part 4b to express, and the area | region S for displaying arbitrary information which is the area | region enclosed by the pattern, and the said pattern is a circumference | surroundings of a polygon It has a frequency component expressing the information encoded in the scanning line along.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a polygonal code, an information registration device, and an information output device, and more particularly to an optically readable code and its processing.

  Conventionally, a display method of encoded information that expresses encoded information as optical information such as a barcode, a QR code (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred to as a two-dimensional code) is used (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). The above two-dimensional code facilitates information processing by expressing encoded information in a format suitable for processing by an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer).

  In addition, a predetermined area on the paper surface can be specified using the two-dimensional code as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the region S can be defined by specifying three points using the two-dimensional codes A, B, and C. Also, as shown in FIG. 28, as encoded information included in the two-dimensional code A, information on the positional relationship between the two-dimensional code A and the region S, specifically, information on the intervals a to d shown in FIG. The region S can be defined by including.

In the case of the method of FIG. 28, the information similar to the above can be obtained by holding the information of the intervals a to d in the two-dimensional code or by holding the information on the reading device side that reads the information.
JP-A-7-254037

  However, when an area on the paper surface is shown by the method shown in FIG. 27, it is necessary to place a two-dimensional code around the area as shown in FIG. Therefore, the space on the paper is lost as much as the two-dimensional code is arranged. In addition, the design of the paper is also impaired.

  When the region on the paper surface is shown by the method of FIG. 28, the region S can be defined by arranging one two-dimensional code. However, it is conceivable that the paper surface expands or contracts due to printout, copying, scanning, or the like. When expansion or contraction or distortion occurs on the paper surface, it is impossible to correctly define the region S with the information of the position of the two-dimensional code A and the distances a to d shown in FIG.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to express a region on a sheet with high accuracy when the encoded information is displayed as optical information on the sheet.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a rectangular code in which information encoded along the circumference of a polygon is arranged, and is arranged along the circumference of the polygon. And a graphic pattern that represents the encoded information, and an information display area that is an area surrounded by the graphic pattern and displays arbitrary information. And a frequency component expressing the encoded information in a scanning line along the line.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the polygonal code according to the first aspect further includes a position detection symbol arranged at the apex of the polygon.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the polygonal code according to the second aspect of the present invention, the position detection symbol is a two-dimensional figure that can determine the direction in the two-dimensional space. And a direction parallel to one of the plurality of sides constituting the polygon is indicated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the polygonal code according to the second or third aspect, the position detection symbols are arranged at all vertices of the polygon, and each polygon Each position detection symbol arranged at the apex includes a figure that is similar to each other, and the figure included in each position detection symbol is in the direction along the circumference of the polygon and is encoded. The size is changed in the order of decoding the received information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the polygonal code according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the sides of the polygon are expressed by ruled lines, and the graphic pattern is a polygon on the ruled line. It is arrange | positioned on the exterior of.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the polygonal code according to any of the first to fourth aspects, the sides of the polygon are represented by ruled lines, and the graphic pattern is on the ruled lines. It is arranged on both the inside and outside of the polygon.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the polygonal code according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the encoded information is information relating to contents displayed in the information display area. Features.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the polygonal code according to claim 7, wherein the encoded information is information relating to an information format of contents displayed in the information display area. And

  The invention according to claim 9 is an information registration apparatus for reading information from an image including a polygonal code in which information encoded along the circumference of the polygon is arranged and registering the information in a storage medium. An image acquisition unit that acquires an image including the polygon type code, a polygon type code recognition unit that recognizes the polygon type code included in the acquired image, and the polygon type code. An information decoding unit for decoding the encoded information, and an in-region information acquisition unit for acquiring in-region information displayed in the region surrounded by the polygonal code based on the decoded information; And an intra-region information registration unit that registers the acquired intra-region information in a storage medium based on the decrypted information.

