JP7630145B2 - Group code, information acquisition device, information acquisition method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a group code consisting of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes, and an information acquisition device that acquires information corresponding to the group code.

Conventionally, two-dimensional codes such as QR Codes (registered trademark) have been widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The use of two-dimensional codes has the advantage that the amount of information that can be recorded can be increased compared to barcodes, which are one-dimensional codes. For this reason, two-dimensional codes have come to be used in a variety of situations, such as logistics, public transportation, and toll payments.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-214317

The amount of information that a two-dimensional code can carry is greater than that of a barcode, but is still finite, so there is a problem in that it cannot be used when more information than that amount is required.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a code that can increase the amount of information compared to conventional two-dimensional codes, and an information acquisition device that can acquire information corresponding to the code.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information acquisition device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of a plurality of rectangular, oriented two-dimensional codes; an identification unit that identifies a group code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes in the acquired captured image using at least the relative orientations of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code; a reading unit that reads information from the plurality of two-dimensional codes that make up the identified group code; and an information acquisition unit that acquires information corresponding to the group code using the information read from the plurality of two-dimensional codes that make up the group code.
With this configuration, even if two or more group codes are adjacent to each other, each group code can be identified using at least the relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code, and information corresponding to each group code can be obtained.

In addition, in the information acquisition device according to an aspect of the present invention, the identification unit may identify the group code using the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code.
With this configuration, each group code can be identified using the type as well as the orientation of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code.

In the information acquisition device according to an aspect of the present invention, the type of the two-dimensional code may be a type related to the number of cells of the two-dimensional code.
With this configuration, for example, the group code can be identified using the type of two-dimensional code corresponding to the number of cells on one side and the orientation of the two-dimensional code.

In addition, in an information acquisition device according to one aspect of the present invention, the information read from at least one of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code includes a check digit, and the information acquisition unit may acquire information corresponding to the group code when the information read from the multiple two-dimensional codes that make up the group code is consistent with the check digit corresponding to the group code.
With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the group code has been properly identified by using the check digit. For example, if multiple two-dimensional codes are accidentally arranged to form a group code, the check digits usually do not match, so it is possible to avoid erroneously acquiring information corresponding to the group code from such multiple two-dimensional codes.

In addition, in an information acquisition device according to one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined number may be any number between two and four.

In addition, a group code according to one embodiment of the present invention is a group code that is rectangular and composed of a plurality of two-dimensional codes having orientation, and can be identified using at least the relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code.
With this configuration, the amount of information can be increased by using this group code compared to conventional two-dimensional codes. Even if two or more group codes are adjacent to each other, each group code can be identified by at least the relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code.

In addition, in a group code according to one aspect of the present invention, the group code may be able to be identified using the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code.
With this configuration, the group code can be identified using the type as well as the orientation of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code.

An information acquisition method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information acquisition method that is processed using an image acquisition unit, an identification unit, a reading unit, and an information acquisition unit, and includes the steps of: the image acquisition unit acquiring a captured image of a plurality of rectangular, oriented two-dimensional codes; the identification unit identifying a group code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes in the acquired captured image using at least the relative orientations of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code; the reading unit reading information from the plurality of two-dimensional codes that make up the identified group code; and the information acquisition unit acquiring information corresponding to the group code using the information read from the plurality of two-dimensional codes that make up the group code.

The group code according to one aspect of the present invention is composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes, and therefore can store a larger amount of information than conventional two-dimensional codes. Furthermore, according to an information acquisition device according to one aspect of the present invention, by using at least the orientation of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code, it is possible to identify the group code from multiple two-dimensional codes and acquire information corresponding to that group code.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention; A flowchart showing the operation of the information acquisition device according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of a group code according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of a transport target to which a group code is assigned in the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of a group code according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of a group code according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an output of a captured image in the embodiment; FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a computer system according to the embodiment.

The information acquisition device and group code according to the present invention will be described below using an embodiment. Note that in the following embodiment, components and steps with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and repeated description may be omitted. The information acquisition device according to this embodiment identifies a group code consisting of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes using at least the relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code, and acquires information corresponding to the identified group code.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment. The information acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment acquires information corresponding to a group code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes, and includes an image acquisition unit 11, a storage unit 12, an identification unit 13, a reading unit 14, an information acquisition unit 15, and an output unit 16. The information acquisition device 1 may be, for example, a portable information processing terminal with a photographing function, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., or may be an information processing device or server that accepts and processes photographed images from a device with a photographing function. Since the information acquisition device 1 acquires information corresponding to a group code, it can also be considered to be a code reader for the group code.

The image acquisition unit 11 acquires captured images of multiple two-dimensional codes. The image acquisition unit 11 may be, for example, an optical device such as a camera that captures multiple two-dimensional codes, or may receive captured images of multiple two-dimensional codes captured by an optical device such as a camera. It is preferable that the captured images include images of multiple two-dimensional codes. The image acquisition unit 11 may, for example, acquire the captured image only once, or may continuously acquire the captured images in real time. In the latter case, the captured image may be a moving image. In addition, in order to read information from the two-dimensional code included in the captured image, it is preferable that the captured image has a resolution that allows information to be read from the two-dimensional code. In addition, if the code to be captured is a color code, it is preferable that the captured image is a color image. The acquired captured image may be stored in the storage unit 12, for example. This case will be mainly described in this embodiment.

The acquired photographed images are stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is preferably realized by a non-volatile recording medium, but may also be realized by a volatile recording medium. The recording medium may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.

The identification unit 13 identifies a group code in the acquired photographed image. The group code is a code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes. The predetermined number is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more, but may be, for example, two, three, four, etc., or may be five or more. In this embodiment, the case where the number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code is two, three, or four will be mainly described.

The two-dimensional code included in the group code is a rectangular code. The rectangular code may be, for example, a square code, or a code with a rectangular shape other than a square. In this embodiment, the former case will be mainly described. The multiple two-dimensional codes included in the group code may be arranged, for example, with their sides closely facing each other. Note that it is usually preferable for there to be a gap between adjacent two-dimensional codes so that each two-dimensional code can be distinguished, but this is not necessary.

The two-dimensional code is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a color code such as a Chameleon Code (registered trademark), a QR Code (registered trademark), an AR marker, or other code. The AR marker may be, for example, an ArUco marker. It is preferable that the two-dimensional code be one that can read multiple codes simultaneously. In this embodiment, the case where the two-dimensional code is an AR marker will be mainly described.

The group code is assumed to be capable of uniquely identifying each group code even if two or more group codes are adjacent. For this purpose, for example, attributes of the two-dimensional code may be used. The attributes of the two-dimensional code include at least the orientation of the two-dimensional code, and may include the type of the two-dimensional code as necessary. For example, the group code may be capable of uniquely identifying each group code even if two or more group codes are adjacent, based only on the relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code, or based on the relative orientation and type of the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code. That is, for example, the relative orientation of the multiple two-dimensional codes included in the group code may be predetermined, and the relative orientation and type of the multiple two-dimensional codes included in the group code may be predetermined. The orientation and type of the two-dimensional code will be described later.

It is also preferable that the group code is capable of identifying the order of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code. This is because when information corresponding to the group code is obtained using information read from a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code, the order of the two-dimensional codes included in the group code must be uniquely identified. For example, in a group code consisting of K two-dimensional codes, if the first two-dimensional code through the Kth two-dimensional code can be uniquely identified, the information read from the first two-dimensional code through the information read from the Kth two-dimensional code may constitute the information corresponding to the group code in order from the upper side to the lower side. Note that K is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more. The order of the predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code may be identified, for example, using the attributes of the two-dimensional codes, or may be identified using the information of the two-dimensional codes, i.e., the information read from the two-dimensional codes. In the former case, in order to identify the order of the predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code, it is preferable that the group code is not two-fold symmetric with respect to the attributes of the two-dimensional codes included in the group code. The attributes of the two-dimensional code include at least the orientation of the two-dimensional code, and may also include the type of the two-dimensional code as necessary. In addition, if the order of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in a group code can be determined using information about the two-dimensional codes, for example, the information about each of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code may include information indicating the order. Note that the order of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in a group code may be predetermined, for example, by the attributes of the two-dimensional codes or the information about the two-dimensional codes.

The two-dimensional code included in the group code is a code that has a direction. For example, a code having a direction may mean that the direction can be uniquely identified from the two-dimensional code. The direction may be, for example, along a side of a rectangular two-dimensional code. A specific direction along a side can be set for a rectangular two-dimensional code that is not two-fold symmetric. Thus, a two-dimensional code that has a direction may be a rectangular two-dimensional code that is not two-fold symmetric. Note that the direction of the two-dimensional code may be set, for example, according to a predetermined rule, or may be set manually for each two-dimensional code.

The group code may include multiple types of two-dimensional codes. The types may be, for example, types related to the number of cells in the two-dimensional code, types related to the color of the two-dimensional code, types related to the size of the two-dimensional code, or other types of two-dimensional code. In this embodiment, a case where the type of two-dimensional code is the number of cells in the two-dimensional code will be mainly described. For example, known square-shaped AR markers include AR markers with 4 cells on one side, AR markers with 5 cells, and AR markers with 6 cells. Therefore, in this case, the number of cells on one side may be the type of two-dimensional code.

The identification unit 13 identifies the group code using at least the relative orientation of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code. The identification unit 13 may also identify the group code using, for example, the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code. Even if two or more group codes are adjacent, if each group code can be uniquely identified using only the orientation of the two-dimensional code, for example, the identification unit 13 may identify the group code using only the orientation of the two-dimensional code. On the other hand, when two or more group codes are adjacent, if each group code cannot be uniquely identified without using, for example, the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code, the identification unit 13 may identify the group code using the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code. Identifying the group code may, for example, be identifying a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes that constitute the group code to be identified. For example, by identifying group codes in a captured image of multiple two-dimensional codes, the multiple two-dimensional codes can be divided into group codes. Identifying the two-dimensional code may, for example, be acquiring the position of the two-dimensional code in the captured image, or acquiring an image of the two-dimensional code.

