2-dimensional code pattern, 2-dimensional code pattern supporting medium, 2-dimensional code pattern generating method, and 2-dimensional code reading apparatus and method

A 2-dimensional code pattern supporting medium which includes a supporting base, and a 2-dimensional code pattern arranged in a matrix formation on an entire surface of the supporting base, the 2-dimensional code pattern comprising:

• a code frame which defines a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• and
• a data region provided within the code frame and indicating predetermined information using data dots,
• wherein the predetermined information includes positional information indicating a position of the code frame on an arbitrary page of a document, and identification information of the document page.

A method of generating a 2-dimensional code pattern, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring identification information of a document page being printed;
• acquiring positional information indicating a position of a 2-dimensional code pattern on the document page;
• producing the 2-dimensional code pattern by encoding the identification information and the positional information using dots arranged at a predetermined spacing;
• and
• arranging the dots of the 2-dimensional code pattern in a matrix formation on the document page together with a code frame which defines a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions.

A computer program product embodied therein for causing an information processing device to execute a method of generation of a 2-dimensional code pattern when receiving a print command to print an arbitrary page of a document, the method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring identification information of the document page being printed;
• acquiring positional information indicating a position of the 2-dimensional code pattern on the document page;
• producing the 2-dimensional code pattern by encoding the identification information and the positional information using dots arranged at a predetermined spacing;
• and
• arranging the dots of the 2-dimensional code pattern in a matrix formation on the document page together with a code frame which defines a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program embodied therein for causing a computer to execute a method of generation of a 2-dimensional code pattern when receiving a print command to print an arbitrary page of a document, the method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring identification information of the document page being printed;
• acquiring positional information indicating a position of the 2-dimensional code pattern on the document page;
• producing the 2-dimensional code pattern by encoding the identification information and the positional information using dots arranged at a predetermined spacing;
• and
• arranging the dots of the 2-dimensional code pattern in a matrix formation on the document page together with a code frame which defines a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions.

A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus comprising:

• a dot detection unit receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, which are constituted by dots, and detecting the dots from the received input image;
• a code frame detection unit configured to detect a code frame from the dots detected by the dot detection unit, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• a data decoder configured to read a pattern of the dots arranged within the code frame and configured to decode to reproduce information indicated by the read pattern of the dots,
• wherein the dot detection unit is configured to perform the dot detection only for a region smaller than a region of the input image.

A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus, comprising:

• a dot detection unit configured to receive an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, which are constituted by dots, and configured to detect the dots from the received input image;
• a code frame detection unit configured to detect a code frame from the dots detected by the dot detection unit, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• and
• a data decoder configured to read a pattern of the dots arranged within the code frame and configured to decode to reproduce information indicated by the read pattern of the dots,
• wherein the code frame detection unit is provided to determine the code frame by processing of only a region that is smaller than a region of the input image.

A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus comprising:

• a dot detection unit configured to receive an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, which are constituted by dots, and configured to detect the dots from the received input image, the dot detection unit configured to perform the dot detection only for a first region smaller than a region of the input image;
• a code frame detection unit configured to detect a code frame from the dots detected by the dot detection unit, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions, the code frame detection unit configured to determine the code frame by processing of only a second region smaller than the region of the input image;
• and
• a data decoder configured to read a pattern of the dots arranged within the code frame and configured to decode to reproduce information indicated by the read pattern of the dots.

A 2-dimensional code reading method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes which are constituted by dots;
• detecting the dots from the received input image, the dot detection being performed only for a region smaller than a region of the input image;
• detecting a code frame from the dots detected by the dot detection step, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• reading a pattern of the dots arranged within the code frame;
• and
• performing decoding to reproduce information indicated by the read pattern of the dots.

A 2-dimensional code reading method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes which are constituted by dots;
• detecting the dots from the received input image;
• detecting a code frame from the dots detected by the dot detection step, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation, at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions, the code frame detection provided to determine the code frame by processing of only a region that is smaller than a region of the input image;
• reading a pattern of the dots arranged within the code frame;
• and
• performing decoding to reproduce information indicated by the read pattern of the dots.

A 2-dimensional code reading method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, which are constituted by dots;
• detecting the dots from the received input image, the dot detection being performed only for a first region smaller than a region of the input image;
• detecting a code frame from the dots detected by the dot detecting step, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions, the code frame detection provided to determine the code frame by processing of only a second region smaller than the region of the input image;
• reading a pattern of the dots arranged within the code frame;
• and
• performing decoding to reproduce information indicated by the read pattern of the dots.

A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus comprising:

• an input unit configured to receive an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes printed on a print medium with a document page;
• a code position detector configured to detect the 2-dimensional codes from the received input image wherein the 2-dimensional codes are constituted by dots and a code frame is detected from the dots detected from the received input image, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• a data acquisition unit configured to acquire digital information from the detected 2-dimensional codes;
• an error correction unit configured to perform error correction coding of the digital information;
• and
• a decoder performing configured to decode of the digital information after the error correction coding is performed,
• wherein the error correction unit comprises a storage unit configured to store a part of the digital information as known information, and a data permutation unit configured to replace a portion of the digital information from the data acquisition unit with the known information from the storage unit.

A coordinates input device which receives an input image of 2-dimensional codes printed on a print medium with a document page and containing identification information, which includes:

• a 2-dimensional code reading apparatus;
• and
• a positional information storage unit configured to store correlation of the identification information and positional information read by the 2-dimensional code reading apparatus,
• the 2-dimensional code reading apparatus comprising:
• an input unit configured to receive an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes printed on a print medium with a document page;
• a code position detector configured to detect the 2-dimensional codes from the received input image wherein the 2-dimensional codes are constituted by dots and a code frame is detected from the dots detected from the received input image, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• a data acquisition unit configured to acquire digital information from the detected 2-dimensional codes;
• an error correction unit configured to perform error correction coding of the digital information;
• and
• a decoder performing configured to decode of the digital information after the error correction coding is performed,
• wherein the error correction unit comprises a storage unit configured to store a part of the digital information as known information, and a data permutation unit configured to replace a portion of the digital information from the data acquisition unit with the known information from the storage unit.

A 2-dimensional code reading method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes printed on a print medium with a document page;
• detecting the 2-dimensional codes from the received input image wherein the 2-dimensional codes are constituted by dots and a code frame is detected from the dots detected from the received input image the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• acquiring digital information from the detected 2-dimensional codes;
• performing error correction coding of the digital information;
• and
• performing decoding of the digital information after the error correction coding is performed,
• wherein the error correction step comprises the steps of storing a part of the digital information as known information, and replacing a portion of the digital information from the data acquisition unit with the known information.

A computer program product embodied therein for causing a computer to execute a 2-dimensional code reading method, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes printed on a print medium with a document page;
• detecting the 2-dimensional codes from the received input image wherein the 2-dimensional codes are constituted by dots and a code frame is detected from the dots detected from the received input image, the code frame defining a fixed rectangular region by frame dots arranged in a matrix formation at a predetermined spacing in each of two orthogonal directions;
• acquiring digital information from the detected 2-dimensional codes;
• performing error correction coding of the digital information;
• and
• performing decoding of the digital information after the error correction coding is performed,
• wherein the error correction step comprises the steps of storing a part of the digital information as known information, and replacing a portion of the digital information from the data acquisition unit with the known information.