  In the information registration device according to claim 9, the encoded information includes information indicating that the in-region information is character information, and the in-region information The acquisition unit is configured to perform character recognition on an image displayed in an area surrounded by the polygonal code to acquire the in-area information as character information.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the information registration device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the information decoding unit is surrounded by the polygonal code when decoding the encoded information. A region is recognized, and the in-region information acquisition unit acquires the in-region information in accordance with the recognition of the region by the information decoding unit.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the information registration device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the polygonal code includes a position detection symbol arranged at a vertex of the polygon, The polygon type code recognition unit recognizes the polygon type code by recognizing the position detection symbol.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the information registration device according to claim 12, wherein the polygonal code is arranged along the circumference of the polygon and represents a coded pattern. The position detection symbol is a symbol that can determine a direction in a two-dimensional space and indicates a direction parallel to one side, and the information decoding unit includes the position detection symbol The encoded information represented by the graphic pattern is decoded along the direction shown.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the information registration device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the encoded information includes item identification information for identifying an item of the in-region information, The in-region information registration unit acquires item information in which the item identification information is associated with the item identified by the item identification information, and registers the in-region information in a storage medium based on the acquired item information It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the information registration apparatus according to claim 14, in which item information storing item information in which the item identification information and an item identified by the item identification information are associated with each other is stored. The storage device further includes a storage unit, and the in-region information registration unit acquires the item information from the item information storage unit.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information output device that outputs information as an image including a polygonal code in which information encoded along the circumference of a polygon is arranged, and is displayed as the image. A pattern for generating a display pattern to be displayed and an output information acquisition unit for acquiring information about the item of the display information, an information encoding unit for encoding the information about the item, and a graphic pattern expressing the encoded information A generation unit, an arrangement information acquisition unit that acquires arrangement information relating to the arrangement of the display information in the image, and an image generation unit that generates the information of the image by arranging the display information based on the acquired arrangement information. And the image generation unit generates information on the image so as to display a polygonal code surrounding the display information, and the polygonal code is arranged around the polygonal code. Wherein said is generated graphic pattern is displayed me.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the information output device according to claim 16, wherein the output information acquisition unit acquires item identification information for identifying an item of the display information as information on the item, Obtaining item information in which item identification information and an item identified by the item identification information are associated, and obtaining information on an item associated with the item identification information based on the obtained item identification information. Features.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the information output device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the pattern generator has a first rectangle having a predetermined width and a width wider than the first rectangle. The graphic pattern is generated by an array with a second rectangle.

  In the information output device according to claim 18, the encoded information is digital information including information representing "0" and "1", and the pattern is the information output apparatus according to claim 18. The generation unit associates “0” and “1” with the first rectangle and the second rectangle according to the number of at least one of “0” and “1” included in the encoded information. It is characterized by determining a relationship.

  According to the present invention, when encoded information is displayed as optical information on a paper surface, it is possible to accurately represent a region on the paper surface.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
In the present embodiment, an area definition code that defines a predetermined area on a paper surface and an information reading apparatus using the area definition code will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a region defining code 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment includes a start marker 2, a vertex marker 3, and a ruled line 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment has a rectangular shape as a whole, and includes a start marker 2, a vertex marker 3, and a ruled line 4 that forms a rectangular side arranged at each vertex of the rectangle. An enclosed region S is defined.

  The starting point marker 2 is a marker that becomes a starting point when decoding the area defining code 1. The starting marker 2 is arranged as one of the vertices of the area defining code 1 which is a polygon. The starting point marker 2 is configured by a mark that can be distinguished vertically and horizontally. The starting point marker 2 according to the present embodiment is configured as a mark in which a right isosceles triangle is displayed in a square. The vertex marker 3 is a marker indicating a vertex other than the origin marker 2 that is a vertex of the area defining code 1 that is a polygon. Unlike the origin marker 2, the vertex marker 3 does not have to be distinguishable in the vertical and horizontal directions. The origin marker 2 and the vertex marker 3 are used as position detection symbols.

  The ruled line 4 is a side of the area defining code 1 which is a polygon. As shown in FIG. 1, the ruled line 4 has a narrow protrusion 4a and a wide protrusion 4b. The narrow convex portion 4 a and the wide convex portion 4 b are rectangles that protrude perpendicularly from the ruled line 4. In the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment, bit information “0” or “1” is expressed by the narrow protrusion 4a and the wide protrusion 4b. That is, the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment is a polygonal code in which information encoded along the circumference of a rectangle is arranged. In the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment, the encoded information is represented by a graphic pattern such as the narrow convex part 4a and the wide convex part 4b.

  The region S is a region surrounded by the region definition code 1 as described above. As shown in FIG. 1, by using the area defining code 1, the area S can be easily distinguished visually. Further, since the area S is directly surrounded, when the paper expands and contracts, the area delimiter code 1 expands and contracts in the same manner. Therefore, unlike the prior art example shown in FIG. 28, the region S can be defined with high accuracy. Arbitrary information is displayed in the area S.

  Next, decoding of the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking information reading by an information reading device as an example. First, the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as an information processing terminal such as a general server or a PC (Personal Computer).

  In the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50 have a bus 80. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the information registration apparatus 5 as a whole. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the information registration device 5. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for a user to input information to the information registration device 5 such as a keyboard and a mouse. Note that user interfaces such as the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 can be omitted.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and operates according to the control of the CPU 10, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the function of the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, functional blocks of the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the information registration device 5 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information registration device 5 according to the present embodiment includes an information reading control unit 100, an information input unit 110, a network I / F 120, a display unit 130, an item information DB 200, and a registration information DB 300.

  The information input unit 110 is configured to allow a user to operate the information registration device 5 and input information to the information reading control unit 100, and is realized by the I / F 50 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. The network I / F 120 is an interface for the information registration apparatus 5 to acquire information via the network or transmit information via the network, and is realized by the I / F 50 illustrated in FIG. Specifically, it is realized by, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection interface. The display unit 130 is configured to display the operating state of the information registration device 5 and is realized by the I / F 50 and the LCD 60 shown in FIG.