The reading unit 14 reads information from the multiple two-dimensional codes that make up the group code identified by the identification unit 13. This reading of information may be, for example, a decoding process of the two-dimensional code. Methods for reading information from two-dimensional codes are already known in the art, such as code readers for two-dimensional codes, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

The information acquisition unit 15 acquires information corresponding to the identified group code from the multiple two-dimensional codes constituting the identified group code using information read by the reading unit 14. As described above, the order of the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code is uniquely determined by the attributes of the two-dimensional codes and the information included in the information read from the two-dimensional codes. Therefore, the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code using the information of each two-dimensional code constituting the group code acquired by the reading unit 14 and the order of the two-dimensional codes in the group code. For example, if the group code includes four two-dimensional codes and the first to fourth pieces of information are read from the first to fourth two-dimensional codes, respectively, the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information in which the first to fourth pieces of information are arranged from the upper side to the lower side as information corresponding to the group code.

The information acquisition unit 15 may, for example, use all of the information read from the multiple two-dimensional codes that make up the identified group code to acquire information corresponding to that group code, or may use a portion of the read information to acquire information corresponding to that group code. In the latter case, for example, information indicating the order of the two-dimensional codes or information other than the check digit described below may be used to acquire information corresponding to the group code. As long as information corresponding to the group code can be uniquely acquired based on the information read from each of the K two-dimensional codes included in the group code and the order of each piece of information, the method of acquiring information corresponding to the group code is not important.

The information acquisition unit 15 acquires information corresponding to the group code when the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code matches the check digit corresponding to the group code. In this case, the information read from at least one of the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code may include the check digit corresponding to the group code. For example, the lowest information of the information read from the Kth two-dimensional code among the K two-dimensional codes constituting the group code may be the check digit. In addition, in determining the consistency, the information acquisition unit 15 may perform a predetermined calculation using the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code, and determine that the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code matches the check digit corresponding to the group code when the calculation result matches the check digit. Note that the calculation result and the check digit may match, for example. The information used in the calculation may be, for example, the information read from the two-dimensional code excluding the check digit.

The method of determining consistency using a check digit is not particularly limited, but may be performed, for example, as follows. Here, it is assumed that the group code is composed of three two-dimensional codes, and the reading unit 14 reads three-digit decimal numbers from the first to third two-dimensional codes (hereinafter, referred to as "first information", "second information", and "third information", respectively). It is assumed that the last digit of the third information is the check digit. The information acquisition unit 15 acquires a nine-digit number using the read information as follows:
1st information x 1000000 + 2nd information x 1000 + 3rd information

For example, if the first piece of information is "150", the second piece of information is "125", and the third piece of information is "127", the nine-digit number will be "150125127". Of the nine digits, the first digit "7" is the check digit. Next, a specified calculation is performed on the eight digits other than the check digit, "15012512". The calculation is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the following calculation:

Numbers are assigned to the eight-digit number in order from the first digit, such as 1, 2, 3, ..., 8. Then, the numbers that are assigned odd numbers are multiplied by 3, and the numbers that are assigned even numbers are multiplied by 1, and the sum of the multiplication results is calculated. Next, the last digit of the sum is subtracted from 10 to obtain the result. If this result matches the check digit, the information read from the multiple two-dimensional codes that make up the group code and the check digit corresponding to the group code are consistent, and if not, there is no consistency. In the above example, the calculation result is "7", which matches the check digit, so the information acquisition unit 15 determines that the read information is consistent with the check digit, and the eight-digit number excluding the check digit, "15012512", may be regarded as the information corresponding to the group code.

Note that the above description of the check digit consistency determination is an example, and it goes without saying that the check digit consistency determination may be performed by a method other than the above. In addition, when the check digit is used to determine the consistency, for example, the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code may be set so that the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code and the check digit are consistent. In addition, when the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code, excluding the check digit, corresponds to the group code, the information corresponding to the group code has already been acquired when the check digit consistency determination is performed. In this case, acquiring the information corresponding to the group code when the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code and the check digit corresponding to the group code match may mean that the information acquisition unit 15 uses the information corresponding to the group code in the subsequent processing when the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code and the check digit corresponding to the group code match, and does not use the information corresponding to the group code in the subsequent processing when the information read from the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code and the check digit corresponding to the group code match, and does not use the information corresponding to the group code in the subsequent processing when the information does not match. The subsequent processing may be, for example, output by the output unit 16.

The output unit 16 performs output related to the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 15. The output related to the acquired information may be, for example, the output of the acquired information itself, or may be the output of information corresponding to the acquired information. Here, this output may be, for example, a display on a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display), a transmission to a specified device via a communication line, a printing by a printer, an audio output by a speaker, storage on a recording medium, or a transfer to another component. When the output unit 16 performs display output, the output unit 16 may also display, for example, a captured image stored in the storage unit 12. The output unit 16 may or may not include a device that performs output (for example, a display device or a communication device). The output unit 16 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives those devices.

Here, an example of a group code will be described for cases where the number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code is (1) two, (2) three, and (3) four. In the following description, it is assumed that the group code is composed of a predetermined number of square-shaped two-dimensional codes. In addition, for the sake of convenience, the direction of each two-dimensional code is indicated by an arrow in Figs. 3 to 6, but it goes without saying that the arrows are not actually displayed on the two-dimensional code. Also, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the side 21 on the end side of the arrow is called the first side, the side 22 on the left side in the direction of the arrow is called the second side, the side on the start side of the arrow is called the third side, and the side 24 on the right side in the direction of the arrow is called the fourth side. Note that these first to fourth sides are relative to the arrow.

