Two-dimensional code with design data embedded in non-information area

Abstract

To provide a design-embedded two-dimensional code that uses a non-information area of a QR code (R) as an area for drawing a design.SOLUTION: A two-dimensional code is generated that provides visual effect of embedding a design while maintaining compatibility with existing reading devices, by calculating correspondence between a bit position of a filler area defined in a QR code (R) and coordinates of the two-dimensional code and by performing a change to a value corresponding to an input design. Since an information area is not changed, information displayed to a user does not lose its identity even if the size of the two-dimensional code is changed, and it is also possible to perform a video expression as an animation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code that allows designs such as images to be embedded in non-information areas. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, QR Code (registered trademark) is a type of two-dimensional code developed by Denso Wave Inc. QR Code (registered trademark) has become widespread as an excellent method that combines high reading speed and reliability, and is widely used for sharing information on smartphones.

[0003] QR Codes (registered trademark) encode input information according to rules, so it is difficult to predict what kind of design will result before the code is created. Embedding designs into the code has several advantages, such as making it easier to visually classify, making it easier to obtain protection under trademark rights and copyrights, and visually appealing to viewers, and so several methods have been proposed to date. However, these methods have involved using the error correction function of the QR Code (registered trademark) to reduce the quality of the information or adding data to the information area of ​​the QR Code (registered trademark). These methods increase the error correction level to relatively reduce the area occupied by the stored information, or present information different from the information that was originally intended to be shown.

[0004] The method of adding information other than the stored information as in Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 1 has the problem that unnecessary information is displayed. These methods add unnecessary data after the information that should be presented, so a large amount of data different from the information that should be presented is added, causing a loss of consistency in the information. When embedding in a QR Code (registered trademark) with a version, i.e. a large overall data size, as defined in the QR Code (registered trademark) standard, the added data becomes large and the user loses track of the original information, so it is difficult to use it for QR Code (registered trademark) with a large version. In addition, when data in Shift JIS format is encoded, undefined characters are specified, causing garbled characters.

[0005] As a solution to this problem, there is a method of recording designs such as images in a non-information area called a padding area in the QR Code (registered trademark) specifications. The padding area is a meaningless data string added to make the data size regulated, and is information ignored by the reading device. The QR Code (registered trademark) specifications stipulate EC11 in hexadecimal notation and 1110110000010001 in binary notation. Changing the padding area from the value regulated in the specifications will deviate from the standard QR Code (registered trademark), but the change has not resulted in an illegal result in many reading applications. As described in Patent Document 3, there is already a technology that uses the padding area as a second information area, and compatibility with existing QR Codes (registered trademarks) has been confirmed, so using a unique value in the padding area does not affect the practical function of the QR Code (registered trademark).

[0006] Figure 1 shows an example of embedding an image in a QR Code (registered trademark) by modifying the padding area. With this two-dimensional code, the information presented to the user is not altered, and the design is changed by modifying only the padding area. Since there are no defects in the two-dimensional code, the information could be decoded without problems by all of the reading devices tested, even with the error correction code minimized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 07-254037 2D Code

[0008] [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication 2009-230729 Visual QR code

[0009] [Patent Document 3] JP2008-299422 Method for generating two-dimensional codes and a reading device thereof [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] https: / / research.swtch.com / qart QArt Codec Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The problem to be solved is that, despite the demand for adding designs to QR Codes (registered trademark) to make them more memorable to users, there are few methods to embed designs that are compatible with currently available reading devices and do not affect the consistency of the data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The main feature of the present invention is that it embeds a design while maintaining the consistency of information and compatibility with existing reading devices by changing the embedding area. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The two-dimensional code generation method of the present invention has the advantage that it can create and display symbols incorporating any image without making any changes to existing QR Code (registered trademark) reading devices, and can create two-dimensional codes with visually impressive designs.

[0014] Since the information presented to the user is consistent and error correction information is minimal, it is possible to create efficient 2D codes that maximize the design area, as well as animations that display the same information.

[0015] The design is encoded as a 2D code and includes error correction information, making it possible to reconstruct the correct design and providing a safeguard against attempts to circumvent intellectual property claims by altering the design. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the process for creating a two-dimensional code according to the present invention. (Example 1)

[0017] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a two-dimensional code created based on the present invention, which expresses the information "QR girl." (Example 2)

[0018] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a two-dimensional code created based on the present invention, which expresses the information "cat code" in Japanese text coded in Shift JIS format. (Example 2)

[0019] [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a two-dimensional code based on the present invention that is animated and has interchangeable images while still ensuring consistency of information. In order to make the animation more natural to the human eye, the display area for error correction information is at the bottom, and the code is rotated 90 degrees from the standard two-dimensional code orientation. (Example 3) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLES

[0020] To display an image within a 2D code, it is necessary to calculate the correspondence between each position within the code and the bit string of the padding data. This correspondence can be calculated when the code is generated, or it can be recorded in a correspondence table beforehand. The specified drawing can be performed by comparing the mask information calculated from this correspondence with the currently recorded values. Figure 1 shows an example of the procedure used in the creation device. Figures 2 and 3 show examples of 2D codes created by this device that maintain the information string without introducing errors.