  The information reading control unit 100 is configured to analyze the acquired image information, decode the information, and register it in the registration information DB 300 in the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment. The information reading control unit 100 includes an input image information acquisition unit 101, an image analysis unit 102, an information decoding unit 103, a character recognition unit 104, and an information registration unit 105. The information reading control unit 100 is configured by a program loaded in the RAM 20 shown in FIG.

  The input image information acquisition unit 101 acquires information input by the user via the information input unit 110 or information input via the network via the network I / F 120 as input image information. The input image information is image information including information displayed in the region defining code 1 and the region S defined by the region defining code 1 shown in FIG.

  As an image information acquisition mode by the input image information acquisition unit 101, for example, a mode in which a document is scanned by the information input unit 110 configured as a scanner can be considered. In addition, it is conceivable that image information scanned and generated by a scanner connected via the network I / F 120 is acquired via the network I / F 120. The input image information acquisition unit 101 inputs the acquired input image information to the image analysis unit 102.

  The image analysis unit 102 analyzes the input image information acquired by the input image information acquisition unit 101 and recognizes the presence of the area definition code 1 included in the input image information. More specifically, the image analysis unit 102 recognizes that the area determination code 1 is included in the input image information by recognizing the starting point marker 2 shown in FIG. The image analysis unit 102 inputs the input image information and the recognition result of the area definition code 1 to the information decoding unit 103.

  The information decoding unit 103 decodes the information encoded along the ruled line 4 of the region definition code 1 based on the recognition result of the region definition code 1 by the image analysis unit 102. In addition, the information decoding unit 103 recognizes the region S defined by the region defining code 1 along with the decoding of the encoded information. The information decoding unit 103 inputs the decoded information and the recognized area S information to the character recognition unit 104.

  When the image displayed in the region S is a character, the character recognition unit 104 acquires character information by OCR (Optical Character Recognition). The character recognition unit 104 inputs the information acquired from the information decoding unit 103 and the character information to the information registration unit 105 when the character recognition is executed.

  The information registration unit 105 refers to the item information DB 200 based on the decrypted information, and registers the information displayed in the area S or the character information acquired by OCR in the registration information DB 300. The item information DB 200 is a database that stores information on information items registered in the registration information DB 300. The registration information DB 300 is a database in which information is finally registered in the present embodiment. The item information DB 200 and the registration information DB 300 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the paper 6 to be scanned in the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper 6 according to the present embodiment has entry fields 1a to 1f. Each of the entry fields 1a to 1f is configured by the area defining code 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of information encoded and embedded in the entry fields 1a to 1f according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as embedded information).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the embedded information according to the present embodiment includes an item ID and an information type. The item ID is item identification information for identifying an item of information entered in each entry column 1a to 1f. The information type is information indicating whether the information displayed in the entry fields 1a to 1f is character information or image information. That is, when the information type is “character information”, the character recognition unit 104 executes OCR.

  Next, information stored in the item information DB 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the item information DB 200 according to the present embodiment stores an item ID and an item name in association with each other. This item ID is the item ID described in FIG. That is, the item information DB 200 functions as an item information storage unit.

  Next, information stored in the registration information DB 300 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the registration information DB 300 according to the present embodiment stores information IDs and respective information items in association with each other. Examples of registered information include personal information. In this case, the ID is a personal ID. The items A, B, C, D... Are, for example, “nomination”, “age”, “sex”, “address”,.

  Next, the operation of the information registration apparatus 5 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information registration apparatus 5 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the input image information acquisition unit 101 acquires image information (S801). That is, the input image information acquisition unit 101 functions as an image acquisition unit.

  As the processing of S801, as described above, input from the information input unit 110 or acquisition via the network I / F 120 can be cited. In the present embodiment, the input image information acquisition unit 101 acquires an image obtained by scanning the paper 6 shown in FIG. 4 as input image information. Image information acquired by the input image information acquisition unit 101 is input to the image analysis unit 102.

  When the image analysis unit 102 acquires the image information from the input image information acquisition unit 101, the image analysis unit 102 analyzes the image information (S802). As a result of the processing in S802, the image analysis unit 102 recognizes the area definition code 1 displayed on the paper surface of the paper 6 (S803). That is, the image analysis unit 102 functions as a polygonal code recognition unit. As described above, in step S <b> 803, the image analysis unit 102 recognizes the region definition code 1 by recognizing the start marker 2. In step S803 according to the present embodiment, the image analysis unit 102 recognizes the entry fields 1a to 1f illustrated in FIG.

  The information decoding unit 103 decodes the information according to the recognition result of the area definition code 1 by the image analysis unit 102 (S804). Further, the information decoding unit 103 records the coordinates of the origin marker 2 and the vertex marker 3 while decoding the embedded information of the area defining code 1 (S804).

  The process of S804 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the information decoding unit 103 first reads the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b of the ruled line 4 in a predetermined direction from the position of the origin marker 2, and decodes the information (S901). The decoding direction in S901 is shown in FIG. As described above, the origin marker 2 is a mark that can be distinguished vertically and horizontally. The information decoding unit 103 decodes the arrangement of the narrow convex portions 4a and the wide convex portions 4b along the ruled lines 4 of the area defining code 1 in accordance with the mark of the starting marker 2.