(1) Group code composed of two two-dimensional codes The group code 4 composed of two two-dimensional codes may be, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), two two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b facing each other, one two-dimensional code 3a being a two-dimensional code with six cells on one side, and the other two-dimensional code 3b being a two-dimensional code with five cells on one side. That is, the two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b may be arranged so that the first side of the two-dimensional code 3a faces the first side of the two-dimensional code 3b. In this case, even if the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other in any orientation, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. Note that the group code 4 in FIG. 3(a) is not two-fold symmetric with respect to the orientation and type, which are the attributes of the two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b (that is, even if the group code 4 is rotated 180 degrees, the attributes of the two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b do not match), so the information acquisition unit 15 can identify the order of the two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b included in the group code 4. The information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4, for example, by using information from a two-dimensional code 3a with six cells on a side as upper-order information and information from a two-dimensional code 3b with five cells on a side as lower-order information.

In addition, the group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes may be, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(b), in which the orientation of the two two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b is opposite to that of FIG. 3(a), and one two-dimensional code 3a may be a two-dimensional code with six cells on one side and the other two-dimensional code 3b may be a two-dimensional code with five cells on one side. That is, the two two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b may be arranged so that their third sides face each other. In this case, too, even if the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other in any orientation, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. In addition, the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4, for example, by using the information of the two-dimensional code 3a with six cells on one side as upper-level information and the information of the two-dimensional code 3b with five cells on one side as lower-level information, as in FIG. 3(a).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes may be, for example, two two-dimensional codes 3a, 3b facing each other, with the most significant digit of the information of one two-dimensional code 3a being "0" and the most significant digit of the information of the other two-dimensional code 3b being "1". In this case, too, even if the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other in any orientation, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. The information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by, for example, regarding the information other than the most significant digit of the information of the two-dimensional code 3a whose most significant digit is "0" as the higher-order information, and regarding the information other than the most significant digit of the information of the two-dimensional code 3b whose most significant digit is "1" as the lower-order information.

Next, when group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes is as shown in FIG. 3(a), a process of identifying group code 4 and acquiring information corresponding to group code 4 will be specifically described. Assume that the captured image acquired by image acquisition unit 11 includes two-dimensional codes 3c and 3d as shown in FIG. 3(d).

In this case, the identification unit 13 first identifies the 6x6 cell two-dimensional code 3c in the captured image of FIG. 3(d), and determines whether a 5x5 cell two-dimensional code exists at a position a predetermined distance from the center of the identified two-dimensional code 3c toward the first side of the two-dimensional code 3c. The predetermined distance may be, for example, the length of one side of the two-dimensional code. The presence of a two-dimensional code at a certain position may also mean that a two-dimensional code exists in an area including the position. In FIG. 3(d), a 5x5 cell two-dimensional code 3d exists at a position a distance equivalent to one side of the two-dimensional code 3c toward the first side of the two-dimensional code 3c from the center of the two-dimensional code 3c, so the identification unit 13 identifies the orientation of the two-dimensional code 3d and determines whether the orientation is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the orientation of the two-dimensional code 3c. In FIG. 3(d), the orientation of two-dimensional code 3d is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the orientation of two-dimensional code 3c, so the identification unit 13 identifies group code 4 that includes two-dimensional codes 3c, 3d. The identification unit 13 may then pass to the reading unit 14 the position of two-dimensional code 3c included in the identified group code 4 in the captured image and the position of two-dimensional code 3d in the captured image.

Then, the reading unit 14 reads the information of each of the two-dimensional codes 3c and 3d from the captured image and passes it to the information acquisition unit 15. Upon receiving this information, the information acquisition unit 15 separates this information into the check digit and information other than the check digit, and performs a specified calculation on the information other than the check digit. The information acquisition unit 15 then determines whether the calculation result matches the check digit. In this case, it is assumed that the calculation result matches the check digit. The information acquisition unit 15 then acquires the information other than the check digit as information corresponding to the group code 4 composed of the two two-dimensional codes 3c and 3d.

If the 6x6 cell two-dimensional code cannot be identified in the captured image, if there is no 5x5 cell two-dimensional code at a position a predetermined distance from the center of the 6x6 cell two-dimensional code 3c toward the first side, if the orientation of the two-dimensional codes 3c and 3d is not rotated by 180 degrees, or if the calculation result does not match the check digit, the information acquisition unit 15 will not acquire information corresponding to the group code. In addition, the determination of the relative orientation, for example, whether or not the orientation of one of two-dimensional codes is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the orientation of the other two-dimensional code, may be performed taking into account a predetermined error. In other words, if the relative orientation of the multiple two-dimensional codes is predetermined within the error range, it may be determined that the relative orientation of the multiple two-dimensional codes is predetermined. The error is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, about 20 degrees or about 10 degrees.