[0021] Since the pixels of a QR Code (registered trademark) and the data string correspond one-to-one depending on the version of the QR Code (registered trademark) and the error correction level, if you do not prepare a correspondence table in advance and calculate it each time, you will need to perform the drawing process itself or an equivalent correspondence calculation process. Where the padding data starts and ends will change depending on the size of the data to be stored.

[0022] Several types of masks are defined for QR Code (registered trademark) to make it easier to decode, but selection of a mask is not necessarily required because anything other than the prescribed pattern and data string can be changed by changing the padding area. If the input image contains a pattern that causes the reading device to malfunction, this can be dealt with by modifying the image, such as adding noise to the image, rather than changing the mask. To further increase reading efficiency, the image can be processed to reduce prohibited patterns rather than noise, and image processing can be changed to increase reading efficiency.

[0023] The image to be drawn in the 2D code is read, and the mask information for the bit positions corresponding to the padding data is used to determine whether or not it needs to be changed, and then the image is drawn. This process is equivalent to an exclusive OR in bit operations.

[0024] The obtained padding data is added to the input information to create a two-dimensional code according to the rules of QR Code. At this time, the error correction information is concentrated on one side of the QR Code, so it can be rotated appropriately to emphasize the design. EXAMPLES

[0025] By generating a two-dimensional code according to the procedure in Example 1, it is possible to incorporate information and a design that can be decoded by a reading device. In Figure 2, the English character string "QR girl" and a design are expressed in one two-dimensional code.

[0026] The method of the present invention is compatible with the data representation defined by QR Code (registered trademark), so Japanese characters can be stored in Shift JIS format. Figure 3 shows an image based on a real photograph embedded in a two-dimensional code representing the Japanese string "cat code."

[0027] The results of an experiment to demonstrate compatibility with existing reading applications for 2D codes created using this output device are shown in Figures 2 and 3. Decoding was successful with all the reading applications tested, and no information other than that written in the 2D code was displayed.

[0028] [Table 1] EXAMPLES

[0029] The two-dimensional code created by the device of the present invention can have different designs while maintaining the same information. Therefore, it is possible to display the same information while creating an animation by displaying multiple images in succession. Figure 4 shows a series of image frames, and by repeatedly displaying six two-dimensional codes, it is possible to create an impressive image while keeping the information provided constant.

[0030] By inserting 2D codes with different information between similar frames, it is possible to provide users with the entertainment of finding specific frames. [Industrial Applicability]

[0031] By presenting a visually appealing 2D code, it can attract advertising targets and encourage users to scan the information.

[0032] When using two-dimensional codes to manage products, manufacturing equipment, and supplies, they can be used to create labels and advertisements that can be visually classified without the need for deciphering them with a reading device.

[0033] Since the 2D codes that make up the animation can be displayed continuously while maintaining the information in the 2D code, it is possible to store the same information that can be read by a standard QR Code (registered trademark) reading device throughout part or all of a video work.

[0034] By matching the character displayed as a design in the 2D code with the recorded data, it is possible to express that the character contains related information without the need for a reading device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1. Data to be encoded into the 2D code 2. Image data of the design to be embedded in the 2D code 3. Output 2D code 4 Two-dimensional code decoded by a QR Code (registered trademark) reader such as a smartphone application

Claims

1. A two-dimensional code that can be decoded by a QR Code (registered trademark) reader, has error correction information of level L, M, H, or Q, and is created in any size from version 1 to 40. The two-dimensional code is designed by storing information corresponding to the input design in the padding area of ​​the QR Code (registered trademark).

2. A two-dimensional code that can be decoded by a QR Code (registered trademark) reader, has error correction information of any of levels L, M, H, or Q, and is created in any of the sizes from version 1 to 40. By storing information corresponding to the input design in the padding area of ​​the QR Code (registered trademark), the color of the designed two-dimensional code is changed, thereby enhancing the visual effect.

3. A video work that changes its design while presenting the same information to the user by continuously displaying the two-dimensional code of claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A printed matter or electronic display having a character displayed on the two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 3, thereby enhancing the desire to collect or the effect of advertising.

5. 4. The video work of claim 3, wherein different information is coded into only a small number of frames, thereby providing the user with the enjoyment of searching.

6. 4. The video work according to claim 3, wherein information that changes according to the contents of the video is coded to link the image with the coded information.

7. 7. An augmented reality device that uses the two-dimensional code according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and displays a character represented in the two-dimensional code on a screen of a computer device when the character is photographed by a camera built into the computer device.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer system that causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images