US 5,866,895 A · Information recording medium and information reproduction system

An information recording medium on which a dot code is optically readably recorded, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising:

a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally, and which correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced;
pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively;
and
a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dot;
wherein the pattern dots are detected at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the markers, and arranged apart from each other to determine the reference read points by minimizing an error function obtained from respective distances between the dot read points and positions of the detected pattern dots.

2 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information;
wherein the pattern dots are arranged apart from each other, and said restoring means includes (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means and those dot reading points of the pattern dots which are determined in accordance with formats of the pattern dots, and determining the reference read points by minimizing an error function obtained from distances between the dot reading points and positions of the detected pattern dots, and (iii) data reading means for reading respectively the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means.

2 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said marker detecting means includes marker extracting means for extracting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, and approximate center calculating means for calculating an approximate center of each of the markers extracted by said marker extracting means;
said approximate center calculating means includes approximate center position-correcting means for correcting an approximate center position of at least one of the markers which is possibly partially missing at a frame end of the image obtained by said image inputting means;
and
said approximate center position-correcting means includes a table for outputting a correcting amount which varies in accordance with a distance between the frame end of the image and the approximate center of said each of the markers which is calculated by said approximate center calculating means.

7 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code with reference to the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said marker detecting means includes marker extracting means for extracting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, and approximate center calculating means for calculating an approximate center of each of the markers extracted by said marker extracting means;
said approximate center calculating means includes approximate center position-correcting means for correcting an approximate center position of at least one of the markers which is possibly partially missing at a frame end of the image obtained by said image inputting means;
and
said approximate center position-correcting means includes means for selecting at least one of the markers which is to be processed, and correcting an approximate center position of said at least one of the markers.

7 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code with reference to the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots;
and
said marker pair selecting means includes means for calculating positions of the marker pair by extrapolation.

6 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots;
said marker pair selecting means includes base marker pair-selecting means for selecting a series of marker pairs of at least two adjacent blocks as base marker pairs;
said base marker pair-selecting means includes reference marker selecting means for selecting, when at least three adjacent markers are allowed to be detected in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction, an intermediate one of said at least three adjacent markers as a reference marker;
said reference marker selecting means includes marker searching means for replacing, when an outermost one of said at least three adjacent markers are not allowed to be detected, said reference marker with the other outermost one thereof, and detecting another adjacent marker by extrapolation;
and
said marker searching means includes means for determining an extrapolation point as a virtual marker when a marker search area is moved out of a frame by extrapolation.

9 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots;
said marker pair selecting means includes base marker selecting means for selecting a series of marker pairs of at least two adjacent blocks as base marker pairs;
and
said base marker pair-selecting means includes base marker pair re-selecting means for re-selecting, when at least two base marker pairs are allowed to be selected, one of said at least two base marker pairs which more possibly enables a larger number of blocks to be read than the other.

7 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots;
said marker pair selecting means includes means for selecting sets of markers provided in the blocks;
and
said means for selecting the sets of markers includes means for successively selecting those of the sets of markers which are provided in those of the blocks which are located in a frame, from a first one of said those of the sets of markers in the scanning direction.

7 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots;
said marker pair selecting means includes means for selecting sets of markers provided in the blocks;
and
said means for selecting the sets of markers includes means for successively selecting those of the sets of markers which are provided in those of the blocks which are located in a frame, from a first one of said those of the sets of markers which is closest to one of ends of the frame in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.

7 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots;
said marker pair selecting means includes means for selecting sets of markers provided in the blocks;
the dot code includes address dots representing addresses of the blocks, respectively, and those of the blocks which have the same addresses;
and
said means for selecting the sets of markers includes means for re-selecting, when a block has not been allowed to be read, a set of markers provided in another block having an address identical to that of the block which has not been allowed to be read.

8 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
said dot detecting means includes means for detecting the pattern dots at the dot read points, and detecting, when any of the pattern dots is not detected at a corresponding one of the dot read points, one of the pattern dots which is close to said corresponding one of the dot read points;
and
said means for detecting said one of the pattern dots includes means for shifting, when said one of the pattern dots is detected at a point displaced from said corresponding one of the dot read points, subsequent dot read points in advance by an amount by which the point has been displaced from said corresponding one of the dot read points.

7 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
and
said dot detecting means includes means for re-calculating the approximate centers of the marker pair on the basis of the centers of the pattern dots, and re-detecting the pattern dots.

6 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
and
said dot detecting means includes means for selecting only correct ones of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means by error detection, and obtaining only said correct ones of the pattern dots as a detection result.

6 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
and
said dot center calculating means includes means for estimating center positions of the pattern dots from patterns of the pattern dots, respectively.

6 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading each of the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
and
said dot center calculating means includes mask means for limiting an area, on the basis of which a calculation for determining the centers of the pattern dots is to be performed, by use of a mask having an appropriate size.

6 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
and
said dot center calculating means includes means for adding a weight for use in determining the data read points, which varies in accordance with patterns of the detected pattern dots.

6 more elements

An information reproduction system comprising:

image inputting means for imaging a dot code optically readably recorded on an information recording medium, the dot code comprising a plurality of blocks adjacent to each other, each of the blocks comprising (i) a data code comprising a plurality of dots which are arranged two-dimensionally to correspond to contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, (ii) pattern dots arranged to have a predetermined positional relationship with the data code, and to determine reference read points for use in reading the dots of the data code, respectively, and (iii) a marker for use in detecting the pattern dots, provided to have a predetermined positional relationship with the pattern dots;
restoring means for restoring an image obtained by said image inputting means to data of the multimedia information;
and
data reproducing means for reproducing the data obtained by said restoring means as original multimedia information,
wherein:
said restoring means comprises (i) marker detecting means for detecting the markers from the image obtained by said image inputting means, (ii) data read reference point-determining means for detecting the pattern dots with reference to the markers detected by said marker detecting means, and determining the reference read points, and (iii) data reading means for respectively reading the dots of the data code at the reference read points determined by said data read reference point-determining means;
said data read reference point-determining means includes (i) marker pair selecting means for selecting a marker pair for use in detecting the pattern dots, and detecting approximate centers of the selected marker pair, (ii) dot detecting means for detecting the pattern dots at dot read points determined in accordance with a format and the approximate centers detected by said marker pair selecting means, (iii) dot center calculating means for calculating centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot detecting means, and (iv) error minimizing means for calculating read reference points in such a manner as to minimize a predetermined error function which is determined based on the format and the centers of the pattern dots detected by said dot center calculating means;
and
said dot center calculating means determines, when said dot detecting means does not detect any of the pattern dots at the read points, a corresponding one of the read points as a center of said any of the pattern dots.

6 more elements

Information recording medium and information reproduction system

Life of this patent

Information recording medium and information reproduction system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims67