# US 11,443,154 B2 · Code, information processing system, and information processing device

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- Number: US 11,443,154 B2
- Document ID: US11443154B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/169,802
- Filed: 2021-02-08
- Published: 2021-09-30
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-25
- Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd.
- Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd.
- Inventors: Yoshiharu Kimura; Shigetaka Tsubouchi; Kota Otake; Masahiro Kawasaki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11443154B2

## CPC

- G06K 19/06046: {Constructional details}
- B41M 3/142: {using chemical colour-formers or chemical reactions, e.g. leuco-dye/acid, photochromes}
- G06K 1/121: {by printing code marks (applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26)}
- G06K 19/06037: {multi-dimensional coding}
- G06K 19/0614: {the marking being selective to wavelength, e.g. color barcode or barcodes only visible under UV or IR (methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers using a selected wavelength, see G06K7/12)}
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)

## Abstract

Disclosed is a mechanically readable code including a first area comprising multiple first unit cells and including an information region where information was recorded and a second area including multiple second unit cells including an allochroic cell that changes in color depending on a physical quantity. The multiple first unit cells include transitional color cells having any transitional color in the process of color change of the allochroic cell.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An information processing system comprising:
a terminal device having a reader to mechanically read the information in a mechanically readable code, the mechanically readable code comprising:
a first area comprising multiple first unit cells and including an information region where information was recorded; and
a second area comprising multiple second unit cells including an allochroic cell that changes in color depending on a physical quantity,
wherein the multiple first unit cells include transitional color cells having any transitional color in the process of color change of the allochroic cell; and
an information processing device,
wherein the information processing device comprising:
a reception unit that receives the information acquired by the terminal device and color information of the allochroic cell;
a database that retains relationships including a first relationship between the color of the allochroic cell and a physical quantity and a second relationship between the information and a type of ink to color the allochroic cell; and
a determination unit that determines the physical quantity to which the code has been exposed, based on the received information, the color of the allochroic cell, and the relationships.

### Claim 2

An information processing system comprising:
a terminal device having a reader to mechanically read the information in a mechanically readable code the mechanically readable code comprising:
a first area comprising multiple first unit cells and including an information region where information was recorded; and
a second area comprising multiple second unit cells including an allochroic cell that changes in color depending on a physical quantity,
wherein the multiple first unit cells include transitional color cells having any transitional color in the process of color change of the allochroic cell; and
an information processing device,
wherein the information processing device comprising:
a reception unit that receives the information acquired by the terminal device and image data of the allochroic cell;
a database that retains relationships including a first relationship between the color of the allochroic cell and a physical quantity and a second relationship between the information or the code and a type of ink to color the allochroic cell; and
a determination unit that identifies the color of the allochroic cell from received image data of the allochroic cell and determines the physical quantity to which the code has been exposed, based on the received information, the identified color of the allochroic cell, and the relationships.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The information system according to claim 1, wherein the physical quantity is an integral physical quantity that is a product of the physical quantity and elapsed time.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The information system according to claim 1, wherein the first relationships are retained by each type of ink to color the allochroic cell.

### Claim 5

An information processing device that processes information recorded in a mechanically readable code characterized by comprising:
a reception unit that receives information recorded in the code and color information of the allochroic cell or image data of the allochroic cell;
a database that retains relationships including a first relationship between the color of the allochroic cell and a physical quantity and a second relationship between the information and a type of ink to color the allochroic cell; and
a determination unit that determines the physical quantity to which the code has been exposed, based on the received information, the color of the allochroic cell, and the relationships;
wherein the mechanically readable code comprising:
a first area comprising multiple first unit cells and including an information region where information was recorded; and
a second area comprising multiple second unit cells including an allochroic cell that changes in color depending on a physical quantity,
wherein the multiple first unit cells include transitional color cells having any transitional color in the process of color change of the allochroic cell.