  In step S901, the information decoding unit 103 first reads the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b, and obtains white / black frequency components of the image. As described above, the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b are graphic patterns that express encoded information. Therefore, this graphic pattern has a frequency component that expresses encoded information in the scanning line along the ruled line 4. The information decoding part 103 decodes information based on the frequency component obtained by the pattern of the narrow convex part 4a and the wide convex part 4b.

  The information is decoded along the ruled line 4 to detect the marker (S902 / Yes). If it is the vertex marker 3 (S903 / No), the information decoding unit 103 records the coordinates at which the vertex marker is detected. (S904). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the information decoding unit 103 reads the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b in a predetermined direction from the vertex marker 3, and decodes the information (S905).

  The area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment is rectangular. Further, in the area defining code 1 according to the present embodiment, information decoded as the narrow convex part 4a and the wide convex part 4b along the ruled line 4 is displayed counterclockwise from the starting point marker 2. Therefore, in S905, when the information decoding unit 103 determines the direction from the vertex marker 3, the information decoding direction is set to the direction rotated 90 ° counterclockwise from the direction in which the information has been decoded so far. decide.

  When the information decoding unit 103 resumes decoding of information along the predetermined direction from the vertex marker 3, the information decoding unit 103 repeats the processing from S902. Finally, the information decoding unit 103 reaches the start marker 2 as shown in FIG. 10 along the ruled line 4 of the area defining code 1 (S903 / Yes). Thus, the information decoding process and the marker coordinate recording process are completed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. When the information decoding and marker coordinate recording (S804) are completed, the information decoding unit 103 extracts an image of the region S based on the recorded marker coordinates (S805). That is, the information decoding unit 103 functions as an in-region information acquisition unit. When the image of the area S is extracted, the information decoding unit 103 inputs the information decoded in S804 and the image information of the area S to the character recognition unit 104.

  The character recognition unit 104 refers to the information type included in the decrypted information among the information acquired from the information decryption unit 103. This information type is the information described in FIG. If the information type is “character information” (S806 / No), the character recognition unit 104 performs character recognition on the image information in the region S (S807). In this case, the information decoding unit 103 and the character recognition unit 104 function as an in-region information acquisition unit in conjunction with each other.

  When the information of the area S is image information (S806 / Yes) or after the character recognition is completed, the character recognition unit 104 associates the item ID included in the decoded information with the information of the area S (S808). ). In S808, the information of the region S is the image information of the region S when the information type is image information, and the character information as a result of character recognition when the information type is character information. The result of the processing in S808 is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows a case where the information type is “character information” and the character “Aiue Kikukuke” is recognized as a result of character recognition. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the item ID and the contents of the region S are associated with each other and retained by the processing of S808.

  The information decoding unit 103 and the character recognizing unit 104 repeat the processing from S804 until the processing of S804 to S808 is completed for all the area defining codes 1 recognized in S803 (S809 / No). By repeating the processing of S804 to S808, the character recognition unit 104 holds a plurality of pieces of information in which item IDs and contents are associated as shown in FIG.

  Then, when the processing of S804 to S808 is completed for all the area definition codes 1 recognized in S803 (S809 / Yes), the character recognition unit 104 stores the held information in the information registration unit 105 as shown in FIG. input. When the information registration unit 105 acquires the information illustrated in FIG. 12, the information registration unit 105 acquires an item name from the item information DB 200 based on each item ID (S810).

  When the item name is acquired, the information registration unit 105 generates information for registration in the registration information DB 300 (hereinafter referred to as registration information) as shown in FIG. 13 (S811). As illustrated in FIG. 13, the registration information is information in which an item name corresponding to each item ID is associated with contents corresponding to the item ID. Then, the information registration unit 105 registers the generated registration information in the registration information DB 300 as shown in FIG. 13 (S812), and ends the process. That is, the information registration unit 105 functions as an in-region information registration unit. Through such processing, information for one line in FIG. 7 is registered in the registration information DB 300.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the encoded information is embedded in the ruled line that defines the region. Accordingly, unlike the example of FIG. 27, it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging the encoded information. Further, according to the present embodiment, the area to be defined is directly defined by the area defining code 1. Therefore, unlike the example of FIG. 28, the area to be defined is not shifted due to the expansion and contraction or distortion of the paper.

  Further, in the case of a conventional form reading device, character information written on a predetermined format sheet is read based on predetermined format information and stored as item information corresponding to each display position. In this case, the format of the paper needs to correspond to the format information held on the reading side. Therefore, as described above, when the paper expands or contracts or is distorted, information cannot be read correctly. When the paper format is changed, it is necessary to change the format information on the reading side accordingly. Therefore, it is impossible to freely change the paper format.

  On the other hand, in the information registration apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment, the item is recognized based on the information embedded in the ruled line 4 of the area definition code 1 and the information is registered in the registration information DB 300. Accordingly, even when the paper format is changed as shown in FIG. 4, if the item IDs are embedded as encoded information in the ruled lines of the entry fields 1a to 1f, the layout of the entry fields 1a to 1f is freely set. It is possible to change.