When the group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes is as shown in FIG. 3(a) or FIG. 3(c), for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes 3 is attached to the side of the transport object 5, and even if the two-dimensional codes 3 constituting each group code 4 are adjacent to each other, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. Therefore, the information acquisition device 1 can appropriately acquire information corresponding to each group code from the captured image of the multiple group codes 4 attached to the transport object 5 shown in FIG. 4. Note that the group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes may be rectangular overall, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

(2) Group code composed of three two-dimensional codes For example, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the group code 4 composed of three two-dimensional codes may be arranged in a straight line, with the two-dimensional code 3a at one end facing the two-dimensional code 3b in the middle, and the two-dimensional code 3c at the other end facing the two-dimensional code 3b in the middle. That is, the two-dimensional codes 3a to 3c may be arranged so that the first side of the two-dimensional code 3a faces the first side of the two-dimensional code 3b, and the third side of the two-dimensional code 3b faces the first side of the two-dimensional code 3c. In this case, even if the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other in any orientation, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. The information acquiring unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by, for example, taking the information of the two-dimensional code 3a facing the central two-dimensional code 3b as higher-level information, the information of the central two-dimensional code 3b as middle-level information, and the information of the other two-dimensional code 3c as lower-level information. In this case, the number of cells on one side of the two-dimensional codes 3a to 3c may be, for example, the same or different.

Also, the group code 4 may be composed of three two-dimensional codes 3a to 3c, as shown in FIG. 5(b) or FIG. 5(c). In these cases, even if the group codes 4 are adjacent in any direction, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. In FIG. 5(b), the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by, for example, taking the information of the two-dimensional code 3a at one end as higher-order information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3b at the center as middle-order information, and the information of the two-dimensional code 3c at the other end as lower-order information. In FIG. 5(c), the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by, for example, taking the information of the two-dimensional code 3a with six cells on one side as higher-order information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3b with five cells on one side as middle-order information, and the information of the two-dimensional code 3c with four cells on one side as lower-order information.

In addition, the group code 4 consisting of three two-dimensional codes may be, for example, as shown in Fig. 5(d), three two-dimensional codes 3a, 3b, and 3c arranged in an L-shape, with the two-dimensional code 3a at one end facing the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex of the L-shape, and the remaining two two-dimensional codes 3b and 3c facing each other. In other words, the two-dimensional codes 3a to 3c may be arranged so that the first side of the two-dimensional code 3a faces the second side of the two-dimensional code 3b, and the first side of the two-dimensional code 3b faces the first side of the two-dimensional code 3c. In this case, too, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified no matter what direction the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other. The information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by, for example, treating the information of the two-dimensional code 3a on the side not facing the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex as higher-level information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex as middle-level information, and the information of the other two-dimensional code 3c as lower-level information. In this case, the number of cells on one side of the two-dimensional codes 3a to 3c may be, for example, the same or different.

Also, as shown in Fig. 5(e), the group code 4 consisting of three two-dimensional codes may be, for example, three two-dimensional codes 3a, 3b, and 3c arranged in an L-shape, with the two-dimensional code 3a at one end facing away from the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex, and the remaining two two-dimensional codes 3b and 3c facing each other, with the two-dimensional code 3a not facing the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex being a two-dimensional code with five cells on one side, the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex being a two-dimensional code with four cells on one side, and the two-dimensional code 3c facing the two-dimensional code 3b at the apex being a two-dimensional code with six cells on one side. Even in this case, no matter what orientation the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. The information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by, for example, taking the information of the two-dimensional code 3a having five cells on a side as higher-level information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3b having four cells on a side as middle-level information, and the information of the two-dimensional code 3c having six cells on a side as lower-level information. The group code 4 made up of three two-dimensional codes may be rectangular or L-shaped overall, as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

(3) Group code composed of four two-dimensional codes The group code 4 composed of four two-dimensional codes may be, for example, as shown in Fig. 6(a), in which four two-dimensional codes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are arranged in a 2 x 2 matrix, with two two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b on one side facing each other, and the remaining two two-dimensional codes 3c and 3d facing the opposing two-dimensional codes 3a and 3b. That is, the two-dimensional codes 3a to 3d may be arranged such that a first side of the two-dimensional code 3a faces a first side of the two-dimensional code 3b, a fourth side of the two-dimensional code 3a faces a first side of the two-dimensional code 3c, a second side of the two-dimensional code 3b faces a first side of the two-dimensional code 3d, and a fourth side of the two-dimensional code 3c faces a second side of the two-dimensional code 3d. In this case, even if the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other in any orientation, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified. For example, in the group codes 4 arranged in the orientation shown in Fig. 6(a), the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by setting the information of the two-dimensional code 3a on the upper left side as the higher-order information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3b on the upper right side as the second highest-order information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3c on the lower left side as the third highest-order information, and the information of the two-dimensional code 3d on the lower right side as the lower-order information. In this case, the number of cells on one side of the two-dimensional codes 3a to 3d may be, for example, the same or different.

