Registers – Records – Particular code pattern
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-08-28
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Records
Particular code pattern
C235S454000, C235S487000, C235S462090, C235S462100, C235S462250, C235S456000, C235S460000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279830
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code, a method for reading the two-dimensional code, a method for producing two-dimensional code, and a recording medium storing related software programs.
For example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-254037 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,435) discloses a conventional two-dimensional code which is so-called QR code. As shown in
FIG. 18B
, information has a two-dimensional spread. A great amount of information can be recorded compared with a bar code shown in
FIG. 18A
, although the code arrangement is complicated.
FIG. 19
is a view showing a schematic arrangement of such a conventional two-dimensional code. To enable the positional identification of the two-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code
500
comprises a plurality of positioning symbols
510
a
,
510
b
, and
510
c
as well as timing cells
520
a
and
520
b
. The inside space of two-dimensional code
500
is dissected into a matrix of n×n cells. Three positioning symbols
510
a
,
510
b
and
510
c
are located at three different corners of two-dimensional code
500
. Each of the positioning symbols
510
a
,
510
b
and
510
c
has a same bright-and-dark pattern. The bright-and-dark pattern consists of three optically discriminable regions; an outer black region
512
forming a rectangular frame-like zone with a one-cell width, an inner black region
516
forming a square zone of 3 cells×3 cells, and an intermediate while region
514
interposed between two black regions
512
and
516
so as to form a rectangular frame-like zone with a one-cell width.
When a scanning line crosses the center of each positioning symbol, a same bright-and-dark pattern ,i.e., 1(black):1(white):3(black):1(white):1(black), is always obtained regardless of the scanning angle. Thus, in the detection of two-dimensional code
500
, the above bright-dark pattern is first searched to identify the location of all positioning symbols
510
a
,
510
b
and
510
c.
The two-dimensional code
500
has an information recording region
530
consisting of data cells for recording data. The cell position (i.e., coordinate values) of each data cell can be calculated based on each central position of the positioning symbols
510
a
,
510
b
and
510
c
and timing cells
520
a
and
520
b
. In a decoding operation, information (i.e., black or white) recorded in each data cell is converted into binary data (i.e., 1 or 0).
According to such a two-dimensional code, it is desirable to provide the error-correcting function to safely decode the recorded data even if part of the code is unreadable due to damage, stain or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a two-dimensional code robust against damage or stain and capable of decoding the recorded data as much as possible in case of such defects.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for reading such a novel two-dimensional code.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing such a novel two-dimensional code.
Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium storing related software programs.
In order to accomplish this and other related objects, one aspect of the present invention provides a two-dimensional code including a plurality of cells arranged in a predetermined two-dimensional pattern, the code comprising an information recording region for recording information, a plurality of blocks constituting the information recording region, and a recording mode designating code involved in each block for indicating a recording mode of the information recorded in each block.
Preferably, at least one of the plurality of blocks records error-correcting information applied to information recorded in other block.
For example, there are a plurality of block pairs, each block pair consisting of a data block and an error-correcting block. An error-correcting level is independently applied to each block pair. And, an error-correcting code is involved in each of the data block and the error-correcting block of the block pair. The error-correcting code indicates the error-correcting level of the block pair.
Preferably, the recording mode designating code of each block is disposed in front of the information recorded in the block, so that the recording mode designating code is decoded prior to the information in each block and the information is decoded according to the recording mode specified by the recording mode designating code.
Preferably, an area code is involved in each block of the two-dimensional code for directly or indirectly indicating an existing area of each block in the two-dimensional code.
For example, the area code is disposed at the head of each block so that the area code is decoded prior to the information recorded in each block. The recording mode designating code and the area code are represented by a cell distribution pattern. The cell distribution pattern is decodable into a bit string which is not used for recording the information in the information recording region. And, the recording mode designating code and the area code are specified by decoding the bit string. The recording mode designating code and the area code are located adjacent to each other so that the recording mode designating code and the area code are successively decoded.
Preferably, a format code region represented by a cell pattern is provided to specify an existing area of each block.
Preferably, there are a plurality of positioning symbols located at predetermined positions on the two-dimensional code to identify the position of the two-dimensional code.
Preferably, at least one of the plurality of blocks contains specific information requiring a specialized reading apparatus in a decoding operation. In this case, the specific information is recorded by using magnetic ink or special ink modifying a specific waveform so that the specific information is not optically recognized. The specific information may be enciphered so that a deciphering operation is additionally required in a code reading operation.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for reading the above-described two-dimensional code of the present invention. The reading method comprises the steps of performing partial decode processing for each of the plurality of blocks for decoding the recorded information in each block in accordance with the recording mode specified by the recording mode designating code, and reading the information in the information recording region based on the partial decoding result of the plurality of blocks.
Preferably, entire decode processing is performed to decode all of the information in the information recording region, and the partial decode processing is performed only when the entire decode processing is failed.
Preferably, the partial decode processing of the plurality of blocks is performed by determining a decoding order of the plurality of blocks.
Preferably, the information in the information recording region is read by performing an error-correcting operation based on decoding result of two related blocks.
Preferably, the partial decode processing is performed by decoding the information in a designated block based on the error-correcting level specified by the error-correcting code indicating the error-correcting level of the block pair consisting of a data block and an error-correcting block, when the error-correcting level is independently applied to each block pair.
Preferably, the recording mode designating code is decoded prior to the information in each block and the information is decoded according to the recording mode specified by the recording mode designating code. The recording mode designating code of each block is disposed in front of the information recorded in the block.
Preferably, the reading method comprises the steps of detecting the area code from a picture image of the two-dimensional code, identifying an existing area of a designated block based on
Denso Corporation
Le Uyen-Chau N.
Lee Michael G.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
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