Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-12-04
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S462110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325287
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code recognition processing method, a two-dimensional code recognition processing apparatus, and a two-dimensional code recognition processing program storage medium. More particularly, the invention relates to a two-dimensional code recognition processing method, a two-dimensional code recognition processing apparatus, and a two-dimensional code recognition processing program storage medium for permitting efficient and accurate recognition of expanded code data made of a plurality of suitably captured two-dimensional codes in combination.
The so-called bar code system is used extensively in various industrial fields. The system involves encoding in bars alphanumeric characters representing types and conditions of goods and articles, and typically attaching such codes to the goods and articles so that the codes may be scanned later for retrieval of relevant information (e.g., about their types and conditions).
FIG. 23
shows a so-called one-dimensional bar code. In this example, a one-dimensional bar code label
500
is made up of a code part
501
and an ID (identification number) part
502
. The code part
501
includes a combination of different widths of bars (in black) and bar-to-bar spaces (blanks). The ID part
502
indicates a code contained in the code part
501
. Specifically, the ID part
502
shows as readable information alphanumeric characters that are coded in the code part
501
. This type of one-dimensional bar code
500
is read by an optical recognition apparatus called a bar code scanner for recognition.
One way of reading the above-described one-dimensional bar code
500
is by use of a CCD video camera. As more and more bars are arranged to accommodate growing volumes of coded information, however, it becomes increasingly difficult for the CCD video camera to properly read such one-dimensional bar codes
500
.
The difficulty in capturing large amounts of bar-coded information with the video camera is solved by a two-dimensional code system proposed to replace the one-dimensional bar code. As depicted in
FIG. 24
, various kinds of two-dimensional codes
600
have been proposed, each code comprising a code part
601
and an ID part
602
. The code part
601
has a plurality of black square cells arranged two-dimensionally according to predetermined layout rules. The ID part
602
indicates a code that is contained in the code part
601
.
Greater quantities of information are represented when the information is coded two-dimensionally than if the one-dimensional code
500
is used. In other words, it is easier for the video camera to read larger quantities of information if the information is coded two-dimensionally rather than one-dimensionally.
However, the two-dimensional code
600
has one disadvantage. That is, when the video camera picks up an image of a two-dimensional code
600
for code recognition, it is often difficult to distinguish the code from smear, dirt or other distracting images picked up nearby. The result is that code data are often difficult to recognize precisely.
In addition, only the code data assigned to each single two-dimensional code
600
has been usable in a related art, which poses constraints on the quantity of information made available for identification purposes. The limited scope of ID information availability in turn has restricted the scope of applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for permitting efficient and accurate recognition of expanded code data made of a plurality of two-dimensional codes in combination.
In carrying out the invention and according to one aspect thereof, there is provided a two-dimensional code recognition processing method for recognizing a two-dimensional code made of a plurality of square cells arranged in accordance with predetermined layout rules, the method including the steps of: recognizing code data assigned to the two-dimensional code captured from external image information; and linking the plurality of code data to generate expanded code data, if a plurality of code data are recognized successively over time in the recognizing step, or if a plurality of code data are recognized from the same image information in the recognizing step.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a two-dimensional code recognition processing apparatus for recognizing a two-dimensional code made of a plurality of square cells arranged in accordance with predetermined layout rules, the apparatus comprising: recognizing means for recognizing code data assigned to the two-dimensional code captured from external image information; and linking means for linking the plurality of code data to generate expanded code data, if a plurality of code data are recognized successively over time by the recognizing means, or if a plurality of code data are recognized from the same image information by the recognizing means.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a two-dimensional code recognition processing program storage medium for storing a two-dimensional code recognition processing program in a manner executable by a computer, the two-dimensional code recognition processing program comprising the steps of: recognizing code data assigned to the two-dimensional code captured from external image information; and linking the plurality of code data to generate expanded code data, if a plurality of code data are recognized successively over time in the recognizing step, or if a plurality of code data are recognized from the same image information in the recognizing step.
Through the use of the inventive two-dimensional code recognition processing method, two-dimensional code recognition processing apparatus, and two-dimensional code recognition processing program storage medium outlined above, code data assigned to a two-dimensional code are recognized from the externally captured image information. If a plurality of code data are successively recognized over time or if these code data are recognized from the same image information, then the code data are linked so as to generate expanded code data.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent by referring to the following description and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5576851 (1996-11-01), Aoki
patent: 5619027 (1997-04-01), Ackley
patent: 5691527 (1997-11-01), Hara et al.
patent: 6000614 (1999-12-01), Yang et al.
patent: 6036094 (2000-03-01), Goldman et al.
patent: 6081627 (2000-06-01), Kannon et al.
patent: 6181839 (2001-01-01), Kannon et al.
patent: 407296099-A (1995-11-01), None
Ihara Keigo
Nakajima Shinji
Rekimoto Junichi
Sueyoshi Takahiko
Frech Karl D.
Frommer William S.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Sanders Allyson N.
Sony Corproation
LandOfFree
Two-dimensional code recognition processing method,... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Two-dimensional code recognition processing method,..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Two-dimensional code recognition processing method,... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559894