  As described above, by using the area demarcating code according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately represent the area on the paper when the encoded information is displayed on the paper as the optical information. It becomes.

  In the above description, as shown in FIG. 4, the case where the respective entry fields 1a to 1f are separated from each other has been described as an example. However, depending on the form format, there may be cases where the respective entry fields are adjacent to each other without a gap. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the origin marker 2 can be shared between the area defining codes 1 indicating different areas. In this case, when decoding is performed in the direction determined from each starting point marker 2, the starting point markers other than the starting point marker are handled as vertex markers. Then, when the coordinates of the starting marker as the starting point are reached again, the decoding of the information is completed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a mode in which a region defining code is further provided inside the region defining code 1 is also conceivable. FIG. 15 is an example showing a postal code entry field for a postcard. In the entry field 1g, the area where the postal code is entered is embedded as embedded information. In the entry fields 1h to 1n, the numbers constituting the zip code are embedded as embedded information.

  In the above description, as shown in FIG. 1, the case where the area defining code 1 is rectangular has been described as an example. However, as shown in FIG. 16, it is also possible to use, for example, a pentagon as a region defining code. In this case, a marker that can distinguish upper, lower, left and right is used for all the pentagonal vertices, and a marker different from the other vertices is used for the vertex that is the starting point of information decoding. The same effect as described above can be obtained by indicating the decoding direction of information, that is, the direction of the sides constituting the pentagon, by the angle of the marker arranged at the vertex.

  In the above description, as shown in FIG. 1, an example in which the narrow convex portion 4 a and the wide convex portion 4 b are provided inside the rectangle has been described. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, it is also possible to provide the narrow convex part 4a and the wide convex part 4b on the outer side of a rectangle. When character information is displayed in the region S inside the rectangle and the character information is recognized, the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b displayed inside the rectangle may affect the character recognition. As shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to solve such a problem by providing the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b outside the rectangle.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, you may provide a convex part in both the inner side and outer side of a rectangle. In this case, it is possible to increase the amount of information that can be embedded by using both the inside and outside of the rectangle as information embedding.

  Further, as in the above embodiment, the width of the convex portion, ie, “0” or “1” is not indicated by the narrow convex portion 4a or the wide convex portion 4b, but “0” or “1” depending on the presence or absence of the convex portion. It is also possible to display 1 ″. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19, it is conceivable that the bit interval is defined using the outside of the rectangle and the encoded information is displayed using the inside of the rectangle. In this case, since it is not necessary to provide an interval for each bit as in the example of FIG. 1, it is possible to increase information density and increase embeddable information.

As shown in FIG. 20, the ruled lines 4 may not be provided, and only the narrow-width convex portions 4a and the wide-width convex portions 4b may be drawn as encoded information to form a broken line. Further, as a modification of FIG. 20, a mode as shown in FIG. 21 is also possible. FIG. 21 illustrates a case where a ruled line 4 is omitted and a narrow-width convex portion 4a and a wide-width convex portion 4b (hereinafter referred to as a colored portion) are drawn to form a broken-line rectangle (in the drawing, It is a figure which shows the example which made the code | symbol interval 4c the area | region shown with a diagonal line. In the figure, the inter-code part 4c shown by the hatched area is actually other colors in order to facilitate the distinction from the narrow convex part 4a, the wide convex part 4b and other margin parts. Attached. The inter-code part 4c according to the present embodiment is gray. In the example of FIG. 21, the thickness of a line constituting the rectangle and one side of the marker attached to the vertex are substantially the same interval.
In the case of the embodiment described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the area determination code 1 is not a complete rectangle. On the other hand, with the configuration as shown in FIG. 21, the region determination code 1 becomes a substantially complete rectangle. Thereby, the region determination code 1 can be extracted from the image information by the process of extracting the rectangle.
The operation of the information registration device 5 when using the area determination code shown in FIG. 21 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the process of S2201 is executed in the same manner as the processes of S801 and S802 of FIG. The image analysis unit 102 extracts the rectangle included in the image information by analyzing the image information (S2202).
After extracting the rectangle, the image analysis unit 102 recognizes the thickness of the line constituting the rectangle (S2203). As described above, since the inter-code portion 4c is grayed out and can be easily distinguished from other blanks, the image analysis unit 102 can easily recognize the thickness of the lines constituting the rectangle. it can.
After the image analysis unit 102 recognizes the thickness of the line, the information decoding unit 103 executes decoding of information and recording of coordinates in the same manner as the processing of S804 in FIG. 8 (S804). In step S804, the information decoding unit 103 extracts the origin marker 2 from the rectangular vertex extracted in step S802, and then executes the same processing as in step S804. At this time, the information decoding unit 103 extracts the origin marker 2 while correcting the entire region determination code 1 or the size of the vertex based on the line thickness recognized in S2203.
When the area determination code 1 displayed on the paper medium is read, there is a possibility that the aspect ratio of the origin marker 2 changes due to enlargement / reduction by the user, making recognition impossible. On the other hand, the origin marker 2 can be formally recognized by correcting the size of the area determination code 1 based on the line thickness recognized in S2203. After S2204, processing similar to that after S804 in FIG. 8 is executed.
As described above, in the case of the example of FIG. 21, the region determination code 1 can be formed on a substantially rectangular shape, and extraction as a rectangular shape can be facilitated. In the case of the example in FIG. 21, even if the aspect ratio of the area determination code 1 is changed by enlargement / reduction by the user, the information embedded in the area determination code 1 can be accurately decoded. it can.
Further, in the example of FIG. 21, information is embedded in all the sides constituting the rectangle, but for example, it may be embedded in one side in each of the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, when the image analysis unit 102 recognizes the thickness of the line, it recognizes the thickness of the line based on the non-embedded line, thereby facilitating the recognition of the line thickness. It becomes possible.
In the example of FIG. 21, an example in which digital information is expressed by the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b is shown. In addition, the interval between the colored portion and the inter-code portion may be determined in advance, and the digital information may be expressed by the colored portion and the inter-code portion.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the example using the origin marker 2 and the vertex marker 3 was demonstrated. In this case, as described above, clockwise or counterclockwise rotation is determined in advance, and the direction in which the information is decoded is rotated by a predetermined angle in the vertex marker 3. In addition, it is also conceivable to use all the vertices as markers that can determine the top, bottom, left, and right like the starting point marker 2. Such an example is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the direction identification markers 2 a to 2 d are arranged at the respective vertices in the area defining code 1. The direction identification markers 2a to 2d are markers in which a right isosceles triangle is displayed in a square. And the direction identification marker 2a-2d becomes small in the order of 2a-2d in the magnitude | size of the right-angled isosceles triangle displayed on the inside. The information decoding unit 103 decodes information by following the direction identification marker in the order of the size of the right isosceles triangle. The direction in which the information decoding unit 103 decodes information is indicated by the direction of a right isosceles triangle displayed inside. According to such an aspect, it becomes possible to determine the direction of information decoding when decoding the area defining code 1 only by information on the paper surface, and it is possible to further improve the degree of freedom in creating the paper format. Become.