Also, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the group code 4 made up of four two-dimensional codes may be, for example, four two-dimensional codes 3a to 3d arranged in a 2 x 2 matrix, with two-dimensional code 3a with six cells on a side facing adjacent two-dimensional code 3b with five cells on a side, which in turn faces adjacent two-dimensional code 3c with five cells on a side, which in turn faces adjacent two-dimensional code 3d with five cells on a side, which in turn faces two-dimensional code 3a with six cells on a side. In this case too, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified no matter what orientation the group codes 4 are adjacent to each other. For example, in a group code 4 oriented in the direction shown in FIG. 6(b), the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by regarding the information in the two-dimensional code 3a on the upper left side as the higher-order information, the information in the two-dimensional code 3b on the upper right side as the second highest-order information, the information in the two-dimensional code 3c on the lower right side as the third highest-order information, and the information in the two-dimensional code 3d on the lower left side as the lower-order information.

The group code 4 may also be composed of four two-dimensional codes 3a to 3d, as shown in FIG. 6(c). In this case, each group code 4 can be uniquely identified, regardless of the orientation of the adjacent group codes 4. In FIG. 6(c), the information acquisition unit 15 may acquire information corresponding to the group code 4 by treating the information of the two-dimensional code 3a on the upper left side as the higher-order information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3b on the upper right side as the second highest-order information, the information of the two-dimensional code 3c on the lower left side as the third highest-order information, and the information of the two-dimensional code 3d on the lower right side as the lower-order information, for example, in the group code 4 arranged in the orientation shown in FIG. 6(c).

The group code 4 consisting of four two-dimensional codes may be, for example, a square shape as a whole, as shown in FIG. 6, or may be another shape. For example, the group code 4 consisting of four two-dimensional codes may be, for example, a rectangular shape, an L-shape, a convex shape, a zigzag shape, or the like as a whole. When the group code 4 is rectangular as a whole, for example, the four two-dimensional codes may be arranged in a straight line.

Although examples of group codes consisting of two, three, and four two-dimensional codes have been described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6, it goes without saying that the group code may be other than these. In addition, it is preferable that the group code consisting of multiple two-dimensional codes to be photographed is usually one type of group code. For example, if the group code 4 shown in Fig. 3(a) and the group code 4 shown in Fig. 3(b) are mixed, each group code cannot be uniquely identified. Therefore, it is preferable that the group code from which information is acquired by the information acquisition device 1 has a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes that make up the group code, and can be uniquely identified by attributes such as the orientation and type of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code. Note that multiple types of group codes may be targets for information acquisition by the information acquisition device 1, as long as each group code can be uniquely identified as a result. For example, the group code 4 in Fig. 3(a) and the group code 4 in Fig. 6(b) can be uniquely identified even if they are mixed and adjacent to each other. Therefore, they may be used mixed together.

Here, a method for generating the group code 4 will be briefly described. The type of the group code 4 is assumed to be predetermined. For example, the group code 4 may be determined as shown in FIG. 3(a). First, when the information corresponding to the group code is determined, a check digit is calculated from the information, and the information including the information corresponding to the group code and the check digit is divided into a predetermined number of pieces of information in order from the upper side. This number is the number of two-dimensional codes 3 included in the group code 4. Then, each piece of information after division is converted into a two-dimensional code according to the attribute of the two-dimensional code corresponding to that information. This conversion is already known as an encoding process for two-dimensional codes, and a detailed explanation will be omitted. Then, the converted two-dimensional codes are arranged in a predetermined manner to generate the group code. Specifically, in the case of the group code 4 shown in FIG. 3(a), first, the information including the information corresponding to the group code and the check digit is divided into two pieces of information, the upper side and the lower side. Next, the information on the upper side is converted into a two-dimensional code with six cells on one side, and the information on the lower side is converted into a two-dimensional code with five cells on one side. Then, a two-dimensional code with six cells on a side and a two-dimensional code with five cells on a side are arranged so that they face each other, that is, as shown in FIG. 3(a), to form group code 4.

The generated group code 4 may be printed on a sheet-like medium such as paper or film, or may be printed directly on the object to which the group code is to be assigned, such as a cardboard or paper box. In the former case, for example, a sheet-like medium on which the group code 4 is printed may be affixed to the object to which the group code is to be assigned, such as an object to be transported.

Next, the operation of the information acquisition device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S101) The image acquisition unit 11 judges whether or not to acquire a photographed image. If the photographed image is to be acquired, the process proceeds to step S102. If not, the process of step S101 is repeated until it is determined that the photographed image is to be acquired. Note that the image acquisition unit 11 may, for example, periodically determine that the photographed image is to be acquired, or may determine that the photographed image is to be acquired in response to an instruction to acquire the photographed image (for example, pressing of a photographing button by a user).

(Step S102) The image acquisition unit 11 acquires the captured image. The acquired captured image may be stored in the storage unit 12.

(Step S103) The identification unit 13 identifies a group code in the captured image. Note that if the captured image contains multiple group codes, the identification unit 13 may identify each group code.

(Step S104) The reader 14 reads the information of the two-dimensional code for each of the multiple two-dimensional codes included in the group code identified in step S103.

(Step S105) The information acquisition unit 15 acquires the check digit from the information of the two-dimensional code read in step S104, and performs a predetermined calculation on the information other than the check digit.

(Step S106) The information acquisition unit 15 compares the calculation result with the check digit and determines whether the two match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S107, and if they do not, the process returns to step S101. Note that the calculation result and the check digit being consistent may mean, for example, that the two match.

