Two-dimensional bar code, information processing device, information processing method, and program

• US 7,857,232 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ayatsuka, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Savusdiphol; Paultep
• Application Number:
  US11/642,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20070145141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/435, 235/454, 235/462.01, 23546209-46216, 235/462.23, 235/462.24, 235/487, 235/494
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details

Abstract

A two-dimensional bar code recognizable by an information processing device, wherein elemental two-dimensional bar codes in which predetermined information is coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule form a nested structure.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional bar code recognizable by an information processing device,

wherein elemental two-dimensional bar codes, in which predetermined information is coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule, form a nested structure of at least three nesting levels including (1) a first level of one first elemental two-dimensional bar code of a first size, (2) a second level of four second elemental two-dimensional bar codes of a second size smaller than the first size located inside the first elemental two-dimensional bar code, and (3) a third level of a third elemental two-dimensional bar code of a third size smaller than the second size, wherein four third elemental bar codes are located inside each second elemental two-dimensional bar code.

2. The two-dimensional bar code as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said second and third elemental two-dimensional bar codes are arranged in a plural unit according to a predetermined rule at each level of said nested structure.

3. The two-dimensional bar code as claimed in claim 2,

wherein said predetermined rule is same at each level.

4. The two-dimensional bar code as claimed in claim 3,

wherein identifying information corresponding to a level and an arrangement position in said nested structure and information corresponding to a predetermined process are coded in each of said elemental two-dimensional bar codes.

5. The two-dimensional bar code as claimed in claim 2,

wherein each said elemental two-dimensional bar code includes corner cells, a guide cell, and coded cells in which said predetermined information is coded, said coded cells being arranged in an area identified by said corner cells and said guide cell, and said second elemental two-dimensional bar codes are included within an area identified by said corner cells of said first elemental two-dimensional bar code, said guide cell, or said corner cells.

6. The two-dimensional bar code as claimed in claim 5,

wherein said corner cells are circular cells, and are arranged at corners of a square of a predetermined size.

7. An information processing device for recognizing a two-dimensional bar code in which elemental two-dimensional bar codes, having predetermined information coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule, form a nested structure of at least three nesting levels including (1) a first level of one first elemental two-dimensional bar code of a first size, (2) a second level of four second elemental two-dimensional bar codes of a second size smaller than the first size located inside the first elemental two-dimensional bar code, and (3) a third level of a third elemental two-dimensional bar code of a third size smaller than the second size, wherein four third elemental bar codes are located inside each second elemental two-dimensional bar code, said information processing device comprising:

recognizing means for recognizing said elemental two-dimensional bar code;

obtaining means for obtaining identifying information and process information coded in said elemental two-dimensional bar code recognized by said recognizing means, said identifying information being assigned in correspondence with a nested level and an arrangement position in said nested structure; and

performing means for performing a process based on said process information according to said identifying information.

8. The information processing device as claimed in claim 7,

wherein said performing means changes one of a size, an orientation, and a position of an image associated with said elemental two-dimensional bar code on a basis of the identifying information of said elemental two-dimensional bar code, and displays the image.

9. An information processing method for recognizing a two-dimensional bar code in which elemental two-dimensional bar codes, having predetermined information coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule, form a nested structure of at least three nesting levels including (1) a first level of one first elemental two-dimensional bar code of a first size, (2) a second level of four second elemental two-dimensional bar codes of a second size smaller than the first size located inside the first elemental two-dimensional bar code, and (3) a third level of a third elemental two-dimensional bar code of a third size smaller than the second size, wherein four third elemental bar codes are located inside each second elemental two-dimensional bar code, said information processing method comprising the steps of:

recognizing a said elemental two-dimensional bar code;

obtaining identifying information and process information coded in said elemental two-dimensional bar code recognized by a process of said recognizing step, the identifying information being assigned in correspondence with a nested level and an arrangement position in said nested structure; and

performing a process based on said process information according to said identifying information.

10. A program for making a computer perform information processing for recognizing a two-dimensional bar code in which elemental two-dimensional bar codes, having predetermined information coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule, form a nested structure of at least three nesting levels including (1) a first level of one first elemental two-dimensional bar code of a first size, (2) a second level of four second elemental two-dimensional bar codes of a second size smaller than the first size located inside the first elemental two-dimensional bar code, and (3) a third level of a third elemental two-dimensional bar code of a third size smaller than the second size, wherein four third elemental bar codes are located inside each second elemental two-dimensional bar code, said program comprising the steps of:

recognizing a said elemental two-dimensional bar code;

obtaining identifying information and process information coded in said elemental two-dimensional bar code recognized by a process of said recognizing step, the identifying information being assigned in correspondence with a nested level and an arrangement position in said nested structure; and

performing a process based on said process information according to said identifying information.

11. An information processing device for recognizing a two-dimensional bar code in which elemental two-dimensional bar codes, having predetermined information coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule, form a nested structure of at least three nesting levels including (1) a first level of one first elemental two-dimensional bar code of a first size, (2) a second level of four second elemental two-dimensional bar codes of a second size smaller than the first size located inside the first elemental two-dimensional bar code, and (3) a third level of a third elemental two-dimensional bar code of a third size smaller than the second size, wherein four third elemental bar codes are located inside each second elemental two-dimensional bar code, said information processing device comprising:

a recognizing section configured to recognize a said elemental two-dimensional bar code;

an obtaining section configured to obtain identifying information and process information coded in said elemental two-dimensional bar code recognized by said recognizing section, said identifying information being assigned in correspondence with a nested level and an arrangement position in said nested structure; and

a performing section configured to perform a process based on said process information according to said identifying information.