  In the example of FIG. 23, the example in which the direction identification markers 2a to 2d are figures in which a right isosceles triangle is displayed in a square has been described. In addition, the graphic displayed in the square of the direction identification marker may be another graphic as long as the graphic is similar to each other and can be distinguished vertically and horizontally.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the information reading device that reads information entered on a sheet and registers it in the registration information DB 300 has been described. In the present embodiment, an information output apparatus that outputs information registered in the registration information DB 300 as a form in a predetermined format will be described as an example. In addition, about the structure which attaches | subjects the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1, it shall show the part which is the same as that of Embodiment 1, or an equivalent part, and abbreviate | omits description.

  The information output device 7 according to the present embodiment has a hardware configuration that is substantially the same as the hardware configuration of the information registration device 5 described in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. FIG. 24 shows a functional configuration of the information output apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the information output device 7 according to the present embodiment includes an information input unit 110, a network I / F 120, a display unit 130, an item information DB 200, a registration information DB 300, a format DB 400, and an information output control unit 500. .

The format DB 400 is a database that stores information on the format of the form output by the information output device 7. FIG. 25 shows an example of information stored in the format DB 400. As shown in FIG. 25, the format DB 400 according to the present embodiment stores an item ID and coordinate information indicating an area on the paper on which an item corresponding to the item ID is to be displayed. The coordinate information is information that designates the upper left coordinates and the lower right coordinates of the area, such as “(X _A001 , Y _A001 ) − (X _B001 , Y _B001 )” shown in FIG. 25.

  The information output control unit 500 arranges information registered in the registration information DB 300 based on the format information stored in the format DB 400 and encodes predetermined information in the information output device 7 according to the present embodiment. The image information including the area definition code 1 is generated. The information output control unit 500 includes an output information acquisition unit 501, an information encoding unit 502, a pattern generation unit 503, and an image information generation unit 504. The information output control unit 500 is configured by a program loaded in the RAM 20 shown in FIG. 2 operating according to the control of the CPU 10.

  The output information acquisition unit 501 acquires information to be output from the registration information DB 300. The information stored in the registration information DB 300 according to the present embodiment is the same as the information described in FIG. The output information acquisition unit 501 acquires registration information for one line shown in FIG.

  Further, the output information acquisition unit 501 acquires the ID of each item included in the output information from the item information DB 200. As a result, the output information acquisition unit 501 generates, as output information, information in which the item ID and the content of the item are associated as described in FIG. The output information acquisition unit 501 inputs the output information generated in this way to the information encoding unit 502.

  The information encoding unit 502 generates encoded information by encoding information to be encoded and embedded in the area definition code among the information acquired from the output information acquisition unit 501. The format of the encoded information generated by the information encoding unit 502 is a format when the information is encoded and displayed on the paper. That is, the encoded information generated by the information encoding unit 502 includes an error correction code and the like. The generation of encoded information by the information encoding unit 502 is a known technique, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The pattern generation unit 503 generates a pattern for displaying the encoded information on the paper based on the encoded information generated by the information encoding unit 502. This pattern is a pattern of the narrow protrusion 4a and the wide protrusion 4b in the first embodiment.

