Information code, information code producing method, information code reader, and system which uses information code

An information code formed on a medium, cells being arranged in a predetermined code area of the medium, the cells functioning as a unit of information, wherein

• a specification pattern region is arranged in the code region, predetermined-shape specification patterns being arranged in the specification pattern region, the specification patterns including patterns indicating a position of the code area;
• a data recording region is arranged in the code region, data being recorded in the data recording region by a plurality of types of the cells;
• and
• a free space is arranged at a position located outside the specification pattern region in the code area, the free space having a size larger in area than the single cell, the free space being arranged using a method which is different from a method of recording the data into the data recording region, at least one of recording data and displaying a design being enabled in the free space.

An information code reader, reading an information code provided on a medium, cells being arranged in a predetermined code area of the medium, the cells functioning as a unit of information, wherein

• the information code comprises
• a specification pattern region arranged in the code area, predetermined-shape specification patterns being arranged in the specification pattern region, the specification patterns including patterns indicating a position of the code area;
• a data recording region arranged in the code area, data being recorded by a plurality of types of the cells in the data recording region;
• and
• a free space arranged at a position located outside the specification pattern region in the code area, the free space having a size larger in area than a single cell, the free space being arranged using a method which is different from a method of recording the data into the data recording region, at least one of recording data and displaying a design being enabled in the free space, and
• the information code reader comprising
• an imaging unit imaging the information code;
• and
• an interpreter interpreting the data recorded in the data recording region, based on contents recorded in the data recording region, when the information code is imaged by the imaging unit.

A system which uses an information code, the system comprising:

• an information code producing apparatus producing an information code provided on a medium, cells being arranged in a predetermined code area of the medium, the cells functioning as a unit of information when the information is provided;
• and
• an information code reader reading the information code produced by the information code producing apparatus,
• wherein the information code producing apparatus is configured to produce the information code such that the information code comprises
• a specification pattern region arranged in the code area, predetermined-shape specification patterns being arranged in the specification pattern region, the specification patterns including patterns indicating a position of the code area;
• a data recording region arranged in the code area, data being recorded by a plurality of types of the cells in the data recording region;
• and
• a free space arranged at a position located outside the specification pattern region in the code area, the free space having a size larger in area than a single cell, the free space being arranged using a method which is different from a method of recording the data into the data recording region, at least one of recording data and displaying a design being enabled in the free space, and
• wherein the information code reader comprises
• an imaging unit imaging the information code produced by the information code producing apparatus,
• wherein the information code reader is configured to interpret the data recorded in the data recording region based on contents of the data recording region, when the imaging unit images the information code.