Two-dimensional code recognition processing method, two-dimensional code recognition processing apparatus, and storage medium

• US 20060274942A1
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Rekimoto, Junichi, Ihara, Keigo, Nakajima, Shinji, Sueyoshi, Takahiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/181
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06131 the marking comprising a target pattern, e.g. for indicating the center of the bar code or for helping a bar code reader to properly orient the scanner or to retrieve the bar code inside of an image
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1443 locating of the code in an image

Abstract

A two-dimensional code recognition processing method for recognizing a two-dimensional code made of a plurality of square cells arranged in accordance with predetermined layout rules. The method comprises the steps of: generating binary data from image information acquired externally in accordance with a predetermined threshold value; detecting a reference cell serving as a reference in recognizing the two-dimensional code based on the binary data generated in the binary data generating step; detecting corner cells each located in a predetermined search range with respect to the reference cell detected in the reference cell detecting step, on the basis of the binary data generated in the binary data generating step; and detecting code data assigned to the two-dimensional code existing inside an area of a code part enclosed by the reference cell and by the corner cells on the basis of the binary data generated in the binary data generating step.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional code recognition processing method for recognizing a two-dimensional code comprising:

generating binary data from image information obtained by imaging said two-dimensional code in accordance with a predetermined threshold value;

detecting a reference cell, used as a reference in recognizing said two-dimensional code, based on said binary data generated in said binary data generating step;

detecting a plurality of basic cells for defining an area of said two-dimensional code, each located in a predetermined search range with respect to said reference cell detected in said reference cell detecting step, on the basis of said binary data generated in said binary data generating step;

creating an image of the defined area from image information obtained by imaging said two-dimensional code in accordance with a predetermined threshold value;

converting the image of the defined area into a detection compatible fronto-parallel image; and

detecting two-dimensional code data, assigned to said two-dimensional code, located inside the converted image of the defined area.

2. A two-dimensional code recognition processing apparatus for recognizing a two-dimensional code comprising:

a binary data generating unit configured to generate binary data from image information obtained by imaging said two-dimensional code in accordance with a predetermined threshold value;

a reference cell detecting unit configured to detect a reference cell used as a reference in recognizing said two-dimensional code;

a basic cell detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of basic cells, used to define an area of said two-dimensional code, each located in a predetermined search range with respect to said reference cell detected by said reference cell detecting unit;

an image creating unit configured to create an image of the defined area from image information obtained by imaging said two-dimensional code in accordance with a predetermined threshold value;

a converting unit configured to convert the image of the detected area into a detection compatible fronto-parallel image; and

a detection unit configured to detect two-dimensional code data, assigned to said two-dimensional code, located inside the converted image of the defined area.

3. A computer-readable storage medium containing thereon a computer program of a two-dimensional code recognition processing method for recognizing a two-dimensional code, said computer program being for performing:

generating binary data from image information obtained by imaging said two-dimensional code in accordance with a predetermined threshold value;

detecting a reference cell, used as a reference in recognizing said two-dimensional code, based on said binary data generated in said binary data generating step;

detecting a plurality of basic cells for defining an area of said two-dimensional code, each located in a predetermined search range with respect to said reference cell detected in said reference cell detecting step, on the basis of said binary data generated in said binary data generating step;

creating an image of the defined area from image information obtained by imaging said two-dimensional code in accordance with a predetermined threshold value;

converting the image of the defined area into a detection compatible fronto-parallel image; and

detecting two-dimensional code data, assigned to said two-dimensional code, located inside the converted image of the defined area.