  The image information generation unit 504 acquires coordinate information of a display area for displaying each item from the format DB 400. Then, the image information generation unit 504 arranges the output information generated by the output information acquisition unit according to the acquired coordinate information. Further, the image information generation unit 504 arranges the area definition code 1 in each display area according to the acquired coordinate information. Further, the image information generation unit 504 draws the pattern of the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b generated by the pattern generation unit 503 on the ruled line of the region definition code 1, and outputs image information of the form to be output (hereinafter referred to as “image information”). Output image information).

  The image information generation unit 504 transmits the generated output image information to an image forming apparatus such as an external printer via the network I / F 120. The image forming apparatus executes image formation based on the received image information, whereby the output of the form is completed. As the image forming apparatus, a general known image forming apparatus can be used, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Note that the image forming apparatus and the information output apparatus 7 can be configured integrally. In this case, the image information generation unit 504 inputs information to an image output unit configured inside the apparatus.

  Next, the operation of the information output apparatus 7 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information output apparatus 7 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, first, the output information acquisition unit 501 acquires registration information to be output from the registration information DB 300 (S2401). The information acquired in S2401 includes display information to be finally displayed as an image. In other words, the information acquired in S2401 is output information to be finally output as an image.

  Then, the output information acquisition unit 501 acquires the ID of each item of the registration information acquired in S2401 from the item information DB 200 (S2402). When the information to be output and the ID of each item are acquired, the output information acquisition unit 501 generates output information in which the item ID and the registration information are associated as described with reference to FIG. 12 (S2403). The output information acquisition unit 501 inputs the generated output information to the information encoding unit 502.

  The information encoding unit 502 encodes information to be encoded and embedded in the region definition code from the information shown in FIG. 12 acquired from the output information acquisition unit 501, and generates encoded information (S2404). In the processing of S2404, the information encoding unit 502 encodes the information described in FIG. 5, that is, the item ID and the information type, and generates encoded information. The information encoding unit 502 generates encoded information by associating the item ID to be encoded with each registration information.

  When the pattern generation unit 503 acquires the encoded information from the information encoding unit 502, the pattern generation unit 503 generates a pattern of the narrow-width convex portion 4a and the wide-width convex portion 4b based on the encoded information (S2405). The pattern generation unit 503 generates a pattern by associating the generated pattern information, the encoded information that is the generation source of the pattern, and the registration information associated with the encoded information, and generates the information as image information To the part 504.

  When the image information generation unit 504 acquires information from the pattern generation unit 503, the image information generation unit 504 acquires coordinate information of a display area for displaying each item from the format DB 400 (S2406). That is, the image information generation unit 504 functions as an arrangement information acquisition unit. Then, the image information generation unit 504 generates output image information in which the registration information and the area definition code are arranged according to the acquired coordinate information (S2407). The image information generation unit 504 outputs the generated output image information to the image forming apparatus via the network I / F 120, and ends the process. By such processing, the paper 6 as described in the first embodiment can be output.

  As described above, according to the information output device 7 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to output a code-added paper in which the area on the paper surface is expressed with high accuracy using the encoded information. .

  In the pattern generation by the pattern generation unit 503 according to the present embodiment, various patterns other than the patterns described in the first embodiment can be used. For example, in the case of using the pattern by the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b described in FIG. 1, one of the narrow convex portion 4a and the wide convex portion 4b represents “0” and the other expresses “1” Become. Here, since the wide convex portion 4b requires a larger space than the narrow convex portion 4a, a smaller number of wide convex portions 4b can form more patterns and can be embedded as a result. Increases the amount of information.

  Therefore, when the pattern generation unit 503 generates a pattern based on the encoding information, the pattern generation unit 503 determines which of “0” and “1” among the bits constituting the encoding information is larger, and the larger one is the narrow-width convex portion. It is preferable to express by 4a. In this case, information can be correctly decoded by separately providing bits that associate the narrow convex portions 4a and the wide convex portions 4b with "0" and "1".

It is a figure which shows the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information reading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the paper which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information encoded and embedded by the area | region definition code which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in item information DB which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in registration information DB which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the decoding operation | movement of the information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the decoding direction of the information in the area | region definition code which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the information produced | generated in the operation | movement process of the information reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the information produced | generated in the operation | movement process of the information reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the information produced | generated in the operation | movement process of the information reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region fixed code which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information reader which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area | region definition code | cord | chord which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information output device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in format DB which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information output device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the area | region display aspect by the two-dimensional code which concerns on a prior art example. It is a figure which shows the area | region display aspect by the two-dimensional code which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 area demarcation code,
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1n
2 origin marker,
3 vertex markers,
4 Ruled lines,
4a Narrow width convex part,
4b Wide convex part,
5 Information registration device,
6 paper,
7 Information output device,
10 CPU,
20 RAM,
30 ROM,
40 HDD,
50 I / F,
60 LCD,
70 operation unit,
80 bus,
100 Information reading control unit,
101 input image information acquisition unit,
102 Image analysis unit,
103 information decoding unit,
104 character recognition part,
105 Information registration section,
110 Information input part,
120 Network I / F,
130 display unit,
200 item information DB,
300 registration information DB,
400 format DB,
500 information output control unit,
501 output information acquisition unit,
502 information encoding unit,
503 pattern generator,
504 Image information generation unit