(Step S107) The information acquisition unit 15 acquires information corresponding to the group code using the information of the two-dimensional code read in step S104. This information may be acquired, for example, using the information of the two-dimensional code excluding the check digit.

(Step S108) The output unit 16 outputs the information acquired in step S107.

In the flowchart of FIG. 2, if multiple group codes are identified in step S103, steps S104 to S108 may be performed for each group code. The order of the processes in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is an example, and the order of the steps may be changed as long as the same results are obtained. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the process ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt is issued to end the process.

Next, the operation of the information acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, a case will be described in which an image of a transport target 5 with a group code 4 attached to its side, as shown in FIG. 4, is captured by the information acquisition device 1, which is a smartphone. In addition, the information acquisition device 1 is assumed to hold multiple pieces of correspondence information that associate information corresponding to the group code 4 with the names of products contained in the box of the transport target 5 to which the group code 4 is attached. In addition, the group code 4 in this specific example is assumed to be the one shown in FIG. 3(a).

First, when a user inputs an instruction to take a photograph with the information acquisition device 1, which is a smartphone, pointed at the transport object 5 shown in FIG. 4, the instruction is accepted by a reception unit (not shown) and passed to the image acquisition unit 11. The image acquisition unit 11 then determines to acquire a photographed image, acquires the photographed image of the transport object 5, which has been assigned a group code 4 consisting of two two-dimensional codes 3, as shown in FIG. 4, and stores it in the memory unit 12 (steps S101, S102).

When a new captured image is stored in the memory unit 12, the identification unit 13 identifies each group code 4 by the method described with reference to FIG. 3(d) and passes information indicating the area of each group code 4 in the captured image to the reading unit 14 (step S103). Upon receiving the information indicating the area of each group code 4, the reading unit 14 reads information on the two two-dimensional codes 3 that make up the group code 4 for each group code 4 from the captured image stored in the memory unit 12, and passes this information to the information acquisition unit 15 in the order of information on the two-dimensional code with six cells on a side and information on the two-dimensional code with five cells on a side, and also passes information indicating the area of the group code 4 to the information acquisition unit 15 (step S104).

When the information acquisition unit 15 receives the two two-dimensional code information for each group code 4, it extracts the check digit from that information and performs a predetermined calculation using the information excluding the check digit (step S105). The information acquisition unit 15 then determines whether the check digit matches the result of the predetermined calculation (step S106). In this specific example, it is assumed that the two match for all group codes 4. Then, the information acquisition unit 15 acquires information corresponding to the group code 4 using the information received from the reading unit 14 excluding the check digit for each group code 4, and links the information indicating the area of the group code 4 with the information corresponding to the group code 4 and passes it to the output unit 16 (step S107).

When the output unit 16 receives information corresponding to group code 4, it reads the captured image from the memory unit 12 and uses the above-mentioned multiple pieces of correspondence information to obtain the name of the product associated with the information corresponding to group code 4, and displays an image on the touch panel that displays the name superimposed on the position of the captured image indicated by the information indicating the area of group code 4 in the captured image (step S108). As a result, the display shown in Figure 7 is produced. This display allows the user to know the name of the product contained in each box of the transport object 5.

As described above, the group code according to the present embodiment is composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes, and therefore can increase the amount of information compared to conventional two-dimensional codes. In addition, since the group code can be identified by the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code, even if group codes are adjacent to each other in the captured image, the information acquisition device 1 can identify each group code and acquire information corresponding to each group code. In addition, since the order of the predetermined number of two-dimensional codes included in the group code can be identified, information corresponding to the group code can be uniquely acquired based on information read from the multiple two-dimensional codes included in the group code. In addition, if the information of at least one of the two-dimensional codes that constitute the group code includes a check digit, the check digit can be used to determine whether the identified group code is appropriate. Therefore, even if the orientation and type of multiple two-dimensional codes arranged regardless of the group code happen to constitute a group code, the check digit can be used to determine that the multiple two-dimensional codes are not a legitimate group code.

In this embodiment, the case where the check digit is included in the information of at least one of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code has been mainly described, but this is not necessarily the case. The check digit does not have to be included in the information of at least one of the two-dimensional codes that make up the group code. In this case, processing related to the check digit does not have to be performed.

In the above embodiment, the information acquisition device 1 is described as being standalone, but the information acquisition device 1 may be a standalone device or a server device in a server-client system. In the latter case, the output unit and acquisition unit may output data or acquire information via a communication line.

In addition, in the above embodiments, each process or function may be realized by centralized processing in a single device or a single system, or may be realized by distributed processing in multiple devices or multiple systems.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the transfer of information between components may be performed, for example, by one component outputting information and the other component receiving information if the two components transferring the information are physically different, or, if the two components transferring the information are physically the same, by shifting from a processing phase corresponding to one component to a processing phase corresponding to the other component.

In addition, in the above embodiment, information related to the processing performed by each component, such as information accepted, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received by each component, and information such as thresholds, formulas, and addresses used by each component in processing, may be temporarily or long-term stored in a recording medium (not shown) even if not specified in the above description. Furthermore, each component or a storage unit (not shown) may store information in the recording medium (not shown). Furthermore, each component or a reading unit (not shown) may read information from the recording medium (not shown).

