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

An information code formed on a medium, comprising:

• a specification pattern region 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 arranged in the code region, coded data being recorded in the data recording region by a plurality of types of cells, the cells being arranged in a predetermined code area of a medium, the cells functioning as a unit of information;
• 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 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 such that at least one of recording data other than the cells and displaying a design is allowed in the free space, the design being given independently of the cells arranged in the data recording region;
• format information of the code recorded at predetermined positions in the code area in a specified format configuration, the predetermined positions being outside the free space;
• a plurality of data words arranged in the code region on the basis of predetermined arrangement position information, the data words expressing object data being interpreted, the object data being to be recorded in the data recording region,
• wherein the free space is arranged such that at least one of a position and a shape of the free space is adjustable in the code area according to the arrangement position information,

An information code reader, reading an information code provided on a medium,

• wherein the information code comprises
• a specification pattern region 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 arranged in the code region, coded data being recorded in the data recording region by a plurality of types of cells, the cells being arranged in a predetermined code area of a medium, the cells functioning as a unit of information;
• 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 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 such that at least one of recording data other than the cells and displaying a design is allowed in the free space, the design being given independently of the cells arranged in the data recording region;
• and
• a plurality of data words arranged in the code region on the basis of predetermined arrangement position information, the data words expressing object data being interpreted, the object data being to be recorded in the data recording region,
• wherein the free space is arranged such that at least one of a position and a shape of the free space is adjustable in the code area according to the arrangement position information;
• 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 on a medium;
• 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 comprising
• a specification pattern region arranged in the code region, predetermined-shape specification patterns being arranged in the specification pattern region, the specification patterns including is patterns indicating a position of the code area;
• a data recording region arranged in the code region, coded data being recorded in the data recording region by a plurality of types of cells, the cells being arranged in a predetermined code area of a medium, the cells functioning as a unit of information;
• 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 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 such that at least one of recording data other than the cells and displaying a design is allowed in the free space, the design being given independently of the cells arranged in the data recording region;
• format information of the code recorded at predetermined positions in the code area in a specified format configuration, the predetermined positions being outside the free space;
• a plurality of data words arranged in the code region on the basis of predetermined arrangement position information, the data words expressing object data being interpreted, the object data being to be recorded in the data recording region,
• wherein the free space is arranged such that at least one of a position and a shape of the free space is adjustable in the code area according to the arrangement position information;
• and
• wherein the information code reader comprises
• 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.