Claims (19)

A polygonal code in which information encoded along the circumference of the polygon is arranged,
A graphic pattern representing the information arranged and encoded along the circumference of the polygon;
An information display area for displaying arbitrary information in an area surrounded by the graphic pattern;
The polygonal code, wherein the graphic pattern has a frequency component expressing the encoded information in a scanning line along the circumference of the polygon.   The polygonal code according to claim 1, further comprising a position detection symbol arranged at a vertex of the polygon.   The position detection symbol is a two-dimensional figure that can determine the direction in the two-dimensional space, and indicates a direction parallel to one of the plurality of sides constituting the polygon. The polygonal code according to claim 2, wherein The position detection symbols are arranged at all vertices of the polygon,
Each of the position detection symbols arranged at each vertex of the polygon includes figures that are similar to each other.
The figure included in each position detection symbol changes in size in a direction along a circumference of the polygon and in a direction in which the encoded information is decoded. The polygonal code according to 2 or 3. The sides of the polygon are represented by ruled lines,
The polygonal code according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the graphic pattern is arranged on the ruled line and outside the polygon. The sides of the polygon are represented by ruled lines,
The polygonal code according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the graphic pattern is arranged on both sides of the polygon on the ruled line.   The polygonal code according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the encoded information is information relating to contents displayed in the information display area.   The polygonal code according to claim 7, wherein the encoded information is information relating to an information format of contents displayed in the information display area. An information registration device that reads information from an image including a polygonal code in which information encoded along a circumference of a polygon is arranged and registers the information in a storage medium,
An image acquisition unit for acquiring an image including the polygonal code;
A polygonal code recognition unit for recognizing the polygonal code included in the acquired image;
An information decoding unit for decoding the encoded information represented by the polygonal code;
An in-area information acquisition unit that acquires in-area information displayed in the area surrounded by the polygonal code based on the decoded information;
An information registration apparatus comprising: an in-region information registration unit that registers the obtained in-region information in a storage medium based on the decrypted information. The encoded information includes information indicating that the in-region information is character information;
10. The in-area information acquisition unit acquires the in-area information as character information by recognizing an image displayed in an area surrounded by the polygonal code. Information registration device. The information decoding unit recognizes an area surrounded by the polygonal code when decoding the encoded information;
The information registration apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the in-area information acquisition unit acquires the in-area information in accordance with recognition of the area by the information decoding unit. The polygon type code includes a position detection symbol arranged at the vertex of the polygon,
The information registration apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the polygonal code recognition unit recognizes the polygonal code by recognizing the position detection symbol. The polygonal code has a graphic pattern that represents information arranged and encoded along the circumference of the polygon;
The position detection symbol is a symbol capable of discriminating a direction in a two-dimensional space, and indicates a direction parallel to one side;
The information registration apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information decoding unit decodes encoded information represented by the graphic pattern along a direction indicated by the position detection symbol. The encoded information includes item identification information identifying an item of the in-region information;
The in-region information registration unit acquires item information in which the item identification information is associated with an item identified by the item identification information, and registers the in-region information in a storage medium based on the acquired item information The information registration apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information registration apparatus is an information registration apparatus. An item information storage unit storing item information in which the item identification information and an item identified by the item identification information are associated;
The information registration device according to claim 14, wherein the in-region information registration unit acquires the item information from the item information storage unit. An information output device that outputs information as an image including a polygonal code in which information encoded along the circumference of a polygon is arranged,
An output information acquisition unit that acquires information about display information to be displayed as the image and items of the display information;
An information encoding unit for encoding information on the item;
A pattern generation unit for generating a graphic pattern representing the encoded information;
An arrangement information acquisition unit that acquires arrangement information related to arrangement of the display information in the image;
An image generation unit that generates the information of the image by arranging the display information based on the acquired arrangement information;
The image generation unit generates the image information so as to display a polygonal code surrounding the display information,
The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polygonal code displays the generated graphic pattern along a circumference of the polygonal code. The output information acquisition unit
Obtaining item identification information for identifying the item of the display information as information on the item;
Obtaining item information associated with the item identification information and the item identified by the item identification information;
The information output device according to claim 16, wherein information on an item associated with the item identification information is acquired based on the acquired item identification information.   The pattern generation unit generates the graphic pattern by an array of a first rectangle having a predetermined width and a second rectangle having a width wider than the first rectangle. Or the information output device of 17. The encoded information is digital information composed of information representing "0" and "1";
The pattern generation unit includes “0” and “1”, the first rectangle, and the second rectangle according to at least one of “0” and “1” included in the encoded information. The information output device according to claim 18, wherein the correspondence relationship is determined.

Images