In the above embodiment, if the information used by each component, such as the thresholds, addresses, and various setting values used by each component in processing, may be changed by the user, the user may or may not be able to change the information as appropriate, even if not specified in the above description. If the information is changeable by the user, the change may be realized, for example, by a reception unit (not shown) that receives a change instruction from the user, and a change unit (not shown) that changes the information in response to the change instruction. The reception unit (not shown) may receive the change instruction from an input device, may receive information transmitted via a communication line, or may receive information read from a specified recording medium.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when two or more components included in the information acquisition device 1 have a communication device, an input device, etc., the two or more components may have a single physical device, or may have separate devices.

In the above embodiment, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. During execution, the program execution unit may execute the program while accessing the storage unit or recording medium. The software that realizes the information acquisition device 1 in the above embodiment is a program as follows. In other words, this program is a program that causes a computer to function as an image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of multiple rectangular 2-dimensional codes having a direction, an identification unit that identifies a group code consisting of a predetermined number of 2-dimensional codes in the acquired captured image using at least the relative directions of the 2-dimensional codes that constitute the group code, a reading unit that reads information from the multiple 2-dimensional codes that constitute the identified group code, and an information acquisition unit that acquires information corresponding to the group code using the information read from the multiple 2-dimensional codes that constitute the group code.

In addition, in the above program, the functions realized by the above program do not include functions that can only be realized by hardware. For example, functions that can only be realized by hardware such as a modem or interface card in an acquisition unit that acquires information or an output unit that outputs information are at least not included in the functions realized by the above program.

This program may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, or by being read from a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.). This program may also be used as a program constituting a program product. This program may be executed by a single computer or multiple computers. In other words, centralized processing or distributed processing may be performed.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a computer system 900 that executes the above program to realize the information acquisition device 1 according to the above embodiment. The above embodiment can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon.

In FIG. 8, the computer system 900 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 911, a ROM 912 such as a flash memory in which programs such as a boot-up program, application programs, system programs, and data are stored, a RAM 913 connected to the MPU 911 and temporarily stores instructions for application programs and provides temporary storage space, a touch panel 914, a wireless communication module 915, and a bus 916 interconnecting the MPU 911, the ROM 912, and the like. Note that a wired communication module may be provided instead of the wireless communication module 915. Also, instead of the touch panel 914, a display and an input device such as a mouse or keyboard may be provided.

A program that causes the computer system 900 to execute the functions of the information acquisition device 1 according to the above embodiment may be stored in the ROM 912 via the wireless communication module 915. The program is loaded into the RAM 913 when executed. The program may also be loaded directly from the network.

The program does not necessarily have to include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the computer system 900 to execute the functions of the information acquisition device 1 according to the above embodiment. The program may include only an instruction portion that calls appropriate functions or modules in a controlled manner to obtain the desired results. How the computer system 900 operates is well known, and a detailed description will be omitted.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information acquisition device 11 Image acquisition section 12 Storage section 13 Identification section 14 Reading section 15 Information acquisition section 16 Output section

Claims (9)

an image acquisition unit that acquires captured images of a plurality of rectangular two-dimensional codes having a direction;
an identification unit that identifies a group code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes in the acquired photographed image by using at least a relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes that compose the group code;
a reading unit that reads information from a plurality of two-dimensional codes that constitute the identified group code;
An information acquisition device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires information corresponding to a group code by using information read from a plurality of two-dimensional codes that constitute the group code. The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the group code using the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code. The information acquisition device according to claim 2, wherein the type of the two-dimensional code is related to the number of cells of the two-dimensional code. The information read from at least one of the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code includes a check digit,
4. The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires information corresponding to the group code when information read from a plurality of two-dimensional codes constituting the group code matches a check digit corresponding to the group code. The information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined number is any one of two to four. A group code consisting of a plurality of rectangular two-dimensional codes having a direction,
A group code that can be specified using at least the relative orientation of two-dimensional codes that constitute the group code. The group code according to claim 6, wherein the group code can be identified using the orientation and type of the two-dimensional code that constitutes the group code. An information acquisition method that is processed using an image acquisition unit, a specification unit, a reading unit, and an information acquisition unit,
The image acquisition unit acquires captured images of a plurality of rectangular two-dimensional codes having a direction;
a step of the identification unit identifying a group code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes in the acquired photographed image by using at least a relative orientation of the two-dimensional codes constituting the group code;
A step of reading information from a plurality of two-dimensional codes constituting the identified group code by the reading unit;
and a step in which the information acquisition unit acquires information corresponding to the group code by using information read from a plurality of two-dimensional codes that constitute the group code. Computer,
an image acquisition unit for acquiring captured images of a plurality of rectangular two-dimensional codes having a direction;
an identification unit that identifies a group code composed of a predetermined number of two-dimensional codes in the acquired photographed image by using at least the relative orientations of the two-dimensional codes that compose the group code;
a reading unit that reads information from a plurality of two-dimensional codes that constitute the identified group code;
A program for functioning as an information acquisition unit that acquires information corresponding to a group code using information read from a plurality of two-dimensional codes that constitute the group code.

Images